Are you applying to graduate school or a job and need some ideas about crafting your application? This presentation discusses some of the key factors you should consider as you create these documents so that you can provide the most accurate and positive representation of yourself. Details count!
5. ACADEMIC/BUSINESS RESUME
EDUCATION
SENIOR PROJECT, THESIS, DISSERTATION, TREATISE INCLUDE TITLES
PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS
CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, ETC.
PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS
REVIEWS, ARTICLES, ETC.
6. CURRICULUM VITAE
MULTI-PAGE, MORE COMPREHENSIVE
SIMILAR STRUCTURE TO RESUME WITH GREATER DETAIL
LONGER COVERAGE DATES
ORGANIZATION OF DOCUMENT SHIFTS FOR EACH POSITION
7. GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATIONS
KNOW YOUR DEADLINES!!
MAKE A CHECKLIST FOR ALL REQUIRED COMPONENTS
KNOW THE SCHOOL AND ITS PROGRAMS
DRAFT ENTRIES BEFORE INPUTTING IN ONLINE FORM
ADHERE TO WORD LIMITS AND PLAN AHEAD
LONGER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER!
8. JOB APPLICATIONS
WHERE CAN YOU FIND JOB POSTINGS?
COLLEGE MUSIC SOCIETY
CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
MUSICAL CHAIRS
MANY OTHER WEBSITES
YOUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK!!
RESEARCH THE INSTITUTION BEFOREHAND
CUSTOMIZE YOUR APPLICATION EACH TIME
9. COVER LETTER
CUSTOMIZE FOR THE SPECIFIC POSTING
OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE YOUR VOICE
ADDRESSED TO COMMITTEE, DEAN, OR OTHER PERSON LISTED
GOES BEYOND WHAT CAN BE FOUND IN YOUR CV
10. CHOOSING REFERENCES
WHO TO PICK?
BROAD RANGE, BUT TAILORED TO THE JOB
SOMEONE WHO CAN SELL YOU TO AN EMPLOYER
HOW TO ASK?
ASK EARLY!
ASK EACH TIME (BEFORE APPLYING)
PROVIDE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
11. QUESTIONS?
Licensed by: Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International
Created by:
Patrick Fulton & Sara Nodine
Warren D. Allen Music Library
Editor's Notes
#3: Over the course of this presentation we will see four themes weaving their way into each discussion. Keeping these four themes in mind while building your professional documents will save you time and energy, while at the same ensuring you will have stronger materials.
#4: One page in length.
Just the highlights.
Will need to be edited for EACH application.
Include most recent work (most important).
#5: Performance
Education (where, with whom, and lessons/masterclasses)
Performance highlights (large ensemble, chamber ensemble, solo)
Festival experience
#6: Academic/Business
Education (senior projects, thesis, dissertation, treatise title and major professor)
Presentation highlights (conferences, etc.)
Publications (reviews, articles, etc.)
#7: Multi-page, comprehensive
Similar structure to resume, greater detail
Longer coverage
Organization of information may shift for each application
#8: Make a timeline/calendar KNOW YOUR DEADLINES (you are NOT an exception to rules)
Plan ahead to order transcripts, have scores sent, make recordings, and mail materials
Know the school/program to which you are applying (is there emphasis on particular performance styles, areas of research, etc.?)
Not all applications require the same componentsMake a checklist! (resume and repertoire list? Complete CV? if you dont know ASK!)
Requires the most up-to-date documents (begin to filter out items on your resume/CV that are no longer relevant)
Draft your entries before entering them into the online form (be careful if you copy and paste from Word as formatting may change)
Keep word limits in mind and plan ahead for them. If no limit is given, be sure you have provided enough information without too much filler. Longer is not always better!
#9: How to find a job
Know where to look for postings:
College Music Society
Chronicle of Higher Education
Musical Chairs
Various other society websites
Know who to talk to:
Your professional network
Know the organization to which you are applying (teaching position? Administrative?)
Make sure you actually qualify (meet the basic requirements)
Customize your application for each position
#10: Tailor to specifics of job posting, using terminology/phrasing exactly from the description.
Your opportunity to let them know why you would be the best choice for the position.
One page in length.
Addressed to dean or search committee chair (whoever is listed).
Information beyond what is found in your CV.
Your opportunity to give a voice to who you are personally and professionally.
#11: Who to pick?
Broad range, but tailored to the job
How do they know you and can they sell you appropriately?
How to ask?
Ask early
Initial email: I will be applying for jobs, would you mind being a reference?
Provide detailed personal information and job specifics for each position. (Tell them why you think you are perfect for the job so they can include it in their letter.)
Do NOT ask after the fact!
#12: Additional questions you can ask the audience:
What do you think counts as current?
Should you just include References available upon request?
What makes a specific item relevant for your documents?
Suggestions for activities to do at the end (time permitting):
Live editing of participants document(s)
Editing (change formats, fonts, etc.) on a prepared document if none provided by participants