contents Editor’s letter p3 Are you making the most of social media to find a job? p4-5 Business ideas p6-7 Thinking of a New Year’s Resolution? p8-9 Panicking about your placement? p10-11 UK work for international students p12-13 Are you the Undergraduate of the Year 2013 p14-15 The Review Room p16 Company Profiles p17 p18: Thales p19: Aspen p20-21: BPP Law School p22: Ernst & Young p23: Kantar Worldwide p24-25: FSA p26: Accenture p27: Zurich p28: PwC p29: Linklaters p30: Teach First p31: Softcat p32: KPMG p33: Endsleigh p34: Bechtel p35: Rolls Royce p36: Tesco p37: Pinsent Masons
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Brad Paisley
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Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.
editor's letter The New Year has come so stick on your sunglasses because 2013 is looking bright! With many a resolution made, many a gym membership signed and a whole host of opportunities ahead of you, your future really is what you make it. If you really want, you can check out the news on the doom and gloom of the employment prospects of 2013 and believe there are no jobs out there and just give up... OR, if you have just an ounce of self motivation and a pinch of tenacity you can pick yourself up and decide that, this year, you are going to be the one who succeeds. All it needs is the right attitude and opportunity will come to you. In our New Year’s edition we have advice on making that perfect resolution – and sticking to it – as well as shaping a future for yourself by considering setting up your own business and coming up with that perfect idea, why can’t 2013 be your lucky year? We have also got a great article on making the most of social media to find a job, as well as support for those students still on the lookout for a placement. Alternatively, if you are an international student, we have summarised how best to approach working in the UK once you graduate. The Review Room has endless music, idea capturing capabilities and big social sharing. And, last but definitely not least, we have our huge range of advice and guidance written by the recruiters themselves! So don’t waste any more time, search for your inner strength, make the perfect resolution and find the best opportunities... 2013 is yours.
Jackie HirEd Editor www.brightfutures.co.uk
e-zine
*If you don’t have a society at your university then set up your own! Contact us at society@brightfutures.co.uk and we can get you started right away!
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Are you making the most of Social Media t
Since 2010, employers have significantly chan tune towards social media. Just two years ago conducted by Penna showed that over half of recruiter respondents felt it was ‘dangerous’ a uncomfortable using it, now it has fallen to a m
For a student, this means that more and more can be found mixing in your social scene, with maintaining a Facebook page according to Pe But other research from graduate-jobs.com ha only 48% of surveyed students actually use F ‘Like’ company pages, with 40% using Linked comparably small 27% following businesses o
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1. Set your privacy and separate your profiles. Decide which social network you would be happy to dedicate to a professional profile and which you want to keep secure with strict privacy settings so no one sees anything you don’t want them to see. 2. Get a strategy. Think about your career goals. What kinds of organisations sound appealing to you? Check out the networks they’re in, the people that work there and the information they are posting. Get yourself in those networks too and start following. 3. Keep your public networks up to date. Just like a company, it can sometimes be more detrimental to your own personal brand to have an outdated profile than to have nothing at all. Make sure your posts are regular and show you in the light you want to be seen. 4. Be appropriate. Make sure you are posting appropriate updates in the right places. Don’t use bad language on your open platforms and ensure you are not posting anything overly controversial that may show you in a bad light or anything that employers are likely to frown about. 5. Make yourself stalk-able. Most employers will do a quick Google search or look you up on LinkedIn if you’re a potential candidate. The only way to make sure you are coming up trumps is by being at the top of the search highlighting your achievements, not your photos from last Saturday night. So try Google-ing yourself and see if you, and prospective employers, would be happy with what you see. If there are too many references to your personal life, go back and double check your privacy settings again.
6. Learn to tweet. Twitter is the easiest and quickest way to expand your knowledge and your network. By following individuals and organisations of interest to you and your career you can build relationships by engaging in conversations, impressing hiring managers, learning about current trends, sharing engaging information and receiving notifications about jobs before anyone else. 7. Join LinkedIn Groups. LinkedIn is like the professional version of Facebook. You can actively participate in discussions, connect with professionals, create an online CV of your skills and experiences as well as search for jobs. 8. Be a Blogger. Starting a blog could be a great avenue for you to expand on subject areas that you are really interested in. It will help connect you with like-minded individuals and help draw in a following. Link it up with other social media platforms so people can easily find it. Just remember, keeping it up to date is essential if you want to impress rather than put off employers who may check your blog. 9. Share and share a like. By sharing, retweeting and posting other people’s news and articles it will all help to raise your profile, make you more commercially aware, highlight you to those you are promoting and encourage others to do the same for you too. 10. Be a detective and connect with people you know.
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d . AllAboutLaw an ea id an ith w t ar tes All businesses st e two law gradua us ca be d te ar st AllAboutCareers ity careers the dearth of qual ith w ed at tr gle us fr were ts. Facebook, Goo en ud st r fo e er th s. information out ple business idea m si as e lif n ga and Apple all be siness idea, ve got a great bu u’ yo if s, ow kn ght Who moment in the ri t gh ri e th at it and you launch ed. ry profitable inde ve be d ul co it t, marke
How to come up with a business idea…
People often come up with business ideas by drawing on their own strengths, experiences, interests or personal knowledge. You might come up with a new (or improved) product, such as those nervously proffered to the ‘Dragons’ in Dragon’s Den. Alternatively, you might spot a gap in the market for a particular service. Developing a great business idea is not just about coming up with something startlingly new; it can also be about offering an improvement on existing
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products or services, or carving out a niche in an existing market. Ultimately, your business idea is about developing a concept that will make money. It’s all very well having an amazing idea, but how is it going to generate profit? The key is to create a business idea that can be translated into a viable, fully-functional business, which will make money and could feasibly be sold to investors or another company in the future.
Written by: AllAboutCareers.com
Researching your business idea…
You need to think about how you are going to carry out your business idea. How will it work in reality? Will your business be online? Will it involve working from home or will you base it elsewhere? How will you fund this? You might want to research growing markets to find out what kind of climate your business will be entering.
For example, if you want to open a shop, you should be aware that high street sales have slumped over the past few years, but UK consumers are piling on the internet to do their shopping. This is why it’s so important to research consumer trends and think about where your product or service is going to fit in.
Developing your business idea…
Think about whether you’ll be hitting a gap in the market with your business idea. Will you be entering a saturated market where you’ll have to contend with business heavyweights? Or is there room to manoeuvre? Look into emerging social trends and see if you can tailor your business idea to latch onto them.
for anyone who is starting to develop and test out their business idea. Using their free resources, you can find out about consumer habits, market trends, demographics and lifestyle trends.
Your market is hugely important: you need to think about what demographic you are aiming at and whether your business idea really chimes with your target market.
Really, it’s not just about having that flash of inspiration, but developing, researching and testing out your business idea. Coming up with the idea is the easy bit; it’s the hard graft afterwards that will determine whether or not you can turn your business idea into a reality.
The Office for National Statistics provides information which is a brilliant
Plus, it’ll help you get to really know your facts and figures, which will impress potential investors.
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Did you know that almost 80% of us who set New Year’s resolutions actually fail to achieve them? With a whopping three-quarters of Brits buckling after a mere 9 days! So, if you are considering setting yourself a credible New Year’s resolution, it may be worthwhile to follow a few considerations before “committing”.
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Be realistic and be specific. You can’t run a mile before you can walk. If your goals are unattainable you will lose motivation very quickly. It’s best for you to change one small thing at a time and feel good for it, so be specific and decide exactly what it is you want to achieve.
Think it through. It will help you get your ducks in a row and boost your confidence if you did a small amount of planning as to how you are going to meet your goal.
Tell people and get support. By openly declaring your resolution to family, friends and colleagues along with how you plan to achieve it, will help to commit you to making it happen, because you want to maintain your pride and won’t want to let them down. You can also create a support network to talk things over, get advice and tell them how they can help.
Break it down to measure success. You will be far more motivated to continue to your goal if you can see yourself progress. So rather than setting yourself one big goal, break it down into smaller achievements and watch them make a huge difference.
Commit it to paper. By writing your goal down and keeping it in view (such as your computer, mobile, or bathroom mirror) will help to make it feel real and tangible. Don’t write an essay though, keep it to the point, keep it short and keep it motivating.
Reward yourself. Don’t hesitate to celebrate small successes with a treat – not what you’re trying to avoid how ever! Give yourself rewards such as a trip to the cinema, a manicure/massage, a mini holiday, or dinner at your favourite restaurant.
Allow yourself to mess up once in a while. If you slip up and break your goals, it really isn’t the end of the world. Don’t be so hard on yourself and try not to let it leave you feeling in a state of despair and demoralised – it will only make it worse. No one is perfect, just acknowledge it and learn from it, then start fresh and get right back on track!
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In this day and age there is huge competition from undergraduates and graduates trying to gain a step on the career ladder, develop their experience and find the right job for them. Research done by The Observer stated that 20% of 18-24 year olds have undertaken an internship, compared to a mere 2% of people who were that age 30-40 years ago. So we are definitely on the right track, but more needs to be done. Securing a placement or internship could be the best thing you did during your degree. Not only will it help you develop those crucial skills, but it will also shape you as an individual and enable you to figure out what it is you really want to do with your life. Many companies are also using internships as a key part of their graduate recruitment process by making offers to those who have impressed and excelled during their time on placement, giving those students a job ready and waiting to roll into come graduation. Offering placement and intern students’ unconditional graduate offers is a very time and cost effective method of recruitment. In the current market, the average spend per vacancy is £1250 – that’s a lot of money – so you can understand why companies are looking for more effective ways to recruit their new staff members.
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1. Keep your mind open – don’t just apply for the top graduate firms, they only recruit around 10% of the graduate market. A role with a local SME could be just as, if not more, rewarding. 2. Get your CV up to date and produce a number of examples of competencies that you can expand on in your application and interview. 3. Look at your Careers Service Job Board, see an advisor or use their resources to scope out a wide range of opportunities to apply to. 4. Network with employers to find out more and impress them so they remember you when your application comes in. Your Careers Service will put on lots of events as well as your local Bright Futures Society. 5. Don’t be afraid to go to them. Knock on doors and go into prospective employer offices. Have balls but make sure you go in prepared, you never know, you may be sat down in front of someone there and then, or be rejected because you aren’t even sure what the company does that you’ve just walked into. 6. Be excited about the role you are applying to. So many students just apply for opportunities because that’s exactly what it is, an opportunity, not necessarily a good one or the right one, but it’s something. Don’t waste your time applying to a role you’re not even bothered about. Don’t panic and don’t procrastinate, have focus and you allocate just a small amount of time each day to looking for the prefect role to boost your chances of success. There are more tips and advice in our Careers Advice pages on the website. 11
The UK is a great place for international students far and wide to come and study, with many wishing to extend their stay and their visas to work in the country. For those graduates wishing to be granted work visas to gain employment in the UK there has been considerable change over the last year or so. In this article we will try to provide you with a summary of information on how best to approach a working visa, but please ensure that you do not take this as legitimate advice as changes may have been made at the point of reading. Please keep up to date on current legislation by visiting: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk or by speaking to your university International Office or Student Services, they will be able to advise in detail on your specific circumstances. New Immigration Laws came into play on December 13th 2012, you can check those here. *This article was written 20.12.2012
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Do I even need a Visa?
Skilled workers • If you have been offered a The first thing to tackle would be skilled job in the UK and your to find out if you actually even prospective employer is willing need a visa to work in the UK. to sponsor you, you can apply The UKBA have a simple way of to come or remain here to do informing you accordingly on that job. their website, visit HERE. Temporary workers • If an employer in the UK is If you are a National are any willing to sponsor you, or if you of the countries within the are a national of a country that European Economic Area (EEA) participates in the youth and Switzerland, you have the mobility scheme, you may be right of free movement and eligible to come and work in the residence in the UK. UK for a short period. Other categories The options for • You can also apply to work in non-European migrants the UK as a domestic worker; as the sole representative of an The UK tends to use a points overseas firm; or as a based system to decide on work- representative of an overseas based categories of immigration. newspaper, news agency or Below are the categories that are broadcasting organisation. used to consider applications as For workers and stated by the UKBA: businesspersons from Turkey • Turkish citizens can benefit High-value migrants from a European agreement • Investors, entrepreneurs and with Turkey if they want to exceptionally talented people establish themselves in business can apply to enter or stay in the in the UK, or if they are already UK without needing a job offer working here legally. - but you will need to pass a points-based assessment.
For Commonwealth citizens with UK ancestry • If you are a Commonwealth citizen and at least one of your grandparents was born in the UK, you can apply to come here to work. Main options for Non-EEA students Tier 1 – Graduate Entrepreneur You need to be currently in the UK to apply, and is suitable for graduates that have been identified by UK higher education institutions as having “developed world class innovative ideas or entrepreneurial skills”. You will then be able to extend your stay to establish or create more businesses in the UK. Tier 2 – General This is for foreign nationals offered a skilled job in order to fill a gap in the workforce of which cannot be filled by a settled worker. The Government have set restrictions on the number
of skilled workers that can come to the UK at a maximum of 20,700 to do jobs with an annual salary below £150,000 with the minimum outlined in the Standard Occupational Code (published by the UKBA). However, there is no restriction on the number of workers coming to do jobs on £150,000 or above. You must have a job offer from an employer to secure this visa and it must be before your student visa expires. The employer needs to be on the UK sponsored register. It is also important for you to meet the ‘points’ requirements. Tier 5 – Temporary Worker As in the title, this is only a temporary visa for a maximum of 12 months for work experience and 24 months for training. To be able to apply for most of the visas under the Tier 5 categories, you must have a job offer from a licensed sponsor as well as being able to pass a points-based assessment.
However, sponsoring companies must have no intention of employing the applicant after the visa period. This visa may be relevant to those that require completion of professional training to qualify, or for those participating in government-authorised internship programmes like BUNAC and Tier5intern. You may have to have a certain qualification level or English language. If you need further advice and support, please contact The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) advice line on
020 7107 9922 (Monday to Friday, 1pm - 4pm).
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Deezer
Catch
Platforms: PC/Mac, Mobile or Tablet
Platforms: iPhone, Android, Tablet Computer
Platforms: iPhone and Android
Music on Demand. Listen to your favourite playlists, artists and albums anywhere, anytime. With over 20 million tracks to choose from, this could be your lifeline when you need waking up in the morning, when cooking for your flatmates, and when you decide to host that epic house party for the end of exams. You can sign up for free with limited access, but you can pay a small subscription from £4.99/month. If you are on Orange, check out their Swappable deals and get fully connected to Deezer for free!
Catch is a great tool for capturing ideas and saving them ready to turn into actions from text, images, checklists, voice memos and more. This is held over multi-platforms from your mobile to your tablet, online or offline so you can access your inspiration anywhere.
After being one of the fastest growing social media sites to date, the developers have finally made a Pinterest app across multiple mobile platforms. So, if you haven’t got it already, it comes highly recommended. It has a pin-board style interface which enables you to post images, links, quotes, recipes... pretty much anything you want to share. You can re-pin other people’s posts too, find out useful information, and create your very own pin boards of the stuff you love.
Price: FREE or from £4.99/month Website: www.deezer.com
Price: FREE Website: www.catch.com
Price: FREE Website: www.pinterest.com
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We love the positively perplexing Thales
Graduate and Internship Programmes Starting salaries for graduates: £25,000 – £26,500 plus a £2,000 welcome bonus
company profile
Engineering – Graduate and Internship Programmes Ingenuity and innovation are what make our business tick and keep us at the forefront of a very competitive industry. From Aerospace and Defence to Transport and Security, we bring our expertise to the widest range of technical challenges. And the opportunities we have on offer here for the best and the brightest are as diverse as our business itself. In addition to our engineering graduate programmes, we also offer internships with a competitive weekly payment. So whatever your background – be it in engineering, mathematics, physics or technology – you can rely upon being stretched and
challenged in any one of the disciplines listed below. • Systems • Software • Electronics • Hardware • Manufacturing • Design • Production • Rail • Information Systems • Quality
is desirable for our Finance Programme. We also look for the ambition, intellect and commercial savvy to stand out from the crowd. We’re keen to help you progress so here are our top 3 tips of the month:
Business & Finance – Graduate Programmes
2. Complete all sections of your application and keep to the word count.
Our Business Graduate Programme will give you an invaluable insight into our UK business – plus the chance to complete a range of engaging challenges. Your degree discipline here is not so important, although a finance–related degree
For more hints & tips, videos and information on current roles, visit:
www.ukgrads.thalesgroup.com 18
1. Before completing an application or attending an interview, research the company in detail. Ensure you know why you are applying to Thales and your chosen role.
3. Plan and organize your time. Make sure you prioritise when completing time-limited exercises; allow plenty of time to get to your interview/assessment centre.
Say hello to graduate opportunities: the best careers start at Aspen
We’ve been in business for 10 years now and over that time we’ve gained significant financial strength – so you’ll be on board with a stable company where you can really enjoy all of the graduate opportunities available to you. Plus, 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 underwriting and career opportunities that fit the bill, making sure that your success and 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 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.
company profile
Our underwriting and actuarial schemes are now closed but we have exciting graduate opportunities in a number of other areas within our business including risk, finance, IT and internal audit. Plus you’ll be joining a company that operates across the globe.
Aspen
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.
Once you start, you’re not just starting a great job but an exciting career within a dynamic and international organisation. And if that’s not enough, you’ll also play a big part in shaping our future – just like we’ll help to shape yours. What’s more, you’ll be working alongside some of the world leaders in their sector, helping you to become an expert in your chosen area.
Want to know more? Take a look at our website www.aspen.co/Careers/Graduate-Programme
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BPP Law School
Your ambition realised For over 35 years, BPP has been helping legal professionals realise their ambition. We are one of the largest providers of law courses in the UK, with a track record that speaks for itself; we train one third of all UK lawyers, and over 28 leading law firms choose us as the exclusive training provider for their employees.
company profile
BPP Law School offers an extensive range of programmes and degrees spanning all areas of legal education. Whichever you choose, the focus remains consistent: to get you ready for life in practice, with the relevant training and academic knowledge you need to be successful in the next step of your legal career.
All programmes combine high quality classroom materials, personal tutor support and innovative technology, and are available on a full-time, part-time and accelerated study basis. BPP tutors are a dynamic mix of legal practitioners and academics. They will impart the knowledge and skills to not only
For further information please visit: www.bpp.com
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help you pass your exams, but will help you prepare for work and stay competitive. Whether you study at one of our law schools or online you’ll receive the same professional learning experience, with links to top law firms and teaching of the highest standard.
Looking for career focused legal training? Then apply to study your GDL, LPC or BPTC at BPP Law School. Over 25 leading law firms choose BPP exclusively so should you. Our courses are designed to help you stand out. Providing you with access to our award winning pro bono programme, work experience, mentoring opportunities and personal career support. We ensure our students graduate with the practical experience law firms are looking for. With first class teaching by professionals for professionals, a range of flexible study options, and course locations around the country, studying at BPP Law School makes sense.
Make BPP your first choice. Visit bpp.com/postgraduate
YOUR AMBITION REALISED
Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young Leadership Academy Do you want to go further, faster? If you’ve got drive and ambition, you can start laying the foundations for a challenging and stimulating career with the Ernst & Young Leadership Academy.
company profile
Ernst & Young Leadership Academy Our three-day Leadership Academy is an elite programme offering those with real talent the chance to shine. We’ll team you up with some of our sharpest business minds to learn from their experiences. Places are limited, so if you want to be accepted onto the programme you’ll need to possess the energy, ideas and commitment to drive things forward, especially in today’s tough climate. Why do it? You’ll learn a lot about yourself by questioning how you work, interact with others and
approach decision-making. You’ll get an opportunity to explore your leadership potential and develop your influencing skills, with specific feedback on your personal style.
So if you’re up for a challenge and want to pick up the skills and self-awareness that will help you hit the ground running when you start work, the Leadership Academy is what you need.
Make no mistake: this is a demanding environment that will push you out of your comfort zone. You’ll be set tasks that will stretch and challenge you. It might be about exercising your logic, or inspiring a team of people into action. But we can promise that it will make you question how you work, how you approach decision making and how you work with others. In short, it’ll give you a unique insight into how to use your strengths to reach the top.
You’ve done the Leadership Academy. What can you do now? Take the skills you learned on the Leadership Academy and put them into practice on another Ernst & Young programme like a Placement or Summer Internship. Depending on which year you’re in when you complete the programme, you may even have the chance of securing a graduate job offer a year before you graduate.
To find out more and apply visit ey.com/uk/careers Applications close on 18 January 2013. 22
Kantar Worldpanel
Having a Health & Beauty professional come to your home has increased in popularity!
In the middle of a long revision session, don’t you wish you could do just that? Relax and unwind with a health and beauty treatment or, perhaps a massage? At Kantar Worldpanel, not only do we have a pretty great Graduate programme, we also have a competitive and flexible benefits scheme from which you can select onsite massages to supplement your package!
The well-being of our employees is at the forefront of our minds. If you would like to find out more about the things that matter to us at Kantar Worldpanel and how we create valuable knowledge for our impressive client list (yes, there is more to us than massages!) then take a look at: www.highlydefinedcareers.com
company profile
*Spend on in-home H&B professionals has grown by 17%, 2012 ytd - now valued in excess of £147M - KWP 13th December 2012*
If you like what you see and want to join our team, you can apply for our 2013 scheme below: Click Below: 2013 Scheme Go on, take a break for 5 minutes and who knows, you could be sitting in our offices having a massage in Autumn 2013……
www.highlydefinedcareers.com 23
It’s all change here… FSA
The importance of regulation has never been greater. As the UK’s sole financial services regulator, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) works to maintain market confidence, target and reduce financial crime, and protect consumers.
company profile
By the end of 2013, the FSA will be replaced by two new regulatory bodies. The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). These will carry forward our philosophy of outcomes-based regulation, intensive firm supervision and credible deterrence.
The broad remit of the FSA means that we can offer diverse and unique internship roles that are not available in other organisations. Our summer internship is intended to give you real responsibility from day one, and offer you the opportunity to see what we do first hand. You will not only
gain real insight into the entire financial industry, it will help you to decide whether our Graduate Development Programme is right for you.
In light of these changes we have decided to hold an Insight Day in London on the 6th Feb from 2.30pm-6.30pm. This will give you an opportunity to find out more about what we have to offer and meet some of our team. The event will be followed by drinks and networking. If you are interested in coming along and finding out more please make an application now
Click here on this link to make an application
www.fsagraduates.com 24
THERE’S NEVER BEEN A MORE CRUCIAL TIME TO HELP SHAPE THE REGULATION OF THE UK’S FINANCIAL SERVICES. In 2013 the FSA will be replaced by two new regulatory bodies, The Prudential Regularity Authority (PRA) a subsidiary of the Bank of England and The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). We are currently recruiting results-driven and analytically-minded graduates to join the FCA. If you are expecting a 2:1 or above in any subject and have a real desire to PDNH D GLIIHUHQFH WR ¿ QDQFLDO VHUYLFHV ¿ UPV DQG FRQVXPHUV ZH ZDQW WR KHDU IURP \RX We have opportunities in Summer and Autumn 2013 to join the following programmes: 6XPPHU ,QWHUQVKLS 3URJUDPPH *UDGXDWH 'HYHORSPHQW 3URJUDPPH (FRQRPLFV 'HYHORSPHQW 3URJUDPPH ,7 'HYHORSPHQW 3URJUDPPH For more information and to apply, visit www.fsagraduates.com
HIGH FINANCE HIGH PROFILE HIGH IMPACT
HIGH STREET
Accenture
Accenture Freshers’ Boot Camp – your toughest test yet By combining innovative thinking with advanced technology, Accenture is changing the way we live and work. We’re transforming some of the world’s best known businesses, and helping our clients get better at what they do. In much the same way, we hope we can transform careers by equipping our people with the skills they need to learn, grow, innovate and inspire those around them.
company profile
We’d like to give you a taste of what that means during your first year at university. We want you to push yourself. Reach further than you ever have before. Break new ground and feel the rush of achievement that goes along with it. This is how we work at Accenture and we have condensed this feeling into our 48-hour Freshers’ Boot Camp. We promise you the most
intense learning experience of your life. It could be the start of your future with us. It could just be a great experience. You never know, it could be both.
This is a popular scheme and, with only limited places available, competition is fierce and so the first skill we’ll test is your response time.
We will not tell you the location. We won’t even tell you the agenda. All we can tell you right now is that you will negotiate a packed itinerary of business games and other mental challenges.
Applications are now open; visit accenture.com/ukschemes to find out more. Places are filled on a first-come, first served basis. You should apply early to avoid disappointment; all applications close on 22nd February 2013. 26
Zurich
IT Graduate Programme, Fareham
For this programme an IT related degree is required, however this is not technical IT role and we’re not looking for people to write computer programmes, but a grounding in information technology principles and an understanding of systems development methodologies is the pre-requisite foundation on which your technical, business and leadership skills will be developed. As a graduate you will be exposed to a variety of roles, such as Project implementation, Service and supplier management, Business analysis and Technical, Data and Solutions Architecture, in order to that you gain an in depth understanding of how IT works in our business.
What you’ll need: • A minimum 2:1 degree in an IT-related subject and at least 280 UCAS points (or equivalent) • Outstanding communication and influencing skills • Strong analytical skills • Project management and organisation skills
company profile
Join Zurich as an IT Graduate Trainee, and you’ll find yourself in a role with plenty of responsibility right from the word go. As part of our two-year structured graduate programme, you might be supporting a critical workstream in one of our large business transformation programmes, developing your technical and analytical skills to deliver key insight, or working with major strategic suppliers to get the job done. We’re starting the transformation of our IT landscape, and there are enormous opportunities to get involved, develop your career and make a real difference to our business.
To apply for this position please visit: www.zurich.co.uk/graduates We operate on a first-come-first-serve basis when filling our graduate opportunities, so if you’re interested in this opportunity please submit your application ASAP!
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PwC
Your career is just that, yours. You choose it. You live it. You make it happen. To get the best from it, you need the best opportunities. That’s why opportunities are at the heart of a career with us.
company profile
Our offer to you… Experience what it’s like to be part of the world’s leading professional services network and enjoy the benefits that come with that. You’ll work directly with big name clients where you’ll get to grips with the value they’re looking for by getting into the detail. We’ll provide an environment where you’ll be able to explore new opportunities, to help you grow and find your niche. And we’ll give you access to be best learning and development around. Our Programmes Get a unique insight into what we do and how we do it on one of our insight programmes for undergraduates. Develop valuable business skills. And discover where your strengths and interests lie. These programmes give you the kind of experience that opens all sorts of doors. On our Insight Day you’ll pick up loads of information about our work and the firm to help you decide which of our career options interests you most.
Lasting three days, the Talent Academy programme for first-year undergraduates (or second years on a four-year degree) will boost your employability skills and give your career a jump start. You could also land an internship or work placement the next year. Shadow a Female leader and see what it takes to make it to the very top of our organisation. This programme showcases what a career with us looks like from the viewpoint of one of our female leaders. It could lead to an internship or a place on one of our graduate programmes. Summer Internships build your skills and confidence on a six-week Summer Internship. Working alongside specialists in your chosen business area, you’ll follow up your induction by getting to grips with live client projects to learn what a full-time role with us is all about. Get good feedback and you could even go back to university with a job offer.
business and get exposure to a prestigious client list on an 11-month Work Placement in our Assurance, Tax or Financial Advisory practice. Or join us in Strategy for a six month work placement. Suitable for students who need to complete a placement as part of their degree, it could lead to a full-time job offer. What you need to bring us • A 2:1 or above in any degree discipline • A UCAS tariff of at least 300 (or equivalent) Equally important will be your intellect, willingness to learn, ability to build relationships, put yourself in others’ shoes, while always making a positive impact with our clients and each other.
Join us on a Work Placement and you’ll work on real projects, learn about our
How to apply: We’re proud, based on the opportunity we offer, that students have voted us the number one Graduate Employer in The
Times Top 100 Graduate Employers survey for the last nine years. And we know that the skills and experiences you develop with us, will stay with you throughout your career. So join us, and we’ll help you reach your full potential.
It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.
www.pwc.com/uk/careers www.facebook.com/PwCCareersUK 28
Linklaters
Aspire Competition 2013
We are pleased to announce the launch of our Aspire competition for 2013. Everyone has aspirations – for themselves or for the community. That’s why we’ve launched Aspire. Quite simply, it’s a competition where you choose the prize, but you have to convince us in 250 words or fewer why we should give it to you.
So, what do you aspire to? You might want to put the money towards new books for your course. You might want to improve your interview technique. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to work with underprivileged children in Africa or paint your local school. It can be anything you think will make a difference – the choice is yours.
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Linklaters is one of the world’s most prestigious law firms – a global network of exceptionally talented, highly motivated lawyers working as a team and learning from one another to fulfil our ambition of becoming the leading global law firm.
Why not find out what last year’s winners aspired to and how we helped them make it a reality? Visit our Facebook page to submit your entry. We look forward to hearing your suggestion for a prize – and since there are multiple prizes on offer, there’s no excuse to not share this idea with your friends!
For more information about Linklaters and the opportunities on offer for students and graduates, visit our website at www.linklaters.com/ukgrads 29
Teach First
Take up the challenge, get involved, Teach First It’s a sad, almost unbelievable fact that the link between income and attainment at school is stronger in the UK than in almost anywhere else in the developed world. At Teach First we believe this is more than unfair – we believe it is unacceptable and thousands of us are doing something about it.
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What is Teach First? Teach First is an independent charity and a movement for social change, focused on addressing an enduring and corrosive feature of UK society – educational disadvantage – by driving up standards and raising aspirations in schools in challenging circumstances. What do we do? Teach First helps to rapidly transform graduates and experienced professionals into inspiring teachers and leaders, giving you the skills, experiences and opportunities to begin making an immediate difference to the children you teach, and to lay the foundations of an influential leadership career in any field.
What difference will I make? Our two year Leadership Development Programme features a range of high-quality training opportunities and supportive coaching – that focuses on your ability to positively influence the achievements and aspirations of pupils and their access to further opportunities, both in education and beyond.
skills workshops • Opportunity to be part of a movement that is changing lives and will change society • Access to professional development and a network of supporters • Full-time, paid position for a minimum of two years
How do I apply? To apply for Teach First you need to What do I get out of it? register your interest and fill in an Key benefits include: online application at: • Intensive teacher training leading www.teachfirst.org.uk to a PGCE Our website also features more • Real responsibility from day one detailed information on the • Opportunity to pursue masters programme and our vision, the qualification at reduced cost selection process and the range • Ongoing leadership development, of subjects we recruit into. coaching, business training and
We recruit on a rolling basis and we will fill our vacancies as soon as we find those candidates that meet our competency and academic requirements. Final deadline: 20 March 2013
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Keep those balls in the air
1. If you can’t have fewer balls, make them easier to catch Be prepared to cut back a little on the non-essentials, like that extra pint down the pub or the extra shift at your part-time job. At the beginning of each week identify the crucial tasks, the
important tasks and the less important tasks. This will help you to prioritise so that you’re not left panicking on deadline day. 2. Write a schedule A rough schedule laying out the number of hours you intend to spend on each task each week is the best way to balance your activities. Use a monthly planner for long-term planning for projects and dissertations. Make a note of important deadlines for job applications and essay submissions.
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It is possible to keep all those balls in the air whilst applying jobs and propelling yourself towards a rewarding career; it just takes some planning and discipline! Here are a few tips from an experienced graduate employer:
Softcat
University can be a bit of a juggling act. You become adept at balancing studying with socialising, earning money, playing sports and pursuing other interests. Once all these are ticked off each week there’s usually very little time left to think about a career, even as you’re heading full pelt towards your final year. Does this sound like you?
3. Play to your passions Victoria Pendleton’s tutor at university allegedly advised her to choose two out of three of the following options: Cycling, studies and social life. If it comes down to it and you decide you need to free up some more time, follow your passions – these often turn out to be your biggest strengths.
Careers in London, Manchester and Marlow Softcat is a fast-growing company with a zeal for customer service and a commitment to employee satisfaction. If you’re interested in IT sales, you can find out about our graduate programmes and upcoming assessment days on our Facebook page, or on Twitter. Alternatively call 01628 403 408, email: careers@softcat.com or visit our website to apply. 31
KPMG
Exams are stressful. If anyone tells you any differently they are lying. Being able to stay positive and calm during periods of stress is key to doing well in exams.
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KPMG have a dedicated Professional Qualification Training department and are experts in managing over 2000 current graduates and school leavers through their 3 year training programmes. Their proactive support leads to outstanding professional exam pass rates and KPMG trainees regularly outperform the various Institute pass rates.
- Be prepared. Setting a study plan is obvious but so many people don’t do it or do it and then never look at it again. Being clear about what you have to do and when you are going to do it is key.
The Professional Qualification Training Team’s top tips for dealing with exams and stress are straightforward but effective:
- Don’t be afraid to ask... if you need help. If you don’t understand something, don’t dedicate too much time to working it out for yourself. Ask your tutor, a peer, someone in the year ahead. Procrastination wastes valuable time.
- Be confident... in the way you are studying. Don’t spend time fretting over how your much work your friends are doing or what they know that you don’t. Focus on you.
- Use all available resources... to help you study. Having variety in the way you study makes it less monotonous so mix it up. For example, set up study groups, change the location of where you study so it feels different, look at what resources are online to help you. - Keep living. No-one can study all the time and if you do you’ll go mad. Continue to live the life you enjoy so have social things to do. Just accept that you’ll have to cut back for a few weeks but don’t eradicate them altogether. Having that study plan in place will enable you to see that you have time to do other things too.
To find out more, go to www.kpmg.co.uk/graduates
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Endsleigh
Exams are a tough time on any student calendar. It’s normal to feel stressed; a small amount of stress can be healthy, in fact it can even be good for you! Here are some tips on how to deal with it productively to give yourself the best chance of surviving the exam period with your sanity and health intact!
Cut out the rubbish. Consuming food laced with sugar or drinks laced with caffeine will not do you any good! Despite feeling that it’s a ‘desperate times calls for desperate measures’ situation, you’ll come down with a crash and feel awful as your blood sugar levels drop. These drinks are also really bad for your heart and can give you the shakes. Remember
what happened to Will in The Inbetweeners? Need I say more? Sleep well. You might be wondering as time ticks away: should I get some sleep or should I spend those last few precious hours revising? The answer is always sleeping. Cut out energy drinks and sugary foods late at night because not only do they disrupt sleep, but they affect your ability to process and learn the information you have taken in. A lack of sleep negatively impacts your memory and concentration. Don’t revise in your bedroom. Your bedroom should be a place for sleeping and relaxing, not working. Try and keep it that way during the exam period so you have a safe haven you can retreat to in your breaks or when you are done for the day. Keep the associations with your bedroom positive.
Don’t go it alone. It will be a stressful time for you all if you are all taking exams. This is not the time for one-upmanship, “It’s all right for you, yours is only a piece of coursework, not an exam…” Pull together. Go to the library as a group and take your breaks together.
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Exercise. Going to the gym and reading a textbook on a bike doesn’t count: let’s face it, you don’t really take anything in and you don’t cycle very well. Before or after a revision session do a burst of exercise. You might be mentally exhausted, but your body is raring to go, having been sitting at a desk all day long. Exercise has a positive effect on your brain and has been proved to facilitate information processing and memory function.
Give yourself an incentive. Having something to look forward to once the stress is all over can make a massive difference. Even the thought of it can lift motivation. That first sip of freedom after the last exam, that first house night out after the exams end, that first lie in (probably in that order too…) it’s a nice picture when you’re working hard. Make sure you earn it. For more help and advice on university life visit: endsleigh.co.uk/exams brought to you by students, graduates and industry experts.
www.endsleigh.co.uk/thehub 33
Bechtel
Many of you will be facing exams and deadlines and feeling the pressure. At Bechtel, we work on projects with tight schedules where we make sure we get everything right – just like your exams. Here are some suggestions for exam preparation like Bechtel plans and prepares for projects
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Plan ahead Our Project Controls department prepares detailed plans and schedules, identifying key progress milestones to target. By breaking your revision down into smaller tasks and assigning milestone dates, you can focus on manageable portions of work. You can also assess your progress against your schedule.
Work as a team To succeed on the mega-projects we do, we work in teams which change and evolve during projects. Our teams work together to share ideas, expertise and to spread the workload. You could form revision groups and help your colleagues out. You’re not alone in taking exams – share the knowledge & the experience.
Identify possible pitfalls Our Risk Management group identify potential pitfalls and make strategies to avoid them. The same applies with revision preparation. If you recognise things that will get in the way of revision, you can avoid them and make the most of your time.
Keep healthy Our Wellness programme keeps people healthy with free fruit, health checks and nutrition workshops. Drink plenty of water, eat well and take breaks to exercise regularly. Eat, exercise and drink smart and you’ll think smart.
Focus on quality At Bechtel, we aim to ensure everything we do is right the first time. This means reviewing plans, having the right resources, and checking work. Make sure you have everything you need for the exam and plan your time in exams, including time to check your work. And finally... To make sure Bechtel has a continuous workload, our Business Development department identifies potential projects, researches the clients, analyses the project criteria and bids to win. Avoid the stress of leaving university without a job by applying early to the graduate schemes that suit you.
Take a look at our scheme at:: http://www.bechtel.com/uk-grad.html 34
Rolls-Royce
Look out for further opportunities on offer at Rolls-Royce
The initial deadline for applying to one of our incredibly rewarding and carefully designed programmes was Monday 11th January. However, as we have so many incredible graduate programmes and internships on offer, we will be going live again soon and open for applications. Rolls-Royce is known the world over for high-performance engineering and innovative technologies. Behind all of our success, you’ll find brilliant thinking from our global workforce of more than 40,000 people – some of the sharpest minds around. These are the people you could be learning
from. So if you’re a talented graduate with big ideas, this could be the perfect place for you to turn them into reality. You can choose from two graduate programmes. The Professional Excellence Programme teaches the skills needed to be an expert in your chosen field – learning direct from some of the industry’s most experienced professionals. The Leadership Development Programme finds and develops the future leaders of the business. Rolls-Royce recruits graduates into Engineering, Manufacturing,
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The Rolls-Royce graduate recruitment team hopes you all had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Finance, Operations Management, HR, Commercial, Customer Management, Purchasing, Planning and Control, and Project Management. Whatever your role, you’ll learn from some of the best in the business, as you work on world-class projects. We also have a large number of internship opportunities in most of these disciplines that can be found at: www.rolls-royce.com/internships
For more information and to apply online, visit: www.rolls-royce.com/graduates
www.rolls-royce.com/graduates 35
We’ll support you all the way… Tesco
Imagine… you’ve got your shiny new degree and you’ve finally escaped the last three years of learning. You’ll never need to use your brain again… right? Wrong.
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At Tesco we have dedicated training programmes to help our Graduates continue to learn and develop. Your training and development are our top priority because they allow you to take responsibility earlier in your career. Whether it’s technical or professional skills, like leadership, negotiation or presentation skills, you’ll have access to all you need to get ahead. In addition to training, where appropriate we’ll also support you with professional qualifications– so if you’re hungry for more qualifications there’s potentially the opportunity for more!
As many of you have exams coming up so wanted to give you some top tips around personal effectiveness which might prove helpful…
• Plan your revision time in one hour blocks. Draw up a revision plan in advance telling you what to revise and when – and make sure you stick to it!
• Make sure you have an appropriate work space with no distractions.
• Don’t get distracted by emails. Be disciplined with your time and don’t procrastinate.
• Filing is your friend – be organised with both your paper and electronic files. Use the same file names to make notes easy to find.
Good Luck with your exams, from the Tesco Team!
To find out more visit www.tesco-graduates.com 36
Pinsent Masons LLP
Working smarter not just harder‌
Most students leave interviews wishing they had spent more time developing their interview skills so when it comes to interview preparation make sure your approach is targeted on developing these skills rather than just undertaking yet more research on your chosen employer – mock interviews are probably the single most effective activity you can undertake.
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It can be difficult making the time to prepare for job interviews when you are also studying for exams; submitting dissertations and holding down a part-time job. But for those of you who want to enter the corporate world it is essential that you can demonstrate your ability to multi-task and remain calm under pressure.
To help you on your way some of our current gap year students have shared their tips for preparing for interviews: Click here for the blog you can also download a helpful application advice document from our website. Good Luck!
www.pinsentmasons.com BLOG (click here) DOWNLOADS (click here)
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