By the end of the session, you will
have started to identify the skills and experience that are marketable for UK employers
have an understanding of the recruitment processes and selection criteria for a range of jobs
used information and advice on producing effective CVs and achieving success at interview
know how to convey the relevance and value of your research experience to a range of different employers
have practised answering some of the questions used on application forms and at interview
How do employers recruit? Advertisement (not always) Application
– CV, application form, supporting statements Further assessment may include
– Personality and aptitude tests– Interview(s)– Presentation– Group exercises eg simulation or case study
What are employers looking for?
At all stages of the recruitment process, theyare looking for evidence that you
CAN do the job
WANT to do the job
FIT with the organisation
Employers attitudes to researchers
SEARCH Project, University of Sheffield, 2006
EMPRESS Project, University of Leeds, 2005
Agcas Survey “University Researchers: Employers’ Attitudes & Recruitment Practices” in 2000 - highlighted benefits and drawbacks to recruiting university researchers.
What can you offer?
As a whole group, you have 10 minutes to brainstorm what a researcher has to offer.
Include skills, experience, knowledge and personal attributes.
Evidence might include …..
Academic study including scholarships Work Experience
– Teaching, demonstrating, industry, casual, voluntary
Research Project & Training – Publications, Conferences, Funding
Professional interests & training– Committees and societies
Interests
Match your experience to the organisation and role
What skills and experience do they specify? What personal qualities are mentioned? What are their aims/services/products?
Job advertisement and information pack Company website, reports and Googlewww.prospects.ac.ukContacts – students, staff, family, work
Making an application
The application process will vary depending upon the job and the organisation. You may be asked for one or more of the following:
CV and covering letter application form, possibly competency based straightforward employment record supporting statement
An effective CV should ... ensure content is relevant and style appropriate
place the most important facts FIRST and give them the MOST space
be easy to read
create the right impression
be accompanied with a letter
Case Study
You and your team need to recruit a new member of staff to the position advertised.
Prepare a shortlist from the applications provided and rank the candidates in order of preference.
Be prepared to explain your choices including any rejected candidates.
Case Study Feedback
What were we looking for? What was the level of interest and quality
of candidates? Who did we shortlist and why? Who was offered the job? Any questions?
CV Examples
Mark Guy & Rachel Harker (Humanities) Academic research Research outside academia Change of direction
Academic CV
summary of research (including aims and achievements, supervisors name and funding)
summary of research interests publications and conferences papers academic record including relevant studies projects and resources managed teaching and course development further contribution – administrative, teaching etc.
Using expert knowledge & skills
summary of research (including aims and achievements, supervisors name and funding)
ability to achieve results education particularly relevant modules projects and resources managed relevant techniques and skills including
technical skills, Health & Safety
Change of direction
New direction, unrelated to research – include a brief and accessible description of
your research, avoid over-technical terms highlight the measures of your success and
achievements outside research context highlight key transferable skills appropriate to
the job and define your level of competence personal and skills profile may be helpful
CV Review
In your interview groups, discuss the key requirements for the job and how you might tailor you application.
The interviewer wants to know:
That you CAN DO the job (Skills)
That you WANT the job (Motivation)
That you FIT the organisation (Values)
General advice Think about why the question has been asked
Ask for clarification if necessary
Answer the question with relevant and specific evidence of your achievements
Keep to the point
Focus on positive examples and comments
A few practical tips
First impressions
55% on body language
38% on tone of voice
7% on what you say
Talk and listen/watch
50/50 ratio, maximum 2 minutes at a time
Never be afraid of a pause
A STAR quality answer ...
Briefly describes the situation and why it was challenging (SITUATION)
States the objective, what YOU did and how you did it - highlighting relevant skills you used (TASK & ACTIONS)
Describes the outcome/any feedback/success (RESULTS)
Explains what you learned from this (RESULTS)
Practice interviews
In small groups, you will be interviewed for no more than 10 minutes. The rest of your group will act as independent observers.
At the end of each interview, you will be asked to assess your performance and receive feedback from the observers and interviewer.
Facilitators will be asked to feedback key learning points to the larger group at the end.
To summarise Know the organisation’s wish list and how your
skills and experience match Answer the questions you are asked with clear
evidence of achievements Describe positive outcomes Be concise but offer to provide more detail Have several examples of important skills Anticipate weaknesses and prepare
Final considerations Check the format -
One-on-one, Panel, Telephone, Technical
Who will you meet?
What do you want to ask?
What do you want to ask?Structure of the organisation
Time given to each part of role
Typical projects
Variety of work
Performance assessment
Opportunities overseas
Training
Salary?
Further help
Individual advice and guidance, access to information and online aptitude tests www.ncl.ac.uk/careers
Further resources www.vitae.ac.uk
www.prospects.ac.uk
Future sessions
Keep yourself informed
Look out for C-Weekly Check your ‘ncl’ e-mail Register with Vacancies Online
www.careers.ncl.ac.uk/vacancies Careers Service Events
2nd FloorArmstrong Building (off the Quadrangle)
10 am - 5.00 pm Monday to Thursday10 am - 4.30pm Friday
Duty Careers Adviser 11.00am – 4.30 pm
[email protected] www.ncl.ac.uk/careers