I am currently still waiting for feedback on my thesis from my sup. They have returned three chapters of feedback and hopefully will get the rest on Friday.

I plan to make a dent in the edits today on the chapters I do have returned to me. I feel as though I have completely forgotten what I have written though- it has been two months since handing the draft in!

Hope everyone is having a good week :)

I am right there with you Hugh, I just applied to three, applied about about 10 in total since my funding ended. I get shortlisted fairly often but never get the post :( Has something in particular happened or is there nothing suitable available?

Oh my goodness! Then WHAT does she think supervisors do!? Mine likes to make it clear that my thesis is pretty low on their list of priorities.

Hugh- I was wondering how you were getting on...so did they just return it to you with only 3 chapters read? I'm so angry for you :(

Hi Chickpea, Yes it was supposed to be officially submitted in November. I handed it to my sup in enough time for this, I just feel like I am being held back now.

Muspectrum- oh my goodness, that is terrible! Did he not give any explanation as to why he did not read it? I feel angry for you, I would have found it hard to hold my tongue in that situation.

Thank you for your response pm133.

Yes I have been waiting about 5 weeks now, I just get told that they haven't had time to read it yet but it is frustrating.

Just wanting to hear everyone's experiences (for those who are nearing the end or have finished) on how long your supervisor took to get your full draft back to you with feedback? I have been waiting quite a while, but this may be the norm(?)

Hugh & Chickpea- I agreed to talk about my research next week at a sort of mini conference within my uni, but I have not even started making the presentation or anything yet, I just cannot be bothered looking at it, so I understand how you feel!

At the moment I have been busy doing casual RA work for another institution which is quite nice as I am analysing data that is nothing to do with my PhD. I have secured a second teaching job from January and have agreed to do more RA work on a casual basis until I can find something full-time. My thesis is still with my supervisor after a month- they haven't read it yet.

Well done teegs! I hope you are planning on having a well deserved rest now?

I for one am still waiting for my sup to read mine, though I have only been waiting two weeks or so. It's nice that I don't have to think about it at the moment!

I have started only applying for jobs that I am super keen on. I have had quite a bit of casual work sent my way which means I have essentially been working full time this week and more of the same over the coming weeks then other stuff set up for the new year. So, I am not applying for jobs out of panic like I was before- I was recently invited to an interview for a job I was not that fussed about and would cost hundreds in travel per month and I have decided not to go to it (the travel costs would leave me with little left over).

Hope the local job market picks up a bit in 2017!

Well done litphdgirl! Enjoy your time off over Christmas, you deserve it :)

Hugh- This is my plan too, I think the job market is particularly dead on the run up to Christmas so I think (hope) there is more work available in the new year.

Hugh- that's great, what will you be doing? :) Only a couple of mine are confirmed at the moment but fingers crossed after some meetings this week I should have a few more temporary roles.

Chickpea- That sounds like a good idea, it will get you back into the swing of employment :) If you don't mind me asking, what field is your old job in?

I know and to make matters worse, that was my first formal job interview in 6 years! So, I was already very nervous beforehand, I was relieved when it was over and really did not want the job after what I witnessed during the interview.

I had another job interview one week later and that was much easier- pleasant panel, positive body language. They were all so enthusiastic about everything I said and it was a punch to the gut when I didn't get that one, but like you Chickpea, they said they have another post coming up and asked me to apply for that one but I need to find something soon. We can't just wait around!

I applied to two this week, but realised after applying for one that the travel costs would take up the majority of my wage and not leave enough for rent/bills (there is nothing locally). Train fares are so ridiculously expensive, even with a season ticket.

I am having some informal meetings this week about casual teaching across a few different institutions starting next semester- should hopefully buy me some time to put in more job applications for something more secure rather than bits and pieces of income from different places on zero hours contracts.

This infuriates me too Chickpea. One interview I had a few weeks ago was similar. It was for a teaching position (teaching academic skills to undergrads) and this is something I have done as part of other modules I have taught, but have never taught 'academic skills' as a stand alone thing. During the interview, I provided examples from modules I have taught where I have specifically helped students develop an academic skill- all entirely relevant to the questions. One of the panel interrupted me when I started an answer with 'when I was teaching x module at x university, I supported students with...' she jumped in 'NO, I meant when you have ONLY taught academic skills' (?) I was quite taken back and another panel member told me to continue with my answer. THEN later in the interview, I began answering a question from another panel member in a similar way (referring to a module that was not 'academic skills' but included this within it) and the same panel member who interrupted me tutted (yes tutted!) and sighed.

Obviously, this was very rude in itself, but I mean it was like they had not even looked at my CV. Within ten mins of that interview, I just wanted to leave as it became clear we were wasting each others time and I wasted a lot of money travelling to it.

I have not used a proof reader for my thesis yet Hugh but I have used the one I will be using for this in the past for another piece of writing. She did just that- put any changes in MS word track changes leaving me to approve each amendment.

What has happened Hugh? PM me if you like. Rant away :)

I wouldn't mind leaving academia, I just don't know what industry I could work in :/ I have been keeping an eye out for research jobs in the NHS and also work in charities but aside from that I am quite confused on where my skills would be applicable. I am even applying for admin jobs but there is the issue of not having much previous admin experience.

Everywhere seems to want someone who can do the job with no training at all :(

On the plus side, I secured some casual teaching work which starts after Christmas for a few months, so this should keep me going for a bit :)