Job Application 20 points equals how many pages???

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

I am applying for a job with a university that I would almost kill for. It seems that it was written to match my background and main research interests. It is in an area of study I have been trying to break into for years.

The "How to Apply" guide does not give a recommended page length for the application.
There are 20 points mentioned within the selection criteria which need to be addressed.

These are broken down into:

Qualifications: 1 Essential and 1 Desirable

Knowledge and Skills: 5 Essential and 3 Desirable

Experience: 3 Essential and 1 Desirable

Personal Qualities:Essential 5 and 1 Desirable

How many pages should a research job with a university be? They also want a separate cover letter.



What a great way to spend a Sunday - I really hope the effort will be so worth it. It would be in the class of my all time dream job!

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated - applications close on Tuesday.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[synthium]

Hi Lionel,
I work at a university as a researcher/lecturer and I too am currently applying for positions as I wish to move back to my home state. When applying you should have a coverletter which explains your interest in the role, your qualifications and previous experience etc...

When it comes to the selection criteria - you repeat what they have asked for and below it can break it up into smaller points. i.e.

Below I have addressed the key selection criteria

1. Must posses a Phd (or equivelent higher research degree) in Psychology or a related field
- I have completed a Phd in Psychology in 2005 from Melbourne University.

2. Most possess a strong publication record in international peer reviewed journals.
- I have published in 4 international peer reviewed journals in the areas of sleep dysfunction. I have also recently sent two journal articles for review.Below I have listed my publications. .....


I think this method is appropriate as your cover letter lets you know who you are and why you are the best person for the job and the point by point aspect cleanly and concisely addresses the selection criteria.


Hope that helps
JP

[Lionelgee]

Hi Lionel,
I work at a university as a researcher/lecturer and I too am currently applying for positions as I wish to move back to my home state. When applying you should have a coverletter which explains your interest in the role, your qualifications and previous experience etc...

When it comes to the selection criteria - you repeat what they have asked for and below it can break it up into smaller points. i.e.

Below I have addressed the key selection criteria

1. Must posses a PhD (or equivalent higher research degree) in Psychology or a related field
- I have completed a Ped in Psychology in 2005 from Melbourne University.

2. Most possess a strong publication record in international peer reviewed journals.
- I have published in 4 international peer reviewed journals in the areas of sleep dysfunction. I have also recently sent two journal articles for review.Below I have listed my publications. .....


I think this method is appropriate as your cover letter lets you know who you are and why you are the best person for the job and the point by point aspect cleanly and concisely addresses the selection criteria.


Hope that helps
JP

G'day JP,

Thank you for the break down in how to work through the selection criteria.

Should you actually list the number of publications? Do presentations at international conferences count in the equation as well - should these be identified?

So how many pages do you limit your applications to?

Where is your home state - you mentioned University of Melbourne, was Victoria it or was that just a fictional example?

Well I best keep ploughing on with the process - wee

Best of luck with your applications JP

Kind Regards
Lionel

[synthium]

Hi Lionel,
I am from Melbourne originally (so yes that is where I am looking to move back to!) but never worked or studied at melb uni. In terms of limiting your application - cover letter probably 1 page. Key criteria- as much as you need to concisely get your point across - try to avoid being long winded or repetitive. You need to remember that they will be looking at potentially a lot of resumes and you don't want it too dense so that they shut off.

Yes conference presentations/posters/abstract pubs all count and should be mentioned. You should list all publications - if not in the selection criteria, in your actual resume and you can tell the reader to refer to it i.e. I have 11 publications (please see my resume for complete listing). - or something to that extent, written a bit more eloquently!

Essentially saying everything in as short a space as possible - without compromising the quality of your writing and selling yourself short.

Good luck mate!

[Lionelgee]

Hello Everyone,

Well that was two days worth of effort to answer 20 points listed as selection criteria for a job. Cross fingers - it will sure be one sweet job to get with all my research interests located in one single role.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Mick_Marsh]

Good luck.

[FeatherWeightDriver]

How many pages should a research job with a university be? They also want a separate cover letter.

Apologies if you have already put this in, but my 0.02...

If it is anything like applying for a government role, the more criteria you tick the better, as that is the way first cuts of applicants are made. Usually if you don't have all the essentials you get cut from the outset.

Having said that anything over 2 pages (excluding cover letter) is getting excessive - 3 pages max

[Eevo]

I've done plenty of contract work over the years.
90% of cover letters get binned.

Resumes over 2 pages don't get read.

This is both for contracts and full time work

[UncleHo]

The very best of luck Lionel.

[Lionelgee]

The very best of luck Lionel.


Hello Uncle Ho,

Thanks for your thoughts. Applications closed at 11:59 pm last night so it now enters the waiting for a telephone call stage. Or alternatively being sent the very crappy, short email...

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Eevo]

Hello Uncle Ho,

Thanks for your thoughts. Applications closed at 11:59 pm last night so it now enters the waiting for a telephone call stage. Or alternatively being sent the very crappy, short email...

Kind Regards
Lionel

Of not getting sent an email at all.

[UncleHo]

Always, think positive! it always helps to have a positive attitude in life,and to present a happy personality,it gives people the impression that one is a confident person (even if you are quaking inside)

cheers

[VladTepes]

JUst to add to this thread there are differences in "Government" jobs and University jobs and private employer jobs in the way selection criteria etc are written.

I know from experience that the government way of doing things is a big **** !!! Only gets people good at writing applications- quite often they are useless at the actual jobs....

[Chucaro]

Always, think positive! it always helps to have a positive attitude in life,and to present a happy personality,it gives people the impression that one is a confident person (even if you are quaking inside)

cheers

I agree 100% and even if the application it is not successful because every cloud has a silver lining
I still thinking in a positive way by thinking that was a good experience and perhaps there will be better opportunities.
Then again I am optimistic by nature (with a touch of sarcasm? :angel:)

I wishing you all the best in the future

[Eevo]

Then again I am optimistic by nature (with a touch of sarcasm? :angel:)


im an optimist with experience.
:)

[Lionelgee]

im an optimist with experience.
:)

Hello All,

It is just like the lottery - got to be in it to win it!

I have tried to live my life as close to possible to Rudyard Kipling's poem If...

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on the turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "hold on!"

At the age of 50 I have started at my beginnings a number of times.

Interestingly, the reason why I have had to start over again a number of times is found within some earlier stanzas of Rudyard's poem.

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by Knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you have gave your life to, broken
And Stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools...

To end at the end of Rudyard Kipling's poem...
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!


The real poem in its proper order is found at http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_if.htm Accessed October 29th 2013.

I have worked out the personality type of the people who Kipling describes as "Knaves" who wish to "trap fools" and delight in breaking other people's lives. I can hopefully now recognise these people for what they are and either avoid them or limit the damage they cause (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-narcissistic-sociopath.htm & http://www.wellsphere.com/mental-health-article/the-lethal-toxicity-of-the-narcissistic-sociopath/1065278). Fortunately I have only met them within my work career domain. I am full of sympathy for people whom have met their type within the personal and private domains - it must be sheer hell.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Mick_Marsh]

The real poem in its proper order is found at Poems - If-- (http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_if.htm) Accessed October 29th 2013.

I have worked out the personality type of the people who Kipling describes as "Knaves" who wish to "trap fools" and delight in breaking other people's lives. I can hopefully now recognise these people for what they are and either avoid them or limit the damage they cause (What Is a Narcissistic Sociopath? (with pictures) (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-narcissistic-sociopath.htm) & The Lethal Toxicity of the Narcissistic Sociopath - Wellsphere (http://www.wellsphere.com/mental-health-article/the-lethal-toxicity-of-the-narcissistic-sociopath/1065278)).
Whilst on this subject, another good read.
The Psychopath Test - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia