Post written by guest blogger, Janette Norrington, PhD, NIH Trainee Job searches can be stressful and overwhelming; we wonder how long it will take find a position and whether that position will be the right one for us. While some stress is normal and even beneficial, multiple stressors or chronic stress can cause our bodies to be in a constant state of high alert. High levels of stress can lead to poor concentration and cognitive functioning, irritability, professional burnout, and health problems. Fortunately, stress resilience can counter the negative effects of chronic stressors. Stress resilience is the ability to effectively cope and manage adversity. Job searches require high levels of…

Guest writer: Anne Kirchgessner, LCPC, NCC, Career Counselor  You may be feeling the need for extra mentoring support during this challenging time of the Covid pandemic. Staggered work schedules could be making you feel like you are never able connect with your PI or colleagues for one-on-one support. Remember that everyone in the world, including your mentors, may be affected by the disruptions that the pandemic continues to bring.  Also, sometimes a mentor may not be able to help you with a specific concern; e.g. a fellow wants help with an industry job search and her mentor has no experience that is related to Industry. Have a conversation with your…

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a record four million people quit their jobs in April 2021 spurring what many are calling the “Great Resignation”.  Research by Microsoft’s 2021 Work Trend Index also showed that 41% of the workforce is considering leaving their employer this year. In normal times, people quitting jobs in large numbers indicates a healthy economy with plentiful jobs. Hiring is quickly accelerating again, but these are still not normal times. The pandemic has caused a recession and millions of people continue to be out of work. Yet despite all of this, employers are now complaining about acute labor shortages across many fields/sectors. What is Causing…

Traditionally, an address was always included on a resume simply because physical mail was the main means of communication. Today, most hiring takes place online, so a full physical address often seems unnecessary. To be clear, you should always include your name and contact information on your documents, but many applicants are simply choosing to include their phone number and email. Employers often like to see an address on your resume because they are creating an applicant profile for you in their system and traditionally, your address was one component of this profile. Some employers also like to see your location in relation to the job’s location. This lets them…

By: Sara Hunter, Wellness Advisor, OITE In last week’s blog post, we noted some key differences between being “tough” and being “resilient”. Here are some basic tips to begin to move away from the ineffective and exhausting patterns of toughness to help move you closer to a more resilient self: Recognize setbacks as a part of the learning process: Resilient people don’t complacently invite setbacks (or like how they feel). Rather, they accept them when they happen, identify where they can have impact next time and adjust as needed. Practical Skill: RADICAL ACCEPTANCE – Identify what you can and can’t control. Shift your focus to your sphere of control. This…

By: Sara Hunter, Wellness Advisor, OITE The difference among scientists at NIH is many, creating labs colored with diverse ideas, insights, and perspectives. But despite these important and notable differences, a commonality seems to be an essence of toughness. It feels like an unspoken norm among scientists of enduring grueling hours and demands without feeling the inevitable wear this creates on our bodies and minds. We move forward with our head down, sometimes out of exhaustion and other times out of complete will to achieve (often both), wearing the stress and busyness this creates in our lives as a badge of honor. We rationalize our way through our days, paying…

Many trainees find themselves in the process of preparing for interviews which will require a presentation of their research. This is common for both academic and industry positions. A former NIH postdoc who successfully transitioned into an industry role shared some tips on how to nail your interview presentation. 1. Present a cohesive story showcasing past research One to two really solid and relevant stories are the key here. Bounce your ideas off lab mates, mentors, etc. Practice your talk and ask for feedback. Sometimes ideas that seem to flow naturally for us feel jumbled or confusing to our audience. Appreciate any insights others share as valid critiques to pay…

Congratulations on submitting your application to medical school!  Now that your primary application has been verified, the medical schools that you have selected will be sending you secondaries.  Many of the schools will also request that you complete additional situational judgement tests to complete your application.  Here is some general information to give you an overview of what to expect: Secondary Essay Questions Secondaries are sets of additional questions that medical school requires of applicants and helps them to gain more information that the school needs to know about the applicant for their program. These questions can be categories into adversity, diversity/inclusion, and research. The OITE pre-med advising team recommends…

Many job seekers mistakenly think that after an interview, they should just sit back and wait. Unfortunately, your work is not done yet! You should always follow up with thank you notes after an interview. Hiring managers have reported that they have eliminated candidates who failed to follow up with a thank you because it demonstrated a lack of professional maturity and often struck interviewers as just plain rude.  It is considered standard practice in the United States, so always try to send an email within 48 hours of your interview. You can also follow up after you have sent your thank you emails. If you haven’t heard from the…

Post written by guest blogger Ana Martins Ribeiro, Special Programs Coordinator in OITE. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from more than a year of teleworking and social distancing is that people are extremely versatile in adapting to new realities and finding innovative solutions. As the world slowly celebrates the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, our workforce is reluctant to the “return to normalcy” idea; in fact, people’s “new normal” seems to be seeking for new and creative opportunities for revamping their careers. “The Great Resignation” has reshaped the world of work and is here to stay. If you’re considering new professional opportunities or a shift in your career, my…