GETTING A RESEARCH ASSISTANT JOB Dr Sophia Donaldson
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UCL UCLCAREERS CAREERSRESEARCHERS RESEARCHERS GETTING A RESEARCH ASSISTANT JOB Dr Sophia Donaldson UCL Careers Consultant UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS Outline Finding RA jobs The importance of selling yourself well on paper Tips for CVs and applications Further help available UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS Jobhunting jobs.ac.uk www.academicjobseu.com - EU http://academiccareers.com – US focus http://www.higheredjobs.com/ - US focus http://ascb.org/career-development/ - US focus Research publications e.g. www.nature.com/naturejobs Research discipline specific mailing lists Individual University Websites UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS London neuroscience grads, now in researcher roles From ‘What do London Graduates do?’ 2015 UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV Quiz 1. How long should a standard UK CV be? (are there any exceptions?) 2. What was the average number of applications per graduate level vacancy for 2011/12 (AGR) 3. How long does the average employer spend reviewing a CV? 4. Name the two documents that typically accompany an advertised job/ internship opportunity that detail more information about the role and ideal candidate 5. Name some standard structural titles of a CV UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV Quiz 1. How long should a UK CV be? (are there any exceptions?) UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV Quiz How long should a UK CV be? (Are there any exceptions?) - 2 pages - Investment banks/management consultancies – 1 page - Academic/medical doctor – can run longer UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV Quiz 2. What was the average number of applications per graduate level vacancy for 2011/12 (AGR)? UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS 9 UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV Quiz 3. How long does the average employer spend reviewing a CV? UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS On average, recruiters spend only about 6 seconds reviewing a CV at ‘skim read level’ First half page of a CV is crucial Source: Keeping an eye on recruiter behaviour - The Ladders UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV Quiz 4. Name the two documents that typically accompany an advertised job/ internship opportunity that detail more information about the role and ideal candidate UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV Quiz 4. Name the two documents that typically accompany an advertised job/ internship opportunity that detail more information about the role and ideal candidate Job Description - Person Specification - UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV Quiz 5. Name some standard structural titles of a CV UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV Quiz 5. Name some standard structural titles of a CV – Personal details – Profile (?) – Education – Work experience • (Relevant and other, volunteering) – Skills – Achievements and Awards – Interests and Hobbies – Referees UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS Profile? UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV tips UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV tips • Logical, accessible structure – consistent and appropriate formatting – distinct sections UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV tips • more relevant = more prominent – key information on page 1 – consider: themed experience – “relevant” versus other work experience – consider use of a profile especially where no cover letter UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV tips • Target for maximum impact – tailor to the position – role requirements and competencies UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV tips • Show me, don’t tell me – Evidence not opinion – details and outcomes – quantify where possible – use lots of verbs – ‘doing’ words UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV tips • Professional presentation – triple check spelling and grammar – use bullet-points, be concise UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS CV advice • A fellow UCL student needs our help! • She’s applying for research worker roles in academic psychology departments UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS Sally Jones thanks you!! UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS Cover/application letter tips • Answers three questions: – Why that job? – Why that employer? – Why you? UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS Cover/application letter tips Tailored to each position Should stand alone Your chance to elaborate on a couple of good examples/experiences UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS Cover letter tips • 1 page (approx 400 words) • Find someone to address it to (for speculative letters) • Check spelling and grammar – “Yours Faithfully” for unknown recipient – “Yours Sincerely” for named recipient UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS How can we help? One-to-one for CV, application checks, career planning Interview practice Workshops (Interview workshop for department?) UCLAlert! Online resources at careerstagged.co.uk www.careers.lon.ac.uk UCL CAREERS RESEARCHERS Thank you! Questions?
