Although we mainly work with researchers in academia, we regularly meet scientists and researchers working in different sectors through the careers surgeries and events we attend for the UK GRAD programme and for ScienceCareers.
We have used these encounters as the basis of this section, but if there is something missing, please let us know and we'll make any additions as soon as possible.
CV advice
- The principles that we have outlined for postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers are relevant to scientists in non-academic sectors
- SRG – a recruitment agency for scientists in many fields. Their advice to keep a CV to 1 page is common for agencies whereas we usually suggest 2 pages, but only if there is enough relevant information.
- Chemsoc – the Royal Society of Chemistry's chemical science network, including articles on many different aspects of chemical careers, careers advice and links
Commercial CV writing companies are increasingly common and some offer free advice on their websites. These include:
- Alec's free CV advice - includes lots of examples of different formats and sound advice. Not aimed at scientists, but the principles are relevant
- Working Smart - specialising in the Oil and Gas Sector gives advice on CVs and other recruitment tips
- The CV Centre - offers advice on CVs and interviews with a promise of more articles in the future
Getting free careers advice
- An increasing number of professional bodies and learned societies are offering their members free careers advice (we work with the RSC, BSI and SGM).
- Some of these have been identified by the Centre for Neuroscience Research at KCL.
- For a list of societies (no specific reference to careers advice), the Virtual Careers Library is hard to beat.
- GRADschools are always looking for mentors, who participate in the courses in a similar way to PhD students and therefore are involved in CV clinics, mock interviews and have access to a careers adviser or professional. If you don't work for a charity, your employer will have to pay for you to attend, but they are not expensive and receive really great feedback.
- Careers Services will give advice to their graduates for up to 5 years after graduation, either free or for a small charge. Prospects also offers a number of services to graduates.
Career change
- Aimed at postdoctoral researchers, but entirely applicable to other fields, are the case studies we were involved in researching for the Research Careers Initiative.
- Brief article on Career Transitions based on a Dr Sara Shinton gave at the British Society of Immunology Congress in 2002.
- Career Development eManual is not intended for the science PhD student or postdoc but has a "wonderful step by step self assessment tutorial that helped me to find out what did I want from life" [quote from someone who recommended this site to us].
- The main stumbling block to a career change can be occupational awareness. Computer Aided Guidance tools can help by suggesting a wide range of occupations based on a simple questionnaire. Whilst working in HE, Sara used Prospects Planner and a short version of this is available on the Prospects website.
Career breaks and returning to work
- Having taken the least successful career break ever (about 3 days off after the birth of her youngest) Sara is not the expert she should be on this. However, here are a few suggestions!
- On ScienceCareers Sara has written an article on returning to work following a career break.
- RESNET is a network for women contract research staff at UEA and local research institutes and has links to other relevant sites.
- The Smart woman's career resource is specifically targeted to women. Includes advice for every single aspect of this "new life" (from how to dress or how to deal with sexual harassment to how to built your own company). You have to register but it is free. [This site was recommended to us by someone aiming to make a transition into a commercial research position.]
- Working Families is a charity with advice on all aspects of family-work balance. This extends to carers as well as parents.
Facing redundancy
- On ScienceCareers Sara has written an article on facing redundancy which includes advice on alternatives careers for an academic.
- Working Smart (again!) also links to resources for people in this situation.
If you would like to see links for another topic, please let us know. Unfortunately we can't offer advice by email to individuals and are unlikely to be able to reply to individual requests.
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