Resume and Cover Letters - HDR Students - CURTIN CAREERS, EMPLOYMENT & LEADERSHIP - Curtin Student ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
CURTIN CAREERS, EMPLOYMENT & LEADERSHIP Resume and Cover Letters – HDR Students Dr Kathleen Franklyn Career Development Consultant – Higher Degree by Research Students (all faculties)
Last week – needs and
concerns
Ideas & Feedback‐Thank you
• Networking, leadership, developing soft skills
• LinkedIn https://unihub.curtin.edu.au/students/resources
• Elevator pitch – what to say?
• Teaching/mentoring skills –(tutoring, shadowing, volunteering)
• Practical cases and scenarios for transfer into Industry
• An Industry panel who share their reasons for
needing/not needing PhD students
• Industry based networking
• Academic job search workshops
Ideas & Feedback‐Thank you
• Networking, leadership, developing soft skills
• LinkedIn
• Elevator pitch – what to say?
• Teaching/mentoring skills –(tutoring, shadowing,
volunteering)
• Practical cases and scenarios for transfer into Industry
• An Industry panel who share their reasons for
needing/not needing PhD students
• Industry based networking
• Academic job search workshops
Today – Resumes and Cover letters
Cover Letter –
Your “sales pitch” for
you (how you match).
Resume –
Your “DL flier/glossy
brochure” – evidence
Your Job Search Is Like a Marketing Plan to support your
application
Graphic from: https://www.targetmarketingmag.com/post/6‐ways‐job‐search‐like‐marketing‐plan/all/ (beviepro.com)
5
Focus for today
• Resume and cover letter writing techniques
• Advice is applicable for job search purposes (Career Centre, Building 102)
• For an Australian audience (if looking for work elsewhere, research local resume
writing protocols applicable to the country in question e.g. ‘Going Global’ Country
Career Guides via https://unihub.curtin.edu.au/ search ‘resources’; and seek
advice from mentors/professional associations)
• Academic CV – points of difference
• Chronological or competency based format is required for industry roles
• Signpost to further resources / help
Resume workbook:
https://unihub.curtin.edu.au/docs/364/Resume_Workbook.pdf
Cover Letter workbook:
https://unihub.curtin.edu.au/docs/365/CoverLetter_Workbook.pdf
NB: Selection Criteria & Interviews (tomorrow): Wednesday 14th November
REMINDER ‐ What employers look for:
An equation for your success
Qualification(s)
+
Employability Skills (communication, leadership, problem solving,
collaboration & teamwork etc)
+
Career Management Skills (career direction, resume writing, interview
skills etc)
+
Industry Experience (fieldwork, placements, labs, work experience,
employment)
+
Enterprise and Technology Skills & Commercial Awareness
+
Belief in yourself, ability to articulate all this + BAGS OF PASSION
Career development questions to consider:
• Do you have a clear career direction in mind?
• Is your career goal realistic? How do you know this?
• Are you well connected in your field?
• How do you rate your chances of securing a job, or a promotion (if applicable)?
• Do you have a well prepared resume that sells you to your full potential?
• How confident do you feel in a job interview?
• Do you know how to present your research to a non‐academic audience?
• If you’re changing career direction, how do you feel about this? Are you confident
about how to make a smooth transition towards your new goal?
• Do you have a well‐developed digital footprint e.g. LinkedIn profile, ResearchGate,
Academia.edu etc?
If you’re unsure about any of these questions, Curtin Careers, Employment & Leadership
may be able to assist you, through a variety of methods…….....
Resume obstacles
What queries or concerns do you have with
resume writing
What do you find tricky about resumes?
Resume Basics
Resume specifics ‐
Academic vs Industry
9
Disclaimer – Content heavy
• Refer to details later
• Using now to create
context/background
to discussion.
• Aim – essential areas,
how to write, and
differences between
‐ academic, research,
industry
‐ Keep in mind how the
employer reads theseRESUME BASICS ‐ Writing an effective
resume requires 6 steps:
1. Clarify what the employer wants – skills, qualities,
experience, knowledge
2. Choose a format to best showcase your most relevant
experiences
Chronological: http://employmentguide.com.au/Resume/how‐to‐write‐a‐resume‐reverse‐chronological‐resume.html
Functional/Skills: http://employmentguide.com.au/Resume/how‐to‐write‐a‐resume‐functional‐skills‐resume.html
Combined: http://employmentguide.com.au/Resume/how‐to‐write‐a‐resume‐reverse‐chronological‐functional‐resume.html
3. Decide what to include – focus on the employer needs, not
yours
4. Prove your skills – identify accomplishments (soft and hard
skills), not just job descriptions
5. Make your language effective – power writing
6. One last checkResumes Basics – Format examples
12Why is it important to submit a well presented
resume?Activity ‐ Rate the Resumes: Look at layout: • Is a photograph required? Dr Clare Campbell • Suitable font type and size? • Do the headings stand out / draw the readers eye? • Is it in reverse chronological order? • Are dot points used effectively? Too few? Too many? • Is it evenly formatted throughout e.g. text alignment, line spacing etc? • White space – too much? Too little? • Anything else you like / dislike?
Resume Basics ‐ Layout • Font – sans serif e.g. Arial, Calibri, Tahoma, Verdana, Lucida Sans. 10‐11 main body text; 12‐14 key headings • Hidden tables – useful to ensure text is aligned (always hide the grid lines though) • Headings – easy to read – bold/larger font, lines or colour • Bullet points – useful to keep info concise, easy to over do • Paragraphs – keep to 3‐4 lines max. • White space – ensure margins are wide enough, not too cramped • No photographs (in Australia), no need to write ‘Resume’ at the top • Consistency throughout is crucial
*** Possible Resume Sections:
Non‐academic jobs Academic jobs: (& research)
• Contact Details (no address)
• Contact Details (no address)
• Career Summary (objective optional)
• Career Summary (objective optional)
• Skills Summary – teaching, research,
• Skills Summary – relevant role/industry admin & technical skills
• Education • Education
• Employment • Awards / Prizes / Funding / Grants
• Voluntary Work (optional) • Publications
• Professional Development / Training & • Conferences / Presentations / Posters
Certifications
• Employment
• Professional Associations
• Voluntary Work (optional)
• Interests (optional)
• Professional Development / Training &
• Referees Certifications
• Professional Associations
• Interests (optional)
• RefereesReview ‐ Academic/Research
Resumes Prof. Marks
Prof. Gucciardi
• FYI, my current CV is likely to differ from what would be expected
from a recent PhD graduate applying for a postdoc or T&R position;
for example, I would expect additional details in places to explain
their role in the various components of the CV (e.g., exact role in
teaching delivery/curriculum development; collecting data, analysing
data, writing contributions to papers). Some of this detail would
likely be addressed in the statements against the selection criteria.
• However, given the large volume of applications received for jobs
these days (sometimes 100+), it’s important that applicants
synthesise this information in a summary section that will standout
to panellists (e.g., biographical sketch, cover letter), as well as
provide the details in the relevant section of their CV (in case
panellists have the time to check such detail).
Prof GucciardiDifferences between
Academic CV & an Industry Resume
www.PhDcomics.comResume Basics – Your Contact Details
Sarah Student
112 Leach Highway
Riverton WA 6100
Tel: 0400 999 999
Email: S.Student@hotmail.com
LinkedIn: http://au.linkedin.com/in/sarahstudent
• Include other relevant social media profiles e.g. ResearchGate,
Twitter etc
• Use suitable email address & voicemail message
• Customise your LinkedIn profile address
https://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/87/ft/eng
19Career Summary (optional/arguably essential) • Brief statement to advise potential employer the type of position you are looking for to further your career • Your fit to the organisation / role • Focus on what you can offer the employer • Be specific and to the point • Incorporate context through objective/minimise objections (especially if career change focus) Example: A recent University of Auckland PhD graduate with five years’ research experience in environmental waste analysis and two years’ experience in industrial consulting. Add in some soft/hard skill statements that position you for role/type of role/area moving forward. Currently seeking a position in the environmental waste consultancy area.
Research / Teaching Summary Research Summary Example: My research specialisation is in the field of minimising the contaminants produced in the rubber production process and in the development of new techniques for eliminating rubber waste by‐products to reduce environmental damage. Also interested in toxicology of environmental airborne waste products and development of afterburning technology to minimise air pollution. Teaching Summary Example: In addition to Course Director and Programme Director duties, I teach on several of the modules comprising the XXXX programme. My teaching subject areas include: project management, risk and value management, supply chain management, organisational structures, project and programme strategies, procurement and contractual claims. I am supervising PhD research in the areas of the effectiveness of network broker positions in design, contractual claims and the effects of document completeness and the use of PFI procurement in China. Currently delivering a training programme to Land Securities project management staff.
Education – version 1
• Reverse chronological order
• Dates, title of qualification, educational institution and location
• State major(s) and any substantial projects completed
Example:
2014‐present PhD
Department of Environmental Science, University of Auckland
Doctoral Thesis: Investigation and development of new
technique for the containment of industrial waste in the rubber
industry in New Zealand
2011‐2013 Master of Science
Department of Environmental Science, University of Auckland
Masters Thesis: Investigated the effects of industrial pollutants on
oyster farming in the Mahurangi Estuary
2008‐2011 Bachelor of Science with major in Chemistry, University of OtagoEducation – version 2 • Reverse chronological order • Dates, title of qualification, educational institution and location • State major(s) and any substantial projects completed Example: PhD, University of Auckland 2014‐present Department of Environmental Science Doctoral Thesis: Investigation and development of new technique for the containment of industrial waste in the rubber industry in New Zealand Master of Science, University of Auckland 2011‐2013 Department of Environmental Science, Masters Thesis: Investigated the effects of industrial pollutants on oyster farming in the Mahurangi Estuary Bachelor of Science (Chemistry), University of Otago 2008‐2011
Discussion
Do you have a skills summary in your resume?
Why? What purpose does it serve?Skills Summary • Opportunity to highlight to your potential employer the relevant skills you have developed • Use evidence of specific skill sets and knowledge developed through study, work placements, employment and relevant interests Example: • Databases: SPSS, H1X models, enviroaccess, wasteCOM • Techniques: advanced spectrometer, particle separator, Manning‐Taylor particulate hydroliser • Excellent oral communication skills developed as a result of tutoring first year Environmental Science students at university and presenting research in front of peers and academic staff. • Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety principles relevant to laboratory environments developed through studies and experience at Pathwest.
Employment
• Reverse chronological order (current position first ‐ usually)
• List the position title, company name and location
• Indicate the mode of employment if not full time
• List three to five responsibilities and achievements in dot points
Example:
Sales Assistant Vodafone, Perth WA Jan 2015 – Dec 2017
• Provision of effective customer service by taking the time to identify the customers technology
needs. This enabled me to find suitable solutions and build rapport with customers which
resulted in high sales.
• Customised my communication style depending on the customer’s level of technical expertise.
• Demonstrated initiative by assisting the Manager with computer system maintenance and
software upgrades to ensure optimum performance for all users.
Achievement:
• Consistently exceeded monthly sales targets by between 15 – 20%
26Writing with Power
Action Word + Task/Duty + Outcome = Writing with Power
Skills Employment
Instead of: Instead of:
• Customer Service skills Assistant, Foot Locker, Perth, 2009‐2013
• Communication skills • Customer service skills
• Cash handling
How about:
How about:
Customer service: Provided effective
customer service at Footlocker by taking Assistant, Foot Locker, Perth 2009‐2013
time to identify the customer’s needs • Created successful sales relationships
and being sincere. This resulted in
with customers through effective
building good rapport with customers
and, in return, high level sales. listening and interpersonal skills.
Refer to Positive action words list
27Projects (if relevant)
• Project work at university / placements can be really valuable
experience to include on a resume
Example:
Final year Geomatics project:
• Implementation of a GIS to study the impacts of human activities on the Great
Barrier Reef
• Project involved combination of Remote Sensing and GIS technologies, and
provided practical experience for both research techniques and GIS development
using ArcInfo
• Conducted an extensive literature review evaluating past and current contributions
aimed at advancing research, development and applications of GIS
• Produced an 8000 word report on research background, methodology and findings
using clear, well‐labelled diagrams, tables and equations
• Presented findings in a highly professional seminar presentation using various
visual aids including PowerPoint
• Thesis project was considered to be an H1 standard for its excellence in its logical
approach to the project work and the thesis presentationScholarships & Awards
• Reverse chronological order
• Include the title of the award & name of the
organisation
• Summarise the award if not obvious to the employer
• Awards associated with other key sections of your
résumé can either feature in the awards section or
elsewhere
Examples:
2016: Dunlop New Zealand Ltd, Industrial Scholarship Award
2013: Dean’s Commendation Certificate, Faculty of Science,
University of AucklandPublications (vital for academia) • List published works in reverse chronological order according to publication date. Use the reference style appropriate to your discipline. Consider bolding your name on each publication. Examples: • E. Smythe and M. Feline “The impact of feral cats on native flora and fauna in the Australian Capital Territory” Journal of Wildlife and Social Spaces 42, no. 3 (2015): 11‐21. • E. Smythe and P. Davis “Feline Immunodeficiency Virus: A Literature Review” Feline 5, no. 2 (2015): 14‐26. • B. Cat and E. Smythe “Trust Behaviours in British Short Hair Cats” Pet Life 6, no. 2 (2014): 34‐67. • C. Meow and E. Smythe, 2014, “Age versus stage: cat behaviours over a ten year span”, vol 13, issue 9, International Journal of Cat Psychology, United Kingdom, pp. 399‐507.
Conferences, Posters, Presentations (important for academia) Example: Conference Proceedings • E. Meow, M. Feline and E. Smythe, 2015, The impact of feral cats on native flora and fauna in the Australian Capital Territory, Proceedings of the 99th annual PATS conference, 1‐3 December 2015, Pedigrees and Tabby Association of Sweden, Stockholm. Sweden, p. 11. • Presented poster at the University of Tooloomba’s Annual Zoology Conference, Perth Australia, 2015
Don’t forget administrative experience (useful for both academia and industry) For instance: • Responsible for managing laboratory consumables for our current research group. Ensured stock was ordered on time and within a budget of $50,000 • Organised and chaired meetings of up to 15 academic and research staff working on biodiversity issues during my PhD • Conference Organiser – University of Perth. Organised event promoting the work / interaction of early career researchers. Secured sponsorship, speakers, publicity and entertainment for the event. Positive feedback obtained from all conference delegates.
Volunteer work
• Structure similar to employment
• Include details of any leadership roles or key projects
• Explain your role so the employer understands your contribution
Example:
Student Mentor, Curtin University Mentor Program Jul 2014 – Present
• Supervised first‐year students with the transition to university by
communicating useful information via email and social media, administrating a
Facebook group, meeting with students individually to solve problems and
referring students to support services for any additional assistance.
• Facilitated campus tours and group icebreaker activities to enthuse new
students during Orientation Week, demonstrating strong presentation and
communication skills.
33Professional development
• Shows commitment to your field / career intent
Memberships
2016‐present Student Psychology Council
Representative
2015‐onwards Australian Psychological Society
(Student Member)
Training & Certificates
2018 Mental Health First Aid Course ‐ Curtin University
2018 First Aid Certificate
2018 Working with Children CheckOther Sections:
Professional Development
‐ if relevant to target job, or “adds to your skills”
Memberships
Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology 2015‐onwards
‐ Member of Student Chapter
Training & Certificates
Mental Health First Aid Course ‐ Curtin University 2017
First Aid Certificate ‐ HSE Training Company 2017
35Awards / Achievements / Prizes
• Don’t be afraid to shout about your
achievements!
• Weave them into existing headings, as
applicable e.g. put academic achievements
into your ‘Education’ section etc
• Or, consider a separate ‘Awards /
Achievements’ section if you have 4 or more ‐
make a feature of them
36Interests ‐ Optional
• Can be useful to indicate you have skill, personal
quality or knowledge in an area related to your career
i.e. further evidence of your suitability for a role
• Designed to demonstrate you have interests outside of
work and study i.e. ‘well‐rounded’
• Not just a dot point list – short paragraph, description
of how you are involved and what you are gaining
from this
37Referees
• Common for employers to ask for 2 employment
related references
• Ensure you ask a potential referee first
• Current or previous employer
• Lecturer, tutor, thesis supervisor
• Community group leader
• Work experience / internship supervisor
Professor James Wu
PhD Supervisor
Curtin University, School of XXXXXX
Tel: +61 8 9266 1111
Email: James.wu@curtin.edu.auIf in doubt, remove these from
your resume:
• Images or visuals • Inappropriate email addresses
e.g. fluffybunny@hotmail.com
• Weird fonts / colours / clipart won’t impress!
• Badly done infographics • Lies / exaggerated statements
• Cliché or vague phrases e.g. • Outdated skills
‘results driven’
• Irrelevant awards e.g. ballet
• The phrase ‘References upon certificate aged 6
request’
• Jobs > 5‐10 years ago (unless you’ve
• Full paragraphs or anything had a career break, or they are relevant)
that looks like a cover letter • Controversial interests
• Personal social media • Broken links
accounts
• Acronyms
• Typos
• A biography
39Linked In Post
• Australian and UK story
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/putting‐realism‐academic‐careers‐harald‐h‐h‐w‐schmidt/MUIREANN IRISH: Make peace with rejection
Cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Sydney, Australia.
Because preparing a publication represents years of hard work, rejection often feels
like a personal attack. In my field, journal acceptance rates hover around 20%, and
success rates for the two major national government funding bodies are no better.
Statistically speaking, rejection is the norm.
I’ve developed methods to process rejection and learn from it. First, I give myself
time. Some scientists — myself included — will need to read the letter, get angry and
then complain privately and bitterly about the reviewers until they feel better. After
that, I do nothing for at least a week — I simply try to let the dust settle and wait to
review the comments when things are calmer.
Rejection is not personal. Perhaps we misjudged the suitability of a paper for a
particular journal, over-interpreted the novelty of our findings, or attempted to publish
prematurely. There are similar reasons for rejections of funding applications.
Once the emotional reaction has subsided, discuss the review with your peers. In my
lab group, we share our peer-review experiences, which helps to normalize the
rejection. By openly sharing that my papers have been, and will continue to be,
rejected, I hope to send a clear message to my students that rejection is part and
parcel of academia and the world does not end when a paper is rejected.
Finally, never allow your self-worth to be determined by metrics. Academics by nature
ascribe to high standards, and to be informed that your work is not good enough can
feel like a personal failure. So many factors influence decisions on papers and
funding applications, including timing, journal space, funding priorities and,
sometimes, just pure luck.
Rejection is the norm, but it is not the end.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586‐018‐06873‐5?error=cookies_not_supported&code=e70b2950‐75f4‐401c‐9db3‐9b47226e2521PhD student moving out of Academia
Are you a PhD student moving out of Academia?
• Content & style of resume will depend on whether the role requires your research
background & specialist knowledge OR your transferable skills
• For industry roles, when your research is of relevance, emphasise the practical
application of your thesis to the job / organisation in question…i.e. how will what
you have found out through your research be of use to that organisation
• For jobs unrelated to your research & subject knowledge, focus on the transferable
skills you have gained through your Masters or PhD and provide clear examples of
how and why you meet the selection criteria e.g. project management, team work,
communication skills, analytical skills etc
• Emphasise collaborative work, project work etc if this was a feature of your
research to show you can work with others
• Commercial awareness may be important for industry roles – how will you evidence
this (funding you have secured, innovation in your research etc)?
• Don’t forget to sell all relevant experience – including previous professional
employment, voluntary work, part‐time jobs etcAre you a PhD student moving out of Academia? “This is why translating your skills for a non‐academic audience is key to your success in the private sector job market. You cannot simply list intellectual accomplishments and knowledge sets and expect the individual reviewing your resume to equate these abstract skills with the more applied work that they often require”. Source: Reframing Doctoral Skills ‐ Articulating Academic Experience for the Non‐ Academic Workplace. Danielle J. Deveau, Pop Culture Lab. April 26, 2013. http://jobsontoast.com/applying‐for‐jobs‐outside‐academia‐from‐phd‐to‐fellow‐professional/
Transferable skills
PhD task / activity Skills / competency
• I wrote a thesis, various journal • Ability to present and organise large
papers, progress reports amounts of information in a clear
manner. Fluency in Microsoft Office
packages
• I analysed lots of data • Analysis of complex data and
presentation of emerging conclusions
and concepts
• I completed my PhD in 3 years • Ability to plan a project and deliver it
to agreed timelines. Able to work with
minimum supervision as well as part
of a team
• I conducted interviews for my • Questionnaire design. Experience in
research qualitative/quantitative analysis.
Sensitive to the needs of others.
Diplomacy and confidentiality
• I organised a conference • Event planning skillsResume – Industry Complete Industry Resume Guide for PhDs_Cheeky Scientist.pdf
Cheeky Scientist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS5EwdB3mo0
1. Innovators ‐ Expert innovators, have to discover new information,
not just regurgitate old information
2. Conflict Resolution – regularly have to use logic to present,
defend and discuss research work on a regular basis, and are
better off for it
3. Learning ‐ PhDs are literally doctors of learning (a PhD means
Doctor of Philosophy, and philosophy means knowledge and the
ability to ascertain knowledge)
4. Problem Solvers ‐ adept at problem solving. eg; go from failure to
failure without loss of enthusiasm and can deal with the
uncertainty of tackling the worlds biggest questions.
5. Competitive collaborators ‐ self‐starters who work well alone but
also work well on teams and often collaborate to get large
projects done, hence why most academic publications have
multiple authorsThe 7 Essential Transferable skills all PhDs have
• Written communication
• Research
• Public speaking
• Project management
• Leadership
Strong Examples
• Critical thinking (achievements)
• Collaboration
https://academicpositions.com/career‐advice/the‐7‐essential‐transferable‐skills‐all‐phds‐have [accessed 23.10.18]Changing to Industry
Cheek Scientist’s
recommendations
Networking—it should be your top
priority.
Everything else should come second.
Your thesis should come second.
Getting published should come
second.
Keeping your PI happy should come
second.
If you’ve made a decision to transition
into industry, you must make
networking your top priority.
You must also make creating a job
search strategy a top priority.Source: Complete Industry Resume Guide for PhDs_Cheeky Scientist.pdf
Final Resume tips: • Logical structure – tell the story, clear headings; don’t just ‘bolt on’ your PhD • You MUST tailor it to each position ‐ consider grouping together all relevant work experience under one heading to make a feature of it • Have a master version – cull/tailor/edit, make fit for purpose or role • Give important information plenty of space – ideally on page 1 (prime real estate). Edit ruthlessly. Include LinkedIn profile/own web space etc so the employer can find out more • Perfect grammar and spelling – get someone to proof read for you • Resume length: 2‐4 pages. Can/will be longer for academic CVs • If emailing, save as ‘John Smith Resume.docx’ to help recruiters, not ‘My Resume’
Cover Letters
Cover letter workbook:
https://unihub.curtin.edu.au/docs/365/CoverLetter_Workbook.pdfCover letters • When should you write a cover letter? • How long should a cover letter be? • Is ‘To whom it may concern’ an acceptable way to address a cover letter? • Dear Sir/Madam – use Yours faithfully to close • Dear Mr Smith – use Yours sincerely to close
Cover letter structure (Refer to cover letter template): Your name 240 Kent Street Bentley, WA 6102 10th March 2018 Addressee’s Name Their title Company Name Company address Suburb, State and Postcode Dear Ms Evans Re: Application for Trainee Research Executive (Ref 4871)
Cover letter – main body Source: The Higher Education Academy, UK https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ Paragraph 1: (intro and context) I wish to express my interest in the Trainee Research Executive position advertised on your website. I became aware of Vintage as a result of the National Student Survey which creates a high profile campaign at my university each year and have since become interested in the career opportunities a global market research agency can offer. Paragraph 2: (relevance and match) The study of Psychology has led me to develop a strong interest in statistics and the analytical process which can be readily applied in a career within Market Research. Units such as Statistics and Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods have provided me with a solid grounding in data collation and strengthened my numerical skills. I am also skilled in the use of SPSS for data manipulation and analysis. Units exploring cognitive, biological, social and developmental Psychology have taken a multidisciplinary approach and emphasised group projects, presentations and small group discussions which have enhanced my communication, team work and planning skills. The opportunity to apply my research skills combined with my interpersonal qualities in a commercial environment that has real impact and influence on today’s society is of primary interest to me. I am interested in the work of the organisation’s Social Research Institute and in particular the opportunity to contribute to social policy on a wide range of issues from education to the environment.
Cover letter – main body Paragraph 3: Positioning, evidence, and I would bring a high level of initiative, enthusiasm and a disciplined mind to Vintage; qualities which have been demonstrated in my previous experience with an international market research company and which are outlined in my Resume. My role consisted of a variety of duties, from assisting in the development of questionnaires to producing tables for members of the executive team. I was required to assist in numerous screenings and exit polls attended by clients and was also able to demonstrate my skills as a team leader by overseeing groups of coders providing assistance where necessary. At the end of my placement I was invited to continue for a further two months and, two years on, I now work on a casual basis for the company conducting exit polls for newly released films and attending screenings for up and coming titles. The opportunity to develop my career in this field and achieve industry recognised qualifications makes a position with Vintage hugely attractive and a good match for the skills I have to offer. As requested, I have enclosed my Resume outlining my experiences to date and I am available at your convenience to discuss in further detail. Yours sincerely Your signature Your name
Academic example: Dear Dr McNulty Casual Lecturer Position Further to our conversation yesterday, I am writing to you to express my interest in being placed on your list of casual lecturers available to teach in the Discipline of Economics. Having recently obtained my PhD focusing on International Trade between Malaysia and Australia, I feel I would be in a strong position to teach students at the University of Sydney. A brief synopsis of my research is in the appendix of this application. I achieved an honours degree (2:1) at the University of Melbourne in 2011 and in my final year tutored first year economics students on a regular basis. Additionally, I have had 18 months experience as a business research analyst with Westpac Bank in Melbourne before coming to Sydney to commence my PhD, which has given me great insight into xxxx which is a key feature of your highly ranked Bachelor of Economics course.
My key strengths are in my ability to communicate the interface between business and economics, especially in the areas of strategic management and decision making to students. Additionally I have strong skills in detailed analysis, problem solving and meeting deadlines as shown by my promotion within Westpac in the first 6 months. As discussed I have been tutoring at the University of Sydney for over a year whilst in the final stages of my research and believe that I can bring a skills set to a lecturing role which will complement the overall research, teaching and learning directions within the faculty and university overall. As stated in the University of Sydney Strategic Plan lecturers should be developing and applying the best pedagogical practice at all levels, and our students’ educational experience must be of a consistently high quality. My application seeks to demonstrate that I can contribute to an economics student’s educational experience in a very positive and constructive manner. Thank you for consideration of my application. Yours sincerely James Lu James Lu
Seek article
1. Your cover letter might not always be the
first thing I look at, but if your application
doesn’t have one you’re putting yourself at
a disadvantage
But it’s not just important to write a cover
letter; you need to write it well.
2. Keep it brief
Usually around four to five short
paragraphs will be sufficient for a cover
email
3. Get to the point.
Be up front and explain why you’re the
right fit for the job right away
4. Don’t just regurgitate your resume.
A cover letter should expand upon the
relevant points, rather than repeat them.
5. Know who you’re talking to.
If a job advertisement stipulates exactly
who the application should be going to,
then use your cover letter to address that
person.Learn More: • Online e‐GradLEAD modules: https://www.atn.edu.au/industry‐collaboration/e‐grad‐school/online‐modules/ • Useful resume template: http://www.hr.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0009/2895651/Academic‐Resume‐Template.doc • Sample resumes: http://www.monash.edu/career‐connect/jobs/apply/resume‐samples • Online portfolios (for creative industries) http://www.careersfortomorrow.com.au/2016/03/online‐portfolios‐creatives‐1‐job‐search‐asset/ • Academic Curriculum Vitae resource (UK): http://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial‐college/administration‐and‐support‐services/careers‐ service/public/resources/handouts/series/How‐to‐write‐an‐academic‐CV‐no‐cropmarks.pdf • Vitae (UK): https://www.vitae.ac.uk/researcher‐careers/career‐management‐for‐researchers/creating‐effective‐cvs‐as‐a‐researcher (for non‐academic and academic positions) • Academic CV advice (Canada):
Resume & cover letter feedback Resume & cover letter review service (Careers, Employment & Leadership): Face to face: Drop In to Building 102, Curtin Connect (entrance near koi fish pond) with a hard copy of your draft resume/cover letter for a 10 minute review Monday‐Friday 8.45am‐5pm Online: Or, upload your resume/cover letter to UniHub https://unihub.curtin.edu.au and we will provide you with our feedback via email (please allow at least 7 working days). All our services are free!
Individual Appointments 45 minute, 1:1 appointments can be arranged at the Bentley campus (Building 102, Curtin Connect), Skype or Phone to assist with: • Career direction and decision making • Mock interviews • Job search strategies To arrange an appointment, please visit Careers, Employment & Leadership in Building 102, Curtin Connect, phone 9266 7802 or email careers@curtin.edu.au
You can also read
