As you’re finishing your graduate program and deciding to move into non-academic employment sectors, you might be concerned that employers may not consider you simply because you have an advanced degree.
There are some stereotypes that employers may believe about graduate degree holders, but you can help counteract those stereotypes through your application documents and your interview. Here are some tips from Career Services to offset common stereotypes.
Stereotype 1: You aren’t interested in producing anything concrete.
One of the most common reasons students with advanced degrees want to work in an industry is so they can make something real. Emphasize in your cover letter your desire to make something real (whether that’s a product or a difference), and make sure your résumé highlights achievements and accomplishments in your prior work experience—especially your research.
Stereotype 2: Your skill set is too narrow to be applicable in industry.
It’s true your graduate work has allowed you to drill down into a specific aspect or topic of your field, but this specialization goes along with a broader understanding of your field as a whole and a wider range of skills. To demonstrate this, show this broad understanding in your cover letter and demonstrate the breadth of your skillset through carefully crafted bullet points in your résumé.
Stereotype 3: You want more money just because you have a graduate degree.
To counteract this stereotype, be sure you have done your research on what appropriate salary ranges are for the role and location you’re applying to, and be ready to justify your value in terms of your experience and skillset. You aren’t asking for more money just because you have a master’s or doctorate—you are accurately assessing your value in terms of what you bring to the company.
The common thread with counteracting these stereotypes are your application documents. With a solid cover letter and résumé that’s well-tailored to the job ad, and thoughtful in the presentation of your knowledge, skills and abilities, many of these stereotypes can be defused or dismissed before you even get the call for the interview. Your excellent interview skills will then help you seal the deal.
Need help with your résumé or cover letter? Or looking to practice your interview skills? Make an appointment with a Career Advisor.
