When should you start looking?
It depends on the type of job you are looking for. If you are looking for an academic position, e.g., an MS or Ph.D. position, a postdoc position, or a tenure track position, start approximately a year in advance. A job in the federal government can also take 6 months to a year for the hiring process. For an industry job, the timeline could be much shorter.
Attend conferences and build your network
During your time as a student, if you attend conferences, use them strategically to build your network. You can build your network by engaging with speakers and poster presenters. You can also visit companies in the exhibit hall and consider attending the conference-sponsored networking opportunities or sessions. The connections you make at the conference could lead to finding your next job.
Use your network
The network you have built through your time as a student or your advisor’s network can be helpful in finding your next position. If you have already found someone you would like to work with, send them an email to see if they are hiring. Ask your advisor if they know of any open positions or people that will be hiring. If you find someone outside your network, don’t hesitate to reach out (see the cold email section below).
Check job boards
Many jobs will be posted publicly on job boards, and these are great places to find jobs, both academic and non-academic. Here is a blog post that lists some hydrology-related job boards: https://www.agu-h3s.org/post/hydrology-related-job-boards
Stay active on social media
Keep your LinkedIn and other work-related social media accounts active and updated. LinkedIn offers tips for improving your profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/business/sales/blog/profile-best-practices/17-steps-to-a-better-linkedin-profile-in-2017 and here is a blog post specifically geared towards scientists: https://www.srgtalent.com/blog/how-to-make-your-linkedin-profile-stand-out-as-a-scientist
An essential component of your job-seeking presence on social media is your personal brand, so if you are interested in learning more about building your personal brand, be sure to check out the personal branding webinar and co-working session that will be held by H3S on October 12 and 19.
Don’t be afraid to send a cold email
If there is someone you are interested in working with, don’t be afraid to send a cold email. Before you send this email, do some research about their work and their lab. In the email, you should include some information about your background and why you are contacting them, i.e., you are interested in working with them for an M.S., Ph.D., or Postdoc. Be sure to include some info from the research you did, perhaps indicating a paper they wrote that you thought was insightful, and state why you think you would be a good fit in their lab. You can ask if they have funding for a position or are taking any new students. Attaching your C.V. with relevant past experiences can help demonstrate that you have similar interests and are a good candidate for the position. Just remember, stay professional, and be concise. You may not hear back, but this may be the first step toward your next job.
Be persistent
Finding your next position takes time and effort, but the more you put into the search, the better the outcome will likely be. Hopefully, the resources here will help you get started in the search.