Managing expectations
Action | Your Expectation | Employer expectation | How to manage the situation |
Writing your CV | You have written a good CV and posted it to 200 scientific companies – that will surely get you at least one interview | Successful candidates will meet the criteria set and will understand what the company needs | Tailoring your CV to the company, taking time to research them and find out what they do and the type of person you are looking for will strengthen your application and show you are someone who has taken time over your entry |
Applying for the job | To hear back when the company receives your application | Recruitment for a new position is important but it’s not at the top of my list right now, I have other deadlines |
The reality is that with over a hundred applications for many roles and potentially more than one role open at any one time, you are unlikely to hear back unless it’s to say you have an interview |
Interview | You will be examined in every detail and it’s going to be a horrendous experience OR there’s going to be no one better than you, it’s already a given | Employers expect you to be on time, dress appropriately and most importantly engage with them. |
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Getting feedback | You expect detailed feedback of where you went wrong and how to improve next time | The successful candidate performed the best, what more is there to say? | Being told you were just pipped to the post or not getting any feedback at all can be tricky. Sometimes you really are just unlucky but if it’s happening consistently, seek some advice from a careers specialist who will be able to carry out a mock interview with you |
Negotiating salary | Just graduated or have a PhD - £28k is reasonable, right? | Just graduated or PhD, little experience, £18-21k is reasonable, right? | Salary expectations are amongst the most difficult to manage as you are basing a salary on what you/they feel they are worth. A reasonable starting salary for someone in chemistry is around the £21-24k but it may be more or less. You will need to consider all of your options and decide if it is enough for you. |
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