I definitely second what the others have said - get someone else other
than a careers advisor to check your CV.
If possible, ask someone who currently works in the sector you want to
get into to read your CV and give you feedback. Each sector wants
something slightly different from a CV - which is insider experience a
careers advisor might not have.
When I did this, I found out that although my CV was good in a general
sense, it didn't emphasise sufficiently what those particular
employers were looking for.
I also switched my CV around to be a bit more skills based, rather
than chronological, so that I clearly state the skills as headers
(something I have to explain each time in interview, but at least I
get to interview!).
Iona
Quoting "Nicola J. Rolfe" <[log in to unmask]> on Wed, 31 Jul
2013 10:23:22 +0100:
> Hi Pieter,
>
> I finished university in a very similar position to you, did a
> masters, ran the society, lots of outreach and demo work. Then I did
> a Ph.D and continued to do outreach and demo during this time.
> When I came to apply for jobs, I found I had the same problems as
> you - no experience. Doing these things doesn't make us exceptional
> any more, and that is what employers are looking for.
>
> Since then I've completed a couple of work experience/ voluntary
> positions, which I'm hoping will help, but the really important
> thing is like Cathy said, you already have more experience than you
> realise. Your masters was a project, so you have project management
> skills. Running the society means you have worked as part of a small
> team, and should be able to demonstrate leadership and communication
> skills. I would advise getting a second opinion on your CV and
> really thinking about all the skills you already have. It's all
> about how you sell it.
>
> I hope this helps.
>
>
> Dr. Nicola J. Rolfe
> Post Doctoral Research Fellow at the Advanced Technology Institute,
> University of Surrey
> http://www.linkedin.com/pub/nicola-rolfe/59/47a/580
> http://nicolajrolfe.wordpress.com/
> @nicolajrolfe
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pieter Rhodes
> Sent: 31 July 2013 10:19
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Recruitment
>
> My CV has been checked by my careers advisor and he seems to think
> its a very good CV. It's just so difficult as the market is not the
> best for jobs at the moment. Thank you for your reply.
>
> Pieter
>
>
>
> On 31 Jul 2013, at 10:16, "Cathy Baldwin"
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I would have thought your school experience was quite substantial
>> experience given the length of time you did it for. How are you
>> presenting it on your CV? Sounds as though you need to push that in
>> your applications.
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Dr Cathy Baldwin, [log in to unmask] Post Doctoral
>> Associate, Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University
>> of Oxford
>> http://www.anthro.ox.ac.uk/about-us/affiliates-emeriti-research-fellow
>> s/dr-cathy-baldwin/
>>
>> ________________________________________
>> From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
>> [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Pieter Rhodes
>> [[log in to unmask]]
>> Sent: 31 July 2013 09:58
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: [PSCI-COM] Recruitment
>>
>> Dear All,
>>
>> Sorry to email you here but I have a query, I have just finished my
>> masters in forensic science at the university of Kent in
>> Canterbury. During my time at university, I was the Vice President
>> and the president of the university forensic science society and I
>> was employed for 3.5 years as an outreach demonstrator, promoting
>> science in schools. In coming to apply for jobs I am finding it
>> increasingly difficult to find work due to lack of experience or
>> over qualification. Does any one else have this problem or advice
>> to resolve.
>>
>> Many thanks for your time
>>
>> Pieter Rhodes
>>
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