Solving complex physics problems equips you with skills highly sought after by employers across diverse industries. If you’re a physics undergraduate ready to launch your career, understanding how to showcase your unique abilities during interviews is key. This guide, adapted from resources for physics students, provides essential career tools, with a special focus on subtly mastering the interview process to land your dream job.
Examining the Landscape: Physics Grads in the Workforce
A significant portion of physics bachelor’s degree holders transition directly into the workforce, with a majority entering the private sector. This demonstrates the broad applicability of a physics education beyond academia.
Alt text: Chart illustrating initial employment sectors for physics bachelor’s degree recipients, highlighting the private sector as a major destination.
Alt text: Pie chart detailing the distribution of physics bachelor’s within the private sector, showing engineering and computer fields as prominent areas.
Alt text: Bar graph comparing starting salaries for physics bachelor’s degree recipients to other bachelor’s degree fields, emphasizing the competitive earning potential.
Exploring Your Options: Unveiling Career Opportunities
The variety of career paths available to physics graduates is exciting, but navigating these options can feel overwhelming. This section provides resources and strategies for exploring opportunities and making informed decisions about your future.
Alt text: Graphic depicting various tools for career exploration, such as informational interviews, networking events, and online resources.
Alt text: Icon representing “Tool #1” from the Careers Toolbox, symbolizing the first step in career preparation.
Tool #1: Decoding Job Titles for Physics Skills
Physics graduates excel in numerous professions – from engineering and IT to finance, medicine, and even fields like writing and law. To begin narrowing your focus, examine common job titles held by physics bachelor’s in the workforce. This list can spark ideas and reveal unexpected career paths aligned with your physics background.
Roll Up Your Sleeves: Actionable Steps
- Identify common employment areas for physics bachelor’s.
- Research typical job titles held by physics graduates.
- Explore resources for discovering relevant job titles.
Get to Work: Diving Deeper
Common Areas of Employment
Engineering:
Engineering fields attract the largest percentage of physics bachelor’s entering STEM careers. Your analytical and problem-solving skills are directly transferable to various engineering disciplines.
Computer Hardware and Software:
The second most common sector is computer hardware and software, encompassing programming, modeling, and simulation. “Analyst” roles also fall here due to their reliance on mathematics and software expertise, particularly in finance.
Research and Technical Roles:
Many physics graduates pursue research positions in laboratory settings, applying their scientific inquiry and experimental skills.
Education:
Physics bachelor’s often teach science at the middle and high school levels. A significant portion of high school physics teachers specialize primarily in physics, while others teach related subjects like chemistry and math.
Common Job Titles
These titles are derived from surveys by the American Institute of Physics, reflecting positions held by physics bachelor’s from recent graduating classes. This is not an exhaustive list, but it provides a strong starting point.
Engineering Titles:
- Systems Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Design Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Optical Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Manufacturing Technician
- Laser Engineer
- Associate Engineer
- Application Engineer
- Development Engineer
- Engineering Technician
- Field Engineer
- Process Engineer
- Process Technician
- Product Engineer
- Product Manager
- Research Engineer
- Test Engineer
- General Engineer
- Technical Services Engineer
Computer Hardware / Software Titles:
- Software Engineer
- Programmer
- Web Developer
- IT Consultant
- Systems Analyst
- Technical Support Staff
- Analyst
Education Titles:
- High School Physics Teacher
- High School Science Teacher
- Middle School Science Teacher
Research and Technical Titles:
- Research Assistant
- Research Associate
- Research Technician
- Lab Technician
- Lab Assistant
- Accelerator Operator
- Physical Sciences Technician
Resources for Job Title Exploration
To discover profiles of physics graduates in diverse fields, explore these resources:
- Careers Using Physics (Society of Physics Students)
- Physics Central (American Physical Society)
- Physicist Profiles (American Physical Society)
- Physics.org (Institute of Physics)
- Physics Alumni on LinkedIn (Search for your school’s alumni and filter by “Physics”)
- Job titles requiring physics knowledge (US Department of Labor O*NET)
- Who’s Hiring Physics Bachelors? (AIP Statistical Research Center)
Alt text: Icon representing “Tool #2” from the Careers Toolbox, highlighting informational interviews as a valuable tool.
Tool #2: Informational Interviews – Gaining Insights “On the Down Low”
Once you have a list of interesting job titles, the next step is to gather in-depth information about each role. Informational interviews are invaluable for this. These are professional conversations with individuals working in fields that interest you, allowing you to learn firsthand about their experiences and career paths. This is a subtle way to explore your options and gain insider knowledge, operating “on the down low” in your career exploration.
Roll Up Your Sleeves: Actionable Steps
- Understand the core concept of informational interviews.
- Recognize the benefits of conducting these interviews.
- Prepare effectively for informational interview conversations.
- Develop example questions to ask interviewees.
- Master the art of following up after interviews.
Get to Work: Mastering Informational Interviews
The Basic Concept
An informational interview is a structured meeting where you ask questions to someone in a job you’re considering. The goal is to learn about their role, company, and industry, and to assess if it aligns with your interests and skills. Conducting multiple informational interviews allows you to explore various career paths efficiently and gain clarity on your desired direction.
Why Conduct Informational Interviews?
- Direct Industry Insights: Faculty advisors often lack extensive industry experience. Informational interviews provide real-world perspectives on specific jobs.
- Job-Specific Knowledge: Learn industry jargon and gain specific details about a role, which is helpful for resume writing and targeted job searching.
- Work Environment Exposure: Observe professionals in their work environment and evaluate if the culture and setting are a good fit for you.
- Personalized Career Advice: Seek guidance from experienced professionals to make informed career and educational choices.
- Networking in a Low-Pressure Setting: Build genuine professional relationships and expand your network organically.
- Communication Skill Development: Practice professional communication and boost your confidence in a relaxed, non-evaluative interview setting.
Finding Interviewees
Start by researching general career fields (e.g., engineering) and specific jobs (e.g., civil engineer) from your list of potential job titles (Tool #1). Focus on organizations that pique your interest.
Making Contacts
Tap into your network: friends, family, professors, career services, and alumni associations. Many universities have alumni mentoring networks specifically for students. LinkedIn and other social media platforms are also valuable resources. Don’t limit yourself to physics graduates; diverse perspectives can be insightful. Build a list of potential contacts based on shared interests, enthusiasm, or preferred work environments.
Scheduling the Interview
Contact potential interviewees via email or phone. Clearly state who you are, your purpose (career exploration as a physics student), and how you got their contact information. Request a brief meeting (15-20 minutes phone, 20-30 minutes in person if local). Emphasize that you are not seeking a job, but information.
Respect the interviewee’s time and adhere to the agreed-upon timeframe. Meeting at their workplace can offer valuable insights into company culture and may be more convenient for them.
Remember, this is not a job interview. You can bring a resume or business cards, but avoid asking about job openings. Only offer your resume if specifically requested.
Preparing Questions
Prepare 4-6 questions in advance to maximize your limited time. Write them down and bring a notepad for notes.
Example Questions
- What are typical daily duties and responsibilities in your role?
- What skills are essential for success in this type of job?
- What are the most satisfying, challenging, and frustrating aspects of your work?
- Can you describe the workplace atmosphere and culture?
- Where are job openings typically advertised in this field?
- How would you describe the work-life balance in this role?
- What personal characteristics are important for success (e.g., tenacity, creativity)?
- What professional or trade associations are relevant in this field?
- What advice would you offer to a physics undergraduate entering this field?
- Who else might you recommend I contact for further information?
- Do you have any advice on crafting a resume that would be effective for this industry?
Following Up
- Send a personalized thank-you note within a few days, expressing your gratitude and mentioning something specific you found valuable from the conversation.
- Document your key takeaways and identify next steps. For example, if the interviewee mentioned a professional society, consider joining it.
- If the interviewee provided referrals, follow up promptly with those leads via email, call, or a brief note.
Alt text: Icon representing “Tool #3” from the Careers Toolbox, emphasizing the importance of gaining practical experience.
Tool #3: Gaining Experience – Building Your Foundation
While your physics degree and GPA are important, employers also value practical experience demonstrating workplace-relevant skills. This experience can include internships, co-ops, research, campus involvement, volunteering, military service, personal projects, and entrepreneurship.
Roll Up Your Sleeves: Actionable Steps
- Explore research opportunities.
- Pursue internships and co-ops.
- Engage in campus involvement.
- Participate in volunteering and service-learning.
- Undertake entrepreneurship and personal projects.
- Consider student teaching and teaching assistantships.
Get to Work: Experience Building Strategies
Research
Participating in sustained research, whether during summers or semesters, provides valuable insight into research careers. Work with faculty members, often for course credit or as a volunteer. Paid research opportunities may also be available. Research experience, even for a semester, is crucial for graduate school aspirations. It enhances communication skills, reinforces classroom learning, and provides concrete examples for your resume.
Start by reviewing department webpages to learn about faculty research areas. Contact faculty whose research interests you and inquire about their work. Prepare for competitive programs like REUs, which typically require a resume, personal statement, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
Internships & Co-ops
Internships and co-ops are structured, supervised learning experiences in professional settings related to your field. Internships usually last at least a semester, requiring a regular weekly commitment. Co-ops involve alternating semesters of full-time work and full-time study, often leading to full-time employment offers post-graduation. Explore independent study credit options for internships and co-ops.
Finding these opportunities is similar to job searching. Utilize resume preparation and interview skills. Your college career center is a valuable resource.
Explore jobs.spsnational.org for internships, REUs, and co-ops nationwide.
Campus Involvement
Leadership in campus organizations, especially national groups like the Society of Physics Students, impresses employers. Highlight your impact – member recruitment, event organization, policy influence, process improvements.
Attend student organization fairs to discover opportunities. Focus on a few organizations where you can make a meaningful contribution rather than spreading yourself too thin.
Volunteering and Service-Learning
Community service enhances employability. Choose opportunities aligned with your skills and interests. Go beyond one-time events; participate in planning and execution to demonstrate commitment. Non-profits may offer unique opportunities to develop skills like web design or database management.
SPS chapter outreach is a valuable form of service!
Personal Projects and Entrepreneurship
Web design, app development, blogging, robotics projects, or starting a small business showcase initiative, resourcefulness, perseverance, and excellence – qualities employers highly value.
Student Teaching and Teaching Assistantships
Consider teaching assistant roles or tutoring positions within your department to explore education careers. These roles enhance your knowledge and provide teaching experience. Explore tutoring, physics help labs, and service-learning courses.
Alt text: Icon representing “Tool #4” from the Careers Toolbox, emphasizing the power of professional networking.
Tool #4: Networking – Expanding Your Reach
Strong credentials are essential, but networking – building professional contacts – expands opportunities and provides invaluable career advice.
Roll Up Your Sleeves: Actionable Steps
- Learn effective networking tips.
- Craft a compelling elevator speech.
Get to Work: Building Your Network
Networking Tips
Prepare an Elevator Speech
A concise, 30-second introduction of yourself is crucial for networking events.
Network Everywhere
Every interaction is a potential networking opportunity.
Help Others
Networking is about mutual connection, not just personal gain. Consider what you can offer to new contacts.
Attend Physics Meetings
Scientific society meetings are excellent venues to meet potential employers.
Get Involved!
Attend professional events on and off campus. Practice your elevator speech and ask questions.
Ask Questions!
“So, what do you do?” is a simple and effective conversation starter.
Exchange Contact Information
Business cards are a professional way to share your contact details and leave a positive impression.
Network Online
Utilize platforms like LinkedIn to maintain connections.
Cultivate Relationships
Send updates to your network about your progress, career interests, or relevant information. Build strong, lasting connections.
Project a Positive Attitude
You never know who might connect you to your next opportunity!
The Elevator Speech
Your elevator speech is a 30-second summary of who you are, your accomplishments, and your aspirations. It’s a conversation starter, not a monologue. Practice it to sound natural and engaging.
Key elements of your elevator speech:
- Who you are (student, physics major)
- What you’ve accomplished (relevant skills, projects, experiences)
- Where you hope to go (career interests, aspirations)
- What you are passionate about (your drive and interests)
The Missing Link: Translating Physics Skills
Physics graduates possess valuable skills, but hiring managers may not fully understand the undergraduate physics experience. This section focuses on translating your physics knowledge and skills into a language that resonates with employers, forming the foundation of a strong resume and interview performance.
Alt text: Icon representing “Tool #5” from the Careers Toolbox, highlighting the importance of assessing your skills.
Tool #5: Assessing Your Knowledge and Skills – Identifying Your Strengths
To stand out, you must effectively communicate your value in your resume, cover letter, and interviews. A thorough assessment of your knowledge and skills is essential for confident self-representation.
Roll Up Your Sleeves: Actionable Steps
- Identify knowledge and skills valued in the private sector for physics bachelor’s.
- Recognize common skill sets developed by physics students.
- Articulate your experience with laboratory instruments.
- Highlight research experience and skills.
- Showcase proficiency in computer hardware and software.
- Demonstrate your ability to communicate complex ideas.
- Emphasize analytical and quantitative thinking abilities.
- Illustrate teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Underscore problem-solving and critical thinking strengths.
Get to Work: Skill Identification
Alt text: Chart outlining key knowledge and skills commonly acquired by physics bachelor’s graduates, categorized for resume and interview preparation.
Working with Laboratory Instruments
Physics curricula involve hands-on lab work, teaching students to use diverse instruments (optics, electronics, machine shop tools, vacuum systems, telescopes, spectrographs). You develop skills in operation, maintenance, repair, quality control, and troubleshooting.
Conducting Research
Research experiences, whether on or off-campus, cultivate higher-order skills: research design, data analysis, creative and critical thinking, error analysis, and complex problem-solving. A key skill often overlooked is the ability to find, read, analyze, and interpret background information – valuable in many professions.
Proficiency with Computer Hardware and Software
Physics studies often involve coding, statistical analysis software, modeling, image processing, and simulation techniques. Many physics students use programs like LabVIEW for equipment control and data acquisition, developing specialized interfaces.
Communicating Complex Ideas
Physics students hone written communication through technical lab reports and research papers. Oral communication skills are developed through presentations of research and classwork. These experiences demonstrate your ability to explain complex topics clearly.
Analysis and Quantitative Thinking
Physics training develops strong quantitative intuition and the ability to apply math to real-world problems. Employers value analytical skills for information management, logical thinking, and data interpretation. Physics students learn to analyze information and discern relevance through lab work and problem-solving.
Working with Others
Teamwork is often integral to research, campus organizations like SPS, and group projects. Highlight teamwork, collaboration, leadership, and decision-making skills gained through these experiences.
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
Problem-solving is central to physics. You learn to examine situations, identify problems, and devise creative solutions through literature searches, collaboration, experimentation, and logical reasoning. This skill is highly valuable to employers across all sectors.
Getting to Work: Standing Out in the Job Market
How do you differentiate yourself from other applicants, especially those with seemingly more directly relevant backgrounds? This section provides strategies to enhance your interview prospects and secure your desired position.
Alt text: Icon representing “Tool #6” from the Careers Toolbox, emphasizing the importance of effective job searching strategies.
Tool #6: Effective Job Searching – Finding the Right Opportunities
Landing your dream job involves more than just a strong resume. Effective job searching focuses your efforts on roles that align with your skills and interests. For physics graduates, this includes knowing where to look for job listings, how to prepare for job fairs, and leveraging your network.
Roll Up Your Sleeves: Actionable Steps
- Utilize networking for job searching.
- Explore online job databases.
- Prepare for job fairs.
- Consider teaching as a career path.
- Identify companies hiring physics bachelor’s.
- Evaluate job position fit.
- Understand salary expectations.
Get to Work: Job Search Strategies
Networking
Networking is a powerful job search tool. Leverage your network: faculty, colleagues, family, friends, LinkedIn connections, career services, and contacts from professional meetings.
Inform everyone you meet that you are job searching. Many people are willing to offer advice, leads, and introductions. When contacting professional connections, remind them how you met. Focus on seeking advice and leads rather than directly asking for a job initially.
Online Job Search
Online databases are crucial for finding job openings. Use common job titles (Tool #1) in your searches, as “physics” keywords may not capture all relevant roles. Explore these STEM job databases:
- SPS Jobs (Physics-specific, bachelor’s level)
- USAJobs (US Federal Government, NASA, NIST, labs)
- Science Careers (Global, all science disciplines)
- Engineer Jobs (US and Canada, all engineering types)
- IEEE job site (Electrical and Electronics Engineering)
- Glass Door (Company reviews, salary data, job aggregation)
- LinkedIn (Professional networking and job postings)
- Indeed (Large job search engine)
- Idealist (Non-profit sector, STEM outreach/education)
Job Fairs
Attend job fairs even before actively applying to learn about available positions, employer skill requirements, and practice your elevator speech. Use your list of common job titles to communicate effectively with recruiters unfamiliar with physics backgrounds in industry.
Physics students need to articulate their skills in ways that resonate with employers. Show engineering firm representatives how your physics background equips you for engineering roles.
Teaching as a Career
Teaching can be a rewarding career to share your passion for physics. Explore school district websites for job openings and licensing requirements. State Department of Education websites provide license information. Alternative licenses are often available for those without education degrees. Substitute teaching can provide experience and valuable contacts.
Who is Hiring Physics Bachelors?
Use the American Institute of Physics Statistical Research Center resource to identify companies hiring physics bachelor’s in your state.
Evaluating Job Applications
- Focus on Qualifications: You don’t always need to meet every qualification. Highlight transferable skills in your cover letter and resume. A physics degree can be framed as excellent preparation for engineering roles, even if an engineering degree is listed as preferred.
- Keywords and Responsibilities: Analyze job descriptions for keywords and assess how well your skills and interests align with the responsibilities.
- Company Research: Research company mission, reputation, salary range, and location to evaluate fit with your ambitions and preferences.
Salaries
Physics bachelor’s graduates earn competitive starting salaries, especially in the private sector. Consider cost of living, benefits (retirement, health insurance, flexible work schedules), and transportation allowances when evaluating salary offers. Understanding your value and the full compensation package strengthens your negotiation position.
Alt text: Icon representing “Tool #7” from the Careers Toolbox, highlighting the importance of crafting a strong resume.
Tool #7: Building Your Resume – Your First Impression
Your resume is a concise summary of your qualifications. It’s often the first impression you make on a potential employer, so make it impactful and stand out.
Roll Up Your Sleeves: Actionable Steps
- Understand the difference between resumes and CVs.
- Identify resume essentials.
- Explore suggested resume sections.
- Learn to tailor your resume to each job.
- Utilize action verbs effectively.
- Review sample resumes for inspiration.
Get to Work: Resume Crafting
Resumes vs. CVs
For undergraduate job applications, a resume is crucial. It concisely articulates your skills and knowledge relevant to a specific position. A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a longer, more detailed record of experience, typically used for academic positions. Physics undergraduates considering academia should begin developing a CV in addition to a resume.
Resume Essentials
The most critical element for physics students is a detailed, tailored list of skills and knowledge relevant to the specific job. Skills-based resumes are recommended. Expect to create a unique resume for each job application.
Resume Style and Length Notes
Consider these questions when organizing your resume:
- Does it effectively tell your story?
- Is it an accurate representation of your experiences and skills?
- Is it visually clear, well-organized, and easy to read?
Consult your school’s career services for specific guidance on resume components, formatting, and style.
Remember, customize your resume for each application!
Suggested Resume Sections
Knowledge and Skills
Prioritize skills from your skills assessment (Tool #5) that directly match the job description. List the most relevant skills first.
Experience
Include relevant experiences (jobs, internships, research, service, leadership, projects) in reverse chronological order. Use section headers to highlight the most relevant experiences. Provide thoughtful descriptions using action-oriented statements to quantify your impact and showcase your skills.
Educational Background
List degrees, expected graduation date, technical training, and online courses in reverse chronological order. Include majors, minors, honors, awards, and scholarships with brief explanations. Include your GPA if it is above 3.0.
Other Information
Include affiliations, extracurricular activities (especially leadership roles), and relevant hobbies.
Targeting Your Resume
Tailor your resume to each position to increase your interview chances. Modify an existing resume to align with each job ad, highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences.
Action Verbs
Use strong action verbs to start accomplishment descriptions in your Experience section. Be specific about your impact.
Sample Resumes
Alt text: Icon representing “Tool #8” from the Careers Toolbox, emphasizing the importance of writing effective cover letters.
Tool #8: Writing an Effective Cover Letter – Making a Strong Introduction
A cover letter is your first chance to engage a prospective employer. Always submit one with your resume, even if not explicitly required. A well-crafted cover letter is especially vital when applying for jobs outside of physics, as it allows you to articulate why you are a strong candidate.
Roll Up Your Sleeves: Actionable Steps
- Understand cover letter basics.
- Learn essential cover letter tips.
- Maximize the impact of your cover letter.
Get to Work: Crafting Your Cover Letter
Cover Letter Basics
Opening
Address the letter to a specific contact person if listed. Otherwise, “Dear Hiring Manager” is appropriate.
Beginning Paragraph
Briefly state the position you are applying for and express your interest.
Middle Paragraph(s)
Connect your background and skills to the job requirements. Explicitly link aspects of your resume to the job description.
Closing Paragraph
Thank the employer for their consideration and express your anticipation of an in-person meeting to discuss the position. Convey your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
Cover Letter Tips
Explicitly connect your experiences, skills, knowledge, and background to the job ad requirements. Highlight resume phrases that align with the job description. Provide specific examples of your skills and abilities. For example: “I have two years of experience using [specific software/equipment], which aligns with the requirements of this position.”
Showcase interpersonal skills like time management, initiative, dependability, and professionalism. Instead of listing generic traits, highlight one or two with specific examples: “Due to my dependability and leadership, I was promoted to manager within six months at [previous company].”
Maximizing Your Cover Letter
Demonstrate Writing Skills
Your cover letter is a professional document. Use active voice, strong verbs, and impeccable grammar and spelling. Eloquence can elevate your application. Seek feedback from career services, professors, or friends. Avoid generic adjectives; be genuine, direct, and engaging.
Emphasize Your Contributions
Focus on what you will contribute to the company, not solely on personal benefits. For example: “I am excited to leverage my data manipulation skills to enhance your team’s image processing efficiency.” Highlight aspects that excite you and benefit the company.
Alt text: Icon representing “Tool #9” from the Careers Toolbox, emphasizing the importance of interview preparation for success.
Tool #9: Acing the Interview – Performing “On the Down Low”
An interview is a two-way evaluation. The employer assesses your fit, and you evaluate if the position is right for you. It’s your opportunity to expand on your resume and cover letter and demonstrate that you are the best candidate. Mastering the interview process, sometimes subtly “on the down low” through thorough preparation, is crucial for success.
Roll Up Your Sleeves: Actionable Steps
- Learn strategies to increase your interview odds.
- Prepare effectively for interviews.
- Master tips for phone and virtual interviews.
- Learn best practices for face-to-face interviews.
- Review sample interview questions.
Get to Work: Interview Mastery
Increasing Your Odds
Interview invitations depend on various factors. However, thorough preparation, targeted resumes and cover letters, and applying for suitable positions significantly increase your chances. Advance preparation is key to interview success.
Preparing for an Interview
- Research the Interviewers and Company: Thoroughly research individuals, the company, department, and relevant information beforehand.
- Practice Mock Interviews: Practice answering questions aloud and seek feedback on verbal and nonverbal communication.
- Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: Prepare strategic answers to questions about strengths and weaknesses.
- Prepare Skill-Demonstrating Stories: Have specific examples ready to illustrate your skills in response to common interview questions.
- Prepare Questions for the Interviewer: Demonstrate interest and professionalism with insightful questions.
- Remain Calm: If unsure of an answer, pause, breathe, and think. “I don’t know” is acceptable if followed by your approach to finding a solution.
- Be Aware of Illegal Questions: Know your rights; employers cannot legally ask about race, ethnicity, marital status, family plans, sexual orientation, religion, age, disabilities, military service, or organizational memberships.
Tips for Phone or Virtual Interviews
Treat phone interviews seriously, as they are often key to securing in-person interviews or may replace them entirely.
Tips for Face-to-Face Interviews
- Dress Professionally: Dress in attire appropriate for the job you seek. Research company culture if unsure. Overdressing is preferable to underdressing.
- Professional Behavior: Maintain professional behavior from arrival onwards, treating everyone with respect.
- Turn Off Your Phone: Completely turn off your phone before entering the facility.
- Follow Up After the Interview: Thank each interviewer for their time. Send tailored thank-you emails within 24 hours, reiterating your interest and mentioning specifics from the conversation. A handwritten thank-you note adds an extra touch.
- Evaluating Offers: Evaluate offers carefully. Once you accept, cease other job searching and honor your commitment.
Sample Questions
Sample Interview Questions
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why are you interested in working for this company?
- Tell me about your education.
- Why have you chosen this particular field?
- Describe your best/worst boss.
- What interests you most/least in a job?
- What is your major weakness?
- Give an example of how you solved a problem.
- What are your strengths?
- How do others describe you?
- What is your best accomplishment in your last job?
- Where do you see yourself in three years?
- Describe a failure and what you learned.
- How will you fit into this operation?
- What ideas/talents will you contribute?
- Give an example of leadership and initiative.
- Example of team project contribution.
- How have you developed/changed recently?
- Do you have any questions for me?
Behavioral-based Questions
(From www.thebalance.com)
- Provide an example of logical problem-solving.
- Describe a goal you achieved and how.
- Describe a goal you missed and how you handled it.
- Describe a stressful work situation and your response.
- How do you work under pressure?
- How do you handle challenges?
- What do you do when underworked?
- Have you made a mistake? How did you handle it?
- Describe an unpopular decision you implemented.
- Did you make a risky decision? Why? Outcome?
- Did you postpone a decision? Why?
- Dealt with company policy disagreement? How?
- Gone above and beyond? Example?
- How do you prioritize multiple projects?
- How did you handle tight deadlines?
- Example of goal setting and achievement.
- Missed goals? Why?
- Schedule interruptions? How do you handle?
- Convinced a reluctant team? How?
- Teamwork example?
- Difficult coworker? How handled?
- Disagree with a coworker? What do you do?
- Motivated employees/coworkers? Example?
- Do you listen? Example of listening/not listening.
- Difficult supervisor situation? How handled?
- Difficult situation with another department? How handled?
- Difficult client/vendor situation? How handled?
- Disagree with your boss? What do you do?
Career preparation is ongoing. Revisit skill assessments, update your elevator speech, and expand your network throughout your career. As you gain new skills and experiences, your career plans may evolve. Proactive career preparation ensures you are ready for an effective job search when the time comes.
Resources
Dig Deeper
- Affecting change in your department
- Recommended online resources
- About the Careers Toolbox
- Download the entire Careers Toolbox (PDF file)
- Purchase the Careers Toolbox Book
Alt text: Image of the Careers Toolbox book cover, promoting the printed resource for career guidance.
Affecting Change in Your Department
Action Items for Student Influence
- Suggest alumni involvement in mock interviews to faculty and department leaders.
- Advocate for department support for student participation in professional meetings.
- Encourage faculty to involve undergraduates in collaborative research.
- Promote a career decision-making and professional skills course within the physics department.
- Address career preparation at SPS meetings, inviting alumni or career services professionals.
Recommended Online Resources
- SPS Jobs (Job listings and resources for physics bachelor’s)
- Physics Today Job Resources (Career options, resume templates, job application advice)
- SPS Career Resources (Career profiles, advice, related links)
- Who’s Hiring Physics Bachelor’s? (State-specific employer lists)
- AIP Statistics: Skills Physics Bachelor’s Use (Skills used by physics bachelor’s in first jobs)
- APS Careers Website (Webinars, workshops, professional development guides)
- GradSchoolShopper (Graduate programs in physics and related fields)
About the Careers Toolbox
The Careers Toolbox, developed by the American Institute of Physics (AIP) with NSF funding, aims to enhance career preparation for undergraduate physics students entering the STEM workforce. This resource is based on best practices identified through site visits to physics departments and input from students and professionals. The 4th Edition was released in 2017.
Contact [email protected] for more information. Print copies are available from the SPS Store.
Primary Authors (4th Edition)
- Brad Conrad – Director, SPS and ΣΠΣ, AIP Education Division
- Kerry Kidwell-Slak – Assistant Director, SPS and ΣΠΣ, AIP Education Division
- Toni Sauncy – Associate Professor of Physics, Texas Lutheran Univ. & former Director, SPS and ΣΠΣ
- Katherine Zaunbrecher – Post Doctoral Researcher, Colorado State University
- Patrick Mulvey – Senior Survey Scientist, AIP Statistical Research Center
Student Authors
- Amanda Palchak – University of Southern Mississippi, SPS Summer Intern 2011
- Shouvik Bhattacharya – Minnesota State University, SPS Summer Intern 2012
- Jose “Ro” Avila – King College, SPS Summer Intern 2013
AIP Career Pathways Project Investigators
- Roman Czujko – Director, AIP Statistical Research Center
- Thomas Olsen – former Assistant Director, Society of Physics Students, AIP Education Division
- Kendra Redmond – former Programs Manager, Society of Physics Students, AIP Education Division
- Toni Sauncy – former Director, Society of Physics Students and Sigma Pi Sigma, AIP Education Division
Reviewers
- Bridger Anderson – Program Manager, Innovative Micro Technology
- Crystal Bailey – Career Program Manager, American Physical Society
- Pat Boeshaar – Senior Lecturer, Physics Department, University of California, Davis
- Staci Heidtke – Associate Director, Career Services, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
The Careers Toolbox is a product of the AIP Career Pathways Project, a collaboration between the American Institute of Physics and the Society of Physics Students. Funded by NSF award #1011829. © American Institute of Physics.
