Excuses for rejection

[deadlylampshade]

Rich_cuk...check your messages (if I can get it to work...)

[GnomeKing]

what fantastic advice - market yourself more....get in through the inside track...etc etc ... you wanna job? - try harder!

nevermind the problem of real skill verification - and the lack of knowledge about what those skills consist of by too many in too privileged position (*********)

[BAJR]

First off...

Don't overlook the fact that most digging jobs never get advertised

always beware of hearsay however there is nothing wrong with ensuring the name is there... but not annoying.

nevermind the problem of real skill verification - and the lack of knowledge about what those skills consist of by too many in too privileged position

Just as well that BAJR and Uni of Manchester went for it and the Skills passport is currently in use... for a full trial.

Someone is trying to sort things... any support from others always gratefully received

So... yes...

market yourself more....get in through the inside track...etc etc ... you wanna job? - try harder!

[Rich_cuk]

Righty ho... I've read all the good advice on here, revamped my CV completely and sent it along with a covering letter to a number of units and contractors, including some updates to those I have sent to before. Out of the first batch, sent about ten days ago, half replied within a couple of days, and the rest have yet to reply. I have also got 2 weeks volunteering in August.
I have never believed in cold calling, as although the majority of jobs are not advertised, based on nearly 20 years in the real world it is who you know rather than what you know. Even so, let's see what happens, I'll give it until the end of August. If there is nothing, then I'm out for good as I can not afford to live on the dole.

[Unitof1]

i dream of living on the dole

[deadlylampshade]

Good luck Rich_cuk

unitof1...as you're in Nigeria I am sure you can come up with some good reasons why someone should send you all their money to help you out...

[brazier]

I suggest approaching it in a dragons den manner: pitch it up, make it a good offer you think at least one will like, get prepared for the grilling, consult your business manager....and even though there's no "share in the business" on offer, there are the skills/experience that can be shared, so if anyone declines on the "overqualified" basis then it's they who lack the acumen to see how you could fit into making them a profit long-term (or possibly just lack the opportunities at the right time to use your experience/skills, but hey this is just an analogy...). Sock it to 'em! :face-approve:

[drpeterwardle]

Somebody said but there is probably a generalised view that someone with a PhD would find doing a fairly rubbish watching brief beneath them, and the HR person would probably be questioning why someone with a PhD is applying as a digger again.
Yes this is an element of this in archaeology. Yes some people do not see the PhD as an advantage but in my view it all depends on what the PhD was about. There is, for example, a shortage of finds specialists at the moment. Rich_cuk you say your specialist area is Egypt. I assume that that your PhD was about an Egyptian subject. If it was I think this is the problem ? yes the techniques will be similar but the specialised knowledge from comes from doing a PhD are not that relevant to your average commercial UK project.
You say your Viva is pending. I think you will find that you will feel much better about all of this once the Viva is over and you have recovered from finishing the PhD (which takes months) and your new direction in life will emerge.
There is one consultancy which specialises in Arabian Archaeology http://heritage.brookes.ac.uk/. I think you must research the market and see if there are niche organisations who would value your PhD.
If I was you I would not give up on research jobs ? age should not be a barrier.
Peter

[troll]

Greetings to all,

To echo some and add to others......

Quallifications really are a minor consideration when employing field staff. The important issue is a candidates ability to walk onto any site anywhere in the country and get stuck in from day one. The candidate must be able to work without close supervision as competitive commercial units rarely have the time/resources to provide "pro-active apprenticeships". Peters suggestion that you chase a position that falls within your specialist area may help but wouldn`t you find the same "no-job-no-experience" vicious cirlce?

One thing that really needs ironing out here is this..... a field archaeologist is not a "lower rank" and field archaeology is not "beneath" someone with a PhD. Perceptions like this belong to the Victorian period and to those with little understanding of the profession on the whole (IFA et al).

If someone really is determined to become a field archaeologist, I would suggest that a period of volunteering with a local commercial unit would be a way in. When approaching units for paid work, try and maintain a first-name contact relationship with those on the end of the phone. Who do you know in the world of commercial archaeology? Is there someone out there who could vouch for you? How about suggesting to the prospective employer that they take you on under the understanding that the employment is a trial/probationary period? The key here I believe is not your qualifications (some of my field colleagues have more degrees than a compass) but your anonimity. Nowadays, unless you are known as a competent field archaeologist and people can vouch for that fact- things are going to be hard. My employer strikes a balance between old gits and comparatively newer lambs and this seems to work well. Many of the newer lambs are more qualified than the older gits but.....a good team feeds eachother to ensure that the archaeology gets the best deal it can with the resources it has.

Written "skills" passports may be a way forwards but I fear that nothing compares to a verbal confirmation of competence from a competent practitioner. Reputation can be everything and to that end, start talking to those working as field archaeologists......it only needs one of them to recommend "that bloke with lots of enthusiasm.." and the foot would be firmly in the door.
C.Vs for me-are a pain in the arse. Everytime I write one, I get yet another blueprint for the "correct" format. Whatever you do, keep it short and under headings...express enthusiasm...list competencies....list field projects you worked on...offer references.....emphasise that you can start yesterday...and include a covering page. Forget anything other than a first degree for now-keep that under your hat until you have accrued some good field experience and you spot a nice dry, clean-handed job in the warm!:face-approve:

[kevin wooldridge]

Totally agree with Troll....spot-on mate.