1. Non Academic Job Search
by
Darren Kaltved
School of Public Health
Sarah Covert
College of Education & Human Development

2. Agenda
I. Job Market Trends
II. Qualities, Mindset & Fit
III. Research
IV. Job Search Strategies
V. Networking
VI. Elevator Speech
VII. Informational Interview
VIII.Social media’s impact

3. Job Market
• The labor market has declined (about 15% fewer jobs for 2010 grads) –
expected for another 24 months
• Start-ups to mid-size employers
• College hiring starting to increase slightly compared to last year
• College graduates can expect competition from experienced workers
for the same positions
• Baby Boomer exit

4. Job Market & Recruitment Trends
Decrease in
• On-campus interviews
• Listing positions on search sites
Increase in
• Career Fairs
• Internships & Co-ops (post grad)
• Campus referrals from faculty
• Professional networking and social media
(LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter)

5. Top 10 Qualities Employers Seek
• Communication skills
• Honesty/Integrity
• Interpersonal skills
• Strong work ethic
• Analytical skills
• Motivation/Initiative
• Flexibility/Adaptability
• Technical/Computer
• Detail-oriented
• Teamwork
Provided by the NACE Survey

6. What mindset do you need
for a search?
• Willingness to take control of the search process
• Tolerance for ambiguity (the path may not be clear)
• Openness to taking risks (consider all possibilities)
• Self-Confidence (what you offer, articulate it, believe)
• Resilience (don’t give up, identify a support system)
• Patience (4-8 months on average for a search)

7. Factors Influencing Position and Fit
• Personal Factors • Reward Structures
• Family Concerns • Work Environment
• Professional Goals • Social / Community Dynamics
• Educational Values • Affinity / Cultural Connections
• Teaching Practices • Affordability
• Scholarly Considerations • Life – Work Integration
“Why fit in when you were born to STANDOUT! “
~ Dr. Suess

8. Researching Opportunity
• “Follow the money.” What US government programs will be hiring
because they got stimulus money (check out the stimulus bill at
http://www.ncsl.org/)?
• What areas of the United States do NOT have a deficit and have lower
unemployment?
• Internationally, do similar research. Where are there local opportunities
and resources? Where are there opportunities with international
organizations or global corporations?

9. Sources for market research
• Unemployment nation-wide in February 2011 was 8.9%. For people
with college degrees it was 4.4%. www.bls.gov (US Bureau of Labor
Statistics)
• State governments http://www.ncsl.org/ plus websites of individual
states
• Nonprofits http://www.mncn.org/ (MN) National nonprofit career
information: www.idealist.org
• Federal hiring -- USAjobs: www.usajobs.gov, plus
http://www.ourpublicservice.org

10. Sources, cont.
• Minnesota workforce statistics:
www.deed.state.mn.us/lmi
• Interested in science careers? Go to
http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/
• International jobs? Start with www.devnetjobs.org or www.fpa.org
(Foreign Policy Association job board)
• Check out the websites of the professional associations for your
particular field to find specialized job information. And TALK to
professionals in your field. Go to http://www.weddles.com

11. Proactive Job Search - Strategies
• Experience counts (NACE 2010 Job Outlook):
– 95% of employers factor in experience when hiring
– 75% of employers prefer related work experience
• GoldPASS
– http://goldpass.umn.edu (Search by position type & job category)
• Contact companies/agencies directly (Letter of Inquiry)
– Library Services (Wilson Lib.) – company/industry databases
– Job/Career Fairs; Conferences; Seminars
• Professional associations/societies
– www.weddles.com
– Cognitive Science Society (CSS)
– Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI)
• Networking (80% of Jobs Obtained)
– On-line Presence (i.e. LinkedIn)

12. Global thinking: Looking for jobs outside US
• Research opportunities through websites and conversations
• Network, network, network. How can your local network connect you
to international opportunities?
• Consider internships and other apprenticeships (such as Peace Corps) to
get experience on the ground
• Study languages and cultures. Know the job search conventions in your
target area.

13. GoinGlobal
• 80,000 Country Specific Career and Employment Resources
• USA and Canada City Career Guides
• Worldwide Internship and Job Postings
• Learn about corporate culture for a particular country
• See CV/resume guidelines for different countries
• H1B Visa Employer Listings

14. GoinGlobal
To Access:
• Visit GoldPASS at http://goldpass.umn.edu
• Sign into your account
• Click on the GoinGlobal logo:

15. What is Networking?
• Using social, personal and professional contacts to help you to learn
more about a field of interest.
• Telling your contacts your story, so they realize you are:
– looking to grow professionally
– are in the job market and can give you job leads and information about unpublished job
opportunities.
• Reframe the concept of Networking from “using people” to:
– Giving someone a chance to be helpful – and to be helped in return someday
– Asking for advice and/or information
– Becoming a “known expert” – Personal Branding
– Being curious about people and what they do
• A reciprocal relationship
– i.e. volunteering, mentoring, referrals, etc.

16. Advantages of Networking
• Competitive Market:
– Supply exceeds demand
– Referrals (recommendations by people they trust) – 40% of jobs obtained
– Good people know other good people. Therefore, it’s easier and safer to recruit an employee
who, by word-of-mouth, has been recommended as a good fit.
• Strong Networking = Shorter Job Search
• 5-10% of Jobs are Advertised
• It is all about who you know or need to get to
know, and what you do with what you know.

17. Networking for Introverts
• Drop the word “networking”. Instead, refer to this process as “gathering
information”, “having coffee with someone”, or “building a few in-depth
relationships with someone”.
• Finding your passion will help eliminate introversion.
• Introverts can use the written word (especially email) and referrals to get the
ball rolling.
• Talk to people you already know well to get job leads (i.e. family members,
close friends, people close to them).
• Join at least one professional association and attend related events – this
strategy is uncommon, but the most beneficial.
• Conduct information interviews with professionals whose jobs interest you.
• Online social networking is also recommended for Introverts, as well as blogs,
discussion groups/listservs, etc.

18. Networking: Where To Start
• Start with your immediate circle of friends / family
• Expand to colleagues, professors, classmates, alumni, and others you
share common interests
– Tell them what type of job you are looking for
– Give them a resume / business card stating your skills and background
– Always follow-up on leads
– Always send a thank you
– Focus on skill based – not as degree focused

19. 30 Second Pitch
• Who am I?
• What are my interests/passions?
• Where do I want to be in the future?
• What do I have to offer? (accomplishments, skills)
• Example: “I’m Anna Zhang. I’m getting my masters in public policy
this spring, and I want to help rural communities in Minnesota
develop new types of business.”

20. Practice Starting Conversations
Exercise:
• Take 5 minutes to write a 30-second elevator speech.
• Practice with 2 others in the room whom you have not met before.

21. Informational Interviews: Goals
• Brainstorm
– Seeking ideas, not a job
• Research
– Seeking information, not a job
• Job Specific
– Seeking information about a particular job
• Remember
– It’s not hierarchical!

22. Ask for….
• Information (trends, challenges, opportunities, great organizations in
the field)
• Advice (skills I should develop, changes in my resume, related jobs I
should consider)
• Referrals: Who else should I talk to?
May I use your name?

23. Tips for Success
• Be proactive - Initiate
• Be prepared
• Be an active listener
• Take notes
• Limit your meeting (30-45 minutes)
• Be appreciative
• Send a thank you note
• Keep in touch

24. Online Social Networking
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com
• LinkedIn has over 100 million members in over 200 countries and territories around the world.
• A new member joins LinkedIn approximately every second, and about half of our members are
outside the U.S.
• 85% of employers indicated they are using LinkedIn to find and review candidates.
• Professional Profile is key (i.e. summary, specialties, recommendations, and blogs)
• Under the “More” Category – click on SKILLS
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com
• High School friends can sometimes repay a favor
• Employers are using Facebook
Twitter: http://twitter.com
• Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected
through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?)
• Video (Social Media Revolution)

25. Summary
• Research your options
• Develop strong professional relationships
• Present your knowledge, skills and abilities effectively for each
organization you target

26. Take Action!
• What 3 actions will YOU take in the next 2 weeks to move your job
search forward?
• Be specific: I will identify and contact 2 professionals in my field for
informational interviews by April 15. I will talk to my faculty advisor
this week to ask her for 2 names.
• Write this down and tell someone else – and arrange to report on the
results.

27. Questions?
Find your Career Services Office:
http://www.career.umn.edu