1. How to translate your skills into language employers can understand
14/05/16
How to translate your skills into language employers can understand
Chris Humphrey, PhD
In this presentation I teach you a method for articulating your skills to employers.
© Jobs on Toast 2016

2. 14/05/16
Introduction
'Academics, researchers and HE staff are often anxious about moving into the private sector – fearful that somehow they will lack vital skills or not be taken seriously. In fact, many private employers are crying out for the skills developed by those in HE. It is a matter of being able to clearly articulate those skills and illustrate how they are relevant to the commercial world. And of having the confidence to try.’
How To Tailor your CV for the Private Sector by Lisa Carr
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016
© Jobs on Toast 2016

3. Agenda By the end of this presentation I want you to be able to:
14/05/16
Agenda
By the end of this presentation I want you to be able to:
Identify your core skill set
Analyse the skill set that’s implicit in a job advert
Articulate your relevant skills using the employer’s language
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016
© Jobs on Toast 2016

4. Intro: What is a skill anyway?
Something you do to turn one thing into something else:
The ability to create an output from diverse inputs (e.g. a conference)
Or contributing to a whole performance (e.g. co-teaching a course)
Employers want skills … what skills have you gained as a researcher?
A transferable skill just means taking a skill you’ve used in one work context (higher education), and using it in a different work context (charity, business, industry or government).
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

5. Let’s list 20 skills gained during your PhD (1)
Project skills:
Entrepreneurship:
Project management
Thought leadership
Managing budgets
Innovation
Team working
Bidding for funding
Problem solving
Networking
Organising conferences & events
International experience
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

6. Communication skills: Knowledge & information skills:
Let’s list 20 skills gained during your PhD (2)
Communication skills:
Knowledge & information skills:
Writing
Research
Public speaking
Teaching and training
Publicity and PR
Managing information
Stakeholder management
IT applications
Web, and social media
Writing reports
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

7. Warning: This is how academic labour sounds …
‘So tell me more about your experience with organising events’ … ‘I’m the President of the Graduate Society. I organise regular social events and careers sessions during the year. I started a campus newsletter to keep in touch with dispersed researchers. The number of graduate students in the society (paid) has doubled during my reign. The end-of-term event was a big success and I got a personal thanks from the Vice-Chancellor. I’m being consulted on how the university can improve its services for PhDs and post-docs.’
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

8. How to learn the language of your next employer
Don’t use academic language when applying for jobs outside academia!
Instead, learn to speak the employer’s language by:
Taking a job advert and identifying the skills / skill set required
Articulating your own equivalent skills and associated experience, reflecting the employer’s language as closely as you can
Using your results to ‘tailor’ your online profile / résumé / interview answers for that job and for others like it
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

9. Two real-life examples to show how this works
Job 1: Researcher - Westminster Forum Projects
Job 2: Product Innovation Associate – athenahealth
First, analyse the advert to determine the skill set implicit in the role … then articulate your own skills using the employer’s language.
Black text = candidate requirement from job description
Blue text = your matching skill and/or experience
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

10. Example 1: Researcher – Westminster Forum Projects
Quick learner who can hit the ground running = higher degree
Some solid work experience – in policy, conference production, journalism, public affairs or similar = organising events, work experience
Passionate about helping achieve our mission of providing policy makers with the context to make best decisions = research, teaching, publications
Excellent communication, organisational and time management skills = project management
Able to assimilate information quickly, identify key issues from a range of stakeholder views = research, writing reports
Clear, stylish accurate writing is essential = writing, social media, publications
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

11. Skill set for Westminster Forum job
Key skills and experience for Researcher role:
Organising events
Research
Teaching
Writing reports
Writing
Social media
Higher degree
Publications
Work experience outcomes
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

12. Skill set matrix – Westminster Forum
Employer’s version
My short version
My long version
Organising events
Some solid work experience – in policy, conference production, journalism, public affairs or similar
Track record of delivering successful and well-regarded international conferences.
In my role as Conference Manager, I successfully delivered three successive annual conferences for 500 delegates, one of which led to the formation of the …
Research and teaching
Passionate about helping achieve our mission of providing policy makers with the context to make best decisions
Providing materials to policy makers that support informed decisions about strategy and investment.
In my role as a subject matter expert, I advised at a national level on decisions for investments in X. I organised a round-table session to generate options for …
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

13. Skill set matrix – Westminster Forum
Employer’s version
My short version
My long version
Project management
Excellent communication, organisational and time management skills
As a professional researcher with multiple projects on the go, I maintain very high standards of communication and organisation at all times. I assisted X organisation to improve the way that they …
Research and writing reports
Able to assimilate information quickly, identify key issues from a range of stakeholder views
Adept at identifying and drawing out key issues from stakeholder audiences.
In my role as stakeholder manager for the X project, I was responsible for surveying the views of the managers of all Y departments nationally. The resulting data and report changed the way that …
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

14. Example 2: Product Innovation Associate – athenahealth
Proven track record of measureable business results = work experience / research outcomes / awards + grants
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree welcome = got one of those!
Leadership with the ability to influence = leadership
Excited to innovate in a fast-paced, but sometimes intense, rapidly-expanding company = working in a cutting-edge research centre
Enthusiasm, idealism, creativity, dedication and an open mind = your reason for doing your PhD research project !
Demonstrated ability to assume sole and independent responsibility for various projects = project management
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

15. Example 2: Product Innovation Associate – athenahealth
Ability to work collaboratively to get results = teamwork
Strong problem solving, analytical, and quantitative skills = problem solving
Proven record of translating business and/or client needs into user requirements = organising events / analysis
Effective verbal and written communication skills with diverse audiences = public speaking / writing / social media
Experience with at least one software development life-cycle and associated processes = ICT skills / social media
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

16. Skill set for athenahealth job
Key skills and experience for Product Innovation Associate role:
Leadership
Project management
Teamwork
Problem solving
Organising events
Public speaking
Writing
ICT / Social media
Research outcomes
Awards won
Work experience outcomes
Motivation / reason for PhD
Higher degree
Working in cutting-edge research
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

17. Skill set matrix - athenahealth
Employer’s version
My short version
My long version
Leadership
Leadership with the ability to influence
Track record of influencing and leading key stakeholders.
I created the three-year plan which opened up a new area of opportunity for my organisation. My proposal, which I successfully presented to the heads of department and to the national steering committee, led to the release of $ funds for my project.
Teamwork
Ability to work collaboratively to get results
Collaborative working style, achieves results through others.
I was a key member of the project team working on X new discovery, responsible for delivering Y aspects …
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

18. Skill set matrix - athenahealth
Employer’s version
My short version
My long version
Public speaking / Writing
Effective verbal and written communication skills with diverse audiences
Excellent written and oral communication ability, confident across a range of media and audiences.
I’ve written impactful material for a range of audiences, from scientific journals to science communication websites to grant applications. For instance, my …
I’m confident in face-to-face communication, skilled at getting my point across with enthusiasm and clarity.
I met the President / Queen / Taylor Swift and …
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

19. Skill set matrix - athenahealth
Employer’s version
My short version
My long version
ICT / Social media
Experience with at least one software development life-cycle and associated processes
Coordinating inputs for software development and managing go-live.
In my role as X on Y project, I was responsible for input on the design and development of the technology component. I worked closely with the software team, coordinating requirements capture, design, demonstrations to users, testing and release planning.
Problem solving
Strong problem solving, analytical, and quantitative skills
Excellent analysis and problem solving skills, using a range of methods.
While working on X project, we hit a blocking issue relating to the Y aspect of the system. I successfully led the team in diagnosing and resolving the …
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

20. More resources – speaking the language
How To Tailor your CV for the Private Sector by Lisa Carr
‘100+ Skills That Translate Outside of the Academy’ – Chapter 60 of The Professor Is In by Karen Kelsky
Speaking the Language, Getting the Job by Joe Fruscione and Allessandria Polizzi
Your job options after a PhD – in a diagram by Chris Humphrey
Applying for jobs outside academia – from PhD to fellow professional by Chris Humphrey
23/05/16
© Jobs on Toast 2016

21. For more great advice on PhD careers …
Visit my blog Jobsontoast.com and follow Chris Humphrey on Twitter.