In most sectors, it will probably not pay if you send out hundreds of applications for any position that is of remote interest. You first need to make the choice yourself and distinguish the ones you HAVE TO apply to, from the ones that are not so suitable. Higher education is no exception. Below you will find a list of criteria – which is by no means exhaustive – on how to shift through available positions and decide which ones are worth trying for.
1) Relevance to your experience or background: Although the UK higher education industry is generally more open than other industries to diverse work profiles, you still stand a better chance of being successful if the job spec fits your professional background.
2) Relevance to your professional goals: Especially if you’re looking at new positions to apply to as a way to help you go further and develop your career, this is very critical. You need to make sure that you apply to those posts that will help take this next step and go where you aim to go.
3) Levels of enthusiasm about the post: If your feelings about an advertised job are moderate, then it may be better to re-think about it. Although you may not realize, your enthusiasm (or lack of) will reflect through your application and your writing style, so a moderately or fakely enthusiastic application will probably be rejected in favour of the more genuine ones. So why waste your time in the first place?
4) The actual job spec: It may sound odd, but lots of people don’t look through the job description before making an application. Make sure you do read through it carefully and thoroughly as it’s this description that will tell you what you can expect to do on a daily basis. If the description fits what you had in mind as a satisfactory role, then go ahead. If not, don’t bother, as you’ll quickly become miserable even if you are offered the position.
5) The organization advertising the post: Make sure you do want to work for the organization concerned, or that you do want to try and see how it is. In other words, if you have positive feelings about your prospective employer, it’s probably worth trying. If for any reason you have doubts or concerns, then maybe you should think twice before applying.
6) The commute: How far away is the organization from your home? How far away are you prepared to travel and how would you commute on a daily basis? Would you have to drive there or is it accessible by public transport? Would your daily commute be easy / tolerable for you or would it quickly turn into a daily nightmare? The final choice is always personal, but as general advice, try to apply to places that are no farther than an hour away either by car or by public transport, or it may become too tiring after a while.
