Applications and interviews

Careers and Placements has a range of resources to help you target your job search, get feedback on your CV or applications and practise your interview technique.

These resources are appropriate for students at all degree levels and are relevant for most sectors. Be aware that there are different expectations for applications to academic research and teaching positions, so you should use the resources in the academic careers sections.

The Career Management for Early Career Academic Researchers MOOC on Futurelearn has a comprehensive section on job search and applications to jobs in and outside academia. This free course is available from October to June (limited time access).

Attend university workshops on CVs and applications and interviews. See Skillsforge for details.

Finding opportunities

Academic

These websites offer a broad range of opportunities for researchers and research graduates:

Other sectors

If you are searching for opportunities outside academia, you may need to use a variety of job sites, general and specialist. The following sites offer some advice and starting points:

Jobs in some sectors may be advertise on specific / specialist websites. You can find these by researching job sector information on the Careers website and job sectors and profiles on Prospects.

Using social media in your job search

Employers will often use social media to promote opportunities. Many recruitment agencies use LinkedIn to search for potential candidates so it is important to have a professional presence. You can also use social media platforms for research that can help you to create more tailored applications, such as searching out individuals, professional interest groups, or following employers to get updates on their activities.

Find out how to get the most out of social media:

Job applications and interviews

Academic

Narrative CVs

An increasing number of funders and universities have adopted a new "narrative" format for CVs. These are most commonly used for funding applications, particularly fellowships, but some universities are beginning to use the format for job applications too. Find out more in this guide to Writing a narrative CV. 

The University of Glasgow has created a short online course on narrative CVs.

Other sectors

Practise your interview skills

  • Book a PGR careers advice appointment - use the booking notes to request a mock interview and provide details of the position you're being interviewed for.
  • Record and review a video mock interview using Shortlist.Me

Global Careers

An academic career outside the UK

If you are seeking to develop an academic career outside the UK, jobs.ac.uk has a series of guides to postdoctoral careers in different countries.

Other types of employment

GoinGlobal is a resource that allows you to research employment options in over 40 countries. It includes: job search resources; job and internship opportunities; recruitment and application advice; employer directories; networking resources; cultural issues; LGBTQ travel guides; global and USA city guides (University of York log-in required).

GoinGlobal

International students seeking employment in the UK

Information and advice from Careers and Placements and the Immigration Advice Service if you are considering working in the UK after your PhD

Get advice from Careers and Placements

Postgraduate researchers can book a PGR Careers Advice appointment with Janice Simpson, the Careers Consultant for postgraduates. This can be used for any careers related issue, from discussing options and building skills and experience, to job search, applications and interview practice. Appointments can be booked online using Handshake.

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