【LEAP eSalon Recap】 Successful Job Search Strategies

The session began with Dr. Lee diving into the "Getting In" topic. Here, she shed light on the foundational elements that every job seeker should be aware of, regardless of their career stage. She emphasized the importance of making a strong first impression, setting the foundation for success in any professional field.

Moving on to the "Resume" segment, Dr. Lee broke down the art of creating compelling resumes for the digital age. She shared relatable examples to illustrate the impact of a well-structured resume by introducing her Bullet Formula. For example, effective resume statements start with strong verbs, followed by quantified outcomes and the methods employed. For instance, instead of saying you "worked on a Yelp project", specify: "Developed a sentiment analysis model with an 85% precision rate using a support vector machine classifier on pre-processed data." This clarity and detail make your resume more impactful.

The "Interview" section was a treasure trove of practical advice. Dr. Lee's approach was grounded, focusing on actionable tips. She encouraged attendees to do thorough research before any interview, ensuring they come across as informed and engaged. Stressing digital responsibility, she advised a quick check on social media privacy settings, while emphasizing the importance of platforms like LinkedIn in building a professional brand. Wrapping up this segment, she offered a personal touch, sharing anecdotes about her interviews and the value of a timely 'thank you' note and the art of pacing in communication.

When it came to "Networking" Dr. Lee painted a vivid picture of the modern professional landscape. She shared stories of how acquaintances turned into job opportunities, emphasizing the often-underestimated power of casual interactions and professional meet-ups. For her, networking wasn't just about finding jobs but about building lasting professional relationships.

In the concluding segment, "Making the Change", Dr. Lee drew upon personal experiences and anecdotes to underscore the complexities of career transitions. Using metaphors like, "a square peg in a round hole," she touched on the discord between one's true calling and societal expectations, especially for foreign-born professionals navigating cultural challenges. She expressed, "I feel like counseling, that's not me. So I want you to think about who you are; understand your personality, interest, and ability." 

Highlighting the importance of adequate preparation for a career change, Dr. Lee shared a fascinating case of a Ph.D. chemical engineering student transitioning to a software engineer role at Google. This student meticulously prepared by understanding job requirements, gaining necessary certifications, and aligning himself with the role's demands, successfully transitioning from biotech to software engineering. 

Dr. Lee also underscored the journey might demand a return to academia or seeking specific certifications, exemplified by another account of a dentist who, driven by her true passion and contrary to societal expectations, went back to school to become an engineer.

She encouraged attendees to define their vision of success and work ardently towards it. Drawing from her personal journey as a foreign student who initially spoke broken English, Dr. Lee's ascent to the role of Assistant Director of Career Services at UCLA serves as a testament to what tenacity, resilience, determination, and initiative can achieve.

She rounded off her illuminating presentation by emphasizing the values of passion, power (strength), and purpose in one's career. Dr. Lee concluded her segment with a robust Q&A session, ensuring attendees left with not just a methodology for job searching and interviewing, but also renewed hope and direction in their career trajectories.

Dr. Sofia Lee's talk was more than just a workshop; it was a roadmap, guiding attendees through the varied terrains of their professional journey. Her insights, combined with relatable examples and straightforward advice, ensured that everyone left better prepared and more confident in their career pursuits.

Next LEAP eSalon

On August 24th 8:00-9:00 PDT, we will be hosting another eSalon: Nailing a Career Pivot: Engineer, Entrepreneur, and Consultant . Stay tuned for the sign up information.