Date: 3/30/99

Time: 4:05

Type: Symposium

Number: 166

The science of selling yourself: It's all about who you know and what you say

*P.L. Bolin, Integrated Pest Management Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1302
Contact e-mail:

While being an excellent academic and scientist are crucial for successful competition in the job market, those qualities are not enough. In the search for the best candidate, future employers must rely on what you say about your self and what others say about you. An effective curriculum vita paints a complete picture about your experience, your abilities, and your initiative. But your career neither begins or ends with a piece of paper. Networking is an essential component of your career as a scientist. Contacts with other researchers first lead to collaborative projects, which demonstrate your ability to work as an interdisciplinary team player. You gain valuable experiences, both personally and professionally, as you interact with other researchers and document that interaction. When it comes time to look for a job, with a strong network you will find that job openings come to you! Professionals with whom you have interacted will remember your name and your interests when job postings past their desks. Finally, when the search committee debates the merits of the candidate pool, they will often request informal references from your network. Tips and techniques for successful networking and documentation will be shared in this presentation.

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