Guest writer: Anne Kirchgessner, LCPC, NCC, Career Counselor Feeling stuck in your current job? Not sure what your next career step is? Here are some tips to help you make your own good luck and take advantage of both planned and unplanned career opportunities. John Krumboltz, a noted career development theorist, considers ways to take advantage of both chance and planned events. He calls this concept Happenstance Learning Theory. His work takes into account that the careers of most people have been impacted by chance happenings as well as planned events. In a recent article in the Journal of Career Assessment (Vol. 17, No. 2, May 2009), Krumboltz writes: “No one can predict the future – everyone’s career is influenced by many unplanned events.” He encourages people to remain open to exploring opportunities in order to move ahead in a positive way toward their goals. The three steps Krumboltz suggests in controlling unplanned events are: 1. Before the unplanned event, take actions that position you to experience it. Application: Be active in many ways. Join walking groups, attend professional meetings, start a book club, etc. 2. During the event, remain alert and sensitive to recognize potential opportunities. Application: Keep your mind open to meeting people and finding new opportunities ALL the time, not just at career-related events. 3. After the event, initiate actions that enable you to benefit from it. Application: Follow up, keep in touch, explore related opportunities. Rather than say something like "I can't do this because..." he suggests asking: “How can I act now to increase the chance of a desirable future event?” Following are four questions that Krumboltz poses that may help you to look ahead in a more positive way to explore a new or future direction: 1. What is a chance event that you wish would happen to you? e.g. someone might say "I want to meet someone involved in public policy." 2. How can you act now to increase the chance of a desirable future event? e.g. “I could join a group affiliated with this field, and/or search on LinkedIn for people currently working in public policy.” 3. How would your life change if you acted? e.g.  “I would learn more about public policy and probably make some good contacts in the field.” 4. How would your life change if you did nothing? e.g. “Hard to say for sure…” (But it’s likely that you could miss some opportunities to explore and move ahead toward your goals) Answering these questions might give you more knowledge and the flexibility to take advantage of chance opportunities. Krumboltz also believes that the goal of career counseling is to help people “learn to take actions to achieve more satisfying career and personal lives - not just make a single career decision.” If you would like to meet with a career counselor in OITE to explore possibilities for your next career step, please e-mail OITE-Careers@od.nih.gov.

Last week, I was privileged to share some time with trainees at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences' Biomedical Career Fair in Durham, North Carolina. The goal of this conference was to:

"provide young scientists an opportunity to explore a myriad of fields and create a contact network as they plan for future careers in the biomedical sciences,"

according to the website above. As it turned out, however, just about every trainee I met has already acquired some level of career development savvy. Most of the graduate students and postdocs I interacted with, whether from UNC-Chapel Hill (GO HEELS!), Duke, NIEHS, the EPA, or elsewhere, have served as volunteers, freelancers, adjuncts, interns, or apprentices in a wide range of career fields. It is precisely this type of hands-on training that will give these candidates an edge in the current job market. If you are currently exploring or are curious about a particular field, test both your interest and skill by creating an opportunity to work in that environment. One of the trainees I met volunteers as an intern in an office of technology transfer, for example. In this setting, she has developed specific skills that are attractive to employers hiring for this field. Another trainee has sought out multiple teaching opportunities by contacting faculty at several institutions and offering to guest lecture. His CV is now much stronger, as he has oodles of classroom experience to show prospective universities. Yet another trainee I met called on her problem solving skills and quick reaction time by jumping in when needed at the career fair. Any trainee involved with the planning and/or execution of a large-scale event like last week's career fair will be sought after by employers from a wide range of fields for their demonstrated teamwork, problem-solving, and organizational skills. (And on that note, let me take this chance to say THANK YOU for a job well done, Diane, Raj, Michelle, and others!) Another innovative way to expand your skill set is to enroll in or audit a class of interest. If you are seeking to move into consulting, for example, you may want to check out the offerings of local business schools. While this type of experience may not seem as hands-on as some of the examples above, it may prove to fill a skill gap on your resume in a field you're considering. So get your hands wet, dirty, or whatever the analogy is to build your resume or CV for careers that appeal to you. And for exceptional career advice, you may need to look no further than your own bench. Judging from the trainees I met last week, your lab mates may be pretty career-savvy folk indeed. :)

Recent news reports suggest that the economy is slowly recovering, and that unemployment figures are falling. While this news is hopeful, it may be difficult to hear for those of us currently on the job market. If you have been searching for a while, or are planning to start searching for a job, there are several methods you can use to increase your chance of being successful. Following are some points outlined in a talk I gave at last year’s NIH Career Symposium in Bethesda. 1. Plan ahead Trainees often ask about the best time to begin a job search. My answer to that question is always the same: It is never too early to begin searching! According to the Labor Force Statistics for 2009, taken from the Current Population Survey developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. Dept. of Labor), the average length of time people have been unemployed—i.e. roughly the length of a job search—is 24.4 weeks, or almost 6 ½ months. 2. Know what you want It is critical to make a decision on what type(s) of career(s) you are targeting before you search. It is a waste of time to sit in the lab, on your computer, searching endlessly through job listings. It is a far better use of time to visit a career counselor at OITE to conduct some self-assessment and find a career field that suits you. I also strongly encourage you to attend the upcoming NIH Career Symposium on Tuesday, May 18th, from 8:00am - 4:30pm at Natcher Conference Center in Bethesda. Rather than a typical job/employment fair, this is a professional development event with panel discussions and skills workshops that will assist you in the next phase of your career. 3. Create a support network To assist you throughout the job search process, visit OITE often. Get to know the staff there. Also, consider starting a job search support group with friends or colleagues. In this setting, you can brainstorm ideas with one another, offer encouragement, share job leads or networking events, etc. 4. Use many strategies Do not limit yourself to using one or two job search strategies. Use a myriad of approaches, as this will increase the likelihood of finding out about job openings. Consider using the following strategies for your search.

• Network
  • Tap into alumni/ae databases at undergrad and grad (and potentially postdoc) institutions
  • Join professional associations, which often have student/postdoc discount rates
  • Join local networking groups in your area (some resources for this are listed below)
  • Network online, using LinkedIn and other resources. And be sure to complete your profile on LinkedIn—and keep it updated with any changes.
• Identify specific organizations
  • Be aware of trends in career fields of interest. To do this, use local and national journals linked to your areas of interest.
  • Check broad, sector-based organizations for employer listings by geographic area, such as biotech council sites. (see below for link)
  • Once you have identified specific organizations, apply for jobs directly on their sites. This strategy is more effective than applying on mega-job listing websites.
• Consider temp to perm
  • Think about applying with several temporary agencies. Working as a temp gives you a chance to check out the organization, and vice-versa.
  • When you apply, ask agencies about their record of temp-to-perm hires. (Listings of some agencies follow below.)
• Attend local job fairs
  • Check local newspapers and community journals for listings.
• Consider professional fellowships
  • This strategy may provide an introduction to—and help you to develop substantial experience in—different career fields.
  • Some examples include: K-12 teaching , science policy , sustainable energy
• Contact placement agencies
  • Most agencies assist job seekers with several years of experience – and this may include postdoctoral work.
  • If you do opt to put an application on file with a placement agency, be wary of fees, as these organizations are well compensated by the firms that employ their services and should not be charging you, the candidate.
• Resume/job listing “banks,” databases, boards
  • Consider the pros and cons to using these mega-sites:
  • Pros: easy to use, free
  • Cons: time drain, one of the least effective job search methods (so don’t spend much time here!)

Here are some final tips for a successful search:

• Get organized! Create a system to keep track of your search: notebook, online, etc.
• Use a calendar and set short-term, achievable goals every week
• Keep in touch with people

And check out the resources below. Best of luck in your search! Resources: DC Job Search Group: http://www.workministry.com/jsg/washdc.shtml One-Stop Career Centers: http://www.careeronestop.org/ Grant/fellowship listings: http://www.grantsnet.org Online networking: http://www.linkedin.com/ , http://twitter.com/ DC/MD Business journals: http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/ , http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/baltimore/ Tech Council of Maryland Membership Directory: https://techcouncilmd.com/members/directory.php Temp and Placement Agencies: Kelly Scientific Resources (Specializes in placing scientific professionals): www.kellyscientific.com JobSpectrum.org (Resource for employers and job seekers in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, biotech, and the chemical sciences industry): www.jobspectrum.org Evolution Recruitment Consultants (Provides recruitment services, positions, and candidates for all areas of the biotechnology sector): www.evolutionconsultants.com Scientific Placement, Inc. (Specializing in recruitment of candidates with commercial product development experience in the microcomputer and commercial software industries): www.scientific.com OneScience (Biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and scientific job listings, career insight, and news): www.onescience.com

Years ago, as I was training a career development staff, I created this list of questions I frequently heard from trainees. If you have a question about resume writing that you don't see represented here, send it along and I'll post an answer here! Q: An employer requested a CV in a job ad I found, but it is not a faculty opening. Should I send a resume or a CV? A:  Resume. The term “CV” is sometimes generically used to refer to any kind of personal qualifications document, but what employers are actually seeking is a resume. That is, employers who request “CVs” want to see categories typically included on a resume but not on an academic CV, such as skills or techniques, job descriptions for research you have conducted, etc. Q: Should I include personal information on my resume, such as marital status, number of children, social security number, age, etc.? A: No, not if you are applying for jobs in the United States. Including a social security number can be especially hazardous because of the potential for identity theft. Q: Is an objective required on a resume? A: No, but if used, it should be specific and demonstrate what you have to offer an employer. Alternatively, consider using a summary of qualifications or professional profile at the beginning of the resume to demonstrate focus. Q: Should I list my postdoctoral experience under “Education,” “Research Experience,” or both? A: It may depend on what you are applying for. If you are moving away from the bench, it may be fine to list your postdoctoral appointment under “Education.” However, if you expect to use laboratory skills day-to-day in your next position, list it under “Research Experience”—which should fall right after “Education.” Q: Can I include volunteer work as experience? A: Yes, as long as you don't include it in a category entitled “Work Experience,” or “Employment.” The words “work” and “employment” denote paid experiences. Q: Should I list my current advisor as a reference if we don’t have a very good relationship? A: No—but be prepared for a prospective employer to contact that person. You can let employers know that you are conducting your job search in confidence, but some may still try to contact your current advisor. Q: Do I need to print my resume on “good” paper when preparing to attend a job fair? A: If you wish, but clean, 20-lb. white paper is just as good. Q: Should I list presentations I've given in lab meetings? What about departmental presentations? A: Lab meeting presentations: no; department-wide, Institute-wide: yes. Q: I am on an H1-B. Should I list my visa status on my resume? A: Deciding when to share your visa status with a potential employer is a personal decision. However, you may choose to wait until the interview stage to disclose your status, simply because that gives the employer an opportunity to review your credentials without considering sponsorship requirements—and it may be that they are willing to sponsor you after learning more about you and your abilities. Q: Should I use the first person on my resume? A: No. It is best not to use “I,” “me,” or “my” on your resume. Q: Does font style matter? How about size? A: Yes—the font used on a resume should be clean and easy to read. Arial and Times New Roman are used most often. Any font smaller than 11 pt. becomes difficult to read for some. Q: What if my resume extends beyond one page? A: That is fine. Consider both your education and level of experience. Generally speaking, graduate students have had more education and experience than undergrads, postdoctoral scholars more than grad students, etc. That said, going on to 2, 3, even 4 pages may be fine for you, depending on where you are in your science career. Q: Should I list organizations I've been involved with that would reveal my religious affiliation? Political affiliation? A: This is a personal decision—but be aware that it may introduce bias, depending on the point of view of the reader. Generally speaking, it is best not to include such information, unless you would not be interested in working in a place that would discriminate against a particular value, belief, or orientation you hold. Q: Should I list professional affiliations? A: Yes, if they are relevant to the position you are seeking. You may also choose to list fraternal or community service organizations if you think that participation in such groups demonstrates your civic mindedness and will be perceived positively by a prospective employer.

When I think about the mentors I've had over the course of my professional life, I feel very fortunate. Each has been unique, injecting his or her thoughts, experiences, and personal style into our mentoring relationship. As I reflect on time spent talking with, listening to, or emailing with each of my mentors, it seems like the role of mentor came quite naturally to them, an effortless act that engendered feelings of respect and gratitude on my part. So what's the secret? How can we take full advantage of the mentoring relationships we are currently in, either as mentor or trainee? I have culled information from a variety of sources cited below to assist you in building and maintaining strong mentoring relationships throughout your career.

As a trainee:

Assume primary responsibility for your own career development. This is critical, as I have met a few trainees who have been unsuccessful at forging strong mentoring bonds because of an expectation that "other people should be looking out for me." Take charge of your own career, always. Communicate your goals often—both formally and informally. Again, this is your responsibility. Trainees who have shared their professional goals with their mentors early on in their research careers have enjoyed more satisfaction long-term than those who have not.

As a mentor:

Listen patiently.

References:

Compact Between Postdoctoral Appointees and Their Mentors, Association of American Medical Colleges Adviser, Teacher, Role Model, Friend: On Being a Mentor to Students in Science and Engineering, Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine