As a postdoc, you might be wondering how to utilise Handshake Cambridge – the new digital platform recently launched to connect with the Careers Service.
Whether you are thinking of pursuing academic research or looking for opportunities beyond the ivory tower (or both!), we wanted to make sure you were on track to making the most of this innovative careers development platform.
In a hurry? You can book an appointment and complete your profile later…
Do you have an interview looming? Or maybe you need urgent help with a fellowship submission? Perhaps the deadline for a job application is fast approaching?
Do you have an interview looming? Or maybe you need urgent help with a fellowship submission? Perhaps the deadline for a job application is fast approaching?
When you first activate your Handshake account, you will be prompted to fill in your profile, which may seem daunting, and in ways, irrelevant to academic careers.
Don’t worry.
You can skip this step by simply pressing the “EXIT” in the top righthand corner, and then access the Careers Centre from the top menu bar, where you can book appointments, workshops and events. You can always return to filling out your profile later by clicking on “My Profile” under your initials.
Access postdoc careers workshops and events
We continue to offer a great range of workshops and briefings specifically tailored to researchers for careers in academia and beyond. Booking now takes place for all these activities through Handshake
Academic careers on Handshake
Handshake might look like it’s only for career options outside academia but it’s not. It’s a gateway to a rich range of academic career resources to give you the best chances to you present yourself.
Handshake might look like it’s only for career options outside academia but it’s not. It’s a gateway to a rich range of academic career resources to give you the best chances to you present yourself.
Through Handshake, you can quickly access our CV and Cover letters guide for PhDs and postdocs to help you prepare for interviews in academia and beyond . We’ll continue to add curated resources for you.
See what’s on offer outside academia and start connecting with employers
Interested in exploring ideas for careers outside of academic research?
Handshake Cambridge is an powerful tool to help you consider this.
As more people and organisations join Handshake, the opportunities to connect directly with employers and fellow postdocs and find jobs increase. And, of course, the more complete your profile is, the better chance you have of making relevant and useful connections.
Filling out your interests on your profile is also key to letting us, the Careers Service, know what areas you are interested in so that we can send your information about opportunities and information in the sectors you like (similar to the CamCareers emails in our old system.)
Be mindful of uploading an academically focussed CV as Handshake will autofill your profile using this information.
Be mindful of uploading an academically focussed CV as Handshake will autofill your profile using this information. Building a profile that highlights key elements of your research career and includes relevant activities and interests outside of your primary research focus is key to utilising Handshake to transition out of academic research.
For a step-by-step guide and tips, check out our blog post on building a great profile for students.
Register for Handshake now
Don’t hesitate to contact us through postdocs@careers.cam.ac.uk – our team is always ready to help you on your career journey.
Our Postdoc Careers Advisers are standing by to help you with your career.
