GEOGRAPHY AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

career planning guide

GEOGRAPHY AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

PRODUCED BY THE LJMU CAREERS TEAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LJMU SCHOOL/FACULTY STAFF

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CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH POSTGRADUATE STUDY The practical experience and knowledge I am gaining here should give me exactly what I need to get the job I want.

Mario Artukovic, Strength and Conditioning MSc

For more information, go to: ljmu.ac.uk/postgraduate CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

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WHAT’S IN THIS GUIDE

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What’s in this guide ...

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE Geography

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Employer conversations

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Wildlife Conservation

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Employer conversations

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SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT LJMU Get support on your doorstep in our campus Careers Zones

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Connect with employers

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Careers Website

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Careers Zone 24/7: Online careers tools

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CareerSmart: Explore, Experience and Engage

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How to make the most of your university time

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Move up to Masters: The benefits of postgraduate study

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Professional and personal development opportunities abroad

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Get great work experience with your Students’ Union

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Placement Learning Support Unit

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TACTICS AND CHOICES Planning your career

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Thinking about postgraduate study

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Finding graduate level jobs

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Thinking of starting your own business?

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The importance of relevant work experience

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GETTING THE JOB How to write a winning CV and covering letter

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How to write effective application forms

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How to succeed at interviews

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Psychometric tests and assessment centres

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Introduction Programmes in the School of Natural Sciences and Psychology provide a wide range of diverse career opportunities, all of which are challenging, personally rewarding and socially beneficial. Career opportunities for graduates of the psychology programmes exist in a range of psychology professions, for Geography and Wildlife Conservation graduates in a wide range of geography, conservation and environmental agencies, and for graduates from the bioscience programmes (Animal Behaviour, Biology and Zoology) in a wide range of biology, zoology and conservation related professions. All programmes equip graduates with a range of skills that enable them to develop careers in other professional areas in addition to the subject-specific professional areas. The School’s programmes, in conjunction with the Careers Team, will assist you in fulfilling your potential to develop your career planning and prepare yourself for work. This guide, in conjunction with School and the Careers Team, will support you in pursuing work placements, study visits and other practice-based experience, all designed to assist you in gaining the best opportunities to succeed in your chosen career path.

PROFESSOR ANDY TATTERSALL DIRECTOR, SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES & PSYCHOLOGY

PRODUCED BY: LJMU Careers Team || Tel: 0151 231 2048/3719 || Email: careers@ljmu.ac.uk || Website: www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

Please contact us if you would like this document in an alternate format, e.g. large print.

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CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

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CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Geography

GEOGRAPHY AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION STUDENTS HAVE A RANGE OF

CAREER OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THEM. CAREERS ADVISER HAYLEY FALLON LOOKS AT SOME OPTIONS TO GET YOU STARTED A degree in Geography from LJMU will open many doors in terms of career choices. Your degree will equip you with a range of skills that are in demand in industry, local and national government, environmental consultancy, utilities, planning and regeneration. Geography students can use their skills to work within a range of organisations in the public, private, and voluntary sectors and with any employer that utilises GIS. Core skills developed as a geography graduate and jobs utilising GIS skills spread beyond geography specific careers into a number of other areas including retail organisations, financial organisations, leisure services, insurance companies, police authorities and emergency services, market research groups and advertising agencies.

Some geography graduates go on to further study. For example, there are masters courses in GIS, environmental change, catchment management/science, environmental engineering, sustainability, town planning and landscape architecture.

Other geography graduates may consider masters courses in environmental engineering, oceanography or meteorology.

If you wish to go into teaching then it would be necessary to take a PGCE/PGDE (postgraduate certificate/diploma in education) course and this is available at LJMU as well as at other universities. There are also other routes into teaching such as Schools Direct or Teach First. Have a look at our ‘Routes into Teaching’ fact sheet, for more information, on the Careers website.

Recent geography graduates have found employment with the Environment Agency, environmental consultants such as APEM, local authorities, and in the water industry as flood risk consultants at companies such as JBA. Others have entered the geoscience industry working overseas in oil, gas and mining. As a geography graduate with a broad skill base you are well suited to pursue careers in other fields such as financial consultancy, marketing and sales, insurance risk and loss assessment, disaster and risk management, further education, research, and teaching.

Whilst many students will look for a career directly related to their degree (and many geography students do) it is also important to remember that this is by no means the only career route to consider. There are opportunities to enter a wide range of careers that are not directly related to your degree subject. For example, there are many graduate training schemes (within both the public and private sector) and many of these employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject (see your ‘Geography Career Insight’ for more information).

Useful Websites ❙❙ ❙❙ ❙❙ ❙❙

www.environmentjob.co.uk/jobs www.gov.uk/jobsearch www.findaphd.com www.jobs.ac.uk

Your Careers Adviser: Hayley Fallon

I have been working in Higher Education (HE) since 2005 with experience in both Human Resources and the graduate employability field. Prior to working in HE I worked in the private sector supporting staff training initiatives alongside spending a year working in Australia before undertaking my postgraduate qualifications.

In addition to providing one-to-one careers guidance to students, I assist with the delivery of a range of careers modules, deliver career talks and sessions on a range of employabilityrelated topics, produce bespoke careers information to help you with your career planning and work closely with staff and employers to organise career and alumni events. The information over the following pages will provide an introduction to the wide variety of career opportunities available to you.

To book an appointment, call into the Careers Zone in Byrom Street or call 0151 231 2048. You can also follow me on Twitter where I post relevant job opportunities and sector news @Hayley_Fallon

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CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

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Potential areas of employment for geography graduates 1.

Environment sector ❙❙ ❙❙ ❙❙ ❙❙

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GIS specific ❙❙ ❙❙

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Job roles: Most public and private companies have endorsed the concept of sustainable development and need the skills necessary to apply sustainability principles in their daily activities. Jobs may include: sustainability officer/manager, corporatesocial-responsibility manager, research associate, environmental-sustainability adviser/manager, sustainability consultant, energy policy and strategy officer/consultant, community engagement officer, climate change officer, climate adaptation officer, etc.

Employers include: all major companies with an environmental impact, for example: Deloitte, GSK, Astra Zeneca, McDonalds INC, as well as local authorities (city and county councils), NHS, universities, DEFRA, Environment Agency, the Forestry Commission, environmental consultancies, business performance consultancies Charities: The National Trust, Carbon Trust, Historic England, WWF

Non environment / business ❙❙ ❙❙

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Job roles: GIS officer/analyst/manager. GIS specific jobs are available within subject specific and non-subject specific environments.

Employers include: Most major companies that manage client databases (e.g. commercial monitoring of sales). United Utilities and Scottish Power for example use GIS to map utility location. Civil engineers/geotechnical/land surveying, NHS - public health analysis, police - crime data, fire service - location of fires and incidents - pattern analysis, armed forces remote sensing operations, etc.

Sustainability ❙❙

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Job roles: environmental consultant, environmental education, soil scientist, geoscientist, hydrologist, meteorologist, GIS analyst, town planner, surveyor, waste management officer, sustainability officer, recycling officer, water quality scientist, environmental impact officer, environmental campaign organiser Public sector employers: public sector - local authorities, Environment Agency, DEFRA, Natural England, Rivers Trusts, Forestry Commission.

Private sector employers: Arup, JBA, Atkins, Amec Foster Wheeler, AECOM, Black and Veatch, Jacobs, Mott McDonald, JRS, CH2M Hill (Halcrow), Royal HaskoningDHV, Penny Anderson Associates, RSK, NGO’s, Charities: RSPB, Wildlife Trusts

Job type: accountant, sales and marketing, insurance related, retail management, marketing, NHS, buyer, location analyst, management consultant.

Employers include: all major companies including multinationals such as Arcadia Group, Nissan, Pepsi, etc.

Conservation ❙❙ ❙❙

Job type: environmental education, research assistant, scientific officer Employers include: Conservation International (CI), Wildlife Trusts e.g. WWF.

Looking for work experience If you wish to work within some of the above fields, then it is a very good idea to gain relevant work experience during your degree course. If you wish to work within the environment sector, the Environment Agency, for example, runs a process for student placements each year. Many undergraduate students also secure work experience through a more ‘speculative’ approach, i.e. contacting organisations directly through networking events, via email or through LinkedIn. The geography team at LJMU organise networking events with local and national employers to foster the development of links and develop potential work experience opportunities for our current undergraduates.

Most recently these have included representatives from environmental consultancy firms such as APEM, JBA, Atkins and governing agencies such as the Environment Agency. If

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you are interested in work experience with an environmental consultancy, you may also wish to consult the ENDS directory (www.endsdirectory.com) which provides a list of consultancies across the UK. Recently, students have carried out work experience in more exotic locations such as the National Centre for Prevention of Disasters (CENAPRED) in Mexico City. This involved monitoring two active volcanoes; Popocatepetl and El Chichon. As part of their work experience, the students carried out geochemical analyses and monitored seismological data amongst other tasks.

If you are looking for paid placements within conservation or countryside management, then make sure that you check council

websites. Some research organisations and pharmaceutical or consumer goods companies also offer summer or year-long placements in both scientific and non-scientific roles. Examples of such companies include AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, P&G, the Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK. Check their websites for details and closing dates. Research placements such as through the Nuffield Foundation (www. nuffieldfoundation.org/nuffield-researchplacements) can also be a useful way to test your skills in a work-based environment and to find out whether a career in research is for you. Some National Trust organisations may also offer voluntary work opportunities within conservation.

For more detailed advice about possible career routes following your Geography degree check out our ‘Geography Career Insight’ available on the Careers website www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers.

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CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Graduate Case Study EMILY WOODS IS A GEOGRAPHY GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AS AN ANALYST CONSULTANT (HYDROLOGY) FOR RICARDO ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT What does your job involve?

As an analyst consultant, I support the delivery of projects by assisting the project managers and senior consultants. My main responsibilities include, managing data, mapping using GIS, conducting statistical analysis of hydrological data, writing reports and environmental statements, and conducting field work on rivers and reservoirs.

Three things that you like about your job: ❙❙ Field work – I really enjoy getting out of the office and going into the field to collect data. ❙❙ Teamwork – as most of our projects need input from various technical specialists, I regularly get to work with different colleagues and learn about their areas of work and how they relate to my area (hydrology). ❙❙ Variety – no two days are the same as I work on a variety of different projects and proposals. It makes work interesting as I am constantly learning new hydrological methods, concepts and wider water environment knowledge. I enjoy facing new challenges and working with different clients, which I regularly get the opportunity to do in my role.

What are the key points in your career development to date?

Completing a hydrology internship at the Environment Agency.

This equipped me with the technical knowledge and professional capabilities to continue a career in hydrology and get the job I do now.

For your first job, what did the application process involve and how did you prepare?

My first job was a Hydrology Internship at the Environment Agency.

The application involved a number of stages: ❙❙ I submitted an application which included writing a 400 word personal statement about my capabilities. The job advert listed 3 or 4 key competencies needed to fulfil the requirements of the role, therefore in just 400 words I had to provide examples of how I met these. ❙❙ The next stage was a competency based interview and short test. I revised for the test using my university notes and assignments. I practised interview questions with my Aunt who worked in recruitment. She helped me understand how to answer competency based interview questions, which I had not done before. A great tip was to set out my examples using the STAR technique, which is well known in interview preparation and helps you to structure your answers. So you ‘set the scene’ (S), then you ‘describe the task’ (T), then list the ‘actions your took’ (A) and finish with the ‘result’ (R). This really helped me to focus my answers and not talk too much in the interview!

What relevant work experience/volunteering did you refer to during the selection process?

I mostly used the field work experiences and techniques I had learned at university. I also used my third year research project as this included data management, report writing and organisational skills. I also used examples from my job at the time. I was working as a swimming teacher and although it was not directly related to the hydrology role, the skills I had were transferable and did have relevance to the professional aspects of the role not just the technical needs!

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

What advice would you give to other students studying Geography at LJMU to improve their employability?

Take any opportunity to do voluntary work or summer placements in a consultancy. Showing that you can apply the skills you are learning at university is really appealing to employers. Join the CIWEM institution; a lot of employers ask that you have membership in their job specifications. Sign up to job alerts from the companies that you would like to work for and keep looking for opportunities to gain more experience to develop your technical capabilities or professional capabilities.

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Graduate Case Study ALEX CAMERON IS A GEOGRAPHY GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AS A GRADUATE PROJECT OFFICER IN FLOOD RISK AND DRAINAGE FOR LEICESTER CITY COUNCIL Tell us about how you got to where you are today?

I saw the job advert, knew that I had developed the skills required during my time at university and applied for it. I got the Careers Team at LJMU to review and fine tune my application. I was then accepted for an interview and got offered the job! Bear in mind however, I had made multiple job applications beforehand that were not so successful.

The important thing is to stay motivated, don’t give and keep applying. What did help my application was the fact I achieved a 1st class degree, had worked for the university as an ambassador and an advocate as well as working with PhD students, giving me great experiences to talk about during the recruitment process.

What does your current job involve?

I’m responsible for interacting with, addressing issues raised by and managing the expectations of all residents of Leicester who get in touch with our department. It is my responsibility to review, evaluate, and suggest improvement of drainage strategies presented to the council during the planning application process.

Leicester is known as the ‘green city’ and subsequently we encourage the use of sustainable drainage systems as mechanisms to manage surface water flooding, increase biodiversity and help address the city’s carbon footprint.

Working in partnership with local and national organisations, I am involved in major council projects such as the latest phase of the surface water management plan, implementing the local flood risk management strategy and helping drive integration of sustainable drainage systems into development. I am involved in investigating flood incidents and working with affected businesses and residents to aid in the recovery process.

I also work to increase awareness of and improve preparedness from flooding in all of its forms across the city.

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Three things that you like about your job: ❙❙ Having the privilege to work on international collaborative projects such as the EU Horizon 2020 funded POWER Project where I have attended consortium reviews with members of the European Commission in Brussels. ❙❙ Interacting and developing relations with residents of Leicester to help address and correct issues raised. ❙❙ Being responsible for managing my own workload and time.

What was the application process like and how did you prepare?

Firstly, I had to construct an online profile within the Leicester City Council recruitment portal which included uploading my CV. I then completed an online application form for the job in question and worked through the person specification outlining examples of where I had demonstrated the skills required with concrete examples. I then had to complete a timed pre-interview test in which I was presented with theoretical scenarios which I had to prioritise and give a justification. Finally, I had to complete a 30 minute interview with Leicester City Council’s flood risk manager and lead conservation officer. The majority of interview questions were based on the person specification, so I had a couple of specific examples of where I had demonstrated each skill and why that was important to the role I was applying for.

What relevant work experience and volunteering did you refer to during the selection process?

I had plenty of experiences and volunteering examples that I could refer to. For example, my volunteering experiences with the National Trust, my role as a student advocate and ambassador and my work with various PhD students assisting with their research.

All of this demonstrated my proactivity, enthusiasm and willingness to represent my academic institution. I also mentioned all the skills gained from studying geography with particular reference to GIS as that is one of the most valuable skills I developed!

Did the Careers Team help you at LJMU? Unbelievably, yes! I completed a few stages of the World of Work Skills Certificate and it opened the gateway to the Careers Team, which is probably the most valuable resource the university offers. There are staff who can help you build your CV, practise interviews and review your applications making the job application process an easier experience.

It’s at your fingertips. Why wouldn’t you use it! I wouldn’t have this job, without the skills and feedback I received from the Careers Team.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

It’s not just your degree that gets you into a graduate position, I feel it equates to about 30% of what gets you there.

An additional 20%, is down to your personality and how you reflect that with the interview panel. The remaining 50% is down to your previous employment and the opportunities (employed or volunteer) you got involved with whilst doing your degree. These demonstrate your ability to manage time effectively, your productivity, they highlight your interpersonal, communication and academic skills. All of which are fundamental factors that will help you secure that job.

Also if you don’t have a skill that’s specified in a person specification.

Rather that say you don’t have that skill, demonstrate to the employer or interview panel what steps you’re putting in place to address it. Finally, speak to the employer about the position before you apply for it, this means if you’re offered an interview you’re already acquainted with at least one member of the interview panel. This reduces the pressure and might help you obtain some nuggets of information beforehand to help you prepare for the interview.

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CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Graduate Case Study JEN SUTTON IS A GEOGRAPHY GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS FOR MOUCHEL CONSULTING (KIER GROUP) AS A GRADUATE ENGINEER What does your job involve?

I work in the flooding and drainage team. Our day to day activities involve working on flood alleviation schemes and drainage strategies. We often carry out flood risk assessments in order to identify the causes of the flooding we have been commissioned to investigate. We develop hydraulic models in order to replicate this flooding, which provide an important platform to test different mitigation options. The mitigation options can range from Property Level Protection to £1m+ schemes. Surface water flood risks are managed through drainage strategies. We produce these for new developments to ensure that effective and robust drainage systems are installed that will not increase the risk of flooding on-site or elsewhere.

I attended one of the first geography alumni careers events after my graduation. I was struggling up to this point to get anywhere with applications for graduate positions. After a presentation by a number of alumni about the organisations they worked for, I sent out speculative applications referencing the event and how I had heard their employees speak so positively about their jobs. From one of these applications, I got invited for an interview at JBA Consulting and was offered a job as a technical assistant. I prepared for the interview by researching the company and making some notes on key points that I could discuss with the interviewers as well as thinking of good examples of my experiences that I could recount if asked.

have flourished.

After my promotion review meeting this year, I am hoping to be promoted to Assistant Engineer.

Three things that you like about your job: ❙❙ I get to use and develop my GIS skills almost every day to create detailed maps for our clients. ❙❙ I have developed valuable hydraulic modelling skills, which allow me to model complex river systems and predict areas of flood risk. ❙❙ I enjoy the optioneering element of flood alleviation, which means that on-theground the solutions I devise are actually making a difference to the level of flood risk facing some of the hardest-hit communities in the UK.

Key points in your career development to date: I was promoted from a temporary technical assistant to a permanent assistant analyst after eight months at JBA Consulting. This promotion felt like my hard efforts had been recognised and rewarded, which gave me a much greater level of job security. After my promotion I was asked to change teams and began training to become a hydraulic modeller.

What advice would you give to other students studying Geography at LJMU to improve their employability?

Make good use of all the resources available to you, including lecturers, the Careers Team and alumni. Be brave and get yourself stuck into networking at events, it’s a really vital skill that will get you talking to people in the industry and could potentially present you with an opportunity for employment.

For your first job, can you briefly outline what the application process involved and how you prepared for each stage?

Masters

After 18 months at JBA Consulting an ex-colleague of mine told me about the opportunities in the flooding and drainage team at Mouchel Consulting, where I would have the opportunity to further develop the basic hydraulic modelling skills I had acquired at JBA Consulting. I moved to Mouchel Consulting in January 2015 and feel that my hydraulic skills

What relevant work experience/volunteering did you refer to during the selection process?

I had been a geography ambassador for LJMU and an associate mentor for Aimhigher Greater Merseyside during my time as a student. These provided me with examples of both working in teams and individually to lead and inform others. I also volunteered for Groundwork before commencing my employment with JBA Consulting, which gave me some relevant examples of working with the environment.

Find out where you think you would like to work and send speculative applications to them. It might seem like the ‘long game’ whereby a job might not be available immediately but you will come across as a proactive, motivated individual who might just stick in their mind when the time comes for them to think about recruitment.

Further study

Many students now to choose to supplement their undergraduate degree with a masters level qualification. There are many different masters level opportunities for geography graduates. Below are some specific examples relevant to the course:

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MSc Geographical Information Studies, MSc River Basin Dynamics and Management, MSc Sustainability and Consultancy, MSc Climate Change and Environmental Policy at the University of Leeds MA Practising Geography, MSc GIS and Remote Sensing, Environmental Change, Impact and Adaption at Aberystwyth University MSc Environment and Climate Change, MSc Environmental Science, MSc Civil and Environmental Engineering (Eng) at the University of Liverpool MSc Environmental Engineering, MSc Environmental Consultancy at the University of Newcastle MSc Sustainability, Planning and Environmental Policy, MSc EcoCities, MSc Spatial Planning and Development, MSc Food Politics and Sustainability at the Cardiff University

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MSc Sustainability and Management at the University of Bath MSc Environmental Sustainability, MSc Carbon Management, MSc Environment, Culture and Society, MSc Environment and Development, MSc Applied Geoscience (Geoenergy) at the University of Edinburgh MSc Environmental Management, MSc Environment and Development, MSc Volcanology and Geological Hazards at Lancaster University MSc Environmental Impact Assessment & Management, MSc Geographical Information Science, MSc International Development: Environment, Climate Change and Development, at the University of Manchester MSc Sustainable Development, MSc Sustainable Development and Energy at the University of St Andrews

PhD study Some students go on to study for an MPhil or PhD after graduating from geography. Websites such as www.findaphd.com can help with the search for available PhD projects. If this is something you are interested in please speak to the geography team and we can develop project ideas with you where possible.

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Graduate Case Study TOM VINCENT IS A GEOGRAPHY GRADUATE WHO IS NOW STUDYING FOR A GEOGRAPHY PHD AT LJMU Since graduating from LJMU, tell us about your postgraduate career: After finishing my undergraduate degree, I applied for an MPhil to PhD position in studying the palaeoenvironment of the Homa Peninsula in Kenya. I successfully received funding for this and have been researching this topic since October 2015.

Why did you decide to pursue postgrad study?

I decided to pursue postgrad study as I think it is now necessary to have more to separate yourself from other graduates. I also genuinely enjoy my research topic and jumped at the chance to pursue it further.

What do you enjoy about doing research? ❙❙ I can pursue what interests me and what I believe is necessary. ❙❙ I enjoy engaging with peers that take an interest in my research.

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Solving problems in innovative ways.

What did the application process involve and how did you prepare?

The PhD was advertised by the geography staff.

I had previously studied something similar as an undergrad, and so decided to apply and was successful in obtaining an interview. Before attending the interview, I researched the topic and listed why I might be a suitable candidate.

What relevant work experience/skills did you refer to?

I referred to my undergraduate degree and the skills I had taken from that (e.g. field work, GIS, report writing, data analysis etc.). I also referred to a research poster that I had been part of that was relevant to the topic. I listed previous work positions and how skills such as problem solving and team work were relevant to the course of study. I also mentioned societies that I was part

of (British Society of Geomorphology, Royal Geographical Society, etc.)

Would you do anything differently if you were an undergraduate student again?

I would try harder to obtain a placement year. I think this is a valuable experience that will also appear attractive to employers.

What advice would you give those looking to pursue a career in research?

People always believe that the research is the hard part of a research degree. For me this hasn’t been the case; motivation and drive are the most difficult things to keep intact. Make sure you are passionate about what you intend to study if you are going to undertake postgrad study – especially a PhD!

Graduate Case Study CEIRE MCGOUGH GRADUATED IN 2017 WITH A GEOGRAPHY DEGREE AND WORKS AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT FOR WATER CO What does your current job involve?

My job has a lot of variety. I started by travelling all over Wales and the North West on site every day, climbing up mountains to carry out surveys on potable water pipe bridge crossings. I am currently working on a large project which involves renewing and cleaning the entire water system that runs beneath Swansea. This involves using GIS and CAD to design the new system and carrying out geoenvironmental assessments to determine the type of land, its quality and its history.

Three things that you like about your job: ❙❙ The job is very flexible in terms of time and location. ❙❙ The company I work for is very diverse, and I am able to experience many different types of work areas and use various software for modelling, designing, assessing etc. I also like that I am able to work in the field and practise skills that I learnt in university. ❙❙ There are plenty of opportunities to increase my knowledge in the field, with endless qualifications on offer, two of which I have already achieved in the six months of being employed and one is currently ongoing, e.g. becoming a member of CIWEM (Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management), water hygiene certified, CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme).

Tell us about how you got to where you are?

Did you need a postgraduate qualification?

After my undergraduate degree in Geography,

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I secured my current position as a Graduate Environmental Engineer. No postgraduate study was necessary for this. However, there are opportunities to complete further study and qualifications through the company. I have already learnt a lot in the past six months whilst working for Water Co. What did the application process involve and how did you prepare?

I think I was quite lucky in obtaining my position here at Water Co. I sent a cover letter and my CV to the head of the company, via an email on the website, asking if they had any work experience or positions available.

They contacted me the following day asking me to come for an interview when I returned from my trip to Africa (with LJMU Go Global).

I researched the company extensively before I had my interview, and looked over any of my university notes that might have been relevant in case I was asked any tricky technical questions. The company wanted to employ young graduates in the local area, so it would have been silly of me not to apply!

What work experience / skills / volunteering did you refer to during the selection process?

Although I had little work experience in the environmental field prior to my employment, I had gained plenty of other work experience and had volunteered. I worked as a hiking and nature instructor for a summer in the USA and volunteered in a lion and elephant sanctuary in Zimbabwe. I also included other experience from working in restaurants/hotels/

offices/festivals during high school and university on my applications. I think the amount of work experience I had, even though it was not in the same field of work, showed that I was a hard worker and could turn my hand to many different types of work, which is exactly what this company is about. The skills I referred to were mainly ones I gained in university that were relevant to the job, e.g. GIS, data analysis in the lab and in the field, and geographical writing, presenting and research skills.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

I feel that the biggest reasons that this company took time to read my CV and interview me was: ❙❙ Because I contacted them directly, instead of waiting for a position to come up. ❙❙ I asked for work experience – which showed I was willing to work for free to gain experience in this field. ❙❙ I applied before I graduated – some people think it is best to give themselves a few months off working/studying so decide to apply late summer/September (like a lot of my friends), but many of the jobs have gone by then. ❙❙ The amount of volunteering/work experience in a variety of fields helped show that I was a hard worker and that I have enthusiasm to learn new things. ❙❙ I had researched the company, so I knew exactly what type of work they could offer me.

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CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

A conversation with a Principal Water Engineer KRISTA KEATING IS A PRINCIPAL WATER ENGINEER WITH MOTT MACDOANLD two days are the same. within a multi-disciplinary company and team allows lots of diversity and continued project learning. ❙❙ Seeing my work being used (e.g. flood schemes to protect communities).

❙❙ Working

Things you are not so keen on: Working in consultancy is not always easy, and it can be challenging and stressful at times!

What does your current job involve?

My role involves developing and supervising river modelling studies and hydrological assessments aimed at quantifying existing and future levels of flood risk. I then use model outputs to produce flood maps and flood forecasts to inform future floodplain development and prepare business cases for future investment in flood schemes. My day-to-day work involves a mixture of project management and technical work on projects across the UK. Three things you like about your job: ❙❙ The day-to-day variation in what I do. No

Tell us about how you got to where you are?

What postgraduate study did you need to complete?

Specialising in water resource management and technology during my postgraduate study helped me to break into this career area. Within the companies I have worked for, I have built on a mixture of training and project experience to progress to my current position.

What did the application process involve and how did you prepare?

I attended a graduate recruitment day that included an introduction to the company, tests and an interview, where I was required to deliver a presentation I had prepared in advance on a given subject.

What work experience / skills / volunteering did you refer to during the selection process?

I was able to refer back to the modules I took whilst at university and my BSc dissertation and MSc thesis to demonstrate my interest in the position I applied for. As an undergraduate I became a member of CIWEM (Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management), which impressed employers during the selection process.

What advice would you give to students to improve their employability? ❙❙ Consider your university choices carefully (modules, dissertation), as they will be used by employers to understand your interests and suitability for the position. You need to make yourself stand out. ❙❙ Be proactive in applying for relevant voluntary work and summer placements. ❙❙ Spend time preparing for interviews to show that you understand the company and the work they do. Have a number of questions ready to ask. Remain calm and confident. Get your enthusiasm across. ❙❙ Get your applications in early. Ensure they are correctly completed, read well and have been spell checked.

A conversation with a Principal Consultant GREG WHITFIELD IS A PRINCIPLE CONSULTANT AT AMEC FOSTER WHEELER Just before finishing my PhD I got a job working on the Marine Conservation Zone Project, and after about a year I was offered the position of Project Manager. In 2012 I moved to the Environment Agency to focus on fluvial geomorphology, and how that can help to deliver environmental improvements.

Then in 2015 I moved to Amec Foster Wheeler to broaden my work in the water sector.

What does your job involve?

Chiefly analysing data/information and writing a range of reports. A lot of my work looks at the impact of large infrastructure projects on the water environment, normally falling within the categories of river water quality, morphology, water resources or flood risk. A lot of this work contributes to Environmental Impact Assessments. Part of my role also involves writing proposals to bring new fee income into the organisation. This will involve selling the services that our organisation has to meet the requirements of clients, and also working out roughly how much we would charge for the work.

Key points in your career development: I finished my physical geography degree in 2004, then my MSc in 2005 and PhD in 2009.

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What kinds of work experience and volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today?

It might sound as though it has nothing to do with my current job, but working in a bar was actually very useful in developing my interpersonal skills. Between the end of my undergraduate degree and MSc I worked in the planning department of my local council.

There I taught myself how to use GIS (in a basic, but effective way!) and worked on several reports. That served me well when I got my first ‘proper’ job.

What advice would you give to students wanting to pursue this career route?

You’ve got to make yourself stand out from the crowd, so maximise your ability to learn and develop. Like I said above, I worked in a bar and have used this to my advantage despite it being nothing to do with water management. Most situations in life present

learning and development opportunities, it’s your job to make the most of them. If you do, an employer will probably conclude that you’ll do likewise in their company.

Any tops tips for the recruitment process?

On application forms I’m looking for something short and snappy that is well presented and doesn’t contain any spelling errors. You should be able to sell yourself on a maximum of 2 sides of A4. Employers probably aren’t interested in everything you’ve done, so try to be specific. For example, if it’s a GIS job then you want to really sell your GIS skills on a variety of different projects.

At interview, I’m looking at somebody’s technical ability. I tend to ask fairly basic questions, as the more experienced I become, the more I value people who get the fundamentals of their technical discipline correct. However, just as importantly, I want to know if I can work with the interviewee on a personal level, and I want to get a feel for their enthusiasm for the work.

So be confident, but not arrogant (believe me that is a very important skill!). Don’t worry if you don’t know how to answer a question technically – demonstrate what you would do to find out the correct information. And be yourself – try to relax, and treat the interview as more of a discussion in a cafe. Good luck!

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

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A conversation with a Chartered Senior Analyst CHARLOTTE BEATTIE IS A CHARTERED SENIOR ANALYST AT JBA CONSULTING ❙❙

Tell us about a typical day in your job: Every day is different and can involve all types of enquiries or projects from the different offices ranging from development management, to policy, to consents and environmental assessments. These enquiries are mainly internal from our various offices and can come with no advance notice. It often involves thinking on your feet and knowing your stuff! My work often involves working on projects which involve an evaluation role working with Lead Local Flood Authorities and Local Planning Authorities, on the development of policy appraisals and strategic environmental assessments. A key part of my role is identifying planning related opportunities with our technical directors across the UK. Three things you like about your job: ❙❙ Every day is different. ❙❙ JBA is employee owned and has a great set of people and values. ❙❙ The opportunity to develop and drive forward innovative projects.

Things you are not so keen on: ❙❙ Every day is different! ❙❙ It’s fast moving and very competitive.

As a senior it’s a balance between multiple roles, winning work, managing projects and being a technical planning lead.

Key points in my career development to date: My most recent and significant professional achievement is the publication of a journal article in the March edition of the Town Planning Review at the University of Liverpool with colleagues Dr Karen Potter and Dr Carol Ludwig. But how I got to progress my career has been framed by key decision points such as: ❙❙ My Geography degree: I graduated from LJMU in 2000.

In human geography I learnt about places and people, representation and time/space and sustainable development which led me to life as an acquisition surveyor then planner. ❙❙ I did a Masters in Town Planning parttime at the University of Manchester.

That was a tough three and half years part-time. I had my now eldest child and I also got made redundant from APT-Marconi during this masters. Don’t underestimate how tough but also how rewarding a part-time masters can be! ❙❙ Planning: Local Planning Authority Wrexham CBC. You need at least ten years in a Local Planning Authority to make it in the real world of planning and I was an awesome Development Management Planner. My Senior Planner told me I would be and he said there is nothing like working as a planner in LPA and he was right.

What I wish I’d know when I was a student: Play hard but work harder, and build good life skills. Good communication and project management skills are essential whichever career path you choose. An employer wants someone who can write a report that is

technically sound and who can communicate well.

What kinds of work experience and volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today?

I have always had a “can do” attitude and have done lots in various roles. I was once a veterinary assistant and I have volunteered to help deliver planning events to local groups and nationally at seminars. My role as RTPI Cymru Policy and Research Forum member has been transformational, it helped me to develop skills and networks and provided opportunities to get involved in policy development in Wales at a national level. Get involved in your area of interest whether it be the Royal Geographical Society, the Royal Town Planning Institute or CIWEM or the British Hydrological Society.

What advice would you give to students wanting to pursue this career route?

In terms of a career in planning - take a look and get over misconceptions and get some experience within a LPA. If you like shaping the way places look, enjoy interacting with different disciplines and communicating ideas and complex problems and decision making, it could be the job for you.

Any tops tips for the recruitment process? ❙❙ Don’t apply if you don’t want the job.

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If you don’t understand the questions, ask for an informal discussion or advice.

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If you want the job, do your research on the role and the company, be yourself, and prepare and ask questions.

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Being yourself goes a long way. My first graduate job was at APT-Marconi (design and build company). The director asked me who my favourite band was, I said U2. I am not sure if that was a trick question but it was his favourite band too!

LJMU Geography Society We are a social group for students who study, or have an interest in, anything geographical @ LJMU!!

GS aims to provide a platform for like-minded people to meet, chat and take part in a myriad of geography related activities (and we don’t just study rocks!).

Mingle with students from other years on the Geography programme, attend geography themed events or socialise over a cheeky drink (or two!). It’s an open door!

We are currently planning a schedule of events for the coming year - should you have other good ideas for the GS, or simply wish to get involved, please come along to one of our GS meetings or email Kostas Kiriakoulakis, staff-GS liaison: K.Kiriakoulakis@ljmu.ac.uk.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

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CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Wildlife Conservation A degree in Wildlife Conservation can lead to a diverse range of employment and postgraduate study opportunities. If you wish to pursue a career directly related to your degree then your chosen employer may be a conservation charity or NGO (RSPB, WWF); a local authority (e.g. County Councils); a government department or agency (e.g. Natural England); an ecological or conservation research institution; or a zoo or wildlife sanctuary. You may also consider working in the private sector in organisations linked closely to natural resources (e.g. utilities companies), or within company sustainability departments or ecological/environmental and engineering consultancies (e.g. ARUP, WSP etc.).

Recent Wildlife Conservation graduates have gone on to secure positions as conservation rangers, environmental consultants, research ecologists, and conservation policy interns and to take various postgraduate degrees such as MSc’s and PhD’s.

Below we have provided more information on working in the conservation sector and the environmental sector; although these sections are spilt, these sectors often overlap and do not exist in isolation. The examples below should give an indication of the types of jobs and employers you could consider to allow you to start your career

research but are by no means exhaustive.

We advise you to keep an open mind when researching careers and looking for jobs and explore all opportunities to allow you to find what interests you most.

CONSERVATION SECTOR You may wish to work as a conservation practitioner managing or monitoring the landscape and biodiversity within it or advising those that do; if so you may work for organisations such as Wildlife Trusts, county councils or conservation NGOs like the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust or Wildfowl and Wetland Trust. Jobs in this sector include conservation officers, conservation rangers or conservation researchers and ecologists.

Organisations in this sector may also educate and reconnect people and communities with the environment, and staff within these organisations work in roles such as environmental education officers or community officers or even forest school organisers/managers. Organisations such as Natural England or the Forestry Commission manage large areas of land and advise on and implement government policy, such as

designation of protected areas. They have positions as scientific advisers and policy advisers. Organisations such as the World Conservation Monitoring Centre also provide such advice on a global scale collating data from research across the world and using it to inform conservation actions around the world such as ways to reduce deforestation.

Organisations such as the RSPB and the Forestry Commission run both local and national projects and organisations such as Birdlife International and Plantlife also have international projects. Global conservation NGOs such as The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Conservation International (CI) and World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) employ national and international teams.

Many zoos and botanic gardens also manage large national and international conservation projects and employ scientific or conservation officers. They also play an important role in educating the public and so employ education officers.

Zoos and sanctuaries also employ keepers and behaviour specialists who look after the welfare of the animals and may carry out investigations into their behaviour. Other roles where behaviour and welfare is important include animal hospitals. You can also find employment using your conservation and ecology skills as an ecological consultant, with ecological, environmental and engineering consultancies. Examples of these include ARUP, ADAS and WSP.

ENVIRONMENT SECTOR You may also consider a range of jobs in the wider environmental sector. Such jobs often involve working to manage the impact of development or agriculture on biodiversity and ecosystems. This may involve working in the government sector for organisations such as the Environment Agency, Natural England, DEFRA (Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs) or DFID (Department for International Development).

All require scientific advisers. You could also find employment as an ecological or

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environmental consultant. An ecological consultant may carry out or manage activities such as protected species surveys, for example, on seabird species, newts or bats. They will also have a good understanding of conservation legislation.

An environmental consultant has a similar role but may also have a broader approach and carry out assessment of environmental impact (biodiversity, water quality, air quality etc.) of development projects i.e. windfarms, power stations.

Many companies will now have sustainability teams that will manage and assess the impact of their activities and supply chains on the environment. These include multinational companies such as Unilever, SABMiller, Nestle, BP and increasingly smaller companies. They employ sustainability advisers or more specific roles such as a water & food security analyst.

Management consultancy companies such as PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Ernst and Young (EY) are also increasingly working in the sustainability/environmental sector. Corporate organisations such as these will run graduate training schemes (see p.34 for more details on applying for graduate training schemes).

For more detailed advice about possible career routes following your degree check out our ‘Wildlife Conservation Career Insight’ available on the Careers website www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers.

OUTSIDE THE SECTOR

As you will have completed a BSc you will have developed quantitative (numerical), analytical and problem solving skills. You will have developed the ability to review and assess evidence and make decisions on this basis. These are highly sought after skills

by all employers. Many large employers run graduate training schemes or there are opportunities in smaller companies (see p.34 for more details on applying for graduate training schemes).

Further study Postgraduate qualifications For a number of employment positions you may want to increase your competitive edge and develop your skills further by studying for a postgraduate qualification. If you plan to work in the conservation practice or commercial sector, an MSc would be suitable, however if you want to conduct research you may wish to complete a research postgraduate degree such as MPhil or PhD instead of or in addition to an MSc. MSc - A number of students use postgraduate studies to develop their skills in a particular area of wildlife conservation such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS), UAV technology, ecosystem services or combine their skills with wider knowledge in environmental science, environmental engineering or international development.

Examples of relevant MSc’s you could consider include: ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚

General Wildlife Conservation MSc’s - University of Chester and Anglia Ruskin University MSc Wildlife Management and Conservation – University of Reading MRes Wildlife Conservation – University of Southampton

Specialist areas ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚

MSc Wildlife Conservation and Drone Applications – Liverpool John Moores University MSc Primate Behaviour and Conservation – Liverpool John Moores University MSc/MRes Ecology, Evolution and Conservation - Imperial College London

You can search for masters courses on www.findamasters.com. If you wish to carry out research in the UK or internationally you may wish to complete a PhD or other research degree such as an MPhil. Research degrees are often funded so you will receive a stipend (tax free income to live on) and your tuition fees will be paid. You apply for an MPhil or PhD like you would a job.

A research degree is the first step to a career in academic research but can also lead to jobs in global NGOs such as the World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy or policy related jobs such as at WCMC. You can research PhD opportunities at www.findaphd.com or at www.jobs.ac.uk.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

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CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Graduate Case Study CHARIS RUSSELL-SMITH IS A WILDLIFE CONSERVATION GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AS A GRADUATE ECOLOGIST FOR WSP PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF Tell us a little bit about how you got to where you are today?

I undertook a placement year between my second and third year of university in which I had a variety of roles within the conservation/environmental sector. Firstly being a Science and Education Officer with a marine charity (Sea Trust) and secondly a Volunteer Assistant Ranger (National Trust).

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During my time with the National Trust I knew that practical conservation was not for me, the scientist in me wasn’t content with practical work as opposed to surveying and collecting ecological data sets.

Therefore, I approached two ecologists during a wildlife networking event and asked to assist with their bat surveys. I originally started off as a volunteer but eventually became a part-time paid ecologist once I learnt the ropes. As soon as I had been on one survey, I knew that being an ecologist/ ecological consultant was for me. I was being paid to watch animals in their natural environment and ultimately protect them/ mitigate the impacts of development on that particular species. I felt like I was giving back in some sense and knew to pursue a career in ecology.

What does your job involve?

As a graduate ecologist, the main aspect of my role is to perform ecological surveys.

Although my professional specialism is bats, and the majority of the work I do is with that species, I also conduct: Phase 1 (or preliminary ecological assessments) otter, water vole, invasive species, great crested newts, badgers, reptiles and breeding bird surveys. This involves going on to a site that is proposed for development (whether construction or demolition) and recording whatever wildlife I see.

The information gathered from the field is put into a report and given to the client.

I detail the existing ecological conditions of the site, what notable and/or protected species are present and in some cases won’t let the development go ahead until they’ve done something to protect the wildlife that is there! Overall the report will inform the client how to protect what is there and how to increase the biodiversity on site as a whole.

Recently I have started to involve myself in Ecological Clerk of Work projects where I attend a construction site as an ecological advisor and stay on site full time to advise contractors on how to perform their work in an ecologically friendly manner.

Three things that you like about your job: ❙❙ The variety - I could be undertaking bat surveys in one area of the country

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one day and the next day doing an otter survey somewhere else. There is also a really nice mix of practical field work and then office reports/project management. I don’t think I could do constant fieldwork or office work.

I feel like I am protecting the wildlife in the UK. As conservationists, we will never be able to stop development from happening, therefore I might as well join an ecological consultancy so I can have the power to halt development projects until the appropriate ecological measures are in place. It’s very rewarding to know you are doing what you can to ensure that wildlife is not impacted by development.

I like seeing a project from the start point of the fieldwork to the end point of having accurate and realistic ecological recommendations written in a report.

There’s a real sense of ownership within project management.

What are the key points in your career development to date: ❙❙ Participating in the year of experience within university. Without this year, I wouldn’t be where I am. By actively participating in the placement year it shows you are a motivated and dedicated individual and it really increases your chances of employment. ❙❙ Achieving a first within my degree. ❙❙ Once within employment, starting to project manage. This significantly increases your communication, time management and financial/commercial skills. ❙❙ Working towards a European Species Licence. If you are interested in ecology then pursue a licence in great crested newts by contacting local nature conservation groups and the local amphibian and reptile groups as soon as possible. This licence is the easiest to pursue and will almost certainly make you stand out within the crowd of other graduates if you obtain it.

For your first job, can you briefly outline what the application process involved and how you prepared?

I had a family connection who gave me the e-mail of a director within WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff. I e-mailed this person with my CV and request for work and had the mentality of ‘he can either ignore me or just say no’. I had nothing to lose and if you don’t ask you don’t get! When he replied he asked if I could come to interview. For the interview I prepared material on what experience I had (particularly in wildlife surveying), and printed off examples of work that I had produced at university which received good marks and prepared for ‘typical’ interview

questions. I also learnt to identify pictures of common wildlife species along with their Latin names as I was sure that I was going to have to undertake a short species quiz at my interview. In the interview I was quizzed on my species identification. Pictures that came up were: Himalayan balsam, red kite, great crested newt, cow parsley, Japanese knotweed and hawthorn.

What relevant work experience/ volunteering did you refer to during the selection process?

I referred to all three of my roles as part of my placement year as it showed that I had varied experience (public engagement/conservation education/practical conservation and consultancy). The fact that I had been the president of the LJMU Conservation Society and was the Wildlife Conservation course rep also worked in my favour as it showed leadership, communication and time management skills.

I also spoke about my dissertation as an example of a project that I managed. As an individual you create the hypothesis, organise time to collect data, analyse this data and make suitable conclusions and recommendations dependent on your results. This in principal is a consultancy style project and showed that I was capable of managing a project.

What advice would you give to other Wildlife Conservation students at LJMU to improve their employability?

Participate in the placement year or try and get as much experience of performing wildlife surveys as possible. Also, try and get a basic understanding of botany and common UK plant and tree species as no matter what role you go in to within conservation, you will need to be able identify basic plant species!

Be pro-active; seek volunteering opportunities to participate in surveys as soon as you can! The ecological season starts from April and runs till September. Lots of consultancies will ask for extra hands during this period. E-mail around and see if any consultancies would be willing to take you on board.

Join CIEEM (the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management) as a student member – consultancies/ecologists look for this when recruiting.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

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Graduate Case Study GILL BIRTLES IS A WILDLIFE CONSERVATION GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AS AN ASSISTANT ECOLOGIST FOR WSP What does your job involve?

In this position I work on development projects and carry out a variety of ecological surveys including:

❙❙ Great ❙❙ ❙❙ ❙❙ ❙❙ ❙❙

crested newt surveys and translocations; Habitat suitability index assessments; Bat emergence/re-entry and transect surveys; Reptile surveys and translocations; Water vole surveys; and Phase 1 habitat surveys and ecological assessments.

As well as these I manage projects, carry out report writing, risk assessments and fee proposals.

Three things that you like about your Job: ❙❙ The variety of work - I work on residential, rail, highway and recreational jobs, which range in sizes from rail schemes spanning the entire country to surveying a small neighbourhood wildlife patch. ❙❙ Travelling all over the country and visiting places I’ve never been to before. ❙❙ The variety of people I work with. From WSP ecologists, ecologists from other firms, contractors and clients.

What things are you not so keen on? ❙❙ Late night, early morning combination of bat emergence and dawn re-entry surveys. ❙❙ Spending several nights away from home each week during the survey season.

How did you get to where you are today?

During university I undertook a placement year between the second and final year at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Slimbridge. This

enabled me realise the type of role I wanted in wildlife conservation after university and made me more focussed in my final year. After graduating, I spent 6 months as a research assistant for a PhD student in Galloway where we radio tracked bats. After this, I spent 2 months volunteering with The Nature Conservancy in the USA. After coming home and some time spent applying for jobs and attending interviews, I got a job at WSP on a temporary contract as a Seasonal Ecologist.

After 6 months they kept me on as a Graduate Ecologist and I was promoted to Assistant in October 2017.

What did the selection process involve?

My application process was not conventional in that I knew someone already working at WSP who recommended me for a seasonal position which was yet to be advertised. I emailed over my CV and was invited to an interview.

This shows that who you know can be very useful, which is why it is important to always make a good impression with everyone you meet, to swap contact details and to stay in touch, as you never know when having a contact at a particular company may come in useful!

In preparation for the interview, I familiarised myself with the work of the company and revised my ID skills of common British species (and their latin names) as I knew for a seasonal position you are often tested more on your identification skills than on your technical experience. Needless to say I was successful.

What work experience or volunteering did you refer to?

I referred to my placement year at WWT Slimbridge as this was my only experience of working ‘long-term’ in a conservation role (as

opposed to my other volunteer placements which were just a few months). I drew on the ID skills I learnt during this placement as well as the fact that I worked with many different disciplines, which is an important skill to show in the work place and especially important at WSP which is a multi-disciplinary company.

I also drew on my 3 months placement in radio-tracking bats, as this gave me a great understanding of bat ecology, which is important knowledge to have when working as an ecologist.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

Do as many placements as you can and volunteer with local wildlife groups e.g. bat, reptiles and bird groups.

Carry out a placement year whilst in university.

There are many aimed at university students which offer skill development and it’s a great way of working out exactly what you want to do after university, as well as being an introduction to the environmental sector.

There’s a real difference to carrying out a placement during university as opposed to afterwards as you have more security so can concentrate on the learning side (rather than spending all your spare time on an extra job to pay the bills) and it helps you focus more with your final year studies. Finally, in your spare time, learn how to identify British species.

Becoming experienced in identification is a long road (especially with vegetation) so the sooner you start, the more impressive you will be when entering the job market.

Membership of the Institution of Environmental Science and becoming a chartered environmentalist The BSc in Wildlife Conservation is now certified by the Institution for Environmental Science (IES) (https://www.the-ies.org/). The IES is a charitable organisation which promotes and raises public awareness of environmental science by supporting professional scientists and academics working in this crucial arena. Membership is the start of the process to gaining a professionally recognised qualification of Chartered Environmentalist. The IES also hold a number of events and their website contains information which will assist in your career development. As your course is certified you can join this organisation for free as a student member and once you graduate you will entitled to apply for reduced cost associate membership.

As a student member you will have access to member only parts of the website, the IES journal ‘Environmental Scientist’ and newsletter and gain free or reduced price access to IES events.

Useful Websites ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

You can find a wide range of conservation jobs at www.conservationjobsuk.com Conservation and environmental sector jobs can be found at www.environmentjob.co.uk/jobs Government jobs, such as those in Natural England, the Environment Agency and DEFRA can be found at www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk

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CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Graduate Case Study HANNAH GREETHAM IS A WILDLIFE CONSERVATION GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS FOR THE GAME AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST AS AN UPLAND RESEARCH STUDENT (LANGHOLM MOOR DEMONSTRATION PROJECT) Tell us a little bit about your placement year?

My placement was a full year from August to August and it was all about the raptor grouse conflict in Scotland. I was responsible for large data sets, telemetry of grouse and monitoring of raptor populations. In the summer it was busy but rewarding with the ringing and tagging of hen harriers and a variety of other raptor species.

There was a good balance of fieldwork, lab work and office work.

I also got the opportunity to work with a variety of stakeholders, gamekeepers, fellow scientists and members of the public.

I wanted to do the placement year to improve my potential employability, build contacts and develop my skills. I got to see different parts of the UK through helping out on other projects such as Capercaillie in the Cairngorms, lapwing in Teesdale and fisheries in Fordingbridge. I really enjoyed the whole experience and it directed me to pursue a career in research.

What did you enjoy most?

The freedom and independence of work and being outside every day watching wildlife!

What did the application/selection process involve?

I had to send a tailored CV followed by an interview. I was helped by the Careers Team with my CV.

How do you feel the placement has benefitted you and what advice would you give other students to improve their employability?

It has developed my skills in many ways and also developed specific skills such as telemetry that I would have not learned through university. Start early with your volunteering! Build up contacts and skills with local organisations while you have free time (so before the third year), or over the summer period. Ask if there is any additional work you can do for charity organisations and also for lecturers. Be proactive!

Graduate Case Study ROB NICHOLSON IS A WILDLIFE CONSERVATION GRADUATE WHO NOW WORKS AS AN ECOLOGY CONSULTANT FOR ADAS UK LTD What does your work involve?

For the past six years following graduation I have worked full time as an Ecology Consultant. In my current role this involves providing advice to clients on a variety of projects, usually in relation to avoiding or minimising impact upon the habitats in which the client is proposing to work. Projects may vary quite widely from advising utility companies on impact that may be caused by works such as maintaining or installing assets (e.g. power lines/towers/poles, substations, pipelines), through to surveys to accompany planning applications for the installation of solar PV farms or wind turbines and for the re-instatement and re-development of disused farm or brownfield sites.

Surveys we conduct in order to gather information that we use to form the basis of our advice include: Ecological Desk Study, Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey, Protected Species Surveys, National Vegetation Classification Surveys (NVC), Condition Monitoring of Habitats. My role also involves elements of business development (identifying and acquiring new clients) and a significant amount of project co-ordination, staff resourcing for projects and managing the project budgets.

What do you enjoy about your job?

The main thing I enjoy is the opportunity to get out and survey a wide range of sites across different geographical areas in the UK, in a range of different environments and observing habitats and species that I may not have had the opportunity to see otherwise. These often include access to Sites of Specific Interest (SSSIs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), which may not otherwise be accessible. It is also a very varied role with time spent in the field, meetings with a range of clients and stakeholders, working both alone and in team situations and the opportunity to work closely with and learn from specialists.

How have your skills and experiences acquired from LJMU helped you in your role?

I started my time at LJMU as a mature student having worked primarily in retail and as a musician up to that point. It was a big decision but one

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

that has led me into a career with real opportunity to progress towards doing something interesting whilst earning a living. I was able to do this with the technical knowledge I gained through completing my degree by following the Natural Sciences Foundation Course, which I had to pass in order to follow the Wildlife Conservation degree course (four years in total). Important for me (having been out of the education environment for 5-6 years) was the ability to focus and work hard throughout my course – something I have taken with me into my current position as an Ecology Consultant.

The choice of modules available during the 2nd and 3rd year of my programme were quite diverse and allowed me to tailor my course to my areas of interest which was focussed on habitats, species (primarily UK based) and survey techniques (several of which I used today). Significant to progressing from LJMU into employment were two things. Firstly, at the end of the 1st year of my degree programme I was approached to work as a seasonal survey assistant for ADAS UK Ltd, assisting surveyors on a large-scale Great Crested Newt survey of ponds in north Cheshire, giving me my first experience of working in ecology consultancy. Secondly was the opportunity to take up a Work Based Learning Module during the summer between my 2nd and 3rd year. I acquired a placement as an Assistant Ecologist with a multidiscipline environmental and engineering consultancy in Stoke. This provided me with a detailed insight into many aspects of this career and most importantly work experience.

The staff at LJMU were excellent during my time there. I experienced field trips both locally to significant sites for nature conservation such as the range habitats associated with the sand dune systems of the Sefton Coast, Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve and Snowdonia National Park. I was also involved in a field trip to Tenerife where I observed and surveyed a wide range of habitat types and species indigenous to Tenerife. My experience at university was essential for me in gaining opportunities to progress and being equipped to make the most of those opportunities. The skills I learned at LJMU form the basis of my work on a daily basis and enable me to perform well in an environmental discipline in a professional capacity

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

17

Jobs, roles and example employers for BSc Wildlife Conservation Job type

Job Roles

Employers (examples)

Conservation Practitioner

Conservation Ranger

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Wildlife Trusts County councils Forestry Commission Conservation NGO’s i.e. Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust or Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, RSPB

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Natural England Forestry Commission Wildlife trusts RSPB, BTO World Conservation Monitoring Centre

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Wildlife Trusts County councils Forestry Commission Conservation NGO’s i.e. Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust or Wildfowl and Wetland Trust

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Universities RSPB BTO Forestry Commission World Conservation Monitoring Centre Zoos Botanical gardens

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The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Conservation International (CI) World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) Birdlife International Plantlife World Conservation Monitoring Centre

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Chester Zoo Blackpool Zoo Knowsley Safari Park

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ARUP

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Unilever, SABMiller and other multinationals County Councils

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PWC E&Y (Ernst and Young)

Conservation Officer Conservation Researcher Ecologist Conservation Practitioner (advisor)

Scientific Advisor Policy Advisor Ecologist

Conservation Education and Community Liaison

Environmental Education Officer Community Officer Forest Schools Organiser/ Manager

Conservation Research

Research Assistant

PhD Student

Conservation (Research and Practice - International NGO’s)

Scientific Officer Conservation Officer Ecologist

Zoo and Sanctuaries

Keeper Scientific Officer Conservation Officer Education Officer

Consultancy

Ecological Consultant Environmental Consultant

Sustainability

Sustainability Manager Sustainability Advisor Water & Food Security Analyst

Sustainability (Management Consultants)

Sustainability Analyst Environmental Accountant Sustainability Advisor

WSP

Work experience/internships Even if you have an appropriate degree and/or post-graduate qualification, many employers look for candidates with a good deal of relevant work experience – even for junior level jobs. Those with 6 to 12 months’ experience, through placements or volunteering, have more options. Although further study or postgraduate research is essential for some roles, for other positions do not assume that it will automatically set you apart from other candidates; work experience is often the key to success in such cases. So throughout your degree, you should be taking opportunities to gain experience in areas of conservation practice, ecological monitoring or zoo work and other areas of interest. www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

You can engage in informal volunteering or you can carry out a formal LJMU 4-6 week Work Based Learning project or a one-year placement. Volunteering positions can be found at: www.conservationjobsuk.com/ and www.environmentjob.co.uk/jobs

employment champions and lecturers will post relevant opportunities. Recent placements and work based learning experiences carried out by LJMU students include:

A number of organisations will also run formal internships such as WWF www.wwf.org.uk/ about_wwf/jobs/internships__volunteers_ and_work_experience_/. Many zoos also run internships. These can generally be found on organisations’ websites such as Chester Zoo www.chesterzoo.org/footer/careers.

Keep a look out on your relevant Canvas and Facebook pages as your programme leader,

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Assistant Ranger – National Trust North Pembrokeshire Sea Trust CIC – Science/Education Officer Conservation Officer – Wildfowl and Wetland Trust Slimbridge Primate and Manatee Rehabilitation at Wildtracks, Belize Birds of Eden Sanctuary, South Africa

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

18

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

A conversation with Charlotte Harris, Chief Execultive of Cheshire Wildlife Trust for the natural environment in the face of decision makers who often, simply don’t care or understand. ❙❙ The ongoing challenge of finding enough funding to do everything we want to and know needs to happen for wildlife.

What does your job involve?

There is no such thing as a typical day. I spend a lot of time in meetings but I also get the chance to go and visit our nature reserves and our projects. It’s always great to see the work on the ground but most of my job nowadays is about making sure that the organisation runs smoothly. This includes writing and reviewing strategies and annual work plans, keeping an oversight of the finances and dealing with any day-to-day problems. It’s also my job to be an ambassador and advocate of the Trusts work.

Three things you like about your job: ❙❙ The satisfaction that what I do makes a difference to wildlife. ❙❙ The variety and constant new and interesting challenges. ❙❙ Being based on a beautiful wildlife friendly farm and working with a fantastic and dedicated group of people.

What aspects are you less keen on? ❙❙ No longer having time to do the practical side of conservation work.

How did you get where you are today?

Doing a variety of roles early on has helped me climb the career ladder. Becoming a Countryside Ranger allowed me to develop a wide range of skills that have stood me in good stead for understanding the work of my teams. I also got to know a wide range of people working across many conservation organisations and this helped my get my first job with the Wildlife Trust. Completing my Masters in Countryside Management as a mature student whilst working full-time was also important. This meant that I used real world sites and projects for my assignments and this really helped cement my knowledge. I also think being being brave and putting myself forward to solve problems and try new things helped.

What do you wish you’d known as a student?

I wish I’d known more about the career options for working in conservation and about the Wildlife Trusts! I simply didn’t realise what sort of jobs were out there until after I graduated. If I’d had a clearer idea of what I wanted to do, I’d have chosen different options within my degree (or maybe even a different course). I studied biology, the human anatomy and biochemistry modules that are not much use to me now!

Get to know people in the types of organisations you want to work for. Many of our employees at CWT volunteered with us before getting a job. It definitely helps. Read application forms very carefully and make sure you give the employer the information that they ask for in the format they want to see it. And with that, carefully proof read your application before you submit it. I’ve seen so many bad examples from recent graduates and they don’t make the short list.

Do some extra training courses, particularly to develop your ID skills. Cheshire Wildlife Trust as well as many other conservation organisations offer courses that are not that expensive and are sometimes free to registered volunteers. This can be a great way to boost your skills and your CV to set you apart from the competition.

What kinds of work experience and volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today?

I volunteered through my teenage years and through university. As a student I was hoping to work with animals so I volunteered at an equine rescue centre and with the RSPCA. This helped me secure my first job within a Ranger Service that had a small petting zoo. From there I moved sideways into conservation work.

The LJMU Conservation Society The Conservation Society is a society for all those who want to get involved with anything nature related. The society has members from across all of LJMU’s schools and runs a variety of volunteer opportunities, fundraising events and socials.

The society volunteers at a range of Merseyside charities: from animal shelters to National Trust sites. We also run workshops to gain skills in species identification and habitat management. Our socials try to cater for everyone so we hold a range of events from quiz nights and meals to nights out. We regularly fundraise and raise money for a number of charitable causes.

If you would like to get involved with the Conservation Society or find out more, either join our Facebook page ‘LJMU Conservation Society’ or ask your personal tutor for more information.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

What advice would you give to students wanting to pursue a career in this field?

Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer! Any experience you gain in the work place will set you apart from other graduates who haven’t bothered.

Even if you only have a day a month to do this something, this is better than nothing.

A student says ...

“

❙❙ The constant battle to maintain protection

Being part of the Conservation Society was the highlight of my university experience. From being a member of the society I made a fantastic group of friends, gained experience in the field of conservation and learnt some key life skills.

Emma Groves

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

19

A conversation with Tom Hayek TOM HAYEK IS PROGRAMME MANAGER AND CORPORATE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT MERES AND MOSSES NETWORK, SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST Three things you like about your job: ❙❙ As above, the opportunity to inspire and make a real impact on the way other individuals and organisations behave. ❙❙ Being allowed the space to find creative solutions to all kinds of issues. ❙❙ Spreadsheets!!!

What does your job involve?

My typical day now involves spending lots of time squinting at a computer screen, but this is not as tedious as it seems. What I’ve learnt (having thought that I wanted a field-based career in ecology) is that there are many ways to make the difference that inspires many of us. I am able to make decisions that can really change the environment and ecology of my area, mainly through enabling others to help me deliver our vision. This can be other charities and statutory organisations in my Meres & Mosses role or businesses in my other role, and I am able to help secure funding, advise on new ways of working, and sometimes it’s enough just to get everyone in the same place at the same time to hope they will say (roughly) the same thing!

Key points in your career development to date: Having spent five years in the recruitment industry (including two years abroad), I decided to make a change and requalify in ecology. I went back to university as a mature student and studied for a BSc. The two key points that helped me along the way were firstly making a last minute change from marine biology to ecology (which has suited me much better) and secondly the amount of volunteering I did whilst doing my ecology degree (enough in fact to secure a paid role delivering a stand-alone project for a conservation organisation before I graduated).

What kinds of work experience and volunteering did you do to help you get to where you are today?

I had a rule whilst I was doing my Ecology degree: if I wasn’t studying, eating, sleeping or commuting I should be getting experience.

During the first two years of my degree I did water vole surveying, otter surveying, habitat

management, small mammal trapping, breeding bird surveys and various other things.

What general tips and advice would you give to any undergraduate students wanting to pursue this career route?

The experience detailed above was essential to gaining employment so quickly (I secured my first ‘proper’ job two weeks before my final exams). The knowledge gained from your degree is so important, but is almost meaningless without the practical experience to back it up. No point in being able to answer the ‘what’ questions without knowing the ‘why’ and the ‘how’.

Any top tips for the recruitment process?

I want people who are able to give clear examples of their skills, experience and knowledge both in the application form and at interview. My number one tip when applying for jobs (and something that many people do very badly or not at all) is to take the key points (usually bullet-pointed already) from the job description and person specification and use them as sub-titles in the application form. This makes shortlisting so much easier (and therefore subconsciously makes us like you already!).

MINI GUIDE

LABORATORY

WORK EXPERIENCE

Hard copies are also available at the Byrom Street Careers Zone

Includes Lab Skills CV

Gaining laboratory based work experience can really help your chances of securing employment in a laboratory setting after graduation!

Consult our guide on looking for paid or voluntary laboratory work experience to find out more about: ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚

What type of work experience or paid placements are available Strategies for approaching scientific companies Laboratory based employment options for after graduation How to emphasise your laboratory skills on your CV

You can download a copy of the guide from the resources page of our website:

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

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SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT LJMU

Get support on your doorstep in our campus

Careers Zones

WHETHER YOU WANT TO EXPLORE YOUR CAREER OPTIONS, GET YOUR CV AND APPLICATION FORM CHECKED, FIND A WORK PLACEMENT,

IMPRESS AT INTERVIEW OR MEET AND NETWORK WITH EMPLOYERS, WE CAN HELP IN A VARIETY OF WAYS VIA OUR CAMPUS CAREERS ZONES.

LJMU’s Careers Team provides tailored careers support to all LJMU students during their studies through delivery of careers education, information, advice and guidance from our three campus-based Careers Zones. The Careers Zones are located in Aldham Robarts Library, Byrom Street and IM Marsh Library. Call in to find out how we can help you.

Alternatively phone us on 0151 231 2048/3719 if you can’t make it into a Careers Zone.

What support can I get in the Careers Zones?

Support from your Careers Adviser

Support from Employability Advisers

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Bookable appointments with Careers and Employability Advisers to provide you with individual, tailored support

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Drop ins (no appointment required) to speak to an adviser and access help with quick careers and employabilityrelated questions

In the School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, you have your own dedicated Careers Adviser, Hayley Fallon.

You are likely to meet Hayley at some point during your programme of study.

She is available for:

Our Employability Advisers Anja Heid, Jenny Hammond, Nicola Davenport, Gwyneth Tyrer, Sally Beyer and Karen Forman work across the university Careers Zones providing professional, personalised advice on:

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Expert job sector advice and information tailored to your needs

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Careers guidance interviews to discuss career options with your degree, including finding jobs/ postgraduate options and gaining relevant work experience

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Signposting to useful resources and information

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Signposting to careers events, workshops and fairs

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Access to a range of employers who regularly visit the Zones

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Help to access our online careers tools via ‘Careers Zone 24/7’

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Help to access our job search websites including GoinGlobal

{

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Looking for jobs and the application process Tailoring your CV & covering letters Writing applications and personal statements for work experience, jobs, postgraduate study and PhDs Preparing for interviews

INTERVIEW PRACTICE SESSIONS We offer individual interview practice sessions to help build your confidence by experiencing a one-to-one ‘mock’ interview with a trained assessor who will give you detailed feedback and advice. Whether you want to practise your interview technique or are preparing for a real life interview, you can book in to use this service.

A student says ...

{

“

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I booked an appointment at the Careers Zone to speak to an Employability Adviser. She recommended several improvements to my CV and new opportunities I should consider including going to local networking events. I met my future manager at the very first event I went to. The Employability Adviser has kept in touch for a long time after the appointment to help me with my LinkedIn account and my formal interview with the manager later. Overall, the recommendations from staff from the Careers Zones were close to real businesses’ expectations, which was extremely helpful.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT LJMU

21

Connect with

employers

THERE ARE NUMEROUS WAYS YOU CAN CONNECT WITH

EMPLOYERS WHILE YOU STUDY, ALLOWING YOU TO NETWORK, DISCUSS OPPORTUNITIES, GET THEIR ADVICE AND FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THEIR CAREER JOURNEY.

01.

EMPLOYER VISITS TO CAREERS ZONES

02.

RECRUITMENT FAIRS & FESTIVALS

03.

SPECIALIST WORKSHOPS

Employers regularly visit the three Careers Zones at LJMU to discuss their opportunities and to meet and network with students. See below for more information about who has visited the Zones.

LJMU run a range of large-scale careers fairs, where you can meet and talk with employers about career options, and recruitment fairs, which feature graduate employers and recruitment agencies with jobs to recruit. Go to careers.ljmu.ac.uk to see what is coming up. Other large-scale fairs run around the country so check local listings at https://www.prospects.ac.uk/events

Each year we run a series of specialist workshops for students that fall outside of the regular yearround careers and employability workshops. In the last academic year for instance we ran workshops about graduate schemes, gaining work experience, and applying to graduate courses in dentistry and medicine.

04.

GUEST SPEAKERS

05.

EMPLOYER PRESENTATIONS

Guest speakers are usually featured as part of the curriculum but we also arrange for speakers to come into LJMU to talk about their job role and industry. Sometimes this will be part of an industry event, such as the ‘A Career in Clinical Psychology ’ event we arranged last year.

Employers visit the university to highlight job and placement opportunities for students and graduates. Often these will be bigger employers who are advertising graduate schemes or industrial placements. Last year Aldi, the British Council and Teach First all spoke at LJMU.

Employers in the Careers Zones ...

Employers visit the Careers Zones each week offering real jobs, internships and other career opportunities.

Check with staff in the Careers Zone to find out who’s coming in and don’t miss these great opportunities to meet and network with employers from a range of sectors.

Organisations who have visited the Zones include:

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Liverpool Universities Officer Training Corps Civil Service Fast Stream Careers in Teaching Hire STEM Women CRISIS Smaller Earth Brook Barclays Digital Eagles Enterprise Rent-a-Car NCS Challenge

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

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All Wales Public Service Graduate Programme Camp Counsellors USA Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Liverpool FC Foundation The Right Legal Group VMM International Catch 22 Chatteris Education Foundation Shropshire Wildlife Trust Hays Construction

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Everton in the Community Decathlon Reed Digital Service Cover Hays Recruitment Anthony Nolan/Marrow QVC Reed Scientific Camp America HMRC

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

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SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT LJMU

Careers website THE CAREERS WEBSITE IS THE FIRST PORT OF CALL TO FIND OUT ABOUT CAREERS SERVICES, TO ACCESS ONLINE CAREERS TOOLS AND TO DOWNLOAD ANY OF OUR GUIDES AND RESOURCES

01.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDES

02.

CAREER INSIGHTS

Each year, working alongside academic colleagues, the Careers Team produces school-specific Career Planning Guides, which give information about career options related to your degree as well as a range of articles about careers topics including CVs, applications forms, interviews, finding graduate level jobs and more.

These handy guides provide a more in-depth overview of career options with your degree and signpost you to useful links to get your research into future careers and employers under way.

03.

MINI GUIDES

04.

CAREERS ZONE 24/7

05.

BOOK A WEBINAR

06.

SEARCH FOR JOB OPPORTUNITIES

The Careers Team have distilled their wisdom on career planning, CVs, applications and interviews into a series of short guides. Also use our mini guides for further information on postgraduate study, including teacher training, and subject-specific advice, e.g. for Science, Arts and Nursing students.

We have a range of digital careers tools available to enable you to work on vitally important employability skills at your own pace, in your own time, either on or off campus. The 24/7 tools suite includes CV Builder, Interview Simulator, Careers Newsroom, CV and Interview Learning Zone, Job Search websites, GoinGlobal and more.

A webinar is an online class which you can attend from anywhere on any device with an internet or WiFi connection. Sessions include Finding Hidden Jobs, Effective Applications, Introduction to LinkedIn - the ‘Facebook’ for Professionals, Winning CVs, Interview Success and more. To book go to: https://careers.ljmu.ac.uk

Search for part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, work placements, internships or graduate roles.

Our job search websites are free to all students and graduates and list opportunities with both regional, national and international employers. Go to Careers Zone 24/7 on the Careers website to access the sites.

To visit the Careers website go to:

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT LJMU

23

Careers Zone 24/7

online careers tools

WE HAVE A RANGE OF DIGITAL CAREERS TOOLS AVAILABLE VIA THE CAREERS TEAM WEBSITE TO ENABLE YOU TO WORK ON VITALLY IMPORTANT EMPLOYABILITY AND TRANSITION SKILLS AT YOUR OWN PACE, IN YOUR OWN TIME, BOTH ON OR OFF CAMPUS

01.

CV AND COVER LETTER BUILDER

02.

INTERVIEW SIMULATOR

CV builder and cover letter builder allow you to create an expert CV and covering letter within minutes and download into multiple templates.

Watch videos of employers discussing what they need to see in each section of your CV and covering letter. This tool is ideal for students looking to write their first CV or cover letter.

The interview simulator allows you to take a mock interview and test yourself with interactive questions and best practice answers from experienced professionals to build up your confidence and competence.

03.

CAREERS NEWSROOM

04.

CAREER ASSESSMENTS

05.

PRACTICE PSYCHOMETRIC TESTS

Features thousands of articles on careers and employability from leading global publications, updated every week with a newsletter function built in.

Each assessment provides a report for each student with tailored recommendations. Assessments include: personality insights, temperament, strengths, learning styles, sound decision-making, assertiveness, customer focus, emotional control, management skills, stress management and more.

Practice aptitude tests including numerical, verbal, inductive, diagrammatic, logical, situational judgement, critical thinking, error checking and e-tray exercises and a wealth of other assessment tools used by graduate employers via Careers Zone 24/7. See p.46 for further details.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

06.

GOINGLOBAL DATABASE

07.

INDEED JOB SEARCH

The database allows you to search for jobs and internships around the world. It contains country career guides, information on visas and local culture, employer directories and much more.

Access GoinGlobal via Careers Zone 24/7 or visit: http://online.goinglobal.com/default.aspx

Allows you to search millions of jobs, in over 50 countries, from thousands of job sites, newspapers, recruiters and company career sites.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

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SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT LJMU

CareerSmart:

Explore, Experience and Engage FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LJMU’S CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMME AND HOW IT CAN HELP YOU WHILST STUDYING AT LJMU

All students in their first year of study will have an opportunity to engage with the first stage of the ‘CareerSmart’ programme as an integral part of a core module of study.

The ‘CareerSmart: Explore’ e-learning tool will introduce you to the steps involved in making informed choices about your career. It enables you to consider your strengths and development areas, career motivators, the options available to you and the necessary steps to take to achieve your career goals.

You will then have the opportunity to complete the next stage of the programme, ‘CareerSmart: Experience’. Here, you will learn about the value of work-related learning by finding out about the range of opportunities available, eg Work-Based Learning, part-time work, internships, volunteering, work shadowing and international opportunities. You will also learn about the benefits of these experiences including skill development, networking and sector insight. This stage also includes resources on how to find work experience and making the most of the opportunity.

The third stage of the programme, ‘CareerSmart: Engage’ is employer-informed and you will find out what graduate recruiters are looking for in successful candidates. The resource will support you through each stage of the graduate recruitment process, including the job search, application process, and selection methods – interviews, psychometric tests, assessment centres.

The CareerSmart programme complements the wide range of career-related provision and services available to LJMU students to support your development throughout your studies, including the one-to-one careers information, advice and guidance delivered in the campus Careers Zones.

CareerSmart: Explore e-learning assessment For students starting a programme of study in 2018, the CareerSmart: Explore e-learning resource will be completed as an assessment of one of your first-year modules. The resource will take you through steps to help you to set some goals for your first year, which can help you on your career development journey. The steps include an exploration of the following areas:

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Where am I now?

Reflecting on your current skills, interests and experience Where do I want to be?

Discovering your career options with your degree How do I get there?

Understanding the steps to take to achieve your career plans

A Careers Adviser says ...

“

Competition for professional jobs is tough but LJMU are confident that our enhanced career development and employability programme will enable you to compete against the best candidates and win.

There are many options open to you after you finish university. However, whilst it is great to know that there are so many options open to you, at the same time it can feel confusing and overwhelming to have so many choices.

The first thing to remember is that uncertainty about your future career plan is normal and that many students feel this way! Although it may appear as if everyone around you has ‘a plan’ and that your fellow students all know what job they want to do in the future, this may not necessarily be the case.

It is important not to panic if you are undecided about which career path you want to take. Nevertheless, it is vital to address this uncertainty and to develop a plan of the steps which you need to take to move yourself forward.

Remember that the process of career planning can take time as you need to do some reflection about your own suitability in relation to career choice, and you also need time to thoroughly research your options. Therefore try and start the process of thinking about future careers as early as you can, ideally from your first year of university.

Student feedback about CareerSmart: ❙❙ ❙❙ ❙❙

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CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

“Gave me a great starting block for planning my future career.”

“It helped me feel more confident about my future and what I need to do to get there.”

“It got me actively thinking about my future in advance. I think it is very important to think ahead before you graduate to give yourself time to be certain of what career you want to pursue, so you can start applying for placements and internships to enhance your chances of being successful.

And I think that the assignment really helped me with that.”

“It helped me realise how many roles are available and how much our university can help.”

“I found it really helpful and it gave me some ideas of how to make the most of my university experience.”

“I feel I am now able to start doing the right things, like getting involved more, to help me become more prepared for a job at the end of my course.”

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

Be the one who inspires SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT LJMU

25

#GetintoTeaching

USE YOUR DEGREE TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON STEM EDUCATION

The national shortage of STEM teachers means graduates with a degree in a science, maths or technology-related area are in great demand.

We welcome applicants from a variety of different degree backgrounds, not just those who hold a degree in the specific subject areas.

There are sector scholarships and generous government bursaries of up to £32,000* to help you start your career in teaching, plus great opportunities for career progression.

You’ll also be inspiring young minds and helping to shape the future of STEM education.

If you have the potential and passion to teach, call the Faculty Admissions Team for an informal chat. The team can answer your questions and will guide you through the options available, including information about Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses and subject-specific A Level requirements.

For a fulfilling career helping young people to achieve their dreams *subject and qualification dependent. For the latest bursary information, visit getintoteaching.education.gov.uk

START YOUR TEACHING JOURNEY TODAY www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CALL: 0151 231 5340 VISIT: www.ljmu.ac.uk/education

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

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SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT LJMU

How to make the most of your

university time

THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS GO TO UNIVERSITY TO ULTIMATELY SECURE A JOB WITH GREAT PROSPECTS. EMPLOYABILITY ADVISER NICOLA DAVENPORT LOOKS AT SOME IDEAS TO IMPROVE YOUR EMPLOYABILITY IN EACH YEAR OF STUDY.

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So you’ve got your place at university, you’re fulfilling all of your course commitments and enjoying yourself, but are you really making the most of your time?

In addition to your academic qualifications, employers look for people who can show motivation, enthusiasm, proactivity and commitment. You can demonstrate all of these things through your extracurricular activities and employment.

Work experience is key and you can find this in many forms: placements, part-time work, work shadowing, volunteering and internships. Before you look for experience, evaluate your existing skill set and analyse the labour market to find out what you may need in the future - can you find a role that will help you develop these skills now? There are a number of ways the Careers Team can help you improve your employability, so come along and see us.

DID YOU KNOW? Nearly a fifth of LJMU graduates of the class of 2017 did some voluntary work whilst at university, and over 70% of graduates had a paid, parttime job alongside their studies. In addition to looking great on your CV, research suggests that getting involved in voluntary work can also boost your self-esteem and improve your mental health.

{

What can I do?

In addition to gaining relevant work experience, there are many other ways that you can show motivation and enthusiasm whilst also developing skills. You could: ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚

Chair or set up a society, or become a course representative Writing, presenting or other work with a student newspaper or radio station Put on an event – music, charity…

Volunteer or fundraise with a charity Complete a sponsored activity/ challenge, such as a run, climbing a mountain Learn a language Do you have a business idea?

Get in touch with the Centre for Entrepreneurship!

Learn a new skill – cooking, music, sport Enter competitions – writing, business, finance, student, enterprise….

Take up mentoring opportunities

As well as being a great way to get to know people and enjoy yourself, all of these things can help your employability and look great on your CV.

Looking for greater insight about career options related to your degree?

Download our course-specific Career Insights from:

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

YOUR CAREER JOURNEY SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT LJMU

27

FIRST YEAR: EXPLORE Meet

Join

your Careers Team at a Careers Zone or visit the Careers website www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

clubs or societies or become a course representative via the Students’ Union

Explore

LJMU and all its opportunities and support and research voluntary opportunities

Plan

start to think about your career ideas and begin planning

START UNIVERSITY

Go global

take a look at the opportunities abroad via LJMU or an external provider

SECOND YEAR: EXPERIENCE Research

your chosen career path/ options

Experience

Get involved

get relevant paid work, volunteer or work shadow

Get advice

seek out opportunities to enhance your university experience

from your Careers Team (advice and guidance, CVs, interview help)

Find

get relevant experience via a placement or internship

FINAL YEAR: ENGAGE Utilise

your Careers Team and their expert knowledge to look for and get your dream job

Reflect

on your experiences and how you can evidence these to employers

Engage

with your career sector and/ or organisation

Apply

for graduate schemes and graduate level jobs or consider further study

Graduate Outcomes is a national survey which gathers information about the activities and viewpoints of graduates 15 months after they’ve finished their studies. For graduating students GRADUATION your response to this survey is very important as it will provide future students with insight into their potential career destinations, enable LJMU’s Careers Team to offer tailored careers advice which you can continue to access for life as a LJMU graduate, provide higher education institutions, policy makers, researchers and others with data to understand current trends within the graduate jobs market and contribute to the University’s positioning in league tables. Anyone who graduates after 1 August 2017 will be asked to complete the Graduate Outcomes survey. The Graduate Outcomes survey is a statutory process for all higher education providers and is coordinated by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). The operations and data collection element of the Graduate Outcomes survey will be undertaken by a third-party survey contractor who will work in collaboration with HESA, Funding Bodies and UK Higher Education Providers. To help LJMU, all you need to do before you leave University is ensure you keep your contact details up to date via LJMU Connect (https://ljmuconnect.com) and complete the survey when you are contacted approximately 15 months after completing your course. www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

28

SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT LJMU

Move up to Masters

The benefits of postgraduate study As you plan your next step after graduation, don’t forget that a Masters could give you the opportunity to assess your aspirations, enhance your career prospects, enjoy further study in your chosen subject or allow you to change direction. Postgraduate study at LJMU is an increasingly popular choice and one that can make you stand out from the crowd in the jobs market.

Fit your studies around your life

Many of our taught masters programmes are only a year long and, if you want to work whilst you study, some are available on a parttime basis. We even offer distance learning and evening taught programmes. In essence, there’s something for everyone in our choice of over 140 courses.

deliver the knowledge, skills and experience you need to achieve your professional ambitions.

What a Masters says about you

Can I afford it?

Our programmes are delivered by academics actively involved in innovative research or consultancy. It is this combination of academic expertise and ‘real world’ experience that ensures our offerings are up-to-date, accredited by key professional bodies and

On top of the recently introduced postgraduate loans, there are Professional Career Development loans, employer sponsorships and bursaries available for higher-level study. And what’s best of all, as a continuing LJMU student, you may be eligible for a massive 20% off your postgraduate tuition fees or a scholarship for international students (see terms and conditions at ljmu.ac.uk).

What next?

“

Postgraduate study itself demonstrates your ability to learn independently, to apply yourself to real research and to venture into unchartered waters. It also opens new doors, giving you the opportunity to study in areas you may not have considered and explore different career paths.

To find out more about postgraduate options at LJMU, take a look at our web pages: ljmu.ac.uk/postgraduate

My postgraduate experience ...

WITH A FIRST DEGREE IN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, MOLLY FROST DECIDED TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP AND STUDY FOR HER MASTERS IN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND UAV TECHNOLOGY. “My first degree made me realise that I wanted to be a researcher and lecturer so postgraduate study was a natural progression. The great thing about being a postgraduate student is that your tutors see you as someone qualified in your field and that really helps with your confidence. Yes, it can be challenging at times but as your lecturers believe in you, you find a way through.

“There have been many highlights on my programme such as flying a drone and learning about the applications of technology in conservation. What really stood out for me, however, was our field trip to Tanzania. I chose to undertake a drone study whilst I was there and was able to apply my learning in a real life situation.

I saw wild chimpanzees, baboons and red-tailed monkeys. It is something I will never forget.

“The lecturers on my programme are excellent – I really can’t fault them. If they see you are a good student and work hard, they will do everything in their power to help. They want you to succeed and they want the University to succeed and you can’t buy that kind of support. It is important to be confident in what you do and to speak out if things aren’t working for you. Education is a lifelong adventure and you need to take from it whatever you can.”

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT LJMU

29

Professional and personal development

opportunities abroad

EMPLOYERS ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING EXTRA ON YOUR CV. CONSIDER ADDING SOME INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE TO YOURS BY COMPLETING A TRIP ABROAD Pursuing a degree at university can be a daunting experience, especially if you choose to live away from home. However, once you have taken that initial leap, you may find that the path to further experiences becomes a lot clearer as your confidence grows.

Whether you wish to study, intern or volunteer abroad, you may be surprised at the range of opportunities available to you via multiple funding routes. The best news is, you don’t have to limit yourself to just one either.

{

01.

GET IN TOUCH

Study Abroad

LJMU have a number of Erasmus+ partners in Europe and partner universities in the USA where you can study abroad for one semester during your second year of study or for a whole year, in between your second and third year at LJMU. LJMU students are entitled to Erasmus+ grants or the LJMU travel bursary if studying in the US, helping you to afford your placement. Talk to the International Mobility Coordinator in your School about potential placements to suit your course needs and follow @LJMUGlobalOpps on Twitter and Instagram for more information when applications are open.

03.

Go Global

LJMU offer students the chance to bid for up to £1,500 (£750 for postgraduate students)* to help fund the adventure of a lifetime.

You can find an experience anywhere in the world that will help you develop both personally and professionally, and LJMU will help you to achieve it.

This could involve working with animal conservation teams in Africa, building houses in developing communities, being a camp counsellor, taking part in sports development programmes or anything else you set your mind to. For further information, visit www.ljmu.ac.uk/ students/go-abroad/ where you can find out more details on the many opportunities available, including the organisations LJMU work with to offer these opportunities to students, such as Smaller Earth ljmu.smallerearth.com. *Funding limit is subject to change

05.

{

For more information about international opportunities: Email: goabroadteam@ljmu.ac.uk Follow: @LJMUGlobalOpps Visit: ljmu.ac.uk/students/go-abroad

Erasmus+ Traineeship (work placement)

02.

Putting your knowledge to good use in a work environment is great for your CV, but working abroad will certainly make your CV stand out from the crowd. With Erasmus+ traineeships, you can work in Europe for two to 12 months and get funding with the Erasmus+ grant to help you with your expenses. You can complete your traineeship at almost any organisation in Europe, whether that be one of the organisations LJMU has an existing relationship with, or whether it be a traineeship you have sourced yourself. Talk to your tutor to find out what options they can recommend to you.

CRCC Asia Internship

04.

LJMU have partnered up with CRCC Asia to offer Liverpool John Moores students the opportunity to complete a two-month summer internship in Asia in sectors including business, IT, law, media, tourism, marketing, not-for-profit and green technology. Students have previously worked in Shanghai, Tokyo and Ho Chi Minh City, with more international opportunities available each year.

The programme is funded, including flights, accommodation, visas and insurance, and students have the chance to immerse themselves in a new culture, learn a new language and expand their global network. Look out for more information by following @LJMUGlobalOpps on Twitter and Instagram.

International Summer Schools

Each summer, LJMU students have the opportunity to attend one of several LJMU International Summer Schools. In 2018, students visited Shanghai, Changshu and Jiaxing in China, Lima, Sharjah and Zaragoza, where they completed one-to-two week programmes at our partner universities, as well as exploring new cultures, learning new languages and making new friends. These opportunities are funded by LJMU, including flights, accommodation, visas and insurance, and the university plans to expand the opportunities even further across the globe.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

30

SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT LJMU

work experience with your Students’ Union

Get great

DID YOU KNOW THAT BY GETTING INVOLVED WITH JMSU YOU COULD HUGELY INCREASE YOUR SKILLS AND

EMPLOYABILITY, ENHANCE YOUR CV AND IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF FINDING A JOB ONCE YOU LEAVE UNIVERSITY? Iya! We’re JMSU. Like the name says - we are here for LJMU students. Every single one of you. We represent you, we support you, and we make sure you have an absolutely boss time at Uni. We offer loads of opportunities for you to gain valuable (and fun) work experience whilst you’re studying at LJMU.

❙❙ We offer full-time, year round, paid jobs … in our four Student Officer positions. ❙❙ You can volunteer with us ... As the Captain, President or Committee Member of a sports club or society, or as a Course or Faculty Rep.

❙❙ Or join our student staff team in flexible, paid positions ... We have a variety of roles, from promoting our events and campaigns across campus, to working in our Creative Content team, to working with our Reception Team.

Hear from students who have worked and volunteered with us: Karl Kinson, UG Computer Science ... volunteers as a Course Rep.

I have been a key person that connects students in class to the staff that run the course. I do this by collecting feedback from students and then presenting this to the appropriate people in either the Faculty or the SU. It’s the best feeling ever knowing that you aren’t just attending university but you are helping improve the experience here, no matter how small that change is.

This role gives you so much confidence and I cannot wait to continue next year.

Daisy Clack, MA Human Resource Management ... has worked as student staff, currently works as a Student Staff Supervisor and has completed work experience with the HR department.

I have worked as a member of student staff for over 3 years, which has majorly developed my confidence and communication skills. Becoming a Supervisor of the student staff team has given me an amazing skillset which I can reference in job applications when planning for my future career. I have been able to do this role while studying full time.

I have also completed work experience with the HR manager, which has given me so much valuable knowledge in my specific area of interest, meaning I can now transfer theory from my Master’s Degree in to the workplace.

WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU You can find us across campus, so it doesn’t matter where you study, we’re always close by. Our main base is at the John Foster Building on Mount Pleasant, where our reception, Advice Centre and offices are, but we’re also in the social spaces at Byrom Street, Tithebarn Street, Redmonds Building and IM Marsh.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

Jess Beresford, Sport Coaching student ...

Worked as a Welcome Rep, Outreach staff, volunteered as a Course Rep, President of Women’s Rugby Union and founder and President of Sport Coaching Society.

After being a member of Women’s Rugby Union for two years I was voted President in my final year, which has given me experience in management, organisation and funding; all of which are important in the sporting industry. I decided to challenge myself more and set up my own society (Sports Coaching society).

This valuable experience allowed me to network with a range of people and be recognised for my achievements. It put me in a perfect position for post-graduation.

The community-based roles at the Students’ Union increased my confidence by engaging with people from a range of backgrounds. This helped to enhance my employability and interpersonal skills whilst working in an enjoyable environment.

{

CONNECT WITH US You can email us at: studentsunion@ljmu.ac.uk Phone: 0151 231 4900

{

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

31

SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT LJMU

Placement Learning Support Unit GEOGRAPHY AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO A PLACEMENT LEARNING SUPPORT UNIT. HERE IS WHAT THEY DO AND HOW THEY CAN ASSIST YOU.

We recognise that sometimes it can be difficult being a student, and you won’t feel satisfied or successful. Coaching is a way of helping you to improve, develop, learn new skills, find personal success, achieve aims and to manage life change and personal challenges. We know sometimes you just need someone on your side to ask the right questions. Coaching in this respect is a learning relationship which will benefit you particularly if you don’t feel you are managing your development.

How it works in practice You can make an appointment and discuss different aspects of your personal development, such as:

❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚

What students say ...

?

Graduate skills e.g. managing your time, working in groups.

Experiences, e.g. finding a placement, writing a CV or cover letter for a placement.

Professional identity e.g. fitness to practice.

Degree subject e.g. understanding how you learn best.

Emotional intelligence e.g. motivation, managing stress.

These areas are crucial to you managing as a student. We want to equip you with the tools that will help you get where you want to be in life.

{

CONTACT DETAILS:

{

The team is managed by Jamie Fearn (Placement Support Unit Manager), along with Work Based Learning Officers and administrative support. We are located in room 904 James Parsons, Byrom Street. You can email us on scienceplsu@ljmu.ac.uk, call 0151 231 2079 or visit www2.ljmu.ac.uk/scs and click on Placement Learning Support Unit.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

“

In the Faculty of Science we feel the purpose of your time here is for you to be equipped with a set of skills, knowledge, understanding and personal attributes that make you more likely to make choices and behave in ways which mean you can be satisfied and successful both now and in future.

When asked what they most enjoyed about their appointment students across the Faculty have said…

❚❚

The team “made it very clear what was required to give in our feedback and the benefits of engaging in the process. It has really helped me to learn to break down my work and highlight my skills developed.”

❚❚

“That it was a very informal meeting, where I could ask all the questions that I had…”

❚❚

“Very helpful and useful.”

❚❚

“It was really beneficial and the members of staff in the office are so helpful and very friendly. Lovely atmosphere!”

❚❚

“It was greatly beneficial to me as I was given very helpful advice in how to pursue potential placement providers and was followed up with an interview detailing all that was discussed.”

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

32

TACTICS AND CHOICES

Planning your career

NOT SURE WHERE TO START WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR NEXT MOVE? DON’T WORRY, MOST PEOPLE FEEL THAT WAY, BUT WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU TO NAVIGATE YOUR WAY THROUGH YOUR OPTIONS.

10

Questions to ask yourself when exploring your career options

1. Do you have any ideas at all about careers which interest you, however vague these are?

If so, make a note of these ideas and explore them further.

2. Do you wish to use the knowledge you have gained or will gain from your degree in your future career? If so, are there certain modules of your degree which you have enjoyed more than others? Try to explore job areas which could relate to these subjects.

3. Have you completed any work experience at all (even if this is unrelated to your degree subject)? Think about what you liked about this work experience and about skills which you enjoyed using.

4. Are there any jobs you have done which you didn’t enjoy? If so, why was this?

6. Think about the feedback you have received from others (for example from tutors or from friends or family) about skills you excel in. Are there particular skills which you are naturally strong in?

7. Do you have any interests outside of university which are unrelated to your studies? For example, do you have any creative interests or do you do any voluntary work? It may be worth exploring career options which relate to these interests.

8. Are you willing to undertake further study if this is required by the type of career you want to go into?

9. What kind of environment would you like to work in? For example, do you see yourself working in an office, in a laboratory or outdoors?

10. Are there any other special circumstances which may affect the type of job you can go into? For example, are you only able to work certain hours or in a certain location?

Help and support available to you..

01.

02.

03.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH A CAREERS ADVISER If you are unsure about your career options, you are advised to book an appointment with a Careers Adviser to give your search a focus. An employer can easily spot applications from students just looking for any job, as your heart won’t be in it. To book an appointment, call into a Careers Zone or alternatively phone us on 0151 231 3719/2048.

CAREERS INSIGHTS AND MINI GUIDES Check out our Careers Mini Guides available via the Careers website. Titles include Career Planning for Mature Students, Planning your Career and Graduate Schemes to help you decide which direction to take.

The Career Insight for your programme highlights options available to you with your degree.

MEET EMPLOYERS & ATTEND A CAREERS EVENT/FAIR We arrange careers fairs, employer presentations, guest speakers, specialist workshops and regular employer visits to the Careers Zones where you can also meet and network with employers and find out about career opportunities and discuss career routes.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

“

{ { DID YOU KNOW?

Data from our Career Readiness Survey for 2017/18 showed that only 30% of final-year students had a specific career in mind at the beginning of the academic year. Starting to plan your career right from the start of your degree ensures that you can make applications for graduate jobs or postgraduate courses in your final year and get your career under way.

5. Were there any career ideas you had when you were at school or college? If so, is it worth revisiting or reviewing these ideas?

A Careers Adviser says ...

There are many options open to you after you finish your degree but at the same time it can feel confusing and overwhelming to have so many choices. Any uncertainty about your future career plan is normal and many students feel this way! However, it is important to address this uncertainty and to at least develop a plan of the steps you need to take to move yourself forward.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

TACTICS AND CHOICES

33

Thinking about

postgraduate study?

ARE YOU CONSIDERING

POSTGRADUATE STUDY AS A NEXT STEP? CAREERS ADVISER STEVE BURBAGE LOOKS AT THE REASONS FOR AND AGAINST FURTHER STUDY.

A postgraduate qualification may ‘help you to stand out from the crowd’ but make sure you do your research first as, although it may enhance your career prospects in some cases, in other cases relevant work experience will be more valuable. Many students also opt to undertake postgraduate study to further develop subject knowledge or to convert to a new career area such as law, medicine, education or IT. If you are unsure about what to do next and feel that studying a postgraduate course will give you more time to help you decide, think about whether this is the best strategy. Postgraduate study is time-consuming and can be very costly so you should be reasonably clear about your career goals/aims before starting a course. You can always meet with a Careers Adviser to discuss postgraduate options in more detail by calling into your nearest Careers Zone to make an appointment.

{

DISCUSS POSTGRADUATE OPTIONS WITH A CAREERS ADVISER

New postgraduate loans are available for students on Masters courses at universities across the UK. Students under 60 who ordinarily live in England can apply for a loan of up to £10,609; visit https://www.gov.uk/fundingfor-postgraduate-study for more details. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are running their own schemes.

For further information on eligibility and available funding, check https:// www.findamasters.com/funding/ guides/masters-loans.aspx. A separate loan system for PhD study will also be available from 2018/19. Additional postgraduate funding options include Professional Career Development Loans, employer sponsorship, bursaries/ scholarships or charitable trusts and foundations. Check https://www. prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate-study/ funding-postgraduate-study for further details.

It’s easy to get bewildered by the wide range of postgraduate courses on offer.

Discussing your career objectives and postgraduate study ideas with a Careers Adviser can help to focus your search for the course that’s right for you. Call into a Careers Zone or phone us on 0151 231 2048/3719 to book an appointment.

How and when to apply

DID YOU KNOW? The UK has one of the largest and most diversified postgraduate sectors in the world with almost 21,000 postgraduate course/research options on offer, which can make choosing the right course quite challenging.

Therefore it is important that you research each course you are interested in and consider if it would help you achieve your career ambitions.

Help and support available to you..

01.

02.

03.

Funding

{

GET HELP WITH YOUR POSTGRADUATE APPLICATION FORM Our Employability Advisers provide tailored feedback and advice on personal statements for postgraduate applications to help you effectively demonstrate your motivation and suitability for your chosen course to admissions tutors. To book an appointment, drop into a Careers Zone or call 0151 231 2048/3719.

DOWNLOAD OUR CAREER MINI GUIDE For further information about different course and funding options, head to our Careers website www. ljmu.ac.uk/careers/ and download our handy guides on postgraduate study, applications and PhDs.

20% DISCOUNT OFF POSTGRADUATE STUDY

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

LJMU graduates undertaking postgraduate study at LJMU are entitled to a 20% discount - see terms and conditions at ljmu.ac.uk

The majority of applications are made directly to the institutions concerned; however, some vocational courses such as teaching, law and social work require applications to be made via a central admissions service, which will restrict the amount of courses you can apply to and will usually stipulate a particular closing date. Not all courses have a closing date; however, it is still highly recommended that you do your research well in advance as some courses fill up very quickly and may have particular entry requirements i.e. relevant work experience. Applications (or enquiries) regarding PhDs/ Masters by research should ideally be made around Christmas time; the earlier your application, the more likely it is to attract funding.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

34

TACTICS AND CHOICES

Finding

graduate level jobs

YOUR DEGREE WILL OPEN UP A HUGE RANGE OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU. KNOWING YOUR OPTIONS IN THE GRADUATE LABOUR MARKET IS THE FIRST STEP TO YOUR DREAM JOB.

{

Graduate opportunities exist across all sectors and with employers of all sizes, but there are significant differences in the recruitment process and focus of the roles. Much depends on the size of the company. For example, most large private sector companies and multinationals recruit and train a number of graduates via a graduate scheme every year, whereas many public sector employers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) advertise graduate roles on a more ad-hoc basis. Most graduate schemes involve training in different business areas or working on a range of projects, and around half of all the schemes with large companies are open to graduates from any degree subject. The application process for these programmes can be lengthy, with closing dates as early as Christmas in your final year, followed by online tests, telephone/video interviews and assessment centres. Many companies of all sizes also use recruitment agencies to fill temporary vacancies. These can be a great way to enhance your CV and may lead to additional opportunities within the same company.

DID YOU KNOW? We advertise thousands of vacancies each year via the job search facility on our Careers Zone 24/7 platform; this includes graduate jobs, placements/internships, voluntary roles as well as part-time work. You can also search for overseas jobs and internships on our GoinGlobal database, which is also available via the platform. Go to the Careers website and follow the links for Careers Zone 24/7 - www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

{

Help and support available to you..

01.

02.

03.

ONE TO ONE SUPPORT IN THE CAREERS ZONE If you are unsure of your options after you graduate, you can speak to a Careers Adviser to discuss which sectors and opportunities may best suit you, and our Employability Advisers can help you ace your applications for a range of graduate positions. To book an appointment, call into a Careers Zone or phone us on 0151 231 2048/3719.

WORKSHOPS/WEBINARS

Throughout the academic year, we run a number of events to help you understand your job options in the graduate labour market, from our workshops and webinars on graduate schemes and the hidden job market to a range of employer talks and fairs. Keep an eye on our events website https://careers.ljmu.ac.uk and get networking!

CAREER MINI GUIDE Head to our Careers website www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/ and download our guides on graduate schemes and the hidden job market for further information.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

The hidden job market Organisations are under no legal obligation to advertise their jobs externally, so you will only be able to search a fraction of the job market online. What you don’t see are hundreds of roles offered and accepted through other means and never advertised to the general public. This is often referred to as the ‘hidden job market’.

Networking is the key to opening the door to the hidden job market, and it is easier than you think:

Get out there!

Each year the Careers Team invites employers of all sizes and sectors onto campus for a range of events, talks, fairs and careers presentations. This gives you the chance to network with employers to talk about potential opportunities and learn more about the sectors that interest you.

Get online

Use social media to follow organisations and interact with individuals who may be able to offer you advice, support and even job opportunities in the future. You may also learn about sector-specific networking events you could attend to meet future employers.

Get LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the leading professional network and your profile acts as a CV. You can connect with individuals and organisations to increase your network, gain insight into your industry and also search for jobs - https://university. linkedin.com/linkedin-for-students

You have to speculate to accumulate

You can also contact prospective employers through a speculative application, i.e. sending a CV and covering letter to organisations of interest to you when they do not currently advertise suitable vacancies. If your application impresses them, they may contact you to discuss possible upcoming positions.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

TACTICS AND CHOICES

35

Thinking of starting

your own business?

LJMU’S CENTRE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAN HELP STUDENTS WHO WANT TO DEVELOP A NEW BUSINESS IDEA, WORK AS A FREELANCER, LAUNCH A PRODUCT OR SERVICE OR GROW AN EXISTING BUSINESS. The Centre for Entrepreneurship will help you to build your business concept alongside your studies, connect with the local business community and develop your enterprise skills. We offer:

❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚

Try It Out Awards – a £250 quick response fund to test your idea

❚❚

Idealab – a summer school to develop technology-driven business ideas

Start-up fund – up to £2000 to start your new venture

Year Out - £3000 to support a venture started as part of a sandwich year placement

{

CONTACT US @LJMU_Enterprise

www2.ljmu.ac.uk/startup/

{

Graduate Case Study ANGELA CLUCAS GRADUATED IN 2016 WITH AN MSC IN SPORTS NUTRITION AND NOW RUNS HER OWN BUSINESS CALLED NEXT LEVEL NUTRITION Please tell us more about the business, which you have set up, and your job role within this?

I am the owner and performance nutritionist at Next Level Nutrition (www.nextleveliom. com). The company has been running for two years now, as it was set up immediately after my MSc in Sports Nutrition at LJMU. I work with a variety of clients from elite athletes to ‘weekend warriors’ (i.e. those who only exercise at weekends). I also work with busy parents, and everyone in between. The MSc at LJMU really gave me the confidence in my own ability to go and start a business and take what I had learnt in the classroom out into the real world.

A big contributor to this was the placement I did and the opportunity to work in elite sport whilst still studying was invaluable.

What do you enjoy about your work? ❙❙ I enjoy helping my clients; seeing them

reach their personal bests, or just having more energy and zest for life. ❙❙ I like being my own boss. Travel is a big part of my life and being able to work from anywhere and not having limited holidays mean I can take Next Level wherever I go. It is the perfect balance for me. ❙❙ I like meeting new people. Being a business owner has led to some interesting opportunities such as being asked to talk at corporate events on both nutrition and setting up a business. I love having the opportunity to try to inspire others to make a change.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

What help and support did you access from the Centre for Entrepreneurship?

I took part in their three-day training programme after which we were invited to pitch our business idea for funding. I was awarded £1600 which allowed me to invest in vital equipment and technology needed to get set up. As a student just finishing my MSc, this was a fantastic boost and prevented me from having to take a bank loan.

Please tell us about your past work experience or employment history, prior to setting up your own business?

After finishing my undergraduate course, and before starting my MSc, I worked in various IT and finance companies where I learnt valuable customer service, administration and marketing skills. These skills have proved invaluable now I am working for myself, as I know both how to and how not to run a business!

Do you have any advice for students who may be considering the possibility of setting up a business?

Go for it! You can always start small, set it up on the side while working and then build it up. If it doesn’t work out, you can always get a job to raise more cash and try again. Don’t be put off by the people who say ‘what if it doesn’t work?’

My response to this is; ‘but what if it does?’ Avoid getting into debt with any big

investments and take things one day at a time.

Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?

If I was a first-year student again I would take every opportunity available to me. I would advise current students to volunteer for everything, to network with others, to ask questions and listen more. The connections you can make at LJMU will serve you for a lifetime if you take the time to network sincerely.

Which aspects of your degree or MSc were particularly useful and relevant to the work that you now do?

The chance to take a placement in elite sport, in my case with Huddersfield Giants Rugby League, was an invaluable learning experience.

It enhanced my understanding of what is required of a performance nutritionist in the field. The ‘real world experience’ of my lecturers was invaluable. I knew that what I was learning was being applied in the real world, not just in a lecture theatre. This gave me the confidence to know I could hit the ground running with my business, as I knew that I was prepared for what was happening today in the field of nutrition.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

36

TACTICS AND CHOICES

The importance of relevant

work experience

WORK EXPERIENCE CAN OFTEN BE THE DECISIVE FACTOR IN SECURING THE JOB YOU WANT; HERE WE LOOK AT WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT AND

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THE DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN GET EXPERIENCE UNDER YOUR BELT.

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DID YOU KNOW? According to a 2018 survey of large employers (carried out by High Fliers Research), more than a third of the employers taking part in the research warned that graduates who have had no previous work experience are unlikely to be successful during the selection process for the top employers’ graduate programmes. This means that by having no experience you are immediately restricting the opportunities available to you.

Types of work experience

Work experience has become a general term which incorporates a wide range of opportunities and experience. The best way for employers to recruit a future graduate can be to see them in the workplace and how they perform on a daily basis. The following types of work experience can therefore be a way of securing a future graduate position at an organisation.

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Year-long placements – This type of placement is also known as an industrial or sandwich placement. They can be a compulsory part of a university course but students on other courses may also have the option to take a year out from their studies and undertake a placement. This usually takes place between the second and third year of your course.

Summer placements – Increasingly the term internship is being used to describe placements that take place over the summer holidays usually for between eight and 12 weeks. They can be well-paid and, depending on the organisation, may only be available to students who have completed at least two years of their degree course.

Work shadowing – These opportunities are usually short term and unpaid as you will not be undertaking a specific role in an organisation. The main activities include observing staff and getting an insight into a particular job role and organisation.

They can be extremely useful in building up contacts.

Part-time work – These types of positions tend to be ongoing and you may be working for one or two days per week even during term time. They may not necessarily be linked to your future career but they are still a great way to gain skills, develop your organisational awareness and build up your CV. Internships - This term is increasingly used but is just another name for a placement and can range from two weeks to a year in duration. Find out more about paid undergraduate LJMU internships on the opposite page.

A Careers Adviser says ...

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Put yourself in an employer’s position. Even if you do well at interview, if you have no work experience, and no employment references and another candidate does, they are more likely to appoint the person who has ‘proof’ of their abilities in the workplace. It is important to get hands-on experience in possible future job roles. This helps to build up your CV and provides examples to use in applications and interviews. It is also a great way to make contacts, build confidence and develop a range of skills that, even if not entirely related to your future graduate role, show that you are a motivated person who wants to develop.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

The voluntary sector Many people may not consider volunteering as it is unpaid, but it isn’t important to future employers whether your work experience is paid or unpaid. In fact, volunteering looks fantastic on your CV, as it says something about you as a person that you are prepared to work on an unpaid basis to support a community, for example, and develop personally. As with other work experience opportunities, it is a great way to improve your organisational and cultural awareness and build up contacts. There are many ways to find volunteering opportunities. You can search websites such as https://do-it.org/ for a wide variety of roles or go directly to the charity or organisation you want to support to ask about volunteering opportunities.

LJMU also runs volunteering projects in schools and colleges for students to get involved with. For other opportunities outside of a school/college environment, there is a service for students called Volunteering Liverpool. LJMU is a part of the partnership running this service along with John Moores Students’ Union, Liverpool Guild of Students, Liverpool Hope University, The City of Liverpool College, and Volunteer Centre Liverpool.

The Volunteering Liverpool website offers volunteering opportunities for all students in Liverpool across a variety of areas. Visit www.liverpoolguild.org/main-menu/ volunteer to search for opportunities in areas such as arts, health, environment, sport and many more.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

TACTICS AND CHOICES

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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR VACATIONS A number of working holiday providers such as Camp America, Camp Leaders, Ski Canada, CCUSA and JET visit LJMU each year to promote their summer and year-long placement programmes. These programmes are a great way to travel, meet new people, experience different cultures and gain skills and experiences that will look great on your CV. Keep an eye on our events website (https:// careers.ljmu.ac.uk) for details of talks, which usually take place during the autumn term each year.

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Help and support available to you..

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LJMU VOLUNTEERING If you would like to arrange some volunteering or get more information you can email volunteer@ljmu.ac.uk, follow @volunteer_LJMU on Twitter or call the volunteering manager Chris Prescott on 0151 904 6356.

WORKSHOPS/WEBINARS AND EMPLOYER EVENTS

The Careers Team runs a number of workshops/webinars and events throughout the academic year, including employer presentations and visits to the Careers Zones, where you can find out about work experience and volunteering opportunities. Check our events website https://careers.ljmu.ac.uk regularly, and also look out for placement fairs organised by your faculty.

DOWNLOAD OUR CAREER MINI GUIDES For further advice, download our mini guides on part-time jobs and work experience from the Careers website at www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/

LJMU CareerSmart Internship Programme

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A fixed number of 20 day funded internships are available every summer to level 5 and 6 students. In a range of disciplines, the internships will be with a local employer, usually starting in early June.

For more information, visit:

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/ plan-your-future/ljmu-internships

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

38

GETTING THE JOB

How to write a winning

CV and covering letter

DID YOU KNOW THAT EMPLOYERS TYPICALLY SPEND UNDER TEN SECONDS INITIALLY REVIEWING A CV? EMPLOYABILITY ADVISER JENNY HAMMOND OFFERS SOME ADVICE TO MAKE SURE YOURS MAKES THE CUT.

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Top CV tips

Different styles of CV CHRONOLOGICAL CV

Always tailor the CV for each job and organisation you apply to! If you have a person specification, make sure you address the points in this using examples and evidence.

Use key words from the job advert and the employer’s website to customise your CV to show the employer that you speak ‘their language’ and would fit in well at the company.

Structure the CV to make the most of your relevant skills and experience. If you have previously carried out a similar role or worked on a project using applicable skills, list these on the front page.

Highlight and quantify both professional and personal achievements where you can.

Make sure the CV is no longer than two sides of A4 and use a clear, concise writing style. Put your name at the top of the document (never use the title ‘CV’ as this is selfevident!).

Add a link to your LinkedIn page, blog, online portfolio and perhaps your Twitter handle if you tweet about your industry.

Consider using bold font, sub-headings and bullet points to break up information.

Always check through your CV for spelling and grammatical mistakes or get someone to check through it for you – employers often discard applications containing spelling and grammatical errors.

Help and support available to you..

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ONE TO ONE SUPPORT IN THE CAREERS ZONE

If you are unsure about the content and structure of your CV or would like some advice on tailoring your CV to a particular role or sector, our Employability Advisers can give you professional feedback. Call into a Careers Zone or phone us on 0151 231 2048/3719 to book an appointment.

WORKSHOPS/WEBINARS

Find out how to write a winning CV by attending one of our workshops or webinars. For dates of upcoming sessions, check our event website https://careers.ljmu.ac.uk

CV BUILDER & COVERING LETTER BUILDER

These tools allow you to create a CV and covering from scratch and includes tips and advice from employers on each section of your CV and covering letter. This tool is ideal for students looking to write their first CV/ covering letter.

DOWNLOAD OUR CAREER MINI GUIDE

Our handy mini guide on CVs and covering letters provides lots more advice on what to include in each section of your CV and how to write effective covering letters.

Visit our Careers website www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/ to download your copy.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

If you have plenty of relevant work experience you should use the chronological or traditional CV format, as this style draws attention to your relevant experience, which you list on the first page. Within this section you should provide an overview of key responsibilities but more importantly you should highlight any achievements.

For example, did you take on extra responsibilities or gain a promotion?

Did you meet or exceed targets? Did you find an effective solution to a problem? Can you demonstrate how you offered excellent customer service and gained good feedback? Highlight the skills developed in these roles as well, especially those required for the post you’re applying for.

SKILLS CV

If your experience is lacking or you are changing career path, you may want to use a skills-based CV. Within the ‘skills profile’ on the first page, you should outline relevant skills required for the role. By drawing on examples from work, university and extra-curricular activities you can demonstrate that you have what the employer is looking for. You still include employment information, but can list this more briefly, perhaps on the second page.

HYBRID CV

If you have some experience but this is fairly limited, a combination of the two styles may work best to enable you to highlight experience and skills in separate sections.

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If you are a mature applicant, a career changer, or if you have fragmented work experience, employers will be interested in reading a brief overview of your background but make the most of your experience by using positive language, highlighting what you have gained from previous experience such as commercial awareness and responsibility and skills such as teamwork and communication.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

GETTING THE JOB

39

Skills-based CV 1

Adapt this section for each role and organisation you apply to. Keep it concise and focused and try to highlight relevant skills and experience.

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Provide a clear overview of your degree if relevant to the job you’re applying for. Highlight a number of relevant modules and provide additional information such as field trips and your dissertation.

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If you have any relevant experience, even if it’s just a short work experience placement, list this in a prominent position on the first page of the CV.

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2009-2016  A-levels: Maths (B), Geography (B), French (C)  10 GCSEs grades A*-B, including Geography (A*), Maths (A), English (C)

Summarise your key skills in a skills profile. Look at the requirements of the role and try to match yourself to the person specification, using examples (from work, university, extra-curricular activities, etc.) to evidence how you have used these skills.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

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Feb-March 2018 EarthSpace Consultants, Chester Voluntary Internship  Sat in on meetings between local authority staff and consultants discussing environmental impact assessments, learning more about how these work in practice.  Assisted with field surveys and collecting data on pollution levels on site in Cheshire. Drew on knowledge from university to write up reports, which were commended by my manager. This furthered my analytical and written communication skills.

Summarise any other work experience you have on the second page of the CV, listing this in reverse chronological order. Provide a brief overview of your main responsibilities, skills developed and any achievements.

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Summarise any achievements and positions of responsibility clearly on your CV.

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Highlight your interests, particularly any that are relevant to the industry you want to work in.

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Provide the details of two referees, preferably one academic and one employer. You don’t need to include details for a character reference.

Sadiq Khan

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98 Maple Boulevard, Chester, CH5 6TH 07891 789 789, LinkedIn, s.khan@2016.ljmu.ac.uk

A highly-motivated and enthusiastic final-year Geography undergraduate with a wealth of customerfocused work experience, where I have demonstrated excellent communication skills and have been an integral member of the team. I am passionate about sustainability and regeneration and have experience of field work, both overseas and in the UK. I have also completed work experience in an environmental consultancy and I am really eager to continue working in this area.

EDUCATION

2016 – present

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) BSc (Hons) Geography (expected degree classification: 2:1 or above)  Modules included: Natural resources and Hazards (84); Environment, Society and Sustainability (80); Project Design and Management (70); Urban Geography (68); Environmental Modelling and GIS (pending); River Monitoring and Management.  During an overseas field trip to Santorini as part of my Mediterranean Environments module, I further developed practical fieldwork skills and confidence in collecting samples and data for subsequent analysis.  Dissertation: Regenerating Liverpool - challenges, perceptions and results.

SKILLS PROFILE

IT skills  Confident user of Geographical Information systems (Arc Map and Arc Catalogue).  Competent using all Microsoft Office programmes, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access, which I have used throughout university.  Familiar with SPSS which I used to analyse a range of data for research assignments.

Communication skills  Developed excellent written communication skills writing reports at university. For instance, a recent report examining whether the sustainable use of natural resources can help achieve longterm conservation goals required the use of appropriate scientific language. This was clearly explained in order to be understood by the intended readers from a non-technical background. I used tables and graphs to support my findings. As a result, I received a first class mark and my lecturer commented on the professional standard of my report in the feedback.  Conducting interviews with key members of the local authority for my dissertation research enhanced my interpersonal skills. I firstly engaged and encouraged them to meet with me via email by clearly outlining my project and then spoke over the phone to arrange one to one meetings. I built a rapport early on by being pleasant and professional and clearly working through my questions but also engaged in further discussions on related issues. The response to these meetings was positive and I generated useful data and information for my dissertation.

Teamwork and leadership skills  Worked well as both a team member and team leader in my role at the Greendays Gym. Always ensured I supported the other members of the team during busy periods and brought everyone together to help plan events. I consulted the team first before planning the rota and allocated shifts according to demands and staffing requirements.

Project management and organisational skills  Demonstrated my ability to be highly organised and project manage when voted to act as team leader on a research project during the field trip to Santorini. I drew up a plan for the week’s project for our team of five, allocating time and resources fairly amongst the group. By working efficiently to a strict timescale, I ensured all tasks were completed by the allocated slots throughout the week. I also arranged meetings each morning to run through the day’s tasks and each evening to review our findings at the end of the day, writing up notes and reports as we went, which were later adapted and compiled into a final report.

5 Additional information to include In addition to your personal details, education details, employment details, and skills you may want to include other information to make your CV stand out. ❚❚ Achievements: Employers like to see achievements and whether you have held positions of responsibility so include this kind of information too. Did you lead the university football team to victory this year? Have you been awarded a scholarship? Have you successfully raised money for a charity and participated in a sponsored event? Have you started a new society? ❚❚ Positions of responsibility: Have you chaired a committee?

Acted as treasurer of a society? Been a course rep? Taken on the captain position of a sports team? Positions like these help you to demonstrate that you can make decisions and take on responsibility. ❚❚ Interests: To demonstrate further skills, to get your personality across a bit, or to just add something else to make your CV stand out, include some information about your interests. If you have interests relating to the job, definitely mention these but avoid clichés about activities such as socialising and reading.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

Languages  Fluent in English and Arabic.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

2017-present Greendays Gym, Liverpool Receptionist/Team Leader  Excellent customer service skills demonstrated working in a large, busy gym, gaining promotion to team leader after 4 months due to my dedication and hard work.  Improved my ability to manage others and make decisions on staffing and planning according to the requirements of the business.

2016-2017 The Riverside Restaurant, Liverpool Waiter  Worked effectively in a team in a local restaurant. Developed strong customer service skills, built a rapport with regular customers and integrated well with other members of the team.

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2014-2016 City Walls Café, Chester Waiter  This was a really enjoyable first job where I learnt the importance of offering excellent service to customers, supporting the rest of the team, and working carefully and efficiently to ensure customers received their correct orders in a timely manner.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY   

INTERESTS  

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Elected as Student Representative two years in a row.

Received the “Browns Award” for consistently high marks throughout the year (2018).

Nominated as captain of my university football team (2017-18).

Keen interest in regeneration and the environment and regularly read the New Start Journal and news stories about local regeneration projects. I also read environment and sustainability articles in newspapers and publications such as the New Scientist, which I subscribe to each month.

Enjoy sports and outdoor activities. I organise hiking and mountaineering trips with a group of friends every few months, often to the Munros in Scotland. I also play football every week in the university football team and acted as captain during my second year at university.

REFERENCES  

Professor Lewis Jones, Programme Leader for BSc (Hons) Geography at LJMU. Tel: 0151 231 1010; Email: L.Jones1@ljmu.ac.uk Rosemary Smith, Manager, Greendays Gym, Liverpool.

Tel: 0151 123 1234; Email: RoseSmith@gymgreendays.co.uk

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

40

GETTING THE JOB

Chronological CV Laura Richardson

67 Oakesbury Drive, Gloucester, GL4 8HY Tel: 07811 567872; Email: laura.richardson@outlook.com

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A knowledgeable and hardworking Wildlife Conservation graduate, with skills in surveys and monitoring, habitat management, conservation modelling and GIS, as well as excellent teamwork and communication skills, developed through degree studies and a number of years of work experience in UK and international conservation-related roles. Passionate about the conservation of endangered species, I am eager to work as a Graduate Conservation Assistant at Chester Zoo, where I can become an integral member of the team.

Education 2014-2018

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2007-2014 Gloucester Community Comprehensive School and Sixth Form A-Levels: Geography (A), Biology (A), English Language (B), General Studies (B).

11 GCSEs: Grades A-C including Maths (C) and English (B)

Provide a brief summary of your relevant key skills, experience, knowledge and interests in the personal profile.

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Including further details about your degree, e.g. relevant modules, field trips or practical projects, highlights to an employer what relevant knowledge and skills you have developed throughout your studies.

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Provide a brief summary of your previous qualifications.

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Highlight any relevant work and voluntary experience prominently on the first page of your CV, giving a summary of your key duties and relevant skills developed.

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You can highlight additional skills on the second page of your CV, providing some brief examples from your work, studies or volunteering.

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Provide a brief overview of any other work experience.

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Listing achievements on your CV illustrates to the reader that you are proactive and driven.

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You can include a brief summary of your interests, especially any that relate to the role and organisation you are applying to.

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Provide contact details for two referees (usually one academic and one current/former employer).

Relevant Experience Sept 2016- Sept 2017 Placement Volunteer, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge  Gained extensive survey experience through developing and carrying out monitoring programmes e.g. Common Crane social activities, seasonal influences on feeding Gulls and Corvids, Water Vole distribution, Willow Pollard condition and distribution, Grass Poly, Golden Dock, Mudwort and Water Purslane mapping. This developed my competence in GPS and ArcGIS but also strengthened my teamwork skills, by co-ordinating the organisation of numerous surveys and monitoring programmes with the help of a team of volunteers.  Demonstrated confidence in data management of biological survey data through assisting with breeding wader surveys and monthly WeBs counts, updating the bird sightings web page, and entering habitat planning data into CMS.  Assisted effectively with the everyday practical management of the reserve. Developed skills in fencing, strimming, mowing, boardwalk building and hide repairing. Gained LANTRA Certificate in the Maintenance and Operation of Brushcutters & Trimmers and completed in-house tractor training course, which demonstrates my enthusiasm to undertake on-the-job training.  Assisted with the Mammal & Amphibian department where I developed my presentation skills by delivering talks to 100+ members of the public and presenting episodes of the international webcast ‘Wildlife Weekly’ (still viewable on the WWT Slimbridge YouTube channel).  Created and designed many health and safety forms and risk assessments when recruiting volunteers to assist with the Water Vole survey.

May 2015- June 2016 Volunteer, Wirral Ranger Service  Developed survey skills through lowland heathland survey and monitoring and invertebrate sampling in rivers. Assisted with Great Crested Newt survey of ponds in north Cheshire.  Developed communication skills by delivering guided tours for school visits.

June 2016- July 2016 Internship, UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve, South Africa  Developed skills in the Point Centred Quarter method to conduct vegetation surveys.  Assisted with game capture of large species such as Zebra, Waterbuck and Impala, which required strong teamwork skills and the ability to both follow and give clear instructions.  Set up and maintained camera trap grids and assisted with small mammal surveying by using Longworth traps, which further strengthened my data collection and analysis skills.

July 2015 Survey Assistant, Operation Wallacea, Sulawesi, Indonesia  Part of the Rapid Assessment Biodiversity Team North West Buton and the Forests of Mainland SE Sulawesi.  Participated in jungle training, biodiversity surveys, dive training and marine research on the mainland and the islands off Sulawesi. This was a great experience, which developed my flexibility and practical fieldwork skills.

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An Employability Adviser says ...

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Liverpool John Moores University BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation (2:1) Included a placement year at WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire.

Studied a wide range of modules on conservation management, ecology, field surveying animals (birds, small mammals, lizards) and plants (inc. Phase 1 and NVC), and strengthened my confidence in report writing and literature reviews, data handling and statistical analysis.

Skills developed in Geographical Information Systems and conservation modelling (PVA).

Knowledge on UK and international terrestrial habitats and marine habitats, including field experience in subtropical environments (Tenerife).

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One thing to remember is that using a ‘one size fits all’ approach isn’t the best option. You should always find out what the employer is looking for and modify your CV to meet these requirements. Look at the person specification or entry requirements and ensure all the points from these are evidenced in the CV. Each time you apply for a different job, adapt and tailor the CV for that specific role and organisation. To grab the employer’s attention, make sure the most important and relevant information is on the first page, as this is the first thing the employer will see!

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

Additional Skills Communication  Regularly chairing LJMU Wildlife Conservation Society meetings and attending board of study meetings as a student representative helped me to develop confident communication and public-speaking skills. Using my excellent interpersonal skills, I formed effective working relationships with both peers and academic staff, which allowed me to resolve any complaints in a professional and diplomatic manner.

IT  Confident user of ArcGIS and fully competent using all Microsoft Office programmes, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access, which I have used throughout university.  Familiar with SPSS, which I used to analyse a range of data for research assignments and my undergraduate project.

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Other Experience July 2016 ‘Elephant Extravaganza’ event at Knowsley Safari Park Worked effectively as part of a team to engage visitors with arts and crafts activities and educated them about the ‘Space for Giants’ charity for which this event was raising money.

2014 – 2016 Bartender, Walkabout Liverpool 2012 – 2014 General Assistant, Spar supermarket, Gloucester Provided excellent customer service by dealing with enquiries and complaints promptly and professionally and worked effectively under pressure in a busy environment.

Achievements and Positions of Responsibility   

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2017-18: Vice-President of LJMU’s Conservation Society, which won the Liverpool Student Union Award for Contribution to the Community.

2015-16: Elected Student Representative for BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation.

2014: Achieved Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award

Interests As a student member of the Institution of Environmental Sciences, I enjoy keeping up-to-date with developments in the sector, with a particular emphasis on conservation-related news stories and research. I am also an active member of the Nature Conservancy, Bat Conservation Trust, Marine Conservation Trust, and the Merseyside and West Lancashire Bat Group.

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References Anna Mells, Reserve Manager of WWT Slimbridge, 01453 998877, A.Mells@wwt.org.uk Dr Colm Bowe, Personal Tutor at LJMU, 0151 231 2133, C.Bowe@ljmu.ac.uk

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

GETTING THE JOB

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Covering letter example A covering letter, which should be around a page of A4 in length, should always accompany your CV. As with the CV, the covering letter should be tailored to the role. If you can, find out the name of the person to send the application to. You should demonstrate that you have researched the organisation, explain why you want to work there, and draw the employer’s attention to the key skills and experience that are highlighted within your CV.

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ĞĂƌ Dƌ tĂůƚĞƌƐ͕

/ Ăŵ ǁƌŝƚŝŶŐ ƚŽ ĂƉƉůLJ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƌŽůĞ ŽĨ 'ƌĂĚƵĂƚĞ ŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶ ƐƐŝƐƚĂŶƚ ĂƐ ĂĚǀĞƌƚŝƐĞĚ ŽŶ LJŽƵƌ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ ĂŶĚ ĞŶĐůŽƐĞ ŵLJ s ĨŽƌ LJŽƵƌ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĂƚŝŽŶ͘

DLJ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ njŽŽ ĂƌŽƐĞ ĂĨƚĞƌ ƐĞǀĞƌĂů ǀŝƐŝƚƐ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ŵLJ ^Đ ;,ŽŶƐͿ tŝůĚůŝĨĞ ŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶ ĚĞŐƌĞĞ ƐƚƵĚŝĞƐ Ăƚ >:Dh ĂŶĚ my own research into Chester Zoo’s ŵĂŶLJ ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚƐ͘ / ŚĂǀĞ Ă ƉĂƐƐŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶ ĂŶĚ ƐƚƌŽŶŐůLJ ĂĚǀŽĐĂƚĞ ƚŚĞ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ƉƌŽƚĞĐƚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĨƵƚƵƌĞ ŽĨ ĂŶŝŵĂůƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ŶĂƚƵƌĂů ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ ĞĚƵĐĂƚŝŶŐ ŽƚŚĞƌƐ ƚŽ ĚŽ ƚŚĞ ƐĂŵĞ͘ zŽƵƌ ƉŝŽŶĞĞƌŝŶŐ ƌŽůĞ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƐĞĐƚŽƌ ŝƐ ŝůůƵƐƚƌĂƚĞĚ ďLJ LJŽƵƌ ĐŽͲŽƉĞƌĂƚŝŽŶ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ tŽƌůĚ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƚŝŽŶ ŽĨ ŽŽƐ ĂŶĚ ƋƵĂƌŝƵŵƐ ƚŽ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉ global indicators for the UN’s international conservation targets. / ŚĂǀĞ Ă ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶ ďƌĞĞĚŝŶŐ ŽĨ ĞŶĚĂŶŐĞƌĞĚ ƐƉĞĐŝĞƐ ĂŶĚ͕ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ŵLJ ŽǁŶ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĨŝĞůĚ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ĂŶ ŝŶƚĞƌŶƐŚŝƉ ŝŶ Ă ŶĂƚƵƌĞ ƌĞƐĞƌǀĞ ŝŶ ^ŽƵƚŚ ĨƌŝĐĂ͕ / Ăŵ ƉĂƌƚŝĐƵůĂƌůLJ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚ ŝŶ LJŽƵƌ ďůĂĐŬ ƌŚŝŶŽ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ / Ăŵ ĞƋƵĂůůLJ ƉĂƐƐŝŽŶĂƚĞ ĂďŽƵƚ ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶ ĐůŽƐĞƌ ƚŽ ŚŽŵĞ͕ ĂŶĚ ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ Ă ĚĞĚŝĐĂƚĞĚ ǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌ ĂŶĚ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚĞƌ ŽĨ Ă ŶƵŵďĞƌ ŽĨ ůŽĐĂů ŽƌŐĂŶŝƐĂƚŝŽŶƐ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ǀŝĐĞͲ ƉƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ >:Dh ŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶ ^ŽĐŝĞƚLJ͘ Ɛ Ă ƌĞƐƵůƚ͕ / ǁŽƵůĚ ĂůƐŽ ůŽǀĞ ƚŽ ďĞ ŝŶǀŽůǀĞĚ ŝŶ LJŽƵƌ ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶ ĞĨĨŽƌƚƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ h<͕ ƐƵĐŚ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ƉŝŶĞ ŵĂƌƚĞŶ ƌĞĐŽǀĞƌLJ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚ͘

Ɛ LJŽƵ ǁŝůů ƐĞĞ ĨƌŽŵ ŵLJ s͕ / ŚĂǀĞ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ Ă ǁĞĂůƚŚ ŽĨ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚƐ ŽǀĞƌ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ĨĞǁ LJĞĂƌƐ͘ DLJ LJĞĂƌͲůŽŶŐ ƉůĂĐĞŵĞŶƚ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ tŝůĚĨŽǁů ĂŶĚ tĞƚůĂŶĚƐ dƌƵƐƚ ŝŶ ^ůŝŵďƌŝĚŐĞ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ ŵLJ ŬŶŽǁůĞĚŐĞ ŽĨ ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĂďůLJ ĂŶĚ ĂůůŽǁĞĚ ŵĞ ƚŽ ĚĞŵŽŶƐƚƌĂƚĞ ŵLJ ĞdžĐĞůůĞŶƚ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ ĂŶĚ ƚĞĂŵǁŽƌŬ ƐŬŝůůƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĚĂLJͲƚŽͲĚĂLJ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐĞƌǀĞ͘ / Ăŵ ĐŽŶĨŝĚĞŶƚ ƚŚĂƚ ŵLJ ĞŶŚĂŶĐĞĚ ƐƵƌǀĞLJ ĂŶĚ ŵŽŶŝƚŽƌŝŶŐ ƐŬŝůůƐ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ŵLJ ĚĂƚĂ ĂŶĂůLJƐŝƐ ĂŶĚ ƌĞƉŽƌƚ ǁƌŝƚŝŶŐ ĂďŝůŝƚŝĞƐ ǁŽƵůĚ ĞŶĂďůĞ ŵĞ ƚŽ ĐŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚĞ ĞĨĨĞĐƚŝǀĞůLJ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĨŝĞůĚǁŽƌŬ ĚƵƚŝĞƐ ĂƐ ƉĂƌƚ ŽĨ ƚŚŝƐ ƌŽůĞ͘

DLJ ŝŶǀŽůǀĞŵĞŶƚ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ůĞƉŚĂŶƚ džƚƌĂǀĂŐĂŶnjĂ ŝŶ <ŶŽǁƐůĞLJ ^ĂĨĂƌŝ WĂƌŬ ŐĂǀĞ ŵĞ ǀĂůƵĂďůĞ ĂŶĚ ĞŶũŽLJĂďůĞ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ĞŶŐĂŐŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ǀŝƐŝƚŽƌƐ ĂŶĚ ĞĚƵĐĂƚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞŵ ĂďŽƵƚ ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ĐŚĂƌŝƚLJ ĨŽƌ ǁŚŝĐŚ ƚŚĞ ĞǀĞŶƚ ǁĂƐ ĨƵŶĚƌĂŝƐŝŶŐ͘ ůŽŶŐƐŝĚĞ ŵLJ ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ĐƵƐƚŽŵĞƌ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ĂŶĚ ŽƌŐĂŶŝƐĂƚŝŽŶ ƐŬŝůůƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ŵLJ ƌŽůĞƐ ŝŶ ƌĞƚĂŝů ĂŶĚ ŚŽƐƉŝƚĂůŝƚLJ͕ ƚŚŝƐ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝƐ Ă ŐƌĞĂƚ ĨŽƵŶĚĂƚŝŽŶ ƚŽ ĞŶŐĂŐĞ ǀŝƐŝƚŽƌƐ ƚŽ ŚĞƐƚĞƌ ŽŽ ǁŝƚŚ ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶ ĞĚƵĐĂƚŝŽŶ ĂŶĚ ĨƵŶĚƌĂŝƐŝŶŐ ĂĐƚŝǀŝƚŝĞƐ͕ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ƐĐŚŽŽů ǀŝƐŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ LJŽƵƌ ĂŶŶƵĂů 'Ž KƌĂŶŐĞ ĨŽƌ KƌĂŶŐƵƚĂŶƐ ĐĂŵƉĂŝŐŶ͘

/ Ăŵ ƉĂƐƐŝŽŶĂƚĞ ĂďŽƵƚ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŝŶŐ ŵLJ ĐĂƌĞĞƌ ŝŶ ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƚŝŽŶ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĂŶŬ LJŽƵ ĨŽƌ ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƚŝŵĞ ƚŽ ƌĞĂĚ ĂďŽƵƚ ŵLJ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞƐ͘ / ĐĂŶ ďĞ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ĨŽƌ ŝŶƚĞƌǀŝĞǁ Ăƚ ĂŶLJ ƚŝŵĞ ĂŶĚ ůŽŽŬ ĨŽƌǁĂƌĚ ƚŽ ŚĞĂƌŝŶŐ ĨƌŽŵ LJŽƵ͘

zŽƵƌƐ ƐŝŶĐĞƌĞůLJ͕ >ĂƵƌĂ ZŝĐŚĂƌĚƐŽŶ

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

42

GETTING THE JOB

How to write effective

Application forms

INSTEAD OF A CV, MANY EMPLOYERS USE APPLICATION FORMS AS THE FIRST STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS. EMPLOYABILITY ADVISER ANJA HEID OFFERS SOME TIPS TO IMPRESS EMPLOYERS.

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Top tips for completing application forms Good preparation is essential! Where possible, read through the whole form before you start filling it in, so you can collect any relevant information you need to complete the form and decide on your most suitable evidence for each section.

Research the organisation thoroughly and analyse the person specification so you are familiar with the job requirements and can show employers that you have done your homework.

Avoid spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and text-speak. Some graduate recruiters reject more than half of all applications because of the poor standard of English on the application forms. For online applications, draft your answers in Word, and spellcheck them before copying and pasting onto the form. Ask a friend or family member to proofread your work.

Answer the questions! It can be tempting to use answers from previous application forms, but these might not cover all aspects required for a similar question. Read each question carefully and check that your response provides all the necessary details.

Keep within any given word limits.

Sell yourself! The application form might only be the first stage of the recruitment process, but if you are too modest or too unspecific in your answers, you are unlikely to make it to the next stage. Ensure your evidence is recent, relevant and tailored to reflect the skills and knowledge required for the role.

And finally, keep a copy of the completed application form. As you are likely to apply for a number of positions at the same time, it will be useful to have a record of each application to prepare for a potential interview or assessment centre.

An Employability Adviser says ...

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Some application forms use a list of specific, usually competency-based, questions to assess your suitability for the role, as well as some questions to explore your motivation and interest in working for the organisation. These could include questions like:

The supporting information/personal statement section is hugely important and should be tailored to the individual role, because this is where you need to convince the employer that you are the right candidate for the job and discuss why you would like to work for their organisation. Address the job requirements outlined on the person specification one by one and in the same order, providing convincing evidence for your suitability and including key words from the job advert.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

An employer says ...

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Describe a time when you have worked under pressure.

Give an example for when you failed to complete a project on time.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Please discuss a time when you have contributed positively to a team project.

Describe a situation when you have successfully communicated complex information.

At BP we live by the following values: Safety, Respect, Excellence, One Team, and Courage. Please give a specific example of a time when you have demonstrated one of these values in your extra-curricular activities.

Please explain why you have chosen to apply to Caterpillar and what has attracted you to your chosen discipline.

The best approach to answer these questions and to provide evidence for how you meet the selection criteria is the STAR technique.

“

5

Competency based questions

A structured application form which addresses the person specification and the job description makes it easy for the shortlisting panel to identify and score your evidence for each criterion. Due to the volume of applications employers receive for graduate and entrylevel roles, candidates whose personal statements do not clearly and systematically address all the essential criteria from the person specification are very unlikely to make it to the interview stage.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

GETTING THE JOB

43

STAR technique example STAR is a simple strategy that will help you provide concise, focused answers on application forms and at interview. In the example below, a student has been asked to ‘describe a time when you have demonstrated excellent organisation skills’.

SITUATION (briefly describe the context for your example.

When was this? Where was this?):

When the club needed new equipment for the games room last year, I volunteered to take the leading role in raising £1,000 to buy a new pool table and games console in time for the summer holidays, which gave me six weeks to raise the required funds.

then recorded in my project plan. For example, I tasked one experienced volunteer to raise £200 from a bag packing event at a local supermarket for week five, while I put another in charge of organising the cake sale for our main fundraising event/open day in week six. I chaired a weekly team meeting to monitor progress and identify team members that needed help. For example, when one team member was struggling to secure raffle prizes, I set aside time within my schedule for the remaining weeks to contact local companies. Thanks to my excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, I was able to persuade several businesses to donate vouchers or cash prizes.

ACTION (describe what you did to achieve the task, how you did it and what skills you used):

RESULT (briefly describe the outcome. What did you learn?

Would you do anything differently in hindsight?):

TASK (describe what you had to do. What were you hoping to achieve?):

First of all, I drafted a basic project plan to record my fundraising target and key tasks for each week. For example, my tasks for the first two weeks included recruiting volunteers to help me organise the fundraising and researching local events over the next couple of weeks to identify a suitable date for our open day. Once I had recruited a sufficient number of volunteers, I was able to allocate tasks and fundraising targets to each team member, which I

Our open day was a great success and we raised a total of £1,250 from this and the bag packing events in a local supermarket. I found it really beneficial to have taken on a leadership role for this project and have since volunteered to lead on academic projects as well.

The experience of organising the various aspects of this project has also strengthened my planning skills, and I have applied this to organising my academic work more effectively this year.

Help and support available to you..

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ONE TO ONE SUPPORT IN THE CAREERS ZONE Our Employability Advisers can give you tailored feedback and advice on draft application forms to help you sell yourself effectively to potential employers. Call into a Careers Zone or phone us on 0151 231 2048/3719 to arrange an appointment.

WORKSHOPS/WEBINARS Our ‘Effective Applications’ workshop and webinar will help you understand what employers are looking for in application forms, so you give yourself the best possible chance of getting to that all-important interview.

For dates of upcoming sessions, check our events website https://careers.ljmu.ac.uk

DOWNLOAD OUR CAREER MINI GUIDE Our mini guide on application forms provides lots more advice on how to tackle application forms and also includes a sample personal statement. Visit our Careers website www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/ to download your copy.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

A student says ...

“

As a regular volunteer for my local youth club, I have been involved in organising a number of fundraising events.

The advice I have had from the Employability Advisers on my application forms has been really useful. They are friendly and professional, and the information I was given was hugely relevant.

I got specific and tailored feedback on which areas I needed to work on further, and this really helped me to improve my application.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

44

GETTING THE JOB

How to succeed at

interviews

PREPARATION IS THE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW. CAREERS ADVISER HAYLEY FALLON EXPLAINS WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION AND BOOST YOUR CHANCES OF SUCCESS.

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DID YOU KNOW? First impressions are crucial. Studies have shown that someone forms judgements about you within the first four minutes of meeting you. Give a good impression to your interviewer from the very first moment. Be on time, shake hands confidently, smile and introduce yourself. Walk tall, maintain eye contact, sit upright, talk clearly and be enthusiastic and positive.

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Help and support available to you..

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ONE TO ONE SUPPORT IN THE CAREERS ZONE The prospect of attending an interview can be scary, but don’t panic!

Our Careers and Employability Advisers are on hand to provide tips on common interview questions to ensure you shine in the interview.

To arrange an appointment, call into a Careers Zone or phone us on 0151 231 2048/3719.

WORKSHOPS/WEBINARS Learn how to prepare effectively for interviews in our ‘Interview Success’ workshop and webinar. We cover typical questions, effective answers and how to impress prospective employers at interview. For dates of upcoming sessions, check our events website https://careers.ljmu.ac.uk

INTERVIEW SIMULATOR As part of our Careers Zone 24/7 online careers tools, you can test yourself with interactive questions on the interview simulator. Build up your confidence by taking a mock interview or learn about what makes an effective answer from experienced recruiters. You can access Careers Zone 24/7 via our Careers website www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/

CAREER MINI GUIDE Our handy mini guide on ‘Preparing for Interviews’ summarises some key advice for before, during and after the interview, and introduces you to common interview questions. Visit our Careers website www. ljmu.ac.uk/careers/ to download your copy.

INTERVIEW PRACTICE SESSIONS Never had an interview before and don’t know what to expect? Beat your interview nerves by booking a practice interview with one of our advisers by calling into a Careers Zone or phoning us on 0151 231 2048/3719.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

Different types of interview ❚❚ Telephone - Initial employer call that eliminates candidates based on essential criteria. Successful applicants are usually invited to the one-to-one stage. ❚❚ Video - Whether through Skype, FaceTime or YouTube, this type of interview is increasingly popular for graduate roles in sales, media and marketing. They’re usually held during the initial screening process. ❚❚ One-to-one - Face-to-face encounter with one interviewer, after the organisation decides that you’ve got what it’s looking for. They’re usually formal, but can also take place over lunch. You could also be interviewed by different people at different times. ❚❚ Panel - Similar to one-to-one interviews, except two or more people - often from different parts of the organisation - will be assessing you at the same time. ❚❚ Group - Multiple candidates are interviewed together. They’re asked questions in turn, or discuss certain topics. ❚❚ Assessment centres - These involve tasks including presentations, written tests, and group, role-play and in-tray exercises. They’re used to assess a candidate’s performance in a range of situations, and last between one and three days. You’ll appear alongside several other candidates. Find out more about assessment centres on p.46.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

GETTING THE JOB

45

Before the interview Thorough preparation is the key to a successful interview. One of the main ways to prepare is to research: Research the organisation: This demonstrates how interested and enthusiastic you are about working for the organisation and will help you prepare some questions to ask them at the end. All employers will expect you to display some understanding of what they do and the sector in which they operate!

Research the job: Read the job advert and/or person specification. Look at the organisation’s website or recruitment brochure to see which skills or attributes are mentioned. Use any opportunity to meet the recruiter and employees at careers fairs, on placement and other events, such as open days.

Research yourself: Think about your strengths and demonstrate self-awareness. What makes you the best candidate for the post?

Look at the job description and/or person specification and make sure you can give at least one positive example (preferably more) for each of the skills and attributes the employer is seeking.

Anticipate the questions: It is often possible to predict the kind of questions you may get by looking at the job description and/or person specification or the organisation’s key competencies and corporate values. These provide the selection criteria for the job and they will ask you questions in order to determine whether or not you have what it takes to do the job effectively and fit into the organisation.

Practical issues: Practical preparation can often be overlooked but don’t forget this when preparing for your interview. Plan your day so that you arrive as calm, collected and professional as you can be! Find out what the format of the interview is. Where will it be? Do you need to take anything? What are you going to wear?

Do you need overnight accommodation?

During the interview With thorough preparation, you are in a good position to respond effectively to questions and display knowledge of yourself, the job and the organisation. When answering, avoid yes/no answers, seek clarification if needed, listen to the questions, be positive and use examples from different experiences.

Competency-based questions are commonly used to help interviewers gain a better understanding of your skills set and suitability for the role. These could include: ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚

Give an example for when you have used your communication skills to deal with a difficult person.

Please discuss a time when you have demonstrated your ability to prioritise conflicting tasks effectively.

Describe a situation when you have successfully led a team.

To give structure to your answers and provide clear evidence of your skills, the STAR technique is useful to help you focus your answers and demonstrate your competencies to the recruiter.

Please see the previous section on application forms for further details about STAR and an example.

Increasingly, graduate recruiters now use strength-based interviews, which allow them to explore what motivates you, whether you would fit into their organisation and whether you would enjoy the job. Questions are usually more open and give candidates more freedom in their answers than competency-based questions: ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚

What do you enjoy about working in a team?

What motivates you?

Would you be happy to compromise the quality of your work in order to deliver a project more quickly?

What would people who know you well say you are good at?

What modules did you enjoy the most during your degree studies?

Your responses should still reflect the required skills, personal attributes and organisational values, but ensure that your responses are natural and that your motivation shines through in all of your answers.

After the interview Learn from the experience. Note down some of the questions they asked. Were you satisfied with your answers or could you do better next time? This will help you prepare for the next stage of the process or get ready for interviews with other employers. If they don’t contact you when they said they would, or if it has been more than two weeks, phone the company and ask for an update.

If you have been unsuccessful, ask for feedback on your interview. Most recruiters will be happy to provide this, and although it might not all be positive, it is important to reflect on unsuccessful interviews to help you improve your technique.

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Interviews can be nerve wracking and stressful situations - but don’t panic. A few simple techniques, good preparation and some positive thinking can do wonders to reduce your stress levels and help you shine. If you want to discuss this further, call into your nearest Careers Zone and book an appointment with an adviser.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

An employer says ...

“

A Careers Adviser says ...

What I look for in candidates during interviews are their personal attributes. Skills you can teach, but you can’t make an individual be motivated, enthusiastic or proactive. In the last candidate I recruited, those attributes came across strongly in the interview and in everything she was talking about. And that’s what made her stand out as a candidate.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

46

GETTING THE JOB

Psychometric tests and assessment centres USE SCREENING TESTS AS

PART OF THEIR RECRUITMENT PROCESS AS RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THEY ARE THE BEST SINGLE PREDICTOR OF PERFORMANCE AND GIVE AN EMPLOYER AN

OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF A CANDIDATE’S ABILITIES.

If your initial application is successful, psychometric tests are usually the next part of the screening process. If you successfully navigate them, you are then usually invited to an assessment centre or assessment day.

The two main types of psychometric tests used are ability tests (sometimes called aptitude tests) and personality questionnaires.

Ability tests are formal tests designed to indicate how well you are able to carry out various aspects of a job i.e. to show employers your potential to do a task well.

The tests are typically completed online and are usually a series of multiple choice questions taken under strict time limits.

The most common tests used by graduate recruiters are verbal tests, numerical tests, diagrammatic/abstract/logical/spatial reasoning tests, industry-specific tests and situational judgement tests.

Personality questionnaires look at behavioural preferences. They are not concerned with your abilities, but how you see yourself in terms of your personality; for example, the way you relate to others, and how you deal with feelings and emotions.

There are no rights or wrongs in behavioural style, so the best advice is to be honest in the way you answer the questions.

The next stage in the graduate recruitment process is usually an invitation to attend an assessment centre or selection centre event. Assessment centres are costly both in terms of financial outlay and staff resources so tend to be used mainly by larger organisations offering structured graduate training programmes.

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A student says ...

Prepare yourself for each activity. There is plenty of information online and the practice tests on Careers Zone 24/7 of the Careers website is really helpful.

Preparation will give you the confidence you need to perform well in any situation. Always keep in mind the type of candidate the company is looking for and also the company’s strategy and values. This information will help you structure your answers well. You are always being assessed so try to talk with the other candidates, current graduates or the staff about relevant topics. Show interest in the company and the position. Be yourself and let the others be too.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

What happens at an assessment centre?

The assessment centre is generally a one day event held in a training centre, hotel, conference centre or the employer’s own premises. Other applicants who have been successful in the first round of the selection process will also be present, typically placed in groups of between six and eight candidates.

Assessment centres are usually designed to include exercises that measure you against key aspects of the job. By using a range of methods such as group exercises, further interviews, tests, presentations and intray exercises, the selectors will have a chance to examine your potential as an employee in their organisation more closely.

For all of the exercises make sure you understand the instructions or the written brief. If you are unclear, ask for clarification. The activities will have been devised to highlight the attributes they require for the particular role you have applied for. It is an intensive day during which you will be under constant scrutiny and formal and informal assessment, even at meal times.

An employer says ...

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MOST LARGE ORGANISATIONS

The toughest part of our selection process is the online tests, but there are some simple ways you can certainly improve your chances. Make sure you practise the online tests several times – once or twice just isn’t enough and make sure you practise the tests that are used by the employer you are applying to – that is essential - but it certainly won’t hurt to try others. The tests may take longer than you expect/or are told so ensure you allow plenty of time. And finally don’t sit the tests just before the deadline. If you encounter any problems you may not have enough time to contact the employer and get the issue fixed before the closing date.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

GETTING THE JOB

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Help and support available to you..

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ONE TO ONE SUPPORT IN THE CAREERS ZONE For individual advice on preparing for psychometric tests and assessment centres, speak to our advisers. To arrange an appointment, call into a Careers Zone or phone us on 0151 231 2048/3719.

WORKSHOPS We offer psychometric testing practice sessions to help you ace your online tests. For dates of upcoming sessions, check our events website https://careers.ljmu.ac.uk

ASSESSMENT CENTRE TOOL AND PSYCHOMETRIC TESTS Looking to practise aptitude tests and assessment centre exercises? Head to our Careers website www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers, follow the link to Careers Zone 24/7, log in and get practising!

DOWNLOAD OUR CAREER MINI GUIDES For further advice on psychometric tests and assessment centres, visit our Careers website and download a copy of our handy mini guides - www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

Applying for a graduate scheme?

PRACTISE A RANGE OF TESTS USED BY GRADUATE EMPLOYERS DURING THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Use our assessment centre tool and our range of aptitude tests to get up to speed with tests used by graduate employers recruiting for graduate schemes APTITUDE TESTS INCLUDE:

❚ numerical ❚ verbal ❚ inductive ❚ diagrammatic ❚ logical ❚ situational judgement ❚ critical thinking ❚ error checking and e-tray exercises TO ACCESS THESE TOOLS GO TO 'CAREERS ZONE 24/7' ON THE LJMU CAREERS WEBSITE:

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

LJMU will be running a range of careers and recruitment fairs during the academic year. Students from any degree programme are welcome to attend any of these events Still undecided what career to pursue?

Careers fairs are designed to help you meet and network with employers and find out about career options.

Careers and Recruitment Fairs 2018/19

Need a placement or job?

Recruitment Fairs are designed to help you meet employers with job and placement vacancies to offer.

For more information about these events, including which employers are attending, and which students they are aimed at, visit:

careers.ljmu.ac.uk

SEMESTER 1

SEMESTER 2

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Staff and Student Volunteering Fair 3 October, 2pm-5pm, Byrom Street

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Staff and Student Volunteering Fair 27 February, 1pm-4pm, John Lennon Art and Design Building

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Faculty of Engineering and Technology Careers Fair 11 October, 9am-12pm, Adelphi Hotel

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Creative, Culture, Media and Arts Recruitment Fair 10 April, 1pm-3pm, John Lennon Art and Design Building

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Exploring Placements and Graduate Schemes 16 October, 10am-2pm, Redmonds Building

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Exploring Working with Children, Young People and with Vulnerable Adults 17 October, 2pm-4pm, Byrom Street

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Recruitment Fair 17 April, 10am-1pm, Byrom Street

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Business, Law, Humanities and Social Science Recruitment Fair 18 April, 10am-1pm, Redmonds Building

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Exploring Science-related Career Pathways 24 October, 2pm-4pm, Byrom Street

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Exploring Working in Creative Industries 14 November, 1pm-4pm, John Lennon Art and Design Building

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Exploring Careers in Sport 22 November, 1pm-4pm, Byrom Street

LJMU CAREERS TEAM

0151 231 2048/3719 || careers@ljmu.ac.uk

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers