I've just re-designed my CV! Haha. I've almost completed my first proper application. My cover letter is one page and CV is around 5 pages. Does that sound about right?

Give yourself a week or more to get over the rejection, then look at the comments, and improve the work based on the comments.

The first rejection is always the hardest. After that, it is much much easier.

Thanks Zutterfly!

I wanted to pick your brain. I've seen a RA post that fits well with what I want to do. However, the undergrad degree required is not my area, as i did my PhD in a slightly different area (I have some industry experience). I think because my PhD is in that area I should be fine. However, do you think I should email the prof who is the contact listed and ask whether I should apply, or shall I just go ahead and apply?

Thank you Jay, its great to have here, I look forward to reading your contributions. Welcome :)

I am looking at academic and non-academic posts too. I would ideally like to stay in research, but I think the short-term contracts and pressure for publication is going to get frustrating. I'm therefore looking for RA posts instead of post-docs.

People love to ask me: so what are your plans post-PhD, and its turned into one of those dreaded questions.

On another note, I had a question about proof reading, that I've posted in the main thread too:

should i tell my supervisor I'm using a professional proof reader? Or is it better I keep that quiet?

Hi,

I'm thinking of using a professional proofreader to check my thesis before I submit but I'm wondering whether I should share that with my supervisor? Would you? Will sharing that make them less likely to check my work in detail?

Thanks