Dear Mr. Krueger, I am reading your book "College Grad
Job Hunter" and wanted to thank you for all the footwork you have done and recorded so that I can spend less time on trial and error methods of job searching, and more on practical, active pursuit of employment. I
would never have even thought of 10% of the methods you have outlined in this book. Clearly, however, the book is designed for people trying to enter the business world. I graduated with a science degree and am looking
for research work in academia or industry, and I have found it difficult to apply many of your principles to my case. Foremost is the selling of how i can benefit the employer. In the case of a university research
position, cutting costs and increasing efficiency does not seem to be of the utmost importance. Also, scientists are generally much less concerned about playing politics in their department than I would think a
businessperson is. Basically, I would like to know if there are other specialized techniques for breaking into scientific fields that might be different from those outlined in your book. One last thing. I am living in
Seattle, but am looking for work in Boston. Your information about long-distance job hunting was not as complete as it was for same-city networking and searching. I have found that it is next to impossible to get anyone
to return phone calls across the continent, even with a referral. Is this normal? Would it be overdoing it to call someone repeatdly that does not return your messages? Thank you again. Your book has been so helpful. I
just wish I were able to use it's principles in the same time zone as my target employers.
From: Corey C. Shagensky, Recent Graduate, Holy Cross College
ANSWER FROM BRIAN KRUEGER:
Hi Corey -
You're
right, the book does have a business slant. But keep in mind that almost any employer (commercial, academic, or research) still is in business to run as a business. Profit may not be the motive, but there is still a
cost/benefit driver behind how the decisions are being made.
Bottom line: non-profits will react differently and you will need to adjust your approach to meet their specific needs. That may include power, prestige,
even empire building motivations (BTW, I don't agree with your statement about politics in science or academics--often the politics is even greater in non-profits than in for-profits, since power and budgets rule the
kingdom). An example might be a way to show how your experience would be able to contribute to a project that may be able to receive research funding. Or a way to decrease costs. Money is still a big motivator and
budgets are tight. Anything that will expand the top line or shrink any of the lines in the middle might make room for you on the team.
You need to show that your value is greater than what is given in return.
Whether it is for eventually getting the job offer or just setting up an interview, you have to convince others of your value.
Regarding long-distance searches, the best thing you can do is take a trip to the area.
You'll get far more calls returned when you are able to state that you will be in the area the first week of next month. If they have any interest at all, they will jump on the opportunity to interview you "for
free." And being in town can give you additional opportunities to make local phone calls and contacts. You're a Holy Cross grad, so I would assume you still have plenty of contacts out in MA--ask them to do some of
the local contacts for you. And if you are still shut out, ask others if they would be willing to do the introductory phone call for you. Referrals are best when they are direct from the referral.
Do you have a question that you would like to have answered here in this forum? Send your question direct to Brian Krueger.
All job search information at this forum is provided by Brian Krueger, author of the book College Grad Job Hunter, the definitive guide for college grad job search. Used by permission of the author.
