Blog

How to Create a Professional Development Plan

by 4 Comments

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

by Leave a Comment

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…>

Writing Meeting Minutes

by 1 Comment

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…>

Applying for Teaching Positions – Top Tips

by Leave a Comment

For many PhDs and postdocs, securing any, but especially a full-time, permanent teaching contract, is their ultimate career aim. Research across Europe consistently shows over 60% of PhD students stating they are seeking a permanent academic career. A lot of people are applying for teaching positions, but they are few and far between. So, if you…>

Top Ten Tips for Applying at Local Council

by 3 Comments

These ‘Top ten Tips’ were written by Claire Barrie, an HR Professional working for a Local Council. Helping to explain how to apply, interview and hopefully get the job, plus the differences to other sectors. 1. Read the particulars carefully Read the particulars carefully, it explains how to complete the application form and what we…>

Post Academic Interview: 3 Things To Avoid

by Leave a Comment

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?

Presentation at an Interview

by 2 Comments

Have you had any experience of delivering a presentation at an interview? How do you prepare? How do you engage your audience? Presentations are a common part of the recruitment process for graduate, research, teaching, consulting and other professional roles across a range of sectors. Whether you have had a lot or limited experience in…>

Working in the Omani Higher Education System

by Leave a Comment

From October 2012 for two years, I worked in a College of Applied Sciences (CAS) for the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). It was my first academic post, post-PhD, outside of my home country.  Entering in as an Asst. Prof. my responsibilities were to develop and teach a variety of courses from English teacher training…>

4 Reasons Your CV Could Be Ignored

by Leave a Comment

Are you fed up with receiving rejection letters in your pursuit to step up the ladder of your academic career? It can be tempting to give up, or even take a change of direction, if you feel like your applications aren’t getting you anywhere. Take a look at these four reasons why your academic CV…>