How to Land a Job in the Obama Administration

By Krista Robinson, MS in Political Science ’09

Given the current economic climate, the job search will be a difficult task for many graduates. However, one sector of the economy that is sure to hire qualified employees is President Barack Obama’s administration. There are thousands of job opportunities available, ranging from coveted presidential appointments to departmental staff positions. Here are a few key strategies for landing a position in the Obama administration.

Start with the basics—the Plum Book, a compendium listing government policy and administrative staff positions. Available online at www.gpoaccess.gov/plumbook, this publication identifies federal civil service leadership and support openings in the legislative and executive branches.

When scouring the Plum Book, it is important to reflect upon the policy themes of President Obama’s agenda and how your career goals complement them. By visiting www.whitehouse.gov, you can gain a more cogent understanding of the types of positions that will be in demand during the next four years. Right now, the financial, technological, and healthcare sectors have the greatest need for qualified candidates.

It takes more than just an application to get your foot in the federal door. Social networking is key to establishing and developing relationships. Samuel Mok, a comptroller for President George W. Bush’s administration, says, “For every position, there are countless numbers of people wanting the job. The more allies you can bring to the table, the better chance you have.” Using Suffolk’s Alumni Career Advisory Network and joining the University’s online community are great ways to learn more about job listings and descriptions, and to make new contacts.

If you are not interested in relocating to Washington, DC, try tapping into local or state campaign organizations. Derek Dorch, president of Diverse Group, a career counseling firm in greater Boston, says, “Contrary to what most people think, the majority of federal jobs are where you live, not in DC. So, networking within your community is always important.”

Federal resumes average three to four pages in length and applicants are required to clearly indicate specialized experience and/or education and training at a salary level commensurate with the federal pay scale. Because the government assigns graded pay levels to each position, you can compete for higher grade jobs if you have the necessary qualifications.

Prospective federal applicants must also complete a seven-page, 63-item questionnaire detailing everything from drug and alcohol use to financial history.

If you successfully clear all these hurdles and are offered a position, your reward will be well-earned.

Krista has recently joined O’Neill and Associates, a Boston-based consulting firm specializing in government and public relations, as an account coordinator.

Grad Student Finds Career Success in the Co-op Program

By Sarah Bankoff, PhD in Clinical Psychology Candidate

Are you looking for a summer job? Would you like to gain experience in your field while taking classes?  Have you heard of Suffolk’s
cooperative education (co-op) program, but thought it was for undergraduates only? Graduate students can earn career-related insights and paychecks through part-time and/or temporary co-op opportunities, too.

Unlike unpaid internships, co-ops always offer monetary compensation. Opportunities abound in every field of study, and graduate students can work at any time of the year. While students typically follow part-time co-op schedules during the fall and spring semesters, they usually work full-time in the summer. Such flexibility allows students to tailor their co-op experience to meet their individual needs and goals.

Dhruv Sood, a student in Suffolk’s MBA program concentrating on entrepreneurship, found a co-op assignment as a food export intern at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. After almost a year in this position, he serves as a liaison between the State Department and food exporters. His responsibilities include conducting marketing research, assisting US suppliers with their marketing efforts, recruiting companies to participate in the program, and updating and maintaining a database of participating companies. 

Dhruv says his favorite aspects of his job are the flexible hours and ability to work independently; his work schedule complements—and never conflicts with—his hours in the classroom. On the job, he also enjoys traveling to meet international buyers at trade shows. While he says he knew nothing about the export market and international trade when he began his co-op, he quickly learned on the job. 

He strongly recommends working in a co-op position to his fellow Suffolk graduate students. And as an international student, he feels this experience has given him valuable insights on the American work culture.

Many organizations view co-ops as a way to identify future full-time employees. Dhruv, like many Suffolk students at the graduate and undergraduate levels, is now discussing full-time job possibilities with his co-op employers.

Suffolk’s co-op program also provides online listings of unpaid internships. If you have limited work experience or are transitioning into a new field, it can be helpful to start with an unpaid internship and then pursue a paid co-op. Employers value experience—paid and unpaid—and completing an internship increases your likelihood of being interviewed for full-time jobs in the future.

Whether you aim to enhance your graduate education with work-related experience, improve your future job prospects, or help finance your education, a co-op position may meet your needs. To learn more, set up an appointment with a co-op counselor by calling or visiting the Office of Career Services.

Q&A: A Recruiter’s Perspective on the Hiring Process

By Amanda Jahnke, MEd in Administration of Higher Education

Q: How long have you been a recruiter?
A: I’ve been the recruiting manager at my current advertising agency for the past three years. Prior to that, I spent roughly ten years in account management, also in the ad industry.

Q: What do you typically look for in a candidate?
A: We definitely look at their work and/or internship experience. It’s a must to have at least one internship and work experience—preferably two or three—to be considered for a full-time entry-level job. I always say interning at a company is a fantastic way to learn about the culture, pace, and people. We don’t necessarily look for specific degrees, but we do look for academic success, and we like to see true commitment to a club, sport, or other extra-curricular activity. For more senior positions (six years of experience or more), we use recruiters at times. We also post job openings on creative hotlist, media post and monster.com. A majority of our applicants come from internal employee referrals, and we receive a fair amount through our company’s online job portal.

Q: How does a resume get to your desk?
A: Internal referrals are the best way to get there and usually provide great candidates. I also receive resumes from recruiters and our internal job portal. If the candidate looks solid and qualified, I will forward it to the hiring manager. If we do have a position posted on our site, it means we’re trying to fill it as quickly as possible, so I work hard to review those on a regular basis.

Q: Has the current economic climate caused a change in the level of candidates applying for positions?
A: Yes. I am definitely seeing overqualified people apply for more junior-level positions.

Q: How do you respond to this situation?
A: I suggest that folks carefully dissect a job description. People should try not to apply for positions they know they’re overqualified for because, in the long run, they may not be happy with their decision.

Q: Is there anything you would recommend to a candidate looking for a position right now?
A: I suggest during this economic time that people think about interning at their ideal agency or company. Doing this lets them become known, prove how great they are, and be thought of first when an opening does come up. I would also recommend that folks contact fellow college alumni, a friend of a friend, someone who works at the company to find out what’s unique about it, or any other networking or learning opportunity. You absolutely have to get to know the right folks. Make sure to do your research about a company so it’s clear why you want a position there.

Q: How important is the layout of a resume to you?
A: Very, in terms of readability. A resume has to have a clean layout and be digestible in one page!

Q: Is education or work experience of greater importance to you, or are they equal?
A: For entry-level openings, it’s about academic excellence and internship experience. Once the candidate is at a more senior level (say five years– plus of working), the specific companies the person has worked for and clients they’ve worked with become more important.

Q: Who is your perfect candidate?
A: Someone who is smart, driven, and engaging. We want people who are captivated by life, have outside interests, and will commit to playing a huge role at our company.

Making the Most of Your Internship or Co-op

By Michele Rapp, Associate Director, Graduate Student Career Services

As you get ready to start a co-op or internship, consider these guidelines for ensuring a valuable experience.

Set Goals and Expectations

Agree on clear goals, tasks, and learning objectives with your employer. Talk about your skills you can offer, as well as the skills you’d like to develop. Having a written job description is advisable. Ask questions to determine whether your employer is organized in his or her approach to using interns to ensure a good experience.

Have a Positive Attitude

Be an enthusiastic team player and build rapport with your group of officemates. Most internships involve a certain amount of “grunt work.” Perform your tasks with a good attitude and look for opportunities to further your skills.

Take Initiative

Be willing to do what’s needed. Keep a record of your projects and accomplishments and begin adding these to your resume. Look for opportunities to make contributions. Take initiative to propose a new idea or ways to improve a process. Organizations appreciate the fresh ideas and perspectives interns bring. As you prove your skills, your supervisor will be willing to give you more advanced assignments.

Demonstrate Professionalism

Be professional in your work habits, communication, and attire. Keep in mind that you may be considered for a future full-time position, so dress and act the part. Be on time and keep to your work schedule. Keep in mind that your internship supervisor can be an important reference for you in the future.

Get Feedback

Especially as you get to know a new supervisor, be sure to ask questions and get clarification regarding your responsibilities. Ask for feedback to identify areas for improvement. It’s also recommended that you schedule a more formal performance review at the middle and end of your internship. Your academic department or the cooperative education program may have a form for your supervisor to complete.

Network

Look for opportunities to get to know your colleagues. You may want to arrange informational interviews with them as well. Attend company meetings and events, and learn as much as you can about the organization. Look for opportunities to have lunch with others rather than eating alone. It’s also helpful to get to know your fellow interns. Some companies have regular informational or social meetings for their interns; consider helping to start this type of gathering.

Complete the Process

Complete a final evaluation with your supervisor. Ask for references and also inquire about full-time opportunities. Maintain your connections and continue to develop relationships once you leave.

Applying to PhD Programs

by Brian MacAuley, MA in Communication Studies ’09

Applying to PhD programs can be daunting. There is a wealth of books and Web sites for students applying to undergraduate and even terminal graduate programs, but a lack of “how-to” resources for PhD hopefuls. As a recent applicant, I can tell you what was helpful to me.

Ask for Help

Talk to a professor in your chosen field of study who is familiar with your strengths and interests. This professor may be able to offer you insight on specific programs and graduate schools’ expectations for students, refer you to contacts at universities, or put you in touch with a student who has recently been through the application process. Asking for advice is also a good first step towards asking a professor to write a recommendation, and a professor who is confident in your skills will likely offer to do so.

Do Your Homework

The bulk of your research on PhD programs will be done online; searching for scholarly societies, professional associations, and trade associations may be a helpful starting point. I was fortunate to find a scholarly society in my field that not only published a list of institutions with PhD programs, but also ranked the programs by reputation. I also found www.gradschools.com to be extremely useful—its “My Gradschools” tool allows you to save a list of your preferred programs. As you investigate schools more thoroughly, you can eliminate those that do not meet your criteria. Another helpful site, www.thegradcafe.com, features discussion boards on which you can ask specific questions about the application process. I was, however, unable to find any single exhaustive listing of programs online.

Check the Web sites of the specific program of each school that you are considering. Review faculty listings for professors whose research interests are similar to your own. Contact the graduate program director of every school to which you are applying. List your research interests and ask if your interests match the program’s areas of focus.

A friend of mine currently enrolled in a PhD program imparted an invaluable anecdote. When he contacted one school to ask why he was not accepted, the graduate director told him that establishing contact with the program before applying would have greatly increased his chances. Each program director responded to me in a fairly timely manner, and some even went out of their way to put me in contact with current students and faculty.

Be Organized and Timely

Create a spreadsheet listing each program’s Web site and the phone numbers and email addresses for department contacts. Record any contact you have had with the school. As you investigate each program, include relevant details that might help you make your decision. Rank the schools in order of preference, and your short list for applications will emerge. Keep in mind the competitive nature of PhD programs and apply to several schools.

Give your professors plenty of time to write their recommendations. While I let my professors know that I was going to ask them for a recommendation months in advance, I underestimated the amount of time it would take to complete my applications. I spent a lot of time drafting my ideal personal statement—and was heartbroken when I had to edit it down for almost every school. Strive for comprehensiveness, but be prepared to make some tough cuts. Finally, customize the statement for each program—admissions committees want to know why you want to go to their school.

I received my first acceptance letter from a PhD program as I wrote this article. I must have done something right!

Brian will begin his PhD program in mass communication at Pennsylvania State University in the fall.

Job Search Tips

By Michele Rapp, Associate Director, Graduate Student Career Services

The current economy requires job seekers to be creative, persistent, and willing to continuously adjust and augment their job search strategies. Consider the following tactics in your search.

Make sure your resume concisely and clearly communicates your relevant skills. Although technology enables us to apply for jobs with the quick click of a mouse, many job seekers find that their response rate from online submissions is low or even nonexistent. Recruiters may be swamped with resumes and standing out from the crowd is difficult.

Use the Internet, but try other avenues as well. Many hiring managers and human resources professionals prefer identifying candidates through networking, resulting in some jobs being filled without being advertised.

Tap into alumni contacts from Suffolk University and your undergraduate institution as well. Suffolk’s Alumni Career Advisory Network lists graduates who are willing to share information.

Stay connected to your network by attending professional association meetings. Our office maintains listings of local professional associations, and you can look at the weekly calendar of events in The Boston Business Journal or the Boston Works section of Sunday’s Boston Globe. Attend meetings of networking groups such as WIND (Wednesday is Networking Day; learn more at www.windnetworking.net). Networking sites suchs as Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter also can be used skillfully to make valuable contacts.

When networking, don’t focus solely on job leads. Think broadly about the information each person has that could benefit your search. For example, a contact may provide valuable information on trends in your industry or new developments at particular companies. By engaging in broader conversations, you’ll build rapport with your contacts, which may make them more invested in assisting you in the future.

Develop a clear one-minute introduction that summarizes your background, strengths, and the kind of work and industries you are interested in. This will help others remember you and understand your career goals. Use your marketing skills to deliver a clear and memorable message.

Consider temporary work and contract assignments as sources of short-term income and conduits to employers who may have full-time positions at a later date. Current students can participate in cooperative education positions and internships that introduce them to employers and may lead to job offers upon graduation. Or, consider starting a side business that will generate income.

Volunteer while continuing your job search. This is a great way to build new skills and network while feeling good about making a valuable contribution.

Structure your day by keeping a regular schedule of job search activities and setting up networking meetings and lunches. Managing your time this way is especially helpful if you have lost your job and miss the routine that full-time employment provides.

Do your best to maintain a positive attitude. Get support by forming a “success team” with other job seekers, in which you set goals and report on your progress. Also recognize when you need to take a break from your job search: have some fun, exercise, meditate, or get pep talks from friends.