Ready to graduate or recently graduated?
Graduated a while ago, but recently laid off?
Navigating the job market can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. These strategies will help you focus your search, highlight your strengths, and tap into the powerful DEOHS alumni community. With the right tools, you can move forward with clarity and confidence. Here are seven survival skills to help you navigate an uncertain employment landscape.
1. Research trends in EH/OH job markets
Understanding current trends in environmental health and occupational health helps you target roles that are growing, stable, or emerging. By tracking shifts in workforce needs, you can align your skills with the areas employers are prioritizing.
To learn more about where job opportunities are growing the fastest and paying the best, check out the ONET database maintained by the US Department of Labor. You can dive deeper into Environmental Health jobs here, and Occupational Health jobs here.
If you are just getting started in your career, you may struggle to articulate what you are looking for in a workplace. Learn more on How to identify your professional values, as well as Finding a job that aligns with your values.
2. Embrace constraints in your job search
Constraints (whether geographic, personal, or professional) can actually sharpen your focus and make your search more strategic. When you define what truly matters, you spend less time chasing misaligned roles and more time pursuing opportunities that fit your goals. Treat constraints as guideposts that help you move with clarity and purpose.
Use filters first, then be thoughtful and intentional about keywords. Avoid relying solely on job titles, which can miss a lot of roles that might be a great fit but are called something else. Instead, search for skills that you already have, so when you find a role that sounds interesting, you are already a strong candidate.
Be sure to bookmark the SPH Jobs Board, where I post dozens of entry- and mid-level jobs each month. This handout can help you Assess an Employers Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, which can be hard to discern from the outside. To protect yourself during your search, be sure to review the tips in this Fraudulent Job Postings Handout.
3. Tap into UW, SPH & DEOHS alumni networks
Your alumni community is one of your most powerful career resources, offering insights, referrals, and real-world perspectives from people who’ve walked your path. Reaching out to fellow Huskies can open doors to hidden opportunities and deepen your understanding of specific organizations or roles. Thoughtful, genuine connections often lead to meaningful professional momentum.
This list of 20 Questions for a Career Conversation can help you learn more about how to articulate what you are looking for. To find alumni who are most interested in networking with UW grads, build a profile in Husky Landing with the UW Alumni Association.
Use this LinkedIn profile checklist to tune up your profile before reaching out the hundreds of Occupational Health and Environmental Health alumni on the platform, and join us in the DEOHS Student & Alumni LinkedIn Group.
4. Optimize your resume
A strong resume highlights your impact, not just your responsibilities, and makes it easy for employers to see the value you bring. Using clear language, relevant keywords, and measurable results helps you stand out in competitive applicant pools. Think of your resume as a strategic marketing tool, not a static record.
Here are some examples of resumes, as well as an example of a resume presented in both chronological and functional formats. This Resume Action Verb List can help you make your bullet points work as hard for you as they need to. If you are converting a CV into a resume, it is mostly a process of subtraction.
To ensure that your resume is read by a human, use an resume optimizer like Jobscan to make it through the ATS screening process. You will need to remember your UW NetID and password to access this platform for free.
5. Craft a compelling cover letter
A well-crafted cover letter tells the story behind your resume, showing employers why you’re not just qualified but genuinely motivated to join their team. By connecting your experiences to the organization’s mission and needs, you demonstrate alignment and authenticity. This is your chance to convey personality, purpose, and enthusiasm.
I recommend a five-paragraph structure that looks like this:
- Convey excitement and enthusiasm
- Tell a short story that relates to the job
- Tell a second short story
- Tell a third short story
- Reiterate excitement and enthusiasm, ask for an interview
This handout and these sample cover letters illustrate several different approaches to making the case for why they should interview you.
6. Ace the interview
Interviews are your opportunity to translate your experience into a clear narrative about who you are and how you solve problems. Preparing thoughtful examples, researching the organization, and practicing your delivery can help you communicate with confidence. The goal is to build rapport while showing you’re ready to contribute from day one.
This Interview Prep Worksheet will help you identify what you want to say about yourself and the employer in response to whatever questions they pose. Keep in mind that the qualities they are looking for may not be named in the question; here is a list of Weakness questions in disguise.
Many employers are moving to asynchronous interview platforms, and it can be unnerving responding to interview prompts when no one is there. These Virtual Interview Strategy & Tactics will help you ensure that your enthusiasm is coming through loud and clear. You can also use the Yoodli AI-powered speech coach to get detailed feedback on your responses, including your rate of speech, eye contact and use of week or filler words. You will need to remember your UW NetID and password to access this platform for free.
7. Negotiate salary & benefits
Negotiation is a normal and expected part of the hiring process, and it’s your chance to ensure your compensation reflects your skills and market value. With research and preparation, you can approach these conversations with clarity and professionalism. A strong negotiation sets the tone for a healthy, equitable working relationship.
This Evaluating Offers & Salary Negotiation handout will help you identify your priorities in the process. For a deeper dive into these tactics, check out the recent SPH Career Group negotiation webinar here. You will need to remember your UW NetID and password to access this recording in Panopto.
If you are not sure how much you need, this What Does It Cost to be You spreadsheet can help you identify your range. You may also need to negotiate workplace accommodations, a process that is very different than the process at UW. This Guide to Disclosure in the Workplace will help you set yourself up for success.
This process can be dehumanizing and demoralizing.
Be sure to focus on your mental health by taking breaks and complementing your applications with networking. This Dealing with Rejection handout identifies six myths that underlie our responses to rejection, and may be helpful in avoiding burnout.
Alumni are encouraged to schedule a Career Services appointment with Dan Poux, DEOHS Manager of Experiential Learning & Career Services, to discuss their next steps.
Check out the School of Public Health jobs board here, where we post dozens of entry- and mid-level EH and OH jobs each month.
We can fine tune your job search, review your resume or connect you with other DEOHS alumni.