Tips on How to Navigate the Job Search and Interview Process for Animal Science Students
10 Steps to Find and Get the Job You Desire – Daniel C. Simmons, CPC
A good rule of thumb: If you don’t know what you are looking for, you won’t find it. Figure out what you want first.
Step 1 DETERMINE PLAN A
- What functions do I really want to perform during your workweek?
- Where do I really want to live/have to live?
- What parts of the industry appeal to me?
- What do I expect to earn?
- Are these 4 realistic?
Step 2 CREATE A PLAN B
- What functions can I really do? (Consider your skills/abilities)
- Where can I live for the next 24 months? (Relocate to target with experience)
- What parts of the industry are acceptable to me? (Consider all the functions in the industry)
- What can I live on until I get a promotion?
- Are these 4 realistic?
Step 3 RECRUITERS
Who?
- Continental Search www.consearch.com
- Career Solutions www.careersolutionsco.com
- MRI – Sioux Falls www.agoodjob.com
- Hansen Agri-Placement www.hansenagriplacement.com
How?
- Email or phone – explain Plan A
- Articulate it well
- Show your ag background if you have it. Provide some detail.
- Write your cover letter stating what you want and where, then why you are perfect for the job.
- Don’t expect miracles
If the recruiters can’t help you, then…
Step 4 JOB BOARDS
Specialty Job Boards
- AnimalScienceJobs.com
- AgCareers.com
- CareersinFood.com
- AnimalHealthCareers.com
Job Board Aggregators
- Indeed.com
- SimplyHired.com
Use alerts, post your resume, find companies who are in the field with similar jobs
Look in trade journals for job postings and to see who is hiring in your field.
If your dream job isn’t posted on job boards, then…
Step 5 EMPLOYER WEBSITES – employment sections
- Do a Google search on companies in the industry
- Use Hoover’s (www.hoovers.com)
- Find lists in trade papers
If your dream job isn’t posted on company websites then…
Step 6 EMPLOYER WEBSITES that don’t post the job you want
- Create a list of target companies. Write to the VP of the department you want to join. Call him. Google him. Find him/her on Linked in.
Step 7 LINKED IN
- Create a profile
- Share pertinent professional information
- Network with the people your professors know
- Network with the people your professors friends know
- Network with everyone your friends know and their parents know
- Find the people who do what you want and send them InMails
- If you can’t find their email, then call them at work and ask if their department is hiring and how to apply.
Step 8 FACEBOOK
- What’s on your profile?
- What should be on your profile?
- Finding people to connect to just like Linked in
Step 9 NETWORKING
- Social Media
- Events
- Your professors
- Read blogs in the industry and contact the writers
- Reach out to the 30 most influential people in your area of interest that you can find. Ask for help.
- Meet everyone over 30 in industry at this meeting. I see you hanging out with your classmates, they can’t hire you. Others here can.
Step 10 YOUR RESUME and INTERVIEWING
Make your resume about accomplishments
- So what? Who cares? What does it mean for me?
- (Make certain your resume is about what it means to them)
- Line up your references. Get reference letters. Share them with everyone you interview with.
- Be prepared for testing, behavior based interview questions and long interview processes.
- How to CLOSE THEM on hiring you – I am very excited about this position, what is the next step?
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- What functions can I really do? (Consider your skills/abilities)
- Where can I live for the next 24 months? (Relocate to target with experience)
- What parts of the industry are acceptable to me? (Consider all the functions in the industry)
- What can I live on until I get a promotion?
- Are these 4 realistic?
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