Getting a job or assistantship: How to surpass the competition

Opportunities in fisheries are scarce and competition for them is fierce, b ecause often demand greatly exceeds supply. We offer our advice to prospect ive job or assistantship seekers based on our recent experiences, both in g etting positions and trying to find the best applicants to fill openings. O ur focus is on state agency management jobs and Cooperative Research Unit a ssistantships. Tactics vary, but success requires acquiring the credentials necessary for the position you desire, investing time and energy in an org anized strategy to find the positions, and properly executing the necessary steps to receive an offer. The right coursework, job and volunteer experie nce, and technical skills are important, but knowing how to find openings, prepare your resume and application, and prepare for and execute exams and interviews are critical. To compete successfully, applicants must develop t he personality, maturity, and track record of achievement that will make th em someone that potential employers or professors will feel they can work w ith comfortably and productively.