SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE CAREER PLANNING GUIDE by LJMUCareers

career planning guide

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE

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

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH POSTGRADUATE STUDY Masters study has set me on the right track. When I graduate, I will be looking for a career rather than a job. Josh McDowell, International Journalism MA

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

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

WHAT’S IN THIS GUIDE

What’s in this guide ... CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE Criminology

Policing Studies

History

Sociology

English

English, Media and Cultural Studies Media, Culture, Communication

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

Careers Website

Connect with employers

Careers Zone 24/7: Online careers tools

CareerSmart: Explore, Experience and Engage How to make the most of your university time

Move up to Masters: The benefits of postgraduate study

Professional and personal development opportunities abroad Get great work experience with your Students’ Union Work-based learning support

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TACTICS AND CHOICES Planning your career

Finding graduate level jobs

Thinking about postgraduate study Thinking of starting your own business?

The importance of relevant work experience

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

How to succeed at interviews

How to write effective application forms

Psychometric tests and assessment centres

Introduction

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Studying programmes in the school of Humanities and Social Science is an exciting and rewarding process, which will provide pathways into a range of dynamic and rewarding careers in the national and international sphere. All of our programmes encourage students to develop important transferable skills to ensure you are career-ready after graduation. You will have opportunities to expand your professional experience, undertake placement and employment opportunities and develop your interview, CV and networking techniques to place you in the best position to embark on a stimulating and exciting career. So, I urge you to use this guide and the support available to maximise your employment prospects and I look forward to seeing where your degree takes you in the future. DR ALEX MILES DIRECTOR, SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE

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, eg large print.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Introduction STUDENTS FROM THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE HAVE A RANGE OF CAREER OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THEM. CAREERS ADVISER GARY DOUGLAS LOOKS AT SOME OPTIONS TO GET YOU STARTED.

Humanities and Social Science students develop a wide range of skills to take into the world of work. We encourage students to make the most of every opportunity to reflect on and enhance valuable employability skills developed through academic study, paid or voluntary work and work-based learning programmes. The advice from every student and graduate featured in the guide is to get involved in a range of different experiences and to take advantage of every developmental opportunity available to you. Ensure that you are proactive in seeking ways to enhance your experience utilising the expertise of your academic programme leaders and tutors and the support of the Careers Team.

It is widely recognised that humanities graduates can boast a wealth of transferable skills: The Council for Industry and Higher Education commissioned research to analyse the distinctive ‘employability profiles’ of graduates in different disciplines. Competencies such as interpersonal skills, sensitivity, planning, organising, teamwork and communication are typically given more emphasis in the study of humanities. (HECSU report: What is the value of a humanities degree?)

An academic says:

A degree in a humanities subject cultivates critical thinking, problem solving, initiative, curiosity, innovation, analysis of detailed and complex information and outstanding oral and written communication skills, as well as a deep understanding of language, culture and the human condition.

Professor Shearer West Head of the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford

Useful websites ❚❚

Prospects – Careers information and graduate jobs: www.prospects.ac.uk

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TargetJobs - Careers information and graduate jobs: www.targetjobs.co.uk

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Online directory of postgraduate courses in the UK: www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate-courses

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Milkround – graduate jobs, placements & internships: www.milkround.com

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Get into Teaching: www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching

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POTENTIAL WORK EXPERIENCE CONTACTS LIST:

Students are sometimes unsure as to how to go about sourcing work experience opportunities. A list of potential work experience contacts (mainly in the Merseyside area) is available to offer you a starting point. Contact the School of Humanities and Social Science Work Based Learning Co-ordinator Janine Melvin to get a copy - J.M.Melvin@ljmu.ac.uk.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

Your Careers Adviser: Gary Douglas

Graduates with a degree in humanities offer a range of skills and knowledge to the working world and are well-equipped to become key players in a variety of fields. Humanities graduates may wish to pursue roles in Business and Management or more creative and artistic fields of employment. (graduate-jobs.com)

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Our aim is to provide you with a comprehensive guide to the careers support and guidance available to all HSS students.

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I am the link Careers Adviser for the School of Humanities and Social Science. I offer careers-related workshops within the curriculum on topics such as creative job search, making effective applications, interview practice and sessions focused on making an impact within the recruitment process. Look out for my programme of independent sessions, webinars and interactive sessions covering a range of popular career options including teaching, options with your subject and postgraduate study. If you would like to discuss your career plans or need support and guidance in considering your options, please arrange a careers consultation with me. Remember it is never too early to start planning your future! To book an appointment with me or any other adviser, call into the Careers Zone at Aldham Robarts Library. Alternatively, telephone 0151 231 3719.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Criminology Studying Criminology at LJMU will help you develop a number of skills, which will put you in a good position to enter a range of careers, both within and outside of the criminal justice system. There are several career options that are highly relevant to your degree, including social work, prisons, probation, social and community work. Alternative options could include law, accountancy, public administration and education. Public sector work is wide-ranging and could include support work, information, administration and advisory roles within local authorities, charities and voluntary organisations.

Examples of recent graduate destinations include: Prison Officer at HMPPS, Employment Advisor for the Department of Works and Pensions and an Executive Officer at the Home Office. Several students have decided to continue with their education, and postgraduate course destinations have included an MRes in Critical Social Care, Qualifying Law and LLM/MSc Global Crime, Justice and Security.

Postgraduate Case Study AFTER GRADUATING IN 2017 WITH A DEGREE IN CRIMINOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY, ANNA MCNAIRN EMBARKED ON AN MA CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AT CITY UNIVERSITY LONDON Why did you decide to apply for your postgraduate course? Towards the end of my undergraduate degree, I realised I had a huge interest in research. The Criminology and Sociology programme involves a lot of independent and group research, and I became eager to carry out my own research on areas I found most interesting. After a lot of research into opportunities following my degree, I found that a Masters programme would be most suited to my interest in research in Criminology, rather than a graduate job or graduate schemes. I changed my mind about studying for a Masters a number of times, but after I found the course at City University, I was determined to do it, as all the modules were suited to my interests. What did the application process for this programme involve? I was asked to submit a 500 word personal statement on why I wanted to study this particular course and to fill out a short application on my personal details, academic achievements and details for references. What help and support did you access from the Careers Team? As I had no experience in applying for Masters courses, I was unsure on what universities usually look for in successful candidates. I wrote a number of drafts of my personal statement and booked an appointment with Anja Heid, one of the employability advisers, in the Aldham Careers Zone for some advice. Anja read through my statement making important suggestions on how to approve it and make it suitable for a Masters application. This was extremely useful as I was given tips on what kind of things universities look for in postgraduate applications and certain things I could add or take away to enhance the quality of my application.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

How have you benefited from your studies and previous work experience? Throughout my second and final year as an undergraduate student I volunteered at Liverpool Community Advice in order to enhance my CV. This allowed me to gain confidence when working within a team and introduced me to a professional working environment and working with my own clients. During my second year, I had the opportunity to undertake a group research project on the impact of austerity cuts on charities in the Social Research Methods module. This piece of research allowed me to become familiar with conducting my own research and gave me the opportunity to experience interviewing major charities in London, which will be greatly beneficial to my confidence when I begin my research-based Masters programme. Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year undergraduate student again? Personally, I would have started taking part in voluntary work and work experience much earlier. First year can be a bit daunting for some people but you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realise how much spare time you have in your first year compared to your second and third. Also, use the time you have over the summer holidays! I know no-one really wants to work over the summer, but if you just get a couple of weeksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; volunteering or experience here or there, it will be really helpful: it definitely makes your CV stand out and will make securing a Masters place much easier. What are your plans after finishing your Masters course? I hope to study for a PhD once I complete my Masters programme. I am a bit apprehensive about the challenges of postgraduate study but excited about the research opportunities I will be offered and the opportunities and career choices it will open up for me.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Graduate Case Study CHELSEA CADE GRADUATED IN 2017 WITH A CRIMINOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE AND NOW WORKS AS A SELF EMPLOYED BEHAVIOUR THERAPIST AND A GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT AT OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY What does your job involve?

I predominantly work as a Private Behaviour Therapist and this involves me working one-to-one with children with Autism Spectrum Condition, delivering therapeutic intervention based on behaviourist principles. I have regular supervision from a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst, and I work on various programmes including play, social, communication and functional skills. I started an honorary position in January with an NHS CAMHS. The role involves the assessment process for the Young Years Team and I work alongside Clinical Psychologists as well as the Play and Occupational Therapists. This involves conducting school observations and parentchild interaction sessions. I also observe standardised assessments such as the ADOS-2, to diagnose Autism/Autism Spectrum Condition. My latest training in Play Therapy involves working individually with a child to help them express their emotions and feelings through play. I have been offered a job as a Graduate Research Assistant at Oxford Brookes University. This will involve two days training in Oxford, followed by conducting standardised tests in my local area as part of the UK Standardisation of the IDS-2 Intelligence and Development Scale. The assessment is three to four hours long and has multiple assessment components, which measure various aspects of development and intelligence such as general numeracy and literacy, fine and gross motor skills, and emotional intelligence. I will be responsible for assessing individuals aged between five and 20 in standardised conditions and scoring the tests.

Three things you like about your job: ❙❙ Working with children with developmental and mental health

difficulties really challenges me. No two days are the same, and you are exposed to new behaviours and complex presentations each day you go to work, therefore, you are always learning and developing. ❙❙ Working with children is very rewarding and it is great to see the families of the children you work with happy with the progress their child is making. Especially working as a therapist, you are the person responsible for supporting the child to make significant process in their development. ❙❙ You also gain a lot of independence in these roles. Working independently as a therapist you must learn to work on your own and be creative. There is a considerable amount of responsibility in the role and you must ensure that the child is benefiting from their therapy. You also are responsible for ensuring you put professional boundaries in place to ensure that your relationship with families remains professional as well as friendly. This makes you grow as a person. I now feel I am experienced in my field, and I have matured a lot as a person since graduating.

What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?

Regarding my private therapy work, I started volunteering initially and gained some experience, which is always a good first step. From this, I advertised to families through social media and had a lot of comeback from my advertisements. For some families it was straightforward; I just went to meet them, and they asked me why I wanted to work in ABA and asked about me, whereas others wanted to know more about how I could deal with challenging behaviours and what I could bring to the team. Apply for jobs that you are passionate about doing and this should come through in your interview. Always be honest, and despite not having certain experience, relate your skills and experiences to the post via application and the interview process. Regarding my recent post as a Graduate Research Assistant, I had to submit an online and a paper application form, which asked me about my experience of standardised tests, experience with children, and then a supporting statement. This was followed by a phone interview, where I was asked further questions surrounding my research

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

experience. I prepared for this phone call by thinking about all my experiences that could be applied to this role. I didn't have any experience conducting standardised tests, but I talked about my other experiences and how they could help me in the role. For example, I researched the IDS-2 Intelligence and Development scale and looked at what the test entailed. From this, I could see that some of the test involved some fine and gross motor skills for example threading. Such tasks I do on a regular basis when doing therapy, so I related these experiences as much as possible.

What help and support did you access from the Careers Team? I used the Career Team quite a few times to discuss my career path, issues with my CV and application forms and setting up a LinkedIn profile.

What relevant work experience/skills/volunteering did you use during the selection process? ❙❙ Voluntary experiences (ChildLine, Young Addaction Placement, Volunteering at AlderHey Children's Hospital)

❙❙ Skills (Communication, Organisation, Research Skills) ❙❙ I refer to my past experience working as a Mental Health Support Worker/Care Assistant when applying for new roles, and when I applied for my current roles.

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

Start as early as you can to really make the most of your time at university. Get involved with research with your university lecturers, search for voluntary experiences, get set up with a LinkedIn profile and network with professionals in your chosen field, utilise support materials from the Careers Team, and most importantly ensure you know your career route well. The Careers Team and the support it offers is not to inconvenience you and provide you with more work, it really is to develop you as a person, so you are in the right position to get a job.

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

If I could do anything again, I would start getting work experience in my first year or get a job in my chosen field as soon as possible. I didn't really get to know any of my lecturers in my first year, but this I something I wished I would have done. Try your best to get to know the staff team, as they are really helpful and can offer advice and opportunities.

What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?

Parts of my degree that have been very useful were my modules on research methods and clinically relevant modules due to my passion to become a Clinical Psychologist, for example, substance use, social cognition, attachment, child development, psychology of learning.

Any other advice you would give to students about their employability?

Never give up, especially in clinical psychology you must be prepared to get rejected a lot. This does not mean you're not good enough, it's just the field is so competitive. If you really are passionate about getting a job or going down a career path, you just must be resilient. Network with people online and meet up with professionals in your chosen field to ask them about their role and their experience of the job. You need to get as much experience under your belt as possible during your degree so that when you graduate you can go straight into a job. I did a Master's as I wanted to boost my employability even further, so this may be an option. It can really consolidate your skills learnt on your degree and improve your standard of academic writing. One final note, look for things that will make you stand out from the crowd. Become a student rep, speak at the student conference, and get involved in as many things that the university offers you.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Graduate Case Study FAYE SPENCER GRADUATED WITH A BA (HONS) IN CRIMINOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY AND NOW WORKS FOR NORTH WALES POLICE Why did you decide to apply for this role?

I always knew that I wanted to join the police after finishing my degree, so I applied to become a special constable. This experience gave me a great insight into the role and if it was suitable for me. I was a special for three years whilst working and gaining experience in numerous admin roles within North Wales Police and also a role as a Business Crime Support Officer with Chester Against Business Crime, before successfully gaining my current position as a police constable for North Wales Police.

What did the application and selection process involve?

The first stage was the initial paper application, which included questions about my experiences, how they related to the police competencies, why I wanted to become a police officer, what I could bring to the role and why I chose North Wales Police. My special constable training helped to prepare me for this stage as well as my university studies and speaking to serving officers, who had previously been through the process. The following police assessment centre involved an interview, role plays, written exercises, numerical and verbal reasoning exercises. To prepare for the assessment centre, I completed numerous practice exercises as well as practice interviews. Finally there was a structured interview at North Wales Police HQ, which was followed by a Welsh test. To prepare for this, I used the NWP website to familiarise myself with their standards and values and again spoke to a number of serving police officers. The final stage included a fitness and medical assessment. The entire process for North Wales Police took about 12 months from application to starting as PC. It is a long process but very rewarding and you are kept well-informed along the way – nothing beats that moment when you open the letter accepting you into your dream job.

What relevant work experience did you discuss during the application process?

A lot of my examples came from my volunteer work as a special constable, which allowed me to experience the role of a police constable. This gave me a great insight into the police as no shift was ever the same. I had a variety of experiences from employment and academia such as group work, which helped support the police competency of working with others.

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

Try and gain as much work and life experience as you can. If there are any volunteering opportunities available, snap them up as they become great examples to use during interviews, and it shows that you’re motivated and passionate. Don’t be afraid to fail! If there’s a job you really want, go for it and if you don’t get it the first time, keep trying. It took me two applications to get into the police. Looking back I know that getting in second time round was right for me. I’ve been able to do things in my life I never would have done otherwise, and I’m now very proud to be a member of the North Wales Police Constabulary.

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

If I were a first-year student again, I would try to gain more work experience during my degree. I only completed one week of work experience with a youth justice team. I thoroughly enjoyed this and it would have been great to experience other roles which related to my degree. Also, I would definitely make more use of the Careers Team’s support, in particular with regards to interview help, as this was the area I was least confident in when applying for jobs.

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CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

History History graduates are trained in clear thinking, research skills, diligence, independence, adaptability and the ability to understand people and situations in the world at large. As such, they are eagerly sought after by employers. Traditional career roles for historians include: museum work, heritage management, historical research, archiving and teaching. History graduates also work in information and advisory roles, the education sector, and administration roles within local authorities, charities and voluntary organisations.

Examples of recent graduate destinations include: Marketing Administrator at Plums, Immigration Case Worker for the Home Office and an Accounts Executive for HM Revenues and Customs. Further study options have included an MRes Modern History, MSc Public Relations and a PGCE History.

Graduate Case Study CLAIRE DAVIES GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN HISTORY AND NOW WORKS AS AN EDUCATION DEMONSTRATOR FOR NATIONAL MUSEUMS LIVERPOOL Why did you decide to apply for this role and what did the application process involve?

After my degree I was not able to find a job related to my course or gain a place on a Masters degree. I looked for work in the National Museums in Liverpool as I had focused a lot of my degree around exhibitions within their collections. After several unsuccessful approaches due to a lack of funding, I found NML were taking on weekend visitor assistant staff. I saw this as my opportunity to have my foot in the door of such a large and well-known organisation. The online application was very simple, just a few questions about previous jobs. I made sure to include my university education and this was referenced throughout the application. As this role was mainly customer service, I used my customer service experience from previous jobs alongside my love for history, the museums and galleries.

What relevant work experience and skills did you use during the selection process?

One summer during my studies I volunteered at the Williamson Tunnels, where I delivered tours for all ages. This was a valuable experience as I gained confidence in speaking to large and small groups of people. Also during university, giving presentations during the lectures really benefited me in my role at NML, as I delivered talks to groups of over 30 people of all ages.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

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

My advice would be to apply for as many free courses as possible. Future Learn do a fantastic free museum course, focused on the Museum of Liverpool. It looks at how museums can benefit society. They also offer courses in many other aspects of the culture sector and health and wellbeing. This is a strategic objective to NML. Anything along these lines would stand out on an application for an NML job. I would also advise students to keep their CV up-to-date. It is surprising how quickly it can be outdated once you start working full-time because of all the courses you complete through the work place.

How did your degree help prepare you for your current role? The whole degree has actually been relevant to my current role in NML, from the modules I studied such as Victorian Cities, Queer Britain and Making History to visits to other museums around the city, where I based some of my coursework.

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

I would take every opportunity offered to me, such as any talks or events happening around the city at different venues, and network as much as possible. Being dyslexic, I also would have accessed help from the Study Support team and the student union about anything that could have helped during my studies.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Graduate Case Study GERARD LOFTUS GRADUATED WITH A HISTORY DEGREE AND NOW WORKS FOR THE BRITISH COUNCIL Why did you decide to apply for this role?

The British Council is a respected international organisation that aims to promote cultural awareness and allows overseas students to access British qualifications. Their work in the public Japanese education system will give me valuable experience, and help further my teaching career What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage? The application process involved writing a cover letter and then an interview. The cover letter was mainly about my teaching experiences and motivations for wanting the job. I prepared for the interview by researching the organisation and thinking of questions that I could ask about the company. I also wrote out ideas that I could use to answer likely questions, so I was able to speak about previous lessons that were successful and unsuccessful, why that was, and how I would improve them for the future. What relevant work experience and skills did you use during the selection process? I used my experiences from my previous teaching job in Japan, as well as my own experiences of being a student studying French. I also used the experiences and organisational skills I learned being a student at LJMU, which includes adhering to deadlines, working well with other students for projects and the valuable skills I learned researching, preparing and executing presentations. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? I would advise other students to take full advantage of the support available at LJMU, especially the Careers Team. I would also advise

students to get involved in as many club activities and student union schemes as they can. Participating in these groups shows that you are able to work in a team and are highly motivated. Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? Aside from generally studying longer and harder, I would have joined the student newspaper or another student’s group. As I mentioned earlier this shows a high level of motivation and good teamwork skills to prospective employers. What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process? Completing the Japanese module ‘From Meiji to the Microchip’ has really given me a boost in the selection processes of both of my jobs here. Overseas employers are naturally keen to understand why you are in the country you are in, so explaining how you have studied the country’s history and are aware of social and economic factors, that most would otherwise not, makes you stand out. This is also useful further down the line in developing a good rapport with both students and colleagues. Any other advice you would give to students about their employability? As well as the student groups on offer at LJMU, I would advise students to volunteer for organisations in their spare time. Something relevant to their degree or future career would be best, but anything that allows them to develop new skills and helps them stand out in the application process will be beneficial.

Graduate Case Study SAMUEL B. SHAW GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN HISTORY AND NOW WORKS AS A PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER AT KINSLEY ACADEMY IN FITZWILLIAM What did the application/selection process for your PGCE course involve?

You can apply for up to three PGCE courses through the UCAS Teacher Training website. My interviews involved an informal presentation, either to a peer or a group of peers, with Q&A afterwards, and then a more formal one-on-one interview to follow. Make sure you research the university and have answers prepared for common questions. No-one likes interviews, but you’ll meet lots of people who are in the same boat as you and the interviewers aren’t trying to trip you up.

What help and support did you access from the Careers Team?

The staff in the Careers Team were very knowledgeable, approachable and able to help out by giving me feedback on applications and offering tips and guidance on interview preparation.

What relevant work experience and skills did you discuss in the selection process?

For the application process, it is essential to have at least ten days’ work experience at a school before applying for teacher training. People skills are very important in teaching and I mentioned my management of the LJMU History Society during my time at university.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

How did your degree help prepare you for a career in teaching?

Throughout my history degree, I had opportunities to speak in front of audiences which developed my presentation skills. Additionally, in the History at Work module, we had to plan a guided tour for a group. We chose to plan a guided tour of Liverpool for children so this gave me some practical help in thinking about how to pitch an idea suitable for children. On teacher training we also had to write several assignments – my history degree was a good basis for this as I was comfortable in writing academically.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? Build up work-related skills by volunteering right from the start of your time at university. Although I did volunteer for some groups and activities in my second and third year, this should have been completed sooner. Make sure to turn up for lectures and join in in discussions and activities, as lecturers are more likely to help you in the future if they know you’re an enthusiastic student. Don’t be afraid to ask your lecturers or personal tutors for help or advice – people want to help you.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Policing Studies In addition to Policing Studies, several combined degrees are offered by LJMU including Policing Studies and Cybercrime, Policing Studies and Forensics, as well as Policing Studies and Forensic Psychology. On the BA (Hons) Policing Studies programme you will undertake a critical exploration of contemporary policing issues as you develop skills and prepare for your professional practice. You will study innovative and thoughtprovoking modules that both reflect and challenge current policing practices and debates. Regular career workshops and symposiums delivered by police officers and police career specialists help to prepare you for careers in areas like policing, security, risk management or criminal justice. Consider volunteering as a special constable, as this will give you a unique opportunity to contribute to the life of local communities while gaining some fascinating and varied experience. Volunteering as a special constable is also a good way of learning new skills, developing great people skills, working as part of a highly-trained, committed team and finding out whether a career in the police force would suit you. Alternative careers could be the prison service, armed forces or the Civil Service.

Examples of recent graduate destinations include: Police Officer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Thames Valley Police, Data Investigator â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Merseyside Police and a Fugitives Officer for the National Crime Agency. Several graduates entered postgraduate study including Policing and Criminal Investigation and International and Transitional Policing.

Volunteering Case Study ANDREW DENMAN IS A POLICING STUDIES STUDENT WHO IS VOLUNTEERING AS A SPECIAL CONSTABLE FOR MERSEYSIDE POLICE My role as a special constable is a voluntary role in which I dedicate a minimum of 16 hours a month. It is a flexible role and you book your own duties and choose how long you want to work. My main duties include working alongside regular constables on response and resolution, responding to grade one emergency calls and these can vary from domestic abuse cases to large scale incidents such as crashes on the main road. Interaction with the public is also a big part of the role and you also have the opportunities to work with other departments such as traffic police and CID. I enjoy the flexibility of the role which allows me to combine university work with my duties as a special constable. It is also very exciting as the day to day challenges that you face can be very different. Another key gratification of the job is the interactions you get with both the public and police colleagues. The application involved going to an open day and being sent the application through email. The initial application centred around the core competencies and values of a police officer. This meant that you have to give an example or situation you have been involved

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in and the best answers tie in these examples with the core competencies, which I found on the Merseyside Police website.

ex-police officer with a lot of police interview experience and will be able to support people with his background and knowledge of policing.

Candidates then had to complete a PIR test and this involved assessments on basic maths and English. These were multiple choice. I prepared for this by doing mock exams from the UCLAN policing studies website.

I used my previous job experience in both retail and catering. This allowed me to create examples for teamwork especially in my catering role. I would stress the importance of making your answers focus on positive elements especially for competencies for diversity and team work. For example, if a question was asked about someone not pulling their weight in a team situation, rather than providing a negative response such as just instantly reporting them, focus on the supportive element such as speaking to them first as they might have underlying problems and you could help solve this or point them in the right direction of getting help.

You then have to complete a competency based interview and again this was based around the core competencies. I prepared for this interview by arranging a mock interview with Gary Douglas. I also reflected on my previous interviews as I had failed twice. It is important not to get disheartened from being knocked back. The help the Careers Team and in particular Gary Douglas gave me was important as I did not have a lot of interview experience and he was able to provide me with a mock interview. The interview was filmed and I was able to watch how I answered each question. This also allowed me to see my body language and facial expressions during an interview. I also gained help from Nick Kealey as he is an

If I was a first-year student again I would have looked to gain more work experience because when I applied the first time I only had little experience and this was only in retail, so my examples did not have variety. The degree provided me access to lecturers who were knowledgeable about the interview process as many of the staff were ex-police officers.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Graduate Case Study AMY ATKINS GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN POLICING STUDIES AND IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING TO BE A POLICE OFFICER WITH MERSEYSIDE POLICE What are you doing at the moment? At present I have successfully completed the police SEARCH assessment centre and my final police interview. I am currently awaiting to complete the final vetting procedures. To ensure I have a ‘back up’ plan, I am also going to apply for a role with LJMU as a Student Accommodation Assistant with the intent to apply for a Masters at a later date. What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage? The police recruitment process is arguably quite regimented! The process begins with an application, where a candidate is required to evidence how they best meet the policing ‘core competencies’ through their current work experience. If successful, the candidate will progress to the SEARCH assessment centre. My preparation for the application stage included discussions with careers advisers and my tutors to ensure I was evidencing the variety of my skill set within my application. The SEARCH assessment centre is a five-hour process which consists of several activities: a 20-minute interview, four role play scenarios, a maths and verbal reasoning test, an examination which involves creating an incident log and then an activity which involves documenting a transcription of a video interview for a separate incident. To be successful at this stage the candidate is required to pass at a minimum score of 50 (this may vary depending on what force you apply for). The scoring system during this particular process is assessed on your ability to demonstrate the policing core competencies during the entirety of the assessment centre. My preparation for the SEARCH assessment included mock interviews with both career advisers and tutors. Additionally I sought advice from serving officers and purchased ‘Passing the Police SEARCH Assessment’ book online, which may provide invaluable advice for those seeking employment with the police service and may not have a ‘policing’ background. The next stage consisted of a ‘final’ interview. A candidate would expect to be interviewed by a panel of three serving police officers from a range of seniorities. The interview environment is designed to assess the candidate’s values, integrity, and knowledge of the communities they would be expected to serve and how they as an individual would act given certain situations. Additionally it is important that the candidate has thoroughly researched the challenges that their elected forces face (budget restraints, rise in certain crime rates, community confidence etc) and the policing

priorities (this can usually be identified through the force’s police crime commissioner’s website). My preparation for this particular stage included research and revision. I also attended a Merseyside ‘Positive Action Workshop’ at the police headquarters. What support did you access at LJMU? The support I have accessed at LJMU in relation to career prospects has been vast and varied. Admittedly most of the support revolved around developing my confidence in my professional capabilities. My tutors and career advisers have been amazing during my professional development. What relevant work experience did you use during the selection process? The work experience I utilised during this process included my previous roles as a Community Support Worker, Team Leader in a customer services role and lastly my current professional role as an LJMU student advocate. Each of these roles depict a theme of community engagement, working in partnership with others and effective communication skills. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? Sparkle! Take some time to reflect upon your current skills set, highlight and praise your strong areas and look to develop areas where you need to improve. For example, if you’re seeking a role in law enforcement you need to be prepared to challenge and address inappropriate behaviours. Therefore you could look to develop your confidence in this area by gaining work experience with individuals with challenging behaviours. Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? Expect knock backs. These experiences allow you the opportunity to grow and develop in confidence and expertise within the interviewing environment. Lastly, cast the net of career prospects far and wide! Any other advice you would give to students about their employability? Jobs are competitive so do not just rely on a degree to secure you employment! Try to envision your time here at LJMU as a lottery ticket: the more work experience you undertake, effort and determination you put into developing your professional identity… the greater chance you have of winning the employment lottery!

CAREERS WITH A

CONSCIENCE MINI GUIDE Increasing numbers of graduates are turning to ethical jobs – working in roles and for organisations that allow them to pursue a fulfilling career while making a positive contribution to society. This mini guide includes tips and advice on how to research jobs and organisations you may be interested in working for in this field. You can download a copy of the guide from the resources page of our website:

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CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Sociology

This degree provides a balance of core and optional modules, delivering a thorough grounding in theory and method, alongside cuttingedge and emerging theoretical and methodological approaches. The programme endeavours to recognise the history and legacy of sociology while also developing its insights to contemporary and emerging problems. Recent Sociology graduates have entered careers in the legal, retail and sales sector. Graduates can also look at graduate training schemes run by larger employers, which are often open to graduates from any discipline. Other options could include social work, probation service, community development or housing.

Examples of recent graduate destinations include: Junior Account Executive for Kitten and Shark Limited, Document Database Administrator for Novacom Corporation Limited and a Co-ordinator for the Probation Service. Further study options include MA International Relations, MA Social Work and an MSc in Marketing.

Postgraduate Case Study MOLLY WILTSHIRE GRADUATED IN 2017 WITH A DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY AND IS NOW STUDYING FOR AN MA IN SOCIAL WORK WHICH SHE WILL COMPLETE IN 2019 Why did you decide to apply for your postgraduate course? I have always wanted to be a social worker due to my caring and emphatic nature, but I felt like I needed more experiences prior to applying for the Masters programme. I thought that studying a Sociology degree would give me the necessary experience to apply for the MA in Social Work. This is the perfect career for me as I love the thought of being able to help vulnerable people. What did the application process for the MA programme involve? I had to apply through UCAS, which involved completing an application form and personal statement, and gain 500 hours of experience in the social welfare field. I then had to attend an interview day, which consisted of a group interview, a written exercise and a one-to-one interview. What help and support did you have from the Careers Team? I first was directed to the Careers Zones by Dr Peter Millward before applying for postgraduate study. I then had a couple of meetings with Gary Douglas in the Careers Zone, who was fantastic and really supported me with devising a personal statement to maximise my chances of getting onto the course. He went above and beyond to help me and I would not have got onto the course without his support throughout my final

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year at university. I also had a mock interview with Gary, which was extremely beneficial to me. How have you benefited from previous work experience? Work experience in this field is vitally important and I volunteered in a care home, as a befriender, and at Focus Liverpool (a Saturday school for children with autism). I shadowed a mental health social worker and volunteered for Munster Great Escapes (weekends away for adults with intellectual disabilities). This has all provided me with an insight into social work as a career area, and I have found all of this work experience to be extremely rewarding, as I have been able to build up such a rapport with the service users and their families. Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? If I were starting my undergraduate study again I would have definitely made more use of the Careers Teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s services available at LJMU. I would have been more organised and had a career plan of action. What are your plans after finishing your postgraduate programme? My plans are to become a social worker working with children and families, and I am looking forward to working in my dream career.

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CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Graduate Case Study FRANKIE GORDON GRADUATED IN 2017 WITH A DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY AND NOW WORK AS AN HR ASSISTANT FOR VITAFLO INTERNATIONAL LTD As an HR Assistant, I am involved in the recruitment process of new staff, which includes assisting with reviewing CVs, shortlisting and arranging interviews, as well as reference and DBS checks, and some administration duties, such as managing the internal HR database. I will also be helping with a volunteering project with the head of HR, which I cannot wait to start!

What did the application and selection process involve?

The application process involved sending a CV and covering letter to the HR adviser. The first interview consisted of questions relating to my CV, my work experience and why I wanted to go into the HR sector, along with a few competency-based questions relating to communication and organisation. I was then offered a second interview where I had to give a short presentation on how I would go about creating a Vitaflo HR intranet page for internal staff members. As well as this, I was also given scenario-based questions relating specifically to an HR assistant role.

What help and support did you have from the Careers Team?

During the start of my third year, I met up with Gary Douglas to ensure I had a professional and up-to-date CV and for support on what types of questions to expect in interviews. I also had a mock interview to get a feel for a real interview setting. These meetings were extremely beneficial and I loved the fact they were all so supportive and involved with the process from start to finish. I definitely think other students should get as much help as possible from the Careers Team to improve their employability skills.

How did you benefit from relevant work experience and volunteering?

as I was working in an entirely new environment, getting out of my comfort zone and fundamentally gaining the relevant experience for the job I wanted. I volunteered at the LJMU Leadership and Development Team and completed some HRrelated volunteering at the World Museum for around six months. As well as this, I worked for a charity which involved effective communication, organisation and prioritising. These skills were key on the job description for the HR assistant role and I ensured I sold my experience and skills effectively during the application and interview process.

What aspects of your degree did you find particularly useful?

In HR, I need to understand the policies and procedures to follow. Taking a Sociology degree, I am able to link policies such as The Equality Act to my job, and it has also made me an openminded and less judgemental person, which is a key part in the HR profession, as you will be dealing with a variety of issues from questions on sickness leave, grievance and disciplinary procedures. My administration and MS Office skills are also hugely important for my role as an HR assistant. Having delivered presentations at university made the experience of giving a short presentation in front of the HR Adviser and the Head of HR a little less daunting.

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

I would consider looking at undergraduate internships that take place over the summer holidays or a year placement, as this increases your employability chances immensely.

I took a work-based learning module in my third year which was hugely beneficial for me in terms of gaining confidence,

Employer Insight SEAN ROTHWELL, PEOPLE SERVICES MANAGER WITH THE REGENDA GROUP, OFFERS SOME ADVICE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS My very first job as a teenager was working part-time in a customer service call centre for a well-known TV shopping channel. I viewed the job as a means to an end. It gave me a bit of pocket money to go out at the weekend. I wasn’t interested in the company or pursuing the role as a career. I was more interested in having a laugh with my co-workers. But despite my disregard for the importance of my role, I can say without any hesitation that I learnt more about the skills I would need to build a successful career for myself in that role which I viewed so casually at the time than in any of the ‘proper’ jobs I’ve done since. My academic background was of course important in helping me to grow and develop as well as to choose my vocation but those customer service skills really were the icing on the cake. The ability to focus on the customer separates a good candidate from a great one. The ability to understand the customer’s wants and needs (and often the difference between the two) as well as their motivations can be the foundations for innovation and achievement.

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“

What does your current role involve?

Many recruiters will sit and reflect on candidates thinking ‘could I put them in front of a customer?’, ‘would they be able to build relationships with internal colleagues?’ or ‘could they improve our existing offer?’. In fact, if I asked you to think of a single job that doesn’t involve customer service, could you do it? I’m willing to bet you’ve just tried and failed. Whether it’s the relationship between a checkout operator and a grocery shopper or between two colleagues in an office, the ability to deliver a first class customer service is paramount in boosting brand and reputation. And I say that not just from an organisational perspective, but from an individual perspective too. So my advice would be to use every opportunity to gain further insights into customers and to use these experiences to influence who you are and the service you can offer to others.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

English Although teaching is a popular option for English graduates, there are a wide range of professions you can enter with this subject. These can be more subject-related options such as copywriting and editorial work, to more business-related careers such as marketing and graduate schemes. It requires careful thinking and planning, and can take time, to find a career that will continue to interest, challenge and reward you long into the future. What you need to be confident of is the range of skills that you have to offer employers after studying English with us. English graduates stand out by offering employers a variety of key abilities:

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You know how to discover, assimilate and present complex information and diverse evidence to make a convincing argument; You’re able to move from the detail to the wider contexts; You can respond creatively and empathetically to new information and experiences, imaginatively occupying a range of perspectives; You’re able to initiate and design projects of your own, solving problems as they arrive, and completing to deadline; You’re a brilliant communicator, fluent in different registers and levels of formality, both written and spoken, and paper and online, and you’re a skilled editor and an accurate proof reader.

An academic says: “Make the most of all the guidance LJMU has to offer you in thinking through your career options, so you can find a job that makes the most of everything you have to offer.”

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Examples of recent graduate destinations include: Public Relations Executive at EBW, Communication Officer at Cardiff University and a Campaign Manager at PMYB. Further study destinations included MA International Journalism, MRes English and an MA Human Resource Management.

ALICE FERREBE, PROGRAMME LEADER FOR ENGLISH

Graduate Case Study NAOMI WALKER GRADUATED WITH AN ENGLISH DEGREE AND NOW WORKS AS AN AREA MANAGER FOR ALDI What does your graduate scheme involve?

My job involves managing an area of three stores in the Stoke / Newcastle-under-Lyme area. I am responsible for planning the targets of all three stores for sales, wastage, payroll and recruitment. I am the personnel leader for all hourly paid employees in my three stores; this means I deal with anything related to recruitment, disciplinary, wages, grievances, contract changes etc. All Area Managers on the programme start in store and learn how to do every aspect of the role from working deliveries as a Store Assistant to running a store as the Store Manager.

Why did you decide to apply for a graduate scheme?

I applied for a graduate scheme as I liked the training structure that Aldi offered which enabled you to be given a lot of responsibility instantly but you learnt the necessary skills to be successful in the role over a period of time.

Three things you like about your job: ❙❙ People - whether leaders, colleagues and direct reports, they make

and the core values of the company. I visited stores in the region I lived at the time to find out more information. ❙❙ An interview with the Regional MD and the Logistics Director. I looked online for any tips about this stage. The interview covered a lot about my personal history. ❙❙ A one-to-one interview with a current trading Area Manager.

What help and support did you access from the Careers Team?

When I was at LJMU I used the Careers Team for some of the planned courses such as CV writing.

What relevant work experience did you use during the selection process?

Prior to Aldi I worked in a management role for a year. I was responsible for approximately 30 staff and therefore could relate that experience to Aldi during the recruitment process.

the region! ❙❙ Flexibility - I am able to run my area like my own business and make my own decisions and plan my own time. ❙❙ Challenge - We work at a fast pace and the work can be challenging but you constantly strive to improve.

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

What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage?

What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?

The application process has changed since my initial application; however I had four main stages: ❙❙ An online application including situational judgement tests. ❙❙ A group interview with the regional MD. I prepared by researching Aldi

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Flexibility will help to improve employability as more options will be open. During my time at Aldi I have covered areas in North Wales and Warrington before coming back to Stoke.

My English course had a programme to work in the USA for two months over the summer period. I left at very short notice (one week) from being placed by a summer camp. I could relate to this flexibility in my application process.

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CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Graduate Case Study CASSIE WALKER GRADUATED IN 2017 WITH AN ENGLISH DEGREE AND NOW WORKS AS A MARKETING ASSISTANT FOR WRANX WHILST ALSO STUDYING FOR AN MSC IN DIGITAL MARKETING

Three things you like about your job: ❙❙ I like that I get to use a range of different programmes and software everyday, such as Hubspot, Intercom and Wordpress. This has really helped develop my skills and knowledge. ❙❙ Wranx is an SME – the work culture in the office has a good balance between professionalism and fun. ❙❙ I like that whilst I am learning new skills and taking on different responsibilities, there is still an element of English within my job role, especially when writing blogs or posts for social media. What did the application/selection process involve and how did you prepare for each stage? I applied online and then was invited to an interview at Wranx’s office. I had to complete a pre-interview task which was a competitor analysis PowerPoint of one of Wranx’s main competitors. For this I ensured I did plenty of background reading about the company so I could make valid comparisons with their competitor. For my actual interview, I researched typical job interview questions and marketing-related ones that could potentially be asked and made sure I had answers prepared for each one. Finally, I had a written task that I had to complete at the end of my interview and for this I had made sure I had revised Wranx’s website and what services they offer. I really made sure I knew the company! What help and support did you access from the Careers Team? I found this job through the LJMU vacancy website, which

A graduate says ...

from my experience, post really good job opportunities. I also found my internship through the same website which I completed in third year. What relevant work experience and skills did you use during the selection process?

I had completed a marketing-related internship in my third year of LJMU at a recruitment agency (STEM Graduates). I developed many skills from this that could be transferred to the marketing assistant role, such as writing engaging online content, working in an officebased environment and developed communication skills. Then, from studying my Masters in Digital Marketing I gained experience in marketing campaign management and working in a team to deliver presentations.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability? I found that my internship opened such a wide range of opportunities for me as I found that I had more relevant experience and skills to apply to a wider range of jobs. I would definitely recommend completing one whilst at university. Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? I would probably look for some sort of placement/ internship during my first year. I only completed mine in third year! I can’t imagine how much more employable and experienced I would be today if I had looked for something earlier during university. What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process? A social media module on the English course was particularly helpful, where you had to create and manage your own blog and promote it to my peers through social media. This linked perfectly with the marketing assistant job role. Any other advice you would give to students about their employability?

Gain as much experience as you can, especially from earlier on in university. You never know what opportunities might present themselves to you and how your thoughts change in regards to your career ambitions.

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What does your job involve? As a Marketing Assistant I report directly to the Marketing and Brand Manager. My main duties include maintaining the company’s social media (Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn) and emails whilst monitoring competitor profiles. I develop internal documents and presentations, carrying out research and also complete admin tasks, such as checking for any new marketing leads that have come through on different platforms. I am also involved with upcoming campaigns for the company, giving feedback and opinions on what is being done. Finally, I also get to contribute to the company’s blog that revolves around the learning and development sector.

If I were starting my degree programme again, I would definitely be more proactive in researching careers in my first year, as I think I would not have been so panic stricken after graduating if I had done that. I also would have been able to make a more informed decision with regards to selecting modules that aligned with my future goals. I know there were modules that I didn’t take that I now know would have supported my pursuits better. GEMMA GRIFFITHS, ENGLISH GRADUATE

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CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Media, Culture, Communication This BA (Hons) course gives you an opportunity to look at how the media, culture and communications industries contribute to our everyday experiences, through the study of media institutions like television, film, advertising, publishing and journalism, as well as forms of communication (public relations, social marketing, fiction, documentary, video games, magazines and new media) and cultural trends and practices (youth culture, comedy, social media, consumerism, travel, tourism and fashion). The degree course will also provide you with a solid foundation of skills such as research, communication, problem solving, teamwork and independent working. You will gain a good understanding of contemporary society, new communication technologies and the media environment. It will prepare you for a career in the media, culture or communications industries, education, public and private sector organisations or lead to a range of postgraduate study options including vocational and academic programmes of study. Planning for your career and gaining experience throughout your course will benefit you when you graduate. Take advantage of work experience opportunities and networking events to develop your skills and help you decide what area you want to move into. Try and make links with people through your course and get involved with the wealth of creative activities in Liverpool and beyond to broaden your skillset and open up opportunities.

Examples of recent graduate destinations include: Digital Marketing Executive - Linda Lewis Kitchens, Marketing Brand Manager â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Vimto , Administrator Complete Training Solutions. Postgraduate study destinations included MSc Digital Marketing, MA Mass Communications, PGDE Education, all studying at Liverpool John Moores University.

PhD Case Study FIONA ELIZABETH TORRANCE TELLS US ABOUT HER EXPERIENCES AS A PHD RESEARCHER AT LJMU AND HOW SHE BENEFITED FROM THE SUPPORT ON OFFER FROM VARIOUS TEAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY Why did you decide to apply for a PhD?

On achieving my MA degree, LJMU offered me a fee waiver if I wished to progress my study at the university. I wanted to build on the findings of my MA degree and use my research to improve outcomes and choices for people with disabilities, particularly learning and sensory disabilities, in Liverpool. With a PhD, I have the chance to develop my career opportunities in academia, research and publication.

What did the application process involve for the programme?

It involved writing a research proposal for the study I intended to undertake. Once completing an oral viva for the MPhil and a transfer report, and passing the examination, I was able to progress to PhD degree study and then completed an annual report about the progress of my study.

What help and support did you access from the Careers Team?

During my MA degree, I registered with LJMU disability service and through that learned about Remploy Employment Service. I applied to Remploy to do my primary research and received employment through them. Once completing my MA degree, I established myself as self-employed using my research in funding applications for various charities. This enabled me to build in a consulting role and supplement my income in that way. However, after submitting my PhD thesis, I decided that I wanted to develop my career in an academic or industry-facing research role.

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I discussed this career change with someone in the Doctoral Academy and they referred me to LJMU Careers Zone. Although I can write proposals for studies and funding, it's harder for me to 'sell myself' or align my own academic and employment/self-employment experience to what employers may be looking for. I also had a tendency to cram everything into one CV. The careers adviser, Gary, helped me learn a method of presenting myself to employers through creating three CVs in specific specialisms and by matching my own skills, abilities and experiences to their specific requirements. This involved creating tailored CVs and also how to pitch for a role/position that a company does not have but may need. The support has been brilliant because I can apply what I have learned from Gary to a range of posts that I am applying for.

How have you benefited from previous work experience?

I have benefited from work experience where I have used my PhD research methods to conduct engagement research on behalf of Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group and have built my research into funding applications resulting in community projects that have increased choices, learning opportunities and quality of life for people with disabilities. Career research has helped me learn about companies and how they differentiate, and what particular organisations I would be better suited to work for. Since 2009, I have been a member of the Anthroposophy Society of Great Britain and the UK Synaesthesia Association.

I've contributed a chapter to two books on Synaesthesia and Mirror Touch. My involvement in the student union is recent where I have accessed their support and found it life-changing. Through the student union I have learned about what the university has to offer students other than the course of study and have been connected to activities in my community. They have introduced me to activities and people. As a result, I've joined in a box fit and pilates class, and have started an art class in my locality. This is improving my quality of life and I've met more people and feel happier because I am enjoying activities outside of study and work.

Would you do anything differently in terms of career planning if you were a first-year undergraduate student again?

I'd ask more questions about what the university offers students other than classes, what the different departments do and what the student union offers. And, in particular, I'd make an appointment with the Careers Zone before reaching PhD level.

What are you doing now you have finished your postgraduate programme? I am applying for research associate posts particularly in healthcare research and patient-centred outcomes. While I am doing this, I am preparing my thesis for resubmission and also reading about Greek History as part of collaboration on a book with fellow Anthroposophists in America.

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CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Volunteering Case Study ELEANOR LOFTUS GRADUATED IN 2016 WITH A DEGREE IN MEDIA, CULTURE, COMMUNICATION . DURING HER TIME AT LJMU SHE ORGANISED A FASHION SHOW TO IMPROVE HER EMPLOYABILITY Why did you want to gain voluntary work experience? The Work-Based Learning module in my final year provided an opportunity to identify and develop different skills than other modules, which had mostly consisted of essay writing and group work. During my final year, nearing the end of my degree, I was increasingly thinking about my future career options; the module therefore allowed me to identify the stage I was at in my career planning, and where I wanted to be. Through the course of the module and the nature of this active learning, I was able to recognise the attributes employers look for other than academic credentials. Because of my interest in developing a career in the fashion industry, I wanted to gain some relevant experience in this sector and agreed with my tutor to organise my own fashion show instead of completing a placement for this module. This not only enabled me to gain an insight into the nature of numerous roles within this sector, but also benefited my skills development. For example, in order to successfully organise the fashion show the planning process was essential for successful execution, e.g. setting targets and devising a timetable. What aspects of your degree did you find particularly useful? I found the modules that were industry-specific particularly useful. Although I enjoyed the assignments that were theory-based, I found other modules more beneficial in terms of my employability. For example, in our second year we produced a journalism portfolio, which involved writing a number of pieces for different formats such as blogs, magazines and newspapers. Courses like these that are industry-specific allowed us to experience the nature of these roles and practise our skills.

What help and support did you access from the Careers Team? I visited the Careers Zone when redrafting my CV. I found this particularly useful as I was introduced to the various styles of CVs. As I was interested in the specific area of fashion communication, I was able to create a skills-orientated CV tailored to that sector. What advice would you give other students to improve their employability? Although attaining high grades on your degree is important, employers are looking for something that makes you different or unique as a potential employee. This is particularly relevant in the creative industries. The individual must be confident in themselves in order to communicate this confidently to employers. Furthermore, I think it is beneficial for students to combine their studies with part-time work, as I believe this shows employers that you can organise your time but also that you are hard-working. Throughout my degree I have worked in hospitality; from these roles, although only part-time, I have developed a number of skills which are transferable to other careers. Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year again? I would make more effective use of my time in the holiday periods. The summer break from around May to September is a perfect opportunity to obtain work experience. In hindsight, I would have liked to use this time for work placements to experience different roles and learn from others in the industry.

Placement Case Study MEDIA, CULTURE, COMMUNICATION GRADUATE BETHANY RAE TALKS ABOUT HER PLACEMENT WITH LIVERPOOL COMEDY TRUST Tell us about your interview for the placement at the Trust. The interview process at The Comedy Trust was really more of a brainstorming exercise. I told them what ideas I had for the company, for example, I suggested attaching a picture to most of the social media posts, as I had read that doing so engages audiences more as it adds a visual effect. I would advise students that they go into an interview with a few ideas; it doesn’t have to be anything major, just something that you could work on whilst you are there. For example, my idea was to create a video asking Liverpool taxi drivers why they think Liverpool is such a funny city. What did you want to get out of your placement? My main aim from my placement at The Comedy Trust was to improve my social media skills. Since working at The Comedy Trust I have learned how to use new tools such as Crowdfire, Periscope and Bitly which have helped me develop my social media skills further. I have also learned the importance of maintaining a professional attitude in the workplace by always being polite and answering any phone calls/greeting clients in a professional way that positively reflects on The Comedy Trust. As I have always had an interest in the culture

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of Liverpool, working with The Comedy Trust has helped me to develop my culture skills. For example, at a networking event held by the company, I met many new people such as people from The Old Blind School, The Brink and Lush. By meeting with these people, I learned more about the hospitality side of the city, something which I previously had no experience with. I have also learned social media etiquette. For example, I would not retweet or tweet/post anything that had swearing in it, as that could offend our audience, which would reflect badly on the company as a whole.

you could find yourself creating spreadsheets of contacts you’ve gathered, the next you could be scheduling social media posts for the next month, another day you could be working on a project that requires you to go out of the office and film people for a video. Who knows what the next day will hold! This also means that you will have to learn to be flexible. I worked 10am-5.30pm but sometimes I had to work later to film people/wait for a phone call. It’s all about being accommodating!

How have you been able to use your research and other graduate skills? I have been able to use my research knowledge and skills gained on my degree, such as networking and the importance of being polite to new customers, to my advantage. Without my degree I know that I would have struggled a lot more with approaching people in a professional manner. In addition to this, my placement has given me something great to add to my CV as I can now prove to employers that I have prior experience working in PR and marketing.

What has been the most interesting project you have worked on? The most interesting project that I worked on was my idea to video Liverpool taxi drivers and ask them what their funniest stories about Liverpool are. I came up with this idea when I realised that the majority of taxi drivers in Liverpool are always up for telling me a story on my journey. Taxi drivers have also seen everything so they are the go to person when trying to get a funny story! I also interviewed actors/actresses from the play ‘The Golden Oldies’ and found out what they thoughts makes Liverpool so funny. Overall, I think that working with such different people was what I really enjoyed most about my placement!

What advice would you give to volunteers about working for the Trust? Be prepared! No two days are the same. One day

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CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

English and Media and Cultural Studies Skills you develop throughout your degree programme, including analytical, research, communication and time management, are transferable into a variety of career sectors from advertising, marketing, digital marketing and social media account management, museums, arts administration and publishing to industrial, retail, leisure, and charitable organisation management, educational administration, accountancy, the social services, teaching and the Civil Service. Postgraduate study is also an option. Take advantage of work placements and employer-focused research projects to enhance your CV and to establish useful contacts. This course has strong links with a number of local, national and international media organisations, so make sure you utilise these links.

Examples of recent graduate destinations include: Content Editor - Manchester Evening News, Promotions Executive- Duffy Rafferty Communications, Buyer - Paul John Construction. Postgraduate study destinations included MA Mass Communications, and PGCE in Secondary Education.

Internship Case Study CAITLIN ALLAN GRADUATED IN 2017 WITH A DEGREE IN ENGLISH. SHE COMPLETED AN LJMU-FUNDED INTERNSHIP WITH LIIGHT LTD AS A SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN DURING HER STUDIES What did your internship involve? As a Social Media Intern, my role involved creating content for the company’s social media accounts on Twitter and Instagram, alongside writing blogs for their website and engaging with followers on the relevant social media accounts. What did the application/selection process involve? I became aware of the internship through an email from the Careers Team. After submitting a copy of my CV, I was then contacted by the company directly to organise an informal interview that I attended in February. In preparation for this interview, I was asked to conduct some research about companies that I know utilise social media for the benefit of their company. My performance at this interview ultimately secured my position with the company and I completed my internship in a four-week block from the end of May after my final exams. How do you feel that the internship has benefited you? I have gained new skills and improved skills that I already had.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

Once I completed my internship I felt more confident knowing that I have more skills to add to my CV, which I hope will increase my future employability. What advice would you give other students to improve their employability? Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again? I would advise that students make the most of the careers opportunities that are recommended to them by the Careers Team, as it is through their advertisements and notifications that I secured this internship. I urge students to try hard to get as much work experience as they can, even if they’re just first-year students, as it’ll make them feel more prepared for the daunting future once they finish their final year! Until my internship I had not really accessed any help or support from the Careers Team, but I think that all students should take advantage of the careers support available at LJMU.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER OPTIONS WITH YOUR DEGREE

Social Media Skills for Students The professional use of social media and the ability to write for an online audience have become an integral aspect of the skills expected of graduates in the job market in the digital age. However, very few undergraduate programmes ensure that their students are trained and assessed in these skills, so that they can demonstrate their digital literacy and creativity when entering the job market, and make the most of social media to enhance their chances of securing work after their degree. In a tough economic climate, in which a professional online presence can be crucial in forging employment opportunities, the School of Humanities and Social Science is leading the way in addressing the emerging training needs of our graduates in the digital world. LJMU’s English programmes ask students to use a range of media, including blogs and wikis, to communicate the range and importance of their research to a wider audience. You can see some of our students’ work at www.prisonvoices.org. Dr Nadine Muller and a group of student interns and contributors have created an

amazing resource at www. social-media-skills.org. Here, you can draw on guides and exercises devised to maximise your digital literacy and provide you with an online presence that can function as a significant aid in your career development and prospects. Learn how to write a profile for LinkedIn that’s targeted towards the career you want. Get help in producing a really professional-looking blog. Ensure your Facebook page is employer-friendly, so that when potential employers google you, they’ll put you straight onto their shortlists. You might even find time to add to your portfolio by contributing to the site itself!

SOCIAL MEDIA SESSIONS DELIVERED BY THE CAREERS TEAM To complement this valuable resource, the Careers Team offer ‘Getting Started with LinkedIn’ sessions, workshops and

Looking for out of hours careers support?

webinars on managing your social media presence and one-to-one advice on developing your LinkedIn profile. Check out the Careers Team’s events system for details of sessions https://careers.ljmu.ac.uk/

Access our online careers tools at any time, from anywhere

Careers Zone 24 7 CAREERS ZONE 24/7 INCLUDES: CV BUILDER, COVERING LETTER BUILDER, INTERVIEW SIMULATOR, CAREERS NEWSROOM, CAREER ASSESSMENTS, ASSESSMENT CENTRE TOOL, JOB SEARCH ENGINES, GOINGLOBAL DATABASE, APTITUDE TESTS, EMPLOYER ADVICE VIDEOS, CAREER COACHING VIDEOS AND MUCH MORE ...

Access Careers Zone 24/7 from the Careers website:

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

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 Humanities and Social Science, you have your own dedicated Careers Adviser, Gary Douglas. You are likely to meet Gary at some point during your programme of study. He 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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Signposting to useful resources and information

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Expert job sector advice and information tailored to your needs

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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

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

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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

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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“

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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

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

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

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

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

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

#GetintoTeaching

A SALARIED ROUTE INTO TEACHING MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO PURSUE A CAREER DOING SOMETHING I LOVE n Bursaries of up to £32,000* and salaried programmes available (subject dependent)

n Starting salary of £22,000-£27,000 a year (upon qualification)

n University-led and School Direct routes

n We are one of a small number of universities offering the PGDE route into teaching, enabling you to top up your qualification with further study and gain a Masters degree in your first year of teaching

n PGDE courses in Early Years, Primary Teaching and a wide variety of Secondary subjects n Excellent career progression opportunities

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

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.

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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

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

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 ... FORMER POLICE INSPECTOR SEAN BELL STUDIED FOR AN MRES AT LJMU BEFORE MOVING ON TO PHD STUDY.

explaining it welcomed punks, poets and potters. I decided to add policemen to that list and signed up. “The MRes was interesting because it was so varied. Cross curriculum sessions in the mornings saw us working with art and history students, whereas the afternoons saw us back with critical social science colleagues, researching our own topics. The programme combined a real breadth of learning with the ability to specialise in your own topic. Before I started the course I didn’t know a great deal about research but the programme taught me all about the various techniques and concepts, giving me a sound grounding in this area. “Coming to the end of my police career I undertook an undergraduate degree in Policing Studies at LJMU. My day job involved acting as an advocate for Police Officers experiencing mental health issues and, with the academic grounding provided by my undergraduate studies, I realised it was a topic I had to explore further. I didn’t think a taught course would give me the freedom to study a topic of my own choosing but then Dr Kay Standing told me about the flexibility of the MRes,

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

“Postgraduate study is about self-reliance. It is quite a step up but the ability to share experiences with your peers makes it eminently achievable. The academics on the programme were wonderful. They certainly challenge you at times, but they do that to demonstrate that Masters study is about making your own way. The extraordinary encouragement I received even saw me having a paper published in a police journal – something I could never have imagined happening.”

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT LJMU

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.

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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

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.

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

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www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES AT LJMU

Work-based learning support THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE AND LIVERPOOL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED POLICING STUDIES HAVE A DEDICATED WORK BASED LEARNING CO-ORDINATOR (WBLC) TO SUPPORT YOU AND HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME AT LJMU.

Meet Janine Melvin (WBLC) ... I work with LJMU’s Humanities and Social Science students and academic staff, graduates, employers, charities and local community groups. My main aim is to help students to increase their employability through work-related and work-based learning.

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Twitter account focused on Employability and Work Related Learning @HSS_Employ

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Work-Based Learning placements advice and support

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Guidance and support on work experience and student internships

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I help students to find work experience, volunteering, placements and job opportunities, working closely with LJMU’s Careers Team.

Employability support and curriculum enhancement.

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Signposting to Careers Advisers, Employability Advisers and careers events and workshops, Go Global Funding and LJMU opportunities

One of the major parts of my role is ensuring that the School of Humanities and Social Science adheres to LJMU’s Code of Practice for students on placement. This includes approving placement providers, especially in terms of Health & Safety and their ability to provide a supported learning experience, and conducting risk assessments with academic colleagues. I am also responsible for:

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Enterprise Champion promoting engagement with LJMU’s Centre for Entrepreneurship

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DBS (formerly CRB) checks: Disclosure & Barring Service Application Verifier for students in the Faculty of Arts, Professional & Social Studies

Look for

How to contact me Students are welcome to arrange to meet with me by emailing J.Melvin@ljmu.ac.uk. I am based in G.02 John Foster Building.

jobs and internships from around the world

GoinGlobal Database INCLUDES: ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚ ❚❚

Jobs search with 16 million+ listings Internship search Country career guides Global city guides USA city career guides Employer directory

AVAILABLE VIA THE CAREERS WEBSITE:

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

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

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.

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..

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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

“

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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

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.

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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..

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Funding

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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

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.

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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

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Help and support available to you..

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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

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:

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

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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

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Case Study FINAL YEAR MARKETING STUDENT AMY COLLINS TELLS US HOW SHE TURNED AN INSTAGRAM TREND INTO A VIABLE BUSINESS WITH SUPPORT FROM THE CENTRE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP How did you go about starting your own business? I noticed that lots of artists I admired on Instagram were releasing enamel pins. I felt like I hadn’t put my own creative skills to the test for years so decided to use pins as a way to challenge myself and have a creative outlet. I just started with one pin design to keep the financial risk down and used the money from that to finance the second one. I haven’t put any money into the business apart from that initial couple of hundred pounds. Now, I not only sell my own designs on Etsy but also design and supply pins for other businesses and individuals. What does your job involve? It’s just me doing virtually everything so I wear many hats. I design, market, bookkeep, order stock from various suppliers, liaise with potential clients, send all the parcels out etc. Three things you like about your job: ❙❙ In the last few months I’ve started selling at local makers markets which I love doing. It’s brilliant to see the reaction on people’s faces when they appreciate your designs.

❙❙ I love being part of the Independent Liverpool scene, I kind of straddle the hospitality community and also the local indie artists and artisans. Liverpool is thriving in these areas, I feel very proud to be part of it.

❙❙ The sense of accomplishment when working

for yourself is very fulfilling. I have always had an excellent work ethic but when something works out and you’ve seen it through from concept to end result there’s no better feeling.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

What were the key challenges that you faced and how did you overcome them? Working for myself is tough as I’m not naturally organised and certainly lack discipline so I have to constantly review working practices and also just be very realistic about what one person can achieve. Another challenge was feeling like a bit of a fraud and not worthy or professional enough sometimes. Because I’ve just learned as I have gone along including graphic design skills, marketing skills and business management skills, it’s easy to convince yourself that you’re out of your depth sometimes. The more I spoke with other entrepreneurs the better I started to feel. I realised that everyone is winging it, everyone is taking risks, learning by doing, failing, then trying something a little different until it sticks. So now instead of comparing myself with everyone else, I just feel incredibly proud to have the confidence to keep trying and keep seeking new opportunities. What help or support did you access from LJMU and how was this useful? I have had some great tips and pointers from the Centre for Entrepreneurship, the most important one being; try to keep it simple, as it’s easy to get carried away with lots of ideas but being great at one thing is so much better. I also have been incorporating some digital marketing skills into my business that I’ve learned on my course too. Now that things are really taking off I have one of my classmates working with me. I can focus more on leads and design and she is organising newsletters and improving my SEO etc. What relevant work experience/skills have proved most useful in running a business? I am a mature student so I have worked many jobs

including 9 years in HMV where I was a manager. I think that every single job I’ve had has contributed in some way to my capabilities as a sole trader and entrepreneur. Because I have worked a lot and know how employable I am it means that I don’t have a fear of failure. If I have to give up Pin Head tomorrow it would be sad but I would be able to move onto another project or job. This doesn’t mean I don’t care, it means I can take risks and live with the outcome no matter what. What advice would you give other students to improve their employability or looking to start their own business? Viktor Frankl sums up precisely my thoughts on running your own business - “Don't aim at success. The more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one's surrender to a person other than oneself.” In other words be brilliant at what you do, help others, be true to yourself and success will come but don’t chase numbers or notoriety as you will only be disappointed. What’s next for your business? I have some ideas up my sleeve to do with working more with charities and some local projects too, but as I’m entering the final year of my Marketing degree I need to be patient and not overload myself with work. I’m determined to do well with my degree so scaling up Pin Head (www.pinheaduk.com) can wait a little longer.

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

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.

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.

2. 3. 4. 5.

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, volunteering 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

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.

{ { MATURE STUDENTS

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

Skills-based CV ŵŝŶĂ <ŚĂŶ

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Ϯϯ ^ŽƵƚŚ WĂƌŬ ǀĞŶƵĞ͕ >ŝǀĞƌƉŽŽů͕ >ϭϱ ϲ:, ŵĂŝů͗ ĂŵŝŶĂ͘ŬŚĂŶΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ ͮ DŽďŝůĞ͗ Ϭϳϳϭϭ ϮϮϯϯϰϰ ͮ ůŽŐ͗ ĂŵŝŶĂƐŶĞǁƐ͘ǁŽƌĚƉƌĞƐƐ͘ĐŽŵ WĞƌƐŽŶĂů WƌŽĨŝůĞ ĨŝŶĂůͲǇĞĂƌ DĞĚŝĂ͕ ƵůƚƵƌĞ͕ ŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ ƵŶĚĞƌŐƌĂĚƵĂƚĞ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ƚŚŽƌŽƵŐŚ ƵŶĚĞƌƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ ŽĨ ŬĞǇ ŵĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞŽƌŝĞƐ ĂŶĚ ĞǆĐĞůůĞŶƚ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ ĂŶĚ ŽƌŐĂŶŝƐĂƚŝŽŶĂů ƐŬŝůůƐ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ďůŽŐͲǁƌŝƚŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ ĂŶ ĂĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƚŝǀĞ ƌŽůĞ͘ ůŽŶŐƐŝĚĞ ŵǇ ƌĞůĞǀĂŶƚ ƐŬŝůůƐ ĂŶĚ ŬŶŽǁůĞĚŐĞ͕ ŵǇ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ ƵƐŝŶŐ ƐŽĐŝĂů ŵĞĚŝĂ ĨŽƌ ŵĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ ƉƵƌƉŽƐĞƐ ŵĂŬĞƐ ŵĞ ĂŶ ŝĚĞĂů ĐĂŶĚŝĚĂƚĞ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ DĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ ƐƐŝƐƚĂŶƚ ƌŽůĞ Ăƚ ƌŽǁŶ Θ Ž͘ ĚƵĐĂƚŝŽŶ ĂŶĚ YƵĂůŝĨŝĐĂƚŝŽŶƐ ϮϬϭϲ – ƉƌĞƐĞŶƚ >ŝǀĞƌƉŽŽů :ŽŚŶ DŽŽƌĞƐ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚǇ ;>:DhͿ ;,ŽŶƐͿ DĞĚŝĂ͕ ƵůƚƵƌĞ͕ ŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ ;ĞǆƉĞĐƚĞĚ ĚĞŐƌĞĞ ĐůĂƐƐŝĨŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ͗ Ϯ͗ϭͿ ^ƚƵĚǇŝŶŐ ƌĞůĞǀĂŶƚ ŵŽĚƵůĞƐ ůŝŬĞ WƵďůŝĐ ŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ ;ϲϵйͿ͕ WƵďůŝĐ ZĞůĂƚŝŽŶƐ ;ϲϴйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ŝŐŝƚĂů tƌŝƚŝŶŐ ;ŝŶ ƉƌŽŐƌĞƐƐͿ ŚĂƐ ŚĞůƉĞĚ ŵĞ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉ Ă ƚŚŽƌŽƵŐŚ ƵŶĚĞƌƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ ŽĨ ŬĞǇ WZ ĂŶĚ ŵĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞŽƌŝĞƐ ůŝŬĞ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ ŵŝǆ͕ ĐŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ ďĞŚĂǀŝŽƵƌ ĂŶĚ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƐĞŐŵĞŶƚĂƚŝŽŶ͕ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ĂŶ ŝŶƐŝŐŚƚ ŝŶƚŽ ĚŝĨĨĞƌĞŶƚ ŵĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ ĐŚĂŶŶĞůƐ͕ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ƉƌŝŶƚ͕ ĚŝŐŝƚĂů ĂŶĚ ƐŽĐŝĂů ŵĞĚŝĂ͘ ŝƐƐĞƌƚĂƚŝŽŶ͗ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ ƐƉĞŶĚŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŚĂďŝƚƐ Ăƚ >ŝǀĞƌƉŽŽů KŶĞ͘ ϮϬϬϵ – ϮϬϭϲ St Mary’s Catholic High School, Liverpool Ͳ>ĞǀĞůƐ͗ ŶŐůŝƐŚ ; Ϳ͕ WŽůŝƚŝĐƐ ; Ϳ͕ &ƌĞŶĐŚ ; Ϳ ϵ ' ^ Ɛ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ DĂƚŚƐ ; Ϳ ĂŶĚ ŶŐůŝƐŚ ; Ϳ ZĞůĞǀĂŶƚ ǆƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ϮϬϭϳͲƉƌĞƐĞŶƚ ůŽŐŐŝŶŐ ǆƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ / ƵƉĚĂƚĞ ŵǇ ďůŽŐ Ăƚ ůĞĂƐƚ ƚǁŝĐĞ Ă ǁĞĞŬ ĐŽǀĞƌŝŶŐ Ă ƌĂŶŐĞ ŽĨ ƚŽƉŝĐƐ͕ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ůŽĐĂů ĂƌƚƐ ĂŶĚ ŵƵƐŝĐ ĞǀĞŶƚ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ / ůŝŶŬ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ƚŽ ŽƚŚĞƌ ƐŽĐŝĂů ŵĞĚŝĂ ƐƵĐŚ ĂƐ dǁŝƚƚĞƌ͘ / ŚĂǀĞ ďƵŝůƚ ƵƉ Ă ůŽǇĂů ƌĞĂĚĞƌƐŚŝƉ ŽĨ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ĨƌŽŵ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƚŚĞ h< ĂŶĚ ŽǀĞƌƐĞĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĨŽĐƵƐ ŽŶ ƵƐŝŶŐ ĂŶ ĞŶŐĂŐŝŶŐ ǁƌŝƚŝŶŐ ƐƚǇůĞ ƚŽ ĞŶĐŽƵƌĂŐĞ ƌĞĂĚĞƌƐ ƚŽ ƌĞŐƵůĂƌůǇ ƌĞĂĚ ƚŚĞ ďůŽŐ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŵŵĞŶƚ ŽŶ ŵǇ ĞŶƚƌŝĞƐ ;ŵǇ ŵŽƐƚ ƌĞĐĞŶƚ ƉŽƐƚ ŚĂĚ ϯϱ ĐŽŵŵĞŶƚƐͿ͘ dŚŝƐ ŚĂƐ ŐŝǀĞŶ ŵĞ ƚŚĞ ĐŚĂŶĐĞ ƚŽ ŚŽŶĞ ŵǇ ǁƌŝƚŝŶŐ ƐŬŝůůƐ ĂŶĚ ŶĞƚǁŽƌŬ ǁŝƚŚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ďůŽŐŐĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ ŵĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌǇ͘ ^ŬŝůůƐ WƌŽĨŝůĞ ŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ Θ ŝŶƚĞƌƉĞƌƐŽŶĂů ƐŬŝůůƐ ^ƚƌŽŶŐ ǁƌŝƚƚĞŶ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ ƐŬŝůůƐ ĚĞŵŽŶƐƚƌĂƚĞĚ ďǇ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚŝŶŐ Ă ƌĂŶŐĞ ŽĨ ĂƐƐŝŐŶŵĞŶƚƐ Ăƚ ƵŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚǇ͘ &ĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ĨƌŽŵ ŵǇ ůĞĐƚƵƌĞƌƐ ŚŝŐŚůŝŐŚƚĞĚ ŵǇ ĐŽŶĐŝƐĞ ǁƌŝƚŝŶŐ ƐƚǇůĞ ĂŶĚ ŵǇ ĂďŝůŝƚǇ ƚŽ ƵƐĞ ŐƌĂƉŚƐ ĂŶĚ ƚĂďůĞƐ ĞĨĨĞĐƚŝǀĞůǇ ƚŽ ƉƌĞƐĞŶƚ ĚĂƚĂ ĨŽƌ ŵǇ ĚŝƐƐĞƌƚĂƚŝŽŶ͘ /ŶƚĞƌƉĞƌƐŽŶĂů ĂŶĚ ǀĞƌďĂů ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ ƐŬŝůůƐ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ŵǇ ŚŽƐƉŝƚĂůŝƚǇ ĂŶĚ ĂĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƚŝǀĞ ƌŽůĞƐ ǁĞƌĞ ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ ĂƐ Ă ĐŽƵƌƐĞ ƌĞƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĂƚŝǀĞ Ăƚ >:Dh͘ dŚŝƐ ŝŶǀŽůǀĞĚ ůŝƐƚĞŶŝŶŐ ƚŽ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞŶ ƌĞƉƌĞƐĞŶƚŝŶŐ ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚ ǀŝĞǁƐ Ăƚ ďŽĂƌĚ ŽĨ ƐƚƵĚǇ ŵĞĞƚŝŶŐƐ͘ dŚĂŶŬƐ ƚŽ ŵǇ ĂďŝůŝƚǇ ƚŽ ďƵŝůĚ ƌĂƉƉŽƌƚ ǁŝƚŚ ďŽƚŚ ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ ƐĞŶŝŽƌ ĂĐĂĚĞŵŝĐ ƐƚĂĨĨ͕ / ĐƌĞĂƚĞĚ Ă ƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂů ŶĞƚǁŽƌŬ ƚŚĂƚ ĂůůŽǁĞĚ ŵĞ ƚŽ ƌĂŝƐĞ ĂŶĚ ƌĞƐŽůǀĞ ĂŶǇ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŵƉůĂŝŶƚƐ ƉƌŽŵƉƚůǇ ĂŶĚ ĚŝƉůŽŵĂƚŝĐĂůůǇ͘ ŽŵŵĞƌĐŝĂů ǁĂƌĞŶĞƐƐ DǇ ĞŵƉůŽǇŵĞŶƚ ŚŝƐƚŽƌǇ ŚĂƐ ŚĞůƉĞĚ ŵĞ ƚŽ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉ Ă ŐŽŽĚ ŝŶƐŝŐŚƚ ŝŶƚŽ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ Ă ĐŽŵŵĞƌĐŝĂů ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ͘ ŽŵƉůĞƚŝŶŐ Ă ŶƵŵďĞƌ ŽĨ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ĐĂƐĞ ƐƚƵĚŝĞƐ Ăƚ ƵŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚǇ ƚĂƵŐŚƚ ŵĞ ƚŚĞ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ƵŶĚĞƌƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ client’s industry and of building ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ƌĞůĂƚŝŽŶƐŚŝƉƐ͘ &Žƌ ŵǇ WƵďůŝĐ ŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ ŵŽĚƵůĞ͕ / ĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ Ă ŵĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ ƉůĂŶ ĨŽƌ Ă ĨŝĐƚŝŽŶĂů ĞǀĞŶƚ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ĐŽŵƉĂŶǇ ŝŶ DĞƌƐĞǇƐŝĚĞ͘ / ƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚĞĚ ƉŽƚĞŶƚŝĂů ĐŽŵƉĞƚŝƚŽƌƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ĞǀĞŶƚ ƐĞĐƚŽƌ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ EŽƌƚŚ tĞƐƚ ŝŶ ŽƌĚĞƌ ƚŽ ŵĂŬĞ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ ƉůĂŶ ŵŽƌĞ ƌĞĂůŝƐƚŝĐ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ ƌĞƐƵůƚĞĚ ŝŶ ƉŽƐŝƚŝǀĞ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ĨƌŽŵ ŵǇ ƚƵƚŽƌ ĂŶĚ Ă ϳϬй ŵĂƌŬ͘ <ĞĞƉ ƵƉ ƚŽ ĚĂƚĞ ǁŝƚŚ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌ ďǇ ƐƵďƐĐƌŝďŝŶŐ ƚŽ DĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ tĞĞŬ ĂŶĚ ƌĞŐƵůĂƌůǇ ƌĞĂĚŝŶŐ /D ŶĞǁƐůĞƚƚĞƌƐ͘

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Additional information to include

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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.

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❚❚ 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

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You can include links to an online portfolio or blog (where relevant) to give a potential employer access to samples of your work.

If you include a personal profile ensure it is targeted at the role and organisation. Keep it concise and focused.

Highlight any relevant knowledge developed on your course and briefly mention relevant modules. You can also draw the reader’s attention to a relevant dissertation or other coursework.

Briefly summarise your secondary school or college qualifications.

Highlight any relevant work experience prominently on the first page of your CV.

Look at the job advert and match the skills and attributes required for the role. Use positive language and examples from university, previous work, volunteering, extracurricular activities etc. to demonstrate how you have demonstrated or developed these skills.

List entries in this section in reverse chronological order and provide a brief overview of each role.

If you have any interests that relate to the role, include these at the end of your CV in an interests section.

Preferably use one academic and one employer reference. If you run out of space you can state ‘References available on request’.

dĞĂŵǁŽƌŬ ǆĐĞůůĞŶƚ ƚĞĂŵǁŽƌŬ ƐŬŝůůƐ ĚĞŵŽŶƐƚƌĂƚĞĚ ǁŚŝůƐƚ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ĂƐ Ă ĂŵƉ ŽƵŶƐĞůůŽƌ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ĂŵƉ >ĞĂĚĞƌƐ͘ KƌŐĂŶŝƐĞĚ ĂŶĚ ƉůĂŶŶĞĚ Ă ƐĐŚĞĚƵůĞ ŽĨ ĂĐƚŝǀŝƚŝĞƐ ĨŽƌ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͕ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ĐůŽƐĞůǇ ǁŝƚŚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ƚĞĂŵ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ƐŚĂƌŝŶŐ ƚĂƐŬƐ ŽƵƚ ďĂƐĞĚ ŽŶ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚƐ͘ Ǉ ůŝƐƚĞŶŝŶŐ to others’ ideas and building a raƉƉŽƌƚ ǁŝƚŚ ĞǀĞƌǇŽŶĞ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƚĞĂŵ͕ Ăůů ƚĂƐŬƐ ƌĂŶ ƚŽ ƐĐŚĞĚƵůĞ ĂŶĚ ǁĞ ĐƌĞĂƚĞĚ Ă ĨƵŶ͕ ĞĚƵĐĂƚŝŽŶĂů ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͘ ƌĞĂƚŝǀŝƚǇ ĞǀŝƐĞĚ Ă ĐŽŵƉƌĞŚĞŶƐŝǀĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ ƐƚƌĂƚĞŐǇ ƚŽ ƉƌŽŵŽƚĞ Ă ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵŵĞ ŽĨ ŵƵƐŝĐ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ ŝŶ >ŝǀĞƌƉŽŽů ĐŝƚǇ ĐĞŶƚƌĞ ĨŽƌ Ă ĨƌŝĞŶĚ͘ ĞƐŝŐŶĞĚ ĂŶĚ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ ĨůǇĞƌƐ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ / ĚŝƐƚƌŝďƵƚĞĚ ĂƌŽƵŶĚ ƚŚĞ ƵŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚǇ ĂŶĚ ŽƵƚƐŝĚĞ ŽƚŚĞƌ ŵƵƐŝĐ ǀĞŶƵĞƐ͘ ƌĞĂƚĞĚ Ă ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ƐŽĐŝĂů ŵĞĚŝĂ ƉƌĞƐĞŶĐĞ͕ ŐĞŶĞƌĂƚŝŶŐ ůŝŶŬƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƉƌŽŵŽƚĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ŵƵƐŝĐ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ ƌĞƐƵůƚĞĚ ŝŶ over 400 ‘likes’ on Facebook within the first two weeks. /d ĂŶĚ ^ŽĐŝĂů DĞĚŝĂ ^ŬŝůůƐ ŽŵƉĞƚĞŶƚ ƵƐŝŶŐ Ăůů DŝĐƌŽƐŽĨƚ KĨĨŝĐĞ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵŵĞƐ͕ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ tŽƌĚ͕ ǆĐĞů͕ WŽǁĞƌWŽŝŶƚ ĂŶĚ ĐĐĞƐƐ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ / ŚĂǀĞ ƵƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƵŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚǇ ĂŶĚ ŝŶ ŵǇ ĂĚŵŝŶ ƌŽůĞ͘ ǆĐĞůůĞŶƚ ƐŽĐŝĂů ŵĞĚŝĂ ƐŬŝůůƐ ;ƉĂƌƚŝĐƵůĂƌůǇ dǁŝƚƚĞƌ ĂŶĚ &ĂĐĞďŽŽŬͿ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ / ƵƐĞ ƌĞŐƵůĂƌůǇ ƚŽ ƐŚĂƌĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƚŝŽŶ ǁŝƚŚ ĨƌŝĞŶĚƐ ĂŶĚ ĨŽůůŽǁĞƌƐ ĂďŽƵƚ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚŝŶŐ ĂƌƚŝĐůĞƐ ĂŶĚ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ͘ ŶŐĂŐĞ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ƌĂŶŐĞ ŽĨ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ŵƵƐŝĐ ĂŶĚ ŵĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĞƐ ŽŶ ƐŽĐŝĂů ŵĞĚŝĂ ƚŽ ŬĞĞƉ ƵƉͲƚŽͲĚĂƚĞ ǁŝƚŚ ůŽĐĂů ĞǀĞŶƚƐ͘ tŽƌŬ ,ŝƐƚŽƌǇ ϮϬϭϳͲƉƌĞƐĞŶƚ 'ĞŽƌŐĞƐŽŶƐ >ŝŵŝƚĞĚ͕ >ŝǀĞƌƉŽŽů – ĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƚŝǀĞ ƐƐŝƐƚĂŶƚ ;ƉĂƌƚͲƚŝŵĞͿ 'ĞŶĞƌĂů ĂĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƚŝǀĞ ĂŶĚ ĐƵƐƚŽŵĞƌ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ƌŽůĞ͘ ZĞƐƉŽŶƐŝďůĞ ĨŽƌ ĚŝĂƌǇ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ĨŽƌ ĚŝƌĞĐƚŽƌ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŽĐĞƐƐŝŶŐ ŝŶĐŽŵŝŶŐ ĞŶƋƵŝƌŝĞƐ ŝŶ Ă ďƵƐǇ ŽĨĨŝĐĞ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ͘ ^ƵŵŵĞƌ ϮϬϭϳ ^ƵŵŵĞƌ ĂŵƉ͕ ^ĂŶ ŝĞŐŽ͕ ĂůŝĨŽƌŶŝĂ͕ h^ – ĂŵƉ ŽƵŶƐĞůůŽƌ ƐƐŝƐƚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĚĞƐŝŐŶ ĂŶĚ ĚĞůŝǀĞƌǇ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƐƵŵŵĞƌ ĐĂŵƉ ĨŽƌ ϭϭͲϭϲ ǇĞĂƌ ŽůĚƐ͘ ŽĂĐŚĞĚ ƐǁŝŵŵŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ƚĞŶŶŝƐ͕ ƉƵƚ ƚŽŐĞƚŚĞƌ ĂŶ ĂĐƚŝǀŝƚǇͲďĂƐĞĚ ĞǀĞŶŝŶŐ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ĂůƐŽ ĚĞĂůƚ ǁŝƚŚ ƉĂƐƚŽƌĂů ĐĂƌĞ͘ ϮϬϭϲͲϮϬϭϳ Emilio’s Italian Restaurant, Liverpool – tĂŝƚƌĞƐƐ ;ƉĂƌƚͲƚŝŵĞͿ tŽƌŬĞĚ ĞĨĨĞĐƚŝǀĞůǇ ŝŶ Ă ƚĞĂŵ ŝŶ Ă ďƵƐǇ ĐŝƚǇ ĐĞŶƚƌĞ ƌĞƐƚĂƵƌĂŶƚ͘ ĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ĐƵƐƚŽŵĞƌ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ƐŬŝůůƐ͕ ďƵŝůƚ Ă ƌĂƉƉŽƌƚ ǁŝƚŚ ƌĞŐƵůĂƌ ĐƵƐƚŽŵĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ĂĐƚĞĚ ĂƐ ƚĞĂŵ ůĞĂĚĞƌ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ǁĞĞŬĞŶĚ ƐŚŝĨƚƐ͘ ĐŚŝĞǀĞŵĞŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ WŽƐŝƚŝŽŶƐ ŽĨ ZĞƐƉŽŶƐŝďŝůŝƚǇ ŽƵƌƐĞ ƌĞƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĂƚŝǀĞ ĨŽƌ >ĞǀĞů ϱ DĞĚŝĂ͕ ƵůƚƵƌĞ͕ ŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ĂĐĂĚĞŵŝĐ ǇĞĂƌ ϮϬϭϳͬϭϴ͘ ŽŵƉůĞƚĞĚ ƚŚĞ >ŝǀĞƌƉŽŽů ,ĂůĨ DĂƌĂƚŚŽŶ ŝŶ ϮϬϭϳ ƌĂŝƐŝŶŐ ŽǀĞƌ άϴϬϬ ĨŽƌ DĂƌŝĞ ƵƌŝĞ ĂŶĐĞƌ ĂƌĞ͘ Awarded Employee of the Month twice at Emilio’s Italian Restaurant for positive customer feedback. ĚĚŝƚŝŽŶĂů ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƚŝŽŶ /ŶƚĞƌĞƐƚƐ͗ / Ăŵ ĐŽŵŵŝƚƚĞĚ ƚŽ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŝŶŐ ŵǇ ƵŶĚĞƌƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ ŽĨ ŵĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌǇ͘ /Ŷ ĂĚĚŝƚŝŽŶ ƚŽ ƐƵďƐĐƌŝďŝŶŐ ƚŽ DĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ tĞĞŬ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ /D ŶĞǁƐůĞƚƚĞƌ͕ / ŚĂǀĞ ĂůƐŽ ĂƚƚĞŶĚĞĚ Ă ƌĞĐĞŶƚ ĐĂƌĞĞƌƐ ƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĂƚŝŽŶ ĚĞůŝǀĞƌĞĚ ďǇ ƚŚĞ /D Ăƚ >:Dh ƚŽ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞ ŵǇ ƵŶĚĞƌƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ ŽĨ ŵĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ ĐĂƌĞĞƌƐ͘ / ĂůƐŽ ĞŶũŽǇ ƌƵŶŶŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ǇŽŐĂ ƚŽ ŬĞĞƉ Ĩŝƚ͘ dƌĂǀĞů͗ ,ĂǀĞ ƚƌĂǀĞůůĞĚ ĞǆƚĞŶƐŝǀĞůǇ ĂƌŽƵŶĚ ƵƌŽƉĞ ĂŶĚ ƐŝĂ͘ WƵƚ ŵǇ ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ŽƌŐĂŶŝƐĂƚŝŽŶĂů ĂŶĚ ƚŝŵĞ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ƐŬŝůůƐ ŝŶƚŽ ƉƌĂĐƚŝĐĞ ĂŶĚ ŝŵŵĞƌƐĞĚ ŵǇƐĞůĨ ŝŶ ĚŝĨĨĞƌĞŶƚ ĐƵůƚƵƌĞƐ͘ ƌŝǀŝŶŐ ůŝĐĞŶĐĞ͗ ,ĂǀĞ ŚĞůĚ Ă ĨƵůů͕ ĐůĞĂŶ ůŝĐĞŶĐĞ ƐŝŶĐĞ ϮϬϭϲ͘ ZĞĨĞƌĞŶĐĞƐ  ƌ ŶƚŚŽŶǇ ^ŵŝƚŚ͕ ^ĞŶŝŽƌ >ĞĐƚƵƌĞƌ Ăƚ >:Dh͕ dĞů͗ Ϭϭϱϭ Ϯϯϭ ϬϬϬϬ͕ ŵĂŝů͗ Ă͘ũ͘ƐŵŝƚŚΛůũŵƵ͘ĂĐ͘ƵŬ  DƐ Amanda O’Keefe, DĂŶĂŐŝŶŐ ŝƌĞĐƚŽƌ͕ 'ĞŽƌŐĞƐŽŶƐ >ŝŵŝƚĞĚ͕ >ŝǀĞƌƉŽŽů͕ dĞů͗ Ϭϭϱϭ ϭϮϯ ϭϮϯϰ͕ ŵĂŝů͗ ĂŽŬĞĞĨĞΛŐĞŽƌŐĞƐŽŶƐ͘ĐŽ͘ƵŬ

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

GETTING THE JOB

Chronological CV 1

If you include a personal profile, keep it concise and focused, highlighting relevant experience, interests, knowledge and skills.

List entries in this section in reverse chronological order, i.e. starting with details about your degree and provide a brief summary of secondary school/college qualifications.

Highlight relevant modules you have completed as part of your studies. You can also draw the reader’s attention to any relevant coursework or a final-year dissertation.

Including relevant work experience (paid or unpaid) in a separate section on the first page of your CV helps to highlight this to the reader. Briefly outline your duties and discuss what you have learnt in these positions. You can also make reference to any relevant skills you have used or developed in these role.

List any other work experience in reverse chronological order and provide a brief overview of the role.

You can summarise any relevant additional information in a separate section towards the end of your CV.

If you have any interests that are relevant for your chosen role, make sure you highlight these first and then include some brief details for any additional interests.

If you have space, include details of two referees (preferably one academic and one employer reference). If you run out of space, you can state “References available on request”.

Ben Robertson

123 Liverpool Road, Crosby, L23 0EF Mobile: 07856 123 123, Email: b.robertson@outlook.com

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Personal profile I am an enthusiastic and dedicated History graduate with previous experience of assisting in museum education and community activities. My degree studies, voluntary work and employment have helped me develop the required communication and customer service, creativity, teamwork and organisation skills. I am keen to pursue a career in museum education and believe that the Education and Administration Support Officer role at Imperial War Museum North would be the ideal first step towards my career goal. Education and Qualifications 2015-2018  

Liverpool John Moores University BA (Hons) History (2:1 – 68%) Relevant modules included: The British Home Front in World War II, The US and Vietnam, The Rise and Downfall of Nazi Germany, The Making of Modern Britain. During my final year, I completed a dissertation on “The impact of rationing on Britain’s post-war recovery in the 1940s and 1950s”.

2008 – 2015 Sacred Heart College, Liverpool A-Levels: History (B), English (B) and Sociology (C) 9 GCSEs including English (B), Maths (A) and History (A)

Jan 2018-present North Liverpool Local History Group, Volunteer  I contribute to the preparation of monthly meetings and have delivered short talks about local history on several occasions, including a recent talk about the evacuation of Merseyside children during World War II, which was particularly well-received.  I use a number of media, including photos and documents I have researched in local archives, videos and presentation slides to make my talks engaging and suitable for a wide audience. This experience has developed my presentation and research skills as well as my ability to engage with audience members from different backgrounds. Sept 2016-July 2017 Waterloo Primary School, Voluntary Teaching Assistant  During my second year at university, I volunteered one day a week in a local primary school. My duties included working with small groups of key stage 2 children in the lower ability sets to assist them with their work and delivering short History-based activities to all abilities. Feedback from the teachers highlighted my ability to engage the children and spark their interest in both local and world history through stories and projects.  I also contributed to their Reading Buddy scheme, which involved meeting once a week with two key stage 1 pupils. This experience greatly improved my confidence in working with children of primary school age, as well as my interpersonal and communication skills, as I effectively adapted my style of communication for each pupil. I also developed my understanding of child protection and safeguarding policies.

An Employability Adviser says ...

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Relevant Work Experience

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!

Feb-Sept 2016 National Museums Liverpool (NML), Volunteer  I assisted the education officer with school visits, delivering short curriculum-based activities for all ability levels, including pupils with special educational needs, and creating a number of new resources for primary and secondary school children, which were well-received by both pupils and teachers.  I also contacted local schools the museum did not have existing links with to promote our activities, which resulted in several bookings. Moreover, I also contributed ideas to a new learning resource incorporating a museum trail through all Liverpool-based museums. Aside from museum education activities, I also helped out in the World Museum shop and information, promoting events and talks to visitors. May 2016 Imperial War Museum North, Work Shadowing  In order to gain a better understanding of museum education, I organised to work shadow the IWM North’s Education Officer for one day. I observed her delivering a talk to a group of GCSE History students and was asked to give some feedback about a new activity book for primary school children.

Additional Employment History 2016-2018 LiverpoolSU, Sales Adviser and Welcome Assistant In order to help fund my university studies, I have been working part-time for the Student Union at LJMU in their retail outlets and as a welcome assistant during Freshers’ Week, organising a number of events and quizzes. I demonstrated strong customer service skills by dealing professionally and promptly with any enquiries or complaints. 2014-2015 Waterloo Dental Practice, Part-time Administrator My duties included keeping patient records up to date, typing up letters and documents, answering the telephone and arranging appointments. Working closely with the practice manager gave me an insight into drawing up staff rotas as well as sharing out the workload across the team.

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Additional Information 

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IT skills: Excellent working knowledge of all MS Office packages in particular Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. I have recently completed a webinar about Prezi to learn how to create more engaging presentation slides and have started practising with the software to improve my skills. I also have fast and accurate keyboard skills. Interests: As an active member of the North Liverpool Local History Group, I enjoy learning about the impact world events had on local people. I am committed to my professional development and have recently completed an online course on the Futurelearn website on ‘Behind the Scenes in the 21st Century Museum’. In my spare time, I read historic fiction and also enjoy visiting museums. Outside of history, I enjoy keeping fit and am currently training to compete in a 10k charity run. Full, clean driving licence held since 2016.

References Mr Adam Smith, Senior Lecturer at LJMU, 0151 231 1234, a.e.smith@ljmu.ac.uk Mrs Eve Miller, Education Officer at NML, 0151 987 6543, e.miller@nml.org.uk

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

GETTING THE JOB

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.

Mrs Colette Dixon HR Adviser IWM North The Quays Trafford Wharf Road Manchester M17 1TZ

123 Liverpool Road Crosby L23 0EF

20th October 2018

Dear Mrs Dixon, I am writing to apply for your Education and Administration Support Officer vacancy as advertised on the Museum Jobs website and enclose my CV for your consideration. I have recently graduated with a BA (Hons) History degree from Liverpool John Moores University and am keen to pursue a career in museum education. Since studying History at A-Level, I have developed a particular interest in the history of war and international conflict and their impact on people’s lives. As a result, I have chosen a number of relevant optional modules during my degree studies, including The British Home Front in World War II, and have also completed my dissertation on a related subject. Therefore, I am confident that this vacancy at IWM North would be the ideal stepping stone to fulfil my career ambitions. I enjoy visiting relevant museums both at home and abroad, and my favourite museums include the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres as well as the IWM. During my visits, I take a particular interest in how both objects and individuals’ stories are used to bring their experiences closer to the museum visitor. For example, in the museum in Ypres, each visitor’s ticket included a bar code which you could scan at various points in the exhibition to find out about the life of a particular individual before, during and after the First World War. This and several visits to the IWM in London and Manchester deepened my interest in museum education. As you can see from my CV, I have completed a wide range of voluntary experience to develop my understanding of community and museum education as well as relevant skills. My involvement in a local history group and experience from volunteering for National Museums Liverpool strengthened my confidence in dealing with the public and illustrates my commitment to bringing history alive not only for young people but all members of the community. Through assisting in school visits at NML and my experience as a volunteer in a local primary school, I have developed the required creativity and teaching skills to deliver engaging talks and design activities, curriculum-based where relevant, for all age groups and abilities at IWM North. These positions also improved my organisation skills, which will be essential to effectively manage a range of administrative tasks in this role alongside delivering educational visits and creating new learning resources. Through both my volunteering experience and customer-facing employment, I have developed strong communication skills and confidence in delivering presentations to audiences of all ages. I would love the opportunity to share my passion for history and my particular interest in the history of war and international conflict with visitors to IWM North. As a regular visitor to the Imperial War Museum, I have always been impressed with the enthusiasm of all your staff as well as the range of exhibitions featured – from Horrible Histories: Spies, to Supplying Frontline Afghanistan. The short period of work shadowing I completed at IWM North during the first year of my degree convinced me that museum education was the career for me, and I hope that the amount of unpaid experience I have gained alongside my studies illustrates my passion for this career. I would be available for interview at your convenience and look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely,

Ben Robertson

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

CAREER PLANNING GUIDE

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.

“

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

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..

01. 02. 03.

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

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..

01. 02. 03. 04. 05.

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.42.

www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

GETTING THE JOB

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

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.

“

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

Help and support available to you..

01. 02. 03. 04.

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

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 and Recruitment Fairs 2018/19

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

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