Transcript job200110

Getting Industry Jobs
Prof. Stephen A. Edwards
Copyright © 2001 Stephen A. Edwards All rights reserved
How to Find an Industry Job
 Networking is Everything
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Good MS- and Ph.D-level jobs aren’t widely advertised
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Use your friends, advisors, contacts, etc.
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HR departments are useless: large trash cans
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Mailing resumes largely useless
Copyright © 2001 Stephen A. Edwards All rights reserved
Large vs. Small Companies
 Large companies
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Hiring process moves slowly: contact them first
Less flexible on salary
Better benefits (401(k), health, etc.)
Tend to be better managed
Easier to get pigeonholed
 Small companies
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Hiring process quick: contact them last
More flexible on salary
Look out for bad management: enthusiasm alone not
enough
Easier to get a broader range of experience
Copyright © 2001 Stephen A. Edwards All rights reserved
Types of Positions
 Developers
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Many positions like this
Quite a change from school
Many, fast deadlines
Corners need to be cut
Joy of producing something that makes money
Pain of secrecy
 Researchers
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A dying breed? Only very large companies can afford
More relaxed environment
More academic: freedom to publish
Easy to get dragged into doing development
Copyright © 2001 Stephen A. Edwards All rights reserved
Standard Employment Package
 Base salary, paid every two weeks
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Somewhat negotiable
 Two weeks of vacation + some sick days
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Rarely negotiable
 Health insurance (Dental? Vision?)
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Rarely negotiable
 401(k) plan (retirement savings)
 Stock options?
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Somewhat negotiable
 Relocation Expenses
• May be possible
• Watch for tax implications: may be “income”
Copyright © 2001 Stephen A. Edwards All rights reserved