Skills for CV PhD_2022 slide deck powerpoint

careers

1. Title Title Sub-info AY 2021/2022

2. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES 13 Sep 2022 (Tues) 1600-1730h Dr. Benjamin TAN Postgraduate Career Advisor Postgraduate, Graduate and Lifelong Learning MIND THE GAP! IDENTIFYING SKILLS FOR YOUR CV Workshop will start at 1602h Rename yourself with your Matriculated name eg. Abc Xyz Slides will be sent to your NUS email id entered in your post-workshop survey

3. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Slides (pdf) will be sent to your NUS email id after we received your post-workshop survey

4. Dr Senthil Raja Jayapal [email protected] College of Design and Engineering, SCALE Masters Programmes Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School Ms Chan Choy Wah c ho yw a [email protected] College of Design and Engineering, SCALE Masters Programmes SCALE Masters Programmes Mr Ryan Ang [email protected] School of Computing Dr May Koh [email protected] Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Faculty of Science Risk Management Institute (RMI) Mr Raymond Wong raymondwong @nus.edu.sg Master of Computing (Digital Fintech) SCALE Masters Programmes Grad Sch for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (ISEP) Dr Benjamin Tan [email protected] College of Design and Engineering Faculty of Science Postgraduate, Graduate & Lifelong Learning (PGL) Career Advisory Team (wef Aug 2022)

5. Peer Resume Clinic (Breakout rooms) Dr Senthil Raja Jayapal [email protected] CDE Dr May Koh [email protected] FASS/Others Mr Raymond Wong raymondwong @nus.edu.sg SoC Join in the breakout room of your faculty. Other faculties, cho ose a room. Type in your name in the Zoom chat to indicate your interest to have your resume reviewed Share your screen when your name is called out (Do not send your resume in this Chat) Dr Benjamin Tan [email protected] FoS

6. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES About me… Benjamin TAN BSc ( Honours First Class) in Chemistry, with Minor in Life Sciences | National University of Singapore DPhil (Organic Chemistry) | University of Oxford Believes that education is not just about equipping oneself with the required technical knowledge, but also a process of personal growth. Keen to use his experiences from being a PhD student, research scientist, and research administrator to partner students in their journey of curating a distinct combination of relevant skills as their unique selling point, and to develop a keen sense of career opportunities available which would serve to benefit regardless of their career stage.

7. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Overview Academia or Industry Importance of Planning Ahead, Identifying Skill Gaps Resume Format Basic Techniques for the Resume Putting the Resume Together Cover Letter

8. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Some Questions… I envisioned myself to pursue a career in academia / industry. I know how to equip myself with the right skill set for employment after my PhD studies. I can no longer continue to pursue research if I work in Industry. True or False??

9. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES What’s after a PhD… PhD Academia Industry Post-Doctoral Fellowship Tenure-track Faculty / Lecturer Technical Research Entrepreneurship Business Development Regulatory Affairs Application Scientist Consulting Programme / Grant Management Scientific Communication Intellectual Property / Patent Law Investment / Venture Capital Analysts Etc. Start-up Defense Science National R&D Labs Manufacturing R&D Product Development Etc.

10. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES But, Academia or Industry? Nature 2019 , 575 , 403-406 Nature 2022 , 601 , 655-657 “In 2020, only 10% of engineering PhD graduates and 16% of those in physical and earth sciences ended up in academic positions in the United States, according to the National Science Foundation Survey of Earned Doctorates.”

11. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES But, Academia or Industry? Searls DB (2009) Ten Simple Rules for Choosing between Industry and Academia. PLoS Comput Biol 5(6): e1000388. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000388 Qualification and Experience Remuneration Package Aspiration and Ambition Personality and Character Plan for the Long Term

12. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Choose a career that plays to your INTERESTS Find out more about your career interests based on John Holland’s RIASEC indicators. Self-Assessment Tool | Myskillsfuture.gov.sg

13. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Passion vs Practicality https://content.mycareersfuture.gov.sg/passion-vs-pragmatism-guide-choosing-career-path-young-jobseekers/ There is no perfect job, but… There is a one with opportunities to showcase and develop your strengths. There would be “mundane” tasks in every job. Passion for play will be different when it becomes work to pay the bills. Better to enjoy play outside work hours. There might be aspects of a job that you might not know you would enjoy. It could be tasks, development opportunities, work culture etc.

14. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES “Art of War” of Planning Ahead If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle. - Sun Tzu, Art of War Make hay while the sun shines Look at job descriptions for the roles/industry you would like to apply after graduating. Chart your course to obtain relevant skills. Think about career development early, taking little steps to achieve your goals. Planning too late would result in lesser options being available.

15. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Plan Early PhD Student Professional C ommunication Skills P ersuasion & Influence I ndependent / Team player Academic apprenticeship A dvisee S tudent Technical expert A dvisor L eader Mind the Gap!

16. Examples of Job Description (1) CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Academia Research Fellow (Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering) Job Description : We are seeking highly motivated research fellow to perform high-impact research in the field of directed enzyme evolution, microfluidic screening, biotransformation, and/or genetic engineering in a granted research project. Qualifications : PhD degree in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, biotechnology, biochemistry, bioengineering, or chemistry. Excellent knowledge and intensive working experience in biotransformation, enzyme catalysis, enzyme engineering, genetic engineering, and/or microfluidic screening. Excellent track-record in publishing high-impact scientific articles. Self-motivated and strong problem-solving, writing, interpersonal, and analytical skills .

17. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Examples of Job Description (2.1) About You You’re a chemist who loves to solve difficult chemistry problems and are not discouraged by challenges You’re a rigorous experimentalist who takes pride in your ability to execute at the bench You’re collaborative by nature and are happy to jump in and help You’re resourceful and like to work independently but are not shy to ask for advice You’re conscientious and pay almost obsessive attention to detail, documentation and organization are second nature You thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy pushing the edge of what is possible Scientist 1 – Chemistry [Drug Discovery Start-up] Position As a Scientist joining early at < company >, you will be an essential part of an interdisciplinary founding team of highly creative and talented individuals with outstanding expertise in < company >’s core platform technologies. You will utilize data from our single particle tracking platform and your knowledge of traditional medicinal and synthetic chemistry to advance our new drug discovery projects. By utilizing < company >’s platform, you will help design compounds for therapeutic targets, which are inaccessible using conventional assays. What You’ll Do Work with biologists, chemists and engineers to advance our drive drug discovery pipeline Design novel compounds based on synthetic knowledge and modern medicinal chemistry principles Independently plan and conduct multistep syntheses of complex small molecules, including designing Utilize scientific literature and databases to design and implement efficient synthetic routes Clearly analyze, troubleshoot, accurately document and communicate experimental results Maintain a high level of scientific integrity, laboratory safety and act as a resource for others Collaborate and communicate across a diverse research team to successfully progress time-sensitive scientific goals

18. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Examples of Job Description (2.2) Qualifications PhD with 0-2 years industrial experience , Master’s degree with 12+ years of industrial experience, or Bachelor’s degree with 15+ years of industrial experience Familiarization with modern Medicinal Chemistry principles is preferred Demonstrated experience in multi-step organic synthesis, chromatographic purification, and compound characterization using modern analytical techniques (NMR, LCMS and HPLC) Ability multi-task with organized and detail-oriented record-keeping; including excellent written communication skills Good ability to manage own priorities and deliverables while being strongly team oriented and highly collaborative Strong synthetic problem-solving skills and a desire to learn new laboratory techniques and skills Solid track record of scientific accomplishment demonstrated by publications and/or patents Good understanding of key medicinal chemistry principles Familiarity with ChemDraw and literature searching software The ability to communicate clearly and build open collaborative relationships is essential

19. Examples of Job Description (2.1) CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Overview of role … We are looking for a passionate individual who will have ownership of significant deliverables in the technology development area. The ideal candidate will be responsible for providing innovative technical solutions and business-building opportunities . Consumer Care Applied Data Scientist, Beauty Care B ased in SG Key Responsibilities: Leads design, development , and partners in deployment of Data Science enabled applications across the organization .  Work on advanced analytics use cases together with Data Scientists; engaging in proof of concept and experiments to deliver new analytical algorithms and applications Preparation of data models and quality checks, optimization of analytical solutions at scale Deploying solutions in cloud environments and services – in Azure (e.g. Databricks, Azure ML, AKS, ADF)  Professional IT delivery using DevOps practices, Agile (Jira), use of CI/CD (GitHub Actions), reusability of code and design patterns from internal code libraries Operationalize Machine Learning models into business application Has good understanding of and experience with advanced data science methods including convolutional neural nets, recurrent neural nets and reinforcement learning.  Familiar with core big data tools and NoSQL databases  Identifies/IS part of the developmental team for new S-curves and determines path forward together with peers to initiate work to results in new and enduring value to their business. Coaches and mentors’ colleagues on data science methods and implementation. 

20. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Example of Job Description (2.2) Qualifications: Bachelors/Masters/ PhD degree in Computer Science , Machine Learning, Engineering, Applied Physics, Statistics with strong background in building working software systems at scale   Proficient in a modern programming language (e.g. Python, Scala) and machine learning platforms ( Tensorflow , Pytorch , Scikit -Learn)  Experience in designing and architecting web applications in production   Experience developing and deploying one or more algorithms in a production environment   Knowledge and experience with Cloud Technologies, preferably Azure Experience with successfully delivering solutions involving cross-functional collaborations.   Deep Understanding of data structures, data modelling and data engineering Knowledge and experience with (open source) Big Data platforms (e.g. Spark, NoSQL)  Knowledge and experience in a one or more areas of specialization – including but not limited to Natural Language Processing, Digital Sensors and Signal Processing and Time-Series Data Science, Imaging Data Science, Computer Vision, Embedded AI

21. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Week in a life of a PhD student Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 0900h 1200h 1700h 2000h PHD5001 Advanced Topic Module Lecture Teaching assistant duty Lab Group Meeting: Literature review, progress presentation Meeting with UROPS student Eqpt training for research Publication discussion with PhD supervisor Hosting lab tour for visitors Lab rota duties Attending Departmental Seminar CFG Career Workshop Consolidating stores and purchase requests <“@~ <“@~ <“@~ <“@~ <“@~ HIIT at Gym Pottery Class Identify development opportunities

22. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Week in a life of a PhD student Mentoring Communication Knowledge of specialised equipment Data analysis Critical thinking Presentation skills Science outreach Personal development PhD related technical knowledge Organisation skills Communication Persuasion Writing skills Work-life balance Latest insights to discipline

23. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Meet Mr. B, the fictitious PhD student PhD, Organic Chemistry - 2019 to present Thesis topic: application of synthetic methodology towards antibacterial lead compounds Graduate student representative for lab safety committee Committee member, Graduate Student Symposium 2021 Mentor for two final-year undergraduate research student Associate member, Global Society of Chemistry M.Sc. (Research), Process Chemistry - 2017 to 2019 Masters by research at Department of Chemical Engineering. Thesis topic: process intensification of chemical processes Best student poster at 30 th International Process Chemistry Symposium B.Sc Chemistry Major - 2013 to 2017 Honours (Distinction), minor in Life Sciences Student research module (6 months); project on synthesis of core structure of anticancer natural product via transition metal catalysis Vacation intern at biotech startup, assisting staff with managing RNA library Treasurer, Student Union AY16/17 Mr B. Publications Synthesis of Mimics of Pramanicin from Pyroglutamic Acid and Their Antibacterial Activity Intensification of Continuous Ortho-Lithiation at Ambient Conditions—Process Understanding and Assessment of Sustainability Benefits Where to start if Mr B. wants to apply for the “Scientist 1 – Chemistry” role at a drug discovery start-up?

24. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Some Questions… A 'CV' is the same as a 'Resume’. I need to include as much information as possible in my 'Resume' regarding my education background and internship/work experiences. An artistic template for my 'Resume' - with bold colours and fanciful fonts - helps me stand out among the other applicants. True or False??

25. Adapted from Jobscan : Resume Writing Guide, “https://www.jobscan.co/resume-writing-guide” CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Is a resume the same as CV? CV Full history of academic and work credentials. Resume Summary of work experience and background relevant to the job application.

26. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Types of resume format

27. Name Work History Education Contact no. | Email | LinkedIn profile Certification Reference Position1|Company|Year serviced Job description Skill/knowledge acquired Accomplishment achieved Position2|Company|Year serviced Job description Skill/knowledge acquired Accomplishment achieved School1|Degree|Year attended School2|Degree|Year attended Reference1|Name|Position|Contact Reference2|Name|Position|Contact Certificate1|School|Year attended Certificate2|School|Year attended Volunteering/CCA/Hobby What|Where|Year attended Chronological Combination Resume format

28. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Preparing the resume… Order of Sections Academic Industry (Research) Industry Skills-based 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 6 3 3 2 3 4 4 4 2 5 5 5 4 6 6 6 5 7 (full) 7 (selected) Additional Info Additional Info 8 8 (optional) 9 9 10 (optional) 10 (optional) 11 (optional) 11 (optional) 12 (optional) 12 (optional) 13: Unlimited 13: Max. 2 13: Max. 2 13: Max. 2 S/N Sections of Resume 1 Education (if you have zero year’s of work experience) 2 Research Experience (Write in CAR Format) 3 Professional Experience (internships if any) (Write in CAR Format) 4 Teaching and Mentoring Experience (Write in CAR Format) 5 University/Public Engagements (Write in CAR Format) 6 Technical Skills and Languages 7 Publications 8 Conference Proceedings/Presentations 9 Patents 10 Awards/Scholarships (optional) 11 Memberships for Societies (optional) 12 Academic References (prepare but do not need to include in resume) 13 Number of page

29. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Preparing the resume… Academia Industry cover letter detailed curriculum vitae that includes a full list of publications statements of research teaching interests and plans (maximum 3 pages each) names of six referees with contact details Tenure-Track Faculty Positions (E.g. @ NUS ChBE) cover letter resume (for R&D jobs - with selected publications, patents) names of referees with contact details Industry Role (Research/Non-Research) Application to different job roles may require more than just a resume…

30. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Basic Techniques for the Resume Resume Summary of work experience and background relevant to the job application . Frame your experiences and skills to showcase required criteria stated in job description. Provide examples from your work experience to highlight intangible criteria (e.g. leadership, teamwork, attention to detail etc.) Job description : I am asking who might have the qualities that I am looking for in an employee. Resume : I am replying to your query, convincing you that I have the required qualities.

31. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Basic Techniques for the Resume An analogy… Prof XYZ is looking to pick one graduate student in the group to attend the 30 th International Science Conference. This is a flagship conference of your discipline, with a line up of speakers such as Nobel Laureates and upcoming ‘star’ researchers. Potential major collaborators from the industry would also be present. PhD Student 1 : Final Year PhD student Conducted a series of 80 experiments for current project Analysed results, and planned for the next set of 20 experiments Submitted a manuscript using results from part of PhD thesis Keen to attend talk by 2021 Nobel Laureate Thinks industry might be keen to collaborate with us PhD Student 2 : To take the opportunity before graduating to present research to an international audience The recent set of 80 experiments provided insights into a potential approach to address our research problem. Interacting with other researchers in this discipline, and hearing from top scientists regarding the state of the art could better help us plan the next set of experiments The results that were just submitted with the recent manuscript could be of interest to the industry, leading to new collaborative projects

32. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Basic Techniques for the Resume Step 1 Start from employers’ needs & requirements. Identify what skills are needed from JD. Step 2 Think of examples from your research experiences, how do they meet the requirements of the role? Step 3 Demonstrate how your competencies (i.e. skills) match the requirements in CAR format. Step 4 Proof-read and apply finishing touches. http://nus.edu.sg/cfg/students/career-resources/create-an-impressive-resume De-jargon your CAR statements

33. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Basic Techniques for the Resume Review the Job Description (JD), and make a list of KSAs required K nowledge Theory / Fundamentals / Industry or Product / Methods E.g. Experience with protein purification techniques Expertise with Natural Language Processing / Neural Nets / image processing S kills Technical and Soft Skills E.g. Python programming Interpersonal & communication skills Creative problem-solving skills A ttribute Personal Traits / Values E.g. Attention to details Team player

34. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Identify the KSAs About You You’re a chemist who loves to solve difficult chemistry problems and are not discouraged by challenges You’re a rigorous experimentalist who takes pride in your ability to execute at the bench You’re collaborative by nature and are happy to jump in and help You’re resourceful and like to work independently but are not shy to ask for advice You’re conscientious and pay almost obsessive attention to detail, documentation and organization are second nature You thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy pushing the edge of what is possible Scientist 1 – Chemistry [Drug Discovery Start-up] Position As a Scientist joining early at < company >, you will be an essential part of an interdisciplinary founding team of highly creative and talented individuals with outstanding expertise in < company >’s core platform technologies. You will utilize data from our single particle tracking platform and your knowledge of traditional medicinal and synthetic chemistry to advance our new drug discovery projects. By utilizing < company >’s platform, you will help design compounds for therapeutic targets, which are inaccessible using conventional assays. What You’ll Do Work with biologists, chemists and engineers to advance our drive drug discovery pipeline Design novel compounds based on synthetic knowledge and modern medicinal chemistry principles Independently plan and conduct multistep syntheses of complex small molecules, including designing Utilize scientific literature and databases to design and implement efficient synthetic routes Clearly analyze, troubleshoot, accurately document and communicate experimental results Maintain a high level of scientific integrity, laboratory safety and act as a resource for others Collaborate and communicate across a diverse research team to successfully progress time-sensitive scientific goals

35. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Identify the KSAs ( con’t ) Qualifications PhD with 0-2 years industrial experience, Master’s degree with 12+ years of industrial experience, or Bachelor’s degree with 15+ years of industrial experience Familiarization with modern Medicinal Chemistry principles is preferred Demonstrated experience in multi-step organic synthesis, chromatographic purification, and compound characterization using modern analytical techniques (NMR, LCMS and HPLC) Ability multi-task with organized and detail-oriented record-keeping; including excellent written communication skills Good ability to manage own priorities and deliverables while being strongly team oriented and highly collaborative Strong synthetic problem-solving skills and a desire to learn new laboratory techniques and skills Solid track record of scientific accomplishment demonstrated by publications and/or patents Good understanding of key medicinal chemistry principles Familiarity with ChemDraw and literature searching software The ability to communicate clearly and build open collaborative relationships is essential

36. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Basic Techniques for the Resume List Experiences and Skills (W.I.S.E) W ork Experience I nternational Exposure S tudent Life Activities E ducation and Qualifications Use your experiences to demonstrate how you have each of the different KSAs in the JDs

37. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Basic Techniques for the Resume Write C.A.R statements about your experiences to demonstrate KSAs C.A.R. C ompetency + A ction + R esult For each experience, include a bulleted skills statement, following this formula: C ompetency verb + details of A ctions + R esult = C.A.R. Begin each bullet point with a strong competency verb (e.g. “researched,” “analysed,”, “publicised”, “recruited”, “negotiated” etc.). Summarise how you carried out the duties and what your contributions and achievements were. Whenever possible, quantify the results of your efforts. If results are not tangible, share the rationale.

38. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES C.A.R Method C ompetency A ctions R esults / R ationale Increased productivity by 20% Reduced by 30mins per day Improved grades from C to A Exceeded sales target by $3,000 Potential impact of 4,000 migrant workers in SG Possibility of furthering research in… With the intention to… For the purpose of.. Created/ Formulated Presented Improved Inspired Expedited Collaborated Conducted Investigated Coordinated Managed Analysed Delivered Conceptualised Developed Research Excel R Programming SPSS Copywriting Photoshop Canva Brainstorming Social media marketing MATLAB NOTE : The above words and phrases are only examples. You may refer to  https://www.themuse.com/advice/185-powerful-verbs-that-will-make-your-resume-awesome , or other career websites for more suggestions. C ompetency verb + A ction + R esults/ R ationale C.A.R.

39. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES C.A.R Method NOTE : The above words and phrases are only examples. You may refer to  https://www.themuse.com/advice/185-powerful-verbs-that-will-make-your-resume-awesome , or other career websites for more suggestions. Communication Communicated Negotiated Resolved Collaborated Coordinated Navigated Attended to Convinced Persuaded Presented Analytical/  Critical Thinking Analysed Performed trouble-shooting Assessed Investigated Proposed Identified gaps Problem-Solving  & Creative Innovation  Created Designed Conceptualised Developed Improvised Initiated Strategised Founded Sourced Leadership  & People Management  Led Directed  Organised Managed Commanded Championed Pioneered Mentored Inspired Types of Competency Verb

40. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES C.A.R Method Results and Rationale Think of an achievement in the experience Why would you be proud to share it? Translate that to competence How do you know you were good at it? Find evidence to convince your employer What were the outcomes/results / Rationale ? Consider tangible, measurable outcomes Did you improve, increase, reduce, or optimise something? Did you inspire, motivate, or mentor someone? Examples Quantitative results: Numbers and value (%, $, participation rate, span of time), prize, awards Qualitative results: Adding value/ contribution- code/algorithm/model developed was utilised by department for prediction of… Rationale: Stating the purpose and objective Eg : Developed a machine learning model using Python to predict the state of skin cancer from several test biopsies.

41. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES C.A.R Method - Examples Before C.A.R Delivered a talk on the research project, Model Predictive Control for Power Electronic Converters, to a conference. After C.A.R Presented on the topic of Advanced Model Predictive Control Methods for Bidirectional Three-phase Two-level Converter for Solid State Transformers at the IEEE PES ISGT ASIA 2018 Conference , and received the best student paper award. Worked on liquid biopsy assays for cancer diagnosis. Conducted research on company products. Assisted in improving social media outreach. Improved the sensitivity of liquid biopsy assays for lung cancer diagnosis by 3-fold through optimization of sample processing protocol and quantitative analysis of qPCR and ELISA data. Conducted literature review and market research on disease-specific biologics and presented findings to 4 product managers from oncology teams. Achieved 230% month-on-month growth in company blog traffic, doubled social media following, and sustained 9x higher brand message reach on Facebook through creative content production and A/B testing.

42. Example of a CAR statement Giving clarity to the skill you are demonstrating: Why did you lead a group of 8 members for? Mention the approaches/methods used Quantitative results: Numbers add value- %, $, participation rate, span of time, prize, awards Qualitative results: Adding value/ contribution- code/algorithm/model developed was utilised by department for prediction of… Rationale: Stating the purpose and objective Eg : Developed a machine learning model using Python to predict the state of skin cancer from several test biopsies. Starting off the statement Usage of Skills-based action verbs: For example: Leadership- Led, Initiated, Spearheaded Creativity- Developed, Designed, Programmed Communication skills- Negotiated, collaborated, Liaised Avoid weak words like: Used, Assisted, Supported, Participated, Involved Reference slide

43. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES De-Jargoning your research Why de-jargon? Applying to an industry that is related to your field of research : HR managers/executives reviewing your resumes might not have your background. (HR, not the hiring managers, are often the first to look at your application). Applying to an industry that is not related to your field of research : Allows HR department and the hiring manager to understand what you have been doing and how can it be relatable/applicable to the role you have applied.

44. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES De-Jargoning your research Identify the technical terms in your CAR statements that are not so commonly known to the general audience Is it an acronym? Yes No Elaboration of the acronym Is it a single word ? Yes No Can it be replaced with a synonym? Yes No Simplification (synonym ) Simplification (phrase)/Generalisation Generalisation/ Simplification Can the reader understand the elaboration of the acronym No Simplification /Generalisation Cross-check Is it present in the JD? Yes No Retention of the jargon Generalisation Replacement of jargon with a general term/phrase that can be used to represent it. Not a direct synonym. (e.g. NMR  Structure determination techniques) Elaboration Description of Acronyms (e.g. CAD  Computer Aided Design) (e.g. NMR  Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) Simplification Replacement of jargon with a layman synonym or a synonymous phrase. How to de-jargon?

45. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES De-Jargoning your research Epoxypyrrolidinones are available by epoxidation of carboxamide-activated bicyclic lactam substrates derived from pyroglutamate using aqueous hydrogen peroxide and tertiary amine catalysis. In the case of an activating Weinreb carboxamide, further chemoselective elaboration leads to the efficient formation of libraries of epoxyketones. Deprotection may be achieved under acidic conditions to give epoxypyroglutaminols , although the ease of this process can be ameliorated by the presence of internal hydrogen bonding. Bioassay against S. aureus and E. coli indicated that some compounds exhibit antibacterial activity. These libraries may be considered to be structural mimics of the natural products pramanicin and epolactaene . More generally, this outcome suggests that interrogation of bioactive natural products is likely to permit the identification of “privileged” structural scaffolds, providing frameworks suitable for optimization in a short series of chemical steps that may accelerate the discovery of new antibiotic chemotypes. Further optimization of such systems may permit the rapid identification of novel systems suitable for antibacterial drug development.

46. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES De-Jargoning your research Epoxypyrrolidinones are available by epoxidation of carboxamide-activated bicyclic lactam substrates derived from pyroglutamate using aqueous hydrogen peroxide and tertiary amine catalysis. In the case of an activating Weinreb carboxamide, further chemoselective elaboration leads to the efficient formation of libraries of epoxyketones. Deprotection may be achieved under acidic conditions to give epoxypyroglutaminols , although the ease of this process can be ameliorated by the presence of internal hydrogen bonding. Bioassay against S. aureus and E. coli indicated that some compounds exhibit antibacterial activity. These libraries may be considered to be structural mimics of the natural products pramanicin and epolactaene . More generally, this outcome suggests that interrogation of bioactive natural products is likely to permit the identification of “privileged” structural scaffolds, providing frameworks suitable for optimization in a short series of chemical steps that may accelerate the discovery of new antibiotic chemotypes. Further optimization of such systems may permit the rapid identification of novel systems suitable for antibacterial drug development. Developed a methodology to synthesise a library of small molecules whose structure is based on natural occurring compounds. The antibacterial activity observed suggests the feasibility of exploiting structural similarities to natural occurring compounds as a feasible approach for rapid identification of new molecules towards antibacterial drug development. How? What? Why? C A R

47. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES De-Jargoning your research The feasibility of performing an ortho-lithiation reaction in a T-reactor and a spinning disc reactor (SDR) at ambient temperature has been demonstrated and compared experimentally to a conventional batch stirred tank reactor (STR) process performed at a cryogenic temperature of −70 °C. The benefits of significantly improved mixing and much shorter residence times in the flow reactors eliminated the need for cryogenic cooling in batch processing which is a costly requirement. A theoretical evaluation of a scaled up process with a design product output of 3 tons per year highlights that significant process intensification is achievable in the flow reactors which demonstrate higher energy efficiency, better volume efficiency, smaller processing inventory, and smaller equipment footprint. For this reaction, the performance of the T-reactor is the best among the three reactors leading to much lower reactor investment and operating cost. The SDR was also demonstrated to be effective, even though this reaction did not take advantage of its inherent capabilities in solid handling or rapid heat removal through evaporation/gas disengagement, all of which present major challenges in enclosed channel geometries such as the T-reactor.

48. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES De-Jargoning your research The feasibility of performing an ortho-lithiation reaction in a T-reactor and a spinning disc reactor (SDR) at ambient temperature has been demonstrated and compared experimentally to a conventional batch stirred tank reactor (STR) process performed at a cryogenic temperature of −70 °C. The benefits of significantly improved mixing and much shorter residence times in the flow reactors eliminated the need for cryogenic cooling in batch processing which is a costly requirement. A theoretical evaluation of a scaled up process with a design product output of 3 tons per year highlights that significant process intensification is achievable in the flow reactors which demonstrate higher energy efficiency, better volume efficiency, smaller processing inventory, and smaller equipment footprint. For this reaction, the performance of the T-reactor is the best among the three reactors leading to much lower reactor investment and operating cost. The SDR was also demonstrated to be effective, even though this reaction did not take advantage of its inherent capabilities in solid handling or rapid heat removal through evaporation/gas disengagement, all of which present major challenges in enclosed channel geometries such as the T-reactor. Demonstrated the use of a simplified reactor design provided significant improvement to process efficiency for a temperature and moisture sensitive chemical reaction when compared with a conventional setup. A theoretical evaluation based on a manufacturing scale showed potential savings of 66% to energy usage, 36% to capital costs and 11% to operating costs. How? What? Why? C A R

49. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Putting the resume together

50. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Structure and formatting tips Clear and uncluttered layout Regular and consistent format Easy to read, black font with white background Good balance of text and white space Consistent bullet point size, type and alignment Date duration on the Right-Hand-Side Keep your time duration format consistent and regular (e.g. Aug 18-Jan 19, then use this format across the different sections)

51. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Structure and formatting tips Name and contact details prominent No need for home address No photo unless required Avoid fanciful or complex email addresses Update NUS email address to ‘Friendly Email’ Simple, formal and readable font (Verdana, Times New Roman and Arial Size 11-12) Google NUS Friendly Email: https://nusit.nus.edu.sg/services/communications/nusmail/friendlymail/

52. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Structure and formatting tips Provide brief details about research thesis to showcase expertise Begin statement with an active verb, using C.A.R format Use different active verbs to showcase your competency and avoid using the same active verb more than twice in resume Whenever possible, quantify results, otherwise highlight the purpose or objective Include details such that the reader will understand the scope and depth of your experience Avoid using personal pronouns

53. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Structure and formatting tips Include useful language, IT, technical, lab skills which may come in useful in the job Add your interests for a hint to your personality Get a trusted friend or CA to proofread again Save your resume with your full name as filename.pdf ; remove “v2” or “Final” in filename suffix

54. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Cover Letter A 1-page persuasive letter that complements your factual resume Can also be in the form of the email text that you send the Resume with [ for Post-doctoral positions ] The cover letter allows you to elaborate on: Why you are interested in the job How your motivations & values align with the organisation’s Why the employer should grant you an interview Resume Summary of your education and employment history, and other skills attained Bullet listing Written in the  third  person Conveys  objective  information and states the facts – the  who, what, when, and how E.g. List of work experiences, volunteering experiences, etc. Cover Letter Explains why a select few qualifications match the job position Business letter format Written in the  first  person Conveys  subjective  information and explains your qualification for the job – the WHY E.g. reasons for your interest in a position/company, why the culture and values of a company appeals to you, etc.

55. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Cover Letter Format 1. Introductory Paragraph Introduce yourself Purpose of the letter Why are you interested in this organisation ? Why the interest in this position? Be brief and to the point Research on the organisation and study the job’s requirements 3. Closing Paragraph Thank the recruiter for considering your application Let the reader know that you are looking forward to hearing more about the opportunity Reiterate your interest in the position Provide your contact details 2. Justification of Skills and Attributes About two short paragraphs Highlight your key skills which fit the employer’s requirements Include your achievements Demonstrate that you are the perfect fit for the position, the solution provider Align your skills and experience to the company’s needs Always customise your cover letter Be engaging and direct

56. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Cover Letter – An Example Introduction Justification of Skills and Attributes Closing Paragraph Customised cover letter for each job application Format as a business letter ( Or main text of the email ) Conveys the WHY Show enthusiasm!

57. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Summary A PhD student learns more than just technical skills during the research thesis. Using KSA framework to understand a job description. Use of CAR statement to craft “information-rich” experiences. The value of a cover letter.

58. Help us Improve! CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Slides (pdf) will be sent to your NUS email id after we received your post-workshop survey. https://forms.office.com/r/0ZbUet6xKD Facilitator: Dr. Benjamin TAN Postgraduate Career Advisor Postgraduate, Graduate and Lifelong Learning Lucky Draw ​ 2x winners $20   Grab  e-vouchers each   ​

59. CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES Upcoming Events

60. Target Group Date Time Workshop Topic Masters Students 30 Aug 11am-12pm Navigating and Networking your way to the Jobs in Singapore (By WSG) 7 Sep 12-1.30pm Ace The Interviews: Tips and Techniques for Postgraduates 21 Sep 12-1.30pm Online Branding & Networking PhD Students 30 Aug 6-7.30pm Management and Leadership Skills for PhD Students  13 Sep 4-5.30pm Mind the Gap! Identifying Skills for your CVs for PhDs Students 27 Sep 4-5.30pm Building Bridges, Developing Connections: Effective Networking for PhD Students (In-person workshop) AY22/23 Sem 1 Scan to Register CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES

61. Target Group Date Time Industry Connect Topic Masters Students 25 Aug 1-2.30pm Insights into the Semiconductor Industry 6 Sep 12-1.30pm Insights into the Sustainability Consulting Industry 6 Oct 1-2pm Healthcare Administration in Singhealth PhD Students 20 Sep 4-5.30pm Beyond Academia: Opportunities in the Pharmaceutical Industry Scan to Register AY22/23 Sem 1 CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES

62. Specialised Technology Platforms ​ Supporting your career preparation and job search NUS TalentConnect Job and Internship ​ Platform ​ Internship-As-A-Service Two-sided gigs marketplace Forage Virtual Work  Experience Programmes​ ​ VMock AI-driven resume and interview benchmarking and scoring​ NUS career+ Smart career planning companion​ ​ CaseCoach World’s top case interview preparation platform​ NUS conNectUS Connect with NUS alumni CENTRE FOR FUTURE-READY GRADUATES

63. https://connectus.nus.edu.sg/

64. Telegram Channel for Postgraduates & Graduates https://t.me/NUSCareerAdvForPG

65. UPCOMING Career Fairs Career Fest 2023 Jan/Feb 2023 Internship Day 14 September 2022 Postgraduate Career Fair 12 October 2022 CDE Career Fair 27-28 October 2022

66. POSTGRADUATE CAREER FAIR 2022 Postgraduate Career Fair 2022 on 12 th October, 10am-5pm @ University Sports Centre A career fair organized specially for all NUS Masters and PhD students! Take this opportunity to network with employers from various sectors! Such as Micron, Amazon, Huawei, Rakuten, OCBC, A*STAR, Daikin, Sembcorp, Halliburton, Alcimed . Raise Your Profile Photo booth Have your headshot professionally taken at the fair! Exclusive to all conNectUS users. Raise Your Bar Coffee Lounge Grab a coffee to recharge during the fair. Simply complete the event feedback survey to enjoy this offer. Raise Your Game Corner Participate in Pop Quizzes at 10-11.30am and 3.30-5pm, and stand to win a $30 UNIQGIFT voucher. Raise Your Opportunities Get insights into various industries from Speakers of Micron, Halliburton, OCBC and Huawei.

67. Career Talks and Workshops Workshop Date Time Communicating Your Professional Brand in Resumes and Interviews 5 Oct 12-1.30pm Navigating and Networking Effectively in the Career Fair 7 Oct 12-1.30pm Company Sector Date Time Micron Engineering & Manufacturing 12 Oct 10-11am OCBC Finance Services 11.30am-12.30pm Halliburton Energy & Resources 1-2pm Huawei Information Communications Technology 2.30-3.30pm *Career talks subjected to changes

68. Dr Senthil Raja Jayapal [email protected] College of Design and Engineering, SCALE Masters Programmes Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School Ms Chan Choy Wah c ho yw a [email protected] College of Design and Engineering, SCALE Masters Programmes SCALE Masters Programmes Mr Ryan Ang [email protected] School of Computing Dr May Koh [email protected] Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Faculty of Science Risk Management Institute (RMI) Mr Raymond Wong raymondwong @nus.edu.sg Master of Computing (Digital Fintech) SCALE Masters Programmes Grad Sch for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (ISEP) Dr Benjamin Tan [email protected] College of Design and Engineering Faculty of Science Postgraduate, Graduate & Lifelong Learning (PGL) Career Advisory Team (wef Aug 2022)

69. FIND US AT: Yusof Ishak House, Level 2 31 Lower Kent Ridge Rd Singapore 119078 https:// www.facebook.com / nuscfg @ nuscfg NUS Centre for Future-ready Graduates Our Website