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CV’s and applications for PHD’s - 2

Tom DavieCareers AdviserCareers Advisory Service49 New Elvet10.00 – 5.00 (term – time)10.00 – 1.00 + 2.15 – 5.00 (vacations)

www.dur.ac.uk/careers-advice

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You need to consider:

Presentation/layout

Content

Length

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ACADEMIC CV’s

What should they include?

Personal details

Education

Work Experience

Publications

Conferences

Additional skills and achievements

Interests

References

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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?

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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?

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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

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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

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PAGE ONE MIGHT LOOK LIKE THIS

Personal details

Skills profile

Communication: both oral and written when planning preparing andleading seminars with undergraduate students

Team Working: demonstrated when rowing for Ustinov CollegeWhere I proved my commitment to succeed and encouraged others toalso do so

Time Management: able to balance my academic research alongsidefamily commitments and leisure activities

Computer literacy: can use a wide variety of packages includingExcel, SPSS and C++

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REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL

Similar to your academic CV but…

May omit:

Publications

Conferences

May emphasise more:

Non academic work experience

Transferable skills

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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?

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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”

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Many outside academia include…

Competency Based Questions

Eg.

Describe a time…

Tell us about…

Have you ever…

Therefore demonstrate evidence of skills

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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)

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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.”

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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Competency Based Question

Achievements

‘Which of your achievements has given you the most personal satisfaction and why?’

(DataConnection – IT and Telecommunications)

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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.”

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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STAR Quality

Describe Situation

Outline the Tasks that needed doing

What Action did you take?

What was the Result?

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Action Words:

generated led delivered devised promoted

tested saved managed analysed solved

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Finally…

Three key points:-

Preparation Presentation Purpose

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SOURCES OF INFORMATION

www.gradschools.ac.uk www.jobs.ac.uk www.cvs.ac.uk www.niss.ac.uk www.hesda.org.uk www.civil-service.gov.uk/jobs www.nextwave.org www.durham.ac.uk/careers-advice www.prospects.ac.uk www.doctorjob.com www.eurograduate.com www.thepaperboy.com www.graduates.northeast.ac.uk www.Phdjobs.com www.Findapostdoc.com www.rec.uk.com 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)