Rather don't ask

The way I see it, there are two "don't go there" questions (maybe three if you include: "what year are you in"). The first: "when are you going to finish?" - As if you weren't feeling inadequate and pressured enough, people think it is okay to remind you that you are way over deadline and still don't have a job  (I am sure that this doesn't go through their heads when they ask the question, but it is what goes through my head when I am asked and is in the back of my head all the time anyway.) This leads me to the second question: "what are you going to do when you finish?" And, I suspect, that the only reason this is such an emotionally charged question is that, mostly, we have no idea. 

I desperately hope it will something more than getting a job at Pick 'n Pay (in the hope of a staff discount) but the trouble is, I really don't know. I have ideas of what I want to do and vague notions of what I am qualified to do and I have memories of why I started on this path in the first place, but it is not all that realistic to go knock on Captain Planet's door and say: "I am ready to save the world now - do you offer medical aid?" 

What ends up happening is you end up sending all your hopes out in the form of a CV for positions you are probably over-qualified for, but are not sure you have the skills  for (despite a lengthy EDUCATION). I have already gone through thinking that I have finished my PhD once, so I have had some experience in looking for work which, has mostly resulted in deafening silent, some rejection straight off or after a telephone interview and in another instant after a panel interview (incidentally, for my DREAM, wow-that-would-be-awesome job.) 

I decided I could do with some help on my CV. Coincidentally, one of my favourite UCT academics was discussing how dozens of CVs are sent in for each advertised post, and the tiny details are all that separates the candidates (he compared it to the milli seconds that separate the Olympic runner that wins, gets a gold, and everyone knows there name to the one that comes second). So, I roped him in to coming to talk to our post grad group about how to optimise our CVs. It was a really useful meeting and I thought I would pass some of his tips on... (I will spare you the story of how one of his PhDs did NOT get a UCT Post doc despite 15 publications - no one wants to hear that!) 

Obviously, the judging of CVs is a very subjective thing and everyone has different preferences, this is what Charlie suggested... 

• Use a big heading that includes your name.
• People differ in opinion on whether to include a photo or not, if you do, use a head and shoulders shot that clearly shows your face. 
• Limit the number of pages - consider the fact that the people looking through the CVs will have a lot to read through. 
• Include your date of birth, ID, nationality. 
• Include your academic record (marks too, particularly if your marks show either a consistent or upward trend). The level of the job for which you are applying will determine how far back you go. 
• Every time you include some thing, consider whether it is going to impress or not. 
• In early stages of career include the presentations and conferences you have attended and the drop off the less important ones as you go on, to eventually only included the key note presentations (ahhh imagine!!!)
• Unusual work or experience gets noticed and remembered, which is important when you are just a piece of paper amongst dozens. 
• So do things that show initiative.
• If you write a personal statement, you give the people reading your CV an insight into you that is not just factual. It is the bit that will show your personality and give you space to explain why, for example, you are applying for a job you are, on paper, over-qualified for or why you have not specialised in one particular field. 
• Something to keep in mind always is that the community is probably smaller than you realise, so your reputation is everything... 

Obviously there are many sites on line that can help you design a CV. UCT (and therefore I am guessing most other institutions) also has a career advice center that can help you with perfecting the flimsy document that is all that represents you in the job world. If it all feels a little overwhelming, I am trying to keep in mind that I am standing on the precipice of a whole new adventure... Good luck with yours and please, wish my luck with mine. :)  

OR....