Job Hunting for SIPA Students
Whether you’re in your first year, thinking about what to do after SIPA, in your second year, preparing for life post grad, or pre-application, thinking well into the future about what you will do in a few years, the question at the forefront of most of our minds is usually rooted in the same principle: job security.
I’ve put together a non-exhaustive list of job-hunting tips you can use, no matter what stage of life you currently find yourself in.
Narrow your search by aligning your intentions
Much of the reason why job-hunting can feel daunting is because of the wide-array of opportunities available to us. Lack of clarity on what you actually “want to be when you grow up” is a key driver of this disconnect. Some of the best advice I was ever given early in my time at SIPA was to write a job description for my dream job, then go find that job. Of course, this is easier said than done. I’ve put together a few questions to consider if you choose this approach for narrowing your intentions:
- Do you see yourself working in the public, private or non-profit sector?
- Do you like working in a team, or do you prefer independent work?
- Is there a salary you have in mind, how much do you realistically want to make?
- Do you like working in an office, or would you prefer working from home?
- Are you willing to relocate to a new city or country for a job?
- Would you mind having to travel for work?
- What kind of work do you like doing? Do you want to be performing research or writing briefs or talking to clients?
- What is your personal superpower? If you know your key strength, how can you align your key responsibilities in a job around that job?
Leverage the resources most readily available to you
The SIPA Career Advancement Center is a great one - they can help you with everything from helping you to narrow your intention, to reviewing your application materials, to prepping you for interviews or salary negotiations. Every SIPA student is able to book 3 45-minute sessions with a career advisor every semester through SIPA Connect. Aside from one-on-one counseling, they host a variety of workshops for students throughout the semester, focused on either connecting student switch SIPA Alums across a variety of organizations, or prepping you to seek out these connections on your own.
The second place to learn about job postings, seek out new opportunities, and connect with individuals working in those organizations is in the classroom. The student in your final group project for a class may have a connection at your dream company, so get to know your cohort. The professors at SIPA come from a variety of backgrounds, and may be able to help you get connected with professionals in the industry you're after.
Beyond the administrative offices and the classroom, SIPA’s student groups, concentration leadership, and Columbia’s centers often host our alums at on-campus events throughout the semester, where you can hear about the potential openings at their organizations or learn about the skills necessary to break into the field if this is a career pivot for you.
Don’t make the mistake of blind applying
One of the best strategies I have used to secure job offers throughout my career has been to restrain blind applying. Tailoring your resume to a job, crafting a cover letter, and filling out personal information on an application portal are time consuming. Of course, these are necessary to land the job you want, but in an increasingly competitive job market, time is a valuable resource. I recommend spending more time finding the job you want, or an organization you really want to work for, connecting with individuals in similar roles at that company, researching the organization’s mission, and understanding the gap they’re hiring for to make sure you can effectively communicate how you will fill it through your materials. Once you’ve done that, you’re more likely to not only prepare your materials in a way that stands out among other applicants, but you may actually be offered some advice or an opportunity that you wouldn’t find listed publicly.
When it comes to putting out job applications, quality trumps quantity. Understanding an organization’s pain points, workforce gaps, and core mission will give you leverage when it comes time to interview. Before you submit an application, scroll through their LinkedIn page or website, read their publications, research their leadership, see if they’ve been in the news. Find ways to weave your findings into your cover letter. Intention shows a recruiter that you’ve done the legwork to speak to the hiring managers or firm leadership, and gives you key nuggets of information to leverage in future conversations.
The most important part of applying with intention is tracking your applications. I do this in the form of a spreadsheet, tracking the role, job description, key employees, and date of submission. Bonus points if you save a screenshot of the job description, which can sometimes be hard to locate to reference before an interview if the listing has been removed. I do this to make sure I am actively connecting with individuals at the companies I apply for, and tracking new roles that may become available. Staying on top of your applications is a way to track your hard work and ensure you’re ready when it’s time to interview.
Best of luck to you in the job hunt, no matter where you are in the process - stay organized, vigilant, and focused!