Effective Applications

Asaf FedermanCareers Consultant

The person who gets employed is not necessarily the one who can do the job but the one who knows the most about

how to get employed.

Richard Bolles What Colour is Your Parachute?

“How to get employed?”What employers want? Cover letter / personal statement CVApplication form

Recruiting Researchers:Survey of employer practice 2009

6% value of doctoral graduates & are actively targeting them25% show a strong interest in doctoral graduates. They engage and recruit them but their level of engagement is less developed. 47% of respondents have some interest in doctoral but do not seem to be actively targeting them.22% of respondents have no real interest in doctoral graduates and answered ’no‘ to most questions.

Although most employers (78%) appreciate recruits with a PhD, a majority (69%) does not actively seek them.

Recruiting Lecturers:PhD destination data 2003-2007

14% employed as lecturers 4% biological sciences 34% social sciences 7% physical sciences 27% humanities 10% biomedical

Research roles: 35% overall, 23% in HE. Believed unemployed (2007)

PhD 3.1%Masters 3.7% Bachelor 5.5%

Source: What do researchers do? First destination of doctoral graduates by subject. June 2009 CRAC www.vitae.ac.uk

What do employers want to know?

1. Can you do the job2. Will you fit in3. Have you got potential4. Will you be committed

The application process will test all of these

The survey asked employers to rate researchers’ skills:

1. data analysis2. problem solving3. drive and motivation4. project management5. interpersonal skills6. leadership7. commercial awareness

“How would you expect a PhD holder to perform in the following areas?”

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4Data analysis 100% 100% 91% 91%

Problemsolving 100% 88% 89% 83%

Drive andmotivation 100% 84% 59% 74%

Projectmanagement 83% 36% 70% 39%

Interpersonalskills 67% 56% 39% 26%

Leadership 67% 28% 24% 17%

Commercialawareness 50% 20% 28% 22%

Academic employers expect a mix of:

research skillsteaching admin management (project/people)

Order depending on kind of work.

Identify skills in a job advertisement

Application FormsDescribe a recent experience of working with other people. What did you contribute and what was the outcome?Give an example of a situation where you solved a problem in a creative way.Describe how you handled a situation where you had to initiate and complete a task in the face of resistance from others.

Look behind – what is the real question? http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/compet/skillquest.htm

Cover Letter / Supporting Statement

Cover Letter

Tailored to the job (order and content) 1 page (academic 1-2 pages) single spaced 12 points Times or similar

Structure (academic)

Introduce yourself. (‘To the Committee’). What position are you applying for Research paragraph: thesis etc. Teaching paragraph: experience, achievements Contributing to the new department / university Close by reiterating your suitability, thanking them for their time and saying you look forward to hearing from them. Yours sincerely, you.

Structure (non-academic)

Introduce yourself. (‘Dear Mrs. Smith’). What position are you applying for? Why do you want the post? Why that particular organisation? Why you: Illustrate your suitability Extenuate circumstances, if needed Close by reiterating your suitability, thanking them for their time and saying you look forward to hearing from them.

Supporting Statements Fail because:

The statement is too generic The statement fails to address the job criteria Insufficient evidence of skills/experience The statement was obviously used for another job It uses negative or inappropriate language

Power words. Action verbs (handout)

Can I demonstrate it? Skills analysis

Employer & Role Awareness

You are expected to demonstrate understanding of:the rolethe department / faculty / centre / division the institution

Employers are interested in past experiences only as much as they prove that you can do the future job.

Different job, different CV

Academic Chronological Skills based

ACADEMIC

ResearchPublicationsTeachingFunding2-4 pages

Other experience

NON ACADEMIC

Skills/capabilitiesCommercial awarenessOther experience2 pages

Conferences Publications

Practical strategies

Make your CV relevantUse the job/person spec as guide

Most important info on page 1 Use action verbs Emphasise roles, responsibilities &achievements

Action verbs

Delivered Supervised ActionedManaged Analysed InitiatedIntroduced Identified SolvedLed Generated OrchestratedSupported Sold

DemonstratedEstablished Adapted RepresentedSolved Introduced Suggested

Skills based CVBrings academic & other experiences together to highlight ‘transferable skills’ Bullet point skills at the beginning of your CV

Concentrate on the primary skills needed for the jobUse the job/person spec as a guide

Follow this section with a typical, chronologicalapproachSupport your claims with concrete examplesAvoid detailed information about your PhD/master’s qualifications

CV tailored for job

Teaching or research post? Permanent or temp contract? What kind of university? What kind of department? Highlight relevant skills and achievements!

Have a look at ...

CV surgery – in groups.

CVs for Overseas

Write CV according to the conventions of thecountry:

www.prospects.ac.uk/links/countries ‘Going Global’ – http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/careers/hub/databases/

Global CVs and Resume Guide, Mary Ann Thompson

Are you ready to apply? Have you done your research?

organisation, department, job

Can you offer at least a ‘70% match’check the job/person specare you being realistic?

Have you got good evidence/examples be specific

Check application requirements E.g. CV & cover letter, or application form

Further InformationCareers Hub in Learning Grid, University Househttp://www2.warwick.ac.uk/go/careers/researchers See a Careers Consultant• Tel: 024 7657 5508 for appointment• careers@warwick.ac.uk