Navigating the Job Search
NAVIGATING THE JOB SEARCH
Organize and focus a job search that builds and maintains strategic
relationships, including LinkedIn outreach, event and conference
attendance, and conducting informational interviews to validate targets.
Job Search
· Identify your target: Role + Industry
● Your target is the role and industry you are focused on in your search
o What is the title you hope to have?
o What type of job responsibilities or functions do you hope to perform?
o What type of company are you searching for?
● Research potential roles and job descriptions on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, etc.
● Discuss goals and specific skills with a trusted colleague, friend, or mentor.
· Conduct informational interviews:
Why
● Learn more about a role and company, and conduct research on your targets
● Gain a contact or referral within the company or industry
● Meet someone new
● Nurture a mutual connection with someone
How
● Keep your messaging clear
● Be concise
● Do your research
● Outreach can happen outside of LinkedIn
NAVIGATING THE JOB SEARCH
Customize application materials:
● Tailor your resume based on your target position/company
● Keep versions of your resume depending on variances in application target
● Write cover letter specific for the role and company
● Craft aspects of your LinkedIn profile with target audience and industry in mind
● Leverage LinkedIn for relationship building:
● Use the site to research and reach out to people who can help you in your job search
and career development
Leverage LinkedIn for relationship building:
● Use the site to research and reach out to people who can help you in your job search
and career development
Tips for Networking
● Stay open-minded
● Branch out from just one job title search term
● Tell your existing network you are searching and what your goal is
● Don’t just attend events, volunteer, speak on panel, present – be seen and interact
Sample Informational Interview Requests:
Hello (First Name),
As a fellow alum of (institution + graduate year) and a current (current role/title (+ company if
relevant), I am reaching out to you as I am seeking to join the X field, focusing on (targeted
function). I would like to learn more about your background to gain insight and experience to
better inform my search.
I would greatly appreciate 15 minutes of your time to talk and I would be happy to lend my
support to you however I can in return. I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Thank
you.
Best,
(First and Last Name)
Dear (First Name),
I’m currently a (current title/role) and I found your profile while searching for other
(institution) alumni working in X. After graduating in (graduation year), I have pursued (brief
summary of background). I am very interested in making a move into the X field and would
love your insights into how to best break in.
I would greatly appreciate your time. Would you have 15 minutes for an informational
interview?
Thank you for your support,
(First and Last Name)
LINKEDIN PROFIL
Sample “About” Section:
Currently a Data Scientist at Wayfair. Formerly a senior investment analyst on the CLO &
Consumer ABS team of a Structured Credit focused hedge fund. I specialized in CLO investments
in primary and secondary markets, at the mezzanine and equity tranche level. Over the years I
have enjoyed mentoring junior staff and leading teams of quantitative analysts, developers and
data providers in France, the USA and India on extensive modeling projects.
I studied mathematics and physics at leading French universities and attended MIT on a research
exchange program during my master’s degree in engineering at Mines ParisTech. I graduated with
an MBA from Harvard Business School where I focused on Economics and Finance and a MS in
data science from ENSAE. I am a native citizen of the European Union and the USA.
I enjoy solving problems in probability, statistics, machine learning, deep learning and distributed
computing. Generally, I am interested in mathematical and computer science theory.
Computer Science Thesis: Probabilistic Error Upper Bounds for Distributed Statistical Estimation.
Adviser: Amit Chakrabarti.
Received high honors, the highest accolade for undergraduate theses.
Experienced data science/analytics professional with extensive knowledge on predictive
modelling, big data architecture, machine learning, experiment design, channels & markets
analytics. I enjoy applying analytical thinking to solving complex business problems and learning
state-of-art technologies to tackle new challenges.
Projects I have done in the past:
● Natural Language understanding (NLU) statistical models
● Data processing and sampling through bootstrapping, FSTs
● Real-time predictive modelling and product recommender systems
Resources:
How to Prepare the Perfect Elevator Pitch
(This article is focused on entrepreneurs, but is good information for everyone)
How to Give an Elevator Pitch
Navigating the Job
Resources
Platforms for Events
● Eventbrite
● MeetUp
● BuiltIn
● AngelList
● Twitter
● Facebook
● LinkedIn
● Alumni chapters
LinkedIn Influencers
● Search for influencers specific to your field
Job Boards
● Search for job boards specific to your field
Optional Exercises:
● Using the tips discussed, reach out to the three individuals identified in the last activity (1
hour)
Continue to identify more connections, reach out, and keep track of those communications
● Create a calendar of upcoming events to attend or at which you can volunteer or speak
(1-2 hours)
Connect with your peers on LinkedIn (1 hour)
● Identify ways to help each other, support similar goals, or team up on events
● If you are job-seeking, notify close, professional connections about your search and
goals (1-2 hours)
● If you are not job-seeking, network internally, and share goals with your manager
(ongoing)
Request feedback:
● Define and narrow your target(s)
● Ensure resume and cover letter(s) are tailored and targeted
● Share successes and challenges around networking
o Is networking comfortable for you? What holds you back? Do you have hesitations or
barriers?
o What has worked well?
● Identify events and industry-specific associations, groups, etc. to join or collaborate
● Continue to practice and refine your pitch and messaging
