How long should an academic cv be (humanities sector) for postdocs or academic faculty positions?

(e.g. number of pages)

What do you think?

Thanks in advance.

I have heard mixed opinions on this matter...

I have been to many conferences, giving academic papers, but I think I have just been very lucky. I sent out loads of abstracts while doing my PhD, so that I maximize my chances. There were a few times (3-4) that I was offered a poster presentation instead, especially in the beginning of my PhD. I had no problem with this. I was happy to present a poster.

Well, it's not the end of the world if they do not accept your paper. You can present it in another conference, when you are ready.

There is only one way of finding out: stop and think what you really want to do. Is your urge to become an academic / get a PhD strong enough for you to carry on? If not, don't waste your time. It's as simple as that. If you really want to get certain things in life, you will find a way. If not, you will find an excuse.

Well, jobs in your field of research don't grow on trees. Please search http://www.jobs.ac.uk/

Good luck!

Hi there,

Does your supervisor know his topic and provides good, critical feedback?

I think that if the answer is yes, then you should not complain. It means that they are doing their job.

One of the things I learn while doing my PhD was to appreciate ANY feedback, positive or negative, and to simply put my head down and do the work.

Doing PhDs it doesn't make us 'special snowflakes'. You are still in the learning progress; and please accept the fact that your supervisor is trying to help.

Anything that sounds perplexing or complicated might indicate that you have no good knowledge of the topic yet; you will eventually get to appreciate your supervisor's feedback when, upon getting your PhD, you look back see how much you have learnt with him/her as a supervisor (talking from personal experience).

I used bullet points quite often in my thesis. My examiners loved them. My originality was also given in bullet points. It was nice and tidy, and it was like inviting the examiners to tick the boxes of what pioneering research my thesis includes.

Actually, I just wonder what we would all do if after getting a real doctorate, we were also offered a honorary doctorate by another university? Would we go get it? I think we would/should.

In any case, I have heard that a honorary doctorate should not appear in the 'education' section on the CV, but in the 'awards' section instead.

Mara

I thought that you would all reply with negative comments about them :-)

Yes, having gone through a real PhD for 7 years... I also consider honorary doctorates a cheat.

I know of someone who has one of these honorary doctorates from a small university in central Africa. Are they worth anything? I have heard that they are offered to randomers, such as singers, etc.

Thanks

Mara

You set your own priorities in life. The way I understand it, you place your husband and children above your PhD (you do well, it's your life after all). But money is involved and the university may not be happy with the arrangement of relocation. You did well to clarify this issue from day one. Better safe than sorry. Good luck! I hope you hear back soon, and all goes well for you.

By the way, if I were in your shoes I would consider staying away from my husband and children while completing my PhD (for a year or two), but as I said, these are personal matters. I would visit my family as regularly as possible though.

Make sure you follow instructions. Ask your supervisor if you are not sure.

I see. Hopefully you can receive a second chance after you appeal. A second set of examiners will be better in your case. This way the examination will start afresh. I was also asked by the external to add things that were irrelevant to my topic in my revised thesis. I did not argue. I simply did what I were told as I could not afford to do otherwise. The examiner looked pleased. Yet, when I publish I will exclude this part of my thesis from the publication.