Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
A talk from Macquarie University's Careers in the Arts and Social Sciences with general advice on how to get employment for soon-to-graduate college students with degrees in fields like anthropology, sociology, history, English, and other liberal arts and sciences.
Citation preview
Reading an ad,
Greg Downey Macquarie University
writing an application,getting a job...
with an anthropology (or social sciences) degree.
never apologisefor your
degree.*different is an advantage.
Self inventory
• Study the industries you want to enter (‘the work’).
• Consider how you will do ‘the work’.
• Develop professional interests (close the gap with working world).
• Begin to introduce yourself into the world of ‘the work.’
• Take stock of what you’ve done: skills, accomplishments…
http://www.aaanet.org/profdev/careers/
imagine your potential
employer’spoint of view… ?
study the ad.
*use your university training!
sample ad (heavily edited)• CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Partnerships officer • Qualifications and Experience: Degree in International Relations, Development
Studies, Non-profit Management or equivalent; and 2 years minimum experience in a NGO environment.
• Skills: Networking skills; Excellent writing and communication skills; Analytical skills; Proposal and report writing skills; Interpersonal skills; Budget management skills; Planning and time management skills; Deadline driven, with ability to multi-task; and Computer literacy.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of global civil society; Understanding of networking principles; and Knowledge of regional dynamics and civil society issues.
• Desirable: Event management experience; Previous experience working with civiCRM and Microsoft SharePoint; Previous experience of working in a multi-cultural team; & Proficiency in at least one of the identified languages: Spanish, French, Arabic or Russian.
• Location: Johannesburg, South Africa.
http://www.devnetjobs.org
do I look?Where
Fields for anthropology• Education/Outreach • Administration/Management • Archaeology • Ethnography/Cultural Anthropology • Cultural Resource Management (CRM) • Evaluation/Assessment • Historic Preservation • Health (international/public health) • Museum/Curation/Project Design • Environment and Natural Resources • Community Development • Business • Advocacy (human rights/social justice) • Tourism/Heritage
• Human/Social Services • Healthcare Management/Services/
Deliver • Computers/Software Development/
Information Technology • Management Consulting/
Organizational Development/Training • Design (products and/or services) • Social Impact Assessment • International Development/Affairs • Market Research • Forensics • Law/Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement • Mass Communication • Humanitarian Efforts
a resumeis not abiography
it’s a pitch!
14
the employer’s point of view
• Most resumes and cover letters are boring. Hiring requires reading a LOT of them.
• Target the position.
• Help employer to like you — play nice.
• NEVER lie! NEVER! There’s simply no way to recover.
• Focus on skills and accomplishments. PAR (problem-action-result).
• Be obsessive about reviewing your work.
resume
www.craigkunce.com for excellent examples.
• 1-2 pages.• bullets, not paragraphs.• accomplishments (not
duties).• only relevant information.• clear, succinct, flawless.• formatting clean & clear,
no nonsense.
cover letter
www.craigkunce.com for excellent examples.
• 3/4 page (up to 2 with academic jobs).
• address a person by name (call HR if necessary).
• Respectful, formal — professional identity.
• No form letters.• Enthusiasm
there is no
that get’s youa job.*but note that employers increasingly use key word search.
magic word *keywords? see the ad & industry research.
Top 5 skills according to employers
• verbal communication skills • strong work ethic • teamwork skills • analytic skills • initiative
Source: Job Outlook 2011, National Association of Colleges and Employers.
Next 5 top skills according to employers
• problem-solving skills • written communication skills • interpersonal skills • computer skills • flexibility/adaptability
*all more important than your degree.
criteriastudy the selection
you mustrespondto them.
Selection criteria• Government jobs (including university in Australia) have ‘selection
criteria’ that need paragraph-long, explicit responses that are scored. • Situation - Context in which you used the skills and gained the
experience. • Task - What was your role? • Actions - What did you do and how did you do it? • Results - What did you achieve? How does it relate to the job?
http://www.careerfaqs.com.au/
Selection criteriaAt university, I successfully completed many research projects that required high-level analytical skills. I also undertook special project work with Professor Cavendish that required extensive literature research and analysis of organisational management theories.
This special project was an opportunity to develop my quantitative research skills by analysing statistical data. I also utilised my qualitative research skills by interviewing proponents of different theories. I completed the research within the specified timeframe and presented the results according to university standards.
My contribution was formally recognised by the faculty at a sociological seminar, and I was subsequently asked to co-author an academic paper with Professor Cavendish that was accepted for publication in Organisational Monthly.
http://www.careerfaqs.com.au/
Selection criteria• Make sure you understand what they’re asking for. • Respond with evidence. • State your claim to the criterium in first sentence. • Think laterally about proof and experience (brainstorm). • Show to someone else before submitting!
http://www.apsc.gov.au/
treat your job searchlike a
research project.
*learn your way into the industry.
job search.passive
don’tconduct a
active v. passive• Biggest risk: disappearing in the pack • Think like a headhunter: research, prepare, repeat… • Skills are transposable, so pick the targets. • ABC: Always Be Connecting • Do the job in the interview: ‘Give me a live problem…’
http://www.aaanet.org/profdev/careers/
don’t waitfor someone
to pay youto do what
youwant to do.
*major caveat: beware of the internship treadmill in some industries!
volunteer!
start actinglike aprofessional
*polish matters, as do manners.
&
focus onpeople
*but do NOT neglect your online profile.
here now
Interviewing• Practice & prepare in advance. • Develop ‘career stories’ (focus on STAR framework) • Do your homework – know the employer! • Prepare to answer questions (briefly) about your resume & job letter. • Dress appropriately, arrive on time & pay attention. • Do the follow through (thank you note, always).
http://gregdowney.me/lectures/professionalisation-for-study-abroad-and-anthropology/
clean upyourdigitalfootprint
applicationsare a
numbersplay the numbers
game.
you’re in this
job.*don’t wait for perfect job; make perfect job.
not just a
for acareer
final advice:
job.*do the work, get the result.
treat job search like a
relax
questions?
Greg Downey http://blogs.plos.org/neuroanthropology [email protected]
photos and video by Greg Downey
38
Thanks for your attention!
• Interview by Sarah Abraham • Thought Bubble by irene
hoffman • Search by Gianni - Dolce Merda • Question by Mark S Waterhouse • Documents by Roman
Kovbasyuk • Hot Tub by Juan Pablo Bravo • Mortar Board by Jon Testa
• Footprint by Ahmed Sagarwala • Ladder by Michael Rowe • Pixiu by Jerry Wang • Research by Andrew Nolte • Volunteer by Stephen
Borengasser • Pacifier by Luis Prado • Speech by Krisada
icon designAll icons by The Noun Project designers
Creative Commons licensed (BY 3.0)
These lecture slides were prepared for Careers in the Arts event at Macquarie University.
The slides are freely available for use through a Creative Commons (BY ND 4.0) license.
All resources used in the production were public domain or Creative Commons licensed and this use complies with all conditions. If you are the rightful owner of any media used in this production & object to its use, please contact Greg Downey (information at neuroanthropology.net).
licensing
