Successful CV’s and Interviews

What are the main differences between a professional curriculum for a business application or for research? How should you prepare for an interview for a scholarship or a research job?

How should you build a scientific curriculum?

First of all, you need to have an updated photo of yourself (and it does not need to be an extremely professional photo). Look at the picture and think: “Does it reflect what I am?” Remember that the first impact is very important.

The structure and design of your CV are flexible. Give wings to your imagination and create a CV in your own style. You can get inspiration from Pinterest or even from Microsoft Word. Also, there is an online platform that is currently used by all people who wish to pursue research in Portugal. You can start filling it out and update it over time: https://cienciavitae.pt/

Any way, you should include some topics:

• Personal information (e.g., name, address, phone number, email contact, LinkedIn link);

• About your Education (e.g. your Bachelor Degree, Master Degree, online courses, and language courses)

• About your Professional Experience (mention everything you've done, from professional internships, summer internships, or even part-times and volunteering);

• About your Extracurricular Activities (it includes doing theatre, playing a musical instrument, being a collaborator of the group of students of your course, and much more);

• About your Communications (articles, scientific posters, oral presentations or book chapters);

• About your Skills (e.g. language and computer skills).

Our suggestions:

1. Place the events in the following chronological order: from the most recent to the oldest.

2. We strongly advise you to do a professional internship in your area. This will help you a lot when deciding what you like to do most: Business, Research or if you want something totally different.

3. Prepare two resumes: one more scientific (more complete) and other simpler (1-2 pages, with a creative template and with all the essential information about you).

When sending the application documents don't just send your resume, but all the extra documents to get even more value. You can send the following documents:

1. Resume curriculum

2. Scientific curriculum

3. Degree and supplement diploma

4. Master's degree and supplement

5. Letter of motivation (if requested)

After being selected for the interview, it’s time to prepare yourself! But we will leave you here some tips so that you can show the best of yourself in an interview.

First of all, we want you to be aware that an interview serves for the interviewers know you and evaluate you… the interviewer usually starts by asking you to introduce yourself, and then you have the chance to talk about your laboratory experience. Finally, they will present you some criteria and objectives of the vacancy, that is, they will tell you a little bit about what the chosen person has to do and will try to understand if you are still interested in the vacancy.

For the first part of the interview:

• Talk about your hobbies and show that you are not an extremely focused person at work. If you do gym, dance, football, basketball, swimming, if you like walking with your dogs, say it in the first part of the meeting.

• Refers that you are a person with goals and that you do your best to achieve them.

For the second part of the interview:

• You will probably be asked about “what are the laboratory techniques you have already worked with”, so we advise you to make a list of all the methods you have studied in the laboratory either during practical classes, undergraduate projects or your Master's thesis. Try to associate each technique with an example method, for instance, the identification and quantification of sugars by HPLC, and the identification and quantification of fatty acids by GC-MS.

• Talk about the research projects you've been involved in, mention what motivated you the most and what you liked the most.

For the third and final part of the interview:

• Listen and understand all the details that the interviewer reveals you about the vacancy. If you have doubts, it is the ideal time to clarify them. If you really like the idea and if you really imagine yourself doing it in the near future, it shows that you are able, that you really want to be part of the team. Be as direct as possible with the interview jury and don't forget to smile until the last second of the interview.

Extra notes:

1. Throughout the interview, try to stay calm. We know that it is often not easy. Sometimes we are so focused on getting that job or scholarship that we convey the wrong idea of ​​our personality. We get tense and nervous and often cannot reason properly to respond in the best way. Our tip is: (and this is for all your life decisions) Whatever has to be, it will be! Give your best, show your best smile and transmit all your positive aspects. And never forget to emphasize how much you want that position. Be direct and say that you will always give your best, even because you don't know how to work any other way.

2. Try to prepare a short presentation about yourself in English or explain the motivation for your application. Nowadays it is very important that you know how to speak English. And don't worry if you are not fluent in the language, what matters is showing that you can communicate and transmit the information.

3. One of the questions that can be asked is: What do you imagine, doing in the future? You shouldn't be afraid to answer. If your dream is to go to work abroad, have your own company or simply complete a PhD and then follow the research area, you must say it! It shows that you have goals and that you have a future vision. Show that you are a dynamic person and that you want a bright future!