The STEM field is growing every single year and is considered one of the most sought after career fields. While many woman are graduating with STEM degrees and entering the field in higher numbers than ever before, there is still a huge problem that they are facing: unfair wages compared to their male colleagues’ earnings.
The Current State
According to the Stanford Graduate School of Business, a woman in engineering and technology makes nearly $4,000 less than men in entry-level positions. This study was done with men and women that are working the same exact positions with the same amount of previous experience.
These wage gaps are not only seen between men and women, with women of color being affected the most with the wage gap. Pew Research Center found that Black and Hispanic women make 83% of what a White man would earn working the same position in the STEM field.
Within the STEM field, women in different positions experience varying wage gaps. For example, new female gradates in computer science make an average salary of $79,000 while male graduates make an average of $82,000 (National Center for Women & Information Technology). Regarding the science field there is a much bigger wage gap. This gap has been reported to be at least $18,000 for candidates with PhDs as reported by the US National Science Foundation’s annual census.
While there is a wage gap present in STEM fields, women working in STEM experience a much smaller wage gap compared to women in other fields. In a study from the U.S. Department of Commerce, it was found that women in STEM jobs earn 33% more than women that work in non-STEM positions.
What Can Be Done?
Fixing the wage gap for every women in STEM is hard, but not impossible.
The first thing that can be done is to make employers aware of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which is a federal law that requires equal pay for equal work. If an employer is found to not be properly following this federal law by providing unequal wages, it could lead to legal troubles and lawsuits.
Another way to close the wage gap is to schedule regular audits of employee wages at the company and investigate any disparities between men and women’s pay if they are present. Conducting an audit like this can help pay disparities be identified and enables leadership to take action to close the gap.
Many research studies, like the one from Stanford, have found that women have a harder time negotiating salary during the hiring process compared to men due to social norms and fear of retaliation for doing so. This lack of pay negotiating can broaden the wage gap more. To avoid this wage gap from widener more at a company, women should be encouraged and open to negotiating their salary.
Sometimes it can feel that there are a lot of factors preventing the wage gap to be closed with preconceived notions of gender roles and lack of action, both of which can be disheartening for women in STEM. Closing the wage gap will take time, but with push from both job seekers and employers, it can be improved over time.
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Looking for your next STEM career? Check out STEMHUNTER’s job board for the latest openings.
High school graduates have a difficult decision to make when choosing their college major. With jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) growing 79 percent since 1990, and STEM occupations averaging a salary of $100,900, majoring in a STEM field may be of interest to many future college students. Here are the different majors and corresponding occupations that students can pursue careers in.
Astronomy/Astrophysics
Astronomy and Astrophysics majors study the creation of the universe and everything, including black holes, planets, suns and galaxies, within it. The coursework for this major typically includes classes in data modeling, physics and mathematics.
Common jobs for Astronomy/Astrophysics majors, include:
Agronomy/Crop Science
Agronomy majors study plants and soils, how they are produced and their interaction with the environment. Curriculum for Agronomy/Crop Science degrees can include the application of biological, chemical and physical science principles to the cultivation of plants.
Common jobs for Agronomy/Crop Science majors include:
Biology
A Biology major can open the door to a variety of career possibilities. While some may study biology in a pre-medicine capacity hoping to later pursue career in the medical field, others may have an interest in a life science career.
Common jobs for Biology majors include:
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the study of chemical reactions and interactions with living organisms. This practice is important for the development of vaccines and medications. The curriculum for Biochemistry is a mix between both biology and chemistry-focused courses. This major can be combined with other educational degrees to help you specialize in various areas of interest.
Common jobs for Biochemistry majors include:
Chemistry
Explore the complex ways that elements combine together and how matter undergoes change with a degree in Chemistry. Coursework in this field can include concepts related to chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics and periodic concepts. Studying this field can lead to careers in many different industries, including: specialty chemicals, medicine and research.
Common jobs for Chemistry majors include:
Environmental Science
Environmental Science majors study Earth’s natural environment and the impact humans have on it. Courses for this major can include chemistry, biology and geology. Often times, the curriculum will include laboratory classes and field experiences.
Common jobs for Environmental Science majors include:
Food Science & Technology
Students who pursue a major in Food Science & Technology will learn about using science to safely create, manufacture, package and preserve food products. They will have coursework in areas such as chemistry, microbiology and food safety.
Common jobs for Food Science & Technology majors include:
Microbiology
When you study Microbiology, you will learn about the way that microscopic organisms evolve, function and cause disease. This scientific major includes coursework in chemistry, biology, biological chemistry, physics and other topics. A degree in Microbiology can open the door to a number of different scientific careers.
Common jobs for Microbiology majors include:
Physics
A Physics major studies the relationship between energy and matter. Students who pursue this degree will get exposure to scientific methods and concepts that can be useful in a number of career paths.
Common jobs for Physics majors include:
Computer Science
Explore computer systems and the way humans interact with them with a Computer Science major. The curriculum for this major includes the programming and design of software as well as theory and problem-solving methods. Coursework may also include calculus, statistics, data visualization, among other subjects.
Common jobs for Computer Science majors include:
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a growing field with ample career opportunities. A major in Cybersecurity can open up doors to the various areas of information technology space. Students in Cybersecurity will likely study information systems, computer science, cyber defense, mathematics and other related courses.
Common jobs for Cybersecurity majors include:
Data Analytics/Data Science
Data Analytics/Data Science majors collect, manage and analyze large, multifaceted data sets to make informed business decisions. Often, students studying this discipline will complete coursework in computer science, statistics and mathematics.
Common jobs for Data Analytics/Data Science majors:
Computer Engineering
Students interested in using creative problem-solving methods to work with computer software and hardware should consider a major in Computer Engineering. Within this major, student can specialize in various areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence or cybersecurity. Coursework in this major can include foundational mathematics, calculus, data structures or computer architecture.
Common jobs for Computer Engineering majors include:
Aerospace Engineering
Those majoring in Aerospace Engineering will take courses in physics and mathematics as well as engineering lectures and labs. This curriculum prepares students in the design, propulsion and systems for both aircrafts and spacecrafts.
Common jobs for Aerospace Engineers include:
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering combines both engineering and scientific techniques to find innovative solutions to issues in the medical field. Students majoring in Biomedical Engineering will likely take courses in chemistry, physics, bioelectricity, biomechanics and other related courses.
Common jobs for Biomedical Engineering majors include:
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering majors will study the planning, design, development and evaluation of structures and systems, such as buildings, tunnels, airports, drainage systems, railways and bridges. This major open the door to a range of different specialties within the Civil Engineering field.
Common jobs for Civil Engineering majors include:
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Industrial & Systems Engineering (ISE) majors utilize scientific and mathematical principles to design, implement, evaluate and improve systems of people, information and materials. Students who study ISE will learn about creating efficiencies and eliminating labor or material waste in various business or manufacturing processes.
Common jobs for Industrial & Systems Engineering majors include:
Materials Science & Engineering
Explore the structure, processing, properties and performance of materials used in engineering systems with a degree in Materials Science & Engineering. Coursework for this field includes foundational engineering courses and typically students have the ability to specialize in various areas of Materials Science & Engineering, including biomaterials, electronic materials, metallurgy and polymers.
Common jobs for Materials Science & Engineering majors include:
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering majors study a diverse curriculum. This involves creative design, manufacturing engineering, machine elements design, measurements, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, among other topics.
Common jobs for Mechanical Engineering majors include:
Actuarial Science
The study of financial implications of uncertain future events and quantifying and managing risk is known as Actuarial Science. Students with this major will learn modern business practices, have an understanding of finance principles and develop quantitative reasoning skills.
Common jobs for Actuarial Science majors include:
Applied/Pure Mathematics
Applied Mathematics focuses on applying analytical and computation math techniques and principles to solve real-world problems in various industries. While Applied Mathematics is the practical use of mathematical practices, Pure Mathematics is the theoretical study of boarder mathematical concepts, such as proofs, theorems and abstract concepts.
Both of these majors can lead to a number of mathematical career paths within different fields of study.
Common jobs for Applied Mathematics majors include:
Statistics
Statistics majors study the collection, interpretation and analyzation of data. These students will take a number of courses in mathematics, including calculus and linear algebra. They may also complete coursework in programming languages and data modeling.
Common jobs for Statistics majors include:
The COVID pandemic emphasized how crucial science is for health and innovation, and the importance of a vast number of experienced professionals throughout the science, technology, engineering, mathematics, technology (STEM) fields. From the pandemic alone, we saw the importance of all fields and functions of STEM come together to understand and manage the virus, create a vaccine and disseminate care throughout the world. Biomedical researchers in labs worldwide studied how COVID impacts the body and the mechanisms by which it was spreading, chemists, biotech and pharmaceutical scientists dove into R&D for vaccines and tech developers utilized digital technology to track cases and facilitate contract tracing. Additionally, data scientists tracked populations, public health experts coordinated international vaccination development and leveraged community health workers to distribute the vaccine.
With this in mind, it is no surprise that employment in STEM industries fared well during the pandemic and continues to grow significantly. STEM jobs have historically been less affected by recessions and unemployment – in 2020 the unemployment rate for STEM professions was 4% lower than the overall rate. When the US unemployment rate was at its highest in 2020, hovering around 8%, the unemployment rate for STEM professions was between 3.4%-4.3% depending upon the industry. The demand for scientific and technical professionals continues to rise – the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that STEM jobs will increase by over 10% by 2030, while non-STEM occupations will increase by just 7.5%.
Read on to learn which fields and jobs are fastest growing and most in demand:
The information technology (IT), computer science and computer engineering industry is expected to grow significantly in the next decade. Computer occupations as a whole are expected to grow by 13.4%, housing several of the industry’s top jobs, adding an increase of 441,500 jobs annually by 2030. The only IT field that is not expected to grow in the next ten years is computer programming, which has a projected –9.9% labor force loss by 2030.
| Job | Percent Employment Change, 2020-2030 | Occupational Openings, Annual Average, 2020-30 |
|---|---|---|
| Information Security Analyst | 33.3% | 16,300 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | 21.9% | 3,200 |
| Software and Web Developers | 18.7% | 216,000 |
| Computer and Information Analysts | 12% | 63,900 |
| Computer User Support Specialists | 8.9% | 54,800 |
Looking for a career change within the IT industry? Check out current openings in this high demand field, on STEMHUNTER.
The mathematics industry is projected to grow by over a quarter of its current size in the coming decade, bringing 28% more jobs to the industry by 2030. Statistics is the fastest growing STEM field – expanding by 35.4% before the end of the decade.
Math itself is only expected to grow marginally, at 2.7%, but that’s not the case for other math fields:
| Job | Percent Employment Change, 2020-2030 | Occupational Openings, Annual Average, 2020-30 |
|---|---|---|
| Statistician | 35.4% | 5,000 |
| Data Scientists | 31.4% | 7,100 |
| Actuaries | 24.5% | 2,400 |
Ready to take advantage of the rapidly expanding math field? Look at the statistics, data science, and actuary openings on STEMHUNTER!
One of the highest demand STEM fields, engineering, is not expected to grow at the same rate as its STEM counterparts in the coming decade, with only a 7.4% increase by 2030. Most engineering fields are projected to see just single-digit growth in the next ten years, and a couple are expected to shrink (nuclear engineering has –8.4% expected growth and –1.9% for drafting engineers). Here are the exceptions:
| Job | Percent Employment Change, 2020-2030 | Occupational Openings, Annual Average, 2020-30 |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineers | 13.7% | 23,300 |
| Chemical Engineers | 9.3% | 1,800 |
| Civil Engineers | 8.2% | 25,000 |
Despite this small percentage expansion, given the scale of engineering this amounts to 125,400 new jobs annually, so there is no shortage of opportunities to enter the field or grow professionally.
Are you an engineer seeking a career upgrade? Check out our top job openings on STEMHUNTER.
Among life and physical science fields, life sciences is expected to grow at a higher pace, with a 10.7% growth rate (33,600 additional jobs annually) expected compared to a 4.4% growth (11,200 new jobs) in biological sciences. Here are the industries’ high demand jobs:
| Job | Percent Employment Change, 2020-2030 | Occupational Openings, Annual Average, 2020-30 |
|---|---|---|
| Soil & Plant Scientists | 10% | 2,300 |
| Foresters | 10% | 1,400 |
| Psychology: Clinical, Counseling & School Psychologist | 10.4% | 25,000 |
| Environmental Science & Protection Technician | 10.6% | 4,700 |
| Physicists | 8.8% | 1,300 |
Are you a medical scientist ready to jumpstart your career? Create an account on STEMHUNTER today to be notified when positions are posted in this field!
With very few exceptions, all STEM fields are expanding, making this decade an ideal time to enter the field or pursue new career opportunities. There are more scientific and technical professional opportunities now than there were a decade ago and that will likely continue to increase. And, unlike other fields that are vulnerable to economic or geopolitical challenges, STEM fields have proven to be recession and global pandemic-proof.
Ready to grow in STEM? Check out the industry’s most in-demand jobs on STEMHUNTER, a job board specializing in scientific and technical jobs.
All industry data cited in the article is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Top talent in scientific, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields can be hard to find using traditional recruiting methods. STEM professionals’ searches differently for new opportunities and your organization may need to think creatively and utilize new tools in order to get your jobs in front of these individuals. Below are five ways you can reach and engage talent in STEM.
A great way to get in front of STEM professionals is to meet them where they already are. What kinds of magazines, podcasts, websites, etc. might your target candidates be engaging with? For example, if you are looking to bring on Chemical Engineers, Chemical Engineering Magazine might be a good place to advertise on. In some cases, these publications have their own job board, email newsletter or social media channels, which are additional opportunities to get your job postings in front of the right people.
If you are trying to grow your hiring network in a particular area of STEM, look no further than events such as trade shows, conferences, seminars, etc. . There are many event options throughout the year in a variety of industries and specialties within STEM. These events, whether national, local or virtual, are a great opportunity to make connections in a specific space. By growing your connections, you can increase your network reach and bring more attention to your organization and critical roles.
STEMHUNTER’s next-generation platform was built specifically for reaching and engaging top STEM talent. Whether posting your job on the board, or searching STEMHUNTER’s candidate database, your company can get in front of the right professionals and create a seamless hiring process that could lead you to your next stand-out employee. Start a free trial today and see for yourself why STEMHUNTER is a top choice for employers.
When your organization is in need of fresh STEM talent, turn to colleges and universities. These institutions are guaranteed to have new graduates looking to enter the job market every year in a number of disciplines. Your organization can get in front of these prospects by posting on their university job board, attending career fairs and getting involved on campus. Through clubs, seminars or events, you can be targeted in your recruiting efforts to find the students with the experience and interests you are looking for.
When prospecting employees, professional organizations may not come to mind as a hiring tactic. However, there are organizations for a number of different interest groups and industries, allowing you to build your network in a particular area. In addition to making critical connections in your space, these organizations offer various events and promotional opportunities that you can utilize to build attention and awareness of your hiring efforts.
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Are you seeking top talent to fill your critical STEM roles? Start your STEMHUNTER free trial and find employees among our extensive database of STEM professionals!
Students who are prepared to enter the job market have an important decision to make about what occupation will be their first step in their career. Jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields are great initial opportunities for recent graduates across a variety of different major categories. Additionally, these fields are growing! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM jobs are expected to grow 10.5% between 2020 and 2030 compared to 7.5% growth for non-STEM jobs. This could mean over 1 million more job openings spanning 10 years! Check out these 15 jobs that could be your way into a STEM career.
1. Laboratory Technician
For those interested in pursuing a career in the sciences, an entry-level laboratory technician position is a great starting point. Lab techs are exposed to a number of different sample types, collection techniques, scientific instruments and testing methods within a dynamic working environment. Lab technicians are able to move up within the ladder and advance into a Senior Laboratory Technician position and additionally grow into other scientific disciplines such as a chemist or associate scientist role.
2. Software Engineer
If you are looking for an exciting and dynamic industry, and ample career growth, the technology industry may be a great option for you! Entry-level software engineering roles offer a great opportunity for recent grads to learn new skills, get hands-on experience and understand the entire software development lifecycle. The career outlook for these positions is also good, with starting salaries being on the higher end for most entry-level positions and opportunities for advancement within the field.
3. Research Assistant
A great way to get your foot in the door in the research and development field is to get started as a research assistant. In this role, you may perform experiments and tests following specific guidelines as well as collect and analyze data to find results. Following this role, you may pursue career growth as a research associate or research scientist and define further what specific areas you are most interested in studying.
4. Jr. Staff Accountant
For graduates who are ready to learn accounting and financial principles through hands-on experience, a Jr. Staff Accountant role may be a great entry-level opportunity. This position’s daily tasks include preparing financial statements, updating accounts receivable, processing invoices and assisting with other financial duties. Individuals in this role will get real-world experience working in a business setting and gain valuable knowledge concerning accounting principles, policies and legal requirements. This first career step can lead into opportunities for growth and ultimately a lifelong STEM career in accounting.
5. Registered Nurse
Healthcare is a growing industry with great entry-level opportunities, including registered nursing positions. A career as an RN can be rewarding, as these individuals are responsible for a range of different patient services. These positions also offer a range of work schedules and sometimes have the ability for travel. Registered nurses have the ability to grow their career within their discipline or move into another role that utilizes their skills such as a nurse educator or clinical manager.
6. Jr. Information Security Analyst
As the world becomes more reliant on technology in our work, school and daily lives, data security is becoming increasingly important. A great role to get started in this field is a junior information security analyst. In this role, you can get exposed to a wide range of data security procedures, protocols and tools to help an organization avoid cyber threats. There are many tech jobs that you can move into within the data security field following his role, including cybersecurity analyst, penetration/vulnerability tester and potentially working your way up to a chief information security officer later in your career.
7. Financial Analyst
Do you enjoy working with numbers and identifying results that tell a bigger story? A job as a financial analyst may be for you! In this role you can expect to analyze financial statements, provide recommendations and prepare reports for your organization. Career growth from this role, can include paths in finance, such as, financial manager, business analyst, or continuing into a senior financial analyst role.
8. Project Coordinator/Jr. Project Manager
For organized self-starters who enjoy communicating with different groups of people, project management is an excellent job for recent graduates. Starting as a project coordinator or junior project manager, you will work with internal and external groups to keep the project moving. You may organize project tasks, answer basic customer questions and serve as a liaison for your company to the customer. From this, you can move up within project management and attain certifications within the field.
9. Web Developer
Students with or without degrees in Computer Science can enter the exciting career path of a Web Developer. With many online, bootcamp and employer-taught programs, this job for recent graduates is available for grads from a number of different major disciplines. As a web developer, you will be responsible for building, supporting and optimizing various web projects. This is a great career path for those who are lifelong learners, enjoy problem solving and have a good attention to detail.
10. Data Analyst
A career as a data analyst can be rewarding. In this role, you can utilize technical skills to extract data sets, create useful reports and present findings to management teams so they can make informed decisions. Starting a career as an entry-level data analyst can lead you to many different career paths. Some of this career growth includes moving into a data scientist position, progressing into management levels as a data analyst, or moving into a more specialized position such as a health care analyst.
11. Engineering Analyst
Engineering is both an exciting and broad STEM Career. While many engineers define their specialty earlier in their education, there are still opportunities to get into the field following graduation for those that did not study engineering. One of those ways is as an engineering analyst. This position uses data to improve processes and propose solutions to management to help the project get underway efficiently. From here, engineering analysts can move into a project management position or into other engineering roles with additional education or certifications.
12. Biological Technician
If you are interested in science, a career as a biological technician might be something you’d enjoy! Biological technicians are responsible for performing important laboratory tasks to ensure that processes are being executed effectively. In this occupation, it is helpful to have good organizational and observational skills as well as an excellent attention to detail. In this field, career growth can include moving into the biology field as a biologist or into the medical field as a medical laboratory technician.
13. IT Support Technician
Starting off a career as an IT support technician is a great way to get experience in the technology space. This job is an essential function at many mid-size and large corporations. In this role, you will work with others to troubleshoot technology issues and upgrading company hardware and software. This role also requires excellent communications skills, as IT support technicians work with a variety of internal and external groups to communicate issues, processes and solutions. From this career, you can pursue tech jobs in cyber security, management or cloud/system administration.
14. Project Engineer
Another way to get into the engineering space is by starting your STEM career as an entry-level project engineer. Some companies may require that you have your Professional Engineering license and/or internship experience, but many have programs designed to develop entry-level employees’ skills and expose you to multiple areas of the business. This is an excellent position to get on-the-job experience and explore areas of engineering that you may want to specialize in later in your career.
15. Jr. Network Administrator
Junior network administrators have an important role in keeping a company’s computer network running efficiently. This role is responsible for maintaining and fixing company hardware, continually improving the network and teaching others how to use the systems. This tech job offers a range of career development options including moving into a management role or advancing into more sophisticated information technology positions.
There are many other careers in STEM that you may want to explore. Search entry-level careers and more on STEMHUNTER!
Whether you are creating a resume for the first time or updating an existing resume, you want to make sure you are putting your best foot forward. Several mistakes are commonly made and can cause headaches for the individuals reviewing your resume. Avoid the items below to increase your chances of getting in front of the hiring team and landing the job.
1. Missing Information
A mistake commonly seen is missing information on a resume. This includes contact information as well as employment and education details. To start, make sure that your phone number and email can be easily found on your resume (common practice is to feature these items toward the top, near your name). Additionally, make sure you aren’t leaving off any important sections that may show a recruiter why you’d be a good fit for their role. Your education and employment sections should paint a picture about your background and capture the dates (month and year) that you were employed. Including the major sections on your resume will give you a good starting point to create an effective resume.
2. Incorrect or Inconsistent Details
Just as it is important to make sure you aren’t missing any information on your resume, you’ll also want to ensure that the details you provide are accurate and consistent. Incorrect contact information can frustrate hiring teams and more importantly, make you miss out on potential job opportunities. Additionally, make sure that your resume and online profiles, such as LinkedIn, include consistent information. Having varying experience or incorrect dates on your resume can be confusing and hiring managers can become apprehensive about hiring you.
3. Spelling & Grammar Issues
You’ve heard it time and time again. Proper spelling and grammar on your resume is extremely important. Your resume is likely one of the first things a recruiter looks at when considering you for a job opportunity and is how they form their first impressions. Hiring teams will often come back to your resume throughout the hiring process to review your experience and responsibilities. Fortunately, this common mistake is easily avoidable by using online tools like Grammarly or asking trusted colleagues to review your resume before applying to jobs. Taking the extra time to make sure your resume is polished and professional will go a long way in your job search journey.
4. Length (Too Long or Short)
While resume length isn’t something that is a dealbreaker for most job seekers, there are times where it can hurt your chances of getting in front of the hiring team. Resumes that are too short often fail to include important details that help recruiters and hiring managers understand your responsibilities and experience. Resumes that are long often go into too much detail, risking the chance that you lose the hiring managers attention. So, what is the perfect middle-ground? Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. While it is recommended you aim for your resume to be one to two pages, the length can depend on your experience, industry and overall career situation. Whether your resume is one page or four pages, capturing your experience as accurately and concisely as possible is most important.
5. Lack of Specifics
As you are forming concise bullet points to describe your experience, think about where you can be specific in your descriptions. If you managed a team, how many people did you manage? If you had a budget to work with, how much were you given? Having vague explanations can leave a recruiter wondering what your actual duties and responsibilities were. You can also utilize specifics to show off your accomplishments. For example, if you increased company sales, include the amount or percentage. Being as specific as possible is an excellent way to paint a picture for the hiring team considering you for a role.
The right preparation can make all the difference when interviewing for your dream job. Check out these six interview best practices that will prepare you for your interview, allow you to showcase your talents and make a lasting impression on your interviewer.
1. Do Your Research
You’ve made it to the interview – that’s half the battle. Give yourself a fighting chance by researching your prospective employer. Researching the company will not only show your enthusiasm for the job, it will also give you an introduction to the company culture so you can determine if the company is the right fit for you.
Take a look at the company website and social media platforms. Do they post company news or have a company blog? Have they been involved in any charity or community engagement initiatives? Also, don’t hesitate to ask your recruiter for the names of your interviewers. Google their names and check out their LinkedIn profiles to familiarize yourself with their work history and current responsibilities.
2. Practice Your Interview
We’ve all been on the receiving end of a difficult interview question. How you answer can make or break your chances of getting your dream job.
Once you’ve done your research on the company, take the time to practice your interview. Think about your background and job history. Are there any gaps in between jobs? Are you changing industries? Why are you pursuing this opportunity and how will it affect your long-term career goals?
If you are new to the job hunt or just struggling with this step, try looking for outside resources. Many communities offer career development workshops and mock interviews, which can be a great way to practice your interview skills so you can nail your next job interview.
3. Interview Your Prospective Employer
Today’s job seekers are just as interested in finding a good fit as employers. Use the interview process to your advantage by creating a list of questions for your prospective employer. The information you uncover during your research will help you tailor your questions to each interview. Not only will these questions help you determine if a job is the right fit for you, they will illustrate your industry knowledge and enthusiasm for the job.
4. Pay Attention to Body Language
Interviews put you on display. They are an opportunity to showcase not only your talent, but how you interact with others in the workplace.
So, it is important to remember body language can speak volumes during an interview. Crossing your arms, biting your nails or being unable to make eye contact can count as immediate strikes against you.
If you struggle with any of these habits, take a deep breath and check in with your body throughout the interview. Try to sit comfortably with your arms relaxed at your side or on the arms of a chair, smile, and lean in when you want to show enthusiasm.
5. Dress The Part
We’ve all heard the phrase: dress for the job you want, not the job you have. This is especially true when dressing for an interview. Make sure to get a good night’s rest before your interview and give yourself plenty of time to get ready so you appear well-groomed and professional.
Remember: Even if your interview is virtual, you still need to dress the part. You only get once chance to make a first impression, and dressing professionally is the easiest way to start your interview off on the right foot.
6. Express Gratitude
The interview is over. You’ve done your best, and now all that is left to do is wait – right?
Not quite. Sending a polite and professional “Thank You” note within 24 hours can be a great way to ensure you made the best impression possible. Expressing your gratitude can also further show how passionate you are about the job.
Also, don’t be afraid to follow up with your recruiter by phone. We’ll be happy to communicate any feedback so you can stay informed and make the most out of your job search.
Job searching can feel like a mindless cycle of submitting resumes and refreshing your inbox only be left in the dark about your application status. It is easy to lose motivation during this seemingly endless process and neglect what made you begin looking for a new opportunity in the first place.
Recruiters weighed in on this topic, using their knowledge of the hiring process and personal job search experience to come up with five tips for staying motivated during the job search process.
1. Be Tenacious
Rejection is just another step closer to finding the right opportunity. As a Recruiter wrote, “A job search is similar to a maze. You will go down wrong routes multiple times only to get rejected, but you have to keep trying to find the way out. That is when you find your dream job!”
2. Stay Organized
Adequate preparation can ease the woes of job searching. An HR leader offers her wisdom on this topic, “If you want to find a job sooner rather than later, make quantifiable goals for yourself. Apply to a set amount of jobs every week and remember to take notes on the positions you are applying for. While it’s good to be motivated in the number of applications you submit, a poor response during a phone interview such as, ‘I have applied for so many jobs.. which one is this again?’ could hurt your chances on landing the opportunity.”
3. Remain Positive
Think of denial from employers as a way of agreeing that the opportunity wasn’t a mutual fit and that there are still other opportunities out there. “One ‘no’ does not dictate your whole job search, keep your head up and continue searching. A better fit will always be around the corner, even if it takes longer to find than expected,” another Recruiter describes.
4. Utilize Resources
Whether you just graduated college or are well into your career, there are a variety of resources available to you. Leverage creativity in your search to help you break the application cycle and potentially get a leg up over other applicants. “Ask a friend to look over your resume to be sure that things are spelled correctly and that there is proper grammar. Sometimes another person can give you a tip that might improve your resume and set you apart,” another HR leader explains.
5. Have Patience
In the hiring process, it is easy to become agitated and impatient. Make sure that you give the employers ample time to go over your qualifications and skill set. A Recruiter explains, “Sometimes feedback takes longer than expected, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the company isn’t interested in you as a candidate!”
