Happily Employed and Hunting

I keep having these blog post ideas and then three days (okay, weeks) later when I finally get some time and energy I forgot what I wanted to write... fabulous.

Lately I've been thinking about where I want to work next. Don't get me wrong, I love love love my new job. I really do. I get bummed the days I don't work, and that's not just because that means it's a dissertation writing day. But nothing is ever secure and it's always good to have something in our back pockets. Just in case.

I swear Bolle gave the advice that as soon as you finish your first day of work, start looking for a new job. I can't find the exact citation (perhaps it was in a different edition from the one I own) but he does say in the book I have:

"Successful job-hunters and career-changers always have alternatives." He goes on to list different kinds of alternatives, including: "Alternatives of what they could do with their life." "Alternative job prospects." "Alternative 'target' organizations that they go after." (See p. 112 of the 2010 edition for a comprehensive list and discussion of "alternatives.")

In this spirit, I have been on the hunt for jobs in my new City. Not in any serious kind of way, but I've been keeping my eyes open as I maintain my RSS feeds on federal jobs and Idealist jobs in City, walk around town, and learn about other groups my Job collaborates with. It's incredible the different potential employers I keep seeing as I walk to the bus or ride the bus.

Literally, I've added 5 organizations in the last month just by walking by a sign on my way to elsewhere. Granted I live in a City where what I want to do (research, policy, writing, applied work, etc.) is valued by nonprofit and government players. But it's also a matter of actually seeing a sign for a place that isn't easily google-able. For example, I keep running into places that I never even would have imagined existed (ex. an economic analysis and public policy research firm) and so would have never even googled in the first place. These places also have weirdly named websites or are miscategorized in google searches. There is something to be said about locating to your locale of choice and beginning your job search once in town.

I'm also learning about other organizations through my current employer. Like any activity (graduate school, music scene, barhopping) there are circles and everybody knows each other in these circles. They also know folks in other related circles. These other organizations and individuals come up in the flow of work conversation. It's not like I'm scribbling down names, but I am keeping tabs on who my Job interacts with and who I think is cool.

This "job search" is just me keeping a "hunting" eye on my world. I'm not actively seeking job, but am just trying to stay informed and up to date on what the general trends are and what is available in town.

As before, I've been tracking these places in a spreadsheet--name, website, mission statement. This time I'm also including physical addresses and notes like "never ever work here" and "hmmm, maybe". I'm including places on the list that I'll never work for as a way to get a lay of the land, but also so I don't have to repeat my (5 minute) research next year when I have forgotten what these groups are about.

On a related note, I see that the PMF application period opens in 6 weeks (October 1-15, 2010). My university is holding an informational session in a few weeks about the whole process and I'm debating if I should apply for it or not. On the one hand (assuming I pass the tests, etc.) being a PMF finalist could be an excellent bargaining chip on the job front--for either current or future employers. And, of course, I could also actually take a federal job... On the other hand, that seems like a lot of work just for a possible job and/or bargaining chip. And Honey has already said "you just got here, you want to leave again?" Oh, and I want to also finish my dissertation in the next 8 weeks. So uh, I'm going to be a little busy during the PMF application cycle. Still deciding on this.

So the hunt continues, even as I remain happily employed.

Please Hire Me (asked nicely)

I finally sent off that “hi, I want to work for you” email. After weeks (literally) of writing and revising it, you'd think I'd be all calm about sending it off. I wasn't. Still nervewracking.

As a quick recap. I did an informational interview with a research and policy center back in March. I wasn't looking for a job at the time (seriously!), I was just trying to figure out if research and policy centers did what I actually thought they do (they do, and more!). I learned a ton from my meetings with the two co-directors and since the spring, have been learning more about research and policy. I've also been thinking more concretely about my future and what it is I actually want to do professionally and personally. I really like how this policy center operates, both in terms of its mission and how it thinks its recommendations should be accomplished. I also have realized that I'm no longer totally interested in the PMF and the glamor that is DC; I'd prefer to stay in City for a while where Honey has family and a job, and where I can really contribute to ongoing debates and projects.

Now that I'm about to move to City (T-minus a month), I figured I'd touch base, and at the same time, tell this group that I'd love to work/intern with them. (In March, one co-director gave me the opening and told me to check in with them once I moved to City. She may have said it off-handedly as a way to get me out of her office, but whatever. I still emailed them.)

Above I said worked on this email for weeks. This is no joke. However, I didn't work on it for more than an hour or so a day, and I really only touched it a few times a week. Still, I refuse to calculate how many hours I spent working on this—minutes/word, it was as depressing as grant writing. Luckily the Career Services counselor I worked with was amazingly patient and helpful and she really pushed me to write a strong letter. This is key—I worked very closely with a Career Services adviser. Go make friends with your Career Services people immediately. I literally visited my adviser once a week for a month.

In the process of writing essentially three different versions and countless sub-drafts, I learned even more about research and policy, I learned a ton more about this group I want to get involved with, and I learned the genre of “please-offer-me-a-job-even-though-you-aren't-advertising-an-opening-and-actually-you'll-probably-have-to-make-one-just-for-me”. Let me explain the genre using my final version.

First, the letter:

Dear Co-Director#1 and C-D#2,

I hope you both, and Policy Center, are doing well. Congratulations on your latest white paper, no doubt it will become another key guide for politicians, planners, and policymakers.

Thank you again for taking the time in late March to answer my questions about doing research and policy in State. I've reflected on our conversations and find myself coming back to a point you both made: analysts develop effective recommendations when they consult and collaborate with many different people. Having spent almost a decade talking with Residents about the global economy and the impact of local redevelopment programs, I was excited to learn of ways I might use my background to help strengthen State's future.

I will be relocating to City in mid-June and finish my dissertation there. As I establish myself in State, I would welcome any opportunity to assist Policy Center with its initiatives.

Many thanks again for all your useful information and advice this spring. Special thanks to C-D#2 for suggesting I contribute to Another Institute's call for essays—their Website posted my submission last week. I'm looking forward to moving to City, knowing that I will become part of a community that is working to ensure State and its residents reach their full potential.

With sincere regards,

Leadfoot

Leadfoot email signature with link to personal website (I mean my professional website with my CV and university address, etc. Not this blog website).

Here's the breakdown, so you don't have to suffer hours trying to figure it out yourself:

First paragraph: I used the opening paragraph to do the basic formalities, but also to indicate that I was up-to-date with their going-ons. The white paper was published just two weeks ago.

Second paragraph, 1st sentence: Identify myself and how we know each other. 2nd sentence: Career Services told me over and over “talk about them.” What did you learn about them? From them? What makes you excited about them? Talk about something concrete that you learned from them or that they do that you admire. After 15 versions, I finally got what Career Services was talking about. 3rd sentence, first clause: I'm gesturing towards my dissertation research (my expertise, if you will) without explicitly saying, "in my dissertation I demonstrate the skills you value." 3rd sentence, final clause: making the implicit connection between my expertise and the 2nd sentence (what about the group do I find exciting). The final clause also says, “hey, I too am engaged and want to be part of this scene”.

The majority of my revisions occurred in the second paragraph. At first I sounded very stand-offish and removed. One version included phrases like, “I'm impressed by the work you do” and “I look forward to witnessing the positive changes you do”. I want to be in the trenches doing similar kinds of work, but in trying to sound “professional” I actually just sounded detached. In fact, those early versions misrepresented myself and my goals.

Third paragraph: 1st sentence is purely about availability and my schedule (I don't have an exact date named because I'm not positive when I'll be fully moved). 2nd sentence, first clause: this clause essentially says I am serious; I will be around for a while and won't be leaving after 4 months. Final clause of the paragraph is a nice way of saying “please create a job/internship/volunteer opportunity for me”.

Final paragraph: 1st sentence begins the email wrap-up. 2nd sentence: Career Services brilliantly suggested I use this piece I recently wrote as an opportunity to a) show that their advice and suggestions really were helpful b) demonstrate that I can take advice and c) self-promote. 3rd sentence: another chance for me to express that I'm excited by whatever happens.

Here's the cliffnotes version:

paragraph 1: salutations and indication that I'm up on what they are doing

paragraph 2: make the case for paragraph 3

paragraph 3: please hire me

paragraph 4: gratitude for previous help and looking to the future.

It took me a month to figure out this genre and how to accomplish all these things in half a page or less. It was very reminiscent of writing a grant. Every word counts. Every sentence reinforces each other. And they can't be so complicated that it's unclear when read on a blackberry at the airport (which is where this email will very likely be received).

Let's hope I won't have to write too many more of these emails. But I'm not going to count on this email. I also have plans to start attending events in City that a) I'm interested in and that b) could plug me into important networks which c) if necessary, might get me a job down the road. Whew, there's a lot here! Hope you find something useful in all this mess. No word yet from Policy Group, but will keep you updated.

Guest Blog: Networking Seminar Write-Up

People, right here is pure gold. By e-touching this guestblog entry, you will have, by the transitive property, touched Maggie Debelius. Aka, co-author of The Bible. It doesn't get any better than this. Thanks to my best bud in this postacademic journey for attending Maggie's east coast talk last week and for providing us with such extensively awesome notes. 1000 points to alt-acad bud.

Last night, I attended a talk by Maggie Debelius, co-author (along with Susan Basalla) of what our dear Leadfoot affectionately refers to as "The Bible" (and it's not just Leadfoot -- everyone seems to hold this text in equally high regard). She was invited by a group of postacademic hopefuls to talk about America's favorite pastime -- networking. I was so excited to have the chance to meet Maggie because she has done so much to destigmatize the idea of pursuing a postacademic career. Granted, I still feel the guilt that comes with defecting from the academic cult and I'm not looking forward to breaking this news to my committee members, but "The Bible" lets me know that I am not the only one struggling through this process and it offers concrete advice for making the transition. So I really was looking forward to this -- and Maggie did not disappoint.

Although the theme of the evening was networking, Maggie began with some general comments about postacademic careers. Much of what she said in her introductory remarks can be found in "The Bible" (and actually a lot of the networking advice can be found there as well) but it is worth repeating some of what she said here. She explained that she and Sue invented the term “postacademic” because “non-academic” seemed pejorative and implied that there were only two options -- either one succeeded in academia or one failed to make it to TT Promise Land. Instead, she explained that the term "postacademic" opens up the possibility for multiple paths and can be framed as a proactive choice rather than an unfortunate fate. Of course, getting those within the academy to use this term and accept it as a positive outcome will take time.

Maggie reviewed some of the critical "Don'ts" for academics and grad students pursuing postacademic careers:

• Don’t assume that your credentials speak for themselves – In academia, credentials speak for themselves (e.g. on the CV), but outside of this bubble, credentials can’t carry the burden of proof for you – you have to make your own case

• Don’t mistake a CV for a resume -- CVs speak in precise terms while resumes speak in generalities -- no one cares what you taught; they only care that you taught and it's up to you to explain what skills you gained from this experience that might be valuable to a potential employer

• Don’t overlook your outside interests – these can be the things that get you a job. Maggie provided the example of a woman whose experience leading summer backpacking trips got her a job because it showed that she could be a team player. Many employers assume that grad students/academics can’t work/play with others, so this outside interest proved to be the thing that put this particular candidate over the top. And then there is the woman who wrote a dissertation on representations of midwives in medieval France who now works as a midwife (or something to that effect – it’s in “The Bible”) – she never dreamed that things would work out that way! You just never know.

• Don’t assume that your dissertation is your biggest accomplishment. It’s a big accomplishment to be sure, but you have many skills that employers are looking for – believe it or not, the ability to research complex material is a really valuable skill that comes naturally (perhaps after many years of training) to us!

Maggie then moved on to the main topic for the evening -- networking. If your initial reaction to this is "yuck," then you're not alone. Maggie has given dozens of talks on networking and said that nobody likes it -- well, there's one in every crowd who does (and indeed there was one these freaks in our crowd last night), but mostly everyone hates it. So don't worry if you hate it. But, sadly, just because you hate it doesn't get you out of doing it. We all have to do it. And we have to do it all the time -- even after we get that elusive job -- because networking takes time (lots of it!) and you never know what you'll (want to) be doing next. So get started now and expect a long, long road. Maggie explained that she and Sue both are in jobs that resulted from two years of networking. [Leadfoot editorial interruption: WHOA.]

That's right, it was two years from the time they made initial contact to the time they started in their respective jobs. So, patience and persistence are key.

Fortunately, Maggie offered concrete tips for making this networking business happen (really, would we expect anything less from her?). Her "tips for making networking less excruciating" (which is not to say enjoyable) began with researching your ideal job -- we've all heard this before, but it is important to understand the company or organization you want to work for and the kind of job you would like to have with them. The best way to learn about this is to...network!

• Look up as many contacts as you can find who may be related to this job, even tangentially. Even the slightest connection could lead you to that critical contact (perhaps several contacts down the line), so cast your net widely.

• Check alumni databases for possible connections within the company, the industry, the region, etc. As Leadfood has indicated, people really do want to help us, and looking to fellow alums is a really safe place to start.

• Find staff names on pages of target companies/organizations and Google them. Look for any kind of common interest/link. For example, if they have a PhD, then you can ask them about making the transition to a postacademic career. Or, maybe you find that they just completed a marathon and you can mention that you share an interest in running. Find any kind of common interest and use that as an entry point.

Once you have found contacts, you should send them a brief email to introduce yourself and request an informational interview (see Leadfoot's excellent entries on these!). In the email:

• Make sure to cite your common interest

• Ask two questions

  • Ask if they would be willing to meet with you briefly to talk about how to “break into the field.” Using this phrase assures the reader that you are not asking for a job – you’re researching the field.

  • The other question may have something to do with asking about training programs that might give you an edge, or more specific questions things relating to your career change in that particular field/organization.

Once again: Don’t ask how to get a job there, and be sure to avoid other questions that are equally ridiculous and inappropriate. (These inappropriate questions should be pretty obvious, but if they are not, then I recommend that you consult "The Bible" (esp. 85-87).)

If you don’t get a reply within a week, then Maggie suggests that you send your message again. Your message might have gotten lost in a flooded inbox and the second email will serve as a reminder. If you don’t get a response to the second email, then you should probably let that contact go.

After your informational interview, be sure to send a thank-you note in which you tell them your next step and ask if you can touch base with them again in a couple of months. Because it is critical that you stay on their radar! This sounds to me a bit like professional nagging, but you have to check in now and then and let them know that you’re still interested. How to do this?

• Keep them up to date on changes in your life. Avoid anything too personal, obviously, but notify them of a new email address or contact info, or let them know that you have completed that training program they recommended.

• Pass along articles/links that you feel might be useful to them. This lets them know that you are really interested in the field and shows that you would be an asset to the organization.

It is important to be persistent but polite. Try to find a way to contact them every three months or so. Maggie explained that Sue did this with a woman who held her current job (an organization called Arts and Sciences in Baltimore). She kept sending notes and articles to the woman to stay on her radar and eventually she got a call from her saying that she was moving to Chicago and that she thought Sue would be the perfect person to fill her position. This would not have happened if Sue had stopped after the initial thank-you note; it was her persistence that paid off.

To help stay in touch, an audience member also suggested creating a Google/Yahoo alert for your contacts (along with a possible junk email account specifically for such alerts [Editorial interruption: here's how to set up an RSS feed]) to keep track of what they are up to. I'm a little unsure about this because it borders on creepy-stalker behavior, but I see how it could help give you something to talk about when you check in every three months. For example, if you learn that they had given a talk or presentation somewhere, then you might mention that in your email. (I’ll leave it up to you to decide where the line is between creepy-stalker and devoted-professional.)

To help get started with networking, Maggie recommended the book Making A Literary Life, by Carolyn See. This book is intended for writers, but Maggie finds the idea of sending “gracious notes” to be a useful exercise in learning how to write networking emails. She suggested that we send three “gracious notes” (i.e. fan letters) to people who truly inspire us. This can be anyone! It could be the person who designed that little gadget for your mountain bike that has completely changed your life, your favorite author, the maker of your favorite microbrew – anybody! The idea is that if you choose someone who truly inspires you, then you will be able to express sincere enthusiasm. And this will help you when you’re drafting those networking emails. These “gracious notes” should be brief – only three sentences (why you’re writing, what inspires you, and end by asking what they’re doing next). And maybe you’ll get a response, which is nice, but that’s not really the point. The point is to get used to the idea of writing these kinds of gracious notes. And, you might even learn something about yourself and your interests – pay attention to who you are writing to and the common threads/themes that they share. If you write 20 of these, then you’ll start to see commonalities and begin to zero in on what you are truly interested in.

Maggie’s networking bottom lines:

• It’s slow – don’t expect success in the immediate term – expect it to take two years before you start to see results

• Create possibilities – the burden is on you

• Don’t try to figure it out all at once – making the transition to postacademic life is a long and emotional process, so allow yourself time to work through this

• Networking is contagious – connections naturally breed connections (but don’t be afraid to ask for connections!)

• You are not likely to find a job in the classifieds (this includes everything from the back page of the Washington Post to Monster.com) – the unfortunate reality is that your job will come from networking

In the end, Maggie emphasized that getting that first postacademic job is the best thing you can do to find the perfect postacademic job for you. She encouraged us to be open to taking a job that is just an ok-job because it will give you experience that will make it so no one ever questions your (academic) background again. This will make it easier for you to move on to other jobs – and eventually to that perfect job (well, until the next perfect job comes along). And, having experience doing an ok-job will also help you focus and figure out what you do and don’t like to do. After all, what does a “consultant” actually do, anyway?? You can’t know until you’ve tried it. Maybe you’ll like it; maybe you won’t – just get in there and try it.

And don’t be afraid to start low and work your way up quickly. Maggie acknowledged that this is controversial advice, but she and Sue stand by it because they feel that it is better to do this than to go in overqualified. If you start low, then people will generally be nicer and more helpful to you as you learn a new job/field than they will if you go in at a higher level where people will expect you to be the expert already [Final editorial interruption: Leadfoot concurs with this advice based on her limited real world work experience]. But keep in mind that you may have to really convince an employer that you want to start low and work your way up, because many will assume that you are overqualified. However, this doesn’t mean that you should remove your PhD from your resume to get a job for which you might be slightly overqualified because you won’t want to work for a company that does not value your PhD. Your employer should value your PhD, even if it doesn’t translate to more money for you.

Applying for a Job or, How to Work Your Networks

So about that job application I mentioned two weeks back. No word yet. But my fingers are still crossed. And let me tell you why.

I found out about this job through wrk4us--a contributor posted the ad to the list (as regularly happens). The wrk4us post happened on April 6th, the application was due the 16th. I had to hustle. The job is a seven month contract research gig co-sponsored by the American Folklife Center, the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture, and the American Folklore Society. They were looking for 4 researchers to essentially catalogue the nation's archives and collections on the 1950s-'60s Civil Rights Movement from May 2010-November 2010. It's a $25,000 gig. (For the record, I've never made $25K in a year, much less in 7 months. The money is quite appealing.) The job ad wanted researchers with experience working with archives, conducting oral histories, and familiarity with databases. It just required an application letter, my CV, and contact info for 3 references. This job was written for me.

Initially I debated applying. I really do want to finish my dissertation soon and this FT job would clearly delay completion. Also, I really would like to charm my way into that policy center I info interviewed in March and they are kinda expecting me to call this summer. Knocking on their door next year is not ideal.

But after talking to newly employed and long timed employed friends who work in and out of academia, everyone said to apply. In fact, many folks couldn't understand my hesitation. Yes, your dissertation will be delayed by 7 months, but so what? Think of all the connections you'll make in these various organizations! Think of the real-world work experience! Think of what $25K can buy! Upon further investigation I realized that the application screener lives in my soon-to-be new home. Even if I don't get this job, I need to get on his radar for help finding a job in City. What better way to introduce myself than through a job letter?

So, okay. I was game. But as an anthropologist, I thought I knew nothing about folklore. (See what disciplinary gatekeeping does? Anthropology=folklore. Duh.) At my hourly "real" job, I asked a coworker if she knew the screener (who she would potentially know professionally) and if she could give me any tips on writing the letter. Out comes a book on the history of folklore as a profession and the suggestion I talk to a retired colleague. Retired Colleague (RC) just happens to know the screener, and oh, btw, is a board member of the Folklife Center.

We're cooking with fire now. Coworker emails RC and sets up a meeting for us. RC and I meet several days before the app is due and she tells me the history of this project and gives a few recommendations on my letter. 10 points for Leadfoot. Also, she casually mentions that she will be seeing screener the following week at a board meeting. 5 bonus points. That book competition I whined about a few weeks ago? Folklore-related, meaning that my immediate boss works with the application screener on the logistics of that project. Obviously, boss is one of my references and my work on that book competition totally showed up in the job letter. 10 points for Leadfoot. My hourly job uses a database (though not the software specified in the job ad). I nicely asked the database manager at my job to look over my paragraph on database familiarity and help me beef it up. Which she did. 5 points for Leadfoot. Oh and my hourly job, yeah, application screener published a book with them several years ago. 1 extra point for Leadfoot's email signature line which mentions Job and 2 extra points for Leadfoot's job app paragraph that talks about work experience in the context of Job.

This is what all those job books call "working your networks." Now I realize in this instance this is a special, stars-aligning-in-the-sky kind of network. But I think elements of all of this is certainly there for all of us. It's just about asking the right people for help. Everyone, and I mean everyone, at my hourly job were falling over trying to help me--giving me suggestions, talking me up to RC, devising reasons to contact the screener and in their bs email mention me. People, even folks we barely know, want to help us find jobs. Accept their help, send a thank you card, and pass on the love when you can.

But I wasn't going to rely on my professional networks alone. I had two very awesome friends/fellow job hunters also look over my letter. Their suggestions made it 1000 times stronger. Seriously. If you want to see the before and after I will gladly send you the pre and post versions. I will also happily look over any letters of yours. Those extra sets of eyes really do make a difference. So in addition to figuring out your professional networks, I realized from this experience that we need buddies in this game who will drop everything to look over a letter and return it hours later. (My job hunting buddies are incredible. Thanks friends!)

So I got all this professional help/networking from my workplace, my buddies made writing improvements on the letter. I sent in the materials. Then the wait began. I continue to wait.

Now, I didn't think this ad was very well publicized and my boss/reference thought it may be an inside job. But last week I found out from a coworker who talked with RC, that the screener received over 100 applications. Over 100 apps for a 7 month gig! People must be hungry. We all assume the screener is still reading through and sorting applications.

Hope burns eternal. I will keep you posted.

Lessons learned from this round:

--Keep your eye open for openings. Be willing to flexibly change future goals and plans if worth it.

--We must work our networks.

--You never know who knows who or how your world intersects with others' worlds.

--People are happy to help. This includes coworkers as well as friends.

--Send your materials to your references ("In the happy event you are contacted as a reference for this job, I thought you'd like my application letter and the job post in hand. Please find them attached").

--Treat your CV as a resume. I totally rewrote my CV now that I understand how effectively resumes can support/backup your letter. While I kept the same categories and basic format before, I added specifics "I supervised 35 student ethnographic projects over 15 weeks". I also cut unimportant stuff and emphasized important stuff. So in my job duties under my hourly job I cut "make photocopies" and replaced it with "taught self how to build and design Filemaker Pro 7 database".

--Tell lots of people about the job. Their positive energy keeps you going and always comes just as you are in the depths of "woo is me, I suck. I'm no good for this job. I'm not even good enough to flip burgers" moment.

--Patience, patience, patience. As my Honey reminds me (now on a daily basis), "these things always take longer than they expect."

Stay tuned!