12th July 2010, 10:42 PM
(This post was last modified: 12th July 2010, 10:44 PM by trainedchimp.)
Quote:1 - I am too old (I am 40). Although not stated it is obvious.
too right it isn't stated, that could be expensive if anyone was stupid enough to say that...
Quote:2 - I am over qualified.
not quite. True, often PMs are a bit worried about taking on better qualified/experienced diggers as they worry that they might get a bit independent or bolshy, but the other side of this is that it's difficult to see a PhD as relevant qualification (unless you really go out there and demonstrate why it's relevant). Depending on what you did, it might be wiser to go for a post a bit higher up the ladder where a higher degree would actually be demonstrably relevant to what you want to do. There's nothing wrong with saying that your looking for a job at supervisor level, or as a post-ex researcher (hey, invent a job title you're looking for, just sound plausible...), as a unit might think 'hey, here's someone who could come in useful, we could try them out as a digger to see if we can get on with them and take it from there'
Quote:3 - Lack of recent experience. Recent being the word.
yup. recent experience is essential. You do need currency, digging has changed, as Gnomeking says, not necessarily for the better in everything, (though that's a bit dark) but there are loads of different tools, techniques and skills that units like to see. And 7 years is a fair while to be out, unless of course you were doing odds and ends of work with a unit or something similar. This is why I'd tend to think what your experience fits you for and target that, chuck in some digging experience and it'll be clear that you're willing to get stuck in (which is another worry for units).
Quote: 4 - "We have had x applications..." - the classic cop-out with no reason stated as to why I am not suitable for a position paying far less than I could otherwise get.
No cop out. There's lots of really good, experienced and qualified people looking for jobs. There's a couple of thousand fewer jobs and no fewer diggers than there were a couple of years back. People units know will always have an advantage. It always been that way and I can't see it changing. It's a b*****r, but it's human nature.
Quote: 5 - No reply (email or post). This is common in business and I would hope not in archaeology, where communication with various bodies is important.
Your hope may well be in vain. The IfA has to keep asking people to acknowledge applicants to advertised posts, which doesn't bode well for speculative applicants.
Sorry if this sounds defeatist, but as positive advice, I'd produce 2 or 3 CVs, one showing the full extent of your skills and experience that you can use to target people who might need the skills you have gained and developed through doctoral research and analysis (aim at post-ex analysis, dba research, anything that is based on an ability to network and communicate - push these aspects of teaching and research that you've done, and use the covering letter to really point out what you're looking for. There are fewer jobs like that, but far fewer people who are genuinely qualified for them.
Create another CV for digging jobs. Rather than majoring on employment history and qualifications, present a list of skills and give examples of what you've achieved with those skills that will demonstrate what a sh*t hot digger you are (and doesn't give away your age). Archaeologists are often a bit coy about this as it looks gimmicky, but fundamentally, no units really care about your degree result, let alone your a-levels and GCSEs if they can see that you can dig (and more importantly if you've got the director's best mate as a referee...)