1. Define your goals Identify suitable positions Submit an application: The curriculum vitae Attend for interview: Interview technique LAUNCHING YOUR CAREER

2. DEFINE YOUR GOALS Have a clear view of your long-term career objectives and work out how to get there. Do some homework Research Clinical Academic Industry Other scientific Non-scientific/medical

3. IDENTIFY SUITABLE POSITIONS Be pro-active Supervisor Literature Conferences Advertisements Departmental noticeboard Journals Internet

4. The Curriculum Vitae Objectives: To give factual information on you, your qualifications and skills To provide additional relevant information To provide a positive first impression of yourself Try to make your application stand out from the crowd!

5. CV basic structure (1) Name Address for correspondence Telephone/Fax numbers Email address Place of Birth/Nationality/Residency status Education Postgraduate (degree, thesis title, supervisor, expected completion date, other degrees) Tertiary (place, dates, subjects, grades) Secondary (place, HSE subjects and grade)

6. CV basic structure (2) Relevant positions held Chronologically (dates, duties, specific expertise) Achievements and Awards (prizes, awards, scholarships) Grants held (awarding body, title, date, amount) Conferences attended (title, date and location, poster/oral presentation) Publications (published, in press, submitted, in preparation) Abstracts (conference proceedings, poster and oral presentations)

7. CV basic structure (3) Relevant professional experience Computing skills Laboratory duties Administration Professional training (e.g. OHS/Radiation/Biosafety courses) Professional referees Title, name and address, contact phone and email Indicate relationship to you

8. CV Basic Structure

9. Name & Title Address & Phone/Email Contact: Place of Birth:Sydney, Australia Marital Status:Married, Two children, born 2000 & 2001 Education:BSc (Hons 1): School of Body Surfing University of Bondi Thesis: Diving with Dolphins Secondary School: Higher School Certificate: POSITIONS HELD January 2000-presentXXXXXXXXXXX Dec 1997-Dec1999OOOOOOOOOOO ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS 1998-2002 Australian Postgraduate Award 2001International Surfers Award for the best underwater photos at the 5th International Surfers’ Conference, Hawaii, USA, Dec, 2001 2001Travel Award, Australian Surfers Association$2,000

10. GRANTS HELD 2001Travel Award, Australian Surfers Association$2,000 2000-2003Australian Research Council: A.Ocean and C.Earth: The socialisation of dolphins $20,000p/a CONFERENCES ATTENDED DateConferenceTitle,Authors (Poster/Oral) PUBLICATIONS ABSTRACTS RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE List these in groups eg: LABORATORY DUTIESDescribe each, listing in point form. If several positions have been held, separate these and make several points under each. COMPUTER ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION

11. OTHER EMPLOYMENT COMPUTER EXPERIENCE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:List courses etc OTHER PROFESSIONAL REFEREES:Title, Name, Address, Contact Details GENERALLY BEST TO HAVE A CURRENT SUPERVISOR/EMPLOYER

12. CV - things to check Appearances say a lot about the applicant ALWAYS CHECK YOUR SPELLING A THOUGHTFUL CV IS MORE IMPRESSIVE THAN A RUSHED ONE CHECK LAYOUT, DO NOT MAKE IT TOO OVERCROWDED, REMEMBER THAT THE EMPLOYER MAY HAVE 50+ OF THESE TO READ Limit to relevant material LIST EXPERIENCE IN POINT FORM HIGHLIGHT HEADINGS

13. How can you give a positive first impression of yourself in the C.V.? Facts:Additional achievements beyond the standard Travel grants Small grants Poster/student prizes Extra duties/service (committees, councils, supervision) Professional training (courses, diplomas)

14. TRY TO APPLY FOR TRAVEL AWARDS AND SMALL GRANTS OR POSTER/STUDENT PRIZES DURING YOUR DEGREE. THESE ENHANCE YOUR CHANCES FOR EMPLOYMENT. UNDER "OTHER", LIST OTHER SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS SUCH AS VOLUNTEER WORK, SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS THAT MAY BE UNRELATED TO PROFESSIONAL LIFE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN ADDITION TO YOUR DEGREE WILL BE REGARDED POSITIVELY

15. THE INTERVIEW..

16. The Interview What the employer is looking for Specific skills Dedication Reliability Communication Initiative Team player

17. The Interview What you are looking for Interesting work Good supervisor Opportunity to extend your skills Publications Stimulating work environment Salary and conditions

18. The interview Have realistic expectations when applying for a position If you have the appropriate qualifications, or other attributes that may produce a positive outcome, make an application

19. The most important aspects to an interview are: A POSITIVE ATTITUDE and BE PREPARED Know who your prospective employer is.. What they do The areas in which they have published Their expertise Where your expertise would fit in Why you would make a difference Find out as much as possible about the interview in advance [Research on the interview panel where possible]

20. Try to anticipate some questions in advance. Practice the interview with supervisor/colleagues/visualise speaking in front of a panel and rehearse in your mind Assemble all possible relevant documentation PREPARATION

21. Attending the interview Be well groomed Maintain eye contact with the interviewing panel Speak with confidence at reasonable volume Listen and answer the questions precisely and succinctly If you are unsure of the question, ask for clarification If you do not know the answer, say so.

22. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO PUT YOURSELF FORWARD. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, EXPLAIN WHY YOU MAY BE SUITABLE GENERALLY YOU WILL BE ASKED IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT THE END OF AN INTERVIEW. ASK IF YOU CAN SEE THE LABORATORY/WORKPLACE ASK IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO OTHER EMPLOYEES, SHOULD YOU BE OFFERED THE JOB

23. Questions at the end of an interview Generally you will be given the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview… use this! Have a few possible questions ready. Do not make pay and conditions the FIRST question! Show an interest in the job itself (e.g. laboratory, more details of project, other staff, group size, prospects for training, conference attendance) Don’t be afraid to ask questions YOU have to feel right about the work, the people and the conditions

24. IF QUESTIONS ARE ASKED AND YOU ARE UNSURE OF WHAT IS MEANT, ASK FOR CLARIFICATION LISTEN CAREFULLY AND ANSWER ANY QUESTION PRECISELY. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER SAY SO DO NOT TRY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS WITH LONG EXPLANATIONS THESE SOMETIMES END UP SOUNDING AS IF YOU MAY NOT HAVE A CLUE

25. remember…. You are a postgraduate, To get this far, you have had intense training in: research method, presentation skills, writing etc. Remember all your skills/training and have the confidence to bring these in where appropriate in the interview. Use these to your advantage. Remember: a good postgraduate is a highly-prized item!