How To Get A Job: Industry

(For discussion at: 1997 Joint Statistical Meetings, Anaheim, CA, August 10-14, 1997)
Gary C. McDonald, Operations Research Department
General Motors Global Research and Development Operations

How To Get A Job: Industry

I have had the experience of searching for jobs, writing application letters and going on interviews, mostly in the early part of my career. Over the later part of my career I’ve spent lots of time receiving applications, interviewing candidates, and selecting candidates to invite to join our research staff. I would now like to draw on this experience and give eleven points which, in hindsight, help make the difference between those invited to join the staff and the others. The focus here is industry jobs.

Build expertise around hobby interests.

It is fun and invigorating to work in an industry and with a job that you genuinely enjoy- the products really do interest you. To help put yourself in a position to get such a job, take courses to reinforce your interests outside of statistics. Join organizations or clubs that build on your interests, and take part in competitions that challenge you in these areas. Then apply for the job. For example, if you really are a car buff, then apply to GM (or Ford, or Chrysler, or Toyota) for a job utilizing your statistical skills. You’ll really enjoy putting your expertise to work on products or services that excite your imagination and for which you’ve developed a hobby perspective.

Generate a technical record of achievements and computing skills.

There is no substitute for doing well at what you do. Work hard to generate a record of achievement that reflects well on both your abilities and your perseverance. Computing will continue to be an important facet of a statistician’s makeup. In your computing background, it will help to have experience with database management and with spreadsheet applications. Spreadsheets are the "common language" of the finance and business planning community and spreadsheets (e.g., Excel) continue to incorporate analytic capabilities. We are finding it easier to transfer new analytic tools for use in the corporation if they are imbedded in the "common language", i.e., spreadsheets.

Have an internal reference accompany your application.

Most applications that arrive at a company arrive at the personnel department with a rather impersonal greeting. A more effective strategy is to send your application to some responsible person in the company who, in turn, can append his or her recommendation to it and direst it to the relevant department. How do you get such a contact? Figure out ways to network for this entry point. For example, make contacts at professional meetings. Seek out speakers that might be from a company in which you might have interest and see if you can arrange a time to talk informally let he or she know of your interest and skills. Utilize the alumni from your school or department who might be working at that company. See if your faculty might be able to introduce you to such a contact.

Present yourself with neat, professional correspondence and appearance.

First contact with a potential employer is perhaps the most important. It’s generally assumed that applications are never on better "guard" than when they seriously inquire about employment opportunities. Pay attention to writing- spelling errors, grammar errors, poor format all indicate that the applicant is either not very careful or is lacking in communication skills. Dress "appropriately" for interviews and personal contacts. What is "appropriately"? A good rule-of-thumb is to present yourself in a manner that your appearance and dress are not a distraction to your audience. With respect to clothing, you can be inappropriately underdressed as well as overdressed. You want your potential employer and colleagues to focus on your ideas and discussion- not on dress and appearance incidentals.

Develop a good knowledge of my company – its products, challenges.

Before going to a company for an interview, do take the time to learn about the company- it’s products, services, current challenges, and even its history. Some of this information can be obtained through web sites, trade magazines, and some library work. I also suggest reviewing the latest copy of the annual report. This document provides lots of financial information about the company. Additionally, it focuses discussion on the goals and current challenges of the company and will give you some knowledge of company priorities.

Talk company problems- not just technical jargon.

When visiting a company on a job interview do make sure that you talk about the company problems in addition to your technical areas of expertise. Learn as much as you can about the business problems of the organization. Find out what your potential manager is responsible for since, if you work there, you will be expected to help him or her reach their objectives.

Give me an extra-ordinary reason to hire YOU.

Give your potential employer the extra reason why you are to be preferred over other applicants. This might be intern positions, summer jobs, other relevant experience, and/or extra course work in a particular area. Highlight these extra-ordinary reasons in your correspondence and your interviews. This can be the tie breaker between you and another applicant who hasn’t provided such an extra-ordinary reason.

Demonstrate a broad perspective and a willingness to learn and try new ideas. Be flexible.

Show a willingness to continue learning. Many companies offer continuing education programs. Inquire about these and check on their availability to you. Do develop good reading and memory skills. As you begin work in industry you will be exposed to lots of articles and reports. It will be to your advantage to read effectively (rapidly with comprehension) and memorize selected items. This will set you apart from many of your colleagues.

Demonstrate excellent communication and listening skills.

Good effective communication skills are a real asset. Work on this in school – classes, seminars, work-shops, as well as examples. As students, you’ve been exposed to faculty that provide excellent examples for you – both good and bad. You should learn form each of these. In industry, you must sell! It may be that you sell a product, a service or an idea you want implemented. But you must sell! Good verbal and writing skills are very important and should be actively addresses in your student life. Learn how to focus messages to meet the needs of the audience. And, yes, there is a need to listen intently and carefully!

Show that you are a good team player.

Most projects in industry are team projects. Even if you are involved in a research function, as I have been, there will be a team effort that works on the implementation of the project with which you are involved. Do you have some examples where you have been a substantive team player? If so, emphasize these in your resume. You might wish to draw on some of your extracurricular activities for this purpose.

Be persistent and polite in follow-ups to contacts and interviews.

In your interviews establish dates for the next steps. Identify appropriate contacts with which to follow-up, and do the follow-up. Do so in a polite manner and be persistent.

One final note in closing. Usually when interviews come to our site for an interview, we know a lot about him or her. We have academic records showing the courses taken and grades received. We have letters (or phone conversations) with prior employers and/or faculty advisers. We may have letters of support from internal staff who are familiar with the interviewee. In brief, we probably know as much as we need to about the technical side of the individual. So why a face-to-face interview? Because…Interviews are more about "chemistry" among people rather than completing a technical checklist. The interview provides you with an opportunity to give me an extra-ordinary reason to hire YOU, and provides our staff with an opportunity to assess your interpersonal skills and how well you might fit into our organization. Do prepare yourself well and make the most of the opportunity- both you and the employer have lots to gain!