Adapting your applications for different areas
Length and format - While an academic CV can be any length, a non-academic CV is 2 pages maximum. Industry research CVs sit somewhere in between, with a basic 2-page format with publications in an appendix. Non-research cover letters should be 1 page.
Starting point - In academic applications, your starting point is you - ALL about you. For non-research roles, the starting point should be your reader. What do they need to know about you? What part of your background - technical skills, specific exprience, transferrable skills - will they be most excited about? Build your documents around these components, and find ways to summarise other material. You'll have to leave things out - your aim is to be relevant rather than comprehensive.
Some resources for non-academic applications:
Evaluating job ads
Intro to R&D in Biotech & Pharma: assessing job ads
Applications for industry research
- Industry research applications in context
- Sample CVs for industry in "CVs and Cover Letters for PhDs and Postdocs" (pp. 50-55)
- Intro to R&D in Biotech & Pharma: Successful CVs
- Intro to R&D in Biotech & Pharma: Successful Cover Letters
Careers beyond research
- Applications for non-research careers
- Sample CVs for positions outside academia in "CVs and Cover Letters for PhDs and Postdocs" (pp. 56-71)
- Tailoring your CV for an opportunity (Careers Essentials series)