A skill for life
The tools of marketing yourself are valuable not just at times of job change, but as part of your ongoing career management. This section looks at promoting your strengths and talents to enable you to achieve your career goals. Its advice is both general:
- Setting objectives
- Creating effective CVs
- Job applications
- Presenting your research in job applications
- Successful interviews
- Networking
...and particular:
You will find tips to help you market your unique mix of skills and experience when:
- building an academic career
- applying for other types of jobs (within HE or elsewhere)
- gathering information to help you decide on your future direction.
Essentials
Knowing yourself - knowing the product is essential to promote its best features. Self-evaluation is vital preparation for presenting your skills with evidence to back these up.
Knowing your audience - understanding what the employer is looking for and what the job entails. Key preparation for customising your application.
A well-planned campaign - with realistic ambitions and deadlines.
Achieving your goal
Effective marketing campaigns are always based on thorough research and careful planning. To reach your career goal, you will need a plan with clear objectives. Fortunately, as a trained researcher, you have the skills for this.
Take advantage of your research training to prepare thoroughly
Maximise your impact
You will find advice on the process of job application through to final selection. Decide who your target audience is so that your marketing material (CV, applications, covering letters, etc) can be tailored to them.
If you are applying for academic jobs competition is fierce: you will need to prepare a very convincing case for your academic merit to get attention.
Other sectors are equally competitive but look beyond academic credentials. If you want to move away from academic employment, consider how best to present your considerable experience and skills to attract attention in a new arena.
The way you present your research experience will depend upon your audience. You will find some ideas in Presenting your research in job applications and interviews.
Avoiding the pitfalls
Lack of preparation or failure to anticipate what the employer is looking for are all too common. This section will help you to present yourself on paper and in person in the most positive way.
Further help
There are many websites and books with detailed advice on making applications, CVs, interviews and the preparation these require. Take a look in help and support for further resources. Careers services or professional bodies can usually offer feedback on your CV and give general guidance on career development
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