Job searching can be a challenging journey, but with the right strategies, it can also be a rewarding one. While I had initially intended to stay at ESSEC for at least 5 years, I was very frustrated in my role. I didn’t necessarily intend to do a full-blown job search, but within a few weeks of deciding to leave, I found myself fielding conversations with 3 recruiters, 2 companies that I had some connection with, and 2 companies based on applications alone. After dozens of interviews in the span of a month, I ended up accepting an offer for which I had no interview at all!
Why was my search so easy? Well, here are five key pieces of advice that helped me land my current position:
1. Continually Upskill
In today’s fast-paced world, upskilling is essential. At ESSEC, I was hired for my expertise in higher education and management experience. However, I soon realized that gaining a deeper understanding of instructional design—particularly corporate instructional design—would enhance my effectiveness. Recognizing that the people I managed weren’t necessarily trained in instructional design either, I enrolled in IDOL Academy to gain new skills. My intention was to learn more about tools that were already available to my team and me at ESSEC (Genially and Articulate 360), but it didn’t stop there! I was able to turn this practical knowledge into a strategic goal: diversify the learning materials at ESSEC, branching out from traditional MOOC formats (videos, quizzes, and resources). I also discovered a deep love for Canva!
This strategy ultimately worked wonders at ESSEC, resulting in a presentation at MoodleMoot Global in Barcelona in September 2023, a pedagogy prize for one of the SPOCs we had worked on, and an exciting webinar with FeedbackFruits! That said, this upskilling also made me attractive to other employers — both in higher education and in corporate! Indeed, one of the jobs I interviewed for (but ultimately turned down for my current position) was in one of the few French unicorn tech companies!
2. Consistently Improve Your LinkedIn Profile and Resume
Whether you’re actively looking for a job or not, it’s crucial to keep your LinkedIn profile and resume up to date. This not only showcases your ongoing professional development but also catches the eye of recruiters who may have opportunities that aren’t widely advertised. I had never really followed this advice in the past, only updating my LinkedIn profile when I was looking to make a change. But thanks to my training at IDOL Academy, I was required to update my resume, website/portfolio, and LinkedIn without even intending to change jobs.
Because of this, in March 2024 when I saw that Quest Education Group was experiencing rapid expansion and accepting spontaneous applications, I had a resume all ready and was able to draft the winning cover letter to send straight to the CEO! A week or two later, when I had a few recruiters contact me, I was able to send them that same resume and begin the interview processes immediately. Around the same time, when a former colleague from Crimson Education who had transferred to a subsidiary heard of a role, she thought of me and I was also able to use my fancy IDOL resume!
3. Be Honest, But Smart
At ESSEC, I was not entirely satisfied. While my LinkedIn profile only sang the praises of my employer (as I believe is the best course of action), at networking events, I chose to be honest about my experiences and disappointments. While I was honest, I always remained professional, expressing my dissatisfaction with the academic quality I had discovered at ESSEC and the concrete steps I was taking to address it from my position.
Much to my surprise, most people I expressed these frustrations with completely understood. It seems what goes on in French business schools is no big secret and as a foreigner, I simply wasn’t aware. In fact, one of the first people I confided in about my dissatisfaction is now my new boss, which underscores the value of honest and professional communication.
4. Know What You Want
Understanding what you want from a job is crucial. My interviews at ESSEC were too easy, revealing low expectations and a lack of expertise in my field among the leadership. With very few professional experiences under my belt, I ignored those red flags and assumed the prestigious name would make the job worth my while, but this was not my experience at all. Now, I realize just how important having a good manager is, as well as working for a company with a clear vision that resonates with your own values.
In my interviews, I learned to ask hard questions to my future managers to understand their vision, expertise, and appreciation for my contributions. Sometimes, this led to uncomfortable moments (for instance, a spirited discussion about management styles with one potential manager), but this was ultimately the right approach for me. When I got the call from Quest, I had already sought opinions from colleagues who had experience with this employer and I knew that it was the right place for me!
5. Know Your Value
My final piece of advice is to recognize your worth and don’t be afraid to create opportunities for yourself. Job ads often don’t tell the whole story, and roles can evolve. For instance, at SAE, my role expanded beyond what was initially described, allowing me to grow and take on higher responsibilities. What was originally labeled a “coordinator” role was actually a “manager” role on my contract, but ultimately became a “director” one because I took on budgets, certifications, and curriculum/instructional design in addition to coordinating the academic efforts of the campus. All of this ultimately gave me a 360 understanding of the basic workings of a higher education institution.
Likewise, I didn’t even have a “fiche de poste” at ESSEC! Aside from the LinkedIn ad, there was nothing written down about what I was expected to do. I ultimately had to design my role and responsibilities from the ground up.
This adaptability helped me realize how much I love assessing situations and proposing solutions! My latest job resulted from a spontaneous application to the CEO, where I proposed a new position based on conversations with current employees. And she accepted!
Understanding your value and being proactive can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
Conclusion
Job searching is more than just finding a new position; it’s about growth, learning, and finding the right fit for your skills and aspirations. I hope my recent experience can help other PhDs (or anyone really!) secure employment that is not only gainful, but also fulfilling!