Psychology Assignment Career Plan

Dunn & Halonen The Psychology Major’s Companion

Chapter 10: How to Land a Job

With Your Degree

In Psychology

Don’t worry. There are always good jobs available for good

students. ~ John Patrick Crecine, Late President of the

Georgia Institute of Technology

Chapter Objectives

1.Discuss the elements that make a successful job application process.

2.Offer pointers for interviewing face to face. 3.Share what to do if you don’t get an offer

following an interview.

Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of this chapter, students should be able to: • Describe what kinds of application materials

(e.g., résumé, cover letter, letters of reference) produce the best outcomes.

• Differentiate sources of help in preparing workforce materials.

• Develop strategies for in-person interviewing and follow-up activities.

Searching for Jobs: Where to Begin

• Campus career center

• Alumni networks • Internships • Job shadowing • Occupational

information Network (O*Net)

• Informal networks • Other resources

– Books on careers in psychology

– Websites concerning job searches, government jobs, occupational salaries

Writing a Good Résumé

A brief, written account of your personal, educational, and professional qualifications should be • thoughtfully conceived • well written • polished • focused

Requirements for a Résumé

• Set on high-quality paper.

• Write on just one side of the paper.

• Do not use complete sentences (e.g., “Supervised tutors”).

• Do not include Information unrelated to jobs (e.g., hobbies).

• Be brief (norm for a college grad is one page).

• Avoid spelling or grammar errors.

• Use a basic 12-pt font. • Never fold or staple a

résumé, even for mailing.

Basic Parts of a Résumé • Heading

Name, contact information • Objective

Concise statement of desired employment

• Skills Summary What has your major prepared you to do?

• Education Degree(s), institution, major(s)

• Experience List of work experiences (most to least recent)

• Activities Extracurricular activities (e.g., internship, volunteer work)

• Awards Important contributions or achievements

• References Contact information for your references (usually three or so)

Write a Cover Letter (to Accompany the Résumé)

• Paragraph 1 – position sought, where you learned about job

• Paragraph 2 – brief information about you and your fit for the position

• Paragraph 3 – expression of interest in job and how to contact you

If Invited for an Interview (1 of 2)

• Learn about the company or organization before going.

• Appear knowledgeable and interested. • Be convincing: YOU are the right person

for the job.

If Invited for an Interview (2 of 2)

• Generate some questions you can ask to demonstrate your interest and commitment, such as – Are worker relations collegial? – What are the prospects for growth in the future?

• but NOT – How much vacation time is there? – What’s the salary for the position? These details can be worked out later if a job offer comes through.

Interview Questions

Structured “How do you handle working with difficult people?” “Give an example of how you demonstrated leadership in your last job.”

Unstructured “Why do you want this job?” “What are your strengths? “What are your weaknesses?”

Presenting Yourself Well

• Dress appropriately. • Be poised; make eye contact. • Initiate conversation. • Send a thank-you note.

Follow-Up Measures

• Be prepared to wait a while before hearing back.

• Contact your interviewer only once if you don’t hear back.

• Inquire about the process: “Can you advise me where things stand in the _X_ search?”

What If You Don’t Get the Job?

• Don’t assume you did anything wrong: There simply may have been more experienced candidates in the pool.

• Thoughtfully examine where you might have made a stronger impression.

• Address any potential shortcomings.

What If You Do Get the Job?

• Celebrate! • If you accept the job, prepare to succeed

by giving your best effort.

But Beware!

Many new employees lose their jobs by • missing deadlines • being late • behaving unethically • appearing unmotivated • not following directives

Success on the Job

• Have a positive attitude. • Take the initiative. • Set priorities. • Seek regular feedback on performance. • Commit to the place and the people. • Work consistently. • Concentrate. Sounds a lot like being a good student!

Discussion Questions

• What are your current skills? What skills would you like to learn?

• What experiences can you already put on a résumé?

• Would an internship be of value in building your résumé?

• Would an interview dress rehearsal be helpful in smoothing out the rough spots?