Preparing Preparing for Your Future for Your Future

in Physicsin Physics

Laura FlynnLaura Flynn

The Career CenterThe Career Center

TopicsTopics

Career Options for Physics Career Options for Physics MajorsMajors

Career Fairs and GoIrishCareer Fairs and GoIrishResumes and Cover LettersResumes and Cover LettersInterviewing and NetworkingInterviewing and NetworkingThe Job SearchThe Job Search

Career Options for Career Options for Physics MajorsPhysics Majors

Physics majors are in a position to move in Physics majors are in a position to move in several directionsseveral directions

Multitude of professions that require Multitude of professions that require physicsphysics

Variety of positions that do not include Variety of positions that do not include physics in the job description but because physics in the job description but because of your abilities, employers will be of your abilities, employers will be interestedinterested

Physics OpportunitiesPhysics Opportunities

Solid State PhysicsSolid State Physics GeophysicsGeophysics AstrophysicsAstrophysics SemiconductorsSemiconductors Plasma PhysicsPlasma Physics Condensed Matter Condensed Matter

PhysicsPhysics Solar PhysicsSolar Physics

Mathematical PhysicsMathematical Physics Atomic and Molecular Atomic and Molecular

PhysicsPhysics High Energy Particle High Energy Particle

PhysicsPhysics Medical PhysicsMedical Physics Industrial PhysicsIndustrial Physics Nuclear PhysicsNuclear Physics

More Opportunities that require a More Opportunities that require a Strong Physics BackgroundStrong Physics Background

Science EducationScience Education BioinformaticsBioinformatics ConsultingConsulting PhysicianPhysician OceanographerOceanographer LawyerLawyer EngineerEngineer

Science WriterScience Writer MeteorologistMeteorologist HydrologistHydrologist Materials ScientistMaterials Scientist Software DeveloperSoftware Developer Forensic ScientistForensic Scientist MD/PhDMD/PhD

Marketing Your Degree in Marketing Your Degree in PhysicsPhysics

Gather information…find out about related Gather information…find out about related fieldsfields

Focus on jobs that offer variety and Focus on jobs that offer variety and creativitycreativity

Educate employers, describe your Educate employers, describe your qualifications and how your skills match qualifications and how your skills match those required for the job.those required for the job.

Career FairsCareer FairsEngineering Industry DayEngineering Industry Day Sept 21, 4:00-8:30 at the Joyce CenterSept 21, 4:00-8:30 at the Joyce Center

Winter Career & Internship Fair Winter Career & Internship Fair Feb 2 at NDFeb 2 at ND

CIC Career FairsCIC Career Fairs January in NY, Boston, LA, San FranJanuary in NY, Boston, LA, San Fran

Big East Career Fair Big East Career Fair March in Madison Square Garden in NYCMarch in Madison Square Garden in NYC

Nationalcareerfairs.comNationalcareerfairs.com

Preparing for a Career FairPreparing for a Career Fair

1.1. Review companies attendingReview companies attending

2.2. Search for opportunities Search for opportunities

3.3. Prepare resumePrepare resume

4.4. Apply to interesting positionsApply to interesting positions

5.5. Research companies of interestResearch companies of interest

6.6. Prepare elevator speech and Prepare elevator speech and questions for each companyquestions for each company

On the Day of the FairOn the Day of the Fair

Dress in business attireDress in business attireAttend the Networking ReceptionAttend the Networking ReceptionArrive early…employers are freshArrive early…employers are freshSpeak with young alums and expereinced Speak with young alums and expereinced

representativesrepresentativesMake a positive first impression!Make a positive first impression!Tell employer why you are interested and Tell employer why you are interested and

what type of position you wantwhat type of position you want

GoIrishGoIrishND’s Online Recruiting SystemND’s Online Recruiting System

Go to careercenter.nd.eduGo to careercenter.nd.eduSign in using UserID and passwordSign in using UserID and passwordCreate your profileCreate your profileUpload your resume and cover letters in Upload your resume and cover letters in

DocumentsDocumentsSearch for positions in GoIrish jobsSearch for positions in GoIrish jobsApply for positions following directions Apply for positions following directions

posted on each descriptionposted on each description

ResumesResumes

Valuable marketing tool that can set you Valuable marketing tool that can set you apart from othersapart from others

Objective and factual summary of past and Objective and factual summary of past and present significant professional/life eventspresent significant professional/life events

Employer’s first impression of youEmployer’s first impression of you

Door to the interviewDoor to the interview

Calling card for the futureCalling card for the future

Seven Steps to Writing a Seven Steps to Writing a ResumeResume

1.1. Make lists…include everythingMake lists…include everything

2.2. Select a style that fits youSelect a style that fits you

3.3. Choose a format that fits your contentChoose a format that fits your content

4.4. Prove your skills…don’t just state themProve your skills…don’t just state them

5.5. Transfer and fit onto one pageTransfer and fit onto one page

6.6. Review with fresh eyesReview with fresh eyes

7.7. Have others read, proof and revise, re-Have others read, proof and revise, re-readread

Sample Headings on a ResumeSample Headings on a Resume

ObjectiveObjectiveEducationEducationExperienceExperienceInternshipInternshipResearchResearch

LeadershipLeadershipServiceServiceSkillsSkillsHonorsHonorsActivitiesActivities

The Perfect ResumeThe Perfect Resume

Fits on one pageFits on one page Has perfect grammar, spelling, and punctuationHas perfect grammar, spelling, and punctuation Is clear, sharp and easy to readIs clear, sharp and easy to read Is consistent in format and structureIs consistent in format and structure Includes valuable information: GPA, email and Includes valuable information: GPA, email and

phone number that are checked dailyphone number that are checked daily Is printed on quality ecru or white paperIs printed on quality ecru or white paper

Cover LettersCover Letters

Formal, polished and grammatically Formal, polished and grammatically correctcorrect

Active…not passiveActive…not passiveVaried sentence structureVaried sentence structureTarget to the needs of the employerTarget to the needs of the employerAddressed to a specific personAddressed to a specific personCordial and confidentCordial and confident

Cover Letter ContentCover Letter Content

1st paragraph1st paragraph: Why you’re interested in the : Why you’re interested in the company and how you found the positioncompany and how you found the position

22ndnd paragraph paragraph: What qualifications you bring : What qualifications you bring highlighting previous experienceshighlighting previous experiences

33rdrd paragraph paragraph: What you want …an opportunity : What you want …an opportunity to discuss the position and thank youto discuss the position and thank you

InterviewingInterviewing

Your resume gets your foot in the door but Your resume gets your foot in the door but the interview gets you the job.the interview gets you the job.

PREPARATION is the absolute key to PREPARATION is the absolute key to successful interviewing.successful interviewing.Review sample interview questions.Review sample interview questions.Sign up for a mock interview with a company Sign up for a mock interview with a company

representative or attend an interviewing representative or attend an interviewing workshop.workshop.

Know Yourself!Know Yourself!

Review your resumeReview your resume Identify key skills and how you gained Identify key skills and how you gained

those skillsthose skillsSkills employers look for include:Skills employers look for include:

Initiative, teamwork, conflict resolution, verbal Initiative, teamwork, conflict resolution, verbal and written communication skills, strong work and written communication skills, strong work ethic, analytical and technical skills, ethic, analytical and technical skills, leadership, problem solvingleadership, problem solving

Use specific examples!!!Use specific examples!!!

STAR TechniqueSTAR Technique

Use the STAR technique in answering Use the STAR technique in answering behavioral questionsbehavioral questions

SituationSituation: project, activity, job: project, activity, jobTaskTask: goal, problem to be solved: goal, problem to be solvedActionAction: planning and implementation: planning and implementationResultsResults: outcome, influence, change: outcome, influence, change

ResearchResearchKNOW THE COMPANYKNOW THE COMPANY

Go to library.nd.edu and click on Business Go to library.nd.edu and click on Business information Centerinformation Center

The Vault, Factiva, hoovers.com, The Vault, Factiva, hoovers.com, wetfeet.com, etrade.com, Infotrac, Market wetfeet.com, etrade.com, Infotrac, Market InsightInsight

KNOW THE POSITIONSKNOW THE POSITIONSReview the job description and identify the Review the job description and identify the

skills the company wants. Prepare examples skills the company wants. Prepare examples of how you have demonstrated these skills.of how you have demonstrated these skills.

Interview FormatInterview Format

The Warm UpThe Warm Up: greeting, explain structure, : greeting, explain structure, verify data on resumeverify data on resume

Gather Evaluation DataGather Evaluation Data: open-ended, : open-ended, behavioral, case, probing questionsbehavioral, case, probing questions

Answer Questions / Offer InformationAnswer Questions / Offer Information: : describe position, explain programdescribe position, explain program

Close InterviewClose Interview: explanation of what will : explanation of what will happen nexthappen next

Interview BasicsInterview Basics

Dress professionally and be pressedDress professionally and be pressed Be on timeBe on time Make a positive first impressionMake a positive first impression Make eye contactMake eye contact Greet with a strong handshake and smileGreet with a strong handshake and smile Research the company to ask informed Research the company to ask informed

questionsquestions Ask what is the calendar for making a decisionAsk what is the calendar for making a decision

More Interview BasicsMore Interview Basics

Enthusiasm mattersEnthusiasm mattersMake connection between your skills and Make connection between your skills and

the skills the employer is seekingthe skills the employer is seekingStay positiveStay positiveOrganize your thoughts before speakingOrganize your thoughts before speakingAsk the recruiter for his/her business cardAsk the recruiter for his/her business cardFollow up with a thank youFollow up with a thank you

NetworkingNetworking

One of the most effective job search One of the most effective job search strategies – 80 to 90 percent of jobs are strategies – 80 to 90 percent of jobs are obtained through networkingobtained through networking

It is a two way relationshipIt is a two way relationshipMeet people, develop contacts, ask Meet people, develop contacts, ask

questionsquestions If someone cannot help you directly, they If someone cannot help you directly, they

may know someone who canmay know someone who can

NetworkingNetworking

Linked In:Linked In: networking website networking website

Go Irish: Go Irish: Employer TabEmployer Tab

Career Search:Career Search: Up to date info on employers Up to date info on employers and contactsand contacts

Career Shift: Career Shift: Employer information and job Employer information and job search tracking softwaresearch tracking software

Professors, Friends, Parent’s FriendsProfessors, Friends, Parent’s Friends

Irish OnlineIrish Online: the Notre Dame Alumnae Online : the Notre Dame Alumnae Online Network (Seniors have access)Network (Seniors have access)

Job Search Resources Job Search Resources for Physics Majorsfor Physics Majors

GoIrishGoIrishPhysics Jobs Online: Physics Jobs Online:

tp.umu.se/TIPTOP/FORUM/JOBStp.umu.se/TIPTOP/FORUM/JOBSCareer ShiftCareer ShiftThe VaultThe VaultCompany WebsitesCompany WebsitesInc 500Inc 500

Professional Physics AssociationsProfessional Physics Associations

American Association of Physicists in American Association of Physicists in MedicineMedicine

American Institute of PhysicsAmerican Institute of PhysicsAmerican Physical SocietyAmerican Physical SocietyBoard of Physics and AstronomyBoard of Physics and Astronomy Institute of Physics: iop.orgInstitute of Physics: iop.orgNational Science FoundationNational Science FoundationAmerican Astronomical SocietyAmerican Astronomical SocietyNational Society of Black PhysicistsNational Society of Black Physicists

Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!

Employers are interested in recruiting Employers are interested in recruiting you!!you!!

It takes work on your part to take It takes work on your part to take advantage of terrific opportunitiesadvantage of terrific opportunities

Work hard and stay focused!Work hard and stay focused!Ask the Career Center for assistanceAsk the Career Center for assistance