Careers adviser presentation on CVs for PhD students, November 2016

1. Welcome to CV writing for
Postgraduate Researchers

2. We will cover…
• What is a CV?
• Who is it for?
• What should be in it?
• How are academic CVs different?
• Some examples
• How we can help

3. What is a CV?

4. What is the purpose of a CV?
• For applicants…..
• Record of qualifications, skills and experiences
• Demonstrates both suitability and potential for the job/ sector
• To get an interview
• For employers…
• To initially weed out unsuitable candidates
• To select suitable applicants

5. The matching process
-

6. Who is going to read your CV?
Understand what the employer is looking for
What is different about being a postgraduate?
Employers want work related skills-
communication, teamwork, organisation,
problem solving, specialist skills

7. Different types of CVs
• Chronological/traditional
• Skills based/targeted/functional
• Academic
• Different – to attract attention
• Online

8. Presenting your research

9. What do you include in your CV?
•Personal Information
•Profile
•Education
•Work Experience – paid and unpaid
•Interests – what else do you do?
•Additional skills – languages, IT literacy
•Referees

10. Academic CVs
The Selection Panel looks for detailed evidence of:
•Research
•Teaching
•Administrative experience
•Public engagement
•Plus what added value you can bring to the field,
institution, department or subject group

12. Writing Style/ Layout
• Detail
• Active Language
• Accurate grammar and spelling
• Clarity
• Logically ordered, easy to read and not cramped
• Bullet points, underlining, bold

13. Covering Letters
Accompany your CV and should:
• Make an impact,
• Highlight your suitability and motivation for the job
• Encourage the employer to want to read the rest of your application
Usually 1 side of A4 for most employers, academic roles can be longer,
ideally key 4 points:
• Why writing
• Why you
• Why them
• What next

14. The Careers & Employability Centre
Ground Floor / The Library
www.sussex.ac.uk/careers
• Come along to events –
• www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/events
• Careers Advisers appointments daily
Call on 01273 678429
• careers@sussex.ac.uk
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