Applying for jobs in Higher Education can be time-consuming and challenging. We have some top tips to help you land a new job.
Higher education offers a wide palette of different roles.
Whether you are looking to work in marketing, catering, administration, teaching, research or management, there is a brilliant range of opportunities.
Many people would agree that working in higher education is one of the most exciting sectors to be part of.
How would we cope without doctors, scientists and engineers who all receive their education at universities?
‘How would the world look without world-changing scientific research, which improves the quality of our lives day by day?
Universities offer unparalleled opportunities to transform people’s lives and positively influence society.
You can create a meaningful contribution and support the development of the next generation.
Your work will help others to expand their horizon, see with different eyes, and create exciting breakthrough innovations for a better world.
Decide what roles to apply for
Have you been thinking about applying for vacancies, but you seem to put it off most of the time?
Often, people procrastinate about applying for vacancies because they are not clear about what role they could aim for.
If you are not sure about what level or role you should consider, you could devote a few hours simply researching vacancies online.
At this initial stage, it is best to just research options and see what piques your curiosity.
The clearer and specific you are about the role you want, the easier it will be to find it.
Treat it like a project
Keeping accurate records of your job search will help you monitor your progress.
You will be able to easily identify which online platforms work best for you.
Instead of focusing desperately on the end result of getting a job, you will do well to put your attention on the process.
Process thinking means that you plan your search as if you were a project manager.
It means that you have an organised approach. And it includes celebrating small wins, such as crafting well-written applications. You could use a spreadsheet or a notepad to keep records of the below:
- Where you find specific vacancies e.g. jobs.ac.uk
- When you apply
- What the application deadline date is
- Planned interview date (if known)
- Name of the company, role and salary expectations
- Web link to the job advert
- Key search words you use
Once you have seen a vacancy which is of interest to you, do try to apply as soon as you can.
Recruiters can close applications well before the published deadline date if they receive enough applications for the advertised vacancy.
Make your CV and cover letter bespoke
I have come across many professionals who submitted generalised CV templates for positions and wondered why they failed to receive job interviews.
Recruiters and employers can very easily see if you have not tailored your CV to the position you are applying for.
You might find it time-consuming to tailor your applications to the specific job you are applying, however, it is worth the effort.
Think about what could make your application stand out from the crowd.
Look at the job description carefully and try to come up with up to 3 experiences which add significant value to your application.
It might be the number of years you have worked in the education sector or your career progression.
You may have worked in a similar role before, and a natural progression would be the job you are applying for.
Be proactive when applying for a job in Higher Education
Many positions within universities are filled by existing staff or candidates who come highly recommended by colleagues or senior staff. Some universities may need ad-hoc or seasonal support, such as additional help with projects or to cover the absence of staff.
Did you know that not all positions are advertised formally?
Do not assume that you need to wait for a job opening before you express interest in a position.
You could start with brainstorming who you know and whether they could help you with your search e.g. friends, family, former colleagues, professional contacts.
Once you are clear about the type of job you are looking for, do ask others to keep an eye out for possible job openings in the field.
Word of mouth can help you learn about new opportunities.
You could also contact the Human Resources department of the organisation you wish to work at and ask about possible openings.
You could have conversations with your contacts to gain insight into possible career opportunities, industry insights and trends.
Consistency and resilience
When you start applying for vacancies, you are likely to receive some disappointing news.
Dealing with rejection is not easy. However, you can turn unfavourable responses into learning opportunities.
Do make sure that you continuously improve the quality of your job applications and polish your CV and cover letters.
The key to successfully receiving a job offer is consistency and resilience.
Receive mentoring
Mentoring creates an environment to explore challenges and to come up with solutions.
Successful mentoring does not have to be complicated.
Studies show that accountability could increase the likelihood of you reaching your goal.
Skilled mentors deeply listen to understand the mentee’s situation.
Instead of trying to force a one-size-fits-all approach (their solution), they ask you insightful questions to help you find your best solution.
They happily brainstorm solutions and do not shy away from sharing insights from their own professional practice.
Do not give up
When you receive some disappointing news, you may be tempted to stop applying for positions altogether within Higher Education.
However, if you really want a new job, it makes sense to continuously tweak your approach and keep on submitting new applications.
You could ask a friend or a trusted colleague to take a look at your application materials and give you some honest feedback.
You could also find the National Careers Service’s resources helpful and talk to a careers adviser about different career options available to you.
Increase your chances when applying for jobs in Higher Education:
- How to keep going with job applications
- How to Search for a Job in Higher Education
- Using AI for job applications
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