How to find a job
Hasan Çam
Computer Science and Engineering Department Arizona State University
Acknowledgements
http://www.ams.org/employment/sanfran. html
“How to Prepare to Find a Job in Industry” by Stanley J. Benkoski
Needs preparation …
“THERE ARE MANY WHO WANT A JOB IN INDUSTRY, THERE ARE FEW WHO WANT TO PREPARE FOR A JOB IN INDUSTRY” which is a paraphrase of a quotation from Bobby Knight, the basketball coach at Indiana University
He said that he met a lot of basketball players that wanted to win but he recruited those who wanted to prepare to win.
Some of the preparations are difficult. Not surprisingly, most of the this is not taught
Needs preparation … (cont’d)
Some of the preparations are difficult. Not surprisingly, most of the this is not taught in graduate school. Finding a job in industry requires preparation It is very important to understand the differences between industry and academics
Why Bother?
Tough job market
Supply vs. Demand
Demand: 800 new doctorates per year for the next 10 to 15 years Supply: 1202 in 1992-93; 1059 in 1993-94 [UPDATE: 1226 in 1994-95]
14.2% of new doctorates unemployed (Sept. 1994) [UPDATE: 14.7% of new doctorates in September, 1995]
Financial (salaries are different)
Fundamental Difference
Academics
Will be hired if you are “SMART” Produce papers and Publish teach Will be hired if you will be “USEFUL” Solve Problems
Industry
Faster Cheaper More Accurately
Comparison
Academic
Alone (and Groups) Academic Environment Proofs Complete Generality Select Problem Smart Research Typed (printed) Page Specialist Self-paced (and Deadlines)
Industry
Groups Business Environment Solutions Specific Problem Assigned Problems Useful Applications Computer Program Generalist Deadlines
Hiring paradigm
Can you do the job? Will you do the job? Do you fit into the culture and organization?
You need to put yourself in the shoes of that hiring manager. How do you show to him that you can do the job, you will do the job, and that you fit in their culture? If the prospective employer believes that you can do the job, will do the job, fit into the corporate culture, then you will be offered the job
How to convince employer?
Experience
Part Time Summer Printed Material Academic Courses/Programs publications (if available)
Knowledge
Skills
Skills
Academic Courses Programming
C, C++, Java, Prolog, VHDL, Assembly
Operating systems: Unix, Windows, Linux Algorithms Networks Embedded systems Engineering Business
Preparation
FIND OUT ALL YOU CAN ABOUT THE COMPANY (AND IF POSSIBLE) THE PERSON YOU WILL VISIT Library Newspaper Company
AS A MINIMUM
What are the primary services and/or products?
Interview (consult or job interview)
GOAL: FIND OUT HOW COMPUTER ENGINEERS or SCIENTISTS ARE USED AT THAT COMPANY Arrive on time Dress like you are serious Listen and ask questions
Taking notes is OK
If appropriate, ask if they hire for summer or part-time Offer to leave after the allocated interview time (say, 20 minutes)
Resume
Resume = advertising Aim for one page Less than two minutes Accurate Various Formats:
CHRONOLOGICAL FUNCTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT SITUATIONAL HYBRID
Guidelines
High Quality Paper; White or Off-White Name, address, and phone number in header Statement of Job Objective
Less than 25 words
Brief summary of qualifications for stated objective Work experience
Quantify everything that you can (e.g.,you were rated in the top 10% of BS students)
Education