Types of people and skills If you have the credentials, you’ll be taken seriously as a candidate at the college, which employs more than 1,000 people. An IT systems analyst, for example, needs experience with database management and reporting as well as communication skills. An applicant for global business manager should be able to speak, read, and write fluently in Spanish or Portuguese; a digital marketing administrator needs working knowledge of HTML, basic Web design, and production software.
No matter what the role - faculty or staff, administrative or technical - individuals need expertise in their field, solid education or training, and experience, she added. For example, finance at a hedge fund is not the same as at a college or university, so a finance manager would need higher education or nonprofit experience.
Creativity, teamwork, and flexibility are also valued. “We want creative individuals who are innovative and hard-working,’’ Bonaparte said.
How to get the skills Since the colleges and universities have such a broad array of jobs, Bonaparte and Breda say start by narrowing the focus. Too often, they said, candidates will take a fire-hose approach, applying for several positions that have little in common.
Once you have a focus, know what credentials and skills are required. Work in the bursar’s office, for example, might require an accounting degree or certificate, so candidates could enroll in such a program. And since Babson has volunteer opportunities, that’s one way to get your foot in the door and meet valuable contacts.
Getting in the door Breda is a longtime Babson employee who started as a contractor, then was hired to the staff, working her way up the ladder. Bonaparte, a former health care executive, was introduced to Babson by a recruiter and saw an opportunity to use her human resource and training skills.
They advise candidates to make sure their resume highlights the specific credentials colleges and universities are seeking for the job. As with many colleges and universities, Babson uses screening software to match resumes against hiring managers’ search terms. If a candidate is deemed qualified, the person is screened with a telephone interview. Three to five candidates will be chosen for a face-to-face interview.
How to stand out? Read job requirements carefully, include all required documents, and proofread your submission.
