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Curtin University
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Postgraduate students

Here you can find career resources for postgraduate and higher degree by research students.

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Services for postgraduate and higher degree by research students

The career development needs of postgraduate and higher degree by research students can be very different to an undergraduate student, as their motivations for further study can sometimes be much more specific than at undergraduate level. In response to this, Curtin Careers Centre has appointed a Career Development Consultant who has specific responsibility to work with postgraduate and higher degree by research students (Gill Neville, email: gill.neville@curtin.edu.au).

Gill offers one-to-one careers appointments, in person, over the phone or via Skype (http://unilife.curtin.edu.au/Appointments.htm). She has also developed a suite of career development materials and workshops on topics such as resumes, interview techniques, job hunting strategies for academic and non-academic careers etc (available online and on campus). Look out for forthcoming dates on Careers Connect.

Engaging in postgraduate study is a significant time and financial investment, therefore it is essential that you are engaging in career building activities alongside your studies in order to maximise future employment prospects.

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Top tips for job search success!

Top 10 tips for job search success!

  • Gain career clarity – identify jobs that are suitable for your skill level, your interests, values and personality type
  • Plug any skills gaps you may have
  • Research your target industry thoroughly – don’t overlook smaller organisations
  • Use a variety of methods to find suitable jobs i.e look beyond advertised vacancies
  • Determine the best sites for building your online profile i.e increase your visibility
  • Network your way into a job i.e contact recruiters of interest to you and start to build a relationship
  • Tailor your applications to each position and practice interviewing e.g arrange a resume review or a mock interview at the Careers Centre with Gill Neville (Career Development Consultant – Postgraduates)
  • Update your resume/CV on a regular basis
  • Be realistic with your job search plans and dedicate sufficient time to put your plans into action
  • Attend career development workshops delivered by the Careers Centre to pick up the latest tips to help you towards career success

For academic roles:

  • Maximise your PhD research profile by writing publications, presenting at conferences, collaborating on grant proposals and look for ways to build your current research
  • Find a good mentor who you can go to for guidance and direction
  • Be conversant with current issues in higher education by reading relevant reports, subscribing to newsletters, blogs etc
  • Regularly review job opportunities in your field to keep abreast with developments, skill requirements etc
  • Look out for opportunities to build your teaching profile by looking for tutoring or laboratory assistant roles in your school
  • Become indispensable in your department – the ‘go to’ person
  • Check out the following case studies to see how other graduates have built their academic careers across the world www.jobs.ac.uk/careers-advice/academic-case-studies/
  • Don’t forget to obtain help with your career plan – the Curtin Careers Centre provides specific help for postgraduate research students so make use of this assistance

Contact Curtin Careers Centre for more help with any of the above aspects of your career development, whatever stage you’re at. Visit the Careers Centre (Building 303, Level 2) or contact us on 9266 7802 (email: careers@curtin.edu.au.)

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Job search websites for academic careers

Academic Careers Online www.academiccareers-australia.com/

Vacancies in Australian Universities http://www.unijobs.com.au/

Researchgate Connect http://www.researchgate.net/

Expression of interest for sessional tutoring work at Curtin http://sessionalrecruitment.curtin.edu.au/  
Campus Review http://www.campusreview.com.au/

Academic positions worldwide http://www.jobs.ac.uk/

University jobs in USA http://www.univjobs.com/

Large database of postdoctoral job opportunities, worldwide www.findapostdoc.com

Vacancy website for economists, econometricians and statisticians and related postgraduate researchers, with searchable database of opportunities www.thesupplycurve.com/

For funding opportunities and news on research policy and politics world-wide. All disciplines covered www.researchresearch.com

Contains access to a weekly email service that lists new positions available within the research and development sector throughout Australia www.researchjobs.net.au

‘The Australian’ newspaper advertises academic positions www.theaustralian.com.au

EURAXESS jobs across Europe http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/

PhD Blogs

Thesis Whisperer http://thesiswhisperer.com/

What’s up doc? blog for postgraduate researchers http://www.vitae.ac.uk/researchers/346441/Whats-up-doc-blog-for-postgraduate-researchers.html

List of Postgraduate blogs in a variety of subject areas: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/blogs/

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Job search websites for non-academic careers

CareersConnect http://unilife.test.curtin.edu.au/careers/careersconnect.htm

SEEK www.seek.com.au/

CareerOne www.careerone.com.au/

MyCareer www.mycareer.com.au/

Vacancy listings for academic and non-academic jobs for PhDs and articles on careers topics.
www.chronicle.com/section/Jobs/434

Going Global can be accessed for free through Careers Connect for global job opportunities http://unilife.curtin.edu.au/careers/careersconnect.htm

Academic360.com is a meta-collection of internet resources that have been gathered for the academic job hunter. Includes links to faculty, staff and administrative announcements and is not restricted to teaching positions.

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Resume and CV resources

Download the Academic CV template and visit http://unilife.curtin.edu.au/careers/ResumeCover.htm 

CV templates www.jobs.ac.uk/careers-advice/cv-templates

Sample postgraduate CVs for academic and non-academic roles www.vitae.ac.uk

Academic CV template [358.04 kb]

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General resources for postgraduate students

Vitae has some excellent resources for research staff and postgraduate researchers, including skills audit tools, advice on resumes, cover letters, interviews, making successful career choices etc as well a broad range of other resources on professional development issues and hot topics facing researchers http://www.vitae.ac.uk/

Enhancing Careers through Postgraduate Study http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/enhancing_careers_through_pos.pdf

What do researchers do? UK research paper http://www.vitae.ac.uk/policy-practice/107611/What-do-researchers-do-2009.html

Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations http://www.capa.edu.au/

Curtin University Postgraduate Association (CUPSA) http://www.guild.curtin.edu.au/index.php/en/support-representation/student-representation/departments/cupsa

Mentoring scheme for Curtin higher degree by research students run by Curtin Student Guild – to find out more contact: a.cameron@guild.edu.au

A Guide to Professional Skills for PhD Students. A practical and comprehensive resource authored by Phil Agre http://vlsicad.ucsd.edu/Research/Advice/network.html

News article on PhD students struggling to find jobs http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-15/phd-students-struggle-to-find-jobs-report/4464828

An award-winning UK site designed to help students, alumni and researchers from any university who might be considering a career in academia http://www.academiccareer.manchester.ac.uk/

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