1 CV’s and applications for PHD’s - 2 Tom Davie Careers Adviser Careers Advisory Service 49 New Elvet – 5.00 (term – time) – – 5.00 (vacations)

2 You need to consider:  Presentation/layout  Content  Length

3 ACADEMIC CV’s What should they include?  Personal details  Education  Work Experience  Publications  Conferences  Additional skills and achievements  Interests  References

4 LETS TAKE THIS A STEP FURTHER… What would you include under:  Personal details?  PhD research?  Other education?  Work experience?  Publications and Conferences  Additional skills and achievements?  Interests?  Who will be your references?

5 WHAT MIGHT YOU DECIDE TO LEAVE OUT?  CV at the top of the page?  A career goal/personal profile?  School record?  Work experience that does not sell skills?

6 COVERING LETTERS  Explain who you are  Say why you want the post  Give examples of your suitability  Explain why you want to work in that Institution  Provide other general information  Say when you are available for interview

7 OTHER TYPES OF CV Targeted Useful if you know what the employer is looking for…  Highlights on Page 1 the key skills and qualities you possess which are relevant to the post (skills profile) and where you have obtained these  Therefore plagiarises the advert  Then follows on with a standard reverse chronological CV

8 PAGE ONE MIGHT LOOK LIKE THIS Personal details Skills profile Communication: both oral and written when planning preparing and leading seminars with undergraduate students Team Working: demonstrated when rowing for Ustinov College Where I proved my commitment to succeed and encouraged others to also do so Time Management: able to balance my academic research alongside family commitments and leisure activities Computer literacy: can use a wide variety of packages including Excel, SPSS and C++

9 REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL Similar to your academic CV but… May omit:  Publications  Conferences May emphasise more:  Non academic work experience  Transferable skills

10 Transferable skills gained from PhD research  lateral and creative thinking  adaptable / flexible approach to work and research  ability to absorb, analyse and interpret detailed data and information  advanced computer literacy  able to challenge premises, question procedures, interpret meaning, offer alternatives  capacity to access information from a wide range of resources and sources  self discipline and motivation when working in isolation  perseverance – able to overcome difficulties  priority setting – time management  report writing  oral communication when undertaking presentations, lectures and delivering papers at conferences  team working / collaboration – undertaking research with academic colleagues on similar areas of interest  Supportive – supervision of undergraduate students  others?

11 Employer View of application forms… “They serve the purpose of preventing thousands of unwanted applicants and attracting highly motivated, suitable individuals who are prepared to see the job through”

12 Many outside academia include… Competency Based Questions Eg. Describe a time… Tell us about… Have you ever… Therefore demonstrate evidence of skills

13 Competency Based Question Teamwork ‘Describe an occasion where you worked as part of a team, and what your contribution to the team was.’ (haysmacintyre – Chartered Accountants)

14 Weak Answer Teamwork ‘Describe an occasion where you worked as part of a team, and what your contribution to the team was.’ “The University’s Photographic Club Committee arranges an exhibition of members’ work each November. As venue co- manager, I had less than a day to organise access to the studio, arrange and display the photographs and set up the lighting. I quickly realised that my co-manager wasn’t pulling his weight and that our clash of personalities was leading to friction and resentment, putting the opening of the exhibition under threat. After discussion, I moved him to less stressful duties and, through sheer hard work, got the venue ready in time.”

15 Why is it Weak?  Too much space used describing the problems faced rather than what was done to overcome them.  Tone of answer casts doubts on applicant’s suitability to work with others.  Misses point of question by using it as opportunity to show off ability to get things done.

16 Strong Answer Teamwork ‘Describe an occasion where you worked as part of a team, and what your contribution to the team was.’ “The University’s Photographic Club Committee arranges an exhibition of members’ work each November. Initially a lack of co-ordination in how the committee set up the venue led to misunderstanding and loss of valuable time. I called a meeting and suggested a systematic plan with each committee member undertaking specific organisational tasks. This equal division of labour and improvement in communication led to closer co-operation, allowing us to open the exhibition in time.”

17 Why is it Strong? 1. Makes the answer fit the question 2. It shows that the applicant can identify problems, come up with solutions and work with others. 3. Refers to any difficulties in an impersonal and unemotional manner.

18 Competency Based Question Achievements ‘Which of your achievements has given you the most personal satisfaction and why?’ (DataConnection – IT and Telecommunications)

19 Weak Answer Achievements ‘Which of your achievements has given you the most personal satisfaction?’ “Last summer I set out to raise money for a local hospice. As I enjoy cycling and exploring new places, I felt that a sponsored “Tour de Cornwall” could be both pleasant and financially productive. Some university friends joined me and, despite appalling weather, we managed to cycle the complete coastal route in 4 days. With a combination of individual pledges and business support, we collected over £700 - and even made news headlines on the local radio station! It was a great achievement.”

20 Why is it Weak? 1. Group’s achievements are emphasised rather than the applicant’s unique contribution (“I” becomes “we”). 2. Too many emotive words (“appalling”, “enjoy”, “felt”) in preference to active words (“organise”, “decide”) which would emphasise what was done and how. 3. Exclamation marks should be used with care. May trivialise the answer.

21 Strong Answer Achievements ‘Which of your achievements has given you the most personal satisfaction?’ “To raise money for a local hospice, I persuaded 4 friends to join me last summer in a sponsored cycle round Cornwall. The target was £500. As well as planning the routes, I had responsibility for arranging publicity and securing business sponsorship. I achieved this by phoning and writing to local companies, approaching employer associations and negotiating publicity with the local press and radio station. When severe rain threatened the event, I convinced a local hotel to give us free accommodation and a donation in return for favourable coverage in the local newspaper. The final sum raised was £750.”

22 Why is it Strong? 1. The question is answered fully. 2. States not only what has been achieved but also how. 3. Compound sentences (such as 3rd and 4th) allow you to list activities/responsibilities and are more succinct.

23 STAR Quality  Describe S ituation  Outline the T asks that needed doing  What A ction did you take?  What was the R esult?

24 Action Words:  generated  led  delivered  devised  promoted  tested  saved  managed  analysed  solved

25 Finally… Three key points:-  Preparation  Presentation  Purpose

26 SOURCES OF INFORMATION                  Lynda Ali + Barbara Graham, Moving on in Your Career; A guide for academic researchers and postgraduates (RoutledgeFalmer London + New York 2000)  AgCAS/University of London Careers Service, University researchers and the job market  Mary Anne Thompson, The Global Resume and CV Guide (John Wiley + Sons New York 2000)