Competencies displayed by researchers who make a successful transition from one career to another

1. Communication

• Making an impact
  • Writes to provide evidence of suitability
  • Writes concisely and unambiguously, with a variety of layouts to help the reader
  • Presents self-effectively in interviews and presentations with the intention of demonstrating strengths for the post
  • Asks questions to ensure the post and organisations are appropriate for the candidate
  • Articulates constraints (such as geographical limitations) effectively
• Networking effectively
  • Networks with people who can influence
  • Uses a wide range of sources of information, both print and electronic
  • Builds relationships with named people in careers services or recruitment agencies
  • Asks questions of careers/ recruitment staff to ensure that they understand what is sought and what will be suitable
  • Scans the environment by asking questions, visiting appropriate websites and listening to people who might have an idea about the future
• Persuading
  • Uses well reasoned arguments in applications, interviews and presentations
  • Is thoroughly prepared for application and interview- having researched the organisation and its environment and being fully self-aware
  • Provides a range of examples of achievements which used relevant key skills

2. Cognitive

• Positive /analytical thinking and use of judgement
  • Positive thinker, when things go wrong, looking forward and putting effort into next attempt
  • Sees potential in things which are not immediately obviously suitable
  • Uses judgement to assess the suitability of a post in relation to key skills, preferences and potential
  • Analytical thinker in identifying own strengths, key skills from experience in the present and previous positions and relating them to requirements of new posts
  • Makes timely decisions to take action (or not)
• Positive/analytical thinking and use of judgement
  • Lateral thinker, in looking for outside the expected posts in seeking a change- systematically assembles and presents relevant data about self and links it to qualities required for posts
  • Makes connections between unrelated fields of work and the applications of key skills
  • Innovative in seeking posts and presenting oneself as a candidate
  • Uses initiative to make self known to people who can help
• Political/collaborative thinking
  • Strategic thinker, planning the "campaign" for finding a new career
  • Understands the political implications of situations and events by being sensitive to the environment in which an organisation is operating and to interview questions or answers to candidate's questions
  • Collaborates with colleagues, friends and advisors who can give advice or feedback to help the process of changing career

3. Self Development

• Undertakes voluntary work/work shadowing to get experience to help in decision making
• Uses mentors to support transition
• Gets additional qualifications to help transition
• Has an ongoing personal development plan which is regularly updated

4. Self Management

• Positive/enthusiastic
  • Realistic about how long things will take and expectations
  • Has energy
  • Is enthusiastic- talks with passion/sees a positive side to everything/does things with good spirit even when they are not preferred tasks
  • Responsible-works to standards expected/meets deadlines/has pride in work and self
• Persistence/stamina
  • Persistent in making applications despite disappointments
  • Stamina to keep making consistently high quality applications and attend and make an impression at interviews whilst still maintaining standards in current duties and responsibilities
• Flexible/open-minded
  • Flexible, in listening to feedback which requires action not previously thought of and in applying for posts which had not appeared appropriate formerly
  • Open-minded in applying for a range of posts which require key skills but will need a lot of learning as well
  • Inquisitive about what the world outside academia has to offer
• Self confident and self-controlled
  • Talks objectively about strengths, needs for development and achievements - with evidence
  • Self-aware - has a list of everything to offer an employer, backed up by evidence of previous performance (at work and elsewhere)
  • Objective - looking at things as they are - without bias from past experience
  • Adaptable, being willing to try new things which are necessary to progress in the direction required to fit a career plan
  • Assertive
  • Self-controlled when facing anger, disappointment, frustration and able to vent these emotions quickly and then move forward positively
  • Has a clear vision for self
  • Insightful - knows how to build a positive reputation

5. Drive to achieve

• Immerses self in finding knowledge about new career fields
• Proactive in seeking new opportunities
• Uses external resources to help achieve goals
• Pays attention to detail