Networking
Writing a Resume
Interviewing
Negotiating a Salary
Follow-up

Networking

• Focus your search geographically to help create a limited, manageable list of organizations that you must reach.
• Develop a list of all the people you know in your target region.
• Call each of your contacts, explain your situation, and ask for names of people who work in your field of interest.
  

Writing a resume

• Include your current employment status: where, when, what (the employer’s name, department, location, dates of employment, and current position).
• Include your educational degrees, listing your most recent education first.
• Write your resume in reverse-chronological order, listing your most recent position first. Most employers prefer chronological resumes to other types of resumes.
• Avoid using too much professional jargon.
• Make your resume short and easy to read, using words that are familiar to the reader. Emphasize your achievements and problem-solving skills.
• Divide your resume into easily distinguishable sections-Employment, Education, and Technical Skills. A hard-to-read resume will often take a back seat to a well-designed resume, regardless of the actual skills of the individuals described in the document.
• Place your name and contact information where they will be clearly visible.

(Compiled and adapted from: Arnold W. Schaeffer, Ph.D., Personal Career Counselor.)
Further information on preparing an academic resume/curriculum vitae can be found at ScienceCareers.org.

Interviewing

• Learn interviewer's full name, the correct pronunciation, and his or her title.
• Don't answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no." Explain how your skills and experience relate to the position.
• Never make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers.
• Ask questions. A lack of questions may be mistaken for a lack of interest.

Negotiating Salary

• Never discuss salary until you have a job offer.
• Don't forget the value of benefits and perks when negotiating a salary.
• Calmly and logically state what you feel your skills are worth financially, and let the interviewer make a counter offer.
• Be willing to walk away if you find the employer’s offer unacceptable.
• Don't say yes to an offer right away.
• Ask the employer to put the offer in writing.

Follow-up

• Write a thank you letter as soon as possible after the interview.
• Use a business letter format. Address the letter to the person with whom you interviewed. Include his or her name, title, organization, and complete mailing address.
• Express appreciation for having been given the opportunity to interview, tour the facilities, meet other employees, etc.
• Mention the day of your interview and the position for which you were interviewed.
• Express continued interest in the position and the company.
• Re-emphasize your most important skills and qualifications and how you expect to contribute to the organization.
• Include any relevant information that you neglected to mention in the interview.
• Close your letter with a comment about future contact with the employer.

Do you have tips to share? What information would be helpful to you? Please feel free to e-mail us directly (justin.smith@academyhealth.org) with your comments and feedback.