Hi Outliers,
As you can tell I’m super excited as I type this – the pioneer article on The Outliers Circle Blog. I had been writing a Linkedin Masters series for some months now but hey – you guys get to read it first before Linkedin. If you’re interested in previous editions, they’re here, here and here. To ensure you get the best out of this article, I have asked my four friends – who were kind enough to grant this interview (I have also tagged them at the end) different questions to give you a complete 360 view. Feel free to ask direct questions in the comment section below, and I’ll do my best in answering this. As usual, if you learn a thing or two – don’t forget to share 🙂
Ebube’s experience (UK, Deloitte)
Hi Ebube, can you tell us a bit about your journey from Masters to getting a job?
My name is Ebube Oti and I am a Technology Consultant at Deloitte UK. I got this job during my 9-month masters at the University of Cambridge. During the first semester of the programme, I attended career fairs and started applying to different companies. I applied to different roles and different industries to increase my odds. Fortunately, I got two job offers; the first coming within 3 months of being in the U.K.
Wow, that’s great! What advise would you give those who are just about to start their Masters journey?
My advice to those starting their Masters is to hit the ground running if you wish to work in the country you’re studying in. Attend career fairs and take the job application process seriously. Practice a number of tests and read online about the companies. Prepare for interviews and trust that it’ll all work out.
Lastly, don’t take rejections personally. Learn from them.
Thanks Ebube!
Blessing’s experience (US, Pfizer pharmaceuticals)
Hi Blessing, I know you started your Masters degree in 2016. How was the recruitment process for you, I know US schools could be quite a hard nut to crack.
My name is Blessing Osojie, an Associate Scientist at Pfizer. Before applying, I had to do a research about the course I wanted to go for, the schools that offered the course and requirements that the school needed for the course. Compulsory requirements were GRE, and maybe TOEFL (I didn’t need to do it but I wrote the TOEFL). Before I applied to the schools, I was preparing for my exams so that I could have them ready for the application process.
I’ll say be ready to pay for application fees, be ready to send in your transcripts. Mostly it would be sent directly from your school to the university of choice. I sent in my exam scores after the results were out and waited. It took about a month and a half before I knew I was getting in (that’s because I applied way before the semester was to begin).
Better early than late right, do you have any advise to those just about to start this process as it’s application season now.
Be very proactive in getting documentation’s especially from your home university (the process could take a long time) and getting your documentation is indeed priority. Also, never let the fear of what people say stop you from achieving your goals.
It may be tough at first due to some culture change, but in the end with dedication and hard work it’ll all work out. I wish you the very best!
Thanks Blessing!
Seyi’s experience (Canada, Deloitte)
Hi Seyi, can you give us a bit of background to your story?
My name is Oluwaseyi Erogbogbo, I work with Deloitte in Atlantic Canada. I came in for my masters degree in Applied Computer science in January 2018 which lasted for 16 months. I applied to Deloitte in August 2018, just after my second semester and got shortlisted in September and after about 6-7 interviews and case studies, I got an offer letter in December 2018 to resume the job after I graduate which I have now started.
That’s amazing! what steps did you take in achieving this?
The proactive step I took was applying for jobs after my second semester in school. I made it a point of duty to apply to a minimum of 3 jobs everyday for a whole month.
That’s some tenacity right there, do you have any advice to graduates coming to Canada for their masters?
My top 3 tips are:
- Ask a lot of questions – when in doubt ask. No question is far-fetched. Make sure you get the information you need to succeed.
- Community is very important. Try to build a support system however little . Moving can be a very lonely and stressful process, so try to build a support system.
- Know the immigration process of the city you’re in. Get your self ready for what happens after school, ensure you have all the documents and information you need so you don’t have to start rushing when it’s time to apply.
Shola’s experience (UK, NHS England and NHS Improvement)
And our last but not the least guest, Shola. Hi Shola, I know you applied directly for an experienced role do you mind sharing how you were successful with that?
My name is Olushola Oladipupo and I work as a Data Analyst for NHS England and NHS Improvement. I came to the UK for a 1-year masters postgraduate degree in September 2017. The recruitment process for me was quite straightforward. I applied for a direct entry role in the Analytical team within the NHS, of which I was successful. Some of the proactive steps I took consisted of the following:
- Application: For most jobs in my organisation, a CV is not needed to apply. However, as part of the online application form, you’re required to write a supporting information or statement to show your interest, motivation, skills and experience for the role. So, I made sure I tailored my write-up to the particular role I was applying for. Furthermore, I wrote the statement in a clear and concise way to communicate my skills. One thing that helped here was the fact that I read and studied the job description as well as person specification in the advertisement. Similarly, when applying for jobs that requires uploading a CV, they must be tailored and written for that particular role instead of using just a generic CV for all applications.
- Interview: When I got invited for an interview, I was told I will be having a presentation on one of the intelligent products the team produces. The major step I took was to do a lot of research online on the team and data pack produced. Luckily for me, I saw videos on YouTube where similar data packs were explained. This gave me an idea of what to say in my presentation. In the interview itself, I used STAR technique to answer the questions and stated examples of when I have used the skills mentioned in the advert. I had a lot to say about my master’s dissertation as I had just submitted it a week before the interview. So, never take your assignments and projects for granted.
Big thanks again to Ebube, Blesssing, Seyi and Shola! I couldn’t have written this insightful article without them.