Solving complex theoretical problems, mastering experimental techniques, managing data acquisition and analysis, and honing skills in error analysis, technical writing, and computer programming are all hallmarks of the undergraduate physics journey. These capabilities position physics students as exceptional candidates for a diverse range of careers. If you’re contemplating entering the workforce after your bachelor’s degree, the nine essential career tools outlined here can guide you in exploring your options and preparing for professional achievement.
This career toolbox is designed primarily for undergraduate physics students transitioning directly into employment after graduation. However, even those pursuing graduate studies will eventually seek jobs! Many of these career tools are also valuable for securing internships, research positions, or even admission to graduate programs. Think of these tools as your career clipart – visual aids to help you picture and build your professional path.
Examining the Data
Nearly half of all physics bachelor’s degree holders directly enter the workforce. Within this group, approximately two-thirds find roles in the private sector. Understanding these trends is a crucial career tool, offering a data-driven perspective on post-graduation paths.
Alt text: Data visualization clipart showing career paths of physics bachelors, highlighting industry sectors.
Alt text: Pie chart clipart illustrating employment sectors for physics graduates, a career tools graphic.
Alt text: Bar graph clipart representing salary ranges for physics bachelor degree holders in different careers.
Exploring Options, Finding Opportunities
The wide array of opportunities available to physics bachelor’s degree recipients is encouraging, but navigating these choices can feel overwhelming. This section provides key resources for exploring your career options and offers tips for identifying (and creating) opportunities. Visualizing these options can be made easier with Career And Tools Clipart, helping to map out potential paths.
Alt text: Exploring career options clipart, a visual tool for physics graduates. Next to it, Tool #1 icon clipart.
Tool #1: Common Job Titles
Physics majors are employed in a vast spectrum of professions—engineering, information technology, finance, writing, medicine, law, history, music, healthcare, and beyond. To narrow your focus, examine this list of common job titles held by physics bachelor’s degree recipients who enter the workforce immediately, and identify areas that pique your interest. Using career tools clipart, you can create a presentation to visualize these job titles and sectors.
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- Common sectors employing physics bachelor’s degree recipients
- Typical job titles for physics bachelor’s degree holders
- Resources for discovering job titles
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Common areas of employment
Engineering:
The largest segment of physics bachelor’s recipients entering the STEM workforce finds employment in engineering fields. This is a primary career path, and using clipart of engineering tools can visually represent this sector.
Computer Hardware and Software:
The second most common employment area for physics bachelor’s recipients is in computer hardware and software, including programming, modeling, and simulation. The title “Analyst” also falls under this category, often involving significant mathematics and software skills, particularly in finance. Clipart of computers and software icons can be used to illustrate this area.
Research and Technical:
Physics graduates frequently secure positions in scientific research and laboratory environments. This field can be visually represented with lab equipment and research tools clipart.
Education:
Educators with bachelor’s degrees in physics typically teach middle or high school science. Approximately half of all high school physics teachers in the United States primarily or exclusively teach physics. The other half mainly teach related subjects such as chemistry and math. Education can be depicted using classroom and teaching tools clipart.
Common Job Titles
These job titles are derived from surveys conducted by the Statistical Research Center of the American Institute of Physics on physics bachelor’s recipients from the classes of 2009 and 2010. This list is not exhaustive or exclusive but provides a solid starting point for career exploration.
Engineering
- 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
- Software Engineer
- Programmer
- Web Developer
- IT Consultant
- Systems Analyst
- Technical Support Staff
- Analyst
Education
- High School Physics Teacher
- High School Science Teacher
- Middle School Science Teacher
Research and Technical
- Research Assistant
- Research Associate
- Research Technician
- Lab Technician
- Lab Assistant
- Accelerator Operator
- Physical Sciences Technician
Resources for finding job titles
To explore profiles of individuals with physics degrees working in diverse fields, consult these resources:
Careers Using Physics by the Society of Physics Students
Physics Central by the American Physical Society
Physicist Profiles by the American Physical Society
Physics.org by the Institute of Physics
Physics Alumni on Linkedin
Job titles requiring physics knowledge by the US Department of Labor
Who’s Hiring Physics Bachelors? by the AIP Statistical Research Center
Alt text: Tool #2 icon clipart representing informational interviews as a career exploration tool.
Tool #2: Informational Interviews
Once you have a list of job titles that seem appealing, the next step is to gather in-depth information about the actual day-to-day realities of each role. An excellent method for this is through informational interviews, which are professional meetings with individuals working in jobs that interest you. Think of informational interviews as a tool in your career toolkit, perhaps visualized with interview clipart.
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- The core concept of informational interviews
- Benefits of conducting informational interviews
- Preparation for informational interviews
- Sample questions for informational interviews
- Follow-up actions after an informational interview
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The basic concept
An informational interview is a structured professional conversation with someone employed in a job you’re considering. You arrange a meeting to ask specific questions about their job and company, assessing how well your interests, knowledge, and skills align with that type of work. By conducting multiple informational interviews, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of career paths you might want to pursue—and those you want to avoid! This approach allows you to explore various career options efficiently.
Why do informational interviews?
- Informational interviews are an ideal way for physics students to gain insights into diverse job roles. Faculty advisors, while valuable, often have limited experience outside academia and may not provide detailed guidance on specific industry jobs.
- Informational interviews introduce you to the specifics of a particular job type—including industry-specific jargon that can be crucial for resume writing and effective job searching.
- Informational interviews offer a firsthand view of an individual in their work environment, helping you determine if that environment is a good fit for you.
- Informational interviews provide an opportunity to seek advice from professionals in the field, leading to more informed career decisions and potentially guiding your educational choices.
- Informational interviews help you establish professional connections and expand your network in a relaxed and authentic manner. Networking itself is a vital career tool, and can be represented with networking clipart.
- Informational interviews help you refine your communication skills and build self-assurance in professional conversations within a low-pressure setting.
Finding people to interview
Research broad career fields (e.g., engineering) and specific job titles within those fields (e.g., civil engineer) using your initial list of potential job titles (from Tool #1). Once you’ve narrowed down your areas of interest, seek out potential interviewees in those fields. Focus your attention on organizations that appeal to you.
Making contacts
Ask friends, neighbors, family, professors, campus career services, and alumni associations for suggestions of people to interview. Many universities have alumni career mentoring networks – an excellent starting point. Also, explore your LinkedIn and other social media contacts. Don’t limit yourself to interviewing people with physics degrees, though their perspectives can be particularly valuable. Create a list of potential contacts, focusing on individuals with shared interests, enthusiasm, or relevant experience. Consider people working in settings (e.g., office, academia, classroom) that align with your preferences.
Scheduling the interview
Once you have names, contact potential interviewees via email or phone. Clearly state who you are, why you are contacting them, and who suggested you reach out. Be professional, clear, and state that you are a student seeking an informational interview to learn about their job and explore career options. Request 15–20 minutes for a phone interview or 20–30 minutes for an in-person meeting (if they are local). Emphasize you are not asking for a job.
Respect the interviewee’s time. Stay within the agreed timeframe. Workplace visits can be insightful for assessing company culture and may be more convenient for the interviewee.
Remember, an informational interview is not a job interview. You can bring your resume or business cards, but avoid asking about specific job openings within the company. Do not offer your resume unless specifically asked.
Preparing for the discussion – Questions and topics to discuss
To respect the interviewee’s time, focus on a limited number of key issues. Prepare your questions in advance, write them down, and bring them to the interview, along with a notepad.
Example questions
The following are suggested topics for your informational interview questions. Plan for 4–6 questions to allow time for follow-up within a 15–20 minute conversation.
- Typical daily duties and responsibilities?
- Essential skills for this job type?
- Most satisfying, challenging, and frustrating aspects of the job?
- Workplace atmosphere and culture?
- Where are job openings typically advertised in this field?
- Work-life balance in this role?
- Key personal characteristics for success in this job (e.g., tenacity, creativity, leadership)?
- Relevant professional/trade associations?
- Advice for undergraduates entering this field?
- Who else could you recommend I contact for more information?
- Advice on creating a compelling resume for this industry?
Following up after the informational interview
- Send a brief, personalized thank-you note within a few days to express gratitude and demonstrate professionalism. Mention something specific you found valuable from the interview.
- Document what you learned and determine next steps. For example, if the interviewee mentioned a key professional society, consider joining it.
- If the interviewee provided contacts or leads, follow up promptly via email, call, or note.
Alt text: Tool #3 icon clipart symbolizing gaining experience, a crucial career development tool.
Tool #3 Gaining Experience
While employers consider your major and GPA, they also prioritize practical experience demonstrating workplace-relevant skills. This experience can include internships, co-ops, research, student teaching, campus involvement, service-learning, volunteering, military service, personal projects, entrepreneurship, and more. Visualizing experience as building blocks can be done with clipart of tools constructing a career path.
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- Research experiences
- Internships & Co-ops
- Campus Involvement
- Volunteering & Service-Learning
- Entrepreneurship and Personal Projects
- Student Teaching and Teaching Assistantships
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Research
While coursework offers a glimpse of experimental work, sustained research experience over a summer or several semesters provides a deeper understanding of research as a career. Most undergraduate research is done with faculty, often for course credit or as a volunteer. Paid research opportunities exist but vary. Research experience, even for a semester, is vital for graduate school aspirations. It enhances communication skills, reinforces classroom concepts, and provides project-based examples for your resume.
Initiate this process by reviewing department webpages for faculty research areas. Then, approach faculty to discuss their research, having researched their specialties beforehand. Bring your CV or resume. If projects seem interesting, inquire about lab openings. Faculty can also guide you to other opportunities, on and off-campus. Applying to competitive programs like REUs requires significant application preparation, including a resume, personal statement, transcripts, and recommendation letters.
Internships & Co-ops
Internships and co-ops are structured learning experiences in professional settings related to your field. Most internships last at least a semester with a regular weekly commitment, and can be full-time or part-time. Summer is a popular internship period. Co-ops uniquely alternate semesters of full-time work and full-time study, typically extending graduation beyond four years. Co-op students are often offered full-time roles post-graduation. Many colleges offer independent study credit for internships and co-ops—investigate this!
Finding internships or co-ops is similar to full-time job searching, requiring opportunity seeking, a resume, and interviews. Utilize the tools outlined here and your college career center.
Also, check jobs.spsnational.org for positions, internships, REUs, and co-ops locally and nationally. SPS Jobs is a valuable career tool resource.
Campus Involvement
Leadership in campus organizations, especially national groups like the Society of Physics Students, impresses employers. Emphasize your impact through leadership, documenting efforts and results, such as member recruitment, event organization, policy influence, or system improvements.
Many campuses host student organization fairs at the start of each year or semester. Explore these to find organizations that interest you. Focus on meaningful involvement in a few organizations rather than spreading yourself too thin. Quality over quantity in campus involvement is key.
Volunteering and Service-Learning
Community service is essential citizenship and enhances employability. Invest time in opportunities aligning with your interests and skills, beyond one-time events. Participate in planning and execution of service projects. Completing a service project demonstrates commitment and value to employers. Non-profits may offer opportunities to develop skills like web design or database management.
SPS chapter outreach is a significant form of service to consider as well.
Personal Projects and Entrepreneurship
Designing web pages, building apps, writing blogs, building robots, or starting small businesses showcase employer-desired attributes. Initiative, resourcefulness, perseverance, and striving for excellence are key elements of these experiences and valuable to any employer. Entrepreneurship clipart can symbolize this proactive approach.
Student Teaching and Teaching Assistantships
Interested in teaching? Many departments hire students as classroom assistants, graders, or tutors. Inquire about these opportunities with your advisor and department. They enhance topic knowledge and preview an education career. Undergraduate teaching roles offer career exploration. Also consider tutoring, physics help labs, and service-learning courses.
Alt text: Tool #4 icon clipart representing networking, a vital tool for career advancement.
Tool #4: Networking
While strong qualifications are important for job searches, networking—building professional contacts—broadens opportunities and provides career-long advice and guidance. Networking is a key career tool, often depicted with networking clipart in career presentations.
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- Networking tips
- Crafting an elevator speech
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Networking tips
Prepare an “elevator” speech
An elevator speech is a concise, 30-second self-introduction. This is your quick networking tool.
Network everywhere
Every event is a potential networking opportunity. Be ready to network with your elevator speech.
Help others
Networking is about mutual connection, not just personal career advancement. Consider what you offer to new contacts. Reciprocity is a crucial element of networking.
Attend physics meetings
Scientific society meetings are excellent for meeting potential employers in your field. These events are networking hubs.
Get involved!
Attend professional events on and off campus. Ask questions and practice your elevator speech. Active participation is key in networking events.
Ask questions!
“So, what do you do?” is a simple and effective conversation starter. Asking questions shows genuine interest in others.
Exchange contact information
Use and distribute business cards. They are a professional way to share contact details and make a positive impression. Business card clipart can represent this networking tool.
Network online
Use platforms like LinkedIn to maintain contact with new connections and expand your professional network digitally. Online networking is essential in today’s professional world.
Cultivate Relationships
Send updates to your network about your academic progress, job search status, or relevant information. Build strong, lasting professional relationships. Relationship management is vital for long-term networking success.
Project a positive attitude
You never know who you might meet who could connect you to your next career opportunity! Positivity is contagious and attractive in networking.
The elevator speech
An elevator speech is a 30-second summary of who you are, your accomplishments, and your future aspirations. It’s a brief, purposeful conversation starter to open doors with new connections. Think of it as your personal branding tool, perhaps visualized with presentation or speech bubble clipart.
Practice your elevator speech to recall key highlights easily, but avoid sounding overly rehearsed. Authenticity is important in your elevator pitch.
Your elevator speech should cover:
- Who you are
- What you’ve accomplished
- Where you hope to go
- Your passions and interests
The Missing Link
Physics graduates are well-prepared for diverse jobs, but hiring managers may be unfamiliar with the undergraduate physics experience. This section focuses on translating your physics background into a list of relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities that resonate with potential employers and form the foundation of a compelling resume. This translation is a crucial career tool, and could be represented with translation or bridge clipart.
Alt text: Tool #5 icon clipart representing skills assessment, a critical step in career preparation.
Tool #5: Assessing Your Knowledge and Skills
To stand out in a competitive applicant pool, you must effectively present yourself in writing (resume and cover letter) and in person (networking and interviews). This requires understanding who you are and what you know before drafting a resume. Careful and practiced self-assessment of your knowledge and skills is essential. Skills assessment is a fundamental career tool, and can be visually represented with assessment clipart.
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- Knowledge and skills valued in the private sector for physics bachelor’s graduates
- Common skill sets of physics students
- Working with laboratory instruments
- Conducting research
- Proficiency with computer hardware and software
- Communicating complex ideas
- Analysis and quantitative thinking
- Working with others
- Problem solving and critical thinking
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Alt text: Chart clipart illustrating knowledge and skills commonly used by physics bachelors in the private sector.
Working with laboratory instruments
Almost all physics curricula include labs in introductory courses and senior thesis or capstone projects. These experiences teach students to use diverse instruments (e.g., optical components, electronics, machine shop tools, vacuum systems, telescopes, spectrographs) and develop skills in operation, maintenance, repair, quality control, and troubleshooting. Lab instruments are tangible career tools, and can be depicted with lab equipment clipart.
Conducting research
Physics majors are strongly encouraged to engage in open-ended research, including on-campus work with professors, off-campus REUs or internships, independent projects, or course-specific projects. Research develops higher-order skills and knowledge: research design, data analysis, creative and critical thinking, error analysis, and complex problem-solving. Finding, reading, analyzing, and interpreting background information, often overlooked, is also a crucial skill developed through research. Research itself is a powerful career tool, and can be visualized with research or discovery clipart.
Proficiency with computer hardware and software
Physics studies and research often provide opportunities to develop computer hardware and software skills. Many physics majors write or modify code, use statistical analysis software, and employ modeling, image processing, and simulation techniques in research. Programs like LabVIEW for equipment control and data acquisition, or building specialized interfaces, are also common experiences. Computer skills are essential career tools in the modern workplace, and can be represented with computer or software clipart.
Communicating complex ideas
Beyond general education, physics students enhance written communication skills through technical lab reports and research papers. They may also publish research in journals or write about science for non-technical audiences, such as school newspapers. Oral communication skills are developed through presentations of research or classwork, a common physics student experience. Communication skills are vital career tools, and can be illustrated with communication or speech clipart.
Analysis and quantitative thinking
Physics students demonstrate the ability to apply math to real-world problems, especially valued in STEM fields. Employers prize analytical skills for effective information management, logical thinking, and data interpretation. Quantitative data analysis aids thorough problem examination and solution seeking. Physics intuition, developed through coursework and problem-solving, is highly valuable. The ability to analyze information and determine relevance, honed through lab work and problem-solving, is also crucial. Analytical skills are core career tools for physics graduates, and can be depicted with data analysis or logic clipart.
Working with others
Many physics students participate in research teams, campus organizations like SPS, and group projects. Teamwork, collaboration, leadership, and decision-making, evidenced by effective group work, are highly valued by employers. Working effectively in teams is a critical career tool, and can be visualized with teamwork or collaboration clipart.
Problem solving and critical thinking
Underlying these skills is problem-solving—examining situations, identifying problems, and creatively finding solutions. Physics students repeatedly practice this in labs, research, and homework. They learn to find solutions through literature and online searches, collaboration, experiments, and reasoning. Problem-solving saves employers time and money, making this skill incredibly valuable. Problem-solving is a cornerstone career tool for physics graduates, and can be illustrated with problem-solving or puzzle clipart.
Getting to Work
How can you distinguish yourself from other job applicants, especially those with more directly relevant experience or degrees? This section highlights strategies to improve your chances of getting an interview—and landing the job. Effective job searching is a key career tool, and can be represented with job search clipart.
Alt text: Tool #6 icon clipart representing effective job searching strategies, a crucial step in career advancement.
Tool #6: Effective Job Searching
Many believe a dream job hinges on a stellar resume, cover letter, and interview. While these are important, finding the job is the first step! Effective job searching focuses your time on suitable jobs matching your skills. For physics students, this means knowing where to look for job listings, preparing for job fairs, and leveraging your network.
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- Leveraging your network
- Online job databases
- Job fairs
- Considering a teaching career
- Identifying who hires physics bachelor’s
- Determining job match suitability
- Salary considerations
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Networking
Many find employment through their network. Faculty, colleagues, family, friends, LinkedIn contacts, campus career services, and professional society contacts are excellent job search resources. Networking is a powerful career tool, and can be visualized with networking clipart.
Tell everyone you meet that you are job searching. Most people are willing to offer advice, leads, and introductions. When contacting professionals, remind them how you met or who referred you. It’s often better to ask for advice or leads rather than directly for a job.
The online job search
Online databases are great for finding job openings. Many jobs suitable for physics graduates won’t appear in a “physics” keyword search, so use the list of common job titles. Here are some excellent STEM job databases:
SPS Jobs Features bachelor-level positions for physics applicants and jobs for graduates at all levels.
USAJobs The US federal government’s official job list, including NASA, NIST, and other federal labs.
Science Careers A global database for scientists of all disciplines and experience levels.
Engineer Jobs An extensive database of engineering job opportunities in the US and Canada.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) job site Engineering positions database with an entry-level jobs portal for students.
Glass Door Aggregates jobs, employee reviews, and salary data for workplace culture insights.
LinkedIn A networking hub with employer job postings, including student-oriented positions.
Indeed A large job search engine aggregating listings from thousands of websites.
Idealist A platform for non-profit organizations, resources, consultants, and volunteers, often listing STEM outreach and education positions.
Job fairs
Even before applying for jobs, attend job fairs to learn about available positions, employer-desired skills, and practice your elevator speech. The common job titles list can help you communicate effectively with job fair representatives unfamiliar with physics bachelor’s degree career paths. Job fairs are excellent career tools for exploration and networking, and can be represented with job fair clipart.
The challenge for physics students at job fairs is communicating their skills in ways relevant to employers. Engineering firm representatives may not know physics students successfully transition to engineering roles, so you must demonstrate your suitability.
Is teaching a career for you?
Teaching offers a rewarding way to share your physics and astronomy passion, while learning from students and the experience. Education careers are often overlooked during physics undergraduate studies. However, transitioning from physics to teaching is feasible, even without a teaching license or education degree. Teaching is a fulfilling career path, and can be visualized with teaching or education clipart.
Start by exploring school district websites for job openings and requirements. Contact anyone with district connections. License requirements vary by state, found on each state’s Department of Education website. Most public schools, some charter schools, and few private schools require licenses. Some schools prefer degrees in the subject area you teach. If a license is required and you lack one, apply for an alternative license through your state and complete applications. Alternative license candidates are often secondary considerations, but a contact can help. Substitute teaching builds experience, contacts, and demonstrates passion and qualifications for teaching physics, math, and related subjects.
Who is hiring physics bachelor’s?
See who is hiring physics bachelor’s in your state using this American Institute of Physics Statistical Research Center resource. This is a valuable tool for targeting your job search.
Should I apply to this position?
- Focus on qualifications. You often don’t need to meet every qualification if your cover letter and resume make a strong case. For example, if a job lists “engineering degree” but you have a physics degree, you can still be considered by highlighting your physics degree’s engineering position preparation.
- Look for keywords describing responsibilities and assess alignment with your skills, abilities, and interests.
- Research the company online to see if their mission and reputation align with your interests and ambitions, and if the salary and location are acceptable.
Salaries
New physics bachelors earn some of the highest starting salaries among undergraduate majors, especially in the private sector. Consider cost of living, retirement, flexible work schedules, health insurance, and transportation allowances when evaluating salary. Understanding your value and the full compensation package strengthens your negotiation position. Salary information and negotiation are important career tools, and can be represented with finance or salary clipart.
Alt text: Tool #7 icon clipart representing resume building, a fundamental tool in job applications.
Tool #7: Building Your Resume
A resume is a concise summary of your employment qualifications. It may be the primary information an employer uses to decide whether to interview you, so it must stand out. Resume building is a critical career tool, and can be visualized with resume clipart.
Resume writing can be challenging, but if you’ve already completed the “Identifying Your Skills” exercise, you’ve done much of the groundwork for an effective resume. Now, match your skills and experiences to the job description.
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- Resumes vs. CVs
- Resume essentials
- Suggested resume sections
- Tailoring your resume to the job
- Action verbs for resumes
- Sample resumes
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Resumes vs. CVs
Having a resume for undergraduate work or research positions is essential. A resume concisely articulates your knowledge and skills for a specific position, differing from a curriculum vitae (CV), used for academic positions (e.g., postdoctoral roles). A CV is a longer, more detailed record of an individual’s experience. Students aiming for academia should start developing a CV as undergraduates, in addition to a resume. The key differences are length, content, and detail level.
Resume essentials
Resumes have several components, but the most crucial for physics students is a detailed list of job-relevant knowledge and skills. Skills-based resumes are recommended for physics students. Expect to tailor your resume for each job application! Resume formatting and content are important career tools, and can be represented with resume template clipart.
Notes on resume style and length
Resume expert opinions and employer preferences vary. Key questions to consider regarding your resume’s organization are:
- Does it effectively tell my story?
- Is it an accurate representation of me and my experiences?
- Is the visual layout readable and reflective of different components?
Consult your school’s career services for specific guidance on resume components, formatting, and style.
Remember, tailor your resume for every job application!
Suggested resume sections
Knowledge and skills
Compare your skills list to the job description. On your resume for that job, prioritize skills most relevant to the employer. This section highlights your key career tools.
Experience
Include related experiences (jobs, internships, research, service, leadership, projects) in reverse chronological order, using section headers to prioritize relevant experiences. Write thoughtful descriptions quantifying your impact using action-oriented statements. Experience is a powerful career tool to showcase on your resume, visualized through experience timeline clipart.
Educational background
List your bachelor’s degree details (institution, graduation date or expected date), and any technical or online training courses. Use reverse chronological order, including double majors and minors. Briefly list honors, awards, and scholarships. Include your GPA if above 3.0 as many recruiters look for this. Education is a fundamental career tool, symbolized by graduation cap clipart.
Other information
This may include organization and society affiliations, extracurricular activities (especially leadership roles, e.g., team captain), and relevant hobbies. These elements can showcase well-roundedness, a valuable career attribute, and can be subtly represented with extracurricular activity clipart.
Targeting your resume for the job
Tailoring your resume to each position significantly increases interview chances. When applying for a new position, modify an existing resume to better match the specific job ad, prioritizing relevant skills and experiences first and in detail. Job-specific resumes are effective career tools, and can be represented with targeted resume clipart.
Action Verbs
Use action verbs to start phrases describing your accomplishments in the Experience section. Be specific about your impact. Action verbs are powerful tools for impactful resume writing, and can be visually represented with action verb clipart.
Sample Resume
Alt text: Tool #8 icon clipart representing cover letter writing, a key tool in job applications.
Tool #8: Writing an Effective Cover Letter
The cover letter is your first opportunity to engage a potential employer. Always include one with your resume, even if not requested. A thoughtful cover letter is crucial, especially for jobs not requiring a physics degree, as it allows you to highlight your suitability for the position. Effective cover letters are essential career tools, and can be represented with cover letter clipart.
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- Cover letter basics
- Cover letter tips
- Maximizing the cover letter opportunity
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Cover letter basics
The opening
Address the cover letter to the specific contact person listed in the ad. If no name is given, “Dear Hiring Manager” is appropriate.
The beginning
The first paragraph should be brief, stating the position you’re applying for and expressing your interest.
The middle
This is the main part of the cover letter, typically one or two paragraphs. Explicitly connect your background to job requirements from the position ad.
The closing
Thank the employer for considering your application and express your anticipation for a potential in-person meeting to discuss the position. Express enthusiasm for the opportunity.
Cover letter tips
Connect job ad requirements to your experiences, skills, knowledge, and background in your cover letter. Highlight resume phrases matching the job description or stated requirements. Give specific examples of your experiences and abilities. For instance: “I have over two years of experience using ___, equipment required for this position.”
Provide evidence of your skills, including intrapersonal skills like time management, initiative, dependability, self-monitoring, organization, planning, and professionalism. Avoid generic trait lists; instead, highlight one or two traits with specific examples. For example: “Due to my dependability and leadership, I was promoted to manager within six months at ____.”
Maximizing the opportunity
Demonstrate strong writing skills
The cover letter is a professional document, but not necessarily dull. Use active voice and verbs, and proofread for spelling and grammar. Eloquent writing can elevate your application. Seek editorial feedback from university career services, professors, or friends. Avoid generic adjectives; be genuine, direct, and engaging. Strong writing is a powerful career tool, and can be visualized with writing or pen clipart.
Emphasize your contributions to the company
Use the cover letter to focus on what you will contribute to the company, not personal benefits from the job. For example, “I am excited to use my data manipulation skills to enhance your team’s image processing efficiency.” Focus on company benefits that also excite you.
Alt text: Tool #9 icon clipart representing interview skills, a crucial tool for job success.
Tool #9: Acing the Interview
An interview is a mutual opportunity for you and the employer to assess job fit. The employer presents the job, and you sell yourself by elaborating on your resume and cover letter. The interview is your chance to convince the employer you are the best candidate. Interview skills are vital career tools, and can be represented with interview clipart.
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- Improving your interview odds
- Interview preparation
- Tips for phone or virtual interviews
- Tips for face-to-face interviews
- Sample interview questions
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Increasing your odds
Interview selection depends on various factors—reviewer mood, pre-selected candidates, application ranking methods, posting duration, and even chance. However, following best practices and preparing targeted resumes and cover letters for suitable positions increases your interview chances. Advance preparation also significantly prepares you for the interview itself.
Preparing for an interview
1. Know your interviewer
Research the individual, company, department, and relevant information beforehand. Company research is a key interview preparation tool.
2. Do mock interviews
Practice answering questions aloud and seek feedback on verbal and nonverbal communication. Mock interviews are valuable practice tools.
3. Know your strengths and weaknesses
Preparation makes these questions easier and more strategic to answer. Self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses is a crucial interview tool.
4. Prepare specific stories demonstrating your skills and abilities
Practice articulating these in response to common interview questions. Storytelling is a powerful tool in interviews.
5. Prepare questions for your interviewer
This demonstrates interest and professionalism, and insightful questions leave a positive impression. Asking questions is a tool for demonstrating engagement and interest.
6. Stay calm!
If unsure how to answer, relax, breathe, and pause to think. “I don’t know” is acceptable, followed by your approach to finding a solution. Calmness is a valuable tool during interviews.
7. Be aware of illegal questions
Employers cannot legally ask about race, ethnicity, citizenship, marital status, children, sexual orientation, religion, age, disabilities, military service, or organizational memberships. Some states also limit criminal record inquiries. Knowing your rights is an important interview preparation tool.
Tips for phone or virtual interviews
Phone interviews are often crucial for securing face-to-face interviews, and sometimes replace them entirely. Take them seriously! Virtual interview tips are valuable tools for success.
Tips for face-to-face interviews
1. Dress professionally for the potential job title
Your attire reflects confidence and ambition. If unsure, consult someone in a similar role. Research dress codes. It’s always better to be overdressed. Professional attire is a key tool for making a good first impression.
2. Maintain best behavior at all times
Treat everyone with respect, even when buying coffee nearby or interacting with the supervisor’s assistant before the interview. Professional behavior is a constant tool for success.
3. Turn off your phone
Turn off your phone before entering the facility, not just before the interview begins. Phone etiquette is a simple but crucial tool.
5. After the interview
Thank everyone you meet for their time. A thank-you letter expresses gratitude, demonstrates writing skills, and allows you to add missed information. Send tailored thank-you emails within 24 hours, followed by a handwritten note for extra impact. Thank-you notes are effective follow-up tools.
6. Evaluating Offers
The interview goal is a job offer. Once received, resist impulsivity. Evaluate offers carefully. Once accepted, cease other job searches and honor your acceptance. Offer evaluation is a critical decision-making tool.
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.
- In a job, what interests you most/least?
- What is your major weakness?
- Give an example of how you solved a problem in the past.
- What are your strengths?
- How do others describe you?
- What do you consider your best accomplishment in your last job?
- Where do you see yourself in three years?
- Think about something you consider a failure in your life, and tell me why you think it happened.
- How do you think you will fit into this operation?
- If you were hired, what ideas/talents could you contribute to the position and our company?
- Give an example of where you showed leadership and initiative.
- Give an example of when you were able to contribute to a team project.
- What have you done to develop or change in the last few years?
- Do you have any questions for me?
Behavioral-based Questions
from www.thebalance.com
- Give an example of an occasion when you used logic to solve a problem.
- Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it.
- Give an example of a goal you didn’t meet and how you handled it.
- Describe a stressful situation at work and how you handled it.
- Tell me about how you work effectively under pressure.
- How do you handle a challenge?
- Have you been in a situation where you didn’t have enough work to do?
- Have you ever made a mistake? How did you handle it?
- Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you handled implementing it.
- Did you ever make a risky decision? Why? How did you handle it?
- Did you ever postpone making a decision? Why?
- Have you ever dealt with company policy you weren’t in agreement with? How?
- Have you gone above and beyond the call of duty? If so, how?
- When you worked on multiple projects how did you prioritize?
- How did you handle meeting a tight deadline?
- Give an example of how you set goals and achieve them.
- Did you ever not meet your goals? Why?
- What do you do when your schedule is interrupted? Give an example of how you handle it.
- Have you had to convince a team to work on a project they weren’t thrilled about? How did you do it?
- Give an example of how you’ve worked on a team.
- Have you handled a difficult situation with a co-worker? How?
- What do you do if you disagree with a co-worker?
- Share an example of how you were able to motivate employees or co-workers.
- Do you listen? Give an example of when you did or when you didn’t listen.
- Have you handled a difficult situation with a supervisor? How?
- Have you handled a difficult situation with another department? How?
- Have you handled a difficult situation with a client or vendor? How?
- What do you do if you disagree with your boss?
Career preparation is an iterative process. Revisit skills and knowledge assessment frequently, update your elevator speech, and expand your network throughout your undergraduate career and beyond. As you develop new skills and experiences, your career plans may evolve. Investing time in career preparation throughout your undergraduate experience prepares you for an effective, thoughtful 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: Careers Toolbox book cover clipart, a resource for physics students’ career preparation.
Affecting change in your department
Action items – Ways for students to have influence in the department
- Discuss with faculty and department leaders the possibility of alumni involvement in mock interviews.
- Discuss department support for student participation in professional meetings with faculty and department leaders.
- Encourage faculty to involve undergraduates in collaborative research.
- Encourage physics departments to offer a 1-2 credit course on career decision-making and professional skill acquisition.
- Address career preparation issues at SPS meetings, perhaps inviting alumni or career services professionals to share information and resources.
Recommended online resources
SPS Jobs Browse job listings and resources for physics bachelor’s degree holders.
Physics Today Job Resources Access career option information, resume and cover letter templates, and job application advice.
SPS Career Resources Explore physics career information, profiles, advice, and related resource links.
Who’s Hiring Physics Bachelor’s? Click on a state to see recent employers of physics bachelor’s recipients.
AIP Statistics: Skills Physics Bachelor’s Use Read “Physics Bachelor’s Initial Employment,” Figure 4 shows skills used by physics bachelor’s recipients in their first jobs.
APS Careers Website Access career resources, APS Webinar Archive links, Career Workshops from annual meetings, professional development guide links, and more.
GradSchoolShopper Investigate graduate programs in physics, astronomy, and physical sciences.
About the Careers Toolbox
In 2010, the American Institute of Physics (AIP) received a National Science Foundation grant to understand how physics departments can effectively prepare undergraduates for the STEM workforce. This project is a collaboration between the AIP Education Division (home of the Society of Physics Students) and the AIP Statistical Research Center. The 4th Edition of the Toolbox was published in 2017.
Through site visits to physics departments prioritizing career preparation, the project explored best practices for preparing physics students for the STEM workforce. Findings are disseminated via reports, articles, and workshops. This toolbox is based on these findings, with input from undergraduate physics student interns and others.
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) Career Pathways Project is funded by National Science Foundation Award Number: 1011829.
For more information, contact [email protected]. Print copies of the Toolbox are available from the SPS Store.
Primary Career Toolbox 4th Edition Authors
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
Career Toolbox 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
Career Toolbox 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, by the American Institute of Physics and the Society of Physics Students.
Funded by National Science Foundation award number 1011829.
© American Institute of Physics
