1. Beyond Academia: Strategies for Humanities and Social Science PhDs Tuesday, December 8, 2015 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Presenter: Joshua Cracraft, PhD '14 Moderator: Alexandra Stephens Associate Director, Alumni Career Programs & Engagement Sponsored by the Hiatt Career Center

2. www.altacadvisor.com

3. Agenda Alt-Ac Basics Finding Your Path Networking Resumes, Letters & Interviewing Five Steps to Take Now

4. Poll Question #1

5. ALT-AC SEARCHES: THE BASICS

6. Adopt the Right Mindset Be patient Be confident Focus on the next 2-3 years, not the rest of your life Find a buddy Don’t feel ashamed

7. Put Yourself in Employers’ Shoes Employers hire people to solve problems or make life easier. Employers want to minimize risk when hiring. Employers want smart people who can get things done.

8. FINDING YOUR PATH

9. 15 Skills all PhDs Have Make and deliver presentations Synthesize solutions to complex problems Generate innovative ideas Make sense of large amounts of information Analyze qualitative/quantitative data Explain complex problems to non-experts Edit and critique written work Break down complex problems into smaller chunks Collect data and information Write clear, concise prose Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences Sell your ideas to others Manage multi-year projects Complete projects on time (and within budget) Build relationships with like- minded professionals

10. Motivators / Job Values moneypowerinfluenceprestige locationhelping otherscoachingmentoring having variety day to day doing cutting edge work innovating mastering information or skills leading otherscollaborating working with young people teaching working with numbers working alonework-life balance working with experts improving systemsefficiencysynthesizingcoordinating others working with wordscreating things feeling like your work has greater meaning working behind the scenes focusing on details focusing on the big picture running projectsteamwork

11. NETWORKING

12. Poll Question #2

13. NETWORKING How the dictionary defines it: NOUN: the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business (Merriam Webster online)

14. NETWORKING How the dictionary defines it: NOUN: the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business (Merriam Webster online) How most people define it: NOUN: schmoozing; using other people to get ahead or to get what you want

15. How I Define It: Getting Coffee

16. Building Your Professional Network Your academic colleagues Alumni networks Facebook Family LinkedIn Bottom Line: Tell everyone you’re on the alt-ac market

17. HOW TO MAKE NEW CONNECTIONS Hi, my name is ______, and I’m [grad student, college alum, how you’re connected, etc.]. I apologize for the cold email, but I found your name on the alumni directory and saw that you’re the [job title] of _______. I’m currently exploring careers in _________ in the greater Boston area and would be interested in hearing more about what you do and your experiences working in the ______ industry. I realize you’re probably busy right now, but I was wondering if you might have some time this week or next to meet and chat for a few minutes. I’d be happy to buy you a cup of coffee or, alternatively, meet you at your office, whichever is more convenient for you.

18. The Dos and Don’ts of Networking & Informational Interviewing Don’t ask for a job Don’t ask anyone what they make Do ask about their day-to-day Do ask what skills are important for the job Do ask why they like doing what they do

19. RESUMES, LETTERS & INTERVIEWS

20. Poll Question #3

21. What No One Tells You About Resumes Resumes… Are not rosters of jobs Tell a (single) story Are selective, curated Are customized to a specific job Are works of art

22. A great resume… Is easy to read quickly (5-10 seconds) Contextualizes key info Uses bullets to draw attention to –Responsibilities –Value added –Significant projects Uses action verbs Quantifies as much information as possible Is 1-2 pages, no more

23. Where to Put Your PhD on Your Resume? In the “Education” section In the “Professional Experience” section, including your: –Teaching –Research In the “Skills” section –Technology, language

24. Cover Letters Should NOT Be essays Be long Narrate your resume Wax lyrical about your research, awards, or your awesome-ness Explain why you aren’t pursuing academia

25. Cover Letters Should Be addressed to real people Be short and sweet Have a thesis statement about why you’re applying Name-drop connections Highlight reasons why you fit the job description (i.e. the evidence to support your thesis) Whet appetites

26. Interviews: The Very Basics Approach each interview as a dress rehearsal Walk into an interview with the goal of getting another interview Prepare, prepare, prepare Practice, practice, practice

27. Interviews Questions Only PhDs Get Asked Why a PhD? Why not academia? Why write a dissertation on that? Are you biding your time until a tenure-track job comes along? Wouldn’t you be bored here?

28. How to Answer Those Tough PhD-related Questions Own your PhD—be proud! Be positive—no trash talking Craft a narrative that puts the position/employer at the next stage of your professional development Focus on skills, not content Explain how your skills will help the employer

29. FIVE STEPS TO TAKE NOW

30. Five Steps to Take Now Start networking Find a part-time job Know what you have to offer Write a resume & get feedback Apply to select jobs

31. @altacadvisor @joshuacracraft www.altacadvisor.com

32. Next Steps Fill out our satisfaction survey and let us know how we did Register for our January webinar: Goal Setting & Accountability in the New Year Wednesday, January 13, 2016 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5594844396120914945 https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5594844396120914945 Join Brandeis University Career Connections group on LinkedIn Brandeis undergraduate students and alumni: –Call (781) 736-3618 to schedule a free, 1-on-1 advising appointment with a Hiatt career counselor (in-person, phone, Skype)(781) 736-3618

33. Contact the Hiatt Career Center Alexandra Stephens –Associate Director, Alumni Career Programs & Engagement –Email: astephens@brandeis.eduastephens@brandeis.edu –Phone: 781-736-3618 Website: alumni.brandeis.edu/careers Twitter: @HiattatBrandeis Facebook: facebook.com/HiattCareerCenterfacebook.com/HiattCareerCenter