Christine Holmes, Director of Postdoctoral Studies

Transcription

1 Christine Holmes, Director of Postdoctoral Studies

2 Treat your career exploration as another research project

3 Define a topic of interest by reading extensively Formulate a hypothesis or question Figure out what you know and don t know Identify resources (books, websites, databases) Talk to experts intelligently Question your assumptions Why not use this same approach to discover how you fit into the world outside academia?

4 I am getting my PhD in Physics Tenure-track or adjunct professor Industry researcher I am skilled at writing, researching a wide variety of topics, reading and synthesizing large amounts of information, and working independently in high-pressure environments. Grant officer Editor Journalism Government job: patent reviewer, speech writer, foreign service officer

5 I am getting my PhD in Physics Tenure-track or adjunct professor Industry researcher I am skilled at writing, researching a wide variety of topics, reading and synthesizing large amounts of information, and working independently in high-pressure environments, analyzing large data sets Grant officer Banking, social networking Journalism, Editor Government job: patent reviewer, speech writer, foreign service officer

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8 The Versatile PhD Google search with keywords: LinkedIn PhD (or MS, MA, etc), your graduate field A skill, career area, company

9 Meet with career advisor for a discussion or assessment: Myers-Briggs StrengthsQuest SkillScan Values-Driven Work Cornell Human Resources Self-Assessment Exercises O*Net Interest Profiler

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11 Speak to individuals in the field: LinkedIn search Job title, company, industry, degree, career path Conferences/symposia Collaborators on research projects Alumni databases: CornellConnect AIP career resources

12 Industry/For-Profit: Hoovers Uniworld Nonprofit: Leadership Library Guidestar Idealist International students: Myvisajobs.com FindTheBest

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14 Handshake CCS Link Library phds.org ScienceCareers NewScientist Usajobs.gov Chronicle of Higher Education: Vitae

15 Cornell Career Services: career.cornell.edu On-campus programming Handshake Your association Optimal Resume

16 Opinions vary Everyone who looks at your resume is looking for something specific No document will look alike, resumes do vary by field and by industry Have multiple people read it

17 Describe previous experiences Used by employers to decide whether to interview you Used during interviews to formulate questions CV History, education, accomplishments Resume Skills and abilities

18 There is no right way just guidelines Only wrong resume is the one that is not accurate Effective resume Appeal to the reader Are written clearly and succinctly Are error free Show how valuable you will be to the employer

19 Employers hire people who have a demonstrated interest, understanding, and aptitude for the role they are recruiting for. Your resume, cover letter, and interviews are your opportunity to tell your story in a manner that reflects that interest, understanding, and aptitude. Even after years of academic preparation, fit does matter; think about each job you apply for as a unique opportunity and tailor your approach appropriately.

20 Before you finalize any version of your resume or other career-related correspondence do your homework. Carefully read any job descriptions provided by the employer where you might apply. Research the business of that employer and its overall position in its industry. Find someone to talk to who knows the organization in order to understand the culture, approach to work, etc.

21 Where Exceptions CV Academia Employers outside of the US US federal Government (PhD. Level) International Organization in US Development consulting firms Think Tank Resume US employment: private sector, government, and non profit Content Full list of qualifications Summary of Qualifications Length As long as you need 1-2 pages Style Not important Very important 21

22 1. Resumes have different structure than CVs 2. There are different ways you can represent yourself on a resume 3. You need to break down your CV s job titles and accomplishments into action verbs 4. You have to understand what an employer wants when you make your resume 5. You ll need different resumes for different jobs.

23 C.V.: Focus is on history of education/accomplishments Includes: ú lots of nouns ú tends to be long ú one version sufficient Resume: Focus is on demonstration of skills/abilities Includes: ú lots of action verbs ú must be concise (2 pages at most) ú multiple versions, each tailored for specific purpose

24 Check with the employer Confirm with others in the field Create a CV that details your skills; include a full or partial publication list

25 A list of all poster presentations and talks Every single thing you have ever done

26 It is a marketing document not a history document Best if targeted for the position Read the job description carefully, use their language Proofread proofread proofread

27 Use it to target your resume Find the skills words Use them to match with your experience on the resume

28 Curriculum Vitae Resume Content Education Thesis/Dissertation Grants and Other Awards Research Experience Teaching Experience Publications Conference Presentations Languages Computer/Technical Skills References Not typically tailored by position Skills including Language Skills Computer/Technical Skills Education Select Grants and Awards Experience Select Publications Select Presentations Very tailored by position

29 Chronological Functional Combination

30 Format: Most widely used style Information presented in reverse chronological order Uses: Highlights progressive work experience Best for those who have significant experience in the field where they are seeking a job Problems: Less effective if changing careers or have little work experience Older but relevant experience may be overlooked

31 Format: Experiences are grouped by skills (e.g. leadership skills, communication skills) The titles and dates of the experiences are listed at the top or bottom of the resume Uses: Good for those changing careers or who have little work experience or gaps in employment Problems: It can be confusing because the relationship between a skill and an experience can be lost

32 Format: Experiences are given in reverse chronology but are arranged by type of experience (e.g. communication experience, leadership experience) Uses: Accentuates your skills Draws direct parallels with skills in job ads Helpful if you are applying for a wide range of jobs Problems: Can be difficult to fit one experience into just one category

33 Put most important information on the first page List responsibilities most important to least Use clear, easy-to-understand language Start each sentence with an action verb, such as: managed, supervised and evaluated Past tense vs. present tense Use formatting techniques such as indenting, uppercase, bold and italics, consistently Avoid font sizes under 10 point Include your name on every page and number pages

34 Do you need it? First (and easiest) place to adjust for job ad Seeking a responsible position in an industry lab doing research. Plant Scientist with 5 years of experience managing multiple projects in the following areas: Automation and high throughput plant handling systems Managing irrigation and fertigation systems and greenhouse environmental control systems Supervision of lab personnel Management of lab budget

35 Employers typically desire the following core competencies*: Content knowledge Professionalism and work ethic Oral and written communication Teamwork (including leadership) and collaboration Critical thinking and problem solving Ethics and social responsibility *Casner-Lotto, J., & Barrington, L. (2006). Are they really ready to work? Employers Perspectives on the Basic Knowledge and Applied Skills of New Entrants to the 21 st Century U.S. Workforce. Retrieved from the Partnership for 21 st Century Skills website:

36 Versatile PhD Optimal Resume Chronicle of Higher Education: CV Doctor Templates

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