Frequently Asked Questions

What type of job do you want?
Where? (Geographically)?


Academics (University or College), industry, government?

  • University level: Ph.D. required, teaching and research
  • College level: Masters or Ph.D., teaching mostly
  • Industry: Ph.D., Masters, B.S. or B.A.
  • Government: Ph.D., Masters (Census Bureau)

How to find a job to apply for? Places to look:
Career Resources for Students. This lists academic jobs and non-academic jobs. These pages are updated as advertisements come in. Most jobs are advertised by the headquarters of the company. This does not automatically imply that the job is where the headquarters is. The job listings are also posted on the Bulletin Board outside Math 532 by expiration date.

Amstat News. Industry jobs are advertised all the time. Most of the academic jobs are advertised November and December, but some run year round. Most of the faculty receive The Amstat News, and if you are a member of the American Statistical Association (which you should be) you receive it.

IMS Bulletin advertises academic jobs.

Department of Statistics Wisconsin employment links

University of Florida Statistics Job Announcements

Science often advertises jobs for Statisticians.

Center for Career Opportunities is located in Stewart Center room 194, and they work with graduate students, as well as undergraduates. Phone number: 494-3981. This service is free to all students at Purdue University. Visit their site for all kinds of valuable information.

Headhunters. A "headhunter" is a person whose job is to locate jobs and potential employees. The headhunter works for the employer. Please remember that headhunters work for the employer. You do not pay them. If a headhunter suggests payment from you, find someone else to help you.
Once you find a job to apply for . . . what's next?
Cover letters:

  • Always identify the job you are applying for. If there is a job number in the advertisement, put it in your cover letter.

  • Always identify where you saw the job advertised ( e.g., Amstat News)

  • Keep cover letters as short as possible, but show interest in the job.

There are books in libraries describing how to write cover letters for specific job situations.

Résumé/CV:

  • Résumé: Describes your academic history, awards, internships, and job experience, list of references.

  • Curriculum vitae (CV): Is a longer résumé. CV's are used mostly at the Ph.D. level. They detail your publications, professional societies, list of references, etc.

  • Spend time developing your Résumé or CV. Please make sure there are no spelling errors. Have someone else read your cover letter and résumé/CV before you send it.

    If you would like to borrow a file of examples, see Prof. Doerge, MATH 522. Later we may put an example here.
How do I post a job on the Purdue University Department of Statistics Job list?
To post a job advertisement, please e-mail a full job ad to: stat-jobs@stat.purdue.edu