Career Development and preparing your CV Dr Katherine Selby

Careers PhD Professional career Challenge to find right job or PhD Competition is strong Luck or skill?

Ways to influence success Be enthusiastic Talk to others about their interests Make contact with people Demonstrate your knowledge Tell people what you want Networking Dale Carnegie How to win friends and influence people

Curriculum Vita Passport to success Details qualifications Skills Experiences Interests Vital to first impressions

Design Easy on the eye Organised Logical CVs are read quickly

How long should CV be? Dependent on post Some require one page Some require much detail First page to catch people’s attention Aim for 3-4 pages of uncluttered text

Types of CV Chronological: history of career and experience in order (most recent achievements first) Functional: emphasises skills and experiences

Referees Include contact details of referees in CV Contact referees before you send application Send your referees the job applications details and an up to date CV Keep in touch with referees and ask for their advice

What to leave out Race, sexual orientation or religion unless specific to job Don’t include a photo Only list a limited number of hobbies eg playing an instrument, an outdoor pursuit Write your CV for each job, don’t always use the same one

Letters Letter of enquiry: When a position isn’t advertised Covering letter of application: Reveal your interest and enthusiasm for post offered

Letter of enquiry Convey knowledge of the person you are writing to, and interest and enthusiasm for their work. Offer a brief background on your qualifications, experience, what kind of position you are looking for, and possibly also on your career objectives. Cordial, direct, immaculately presented and concise.

A Bad letter of enquiry Dear Sir/Madam, I am interested in doing a PhD in marine biology. I would be grateful if you could let me know if you have any positions available and what your research interests are. Yours, *****

Hello! i saw on your website that you are doing work on whalesharks i have a six week plasement for my course and am really interested in consevation work and want to now if you have opportunites for people to work with you Yours, ********

A good letter of enquiry Dear Professor Roberts, I am very keen to study for a PhD in marine ecology. I am about to start my honours year in ecology at the University of *****. I have recently come back from a year at the University of Queensland on an exchange studying marine biology. This together with research experience on coral reefs of Indonesia have fuelled my interest in tropical marine ecology. I am particularly interested marine conservation and your research on the function of marine reserves greatly appeals to me. I would also be grateful for advice about other marine biology research going on in the UK. I was wondering if you had a bit of time in the next week to discuss it. I live in York but am going back to ***** very soon. A copy of my CV is attached. Yours sincerely, ********

Covering letters Highlight why you are suitable for the post State your achievements and abilities Don’t lie Have a website that your future employer could access but make sure it is up to date, relevant and suitable

Interviews Nerve wracking and difficult Pre-requisite for a job Aim is to get the job and to decide if you want to work for that employer

Functions of an interview To assess: your expertise and competence your motivation your interpersonal skills your decision making and problem solving skills your interest in the position your personality and likeability

Interview preparation Prepare to beat nerves Think about questions you may be asked and answers to them Ask a colleague to go through some questions with you Be sharp physically and mentally Be enthusiastic Prepare 1-2 question to ask the employer

Who will get the job? Person who has: Best fit of skills Best fit with employer Best to fit any special needs of job Best fit in terms of salary history

Body Language Be alert and look interested Stand up straight Look people in the eye and direct answer to everyone in the room Only sit down when asked Look as if you are enjoying yourself Don’t give overlong or too brief answers

Other tips Dress smartly Treat everyone you meet on interview day as important Use people that you meet to give you information