Masters of Environmental Science and Management

Easy Strategies: Job Search and Cover Letter Writing

What About YOU? Smile, Present with Confidence:

•  What’s your name? •  Major paper/project topic?

•  What is your ideal job and location? •  What is one question you want addressed today on Job Search or

Cover Letters?

Designated Professional Development Resources to Help YOU with Job

Search, Strengthen Your Resume & Cover Letters, Job Search Emails,

Interviewing (Mock Interviews), Salary Negotiation, More!

Cara Mitnick, Graduate School Professional Development Director -

cmitnick@uri.edu 874-2644

MESM = Highly Rated by Employers

By choosing this prestigious masters program, you have already taken the first step

towards a successful job search by demonstrating to employers that

you have good judgment, and can make the cut of a selective and rigorous program.

How Do Employers Hire? Take a Guess!

1.  What percentage of people get their jobs by responding to job board postings?

2.  What percentage of jobs are posted? 3.  What percentage of people found jobs

through networking?

STATISTIC BRAIN Statistic brain web page

Job Searching Website Statistics Data

% of jobs filled from job boards or career sites 35.5 % % of available jobs that are never posted online 68 % Avg. # of people who apply to a single online job posting 245 Percent of job seekers using mobile apps to search for jobs 77 % Percent of companies that send emails to passed over candidates when a position has been filled 18 %

Percent of employers who use a credit report history as a means of judging personal responsibility 35 %

Percent of job seekers who are successful sending their resume blindly to every job that pops up 1 %

Percent of job seekers who are successful sending their resume only to targeted companies 9 %

Using the Internet for Candidate Research Data

% of recruiting firms that Google search candidates 90 %

Percent of hiring managers that immediately screened out candidates based on their social networking profiles 35 %

% of hiring managers who said they were encouraged to hire a candidate due to their online presence 18 %

% of hiring managers who use social networking sites like LinkedIn to look for potential candidates 85 %

Percent of people who have never searched their own name to see what is visible to potential employers 31 %

Average Time Allocation when Job Hunting % of Time Spent

Searching for positions online 29.94 % Applying to positions 27.28 % Networking 24.11 %

How Do Employers Hire?

•  70-80% of jobs are not even posted to the internet

•  This is called the hidden job market and the majority of people know about these jobs

through their network •  http://www.payscale.com/career-news/2017/04/many-jobs-found-networking

How Do Employers Hire?

So, uhm . . .well, then, HOW DO I GET THOSE UNADVERTISED JOBS?! 1.  Creating and nurturing relationships 2.  Networking in person 3.  Networking through social media

How Do Employers Hire? Can you demonstrate you have what employer needs?

Skills (employer needs)

Experience

(they think they need)

Fit (pleasant, good colleague)

This order can change if they like you and you present well

on paper/in person.

Why Do Employers Want to Hire Graduate Students? Because Grad Students Have

Certain Attributes and Skills! 1.  Grad Student Attributes:

a. Advanced Subject Knowledge (what you are learning here) b. High Level Skills to i. Analyze and synthesize data ii. Examine and solve problems iii. Use creative intellect to inspire innovation

2. Technical Skills

3. “Soft” or “Universal” Skills Sets or Competencies (leadership, effective communication, ability/sensitivity for working with diverse populations)

How Can I improve My Candidacy? Self Assessment: Do I have the skills my dream

employer wants? Look at Job Ads!

•  Confer with professor/advisor on course selection •  Certificate programs •  Join and be active in Student and Professional

Organizations •  Conferences (attend/present) •  Read Professional Materials and Write for

Publications •  Attend lectures on campus, follow up with speaker •  DO AN INTERNSHIP! GAIN EXPERIENCE!

Do I Have the Experience Employer Seeks? Yes!

•  Don’t be (overly) intimidated by experience requirements. Masters = experience

•  Do view labs, research, volunteer and community service, leadership, class projects, coursework as “experience”!

•  Do get as much practical experience as you can!

How Can I Prove I am a Good “Fit”?

Your professors, supervisors, classmates will be your recommenders and know about jobs.

How am I perceived?

Collegial, pleasant, hardworking, punctual, confident, eager to learn and help others?

Yes!

Appear Poised & Professional •  Good Posture •  Smile and Make Eye Contact •  Speak with Confidence •  Self Grooming •  Social Media •  Proof Read Your Emails •  Punctual, Organized, Diligent, Follow Through •  Seek Advice, Accept Constructive Feedback •  Sincere, Interested in Subject and Audience

I. Job Search 1.  MESM Rocks! Your program is your first and

best resource. “Tracks” webpages outline your academic, professional paths. You get project or paper ideas, and alumni profiles.

•  Wetland, Watershed and Ecosystem Science http://web.uri.edu/cels-gradprograms/specialization-wetland-watershed-and-ecosystem-science/

•  Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis http://www.edc.uri.edu/mesm/docs/tracks/RSSA.pdf •  Environmental Policy Management: http://www.edc.uri.edu/mesm/docs/tracks/EPM.pdf

2.  Job Boards - Specialized and General: •  Conbio.org (Society for Conservation Biology) - http://careers.conbio.org/ •  Conservation Job Board - https://www.conservationjobboard.com/ •  Ecojobs.com - http://www.ecojobs.com/ II usajobs.gov - https://www.usajobs.gov/ •  Indeed - https://www.indeed.com/ •  Rhodynet - https://rhodynet.uri.edu/home.htm •  Your Undergraduate School Job Board •  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/

Job Search - LinkedIn 3.  You need online presence so you and employers

can check each other out! Join groups in your field, follow employers you like.

•  Rita Lavoie, GIS Manager/Principal Planner, Town of Middletown, RI

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-lavoie-a574a082/ •  Stefan Bengtson, Environmental Scientist, Engineering Consultants

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-bengtson-20125998/ •  Drew Youngs, New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-youngs-082139bb/ •  Mary-Kate Kane, Stewardship Director, Sakonnet Preservation Assoc.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-kate-kane-a70a9917/ •  Patricia Hickey, Executive Director at Mendocino County Resource Conservation District:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-hickey-54b7652a •  Rob Hancock, Editorial Director, RWU: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-hancock-959b3528

Job Search

4.  Networking: Professional Groups, Events, Fellow Students,

Professors, Administrators, Supervisors •  Society of Wetlands Scientists, State Chapters –

get names of people to contact, attend functions, reach out via email, LinkedIn

http://www.cpe.rutgers.edu/Wetlands/wetlands-resources-associations-organizations.html

•  New England Water Environment Association https://www.newea.org/careers/jobs/

Job Search – Three Places to Look 1.  Private Sector - environmental and engineering consulting firms

SWCA https://www.swca.com/who-we-are

GZA http://www.gza.com/our-company ECS Consult http://www.ecsconsult.com/

2.  Non-Profit Organizations, NRDC, Earthwatch, The Nature Conservancy 3.  Public Sector

a. Federal - U.S. EPA, NOAA, Dept. of Interior b. State - MA Dept. Environmental Protection

MA Exec. Office of Energy and Environ. Affairs c. Local – Boston Dept. of Env., Energy, Open Space New Bedford Office of Environ. Stewardship: http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/environmental-stewardship/ the Office supports the City’s efforts regarding compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and administers the Wetlands Protection Act and wetlands regulations.

II. COVER LETTER Clear, Convincing Tailored Advocacy Document

•  Show why they should hire YOU •  1 page, 3 or 4 paragraphs •  No typos, no grammatical errors, inaccuracies. •  Both resume and CL, use same

font on resume and CL (except header) “letterhead” (name, contact info)

•  If possible, address to specific person, not “To Whom it May Concern”

•  Block style, left justified

Format Header, Date, Employer Address, Salutation

Joan Conservation 55 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881

(401) 874-2466 cmitnick@uri.edu

October 14, 2017 Ms. Jordan Morrisette Manager, Corporate Administration Tetra Tech 1234 Blackacre Avenue Providence, RI 02906

Dear Ms. Morrisette:

I am writing to apply for the management analyst position in the Washington DC office of Tetra Tech, listed on the company’s website (1740000211). At Tetra Tech, I would be excited to use my Masters of Environmental Science and Management degree background and my extensive data collection and analysis experience to support the company’s project teams in providing innovative solutions to client needs.

Use Dr./Ms./Mr. then last name. Use “Ms.” not “Mrs.” You do not need to include first name.

If you can’t discern gender, do not use Ms. or Mr., just say “Dear Jordan Morrisette” or use “Dear Recruiter” or “Dear Hiring Manager”

Google name to confirm gender

Note, left block paragraph set up

Analyze Job Description & Research Employer

Review job description: •  List/map 3 or 4 most important qualifications and “skill sets” in job description

• Highlight resume experiences meeting those criteria. When have you demonstrated the skills they seek?

• Research employer and mission statement. What do they do, what are they proud of? • What do they need help with? Employer needs?

Opening Paragraph – 3-5 sentences •  First sentence: say you write to apply for specific

position, and name the organization

•  Make your strongest argument as to your qualifications that you can help the employer

•  If networking or referred, mention it: “Sally Smith, dean of students at URI, recommended I contact you. Dean Smith

believes my experience as a writing instructor, my masters degree in creative writing and my highly rated teaching skills will allow me to make a positive and immediate contribution to the creative writing program at the University of Akron.”

•  Do not begin with “My name is Sara Jones.”

•  State your geographic tie if not obvious.

Cover Letter Body is about YOU! - 1-2 paragraphs Outline how you meet employer’s criteria

Focus on top 2-3 skills, using keywords from job post/website to give examples of how your experience relates to position

• For more technical position: Mention/bullet relevant skills you developed (lab techniques, research jobs, volunteer/leadership positions, community service)

• All positions: relevant technical skills, languages, computer apps

• Share detailed examples of your qualifications. Don’t just say, “I’m a good analyst/writer.” Use active, concrete language and any objective approbation, i.e., “I analyzed Chesapeake Bay soil samples and drafted a report, which my superiors reviewed and submitted without changes to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.”

• Last sentence: tie back to what you can do for the employer

Examples of Skills Ability to preserve confidentiality of information. While working in URI’s Office of Financial Aid, I kept confidential records, and notes of conversations in a password protected file. Accuracy and attention to detail. In all lab work, I used my critical thinking skills and attention to detail to solve complex issues such as _______________. Work effectively with diverse groups of people. While serving as a Conference Organizer for international students, I worked closely with visitors from around the world and introduced them to the university and referred them to resources. In addition, as a tutor in the College Readiness Program at Rhode Island College, I prepared students of color to excel on their exams and on their projects. The four students I tutored improved their test scores by two letter grades by the end of the semester.

,l,, •  Entry-Level Environmental Engineer (NO-005-16) •  Date: 10/20/16 •  Job Locations: Massachusetts - Norwood •  GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. (GZA) is currently seeking an Environmental Engineer to support our environmental

remediation practice. The successful candidate will have a solid educational background, and must be self-motivated with a professional attitude.

•  As an Environmental Engineer, you will work in a fast-paced team of Project Managers and Principals. You will perform extensive fieldwork and gain experience in drilling oversight, soil/groundwater/soil vapor sampling, monitoring well installations, air monitoring, remediation/construction oversight, and operation of remedial systems. You will also prepare detailed and accurate field documentation, data analysis and reporting.

•  [As a highly motivated masters degree candidate in __________with extensive environmental fieldwork and oversight experience, I believe I can be an effective and positive contributor to the project teams at GZAENvironmental, Inc.]

•  Qualifications: • Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, or Geology (Master’s Degree a plus) • 0-2 years of related environmental experience in the fields of site investigation, implementation of remedial alternatives, and/or design of remedial systems • Strong attention to detail with excellent analytical capabilities • Perform technical execution of projects under the supervision of project managers • Ability to follow direction, and work independently or in a team setting • Strong communication skills, problem solving and organizational skills • Working knowledge of computers and Microsoft Office suite • 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER and FE/EIT certification a plus • A valid driver’s license in good standing

•  About GZA: •  • Stable work environment, • Generous, company-subsidized benefits package •  GZA is an employee-owned multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm. We are an ENR Top 500 Design firm

focused on geotechnical, environmental, water, ecological, and construction management services. With a staff of interrelated professionals dedicated to providing high-level expertise on complex projects above, below and at ground-level, GZA’s experts provide seamless integration across practice areas, client type, and location.

Job Qualifications Experience Coursework/Projects

Degree or Credentials

•  Solid Educ. Background

•  MS Env. Sc.

MESM

•  Fieldwork •  Documentation •  Data Analysis

and Reporting

Internship Project in class

•  Experience with soil/groundwater

Internship Project or learned in class

•  Attention to detail

•  Organizational skill

•  Editing •  Categorizing

species •  Org. Leadership

•  Ability to take direction/work on a team

Internship Project

Thank you note After an interview -

send a “thank you note” within 2-3 days §  Thank the interviewer for time and information shared §  Reiterate your strengths and enthusiasm §  Send business letter, OR §  Send a “business” email –  Dear Ms. Laverty,

–  Thank you for taking the time to interview with me this past Thursday. The information you provided regarding Drugco’s training programs and certifications solidifies my desire to work with your organization…