Ok, well part of it is this frigid cold...I mean really, shouldn't the whole city just shut down if it requires people to walk around in this? But my cheeks would still be red even if it were 50 degrees. After blogging last week about how awful it was to look for a job and blah, blah, I have a confession to make. Not more than three days later I was offered a job. And not just A job, but THE job I really wanted. I kind of got a jump on the whole "job-search" process and applied for a job in November with the University of Minnesota's Cancer Center - Biostatistics Core. And yes, feel free to note that I applied in November and was offered the job in late January - it was a LONG process, but well worth it! My official title will be "Research Fellow" and I will serve as a statistical consultant (after some training) for researchers associated with the Cancer Center. And let me tell you, they do some AMAZING research - www.cancer.umn.edu/about. I will start the job in mid-June (after a little necessary vacation when I graduate) and I could not be more excited!

So, since I can no longer complain about the process, I figured I would give a little insight.
(1) Start early, particularly if you have some strong opinions about where you want to work.
(2) Make connects and build relationships with people NOW and throughout your graduate school career - one of my references is a world-renowned researcher and I'm sure having his backing was very helpful in getting this job!
(3) Use your resources. Barb Laporte, of the SPH Career Services, commented on my blog from last week offering to help me with the process. Now I have to admit that I really didn't know anything about the Career Services Center until that point, but I hope you will take advantage of what they offer. She is very willing to help with resumes and cover letters AND even mock interviews. She is available for email review of your resume and/or cover letter (blaporte@umn.edu) and for appointments as well. The Career Resource Center also has books and DVDs to help with the process! Lastly, she said she loves to provide moral support - which is sometimes the most important part! Even if you don't choose to use these great services, enlist a favorite professor or roommate or friend to help...if you are anything like me, it's a little hard to "sell yourself" but it is necessary, particularly in the current market. But you can do it!

Have a great weekend everyone, I know I will!