Katherine Eriksen, Assistant Director of Career Services · Before you begin your job search, consider: ... •Use multiple job search techniques •Stay focused and motivated. The

KatherineEriksen,AssistantDirectorofCareerServices

The Graduate CollegeUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign


• Applied mathematics (e.g. biomathematics)

• Computer science and software development

• Business/Financial analysis and modeling

• Cryptography

• Operations research

• Actuarial science

• Public policy

• Technical writing


• Applied mathematics (e.g. biomathematics)

• Computer science and software development

• Business/Financial analysis and modeling

• Cryptography

• Operations research

• Actuarial science

• Public policy

• Technical writing


Consider transferrable skills related to:

• Research projects

• Teaching experiences

• Coursework

• Leadership and service

• Extracurricular activities


Before you begin your job search, consider:

• What careers or organizations would you prefer?

• How does this fit into your long term career goals?

• Do you have geographic preferences?

• Do you have a partner who also needs to secure employment?

• When will you realistically be prepared to begin a full-time position?

• Are there expanded career options you would like to consider?

• Industry• Jobresponsibilities• Location• Companysize• Typeoforganization

• Focusonspecificfieldorindustry• Investigatespecificcompanies• Findwheretolookforjobsinthisfield

• LinkedIn• Vault• Wetfeet• LexisNexis(Hoover’sReports)• Companywebsites• Professionalorganizations• Networking• RSSfeeds• VersatilePhD

• Researchfield,organization,position• Determineyourimportantexperience• Highlightrelevantskills

• Usemultiplejobsearchtechniques• Stayfocusedandmotivated


• Onlinejobpostings• Careerfairsandon-campusrecruiting

Advertisedjobs

• SendingunsolicitedrésumésContactingorganizations

• Verysuccessful!Networking

• ManyjobsareneverpostedandarefilledinternallyInternalhiring


• Mostpopular• Mostcompetitive

AdvertisedJobs

• 70-80%ofjobsarenotposted• Howtobreakintothehiddenjobmarket

HiddenJobMarket

• PreparationandResearch• Askquestions

CareerFairs


HiringPractices• Lesscentralizedpostings• Noregularhiringschedule• Oftenpositionsareunadvertised

Waystosucceed• Networkingisevenmoreimportant!• Showyourrelevantexperience• Getexperiencefromtheinside


FederalHiring

• Federaljobspostedatwww.usajobs.gov

• Federalresumesshouldbedetailed

• Someapplicationsmayhavequestionnaires

ApplicationTips

• Focusonafewagenciesofinterest

• Followthedirectionscarefully

• Includeallrelevantexperiences

• See:makingthedifference.org

Katherine Eriksen, Assistant Director of Career Services · Before you begin your job search, consider: ... •Use multiple job search techniques •Stay focused and motivated. The

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