The Job Market Experience: As Shared by SMU PhD in Business Candidates
During a sharing session organised by SMU's Lee Kong Chian School of Business, four PhD in Business graduating students shared how they secured faculty placements at prestigious universities from around the world. Some tips shared include going for mock interviews, getting more reference letters, finding the universities' requirements, and sending applications to departments within the universities of interest.
The ‘Job Market Experience Sharing Session’ on 26 February 2019, brought together nearly 60 SMU academic research PhD students. These students uncovered tips shared by four PhD in Business graduating students—Sungkyun Moon, Tan Yong Chin, Jin Mengzi, and Guo Li.
Organised by SMU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB), the sharing session was geared towards PhD students preparing for the job market. The four graduating students shared about how they secured faculty placements at prestigious universities from around the world, including Bocconi University in Italy, City University of Hong Kong, Fudan University in Shanghai and Peking University in Beijing.
Sharing by Sungkyun: identity and practice
Sungkyun expressed his gratitude to SMU for empowering him to embark on his job market journey. He emphasised the importance of the job market paper and encouraged pursuing one’s passions. Sungkyun highlighted two key areas of focus.
The first was identity, which involves understanding oneself and defining one’s future as a researcher, as well as distinguishing oneself in the field. The second was Practice, which underscores the value of going the extra mile, such as arranging mock interviews with faculty members.
Yong Chin’s take on the job market
Yong Chin shared several insights with the students based on his own experiences in the job market. He recommended securing at least four reference letters to avoid last-minute requests. He stressed the importance of submitting a complete application package, even if it's not always required. Yong Chin also advised against overscheduling conferences, as it might affect interview preparation time. He suggested taking interviewers' responses with caution, as their reactions do not always reflect the actual outcomes.
For onsite campus visits, he recommended booking flexible flight options, preparing conversation starters, and learning more about key decision-makers.
Mengzi’s memorable job search experience
Mengzi discussed the challenging, aggressive questions she faced during interviews, highlighting that her regular practice with job talks and the support from friends and advisors were crucial to her success. She advised prospective applicants to thoroughly understand the specific requirements of universities in China to clarify the application process.
Mengzi concluded by saying that if she had to sum up her job market experience in one word, it would be "grateful."
Guo Li’s keys to success and personal insights
Guo Li credited his success to maintaining a diversified portfolio, exploring various projects, and being mindful of early deadlines. He also emphasised the importance of applying not only to universities of interest but also to specific departments within those institutions that align with his research and are likely to consider his application.
Guo Li described his job market experience with two defining words: "communication" and "luck."
Key takeaways and final reflections
A key question that emerged was: What personal factors influenced your choice of where to apply?
Sungkyun focused his applications on institutions that aligned with his research interests, while Mengzi emphasized considering the country’s environment and economic growth.
SMU Associate Professor Roy Chua, Programme Director of the PhD in Business programme, advised students to record and prepare answers for common questions raised during practice job talks. He also suggested participating in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition to develop essential skills for interviews and presentations.
It was incredibly rewarding to see students depart from the session with numerous valuable insights. We hope their job market experiences will prove as fruitful and fulfilling as those of their predecessors.
Learn more about SMU PhD programmes today.
