Career Transition

To realize your career goals, you will need to be well prepared to transition to your next career stage – whether that next step is additional training or employment. You need to equip yourself with the appropriate knowledge and job search strategies that will open the right doors for you.

Job Search Resources

Job Search Sites

• Academic Careers Online: Global university job site for teaching jobs, education jobs, professor jobs, and professional staff jobs in education and academia
• Chronicle of Higher Education-Jobs: Search for jobs in higher ed as well as for jobs outside academe
• ​HigherEdJobs: Search by category for jobs specifically in higher ed
• Indeed: Not only search for jobs in any sector but create and save searches
• Interstride: Find jobs in the US and beyond at this versatile site that allows you to also search for international-friendly jobs and internships. You can also save a search and receive emails with new job opportunities delivered right to your inbox.
• National Postdoctoral Association: A searchable database of jobs for both graduate students and postdocs, including postdoctoral fellowships and research positions as well as jobs outside of academia
• Nature Jobs: "Connecting leading candidates to the world's finest science jobs"
• ​Idealist: Nonprofit jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities
• DOC Jobs - Job search in STEM fields: Innovative careers for doctors, scientists, and healthcare professionals
• Pitt Postdoctoral Positions: Available postdoctoral positions at the University of Pittsburgh
• Science Careers: Browse jobs from around the world and sign up for job alerts
• Veteran Recruiting: Employers recruit veteran talent across the globe
• CareerPhD: Use the "Employment Area" dropdown menu on the lefthand side of this job search site to find job openings and connect with employers in your desired area. 

Job Search Strategies

• Job Search Strategies: HigherEdJobs provides a number of resources to help you optimize your job search
• Flamingo^TM: The Flamingo^TM platform lists some job search strategies along with a number of job search sites to help you find that next job. Follow the steps to register and then go to the Job Search Strategies page. 

Salary and Cost of Living

• Glassdoor: Jobs, salary information, company reviews, and interview questions
• Payscale: Has a "Cost of Living" calculator and also provides insights on pay using AI-powered compensation software and relevant, validated salary data
• Salary: "What am I worth?" Obtain a salary estimate
• The Ultimate Guide to Negotiating Your Salary: Step-by-step instructions

Job Application Skills and Tips

Cover Letter

• ​Guide to Cover Letters: NIH's Office of Intramural Training and Education provides a general overview with examples
• Cover Letter Advice: HigherEdJobs provides resources for developing a well-written cover letter

CV & Resume

• Constructing a Resume for Employment Outside of Academia- OACD Video Library: Steps for converting a CV to a resume.
• Flamingo^TM: Create a highly-targeted resume for a specific job opening using this powerful platform! Follow the steps to register and then use the "I Need a Job Now!" instructions.
• Resume/CV Advice: HigherEdJobs provides a number of resources for helping you craft effective resumes and CVs
• Guide to Resumes and CVs: NIH's Office of Intramural Training and Education has a detailed guide on writing resumes & curricula vitae
• Transferable Skills Checklist: Select transferable skills from this list to incorporporate into your resume
• Resume Templates: Easily create a standout resume with customizable resume templates
• Resume Examples by Industry: Browse this collection of top resume templates by job, industry, format, and experience level

Interviewing

• Academia
  • Prepare for an Academic Interview: From NIH's Office of Intramural Research
  • What is a Chalk Talk?: Learn about what a chalk talk is and how it differs from a traditional presentation.
  • Chalk Talks: Description of a Chalk Talk and general advice to help you prepare for a successful one.
  • Guide to Crafting a Successful Chalk Talk: An associate professor at Columbia shares tips on crafting a successful chalk talk.
• General
  • Big Interview: Use Big Interview to learn and practice your interviewing skills
  • Preparing For and Succeeding in Interviews: HigherEdJobs provides a number of resources to help you interview effectively
  • How to Conduct an Informational Interview: NIH's Office of Intramural Training and Education has a succinct guide to help determine interview goals and what questions to ask
  • How to Interview: from NIH's Office of Intramural Training and Education.
  • How to be Successful in Your Next Remote Interview: Tips for how to wow a recruiter during a remote interview
  • Interview Guide: One-page summary of steps for a successful interview from the University of Pittsburgh
  • Sample Interview Questions: Pitt's College of Business Administration has a list of interview questions
  • Tips for a Postdoc Interview: Tips for interviewing for a postdoc position and choosing a lab
  • 10 Tips for Acing Your Postdoctoral Interview: Tips for before, during, and after the interview

Negotiating

• Ten Tips for Negotiating Job Offers from Science.org 
• The Ultimate Guide to Negotiating Your Salary: From Moneygeek.com: learn how to negotiate for the salary you want and deserve
• How to Research an Employer: Tips on how to learn about a potential employer
• Negotiating the Academic Job Offer: Yale's Office of Career Strategy provides a list of tips and additional resources

Networking

• University of Pittsburgh Doctoral and Postdoctoral Network-LinkedIn: Connect with our community of current and past Pitt trainees and learn about career opportunities
• Networking Guide: NYU's guide on how and where to network
• Interstride: Search the database and connect with international trainees
• The Networking Mindset: How you approach networking might be the key to your success at it

View archived webinars in our video library and use our searchable resource directory to find more resources to help you transition to your ideal career.

How You Will Benefit

Leverage your professional networks  

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70 percent of all jobs are found through networking (Jul 1, 2010). Engage your professional network to facilitate your career transitions.

Follow the appropriate protocol

What is the protocol for acquiring a position in your chosen career path? Do you need to do a postdoc? Do you need a CV or a resume? What should you include in a cover letter? For academic positions, how do you prepare a teaching or research portfolio? Seek out the appropriate knowledge and tools so you are well prepared to achieve your career goals.

Prepare to repeat as needed

ADAPT is a comprehensive tool designed to equip you with lifelong career planning and development skills to navigate career transitions throughout your professional life. Repeat as needed.

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