The IAD has an extensive range of training and support for all research staff at the University, to support with their personal, professional and career development, and all our workshops can be found here: Research Staff Programme
In this blog post we are going to focus specifically on our 1:1 Career Development Consultations; providing further information on what they are, why you should consider booking one, what you can do to prepare and how to book.
What is a Career Development Consultation?
A Career Development Consultation is a 1:1 conversation with the IAD’s Research Staff Careers Consultant, on any aspect of career planning options, advice on CV, and interview practice. Typically they are 45 minute online appointments (via Microsoft Teams).
Consultations are a really useful way to get that targeted career advice and support. They can be about any stage of the career planning process whether that’s focusing on making applications and seeking feedback on your CV or interview performance, discussing your career direction or a more specific discussion about a key issue. Consultations can be really beneficial in allowing you to develop an action plan or identify key goals that you wish to achieve in a set time frame.
The Careers Consultants are only able to offer consultations to early career academic research-only staff on fixed term contracts. Please visit our webpage for more information about the consultations, along with further eligibility information: Career Development Consultations webpage
The truth is, you will get more out of your consultation if you prepare effectively for it!
To help you get the most out of these appointments and to allow the careers consultant to fully support you in making progress in your career planning process, you really need to come prepared! Please read a previous blog post about how to do this: Preparing for Career Direction Appointments
Need some quick career advice?
If you also have any quick career planning questions that you would like to ask and/or are unable to attend one of the 45 minute appointments, email career consultation support and advice is also available.
To do this, email the Research Staff Careers Consultant at ResearchStaff.Careers@ed.ac.uk, giving an overview of what the issue or query is and you’ll receive an email response within 5 working days (It can often be quicker, within a day or so). Email consultations often work best for things like CV and application reviews but can also be used for general advice and queries.
How to book a 1:1 Consultation
All the research staff workshops are now available for booking through the P&M Learning App, and this includes our 1:1 consultations. Just follow the instructions below to book an appointment:
- Log in to P&M
- Click the Learning button
- Search for a Research Staff 1:1 Career Consultation
- Click ‘Available Offerings’ to see the consultation dates and times available (note you have to click into an individual consultation to see the time that it is scheduled for).
Alternatively click the link given on the IAD webpages ‘Career Development Consultations How to Book’. If you are unable to use People & Money to book a place, please contact – iad.researchers@ed.a.uk – and we can register a place on your behalf.
Career Development Consultations are a great opportunity to start your career planning and getting that advice to support your next steps from a career specialist. It’s a great resource on offer at the University, so please do grab it with both hands!
