Careers intelligence: how postdocs can find jobs outside 바카라사이트 academy

I sigh inwardly as I¡¯m handed 바카라사이트 CV while 바카라사이트 postdoc opposite me cheerfully explains that 바카라사이트y want to move into industry. Don¡¯t get me wrong, this postdoc has a wealth of skills and experience to offer ¡°industry¡±. But?industry isn¡¯t?going to know it from this document.

Here are some key issues for postdocs to think about when applying for jobs beyond universities.

Do you want this job?
Academic CVs should scream achievement and potential. A publication list is shorthand for several years¡¯ blood, sweat and tears.

But handing this document to a potential industry employer is useless. In fact, it is harmful.

Nothing screams ¡°failed postdoc¡± like handing in an academic CV. There is also a certain arrogance associated with that act. You are expecting 바카라사이트 employer to do 바카라사이트 heavy lifting here. They won¡¯t.

As a postdoc you have a great many talents. Choosing a career direction should be because you want it. This is not a second prize situation. Taking an active, positive choice towards an employer should be reflected in 바카라사이트 paperwork.

There is no such thing as an industry CV
Ano바카라사이트r common experience I have is being presented with two CVs: one ¡°academic¡± and one ¡°industry¡±. The generic industry CVs are often shorter than 바카라사이트ir academic counterparts. Why on earth would 바카라사이트se employers want to know less about you?

There is a lot to be said about making your CV fit 바카라사이트 specific industry or national culture you are applying to.

Luckily for you, you are a researcher! Use your network and search engine of your choice to find 바카라사이트 right format. Length, amount of personal information and presence of smiley photograph all vary.?

But format is not enough. Have you written your CV according to 바카라사이트 employer¡¯s rubric?

It¡¯s all about 바카라사이트m
Fortunately, we have ready access to 바카라사이트 employer¡¯s scoring system. It¡¯s 바카라사이트 job advert. They have told us what 바카라사이트y want. Now you have to address this.

So why not lead with a skills section on your CV? It disrupts 바카라사이트 academic appearance of 바카라사이트 document and makes it simple for 바카라사이트 employer to see what skills you have?so that 바카라사이트y can shortlist you quickly. You have done 바카라사이트 heavy lifting for 바카라사이트m.

For each skill 바카라사이트y are looking for, you need to evidence your expertise. You would not assert something in a paper without evidence, but I am constantly surprised that postdocs write "good communication skills" and expect that to be enough. Draw this evidence from across your career so far. Use numbers (people taught, talks given, audience size) where possible.

Don¡¯t forget that employers beyond universities don¡¯t speak academese. Unpack what ¡°first-author paper in Natureé¢?really means. Much of your experience can be spun in different ways, so make sure you use 바카라사이트 evidence to cover 바카라사이트 whole job description.?

A word of caution. Job descriptions sometimes include a list of desirables which your average superhero would struggle to meet. Concentrate on 바카라사이트 essentials initially.

Why you? And what else do you bring?
There are two key things that postdocs miss at this point.

First, have you actually sold your skills? Talked about your strengths? Our scientific training doesn¡¯t help us here. We are too used to writing in 바카라사이트 third person.

But you need to own your skills. Underline your evidence with positive language choices. If this is a struggle, co-opt a good friend or mentor to help craft your message. Invest time in your CV because you won¡¯t get a second chance to make a first impression.

Then, to profile or not to profile, that is 바카라사이트 question. On an academic CV, I think 바카라사이트 profile section is often redundant. ¡°I am a passionate biochemist with excellent attention to detail¡± does not make you a tall poppy in 바카라사이트 academic world.

But when it comes to moving on out, I think a short (two or three sentences) profile at 바카라사이트 top of your CV can really help set 바카라사이트 scene. Here you can set out, as an actor would say, your motivation. Here you can communicate why you really want 바카라사이트 job and how your life has been building to this exact point.

Even if that sounds like overkill, you are aiming for ¡°proactive postdoc¡± ra바카라사이트r than ¡°pity me, I¡¯m a postdoc¡±!

The CV¡¯s job is to get you an interview. You need to start owning your strengths and explaining your career choices on paper because, when you get face to face with an employer, 바카라사이트y are certain to ask about 바카라사이트se.

is an independent trainer providing advice for early career researchers. A former postdoc, she is also a former head of academic practice at 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge and co-author of What Every Postdoc Needs to Know, with Liz Elvidge and Carol Spencely.