Have you completed your PhD, started your first fixed-term teaching or research fellowship, or are you looking towards tenure? Wherever you are in your academic career journey, this collection of resources will help you prepare for the next step.
It offers advice from higher education professionals on how to hone your CV, build your professional networks and showcase your skills and expertise.
How to get the job you want in academia
These resources aim to help you chart your future career path in higher education and secure the job or promotion you are working towards.
How to develop a promotion strategy for success: Ensure you have the best chances of securing the job you want with these tips from University of Edinburgh careers consultant Eleanor Hennige.
Pathways to prosperity in casual academia: The journey from adjunct to permanent requires adaptability, foresight and self-awareness. Here, Andrew Stapleton offers tips, such as diversifying skills, strategic branding and mobility, to enhance an academic career.
What is tenure in higher education – and how to get it: For many scholars, permanent employment is the light at the end of a years-long tunnel. Here, Henry Reichman of California State University, East Bay, explains the US tenure system and why it is key to protecting academic freedom.
How to become a dean: Paul Baines of the University of Leicester talks through the pros and cons of being a dean, plus the skills you’ll need to display during the recruitment process to get there.
Landing your first lectureship – top five academic career planning tips: Brunel University London's Utsa Mukherjee shares tips to help early career researchers build their professional experience and CV in order to secure their first permanent academic post.
The ‘third way’ academic – becoming an education-focused professor: Career development tips for higher education professionals who take an education-focused pathway, shared by academics from the University of Bristol, King’s College London, the University of Exeter and Aston University.
Enhancing negotiation skills – a step-by-step guide for graduate students: The art of job-offer discussions is a skill that will serve scholars throughout an academic career. Here is what to consider and say at each stage of the process, according to Gaeun (Gwenn) Seo of Georgia Tech’s Centre for 21st Century Universities.
Demonstrate your professional skills and expertise
Learn how to craft a compelling career narrative and write a CV that clearly highlights your academic credentials, with the advice shared below. Early career researchers can get pointers to help demonstrate their leadership and management skills. And there is insight to help academics at every level clearly articulate their strengths and successes when submitting job or award applications.
Hone the story of your career to make a case for promotion: Reflecting on achievements, considering broader impacts and shaping a narrative that resonates can help you craft a compelling career story that enhances your chances of promotion, Eleonora Pantano and Rachael Lamb of the University of Bristol explain.
The dos and don’ts of writing an academic CV: What key information to include on your academic CV and how to present it, alongside some common mistakes to avoid, by Eleanor Hennige of the University of Edinburgh.
ECRs can still evidence leadership and management skills on their CVs: Even when you’ve "just" been a postdoc, the key is correctly labelling your skills and experience so potential employers understand what you bring to the table, writes Emma Williams.
How to show you’re the best person for the job: Many applicants struggle to articulate why they are the best person to hire, promote or award. Harriet Dunbar-Morris, pro vice-chancellor (academic) at the University of Buckingham, is here to help you make your case for success.
Why get a PhD by publication (and other career tips): Finding the "golden thread" in your academic path can offer an opportunity to reflect and grow, writes James Derounian of the University of Bolton.
Learn to promote yourself and your work
It is not enough to beaver away in a lab or study, delivering fantastic lectures and turning out quality papers, if no one knows about your work. So, while self-promotion may not come naturally to many academics, it is important to share your findings. And, thanks to social media, it is easier to reach big audiences than ever before. Get tips for building your academic profile, amplifying your work and overcoming impostor syndrome.
Researchers, fight back against your struggle with self-promotion: Postdoc or professor, the self-promotion struggle is real. So, how can we promote ourselves without sounding too "sales-y"? Emma Williams has the answers.
Life after publication: promote your work for maximum impact: Seeing your work in print is by no means the end of the story. Elsevier’s Chris Tancock offers advice on how you can make your published work stand out and benefit from the broadest visibility.
Building your research profile via social media, with a focus on LinkedIn: A guide to creating effective researcher profiles on social media, with practical tips for using LinkedIn, from Tjitske Dijkstra.
How to use social media analytics to effectively expand your network: Digging deeper into social media, through stats and data, is the key to understanding audience and carving out your niche, says Michael Skiba of Colorado State University Global.
When am I going to be found out? Tackling academic impostor syndrome: Do you find yourself thinking: "Everyone knows more than I do" or "I shouldn’t have got this promotion"? If so, Jo Clift has tips for challenging your impostor syndrome.
Understanding academia in a new country
Higher education is a global endeavour, and thus academic careers are often characterised by international travel and stints working abroad. If you are considering applying for an academic post overseas, do your research to understand the university system in that country and make sure you’re prepared for the excitement and upheaval of relocation.
Applying for an academic position in the US – the basics explained: Considering academic job opportunities in the US? Angela Douglas of Cornell University provides practical advice to help understand the application process and secure the right position.
Lots to unpack – tips for those considering visiting positions abroad: Having worked in numerous countries across different continents, Farish A. Noor gives advice on what to look out for when potentially moving overseas.
Advice for academics interested in working in the Netherlands: Ten tips for academics interested in relocating to work at a university in the Netherlands, by Tetyana Krupiy of Newcastle University, who spent three years carrying out research in Tilburg.
I moved to Sweden as an early career researcher – here’s what I learned: The pursuit of an academic career can mean moving to a different country. Here, Federica Di Biase shares lessons for early career researchers who want to move to Sweden or have already done so.
Zoom fatigue and other exhaustions of international academic life: For many scholars, a sustainable career means moving countries to follow jobs and opportunities. Here, Clare Griffin of Indiana University Bloomington talks about the financial, mental and social costs of relocation and offers practical tips for coping.
Build professional networks and foster mentorships
Academia can feel lonely at times. Much of the research and writing is a solo endeavour. But there is no need to isolate yourself among your books; your career and well-being will benefit greatly from professional allies and supporters. So, as these resources urge, invest in your collegiate relationships, get involved in communities of practice and professional networks, and seek out mentors among those you admire at every rung of the academic career ladder.
The how and why of building a network in higher education: Sandy Jones of Colorado State University Global gives advice to her 22-year-old self on the value of networking and how to get started, despite not owning a single high heel.
Five steps to finding effective mentors in academia: Learn how to find a mentor who aligns with your professional goals and can help you achieve academic success, by Lyn R. Keith of the University of the West Indies.
How professional supervision can benefit academics: Common in health professions, supervision has much to offer faculty and higher education institutions, whether it takes place one-on-one or in groups. Here, Anita Volkert of Glasgow Caledonian University explains how to use the 3Cs of effective supervision – connections, content and continuing development – to get started.
The case for reverse mentoring in higher education: By breaking down “traditional” power dynamics and hierarchies, reverse mentoring can drive progress on many challenges faced in higher education today, if planned with care, as Rachael O’Connor of the University of Leeds explains.
Practice makes perfect and other networking tips for academics: The benefits of networking for academics and how to do it well, both in person and online, are explained by Eleanor Hennige.
