heeeeeeeeeey #scientists #scienceJobs
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> job postings mention the PI
i think that's an invitation to find out what else that lab is working on, and oh by the way did you see i applied for that position
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@[email protected] yeah it looks like they're working on super fucking cool stuff actually
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@aud is this somebody who is geographically local to you?
i would even consider asking about office hours for that PI or one of their senior people -- just to find out more about what they're doing
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@[email protected] yes! Very much so! That's why I was applying to jobs posted there, in fact.
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@aud
I am 100% pro cold emailing people you want to work with. Caveat: I am not a PI and also have uh strong beliefs about how the academy should work and think the ivory tower is dogshit.You do have to write it in such a way that is sensitive to how they get a ton of emails from people who want something from them, and they also probably have either institutional requirements or personal beliefs about fairness in job apps.
But I think its extremely powerful to break through the "name on page" phenomenon, and also gives you a lot of information about them as well - how do they respond? Do they? Usually when I recommend undergrads email PIs I say they should first ask themselves what about their work they would see themselves wanting to do, and then asking about that in the context of the current direction and ongoing work of the lab: are you thinking about doing more stuff like this? I think hold off pitching until you start talking, make the initial email very short, like 3-4 sentences, with invitation to continue chatting.
I also think finding someone on social media is good too, I mean in a not creepy way if its a public account they seem to be using to talk about work, but different convo
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++ to everything that jonny said here
including the caveat that i *also* have opinions of what the academy should be vs what it is
@aud -
@[email protected] @[email protected] me, looking at my draft of an intro that is already paragraphs long and includes the word "impertinence":... got it. Thank you. This is very helpful advice!
I think, you know, we're on the same page re: the academy, so if that's a problem, better to know now! -
@aud I don't do the hiring myself, but I've been in groups doing the hiring (both post-doc and staff level positions) and have a bit of insight. Mostly: yes you absolutely should email the PI. A couple of sentences at most and then say you've attached a formal cover letter and CV for more details. Depending on the university HR could be screening you out because they don't understand the terms before your app even gets to the PI so if you think you have the qualifications email them directly. If they like you they can fix things with HR later to make your application go through.
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jonny (good kind)replied to jonny (good kind) last edited by
@aud
"Hi, I am me, I am a this right now. I saw this from you {link} and think it is very cool. I already applied to the job, and respect whatever process you have for hiring, but was so excited that I wanted to know if you would be willing to chat further to see if it would be a good fit?Sincerely, me.
{my links if you're curious who I am"}"Good things to do
- get to the point
- clear about your intentions and interest
- respect their time and process
- be interested but have options - this looks dope but I can do other things if not, nbd
- you may know me from... if you have prior connections
Bad things to do
- brag
- come across as fishing for information or asking for tech support (more common than you'd think)
- come across as trying to cheat the line
- raise barrier to response: asking a methodological question or something to show u are thoughtful turns a quick "ya sure hmu" into "let me bust out zotero and oh to hell with it"
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@[email protected] gotcha. To be honest, this work looks so cool it's the kinda thing I'd want to do in graduate school even? so.
okay. okay okay. -
@[email protected] thank you!!
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@aud
Pick one favorite recent paper and include a mention that you're *particularly* interested in [one sentence book report of the work in the paper that doesn't quote the paper] and would love to help out in that area. -
@[email protected] This one ends up being harder than I expected due to my lack of access; some of the stuff that is more directly what I'm interested in isn't available, unfortunately. I could maybe point that out, though, and ask for a copy!
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@aud always send a follow up, also at companies.
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@[email protected] thank you!
Wow, yeah, I was... super going about that the wrong way then, wasn't I.
