Efficient Job Application (Academic)

Ali Dariush (University of Cambridge)

IPM – Dec. 2015

Outline

● Target a Job

● Application preparation

● Interview

Target a Job(Examples from web resources )

● Astronomical– The RAS (Royal Astronomical Society) JobsList (mainly UK)

http://www.ras.org.uk

– AAS (American Astronomical Society ; mainly USA)

http://aas.org

● Academic discipline– Jobs.ac.uk (mainly UK)

http://www.jobs.ac.uk

● Non-academic– Reed (UK's #1 job site ; >250,000 jobs)

http://www.reed.co.uk

Target a Job(Examples from web resources )

Be careful: Keep an eye on all available/potential opportunities Example from https://www.strw.leidenuniv.nl

Target a Job

Write down your priorities before applying for a job. For example, Ask yourself the following questions:

● Where do I wish to live for the next couple of years ?

● What sort of contract I am looking for ? e.g. short/long term (fixed term), open ended, permanent etc.

● What level of salary do I expect to earn ?

● What subject do I wish to work on ?

● What next (suppose you get the job) ?

Narrow down your search

Target a Job

Write down your priorities before applying for a job. For example, Ask yourself the following questions:

● Does it suit my skills / interest ?

● What do I gain from this job ?

● What do they gain from my skills ?

Carefully read the Job Description

Do not apply for jobs where the requested skills

do not match yours !

Target a JobJob Description (Example)

Job Advertisement: Closing Date 6th January 2016

Postdoctoral Researcher in Supernova Science

Salary: GBP 28,982 to GBP 32,600 per annumPosition number: 10016987 (Fixed term contract for 3 years)

The Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation will appoint an STFC-funded Postdoctoral Researcher in supernova science in support of their on-goinginvolvement in the Dark Energy Survey (DES) Supernova Survey. The position may also support our recent involvement in transient science fromthe LSST and DESI projects.

The successful applicant will work as part of the DES team at the ICG (especially Prof. Bob Nichol and Dr. David Bacon) as well as withcolleagues within the DES collaboration. The successful candidate will undertake individual, and collaborative research, within DES in the areas ofsupernova cosmology and astrophysics.

The ICG consists of 12 academic staff, 19 postdoctoral researchers and over 20 PhD students, and has an active international visitors programme.Portsmouth is an institutional member of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys (SDSS-III and SDSS-IV), DES, LSST and DESI. The University ofPortsmouth is a member of the South-East Physics Network (SEPnet) and hosts the 3700-core SEPnet-ASTRO supercomputer (SCIAMA). Moreinformation is available at http://www.icg.port.ac.uk

The start date for the position can be April 2016, but later start dates are possible including September 2016. The details of the position aredescribed in the job description and person specification which are available from the University of Portsmouth online application system at https://port.engageats.co.uk. Applications (application form, CV, publication list and research statement) should be submitted via the onlineapplication system by the closing date. Applicants should also arrange for up to three reference letters to be sent by email to icg-admin@port.ac.uk, to arrive by the same closing date.

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but applications are particularly encouraged from traditionally under-represented groups inscience. The University of Portsmouth holds an Athena SWAN bronze award and is an Institute of Physics Project Juno Supporter; these projectsshow a commitment to introduce organisational and cultural practices that promote gender equality in science and create a better workingenvironment for men and women.

For informal enquiries, please contact bob.nichol@port.ac.uk

Application preparation

Documents

CV (Resume)

Cover letter

Statement ofInterest (SOI)

ResearchProposal

Technical Jobs

Application preparation

Documents

CV (Resume)

Cover letter

Statement ofInterest (SOI)

ResearchProposal

Research Based Job

Application preparationCV (Resume, 2 - 4 pages)

Name (CV)Address, tel, email

Item 1

Item 2

Item 3

It is always a goodpractice to finish anitem in the page whereit is started

Application preparationCV (Resume, 2 - 4 pages)

Items To be included

● Name and address● Education● Employment (paid jobs, i.e. contract / fix-term / permanent)● Summary of PhD thesis (if recently graduated) or current role● Observing experience (astronomical position) or Lab experience● Coding / IT skills (+ other job related technical software)● Research experience● Teaching experience● Grants / Awards (scholarships, travel etc.)● Publication list (1st author / co-author)

● Peer review journals (only published, accepted)● Conference proceedings

● Conference keynote speaker / talks / posters● References

Application preparationCV (Resume, 2 - 4 pages)

Items Not to be include

● Date of Birth – gender (if not asked) ● Photo● None-relevant material (with regards to the advertised job)● Nationality (if not asked)● List of conference attendance (e.g. no talk, no poster) ● Non-relevant computer skills● List of future papers (e.g. in preparations, submitted etc.)● High school award / medals (if applying for a post-doc)● Unnecessary use of colours

Application preparationCV (Resume, 2 - 4 pages)

Be professionalExample: Correct headings

● Do not use Other Research ExperienceOther Research Experience (not good ; negative)

● Use Research experienceResearch experience (good ; positive)

Application preparationCV (Resume, 2 - 4 pages)

Be professionalExample: IT Skills (be precise and specific)

Coding: Fortran, C++, Matlab, Python

Astro-software: IRAF, IRIS, DS9

Others: Word, Latex, Excel, Origin, GNU Plot, Photoshop

OS: Windows7, Linux

Coding:● Highly experienced in C++

● Parallel coding: OpenMP

Astro-software: ● Working knowledge of IRAF

Plotting:● GNU Plot

Word processing: ● Experienced in Latex

OS: ● Linux (+ Shell scripting)

Application preparationCV (Resume, 2 - 4 pages)

Be professionalExample: References

● Select your references carefully, i.e., be sure that they support yourapplication.

● Always confirm with your references before applying for jobs.

Dear Dr. …...

I am applying for a PhD/post-doc/Research-fellow position at the University of xxx. As such, I would be happy if I could introduce you as one of my references. Would you please let me know if I have your permission to do that.

Here is the link to the advertised Job/PhD position etc. Https://xxxx.xxxx.xxxxx. The deadline for sending the letter of recommendation is on xxxxxx

Best regards, xxxx xxxx

Application preparationCV (Resume, 2 - 4 pages)

Be professionalExample: Appearance

Education

2012-Present PhD in Physics, IPM, TehranSupervisor: Dr. Habib KhosroshahiThesis title: Evolution of Galaxies in Galaxy Groups

Research Experience

● Visiting researcher- Uni of St.Andrews, October 2010 – Jan. 2011- Working on xxx (Advisor: Prof. xxxx)

Teaching experience

● Astrophysics Lab demonstrator, Uni of Birmingham, 2010-2011

● Teaching assistant, Undergraduate computer course in C++ (Imperial College, London)Duties: xxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

Application preparationStatement of interest (2-3 pages)

Guideline

● 1st paragraph: - Introduce yourself, your current degree, current role etc.

● Briefly write about your current/most-recent work (add one or two plots if it helps)- What do you work on?- Why is that important?- What problem you are trying to solve?

● In more detail tell how your involvement and skills will help the target institute (use bulletpoints if applicable) with their ongoing research activities. In particular:

- What benefit do they get by hiring you (give example)?- What advantage does it have for you?

● Last paragraph: - Always appreciate their time and effort for considering/reading your application.

● References Read their website and group-activity carefully and see how they benefit by hiring you

Application preparationResearch Proposal (3-4 pages)

Guideline

● 1st paragraph: - Introduce yourself, your current degree, current role etc.

● Briefly write about the current advances in the field of your expertise and connect it toyour current/most-recent work (add one or two plots if it helps)

- Why this subject is important in astronomy?- How does it advance our understanding of astrophysical processes?

● What is your plan to continue working on this subject (how solid is your plan ?)● Time management● Data management: Where does the data come from? By requesting telescope time or

using public archive (e.g. SDSS, GALEX, Herschel, GAMA, GAIA etc) ● How your proposal boost the overall group activity at the target institute?● Does your project also help to define any PhD project and could you lead them?

● Last paragraph: - Always appreciate their time and effort for considering/reading your application.

● References Read their website and group-activity carefully and see how they benefit by hiring you

Application preparationCoverLetter

1 page Write it down in four paragraphs

Name (Cover Letter)Address, tel, email

P1

P2

P3

P4

Sincerely yours,Your full-name

Application preparationCoverLetter

1 page

Name (Cover Letter)Address, tel, email

P1

P2

P3

P4

Sincerely yours,Your full-name

Write about yourself (current status and education) and that you are about to apply for the advertised job (reference number).

Finally give your reasons that why are you applying for this job. ● How your skills make you a suitable

candidate for the advertised post ? ● How your previous research is

connected to the advertised position ?● What benefit do they get by having you

In their group ?

Write about your research and their aims. Also write about your most striking (in line with their current researchactivities) results and the skills you have got so far.

Write about your currentResearch / duties.

Interview (30-60 min)Useful tips

Interview MethodsOver phone, via Skype / google or Face-2-Face

Face-2-Face methodQuestion and Answer OR10-20 min presentation + Question and Answer

Prepare for the 1st question:Tell us about yourself, your background, your PhD work→ Practice in advance (Do not spend more than 5min for this part unlessinterviewers ask further questions)

For technical posts:Read related materials beforehand

Be prepare yourself for questions like these:● Where do you see yourself in 5 years

from now ?● What is your plan after finishing this job ?● Do you have any questions from us ?

Interview (30-60 min)Useful tips

Interview MethodsOver phone, via Skype / google or Face-2-Face

Face-2-Face methodQuestion and Answer OR10-20 min presentation + Question and Answer

Prepare for the 1st question:Tell us about yourself, your background, your PhD work→ Practice in advance (Do not spend more than 5min for this part unlessinterviewers ask further questions)

For technical posts:Read related materials beforehand

Be prepare yourself for questions like these:● Where do you see yourself in 5 years

from now ?● What is your plan after finishing this job ?● Do you have any questions from us ?

Yes You definitely

have to..

AskQuestions

Source: www.ucas.com

Finally...

Take Home message... ● While preparing your job application, payattention to details

● Keep your CV up-to-date

● There is no final version of CV orResearch Statement / Proposal. Theyalways need modification and revision.

● For each job, you may need to modifyyour CV and in particular your ResearchStatement / Proposal (if they arerequested as part of the job application).

● A new cover letter has to be written everytime you apply for a new job.

● Be positive and believe in yourself.