Career Support

1. Planning- Introspection

Introspection is a vital component of initiating your job search. Knowing where you come from, where you currently stand to achieve your professional goals, and where you want to go in your career will help steer your job search strategy. Questions you may consider:

• What are some of my proudest accomplishments/memories?
• What personal qualities helped me achieve these successes?
• How might these qualities help me succeed in a major or career?
• What do I like most about my current/previous jobs?
• What do I like least about my current/previous jobs?
• Did my undergraduate degree and current/past professional experiences align with my passions?
• Why did I select my recent employment? Am I happy with those decisions and experiences?
• Is there a mission/cause I would like my work to contribute to?
• Is there a certain population I would like to serve?
• What characteristics do my most influential supervisors or mentors have that inspire me?
• What traits and abilities do I value in supervisors, colleagues, classmates, or friends?
• What skills or experiences are missing in my growth process (professionally or personally)?
• Thinking five years ahead, how would I define success when I look back at my graduate school experiences? What tools do I want to have in my arsenal?

2. Prepare your resume and cover letter

Potential employers will want to know what professional, internship, and research experiences you have. Therefore, you will need to have a resume and cover letter prepared. A clear and concise list of your professional background will help employers gain a more in-depth understanding of your academic and professional experiences. Remember to treat your resume like a snapshot of your work experience, and then use your cover letter to delve deeper into specific accomplishments and how the job you are applying to fits your experiences. Here are some tips for writing your resume:

Tips

• Be organized- remember to be clear and concise with your resume. A resume should not exceed 1-2 pages and should be organized, ideally chronological.
• Be to the point- outline your experiences in a well-written (no acronyms) and succinct way that accounts honestly for your accomplishments. You do not need to elaborate on each position held on your resume. Your cover letter will allow you to dive deeper into these experiences and achievements.
• Show clear advancement towards your goals- your resume should highlight your career progression. You want to showcase a timeline from the beginning to now. Remember, your cover letter can assist in showing how you will be a good fit for the company.

NOTE: These are just some standard tips. Each job description may differ and should be tailored and approached accordingly.

3. Professional references and recommendations

Requesting professional references and recommendations can be intimidating. Follow these best practices when reaching out to references and recommenders. Reach out to your recommenders as early as possible to give them adequate time to submit. Most employers will require 3-4 professional references. References are professional (or sometimes personal) testimonials of you and your ability to handle professional work situations. The important part is that the recommender knows you well. Reach out to potential references/recommenders right away. Be sure your references are aware of your career goals, the posting you wish to apply to, past achievements, the approximate timeline employer may reach out, and any other information you think might be relevant.  

4. Career Fairs

Master of Analytics students have several opportunities to attend events and workshops throughout the Fall/Spring semesters. Each event is tailored to provide information for career search milestones, such as the job/internship search process, making career connections, the hiring process, and more. Cal Career Center offers both group and one-on-one student appointments, allowing the opportunity to ask questions. We encourage you to attend these events offered by visiting Cal Career Center Graduate Student and PhD Services page for information on scheduled events.  

Jobs Post Digest

Visit the following websites for the latest job posts.

IEOR Jobs Page
Analytics Jobs Page
Cal Careers Internships Page

Resume

Your resume/CV is a snapshot of your professional background. Remember to be clear and concise. A resume should not exceed 1-2 pages and should be organized, ideally chronological. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Tips

Do:
• Be organized
• Use the CAR method (Challenge, Action, Result)
• Use action verbs
• Avoid spelling and grammar mistakes
• Use keywords
• Choose easy-to-read font style and size, e.g., Times New Roman or Arial, 12pt.
• Use bullet-point lists
• Balance the text-to-white-space ratio
• Submit your document in the correct file format
Don't:
• Clutter your template with graphics and fonts
• Exceed 1-2 pages in length
• Use long paragraphs where bullet points will do
• Submit without getting feedback from a proofreader
NOTE: These are just some standard tips. Each job description may differ and should be tailored and approached accordingly.

Networking

Visit the following links for networking opportunities.

Master of Analytics Slack Channel
Master of Analytics Linkedin
UCB IEOR Alumni LinkedIn

Cover letter

Before you begin writing your cover letter, do your research. Find out about the company you are applying to, and about the specific role you wish to be considered for. The job description will give you a brief overview of each of these, however, you should do your due diligence in finding out more about your potential future employer, and most importantly, show that you are interested enough to do your research. Social media, LinkedIn, and company websites are all a good start. This research will also help give your cover letter some background context and allow you to customize it accordingly. Where your resume should focus on your professional history, allow your cover letter to showcase how these skills and experiences are bridging the past and the future. Ask yourself how you can take previously learned skills to assist X company move forward in its mission. Remember, your cover letter may also be a good opportunity to delve deeper into specific accomplishments and detail how your specific experiences fit the job you are applying to. Here are some tips for writing your cover letter:

Tips

• Be organized- remember to be clear and concise with your cover letter.
• Use the CAR method (Challenge, Action, Result)
• Use action verbs- make sure you use the right tone
• Get feedback- a proofreader can ensure your cover letter is to the point and error-free

NOTE: These are just some standard tips. Each job description may differ and should be tailored and approached accordingly.

Interview Preparation

You’ve made it to the interview process, congratulations! You have reached the next milestone towards your career goals. It’s time to prepare for this important next step. Just like your resume, you will want to be organized, thoughtful, and concise in your answers to interview questions. Collect your thoughts and aim to answer the prompts. You want to make sure your interviewer(s) does not miss any important information you wish to convey. Speak with confidence and enthusiasm- Speaking clearly and with confidence will help maintain engagement and help you convey your message. Here are some resources to help prepare for this important step:

• ​Career Center Youtube Video: What Employers Want: Marketing Your Transferable Skills"
• "Know your skills" checklist (PDF)
• Accomplishment stories exercise (PDF)
• Big Interview

More resources at Cal Career Center Know Yourself- https://career.berkeley.edu/Plan/Skills