Nicola has put this short presentation deck together following the succesful workshop "Marketing yourself and your PhD" (which Nicola hosted with HESCU's Dr Charlie Ball). The workshop was part of the University of Manchester's "Pathways" event held in June 2010.

1. Marketing yourself & your PhD Nicola Pike

2. See your “product” from a customer perspective When marketing a product or service you focus on the features and benefits that the customer wants or needs. It’s exactly the same when you are marketing yourself. You’ve spent years on your PhD and you know your subject inside out but unless it’s relevant, focusing on this instead of what the customer/recruiter wants to hear is just wasting time. Just focus on the messages that are important. If there are too many messages, they won’t hear what’s really important.

3. Look at yourself in a different way Things that you take for granted may be the key to getting that job Writing articles for journals Lecturing at conferences and to students Getting sponsorship for PhD research “Translate” your skills and experiences from academic speak to management speak Lecturing skills Presenting skills Obtaining sponsorship Pitching / tendering for funds Writing articles for journals Writing for publications

4. Learn to listen To find out what the customer wants, you have to learn to listen. “Listen” to what they are asking for in the job description. Ask relevant questions and listen to the answers. Now think about what they really want and how you could meet that need in their language.

5. Create opportunities Network LinkedIn Professional bodies and associations Industry events Develop your own “elevator pitch” Be bold, don’t wait for the phone to ring. Create your own opportunities Get “out there” Blog about relevant topics Contribute to relevant discussions on LinkedIn groups and in related Forums Tweet on Twitter

6. Marketing yourself & your PhD See your “product” from a customer perspective Look at yourself in a different way Learn to listen Create opportunities