When do I send out resumes when finishing grad school?

April 8, 2007 5:16 PM

How long before completing grad school should I start sending out resumes?

I'm graduating with a Master's of Social Work and Public Health in mid-August (and then relocating to Chicago) and the slow-moving hiring practices of government agencies and non-profits are scaring me into wanting to send out resumes NOW. Should I hold off? If agencies want to interview me next week, that will require a plane ticket. What's a good lead time?

posted by grateram to Work & Money (6 answers total)

I think that it is a good idea to let the non-profits and other orgs that you're looking at know that you're available. If you're a good match, maybe they'll wait or hold the job for you. My experience is with international development non-profits though, so it may be different.

Also, are you done in May/June with classes or in August?
posted by k8t at 5:32 PM on April 8, 2007

Apply NOW. The black hole that is government hiring takes forever to churn its way through the process. In my case, I handed in a resume in January and it took until July for the interview and September for the position to start. (Of course, that's an extreme example; I had other offers as quickly as three weeks after interviewing. But it can take a long time.)

Also, and I don't know how feasible it is, I know many people who have been flown to government interviews by the government. You might want to check with them and see if this is doable.

Good luck!
posted by kdar at 6:38 PM on April 8, 2007

Nonprofits definetly don't have the long hiring process that the government does. I might hold off a little more on the nonprofit apps, but definetly apply NOW for the government ones. Their hiring process (if its federal) is glacial.

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posted by jare2003 at 8:50 PM on April 8, 2007

Apply now. Consider only putting your years attended, so you don't get throw into the recycling bin for not yet having graduated. :)
posted by acoutu at 8:53 PM on April 8, 2007

I'm about halfway through my thesis work and began sending out resumes weeks ago. I received a lot of attention from employers even though I've yet to graduate. After a dozen or so interviews I've accepted a job in San Francisco (I live in Chicago). Note: Most places will want to talk with you on the phone once or twice before flying you out.

The problem now is that I've already started work and am in the process of moving. My thesis work will undoubtedly take a back seat for a while.
posted by aladfar at 9:45 PM on April 8, 2007

Apply a few months ago.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 4:25 AM on April 9, 2007