Creating the Job-Hunting Package: finding opportunities and building applications for non-academic careers

6 & 13 October 2014

Dr Verity Elston

National and worldwide statistics show that, no matter what their scientific domain, the majority of doctoral graduates will sooner or later work outside the university, in the private or public sectors. This workshop reviews the current employment situation and helps participants prepare to find employment off the traditional academic career path.

On the first of the two days of the workshop, participants will gain an understanding of how to approach the job market (where PhDs work, the paths they take in their careers, the interaction with employers' needs and perceptions), and how they can approach their search:

• Identifying the parameters of their job-search: their skills and interests, goals and methods
• Identifying potential employers and possible employment opportunities, reviewing real job ads
• Examining the elements of a CV and of a cover letter: their content, style, structure and purpose

In the week’s interval, participants prepare for the second day by creating the first draft of their job-hunting strategy: identifying job-finding opportunities relevant to their own situation, writing a CV that will remain in constant evolution, and the template for their own cover letter.

On the second day of the workshop, participants will review and further develop their job-seeking strategy, and receive personalized feedback on their CV and cover letter. In addition, they will:

• Explore how to develop their network and online presence
• Understand better how to be "in the right place, at the right time" for the hidden job market
• Review the essential steps in preparing for the interview process

Target Group

The workshop is designed for doctoral candidates from all disciplines and who have decided (or who are seriously considering) to develop their career outside of the academic track, whether in the private or public sectors.

Preparation

Participants will be required to complete a preparative document, to be supplied to the trainer ahead of the workshop. (Further details will be provided to registered participants prior to the workshop.)

Lausanne COMPLET

Dates: Mondays, 6th and 13th October 2014

Schedule: 9:00 to 17:00

Location: University of Lausanne

Instructor: Head of the CUSO programme in generic skills and director of Portfolio Formation Sàrl, Verity Elston has broad professional experience in the private and public sectors in several countries, including in middle- and high-level recruitment. She holds a doctorate in Sociocultural Anthropology from the University of Chicago, and has conducted qualitative and quantitative research on the career paths of doctorate holders in Switzerland and in Europe.

Participants are eligible for reimbursement of incurred travel expenses by train between the town of their university and the location of the workshop (half-fare card, 2nd class).

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