Ok guys, so I posted a while back about what to do in the interim year between PhD completion and (hopefully) a first academic post. I've now got my act together and have a rough timeline of what's happening.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions/concerns about my plans, and could offer any guidance as to whether I'm doing things right.

OK so here's where I'm at.

1) PhD - I'm currently just weeks away from submitting my thesis. The viva should be around October/November. Providing minor amendments (or even major) is the result, I will graduate with a PhD in July of 2016 (but will technically have it before then when the corrections are signed off).

2) Teaching - I've got a PGCTHE qualification and FHEA status. Also have 3 years experience of teaching undergraduates and supervising dissertations.

3) Publications - one currently out (a chapter in a book), two currently under review, and I plan, in the following year, to write up 2 or 3 journal articles from my PhD. By next summer, I would like 4 either printed or accepted.

4) Fellowships/prizes - I have 3 internationally renowned fellowships on my CV which were used for foreign research, and have also received funding from 6 other bodies to attend conferences internationally.

5) Conferences. 12 papers presented over the past 4 years. some internationally (as above).

6) Job? - I've got one sessional lecturer position in my area from September, and have two applications in the pipeline of a similar nature. This will pay the bills just about, but it does give me time to write/research.

I'm very proud of my CV to date, and have worked very hard (too hard at times), but I'm realistic enough to know that nothing guarantees anyone a job. So my question is, other than publications from now until next summer, what I can do to really increase my chances of landing my first FT academic position in September 2016?

Many thanks indeed for any help.

only this
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/349/6244/206.short?rss=1&ssource=mfr

For the rest, looks like you are doing pretty well

I'm guessing that you are humanities / social sciences if you have a book chapter so I think what you need additionally is a plan for postdoc applications, as you've probably realised lectureships don't tend to go to brand new PhDs and most need an interim postdoc. You need for instance to think about potential hosts for Leverhulme / Marie Curie etc postdoc applications as you need institutional backing to be able to apply to most schemes, and to stand a chance the applications need a lot of work with the postdoc supervisor. Otherwise top quartile journal articles are the currency that gets you short-listed for research intensive universities so be very strategic in where you submit your work. This assumes that you are not geographically restricted - if you are then I'd also prioritise targeting commutable post-92 universities with your cv as they tend to have fewer PhD students, and so more need for last minute sessional teachers, and the teaching intensive places seem more open to hiring from their existing part-timers - or at least several posters on here claim this is the case (I have only worked at research intensive places where this isn't true so this is hearsay).
I'd also suggest working on plan B during the year - what can you do to make yourself employable in a job that interests you, if academia doesn't come calling? I've seen far too many bitter PhDs stuck in hourly paid teaching jobs years after finishing, not to think it's wise to have a viable plan B, and to set a limit on how long you will hold out for an academic job.

Thanks both for excellent replies.

Bewildered - you are correct, I'm in the humanities.

In terms of last minute sessional teachers - is it acceptable to email HoDs with a CV? Would it not appear a little desperate? Is this an accepted thing in academia? I'm not questioning your suggestion, as I've seen it suggested elsewhere too, but I'm genuinely intrigued.

If it is the done thing, would you suggest doing that now, or perhaps a little closer to the start of term? Also - what would I write in the covering letter? Just highlight my specialist areas and offer my availability?

Well hourly paid work rarely gets advertised openly so unless you're on the dept's radar, you're not going to get it. I know my HoD gets lots of speculative applications and while mostly nothing comes of it, he does keep a file of cvs in case any emergencies hit. I'd just send a cv and a short letter saying what experience you have, what you can teach and ask if your cv could be kept on file in case any suitable teaching becomes available.

I'm facing this frustrating hiatus too! The academic career structure really isn't any good for people needing a steady income.