Effective Applications Resumes and Selection Criteria Shari Walsh Postgraduate Career Counsellor

Discuss What makes an effective application? What information is needed? How do you emphasise important information?

The Key to it all......KNOW YOUR SKILLS! Specialised Transferable Personal Qualities

What are your skills? Using the worksheet Rate yourself for each skill Circle those which you enjoy using What evidence is there for your skills rating?

Your personal statement Identify 3 skills or attributes. What experience do you have? How will you benefit the organisation? I am... with... who will or who wants to...

Transferable Skills Communication Teamwork effective writing effective speaking listening languages computing Managing & Organising organising working independently achieving outcomes Teamwork cooperating motivating others Problem solving identifying/analysing applying knowledge researching decision making follow through seeing the ‘big picture’ appreciating values/ethics

Resumes

Something to think about A Resume is more than just a document A Resume is A paper representation of you - your skills, your values, your strengths A living document – evolving and changing An opportunity to help another person understand you

What to expect – academic applications Australia – Resume & Selection Criteria (almost exclusively) Referee reports Singapore – resume only Taiwan – CV & referees reports (direct) UK – varies Cover Letter, CV, plus supporting documentation CV and Selection Criteria USA – letter of interest & CV

Styles of Resume (Templates) Choose the layout and design YOU like – there is no ‘correct’ style Chronological (reverse – most recent first) Functional (grouped into categories) Combination Chronological/Functional Academic (longer includes more information than industry)

Make it easy to read Highlight important information Appropriate language Bullet points Borders, lines, white space Minimum 11pt font REMEMBER – your job is to help the reader understand whether or not you are the best person for the role

Academic vs Industry applications Academic/research Academic jargon Research/academic skills Theory development Research collaborations Unit co-ordination etc Publications Impact factor, ERA Grants $$$$$ Non-academic Industry appropriate language Employability skills Critical thinking Integration/interpretation Data analysis Publications Audience type Grants Relevance

What areas should you include? Personal details Career objective/Skills Summary/Personal Profile etc Education/Qualifications/Training Research Statement/Teaching Philosophy (academic) Employment/work history (paid and unpaid) Achievements General and specific skills Interests/Hobbies Publications/Conferences/Grants Referees PLUS ANY OTHER SECTIONS RELEVANT TO THE ROLE

Name Personal Details Contact details Nationality, date of birth, health, marital status/children, any other discriminatory information, all optional Photo

Personal statement/ career summary Your chance to shine & grab their attention Make it personal to you Don’t copy nice sounding phrases Use short sentences, specific and factual Overview of previous and current history Area of interest or future career goal 3 – 4 skills or strengths

Education How far back to go? How much detail to go into? Academic transcripts Other educational achievements

Your research statement What was your primary research question? What was the outcome/ is expected? What implications does this have for the ‘real’ world? My research into.... found/is expected to find... This means....

Employment history/ work experience Break into sections career-related/ none career-related Academic, research, professional All jobs are valuable – what skills did you use? Relevant experience is best Include voluntary or community work Role, dates, responsibilities, skills & achievements

Publications & Conference Presentations BOLD your name in authorship listing Group into sections Most recent first Cite as per discipline area Full list? Academic - usually Industry – 3 most impactful – full list probably on a separate document) – refer to in resume

Interests/Hobbies Can add ‘colour’ and personality What will an employer read into your interests? Level of involvement ‘I enjoy rugby’

Referees 3 ideally Should include PhD supervisor and direct work supervisor Ask them first Or ‘Available on Request’

Do’s and Don’ts Spell check and proof read Well presented easy to read 4 - 5 pages maximum (esp industry!) Matches their requirements with your skills Lets your personality show though Don’t get it done by a professional- should be in your own words Don’t be dishonest!

Exercise In small groups hand round your Resume and note on each persons: One thing you like (that you may not have thought of yourself) One thing you suggest changing and why Feedback, Feedback, Feedback

Selection Criteria

Selection Criteria Basis for a panel to short-list for interview Use key requirements of the position as outlined in the Position Description Usually for Government / University… Tries to bring equity to the process A selection panel determines the standards for each criteria and applicants are ranked on these Different levels sound, excellent, highly developed, demonstrated Interview questions will be based on the selection criteria

Identify the important information and make a link between you (Phd Scholar) and the role (professional)

Types of Selection Criteria Mandatory Requirements Qualifications Membership with professional associations or registration boards Residency status Licences Level of experience Others Desirable experience, knowledge, skills & abilities, personal qualities

Typical Lay Out & Length Address each one under a separate heading – Don’t summarise criteria; write in full Content for each SC (except Qualifications) 3/4 a page to a page for EACH criteria Approx 300 Words for EACH criteria 1 per page vs ongoing document Use a combination of narrative & bullet points where possible Use highlighting where appropriate

Statement of claim New approach to SC One document to address a group of SC Still need to discuss each SC and present evidence Highlight throughout the particular SC relevant to the experience you are describing

The Magic Formula S T A R L C ituation ask ction esult earning ontext

Example Context Action Result A group of around 20 Postgraduate Students who wanted a workshop on Job Seeking Skills Action Spoke with staff, researched employers needs and sourced relevant information Result All students attended and verbal feedback indicated that content and style of workshop was both highly relevant and useful to them

Activity - address an SC L or C ituation ask ction esult earning ontext

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