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Revised Edition July 2019

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CV Writing: Which Words Will Open Doors on a CV?

This article focuses on CV writing and the use of language in a CV and how best to ensure you select those words which will open doors, rather than have them slammed shut after the first line. CVs should rarely be more than two sides long; for some occupations and circumstances, one side is the…>

Employability: What Are Employers Looking For?

What is employability? There’s a lot of talk about employability in the recruitment community as competition for jobs in all sectors intensifies. But what does it mean? The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES)[1] gives the simplest and most accessible definition of employability in terms of skills: ‘the skills almost everyone needs to do…>

Studying For A PhD In The Netherlands: The Basics

Dutch universities offer a great environment students looking for a PhD In The Netherlands, well-resourced labs and libraries, a forward-looking research culture, favourable financial arrangements, and international colleagues.

Interview question: What’s your biggest weakness?

It’s an old classic and a question that seems to have had plenty of interviewees struggling, but should the question ‘What’s your biggest weakness?’ cause so much worry? Well, today we’re going to have a look at the different types of answers and offer some useful tips to help you with this tricky interview question!…>

What You Need to Know About Widening Participation

One of the most important government initiatives of the last few years is the Widening Participation agenda. As an academic jobseeker you will have to show that you know a great deal about the job you are applying for, not only about the institution where it is based but also about the higher education sector…>

How to Create a Professional Development Plan

What is a Professional Development Plan? Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the learning and development you undertake in order to carry out a current role or move into a new one. Many organisations have well-established CPD activities, but it’s still good to be proactive in order to: develop your current role, achieve greater satisfaction and…>

How to Deal with Different Application Forms

Preparing application forms can often be a daunting process, especially when you have several applications to finish, both those from universities and those from other public sector organisations and private companies. What differences should you be aware of when completing these different application forms? Are there any effective and efficient ways in which you can…>

Studying For A PhD In Germany: The Basics

As home to a strong economy and some of the world’s oldest universities, Germany has long been a draw for ambitious postgraduate students. This is especially true for those seeking a PhD in scientific or medical fields.

Writing Meeting Minutes

So you have been asked to take the minutes of a meeting? Here are some tips and techniques to do this effectively. 1. Before the meeting If the meeting is one of a series, check the previous minutes for the format expected. Most professional minutes are now in ‘short-form’, with summaries of each agenda item…>

Post Academic Interview: 3 Things To Avoid

There is a period of limbo between having an academic interview and being told whether you have been successful and thereby offered the position, or not. This can be a nerve-wracking, uncertain time, not least because there is no defined period in which this could go on; it could be anything from a few days to a couple of months. How, then, do you act during this nebulous interval?