Advice for the Job Search Process

Before graduating, the class of 2019 left us with some advice about the process of finding and interviewing for jobs. Our current second years are grateful for these suggestions as they begin the task of finalizing resumes, preparing for NSGC, and thinking about where to apply for jobs.

General Advice

Interviewing for jobs can be extraordinarily satisfying but also quite stressful, especially in addition to your academic and clinical obligations. My biggest piece of advice is to use your resources. Robin and Andrea supported me through every step of the job process, from applying to interviewing to negotiating to celebrating! You are incredibly fortunate to have them, so do not be afraid to reach out for help.

You’ve worked incredibly hard to get to this point. You know this – Do the people you interview with seem to appreciate this, too? Do they seem excited about the skills and experience you can bring to the team? Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. The excitement should be mutual, too. Ask them questions. Ask yourself, how do you feel when picturing yourself working there? A job will likely not check every box – specialty, research opportunities, location, salary, etc. Are you the kind of person who makes a pro/con list of all these factors, or goes with your gut? Ultimately, this first job is very likely not forever. Don’t be afraid to take a little risk for what excites you. You deserve it!

Have confidence that you will all find a position, and remember that it’s not the end of the world if you don’t secure a position before graduation. As your first job, take your time and make sure that it’ll be something that you’re happy with and interested in!

Questions to ask during interviews

Have a list of questions of things that are important to you:

How does this position help you get ready to take boards? What are the first few months like in terms of the patient load (do you start with the same amount you’ll be in charge of once you pass boards)?

What type of feedback will you receive? How do you know outside of your own perceptions how you’re doing? Do they have a formal annual review process? Does your supervisor give direct, frequent feedback?  Do they have support systems for when you start working with students? How do they encourage individuals to take care of themselves and avoid burnout?

Probably the most important question is can you see yourself working there and being happy? When you talk to the genetic counselors or other staff, do you feel like you want to spend a whole work week with them? Remember, we spend the most awake time with our work colleagues.  Ultimately, you want to find a position where you can really see yourself thriving.

Other good questions to ask are what support will they provide a new counselor and what educational expenses will they pay for (boards, study materials, conferences, CEU’s, etc.).

Determine the mentorship process—In order to determine this, it can be helpful to ask certain questions including:  Do I present my cases weekly to all my colleagues? Is there a formal mentor-match process or should I seek someone out?  Is there an on-boarding process? Is there someone I’ll report to directly?

Choosing a position

Don’t be afraid to apply for a position that is different than expected; if there was something that you enjoyed during rotations but it’s not what you originally imagined you would do, just give it a shot! Just because you interview doesn’t mean you have to take the position (or that you’ll get it!) so go in with an open mind to interviews and assess it yourself. Realize that you will also have to live where you get a position, and you’ll be working with your future colleagues every day.  Try to get an understanding of the people with whom you will be working. As a new genetic counselor, you will be learning from your future colleagues.

There are so many jobs to be found—find the one that is right for you! Think of aspects from your rotations that you have experienced/seen—whether it is the set-up of the clinic, the counseling space, the interactions and relationships between co-workers and physicians, required meetings, etc. Only you will know what will work for you. You will be a successful genetic counselor regardless, but don’t be discouraged if it takes time to find the job that is best for you!

Keep in mind what you want out of a position - specialty, student interactions, location, etc. There are many great positions out there, and the important aspect is finding the right one for you! Don’t forget to ask about case load, supports and expectations for new counselors, and what they’ll pay for (boards, licensure fees, conferences, etc.).

Think about what the most important aspect of a position is for you - is it starting with the highest wage you can get, is it a certain location or could you only see yourself in one specialty? Everything will be easier if you choose your one priority and then focus on it.

Determine the split of the position. Many positions are listed as being a mix of research and clinic work.  Some questions that may be helpful in determining how time is divided between the two include: How many days a week are you in clinic, and what are the average case numbers per week?  Are there dedicated hours/days for research? Is there a project they would like you to work on or are you able to choose? Can you collaborate with other departments on research projects? Are counselors able to apply for their own research funding/ initiate projects (as opposed to supporting a physician)?

Picture yourself working there. (This may seem obvious but can be helpful). As you interview with a supervisor, can you see yourself communicating effectively with them? When you meet with counselors, determine if you can see them as co-workers.  Can you envision yourself walking through the door there every day?  This is more the X factor.  You can usually get a vibe from a clinic when you walk in.  Are you okay with how HR/ administrative staff have helped organize your interview? Do the offices seem like somewhere you’d want to work (or are there no windows or cramped spaces)?  If you can’t quantify or justify your feeling, that’s okay...trust your instincts.

Benefits

Ask about non-salary perks. Some of these include paying for your last semester, the board exam or certification, and opportunities to work from home.

Ask about boards: Will they provide time off to study or if you have to travel to the location to take the boards? Will they help with the cost of these expenses? Determine what the clinic and administrative responsibilities are: do they have GCAs? How many patients do they see a week? How many days of clinic? Can you work any days from home? Don’t be afraid to ask about benefits: How much vacation time? What are the health benefits and other employee benefits?

-The Class of 2019