When it comes to writing CVs, anyone who’s established in their career will find themselves asking “how far back should a CV go?”. The short answer is 10-15 years. It’s not a concrete rule, though, so let’s explore the thinking behind it and when there might be exceptions. How much work experience on a CV … Read more
Please note: This is an anonymous response to an online survey; I do not have any way of contacting the respondent or verifying responses. Their answers may reflect good, bad, or middling hiring practices. I invite you to take what’s useful and leave the rest. If you are someone who hires Library, Archives or other … Read more
A reader writes: I am currently in the process of hiring for a position that I would consider just above entry level. It is a role in an operations department that supports an organization in a very “glamorous” industry. Today we interviewed a great candidate who has the right education, experience, and personality to be … Read more
Best practice dictates that a modern CV includes a compelling personal statement. It’s also referred to as a Summary or Professional Profile. In this article, we’re looking at the purpose of a CV personal statement and how to write one that hooks your reader in. What is the purpose of the personal statement on a … Read more
Dive into the world of research and science! Postdoctoral Researcher, Katie Sharrocks, from the Francis Crick Institute is ready to provide first-hand insight into the role of a scientist. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about the day-to-day responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of a scientific research career. Whether you have just completed your … Read more
This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. Here are the rules for the weekend posts. Book recommendation of the week: Far and Away, by Amy Poeppel. A family in Dallas and a family in Berlin swap homes for the summer, then find their lives … Read more
The opportunity to receive mentorship from another professional or peer can create a valuable activity for continuing professional development and growth by offering a varied and hands-on approach to learning. Typically, a mentoring relationship can enable individuals to benefit from real-world/industry insights, shared experiences and individual and personalised guidance. These are all essential for both … Read more
“It must be nice to have your summers off” – and other things we don’t know about each other If you’re an academic, I bet you’re like me: thoroughly tired, if not driven to hair-pulling and teeth-gnashing, by the well-intentioned comments you get about your summers. If I had 10p for every time I’ve heard … Read more
A reader writes: After your recent post about interview thank-you notes, I wanted to share a thank-you note / interview follow-up success story! When I interviewed for my current job, I made an embarrassing mistake in one of my answers to a technical question. I call it embarrassing because the topic was absolutely within my … Read more
Job searching and making multiple applications in a competitive job market can feel overwhelming at the best of times, but this can be added to by frustration when you don’t hear back from recruiters or prospective employers. Producing tailored applications and preparing thoroughly for interviews can be time-consuming and not receiving feedback on your content … Read more