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starmekitten
-= Forum Pistolera =-
United Kingdom
6370 Posts |
 Posted - 09/02/2005 : 11:40:05
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Pretty much as of the end of next week I am (I apologise in advance)
-----NO LONGER A STUDENT-----
end of the degree baby! So exciting! I love the studying I hate the being broke hence, job hunting.
Something I am coming up against a fair bit is must have at least a years lab experience...
So what do you do when you come across this? Apply anyway and try to charm the way through.... (in theory I could... I do charming....)
This is the first time for a while I've had to apply for work because I'm usually just going through healthcare agencies for theatres and they find me work. I feel it'd be a big step backwards to go there again, so I'm applying for short term research positions (one to two years because I still want to do the further degree).
SO! Oh wise people of the forum, tip me as to the ways of getting work, I have a huge burden lifted of my shoulders as to getting a place wherever I go thanks to the kindness of my family (I think they like me) and tomorrow I'm going to get an interview suit (a suit!). I'm starting applying as of now, so..
how to write a good CV?
how to sell yourself? (I don't get it...)
how to get round awkward things like lack of experience...
where to work! there's another thing, the world is my lobster I am ties free I can go ***anywhere*** (so excited)
how to make sure I don't end up as a crappy high school lab technician working for magic beans...
help appreciated, will earn you love
depending on who "you" be of course :D |
Edited by - starmekitten on 09/02/2005 11:41:43 |
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Llamadance
> Teenager of the Year <
United Kingdom
2543 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 12:07:18
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From what I understand, if you don't want to be a technician, and you want to work in research, then you need a Ph.D. Why not look for a Ph.D. now? Maybe look for somewhere you can do some research which will then support you doing a Ph.D.
Selling yourself - make your experience fit the criteria of the jobs. Turn negatives to positives. Explain the benefit of your experience to the employer. Obviously, if you get an interview, be positive, enthusiastic, do your homework on the place.
Lack of experience - one way to limit the 'lack of experience' thing is really to do your homework on the prospective employer and the job that's advertised. If you get an interview, then you can at least deal with that. To be honest, it's a very difficult thing to tackle, and if a more experienced person is being interviewed then you may struggle. I guess you've got a lot of other skills from previous jobs that you could mention.
just some thoughts, hope they help.
No power in the 'verse can stop me
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Daisy Girl
~ Abstract Brain ~
Belize
5305 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 12:50:09
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Congrats Tre!!!
That is great news!!!!!!!!!! Whoo whoo.
Do you have monser.com in the uk or other career related websites?
Does your school have resources to help you get interviews?
Can you talk to professors and other students?
I would be happy to look over your CV... I can even send you mine, but the formats might very UK vs. US. :)
The best advise is talk to people tell everyone you're looking for a job and you might run inot someone that knows.
You might also network and see if you can find out people that work at the company that you want to work for.
As far as selling yourself... that's not my strongest point either so maybe others can help :) but ill give you my 2 cents later.
Good luck!!
"I ain't goin to be what I ain't" |
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starmekitten
-= Forum Pistolera =-
United Kingdom
6370 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 13:07:15
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Not looking for a PhD now is purely financial, this year has crippled me money wise. I don't think I'll get onto one until I have my masters signed sealed and delivered and that won't happen till november I think. I also think having a bit of work behind me will help me when it comes to applying for PhD's. There are a few jobs out and about, I've just found one I might apply for (none of this two years lab malarky required) and a couple of others...
I'm just looking at research assistants jobs at jobs.ac.uk and there are a few that don't require you to be post doc, especially the shorter term ones (which suits me fine). Besides, I'm a masters student! These technician jobs say it'd be nice if you had an A level in biology in some of them! Some of the "research" positions are just posh tech to be honest. Making sure things are there, collecting samples doing cell culture etc etc etc.
Llama, good help there actually. A couple of places I have seen want people who will go to hospitals to talk to people and collect samples (grunt work really but hey) as well as keep things tidy, and I have a lot of experience in collecting patient samples and soothing patients pre and post op so I may look into that one further. In fact.. there's a lot of ways the hospital work helps thinking about it.
I think I will have a go at a CV over the weekend, thanks for the offer Daisy Lady! |
Edited by - starmekitten on 09/02/2005 13:15:43 |
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Surfer Rosa
> Teenager of the Year <
4209 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 13:35:21
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It sounds cheesy but in terms of CVs, go have a good read through some CV books at Borders. It certainly helped me put mine together, it also helps to read other peoples CVs.
Fire made it good. |
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Daisy Girl
~ Abstract Brain ~
Belize
5305 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 13:52:53
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:) good luck kitty. Yes, surfer is right. plooping down at a bookstore is alaways a good plan. the have books like get a job in 30 days and what not.
"I ain't goin to be what I ain't" |
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PixieSteve
> Teenager of the Year <
Poland
4698 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 14:35:36
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hunting should be banned
 Oh let it linger |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 17:37:31
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Kitty, first of all, don't bother looking for a job. Just sit and watch daytime TV all day, and occasionally glance in the job section of the papers, muttering, 'Ooh, a must get a job today!'
It just might work! ;) |
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 18:17:08
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I think job hunting should be banned. The jobs should come to US!
I was all out of luck, like a duck that died. I was all out of juice, like a moose denied. |
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starmekitten
-= Forum Pistolera =-
United Kingdom
6370 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2005 : 04:04:06
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Ok, so a cv-class has left me more confused than I was to start with.
Apparantly conventional cv's are too boring and flat. The standard headings lack punch. A cv should make you stand out, not only in its content but in its format.
huh?
OK, but how? and if I drift too far from conventional is this not a bit isolating to potential employers? There's no point standing out if they're going to take one look and think quirky weirdo.
Apparantly if I want to know how to make a super-duper-cv I have to pay £10 for access to this online thing that will show me how. Or buy this book: Pitch Yourself. Is it worth my time?
I could be more freaked out than I was when I was just going to write a little simple cv.
heh.
 I like my coffee like I like my men. In a plastic cup. |
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50 Pence
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
284 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2005 : 04:11:46
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I'm good at selling myself(not that way, lol). I managed to blag a unconditional offer at the university of Aberdeen when i'm not really that clever, i put it down to my personal statment. Pay me £10 and i will send you the '5 magic steps' rule i attribute my success to.
Blats |
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5155 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2005 : 07:24:47
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i think the key to 'selling yourself' is that you first have to believe that you ARE qualified for the job. when i got my current position, i knew that i was good enough to do the job (was i a cocky asshole? possibly), and i never presented myself as anything otherwise. "What is the first thing you'd do after i hand you the keys and open your office." "Well, i'd get a cup of coffee (he laughs) and then i'd...(bam, right into my spiel)." jobs do not want people who are wishy-washy for their positions. you have to tell them that you REALLY want to work for them, and you have to tell them that you know how good of a job you will do. i truly believe that the best resume in the world would not get you hired if you can't go in there and fake being confident for an hour. but thats just my experience.
-Brian
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bazza
* Dog in the Sand *
Ireland
1439 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2005 : 07:40:31
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tre - check your email. i may be able to help you out with your cv.
~ The Forum Doctor.
She will be your living end. |
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job hunting
