December Hired E-Magazine

HIRED

EZINE

DECEMBER 2016

Make the most out of your winter break! >

How to manage your time effectively over Christmas

> P&G’s top tips for successful applications >

Leading employers’ top tips for keeping on top of your job search over winter

>

Spring and Summer Internships

>

Interviews with employees from Lloyds Banking Group and BP!

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CONTENTS Page 3

Welcome from the team

Page 4

How to make the most out of your Christmas break

Page 5

Page 6

P&G’s top tips for a great internship application RPC trainees share their top tips for the festive break

Page 7

5 top tips for making a successful application with VW

Page 8

Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Spring Insight Week

Page 9

How to celebrate Christmas at university

Page 10 & 11

Ashurst share their advice for undergraduates

Page 12

Meet Jake, a Commercial Downstream Graduate at BP

NATIONAL AWARD SPONSORS Lloyds Banking Group Society of the Year [Strathclyde Bright Futures] www.lloydsbankinggrouptalent.com

HSBC Event of the Year [Southampton Bright Futures] www.hsbc.com/careers/students-and-graduates

Tesco President of the Year [Strathclyde Bright Futures] www.tesco-earlycareers.com

KMPG Most Inclusive/Diverse Society [Bristol Bright Futures] www.kpmgcareers.co.uk

Page 13

Advice for Video Interviewing from graduates at Diageo

Page 14

Accenture’s guide for your Christmas break

Page 15

Meet Kate, Head of Strategic Bidding & Deal Management at Lloyds Banking Group

www.tuijobsuk.co.uk

Page 16

Arcadis’ guide for managing your winter exams

ARCADIS Newcomer of the Year [Glasgow Caledonian Bright Futures]

Page 17

Nestle Academy members share their advice over a tin of Quality Street!

Page 18

How much of an impact could you make in a community?

Page 19

Plan, Prioritise and Do! Top tips from DHL

Page 20

Enjoy Christmas and land yourself a dream career with HSBC

TUI Fastest Growing Society [Southampton Bright Futures]

www.arcadisukgrad.com

RPC Most Collaborative Society [Aston Bright Futures] www.rpc.co.uk/manifesto

Civil Service Fast Stream & Early T Corporate Investor of the Year Civil Service Fast Stream

Page 21

Aspen graduate opportunities

www.gov.uk

Page 22

Placement & Graduate opportunities across the UK with CGI

National Ambassador of the Year Andras Dombi [Glasgow Bright Futures]

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WELCOME

from the team Welcome to the last edition of Hired for 2016! In this issue, we have focused on helping you to keep on track over Christmas and managing your job applications, revision and coursework whilst tucking into the mince pies and making the most out of being back home.

Although many graduate programmes have now closed for Summer 2017 intake, there is still a wealth of opportunities with both large and small employers to get involved in. From Spring Insight Weeks (see page 8), to internships and placements there is so much you can do to develop your experience at university. The winter

break is a great time to research and apply for different programmes and skills, as well as checking out the opportunities at your university in the upcoming year.

You may also be taking part in assessment centres and interviews throughout December and January, so please check out Diageo’s advice for video interviews on Page 13 to give you some great advice, hints and tips!

employers from a range of industries and have lots planned for next term so please check out your university’s society!

Have a great December and we will see you in the New Year!

At MyKindaFuture, we have had a fantastic term working with our Bright Futures societies across a range of different universities. They have been running some amazing events with

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Making the most out of your Xmas break

Relax

Planning & preppin’ ic months After a few hect ter, and the pre of the first semes inter cking up your w excitement of pa as home for the Xm rn tu re to e ob dr war as a great ly be described holidays can on on some l for catching up feeling. We are al as films & daytime Christm g in ch at w p, ee es, but) lost sl chocolate. But (y ith w es lv se ur stuffing yo r the second prep yourself fo you also need to e it can get of being at hom ys da w fe a er ft A in, spend term. boredem kickse th n he W g. n ing a bit bori Think about mak y. el is w e tim is some of th ur phone le perhaps on yo du he sc y kl ee w a me of remind you of so ill w is Th r. da n cale ch d to complete su the tasks you nee et G or revision. as applications cracking!

Volunteer, fudraise, work experience When you are at your yer asks interview and the emplo ur spare so what did you do in yo say you time – I’m afraid you can’t as puddings stuffed your face with Xm local charity/ (sorry!). Volunteer with a t a temp business for a few days, ge work job, or organise a week’s thing with experience. Doing some u that yo e your time will giv competitive edge.

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Go out an d do some Ch ristmas s hopping, visit frien ds and fa mily. We not all for are doing wo spend tim rk non-sto e taking s p; mall brea are the be ks they st way to work. An all getting d if it is too much at the end day then perhaps h of the ead pub for a drink or tw down to the o… or thre Learn som e. e new rec ipes with your fam ily to take back to universit y with yo u.

iew Interv prep iew interv l in the k c o l Do a m ; you are a ront of d it in f frien g with a at, so doing siest. Doin a o e i b e s s same ould be th panie ng m o c w i o friend esearch int hing, know d t r t a e n ure n rta som impo ny, its cult t s o r to the m e compa embe ; m e R h t o . about of the role ns ready to s detail me questio y to show o a have s the best w d in their s i t s s i re e th re inte any! a u o y comp

Ha v cle e o a bje r Pla cti nf v mo or es th n ob ths a e ne je x n car ctive d se t few eer s fo t yo per , wo r yo u son rk a ur n al l ife d .

Making the most of the festive break - top tips for a great internship application!

Hi my name is Emma. I am the Talent Supply Manager for Northern Europe at Procter & Gamble.

The festive break can be a busy time catching up with family and preparing for January exams.

This holiday break is also the perfect time to have a think about what you might like to do next summer and to apply for an internship before you are out of time. If you are not sure what you want to do or where to start then the following tips may help.

principles. The PEAK performance factors consist of five competencies: leading with courage, innovating for growth, championing productivity, executing with excellence and bringing out our best.

Start by making a list or a mind map of things you enjoy doing and your strengths or make a list or mind map of companies or products you admire.

The research to see what roles these companies have available. Ask friends, careers advisors and even family members about their career experiences too. Then you can match your interests and strengths to an internship role of interest.

Review the competencies your chosen company looks for and ensure you tailor your application to these and remember to sell your strengths!

It may be a good idea to map out examples of when you have held leadership roles, developed new ideas or processes, or perhaps examples that show off your competencies that match your company of interest. Core competencies are usually publicised on company websites.

It is also important to be yourself when completing your applications and taking part in interviews. Have a great festive break and all the best for your applications!

At P&G we have the PEAK performance Find out more about P&G internship factors. These form our purpose values and opportunities at www.uki.pgcareers.com

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RPC’s trainees share their top tips for making the most of the festive break and completing summer scheme applications.

We run summer vacation schemes each year to enable prospective trainees to spend time with us, getting a feel for what we do and what it’s like to work here.

We want to break the mould, rewrite the rules and redefine the legal profession.

Your mission could be to build the law firm of the future, today. And to define your career at the same time.

If this sounds like the type of role for you, we want to hear from you.

It can sometimes be tricky to manage your time over the festive break with application deadlines and exams looming. Here are some top tips from RPC trainees to help you get the most out of the festive break: • Apply now Make a list of your target law firms and create a table of application deadlines. This will help you prioritise your top firms and keep on top of the applications you have started.

• Start as you mean to go on It can be tempting to stop working as soon as you break up for festive period and postpone your revision. Be wary of this approach! It is much better to start your revision early.

• ...And then allow yourself a break Over the festive period. Enjoy spending time with family and friends.

• Know when you work best Accept that you cannot work at maximum capacity all day. Instead, determine when you work most efficiently and make the most of that time.

• Plan ahead Be aware of future commitments and deadlines. Leave yourself plenty of time to get organised and avoid getting stressed.

Closing date for Summer Scheme applications is 31 January 2017. www.rpc.co.uk/manifesto or follow us on twitter @LifeinaLawFirm.

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At Volkswagen Group UK we’re driven by difference. With five globally recognised brands under one roof – Audi, SEAT, Volkswagen, ŠKODA and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles — each with its own history, designs and inventions. We know that preparing an application can be challenging so here are a few hints and tips from our current Graduates to support your application.

Our top five tips to making a successful application 1.

Keeping a balance

Dissertation, exams and coursework, the pressures of final year can make it seem impossible to think about applying for Graduate Programmes. However focusing on just one task can become unproductive, so use applications as a way of adding variation – researching what companies offer can be inspiring and may even support your studies.

2.

Quality not quantity

Over the Christmas period deadlines for applications get closer and it can often feel overwhelming. Don’t make the mistake of applying for multiple programmes in a short period – make a shortlist and keep to it.

3.

Confidence is key

Strong applications are the first step towards an offer. Make sure before you submit your application that it reflects all your qualities, skills and experiences from your studies, hobbies and work experience.

4.

Be organised

Making applications is time consuming. Strong applications are ones which have been well thought through and which demonstrate you’ve done plenty of research on what the programme and company offers. Add applications to your weekly study timetable.

5.

Stay positive

Once you’ve submitted your application you will naturally start to worry about its progress and if it will be successful. If you follow the basic principles above then stay positive and focus attention on completing your studies.

Apply Now

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Why take part in an Insight Week?

What is Spring Insight Week all about?

Our insight programme is firm-wide, allowing you to experience the work and culture of the whole organisation, whilst offering a taste of the various business areas in which internships are available.

Why should students consider doing a Spring Insight Week?

As a Spring Insight Week participant you will learn more about careers in the investment banking industry, and which line of business is most suited to your skills and interests. You will then have the opportunity to be fast-tracked to an assessment center for the following year’s summer internship programme.

What to expect: Students will take part in skills development workshops, have exposure to two lines of business of your choice through work shadowing and have multiple networking opportunities with Bank of America Merrill Lynch representatives as well as develop a network with other students across EMEA.

How to prepare for Insight Week: If you have already successfully gained a place on a Spring Insight Week programme here are some useful tips on how to prepare over the coming weeks.

Do further research on the company.

You have passed the interview stage, but that doesn’t mean you should stop your research. Stay on top of the daily news for information about the Company and the industry sector. Network with previous Spring Insight Week participants from the Company who are at your University. They will be able to give you helpful tips and a good idea of what to expect on day one.

Think about your objectives.

This is your chance to find out if the company and line of business is the right for you. Come prepared to ask questions. Also be prepared to make a positive impression. Remember many companies offer a fast- track process to be considered for summer internships the following year.

If you would like to apply for the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Spring Insight Week click here.

Application deadline: 7 January 2017 | Programme dates: 3-7 April 2017 8

How to do Christmas...

...student-style

As Christmas approaches, it’s almost impossible not to get swept away in all the festive vibes, especially if you are spending the advent season in a new town with new friends at university. So, to get you off to a good start, we have asked current students how to ace the festivities on a student budget.

• Poundland. Was there ever a place so student friendly? Now the 6ft Christmas tree has been brought to the shelves for a measly £10, Poundland has trumped all. Although kinda defeating the ‘£1’ thing, for less than a fiver contribution between your house mates you’ll be decking the halls like no one else.

• Embrace tack. We’re all dreaming of a Tiffany’s white Christmas but let’s face it – most of us are not within its reach. Instead, go out and get yourself a cheesy, loud and shamelessly festive jumper and own it.

• Throw a party. If there was ever a time to host an occasion, it was Christmas. And as it’s freezing outside, keep it to your flat. To really push the boat out, insist all attendees come as Christmas items. Wait for the friend who turns up as the bald turkey.

• Get cookin’. It is officially time to adult and cook your own Christmas dinner. Allocate each of your house mates a designated ‘area’ of the roast and head to Iceland, apart from the one you definitely can’t trust – get them to lay the table.

• Budget. We can all fall victim to envisaging ourselves as Santa 2.0 when writing our

Christmas gift lists – even the next door neighbour’s cat manages to feature on some.

Remember your budget, or lack thereof, and spread the love to those only who make the top 5-10 for saving in a fire.

• Christmas cards. For something which can be considered old fashioned, these could be your saving grace. For those who you can’t afford to give a gift to, send a card. The thought is there at least.

• Secret Santa. The best way to do presents within your flat is Secret Santa. Remember to set a spending limit for everyone, follow protocol when choosing names from a hat and then proceed to let everyone know who you have after approximately 3 minutes.

• Cosy nights in. Christmas is an expensive time. Christmas is a bank-breaking time if you’re a student. So, gather friends, snuggle up with blankets and woolly socks and stick on Elf. Quote where possible.

• Unleash your inner child. There is a saying that Christmas is for children, however we all still have that side to us somewhere. Get yourself an advent calendar, indulge in Disney and even get excited that Santa is coming.

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Guide FOR FiRst yeaR

undeRGRaduates Manage your workload

Know what to apply for and when

While this may seem fairly obvious, make sure that you keep on top of your workload and manage your time effectively. Firms will ask for your first year grades when making an application. So although these grades may not count towards your final degree result, they will count towards your career.

Law firms typically target their vacancies towards students at certain stages in their studies. Check firm websites for information about application deadlines and what you are eligible to apply for.

Ashurst’s top tip: Look ahead and know what university contact time, exams and other deadlines you have scheduled. This will get you in the habit of planning your time – a useful skill for when you are attending interviews and assessment days.

Get involved Get involved with university life as much as possible. Societies and other clubs are a great way to develop your skills, while meeting new people and broadening your network. Firms are looking for well-rounded candidates that have something to say outside of their studies.

Ashurst’s top tip: If you can hold a position of responsibility in any society or club you join, this will help enhance your application, demonstrating your team work and communication skills.

do your research Research different law firms and find out which ones you are most interested in applying to in the future and, more importantly, why. Once you have made your shortlist, focus on meeting them when they are on campus and at any open days they may be hosting in their offices. The best way to identify the right law firm for you is to meet their people and experience their culture.

Ashurst’s top tip: Our essential guide to researching law firms provides you with a list of useful questions you could be asking and where to start with finding the answer.

gradrec@ashurst.com

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careers.ashurst.com

Ashurst’s top tip: While they may differ from year to year, look at different firm’s application forms to familiarise yourself with the types of questions they ask.

network Although you may not yet be eligible to apply for a vacation scheme or training contract, network as much as you can at this stage. As mentioned above, meeting firm representatives are a good place to start. It may also be beneficial to explore any connections your university may have – there are often mentoring schemes in place with alumni.

Ashurst’s top tip: Law societies are a good source of useful career information. Members who are further along in their studies may be able to pass on knowledge from their own applications.

develop your commercial awareness Firstly, ensure that you understand what the term ‘commercial awareness’ means. Once you are confident with this, focus on developing your own commercial knowledge. An understanding of the wider commercial world is a key competency firms look for when reviewing application forms and during interviews.

Ashurst’s top tip: Subscribing to relevant magazines or emails is a great way to receive up to date information on a regular basis.

We will be recruiting for ahead with ashurst, our first year spring vacation scheme, between 1 september 2016 – 8 January 2017. Please visit our website for more information.

FIVE STEPS

TO BOOST YOUR

WELLBEING

Wellbeing at Ashurst In recent years, there has been an increasing realisation of the critical importance of supporting mental health and wellbeing as well as good physical health.

Ashurst has implemented a range of initiatives to help partners and staff maintain good mental health and support those experiencing mental ill health.

Our Sustainability programme, launched in February 2015, focus on three ‘pillars’ of physical, mental and nutritional health.

Our programme includes the following: • raising awareness of different aspects of mental health and providing training for mental health ‘first aid’.

• A Mindfulness programme – a four week programme designed to give our employees the skills needed to start a regular meditation practice.

gradrec@ashurst.com

Even the smallest act can count, whether it’s a smile, a thank you or a kind word.

Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks.

5 - Be mindful

Learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence.

So why not sign up for that cooking course, start learning to play a musical instrument, or figure out how to fix your bike?

4 - Give to others

You don’t have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life.

3 - Keep learning

Connect with the people around you: your family, friends, peers, colleagues and neighbours.

Spend time developing these relationships.

2 - Be active

1 - Connect

There are a number of ways which you can boost your mental wellbeing. Below are just five steps you can take - do bear in mind however that there is no “one-size fits all” approach to wellbeing. You should therefore take steps which are realistic with your lifestyle and university schedule.

Be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.

Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”.

It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

• a Hydration campaign – an opportunity to learn about the impact of dehydration on cognitive functioning.

• the Happy Body at Work programme – an 8 week campaign in a multimedia format with a focus on sitting, moving, stress and sleep.

• the appointment and training of wellbeing officers – a list of internal contacts of all partners and staff should they need guidance or who want to have a confidential discussion about mental health concerns for either themselves or their colleagues.

Information about Ashurst applications Applications open on 1 September 2016 for 2016/17 vacation schemes and 1 October 2016 for September 2019 and March 2020 training contracts. Closing dates vary so please visit our website for more information and for details about how to apply.

Please do get in touch with us over email if you have any queries.

careers.ashurst.com

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Jake joined BP as a Commercial Downstream graduate in September 2015 after finishing his BEng degree in Mechanical Engineering. He’s currently working on Finance Transformation projects and exploring future disruptors to the industry. On his next rotation, he’ll be working as part of the Europe and Africa team.

At BP, we find, develop and produce energy resources every day – energy that’s behind the products that keep us all moving. For us to do what we do, we rely on a vast team of people, all contributing their talents to make our business come together.

Our Commercial Downstream graduate programme offers rotations over the course of the programme and will expose you to a variety of businesses and a mixture of operational, analytical and customer facing roles. You could be managing retail petrol station territories or preparing business cases for improved supply contracts, or even evaluating strategic improvements to meet our customers’ needs better.

Along with the Commercial Downstream graduate programme, we currently have both graduate and internship roles in business, science, engineering and trading open for applications. To find out what’s on offer, and where you could fit in, visit bp.com/grads/uk.

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Hear from one of our current Commercial Downstream graduates, Jake, below.

“In my experience, BP values graduates’ ability to come into the business with fresh perspectives and challenge the status quo. Commercial Downstream at BP is a perfect fit for me as I get to work in a business role, but within a company with a strong engineering presence.

My role has really helped me to put the skills I learnt during my degree to practical use. At university, you do the work, but you never really answer the ‘so what?’ question. At BP, you do.”

Video Interviews Get advice from people who have already been through it!

At Diageo we first meet each other on a half hour video interview — when we can find out more about you and how well you will fit within your chosen role.

Benefits of a Video Interview: • • • • •

Convenient & mobile – interview anywhere, anytime.

Gives you a voice – tell your story and highlight your experience.

Fair – same experience for all candidates.

Increased exposure – digital interviews can be shared across teams.

Video interview can tell you a lot about the employer.

Nervous about a video interview?

We’ve asked our current graduates for their top tips…

To find out about graduate opportunities at Diageo visit

www.diageo-careers.com

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The Christmas break is more than pudding and parties, it’s also a good time to plan ahead and use to the time apply before you miss out.

Your semester probably started with still wishing you were on your summer holiday whilst you settle into the routine of being back on campus. It might have felt like you had barely finished week one and before you knew it the season of recruitment events and careers fairs were filling the calendar as you had employers showing you the array of options you have. The rest of your time has been spent absorbing course content, whilst also trying to balance work commitments and top of all that squeeze some sort of social life in. Now here you are, exams are coming and Christmas is on the horizon….where has the year gone?

With the festive break coming up, this is the perfect opportunity, if you haven’t already, to submit job applications before deadlines that are often in the new year. Time to dust off the pile of brochures that might be sitting in your room alongside the various pens, water bottles and confectionary collected at the employer events and begin to review the information you gathered.

A top tip is to start writing a list of what they offer versus what you’re looking for and see how it matches up. If you’ve already applied, the break can be a good time to prepare your answers to motivation and competency based interview questions, practice online tests or read up what’s happening in the relevant industries to help you for the final recruitment stages.

Whilst these activities are a necessary part of the university to work transition, it’s important that you take the time out to recharge. Whether this is spent hanging out in front of the fireplace indulging in Christmas pudding, seeing family and friends at home or taking in a movie at the local cinema. It is equally valuable to relax and this time can often help you make career decisions or understand the journey ahead.

Best of luck with the exams and enjoy your well-deserved break!

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Kat Wyon studied Phychology at the University of Reading. She’s now the Head of Strategic Bidding & Deal Management in the Commercial Banking Division at Lloyds Banking Group. Kat shares her career story, what it’s like working for one of the largest UK financial organisations and her advice for students looking to join one of the many Graduate programmes and Internships at Lloyds Banking Group.

Why did you choose to work at Lloyds Banking Group?

After reaching a bit of a ceiling, I decided to change industries from IT/Telco to financial services to give myself some challenge and a change. I met someone from Lloyds Banking Group at a convention on bid management. I was already biased towards Lloyds Bank since my first bank account was with them, so it seemed like an ideal move.

What has surprised you about your role or the organisation, since joining?

I think the diversity and breadth of roles that are available has been a surprise – there are some stereotypes about the roles in Commercial Banking being purely Relationship Manager roles or similar. I had no idea of the vast opportunities.

What have you discovered about yourself so far?

I know that I can use my strengths in any role – or industry for that matter - and that confidence and self-belief, with a thirst to learn and improve will get you very far in life.

What are your strengths and passions? Do you use these in your day to day role?

I am passionate about improving myself and my skills base, and nurturing the talent of others. I also like being part of a team that develops client solutions and coming up with ways to best tell our story to clients. I get to do all of that in my day to day role – which is great.

What does day to day look like in your role?

No two days are the same! Usually my day involves a lot of thinking, a lot of meetings, reading, and then lots of writing! I lead a team and I sit on the Global Transaction Banking Executive committee. As part of this committee I

At Lloyds Banking Group, we offer a broad range of Graduate Leadership Programmes and paid summer Internships to suit a variety of individuals with different strengths, passions, interests, backgrounds, experiences and degree disciplines. There are three exciting Graduate programmes and Internships available in Commercial Banking – Clients and Markets, Mid-Markets and SME Banking, and Business Management.

have lots of responsibilities outside of my “day job” and I help to drive initiatives that involve making life better for our colleagues and our clients.

What has been your main highlight whilst working at Lloyds Banking Group?

There have been many. I’ve been really lucky to be involved in lots of exciting projects. I think a real highlight – and very recently – was organising our Best team week where we undertook team challenges, across the country, with all our colleagues, in support of the Air Ambulance.

Collectively, we had a blast and raised nearly £160k. The teams were awesome and it was humbling meeting all of the air ambulance crews.

What would you say to any female gradates unsure if Lloyds Banking Group or Banking and Finance is right for them?

I’d say you’ve got nothing to lose by joining such a fabulous Group and there is a world of opportunity with us where you can learn, develop and grow. If in the unlikely event you decide the Group, Banking or Finance isn’t for you then you will have developed so many skills, in a supportive and fantastic environment – and those skills will stand you in great stead for whatever career journey you decide to embark on.

What piece of advice/top tips would you give to female graduates looking to secure a graduate role or internship with Lloyds Banking Group?

Do your homework. Research the Bank and try to talk to some employees so that you can really think about how you can and will make the best of the opportunity you’ll be given through a graduate or intern role with us.

Discover more about our opportunities or chat to our people via the Chat with our People link at www.lloydsbankinggrouptalent.com.

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Arcadis – Improving Quality of Life.

We care about our employees and the communities in which we work.

We also care about the future generations entering our industries.

Although exam period is upon you, Christmas is such an important time, precious time to spend with our families, please enjoy this time and try to balance your study with rest – it should pay dividends.

Keeping things in perspective Exams might seem like the most crucial thing right now but, in the grander scheme of your whole life, they are only a small part. Interrupt negative thoughts with positive ones. E.g: “I can do this”, “I will do my best”, “I can pass this test”, “I will focus only on the question in front of me.” "I have done it before, so I can do it again." Actively challenge your irrational thoughts. Life will be worth living regardless of this exam. Be proud of yourself for taking this course and getting this far, regardless of the outcome.

1

Plan your study time Too little time and overload of material = Apprehension. Plan your study with regular scheduled study sessions approximately 50 minutes long separated by 5 – 10 minute breaks.

2

Maintain a healthy lifestyle Anxiety increases when you are tired, run down and snowed under. Ensure you have:

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• • •

Exercise will help you switch off as well as giving you energy; Positive thoughts/beliefs – don’t be negative; Sleep – try to go to bed a couple of hours before midnight (sleep had before midnight is apparently more beneficial than any other).

Get yourself into exam mode Practice on sample tests in the textbook or study guide. Look at past exams. Ask for suggestions from your Lecturer what to expect in the exam, what course materials should be emphasised, how to prioritise study time for the course.

Avoid comparing your abilities with your mates. Those "Oh my God I've only read ‘Romeo & Juliet’ 17 times" conversations are annoying. Everyone approaches revision in different ways, so just make sure you've chosen the method that works best for you. Make a realistic timetable and stick to it!

4

Good luck with the revision and remember: Ultimately, don’t lose sight of the fact that there is life after exams.

Things might seem intense right now, but it won’t last forever.

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We’ve got the Quality Street out and that can only mean one thing: Christmas is coming!

Although we love the festive season, we know it’s a busy time for students.

So we’ve been asking our Academy members their advice on how you can make the most of the Christmas break to ensure you meet those dreaded January deadlines and get set for your future.

• Make a timetable for assignments and revision. Plan what you need to achieve each day or week and stick to it! Don’t leave everything until the last minute.

• Start with the assignment or revision for your hardest or least favoured module. Once the worst is out of the way, it’s a downhill battle.

• If you’re still seeking a graduate job or internship, meet-ups with friends or family over the festive season are a great time to discuss and feel inspired.

• If you’re still seeking a graduate job or internship, assign a few days to focus on applications and interview preparation. Make sure you check deadlines for any opportunities you’re really keen on so you don’t miss out, as many roles may be filled during December.

• Reward your hard work with well-deserved breaks and festive treats (in moderation!).

The Nestlé Academy have recently been celebrating as more than 90 of our Apprentices, Fast Starters and Graduates from across the UK and Ireland completed their Academy schemes and are now ready to continue their career success with Nestlé. Apply to join our Graduate scheme in 2017 and you too can set yourself up for a rewarding future at Nestlé.

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How much of an impact could you make in a community?

At Police Now our mission is to transform communities by reducing crime and increasing the public’s confidence in the police. We’re looking to recruit and develop outstanding graduates for our two-year programme to be leaders in society and on the policing frontline. Applications for 2017 are currently open online at www.PoliceNow.org.uk.

It’s an experience like no other. As a Police Now participant you get real hands-on experience at negotiating, planning, decision-making, problem-solving and leading, all while making a genuine difference to your local community. In addition, you have the opportunity to intern with one of our corporate partners during your second year.

Whether you decide to stay in policing or move away after your two years, you will take invaluable skills and experience with you that will not only enrich the organisation you move to but will also help the police and its partners work together more effectively in the future.

As the Christmas holidays approach, it’s not too late to get your application in for Police Now. Read more about our eligibility criteria and how to apply here. Remember to be yourself at every stage of the application process and along with showing us the skills you have, show us about your passion for public service.

Like Police Now on Facebook to keep updated with our latest news.

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To give you a taster of what it’s like in the shoes of a Police Now officer, you can experience IMPACT. There are six interactive challenges all based on real-life case studies. Your mission is to use your observation and problemsolving skills to reduce crime and increase public confidence in each situation. The extreme strategy is not always the most appropriate – think of long-term, effective solutions.

To find out more, visit: www.dhl-graduates.com

How to make the most out of the Christmas Break – Plan, Prioritise and Do! Christmas is fast approaching and the run up is one of the busiest times within Supply Chain and Logistics, especially within the UK! ‘Busy’ – a term often used to highlight how much you have on and how little spare time you have available to do anything else.

Whilst it can often feel that we are all “too busy” – is this something we can really justify saying when it comes to making time for our future? Just like your A-Levels, your degree is the next stepping stone in your career path and we’re sure that achieving that 2:1 or above is of the upmost importance to you now.

Dan is one of our Operations Management Graduates, into his second year of placement, and he’d like share some of his tips on how to prioritise over the Christmas period!

Step one:

When revising for exams, I used to anticipate what I thought I’d achieve if I sat the exam that day. I’d then write down the grade that I needed to achieve. By understanding the gap between the two, I could then see where I needed to pay the most attention during revision.

Step two:

Pull together a revision timeline. This can really help you plan the days you have available to revise and schedule ‘priority days’ to focus on those areas where you need to pay full attention. It’s important that you also block out some free time, give your brain some time to breath and focus on something else! Maybe catch up with friends? Christmas Day is definitely a day to block out just for you!

Step three: Schedule in mock test days every two weeks to ensure you’re progressing towards the grades you need. If things aren’t going to plan, you’ll have time to evaluate and rectify accordingly!

I hope you find these tips useful - they won’t work for everyone as we all work differently, but pick those which work for you. The key is to set clear and tangible objectives that you can measure your progress against.

If things aren’t going according to plan, step back, evaluate and rectify while there’s still time!

Article written by Dan Coote – 2nd Year, Operations Management Graduate, DHL Supply Chain

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Christmas: Rest, eat, plan for your revision week! (and land yourself a dream career, too…)

‘Tis the season of joy, student Christmas dinners and the inevitable promise you make yourself (as a diligent student) to “spend the Christmas break efficiently revising for exams”, study and show your parents you’re a dedicated child… Or is it?

Here are some top tips for an effective Christmas break from our recent graduates.

• It’s called a ‘break’ for a reason after all Relax, escape from the stress of every day and enjoy home comforts – your mum will after all tidy all the clothes you’ve piled up since that first day at university two years ago… Take time to switch off!

• Plan your revision week Once you’re back in January, time to get down to work! Ring-fence some of your home time to plan your revision week – the way we organise projects: a fancy timetable, allocate slots to different chapters and remember – some sleep and coffee breaks, too!

• Land yourself the job of your dreams Spending New Year’s Eve sending 42 job applications is bad, but researching the few companies that really stand out to you is an excellent time investment: take time to understand their values, their strategy and how their priorities are changing in such a varied, globalising marketplace. Take time to think about the application questions and how you can show you’ve researched the company and have the skills to succeed and make a difference in achieving their strategy! A little time spent reflecting can go a long way and take you to heights you could only ever imagine previously…

If you’re passionate about fulfilling people’s hopes and ambitions in a changing world – and know how to switch off and learn new things when needed – find out more about HSBC’s internship and graduate opportunities at hsbc.com/careers.

hsbc.com/careers

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Join one of the youngest and most innovative global insurance and re-insurance companies operating in the London market You put your career first. And we put people first. That’s why Aspen is a great place for graduates to get started. It’s also a great place to stay and find your feet in the insurance and reinsurance industry. We’ve a whole range of graduate roles for you to choose from. So if you want to join a global company and learn about specialty insurance and reinsurance, then look no further.

You can snap up graduate opportunities in a number of areas within our business. We’re looking for new starters in Actuarial and Business Transformation and you’ll be joining a company that operates across the globe. That’s because we write insurance in Bermuda, the UK and the US. And we have offices in places such as Dublin, Paris, Zurich, Cologne, Singapore and New York.

We’ve been in business for over 10 years now and during that time we’ve grown into a leading insurance and reinsurance company so you’ll be on board with a stable organisation where you can really enjoy all of the graduate opportunities available to you. Our people-first approach stretches to customers as well as employees. We understand that everyone has different needs – businesses and graduates alike. So we can tailor career opportunities that meet your needs, making sure that your success and job satisfaction are long-term.

So how do you get on board?

You’ll need a minimum of 300 UCAS points, a 2:1 or above in your degree as well as strong analytical and maths skills. We’re looking for enthusiasm, new ideas, commercial acumen, drive, ambition, and people who know the value of teamwork and strong working relationships.

Regardless of the discipline you choose, you’ll be working alongside some of the industry’s leading experts who will help you learn the skills required to become an expert yourself. We’ll also support you in your development as you study to achieve internationally-recognized professional qualifications.

Benefits

Want to know more?

You’ll receive an excellent package that includes a competitive salary, an annual bonus and numerous benefits that include private healthcare, generous pension scheme, life insurance and free gym membership.

Take a look at our website.

To apply click here.

All applicants must have citizenship or the right to work in the country to which they are applying. We do not sponsor work permits.

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Choose a career in IT Choose innovation Choose to experience the commitment Choose to work for the world’s 5th largest independent IT and business services provider IT’s your future – 65,000 great minds already chose to join us, why not join them?

We have business and technical graduate and placement opportunities including testing, developing and business analysis. These roles could be within any of our commercial or public sector industries and based in any of our UK locations.

@CGI_UK_Students

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ukstudents@cgi.com

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www.cgi-group.co.uk/careers

For more careers advice, insight and opportunities, head to www.mykindafuture.com