Tips for landing a long-term/permanent job.
Ask a Biologist Monday 9/12/22
Answers from Biologists:
Work on GIS skills. It really does make a difference!
Don’t give up. Your journey is unique to you. Enjoy the (slow) process.
Resist working unpaid positions. They won’t get you much of anywhere.
Make and deeply foster your connections within the field.
Get a Master’s!
Unfortunately, getting a master’s. But years of loyal experience for great recommendations also helps.
Keep an open mind of the topic/species you’re hung up on isn’t providing that opportunity.
Network with partners in various projects to explore your options and build your references.
Get as many certifications as you can.
MS for sure. Absolute game changer.
Being open to a variety of locations, type of org/agency, and species.
Don’t be afraid to take jobs a bit outside of your preferred topic. Makes you a well-rounded candidate.
Get someone experienced to give their feedback on your CV/resume.
Master’s.
Studying how to nail interviews and a lot of patience.
Either an MS or experience, or get in as a tech/term position with a state agency and try to stay.
Networking is essential. It’s dumb but it’s all about who you know and who knows you.
I worked as a seasonal and kept making connections until I landed a permanent position.
Learn bio resume crafting. Key language is different from other fields. Interview skills/prep.
Just keep flinging yourself at the wall-but intelligently. Look for term positions that fill gaps.
For me, I had to take a job that I don’t love. It pays and build valuable skills!
Go to conferences. You will make so many connections!
Establish connections with your supervisors during tech/intern positions.
Try to keep your focus broad at first to gain as many widely applicable skills as possible.
Networking (which is hard)! See if friend’s companies are hiring.
Look into consulting. Even short term, it pays well and builds your resume.
It’s okay to push back against the idea of having to move away from your family/home.
Diversify your seasonal positions between government, private, non-profit, etc.
Seasonal jobs in offices with other departments (wildlife, sport fish, game fish, habitat).
Don’t be afraid to move. You limit your opportunities if you’re set on working in a certain place.
Be willing to move. Far. Anywhere.
Be open to moving-could be cities, states, or even countries.
Go to conferences! BUT don’t sit with your friends. Go network and ask questions.
Networking was what did it for me!
NETWORKING. My boss did not care that I had an MS but he knew who I’d worked for.
Sell yourself as hard as you can in every single interview. There’s zero benefit to holding back.
Don’t just look for jobs in your target system. Go after everything.
Try to develop at least one niche field skill. For me, plant ID ecosystem classification.
GIS skills and stats programming in R.
Take a position that gets you a Public Land Corps hiring status if you want to be a fed.
Organizations love specialists, but rely most on generalists. Diversify your experience.
Hone your interview skills.
Get on a brand spankin’ new project as a seasonal and hope it grows.
Join professional organizations and run for positions on boards/committees.
Make and hone connections through social media.
