YOUR GUIDE TO EMPLOYABILITY from the CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY SERVICE
Start here … ...to sort out your future Welcome to your 2016-17 University of Chichester Guide to Employability, written by your Careers and Employability Service. This guide is full of information and practical tips. It is as relevant to you in your first year as a fresher, as it is to you in your final year about to graduate. The earlier you engage, the greatest chance of success in finding your perfect graduate role. Your guide will help you:
Choose the right employment for you Develop your skills at the University of Chichester Find work experience and part-time employment – to network Investigate postgraduate study Connect with employers in your chosen sector of work Make the most of the Careers and Employability Service at your University We look forward to meeting you in person either at the Careers and Employability Service for an appointment or during a teaching session in your department. We hope that you find The University of Chichester Guide to Career Planning useful and look forward to helping you in whatever way we can. With best wishes,
Chris Caswell, Head of Careers and Employability Service
Contents Who can you talk to?
1
Where can you find us?
3
How can we help you?
5
Quick guide to TARGETconnect
7
The 3 Steps to successful employment
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What to do & when to do it...
15
Video Guides
17
CES Moodle
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Psychometric Assessment
19
The Chichester Experience
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HEAR
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Academic and Free Time (volunteering)
22
Internships
23
GraduateOn & Placements
24
Ignition
25
Enterprise
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What do employers want?
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Careers Events
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10 ways to ‘speed date’ with exhibitors at a Fair
31
Network… Network… Network…
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Quick Tips: CV and Cover Letter
37
Speculative Applications
39
Online Guidance
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Whatever stage you’re at in your career planning, the friendly staff at the Careers and Employability Service can provide advice, information and support.
Who can you talk to...? Talk to a Careers Consultant Many people feel overwhelmed by the amount of information that is available on career and work choices. Save yourself some time by arranging an appointment through TARGETconnect. Our Careers Consultants can help you identify careers that might suit you and then plan a route into that career. You can also get your CV checked and receive interview advice - it’s your choice how you wish to make use of the Careers Consultant. Chris Caswell Head of Service and Careers Consultant
Alice Stuart Careers Consultant
Dance
History
Fine Art
Business School
Performing Arts
Psychology
English & Creative Writing
Adventure Education
Social Work and Social Care Early Childhood
Media & Film Institute of Sport International
Postgraduates
Theology
Institute of
Music
Education
Tina Crowley Careers Consultant
Chris Charles Careers Consultant
Do not worry if the relevant Consultant does not have a convenient appointment; any one of them can help you!
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In your department through your curriculum Each department has a dedicated Careers Consultant (see left) In your department one of your academic staff is the nominated Employability and Enterprise Champion,
Department
Champion.
Adventure Education
Pete Bunyan
Childhood, Social Work and Social Care
Tim Gully Kish Bhatti-Sinclair
Dance
Fiona Wallis
Institute of Education
Jon Spence
English and Creative Writing
Duncan Salkeld
Fine Art
tba
History
Mandy Richardson
Music and Media
tba
Performing Arts
Brian Lobel
Physical Education
Melissa Mantle
Postgraduates
Sophie Butler
Psychology and Counselling
Nik Chmiel
Business School
Lyn Batchelor
Sport Development and Management
Tanya Goosen
Sport and Exercise Sciences
Iain Littlejohn
Theology and Religion
Steve Moyise
Also don’t forget:
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Where can you find us...?
Main entrance Building works
Pedestrian entrance
Careers and Employability Centre:
Office hours
Rooms 107/108 (Ground Floor) New Hall Bishop Otter Campus
Monday to Thursday:
9am - 5pm Friday:
9am - 4pm or advice 24/7 via Moodle
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Email us: careers@chi.ac.uk Call us: 01243 816035 Main Car Park
Pedestrian entrance
Appointment Rooms:
Bognor Regis CES Office:
Interview Rooms 1-5 (Ground Floor) LRC Bognor Regis Campus
Room 8 - Student Services (Ground Floor) LRC Bognor Regis Campus
We also have shelves with resources in the LRC at Bishop Otter Campus and at the LRC at Bognor Regis Campus. Help yourself!!
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How can we help you...? Make a start - lots of people don’t know where to begin – we can help you.
Understand yourself – investigate your skills, your motivations and interests, to help you choose the options that would best suit you.
Explore what opportunities exist for you - internships, GraduateOn, placements, further study, jobs or just taking time out – locally, nationally or internationally.
Act and get started - to create your CV and apply for jobs, to maximise your chances at interview by taking a mock interview or to practice assessment centre tests. We can advise on personal issues that may impact upon career choice and job-hunting through consultation, disclosure of a disability, or how recruiters may view any disruption in study due to a mental health issue.
“Very easy to book appointments, clearly displayed.” Business student, Second Year 2015
“I’m glad I discovered the team at Careers Team, when I did; what a brilliant bunch of people, so helpful, enthusiastic and supporting.” Marketing graduate, 2014
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Who can use the Careers and Employability Service? Undergraduates Postgraduates All Alumni - until you retire! Staff
Ways of accessing CES:
TARGETconnect (p5-6)
Moodle (p7-8)
Twitter @chiunicareers
Facebook - University of Chichester Careers
In person - drop in or book an appointment
Phone or email
“You'd be surprised how much you don't know about being employed but the Careers team will help you with everything you need to know.” Theology and Philosophy Student, Second Year, 2015
“TARGETconnect has allowed me to consider a multitude of careers and career options, that I would not have previously envisioned. I am now looking to apply for a Sky News internship which I never would have found had it not been for TARGETconnect.” English student, Final Year 2015
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Quick guide to for current students Simply log on with your university username and password: http://bit.ly/TCstudent You can:
Search the latest part-time and graduate opportunities. Book an appointment to see one of our friendly Careers Consultants.
Browse and book your place on a workshop, careers fair or employer event.
Ask the careers team a quick question. Set up your personal alerts for the latest jobs and events.
My Profile Before you do anything else, you will need to set up your preferences in My Profile. This is quick, easy to do and will enable you to receive alerts for recently posted jobs/events tailored to your interests.
Searching for opportunities TARGETconnect holds many opportunities from local part-time roles to national graduate schemes and volunteering opportunities. Select Search & Apply from the Opportunities/Vacancies drop-down menu and narrow your search using the limiters on the left hand side. TIP: if you are looking for local opportunities only, select Opportunity Type from the bottom of the left hand limiters and select the local job tag. You may select more than one tag. To find out more about an opportunity/ vacancy click on the job title to see: the full job description, the employer profile and application instructions.
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Booking an appointment Select Appointments on the menu bar and then Search & Book. Select the appointment type (e.g. BOC or BRC) from those listed and select Show results at the bottom. TIP: if you are not able to come on to campus you can request any appointment to be conducted over the telephone when completing the booking form. You will then see a list of available appointments. Simply chose the one that best suits you and select Book now from the right hand side. Select the reason that best matches what you wish to discuss at your appointment, or give details if none of the options are applicable to you. Finally select ‘Book this appointment’ from the bottom of the screen. This booking will now appear under Appointments - My Appointments. You can cancel an appointment from here by clicking the appointment title if you can no longer attend.
Booking an event To see what events are available select Events from the menu bar. You can either Search & Book, which takes you to a searchable list, or, if you know what date the event is being held, you can go to the Events calendar. Once you have found an event that you would like to book a place on, click on the event title and select ‘Book now’. Depending on the event, there may be a short booking form to be completed. Events booked will appear in your My Events area where details of your place can be viewed or cancelled.
Queries If you have a quick careers-related query or are having problems using TARGETconnect: fill in a quick Queries form by selecting ‘Ask us a question’ from the Queries tab on the menu bar. Please give as much detail as possible so that we can help you efficiently. If you have any feedback on the experience of using TARGETconnect (good or bad), please use this function to let us know.
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Three steps to successful employment Unsure about what you want? Have an idea, but don’t know how to make it happen? Here are three steps to help you decide upon and plan your future, these steps are ordered for someone who is starting from scratch. However they are interchangeable steps and you should keep going back to each as you learn more about yourself and what is available.
Step 2 Step 1
Explore: Internships Volunteering Job options and opportunities Further Study Networking
Understand yourself: What motivates you? What are your skills and abilities? What are your interests? What is important to you?
Step 3 Act: Make decisions Test your choices Make your applications Interview and assessments Update your CV
Any questions? Book
an appointment with a Careers Consultant
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Understand yourself What motivates you? Your motivations are related to your underlying values and beliefs. They determine what you want and need from life. Not only do they give you direction but also they give you the energy to pursue your goals in life.
What are your abilities, skills and qualifications? Be aware of what you have to offer. Think of all your qualifications and also the skills you have developed through your studies, your extra-curricular activities and any work experience, however brief, part-time or basic. Remember that further study could be an option, and you can always develop new skills if needed for your chosen employment.
What are your interests? What really interests you? What makes you give ‘extra’ effort, determination or commitment? Think about which interests you wish to pursue through your career and which are interests that you would like to explore in your own time. If you wish to use your degree directly in your work, see www.prospects.ac.uk/Careers ‘advice/what can I do with my degree?’ – for information on jobs being done by other graduates with your subject. At university ask your tutors; where did the graduates from last year go? Book an appointment with a Careers Consultant.
How important are salary, status, location and working hours? Understanding your personal preferences for work/life balance will help you to know what sort of job you will enjoy, and the environment and culture where you are most likely to feel comfortable and fulfilled.
IDEAS: Take a Psychometric Test with us! See page 15. See Career Planner at www.prospects.ac.uk and also make use of the TARGETjobs Careers Planner https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-report to enable you to find out about yourself and to explore your motivations.
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Explore Options Make some time to do research Many people give more time to planning their holidays than they do to planning their careers. You are more likely to make the right choice if you do the research. Try to identify all the options open to you then explore in depth the most promising ones.
Where to start? Start from what you know (or dream) about. You probably have an idea of jobs that appeal to you and some that don’t. You may already know the work sector into which you want to go, or an organisation for which you would like to work. What jobs do they have available? You may know what job you’d like to do. Which organisation offers that job? What are the challenges to getting that job?
Try an internship In the summer of your second year or after graduation try an internship. The university has its own scheme GraduateOn, which provides local internship opportunities for second and final year students. Look on TARGETconnect – search on opportunities with an ‘internship’ filter. Check our Moodle Explore page, have a look at the TARGETjobs internship guide online or just Google any large employer and find what internships are offered.
“With the help of the Careers team I beat 100’s of competitors for this brilliant internship.” Business student, Rolls Royce 12 month Intern, 2015
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Other options to consider Your work future may well not follow the subject you study. We have plenty of evidence to show that graduates of the University of Chichester enter a wide range of jobs that are not obviously tied to their chosen subject of study. So there are hundreds of jobs from which you can choose. An estimated 40% of graduate jobs are open to graduates of any discipline* – it is how you sell yourself. See TARGETjobs and Prospects for more advice and info.
How to find out more For ideas, have a good look through the jobs shown in the Opportunities section of TARGETconnect. This is a constantly changing list of at least 600 jobs every month.
Have an appointment with a Careers Consultant to explore options. Network, network, network . . . all the time, with your tutors, with family, friends, casual contacts, alumni; ~60% of all jobs are found through networking*, they are the ‘hidden’ job market, the jobs that have not yet even been advertised.
Scan the newspapers, trade magazines and professional journals to get ideas and perhaps find an opportunity. The Guardian Top 300 employers online brochure would be a good place to start.
Use online sources such as www.lovelocaljobs.com that offers a bespoke job service not just for Sussex and the coastal area but other areas in the south east and across UK.
Go to other universities’ career fairs. If you ask beforehand via their Careers Service you are likely to be able to attend.
Try sites like http://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers where they have a search bar near the bottom where you can put your degree area in and get a list of skills and jobs which are relevant to you. www.prospects.ac.uk is another site with this information.
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*For source information contact the careers department
Act If you are unsure about your choice, or struggling to make a decision then it may help to:
Clarify your options Think about what is stopping you from making your decision Making a decision is all about problem-solving. You make a choice, you weigh up the positive and negative aspects of a potential choice. It is your personal decision, no Career Consultant or tutor nor anyone else can make this decision for you, but they will be useful to discuss and ‘reflect’ about your decision. You can ‘reflect’ with family and friends – although they may not always be objective.
Test your choices Once you have some promising options in mind, it’s sensible to test them out.
Ask yourself: What should I plan to do next? How can I assess my chances of success? What can I do to improve my chances of success? What conclusions do I make? How quickly must I act, are there timelines for applications? How do I make an effective application?
Practical steps Once you have established your final goal, then focus on achieving it. Write a detailed timetable with: application deadline, likely interview dates, relevant recruitment and careers fairs and events.
Update your CV Make sure you tailor your CV to the role, check what is in the job specification and use buzzwords. Make it look professional.
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Each Application Read the job details; identify the key skills and abilities required. Focus on selection criteria. Employers will look for evidence to illustrate those criteria at all stages of the recruitment process. Find your evidence; make up a matrix of skills required and example evidence from your career to date.
Research the employer and the sector. Talk it through with a Careers Consultant, we are here to help – book through TARGETconnect.
Prepare for interviews Preparation is the most decisive factor in interview success. Do your research on the company and the role. Think about what they are looking for and list your relevant skills. Prepare questions which are relevant to the job and the role.
For more information on CVs, Cover Letters, Interviews and Assessment Centres look at our “Act” Moodle page
Image taken from Acuity Training infographic
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What to do and when to do it... Penultimate Year – ‘Get Ahead’ 1st and 2ndYear – ‘Get Going’
Explore your options Use the Careers Service to help with ideas Use the Prospects or TARGETjobs career planner Attend the Recruitment and Careers Fair in October
Get involved
Join clubs and societies. Volunteer to be a course rep Register for your HEAR Gain experience and develop your skills
Investigate Further Study and Funding Talk to your tutors to have a reality check. Check out what grants and funding are available. Consult with the Student Money Advisers.
Apply for part-time work – TARGETconnect opportunities.
Apply for voluntary work – visit the SU database and TARGETconnect opportunities. It's a great way to gain skills, meet people, and make a difference.
Organise your summer holiday Apply for an internship or even two? Take up a part-time job. Complete a short course. Travel: show your skills of initiative, organising and planning.
Follow us on Social Media @chiunicareers University of Chichester Careers Develop your first CV
check it out with a Careers
Develop your CV Update your CV and revise using feedback from a Careers Consultant.
Consultant. Start to think ahead – postuniversity
Think Ahead Be aware of early closing dates in Final Year for: Graduate management training scheme dates - some are only open for application September - mid December of your final year.
It’s never too soon to start thinking about what happens afterwards. Have a look online to see what is out there.
Talk to a Careers Consultant if you need help to get started.
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Final Year and (one year) Masters – ‘Get Moving’ Get planning Check out employer opportunities on TARGETconnect Follow up and network contacts Follow us on twitter and sign up for event alerts on TARGETconnect. Attend the Recruitment and Careers Fair, or the Teachers Fair, in October Set up your LinkedIn profile; join discussion groups. Research Opportunities Register with job boards, watch Prospects and TARGETjobs and set up regular TARGETconnect opportunity alerts. Use your peer group/department/ course Facebook group to research for opportunities. Prepare for Applications and Interviews Read the Careers and Employability service Moodle page(s) for advice on applications, interviews and assessments Book an appointment with a Careers Consultant to check through your Application, CV or Covering Letter. Book to practise your interview skills with a Careers Consultant.
Apply for Graduate jobs, graduate training schemes or courses and apply for funding Carefully check the Applications dates. Make Speculative Applications Have a strategy – discuss with a Careers Consultant.
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Alumni—‘Get It?’ Register as a graduate on TARGETconnect to continue to access the Careers and Employability Service support
Use your network of alumni friends through social media.
When you get emailed about the DLHE survey in November after graduation, make sure you complete it. No matter what you are doing, volunteering , working studying etc. we want to hear from you. This information is used to produce statistics for the University
Step
Step
No idea what you want to do when you graduate? Quick introduction to TARGETconnect HEAR Career Planning: Self Awareness Commercial Awareness Quick guide to psychometric tests 1 Networking (general guidance) Networking: Information Interviews Step 2 Networking using social media Internships and GraduateOn Thinking of Applying for Teaching? 3 Job search using social media Careers with a Degree in Music What to do with a degree in Music: interview What to do with a degree in History: interview What to do with a degree in English and Creative Writing: interview What to do with a degree in a Sports subject Careers Talks: How to get a job in Journalism Assessment Centres Prepare a CV - a Chronology CV Prepare a Skills Based CV Develop your CV for part-time jobs Creative CVs Postgraduate CVs Prepare a Covering Letter Interview Skills and Technique Graduate Schemes and Deadlines 'Speed Dating' with Exhibitors Application Forms Personal Statements for Teacher Training How to apply for Teacher Training Advice From a recent graduate 2014 Fran Advice from a recent graduate 2015 Ross
http://bit.ly/CESPanopto 17
Careers and Employability Service Moodle pages: http://bit.ly/CESMoodle There are:
Short videos Guidance and advice Useful links Infographics Information and ideas Recommended book lists for the library Even a salary calculator All designed to help you understand yourself, explore options for employability and then act to produce what you need to secure that dream job when you leave University of Chichester.
“My experience with the Careers Service has been extraordinarily helpful! The work and advice provided has helped me connect with the University's community and has taught me a lot about employment.” History Student, First Year 2015
Follow us on twitter, where we advertise opportunities, local events and important deadlines. @chiunicareers
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Discover yourself take a Psychometric Assessment It is tough to know and understand yourself in order to start making your decisions towards a career. To help, we offer to take you through a Myers Briggs Type Indicator
(MBTI) assessment. This is well-established, yet fun, way enables you to confirm to yourself your preferences and tendencies towards work, so helping you in your decision towards what employment you really seek.
Who can take the test? You do need to be either in your second year or here as a postgraduate to be permitted to take the assessment.
How do I apply? Book an initial appointment with MBTI Qualified Practitioners, Chris Caswell or Alice Stuart, through TARGETconnect to discuss the process, complete a questionnaire and to arrange for your 90 minute personal debrief.
Link to TARGETconnect: http://bit.ly/TCstudent Before your first appointment, pay for your MBTI assessment (at the Online Store).
“Who looks outside, dreams; who
looks inside, awakes� CARL JUNG
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The Chichester Experience Whether you spend your free time on sport, volunteering, part-time work or in a society it all helps to impress an employer.
Skills
Qualification
Academic Experience
Ignition Enterprise and Self-Employment FDM207
Sports
UCSU
Every experience is valuable
Free Time
The Enterprise Module
Appointments
Careers and Employability Service Volunteering
Fairs
Societies
MBTI Psychometric Testing
Internships
GraduateOn
Placements
Don’t forget that all of what you do in your free time as a contribution towards University life could be recorded on your HEAR and could be of value to a potential employer; http://help.chi.ac.uk/students/hear
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Register for your HEAR http://help.chi.ac.uk/students/hear From the moment you arrive and register with the University, your scores and marks from every piece of credit awarding activity (from essays, placements, dissertation, examination) will be recorded on an electronic transcript called the HEAR. Not only that but also the extra contributions you make to university life can be recorded. The HEAR is not a replacement for your CV but will complement it. You can find all the background about the HEAR at http://www.hear.ac.uk/. So the HEAR will:
Accompany your award certificate Be the official record of your academic results Include detailed information about your academic programme Recognise your wider University learning and skills gained through extracurricular achievements such as taking up positions of responsibility within your course, department or with the UCSU
Showcase individual strengths and experiences to employers The HEAR will be available to your future employer so register at for your HEAR as soon as you can and start making it a record of which to be proud and could help you secure that dream job with a future employer.
“Selection for our graduate management training programme is much easier now we receive a HEAR.” Recruiter, Enterprise Rent-a-Car 2015
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Academic experience As a student you will learn new skills and develop existing skills. These are skills that employers will appreciate! They include:
Presenting Creative thinking Communication: verbally and in writing Teamwork Leadership: occasionally you will lead your team Problem-solving: within an academic context Planning: you plan how to deliver your essay and answer your next piece of written work.
Organisation and time management: working on projects, however small or large, will develop these.
Free timeThe way you spend your non-studying time will provide transferable skills for your longer-term full employment. Many employers consciously look in a CV for evidence of teamwork, leadership and taking on responsibility:
Volunteering │UCSU│SU Sports Federation Officer Volunteering is a great way to:
Enhance your CV - obtain invaluable experience Get and develop transferable skills Meet lots of new people, network and have fun Contribute to the community
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If you do not complete a placement during your course at the university then you should consider completing an internship in your 2nd or 3rd Year/Summer. If you want to take up an internship then be bold, be brave and write to the company to ask. A speculative approach can be very successful, speak with a Careers Consultant about how to go about this approach.
Benefits
Discover and explore a work sector to see if it is for you Provides an opportunity to explore many roles within a job market Develop personal transferable skills Make contacts in the employment sector. This enables you to start to network … network ... network... for contacts and advice about the sector in which you may be interested.
Publicise and market yourself – most job sectors are like ‘families’ where everyone knows everyone else, break-in and join this ‘family’ as employers get to know your name.
Types National companies – John Lewis, Santander, Stagecoach, Price Waterhouse and Cooper: all have internship programmes for which have competition.
Local companies – GraduateOn is our bespoke University scheme (see right), otherwise try your own approaches. Come and talk with a Careers Consultant first as we can advise you on your approach. On some courses at the Business School you have the chance of a full 12-month internship as part of your course.
International – If you want to work abroad we recommend you research it thoroughly and speak to a Careers Consultant before applying as overseas internships can have complex remuneration.
Never take an unpaid internship. Most employers will/should offer the minimum wage. 23
GraduateOn - Paid Internships GraduateOn is the internship scheme for University of Chichester graduates and students. If you are a second or final year student and successfully register with GraduateOn, you will be eligible to apply for paid internship opportunities with local employers advertised direct to you through the scheme. Internship roles should:
Start from June 2017 Be between 4 weeks and 12 months duration Full or part-time Include tasks and responsibilities normally associated with a graduate level role
More information: http://bit.ly/GradOnMoodle www.chi.ac.uk/graduateon Email: graduateon@chi.ac.uk Telephone: 01243 812075
Pay minimum wage or above. When setting salary the employers consider pay expectations in that sector, for that role, and the location.
Placements Students studying at the Business School are able to undertake placements and internships as part of their degree course, gaining both academic credit and recognition whilst gaining valuable work experience. In addition to the help you receive from the University’s Careers Service the Business School has a dedicated Work Placement Coordinator who can support you in your search for a course-related placement. Many of these placements and internships lead to full-time graduate employment, from graduate schemes to experienced hire appointments.
“GraduateOn is an excellent opportunity to grasp experience in a hands on environment, making you more attractive to future employers and giving a great deal to talk about in your interview!” 2nd Year History student
“If I hadn't done the work placement I wouldn't have had the confidence that I now have “ Business & Management student
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Your Business. Start. Develop. Grow. Fire up your imagination, fire up your business - join the Ignition 2016 Programme. An exclusive business programme for all University of Chichester students and graduates. Students start and run their own business for many reasons:
To earn some extra cash To gain valuable work experience and show case their skill, knowledge and talent
To develop a business for when they graduate PS. There will be doughnuts. Lots of doughnuts. And tea. And coffee. PPS. If you just want to chat through your business or business idea in confidence with a business mentor, give Fran a call.
Email: TheDec@chi.ac.uk Call Fran on: 01243 793459 Visit: www.chi.ac.uk/ignition
“Winning Ignition has been a great help in the setting up and maintaining of Worthing Art Studios. The 12-month business support has played a key part in the ongoing success of our project. We are very grateful for all the support over the past year.” Linda Bernhard – MA Fine Art
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Enterprise, set up your own business, be self-employed Here at this University, should you decide to set up your own business or become self-employed, you have a wealth of support. Gareth Sear (g.sear@chi.ac.uk) of the Incubation Unit, based on the Bognor Regis Campus, is available for advice Go to http://www.chi.ac.uk/businessschool/student-enterprise to find out more details.
OR…… Consider taking module FDM207 The Enterprise Module You might want to set up a business, or capitalise on IP developed during your degree studies, or you may want to work through a oneoff project or event. This option module provides an opportunity for you to pursue an enterprise aspect of your programme that you identified through discussions with your department and the module co-ordinator Dr Lyn Batchelor. This learning opportunity will support an aspect of your continuous professional development process (CPD). According to your reasons for taking the module, you agree your manner of assessment with the co-ordinator, most likely you will deliver a presentation with a portfolio of evidence. Interested….? Then make contact with Dr Lyn Batchelor (L.Batchelor@chi.ac.uk) of the Business School. Lyn works within several of the University’s departments where opportunities for graduates either to start up businesses or go into self-employment are most likely.
"As a new user of the Business Incubation Centre I would like to say how impressed I have been so far. Firstly, the centre has first class working and meeting facilities that would not be out of place in a large company. Secondly, the business coaching offers a useful way of gaining perspective for my start up and to have that service included in the costs is exceptional. Lastly, both Gareth and Fran have been helpful and friendly from day one. I could not have asked for more." Paul Davis www.lewisdavis.co.uk
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What do employers want? What are the skills and qualities that employers seek from all graduates including those of the University of Chichester?*
Written Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Essays, dissertations, project reports
Work experience; bar work, tele-
Being secretary of a society
Publicity material for a voluntary organisation
Fundraising letters for sponsorship
sales, care work
Articles for university publication(s) or student blog(s)
Having a student rep role Student Union work Volunteering to deliver presentations Being a Student Ambassador or a Careers DLHE Survey Assistant
Problem-solving
Teamwork Duke of Edinburgh award scheme
Creative solutions to coursework Leisure activities such as chess, logic
Dance troupe/performing quartet/ band
Overcoming obstacles to achieve
Team sports/outdoor pursuits
Creating a fundraising scheme for a
Opting for group project work
games, computing, role playing
ambition
project Initiative
Leadership
Suggest changes to course as student
Being in charge of your project group
Responsibility for other staff in a parttime job – training them
Demonstrating assertiveness but also negotiation skills
rep
Finding relevant work/internship/
A Student Voice representative
placement in sector of interest
A year group representative
Starting own business Starting a new group/sport or
A Student Union officer University Officer Training Corps/ University Royal Naval Unit
resurrecting an old one
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Creating your own website Coping well with a sudden crisis Volunteering within the UCSU scheme
Numeracy
Networking
Be Treasurer of a society Work experience involving
Attend employer events/fairs ask questions
significant use of numbers
Make speculative approaches for
Read the financial press
work experience and advice
(tip: follow a particular company)
Adaptability and Flexibility
Independent travel
Working at short notice
Planning and Organisation
Combining study with family/carer commitments
Time Management Manage and prioritize your personal
workload of balancing study with parttime work and engagement with student activity
Project work
Organising social/sport/charity event
Planning and following a revision timetable Arrange a travel itinerary – holiday trip
Computer Literacy Fully competent with MSOffice (PowerPoint, EXCEL, Word)
Working in a pressurised
EXCEL excellence, to produce
environment
spreadsheets, dashboards, graphs for analysis
Commercial Awareness
SSQL competent Take a part-time European Computer
Keeping up-to-date with business news (the Economist, Financial Times, professional and trade journals)
Driving Licence (ECDL) course or qualify for a ECDL
Teach yourself to build a webpage
Finding ways to improve own work environment, savings, improved efficiencies
Work with the University’s Business Incubation Unit
*For source information contact the Careers Service
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CAREERS 11th October 2016 University of Chichester
Recruitment and Careers Fair This annual event is not to be missed!! Over 700 students attend. Up to 110 exhibitors attend that include: local or national employers actively recruiting charities looking for volunteers health care recruiters internship agencies public sector recruiters e.g.: RN, Army, RAF 3 University stands
Student response from previous fairs “Dear careers people! I just thought that I would let you know that I have a job as a direct result of the Careers Fair.” English student, Second Year 2015 “There are many opportunities in many areas, sometimes it is not obvious”. Event Management student, Third Year 2015 “So many employers available to talk to and get advice about how to increase your chances of becoming a teacher”.
Psychology student, Third Year 2015
Teaching Fair Friday 28th October 2016 BRC John Parry Centre Each year we organise a fair for students training for an NQT status.
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EVENTS National Careers Fairs Held at Olympia, London, NEC Birmingham and other cities during the year but especially in the autumn and in June. Prospects and other organisations sponsor fairs in other parts of the country. Go online and search sites such as:
www.thejobfairs.co.uk and
www.prospects.ac.uk
Fairs at other universities You are welcome at fairs of other universities, but out of courtesy do contact the careers department of the university to book beforehand. Other local fairs in 2016: University of Portsmouth, 14th October, 11am-3pm, Portsmouth Guildhall University of Sussex and Brighton, 2nd November 11am-3pm, Annex Stadium, Falmer, Brighton.
Employer and Alumni Visits. The Careers and Employability Service arranges for employers to visit, often during lunch period between your lectures, when you can find out about local recruitment opportunities.
@chiunicareers University of Chichester Careers stay informed about what is happening and where.
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to ‘speed-date’ with the exhibitors at a Careers Fair Any fair whether it is at Chichester, any other university or at a national location gives you the opportunity in a short period of time to meet many different organisations and NETWORK. You are likely to have a conversation for 3-10 minutes so make that short period of time count! You may wish to discuss with an exhibitor what their organisation does, what sort of candidates are they seeking and how/ when to apply by. You have nothing to lose but a lot to gain!
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1. Approach the fair with the appropriate attitude Look at is as fun, no pressure event. You need to accept that you may not find the very opportunity that suits you but you are going to learn a huge amount about the graduate job market to help your next steps.
2. Prepare for your speed-dating
Think about how you wish to present yourself to exhibitors/recruiters.
Work out your Unique Selling Point (USP) – 3 unique things that an exhibitor will recall about you after meeting hundreds of students
Have a list of questions in your mind that you want to ask every exhibitor.
3. Make a list
List things you find desirable in a work opportunity, as well as those that are ‘deal-breakers’.
4. Be yourself The purpose of the fair is to let you to form an opinion of an area of work opportunity and determine if that is attractive to you.
5. Show confidence
Even if you don't feel confident, make an effort to appear confident to give a good impression. Smile.
6. Introduce yourself
...to as many exhibitors at a fair as possible.
7. Respect the time available don’t overstay your welcome when you have discovered the perfect contact, continue to discuss with other exhibitors and to allow for other students and the exhibitor to have a conversation.
8. Close your discussion appropriately if you have a CV to hand over or even a business card that is a small reminder to the exhibitor after the event.
9. Collect a business card 10. Follow-up
from every conversation... ’Have you a card…?.’
don’t let this ‘date’ go cold... check your notes and follow up all connections afterwards.
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Network...
Network...
Network...
Networking is about making and maintaining contact with people. It is a science not an art – just like any good experiment it needs careful planning, logic and preparation. In an ever competitive job market being ‘ahead of the game’, knowing about that job that is yet to be advertised, or just finding the leads to set up your own business, is all reliant upon you developing the skill to network. Just as your networks of friends can lead to all kinds of social activities, so your network of business contacts can lead to employment opportunities. Networking is a critical skill to master. It does not come easily to everyone, all of us would claim a degree of shyness, and so networking can be ‘hard’ to do. Once you get over your reservations, however, it will become second nature but, like any skill, ‘use it or lose it’.
With technology opening up so many more ways to communicate 24/7 you cannot afford to sit back and expect your network to look after itself.
Remember to LINK: Learn – your personal goals and your style of networking. Make a strategic plan, identify what and with whom you should network.
Invest – time and energy to build networks, across the spectrum of technology and physical methods (coffee meetings, conferences, visits etc.)
Nurture – your networks by constant offers of support and interest shown to your contacts on a systematic and regular basis
Keep – your presence either online, by telephone or face-to-face with your contacts to maintain continuous contact.
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You have been networking all of your life, to a greater or lesser degree, it just may not seem so. The question is how to turn this innate skill you have to best advantage in the search for employment opportunities? Where do you start? Begin with the people you do know
Friends and family Teachers Members of any groups to which you have belonged Colleagues in any jobs you have worked alongside. People you don’t know personally
Friends of friends Tutors – and any ex-students they recommend to you Other members of your clubs and societies Alumni of the University of Chichester
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Online - social media LinkedIn is the now ‘must use’ piece of social media for any aspiring graduate professional. Through LinkedIn you can make contacts, join discussion groups, and find out about specific organisations and areas of employment. Facebook has its place for initial contact of people, but LinkedIn brings the gravitas of the professional world as well as a degree of trust and credibility of contacts.
twitter offers a variety of groups and exposure for you to express a view, to ‘follow’ or to be ‘followed’. If you blog then a following of your blog is another form of networking. Through your alumni connection with the University you have an instant connection with several thousand of other alumni of the University of Chichester. Use it.
For every person you meet, you should try and get two more contacts.
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Get a foot in the door As you search for a permanent role, a temporary job, or perhaps some volunteering work, will give you a foot into the ‘sector’ so that you begin to appreciate and get to know the contacts within that sector. You will gain valuable information, knowledge and intelligence on how the sector works and the levers to that job or those contracts you may seek (if you are to be self-employed). This approach is particularly successful to begin a career in the arts, in dance, performing arts, music, media or advertising, marketing or some of the paid roles in charities and events management.
Manage your network By taking a scientific approach to networking you will remain focused and able to value the connections you make. Keep a record of your contacts. Follow them up from time to time to let them know you are actively in the market place seeking work. Always ensure you thank your contacts for any help they have given, it costs little but pays huge dividends to be courteous and grateful.
Unadvertised Jobs It is assessed that 70-80% of jobs are not on the visible job market*. Often they are offered to people already in touch with the organisation. For the small employer (the SME), it is cost effective to recruit from wellqualified and motivated people who have targeted their company. For those going into the music, media and performing industry sectors this is particularly relevant.
*For source information contact the careers department
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Quick Tips on CVs and Cover Letters “Always send one!” “Research the company/organisation”
Why the organisation?
15%
Why the opportunity?
15%
Why me? 70%
1 page 3 paragraphs
“Relevant and brief” “Don't rewrite your CV” “Provide quality evidence of your qualities” Go to our Moodle pages and watch our videos on Chronology CV’s and Preparing Covering Letters
http://bit.ly/CareersMoodle http://bit.ly/CESPanopto 37
Example CV Pick up a hard copy in the Careers Centre.
2 PAGES MAX
“Concise”
“Bespoke”
“Bullets of achievement”
“Good use of white space”
“Punchy” Want feedback on a current CV or Covering Letter? Book an appointment with a Careers Consultant!
http://bit.ly/TARGETstudent
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Speculative Applications Even if you have no contact within a particular organisation you can still develop leads; find people through LinkedIn or professional associations linked to your area of interest.
Use the press for information – where was the latest review of a performance? Who was awarded the latest contract? What was the latest senior appointment?
Talk to either a department tutor or a Careers Consultant for other suggestions in your chosen area of interest.
Always phone the organisation before you write. It’s tough; many companies now do not put telephone numbers on their websites. You have to be persistent and find someone to talk with, so that you can then find a name to write to with your speculative letter
As with a Covering Letter use the 3 x WHYs. In Paragraph 1 state clearly ‘why’ that company what is the job that interests you. Follow up in Paragraph 2 with ‘why’ that job is so attractive and your reason for applying for the post, before you put the bulk of your effort (i.e. about 75%) into ‘why’ you are suitable. For more help watch the networking presentations from our video list:
http://bit.ly/CESPanopto
“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?” VINCENT VAN GOGH
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There is a huge wealth of free resources available on sites such as Prospects and TARGETjobs. These sites are designed to help you find jobs, get the jobs and even help with deciding on a career path. Some examples of what these sites can provide: Work experience/volunteering suggestions Tailored job suggestions Job sector information Careers Planners What can you do with your degree? Careers events Careers advice Interview help Optional email alerts Tailored course suggestions Related articles Assessment Centre help
Disclaimer: We have not checked all resources on these sites and can not vouch for the quality or helpfulness of tools and articles, other than those mentioned in this brochure. Use these as a quick resource alongside Career Consultant Appointments.
Link: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/ Link: http://targetjobs.co.uk
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Find out more Contact: 01243 816035 Email: careers@chi.ac.uk TARGETconnect: http://bit.ly/TCstudent Moodle: http://bit.ly/CESMoodle Twitter: @chiunicareers https://twitter.com/ChiUniCareers
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