How long does the job search process take?

We typically recommend that graduate students and postdocs begin the job search process 6 - 12 months before they plan to transition to their next role. This is a general rule of thumb, and sometimes the process can take more or less time, depending on several factors, some of which we’ll outline below.

Why does the job search process take so long?

There are a few reasons why this is a lengthy process. First, it’s likely one that you haven’t had to do very frequently, or at least not very recently, so there is probably going to be at least a bit of a learning curve. Learning where to search for jobs and do so efficiently, how to prepare job application documents like resumes or cover letters, and how to interview confidently are all skills that can take practice to do well. Second, it can take time to find a position that is a mutually good fit for both the job seeker and the potential employer. Positions that seem like a good option at first may turn out to be less than desirable after learning more information about the role. A job that you’re really interested in might get filled by another candidate who had slightly different qualifications that the employer really valued. It’s a rare person who is offered the first job they apply to! Third, if you’re a graduate student or postdoc who is looking for a job, you likely have many other responsibilities to attend to in addition to job searching: finishing your thesis, wrapping up that last paper, or training a new lab member. Intentionally spreading out the job search process over several months to plan for these competing priorities can help mitigate stress and build in flexibility for unforeseen circumstances.

Let’s dig into a few factors that can make the job search process longer or shorter.

Knowing what you’re looking for

For some, the process of career exploration, or deciding what type of job to pursue, heavily overlaps with the process of searching for a job. This usually makes the job search process take longer, and can create additional stress around this professional transition. We encourage prioritizing career exploration early (years before you plan to transition!) so you can productively limit your options when job searching. Identifying the career path that you’d like to pursue can dictate where and how you search for positions, how far ahead you should begin your search, whether you might have to expand or limit your geographic preferences, and the types of job application materials you’ll likely need to prepare.

Having a network

Having connections to professionals in the career path that you’re interested in can help speed up the job search process. These contacts are common ways that people hear about job openings, including some jobs that may never be formally posted on a job board! People in your professional network may help you get additional information about the job that you could use when preparing your job application documents or during an interview, and could act as a positive reference for you. Professional recruiters in your network might approach you if they think you’re a good match for an open position in their portfolio. Connecting with people during graduate school or your postdoc is useful to learn about your options, and these connections are often valuable during the job search process.

Job sector or position type

Some job sectors or position types have specific hiring cycles that occur at particular times of the year. For these roles, you may have to begin the job search process well ahead of the time you’d like to transition to that role. For example, many academic faculty jobs are hired for in the Fall semester, with start dates typically being months removed from the date that the offer is extended. Some consulting firms hire advanced degree consultants in cohorts that start at specific times of the year, so it’s necessary to plan for a lag between the hiring cycle (usually in the summer for larger firms) and the start date.

Postdoc positions can take a long time to arrange because many postdoc positions are not formally advertised on job boards, and hiring can depend on the funding status of grants or fellowships which require a lot of lead time. It’s normal to begin searching for a postdoc position at least 12 months before you plan to leave your graduate lab. Begin identifying PIs that you’d be interested in working with, and start reaching out to people through your network, your PI’s network, or via cold emails to discuss research areas of interest. For more information on finding and applying for postdoc positions, check out the OPD’s seminars on ‘Picking Your Perfect Postdoc’ and ‘How to Apply for an Academic Postdoc.’

Work authorization or visa requirements

International students and postdocs may have to navigate work authorization or visa sponsorships when searching for jobs, and this adds an additional complication to the job search. To accommodate this additional process, we advise that international students and postdocs plan for extra time in their job search. Here are some resources that may be helpful:

Summary

Planning ahead for your job search can make your job search more efficient and reduce stress around this point of transition. Reach out to the OPD at [email protected] if we can help support you through this process. We can assist with making goals, providing accountability structures around these goals, providing feedback on job application documents, practice interviews, and more!

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