If you'll be on the job market, for any job, there are a bunch of important things to do beforehand.
In academia we don't think too much about them. When it comes to the wider world of jobs, you'll never be able to focus (and thus have employers focus on you) without these.
🧵
In academia we don't think too much about them. When it comes to the wider world of jobs, you'll never be able to focus (and thus have employers focus on you) without these.
🧵
What do you value in your life and in your career?
Related, what's most important to you in a work environment, in your working relationships?
What are the essential elements of a work culture in which you'll thrive?
Related, what's most important to you in a work environment, in your working relationships?
What are the essential elements of a work culture in which you'll thrive?
What are your strengths?
There are different definitions & categorizations of strengths -- they're about values; they're about "natural talents"; they're about you working well with teammates; they're about inclinations; they're about you flourishing.
You can take assessments.
There are different definitions & categorizations of strengths -- they're about values; they're about "natural talents"; they're about you working well with teammates; they're about inclinations; they're about you flourishing.
You can take assessments.
What skills do you have? Consider especially ones related to your values and strengths.
Also reflect on what skills or competencies you'd like to learn or further develop.
What are the skills you have that you would rather not use again, or as much? This is also important.
Also reflect on what skills or competencies you'd like to learn or further develop.
What are the skills you have that you would rather not use again, or as much? This is also important.
Now you can note your knowledge: your subject matter expertise. Include academic knowledge and anything else you know about because of what you did as a student, elsewhere on campus, in any jobs you've had, from hobbies or other kinds of experiences you've had.
Speaking of experiences, that's next. List all the things you've done: academic responsibilities, jobs, freelance gigs, volunteer positions, anything projects you did on your own and w others (organize a conference, start a blog, for example).
Don't forget what's not on your CV.
Don't forget what's not on your CV.
Phew! Okay, so those are all self-reflection and assessment questions. You can also note significant accomplishments, because anything could be relevant.
Won scholarships --> useful experience for grant writing positions.
Journal articles --> ditto for editorial jobs w presses.
Won scholarships --> useful experience for grant writing positions.
Journal articles --> ditto for editorial jobs w presses.
If there are particular topics or communities you care about, note what those are. Enthusiasm for something or involvement in a niche community can help you identify job opportunities or shed light on skills and experiences you've forgotten about.
At this point more is better.
At this point more is better.
I'm stopping here but know this is only the beginning! Feeling overwhelmed? Lots of us can relate.
Start making some lists. Take a free online assessment. Ask your colleagues what they think you're great at.
Do a small thing today. Maybe do another on Friday.
It'll help. 💪❤️
Start making some lists. Take a free online assessment. Ask your colleagues what they think you're great at.
Do a small thing today. Maybe do another on Friday.
It'll help. 💪❤️
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