Careers Handbook 2015-16 by Robert Gordon University

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Careers and Employability Centre

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Student Central, Level 3 Faculty of Health and Social Care

contents Careers and Employability Centre

Application Forms

Part-Time Work

Personal Statement

Enterprise and Employability

Interviews

Work Experience, Internship and Volunteering

Assessment Centres

Networking

Choosing a Career that Suits You

Social Media

UK Graduate Labour Market

Postgraduate and Further Study

International Careers

Changing/Leaving Your Course

Starting Your Graduate Job Search

Student and Graduate Feedback

Selling Yourself

CVs

Careers and Employability Centre Resources

Cover Letters

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR – BP BP is pleased to again sponsor the ‘My Career Handbook’ which is packed full of great tips about how to identify the best career for you. It also helps develop the skills you will need to ensure that you are ‘work ready’ by the time you begin your search for a job. As a major employer in the North East of Scotland, we know how competitive the job market can be and we have worked closely with the University Careers & Employability Centre to develop an understanding of what employers are looking for when recruiting graduates. We would strongly encourage you to make use of the Careers & Employability Centre from an early time at University. It can provide you with: guidance as you progress through your course, advice on how to produce CVs and also help you think about your approach with interviews and assessment centres in whatever your chosen field may be. We hope that you find this handbook useful and wish you every success in your chosen career. David Conway HRVP, BP North Sea

A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENTS:

This ‘My Career Handbook’ is your essential guide to the support and services on offer from our dedicated team of experts in the Careers & Employability Centre. The University has an outstanding reputation for producing highly employable graduates and this is endorsed by the whole institution through the University’s strategic vision, ‘A Clear Future’, and the ‘Employability Plus @ RGU’ strategic statement. Our vision for our graduates is to be recognised as the most fit-for-work, innovative, creative and engaged participants in the labour force and the economy, and for the university to be recognised for its close engagement with employers. The ‘My Career Handbook’ links you directly the on line interactive ‘My Career: Toolkit’. My Career: Toolkit provides you with access to online and interactive, learning and development topics covering the full range of careers, employability, job search and applications subjects. Innovatively designed to allow you to dip in and out of the resources, accessing support information relevant to your specific needs, it also allows you to follow a dedicated career planning journey whilst supporting you through all the key stages in your journey to finding your ideal job opportunity! The My Career: Toolkit resource can be accessed at www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit. Whatever stage you are in your studies, and whatever stage you are in your career planning, this guide, along with the My Career Toolkit resource and our team of professional Careers Consultants are here to support you in realising your full potential. I encourage you to take full advantage of the support available to you. Christine A Buchanan, Dean of Students

My Career Toolkit The My Career Toolkit resource can be found under the Careers tab on Moodle. Select the appropriate Topic area that relates to your need and work your way through the online and interactive topic.

www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit The Careers & Employability Centre provides a friendly, professional and accessible service that supports your career development through advice, guidance, information and interactive programmes. Meet with a Careers Consultant

Book a 30 minute appointment online at www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit under My Career: jobs and events. Log in using your university username and password, select ‘book an appointment’ and choose a date and time convenient for you. Alternatively, you can attend a 15 minute drop-in session at the Careers & Employability Centre and look out for ‘Live chat’ live webchat sessions with a Careers Consultant.

‘Attend our annual part-time jobs fair at the beginning of semester 1’ and refer to the topic on ‘finding part-time work’ under ‘more than a degree’ at www. rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit which gives more advice and information, including where to look for jobs and a CV template.

Job seeking – graduate and intern opportunities

Job seeking – part-time jobs

We advertise vacancies at MyCareer: jobs and events at www.rgu.ac.uk/ mycareertoolkit. Register for personalised emails which alert you to opportunities relevant to your area of study. Websites to source national graduate and internship vacancies can be found in the ‘Sourcing graduate opportunities’ topic under ‘finding opportunities’ at www.rgu.ac.uk/ mycareertoolkit

This handbook provides you with a good starting place for advice about CVs and covering letters, including example CVs. Make sure you view the ‘Writing your CV’ topic in My Career Toolkit www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit where you will find CV templates.

The recruitment process

We can advise and provide information on all aspects of the recruitment process including application forms, psychometric tests, interview preparation and assessment centre preparation. We can also arrange mock interviews. Visit related topics in My Career Toolkit via www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit

We arrange a number of Careers Fairs each year and also host Employer on Campus events. Check My Career: jobs & events at www.rgu.ac.uk/ mycareertoolkit for details of forthcoming events and also use our Employer Directory to source lists of employers who recruit RGU graduates.

Post graduation

CVs

Connecting with employers

You can continue to use the resources offered by the Careers & Employability Centre for up to two years after you graduate. Don’t forget to complete the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey www.rgu.ac.uk/dlhe

To find out more about what RGU graduates do, visit www.rgu.ac.uk/what-do-rgu-graduates-do

What do RGU grauates do?

Still have questions? See our FAQs page www.rgu.ac.uk/careers-faqs 4

Part-Time Work www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit Many students get a part-time job, whilst at University, to provide extra income to support them throughout this period; don’t underestimate the benefits of having part-time work experience on your CV. Part-time work allows you to develop many of the transferable skills that graduate employers are looking for such as: teamwork, communication, interpersonal, problem solving, initiative, leadership and many more as well as boosting your bank balance. Think carefully about how you will balance part-time work with your studies, particularly if you are in your final year or are a postgraduate student. We recommend that you don’t work more than 15 hours per week, this is also supported by the National Association of Student Employment Services (NASES). For links to a wide range of part-time opportunities in Aberdeen and the surrounding area look on www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareer. Do not forget to attend our Part-Time Jobs Fair held on the 30th of September 2015 in the Sir Ian Wood Building. You can also apply for part-time work by handing your CV to employers or by looking at shops’ windows for adverts.

Part-Time Jobs Fair

When applying for part-time work, employers don’t need the same level of in-depth information as required in a CV for graduate/placement positions; look at the ‘Finding Part-Time Work’ My Career Toolkit topic www.rgu.ac.uk/findingparttimework for advice. Don’t forget that a National Insurance Number is required for working in the UK. If you don’t have one you will need to contact the Department of Work and Pensions 0345 600 0643. If you are from an EU country an appointment will be made for you at your nearest Job Centre Plus. If you are from a country out with the EU you will be sent an application form which you will be asked to complete and return. For more information see www.gov.uk/apply-nationalinsurance-number If you are an International Student your student visa will indicate how many hours you are allowed to work. Typically this is 20 hours per week during term time however, remember to balance this with your studies. It is your responsibility to ensure that you adhere to the conditions of your visa. For more information please contact isa@rgu.ac.uk 5

Enterprise and Employability www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit Being enterprising can take many forms: from doing freelancing whilst you’re at university, to becoming self employed, to developing a brand new product or service, to setting up a business with potential for growth and employment for others. There are elective modules in enterprise available at the University and advice from the Careers & Employability Centre too. In addition, the Scottish Institute for Enterprise (SIE) works with all Scottish universities, providing a free service to students and new graduates who want to explore the world of enterprise. RGU has two SIE Student Interns who organise enterprise events on campus and a dedicated Business Adviser who can meet with you. Following the enterprise path can provide you with the opportunity to develop your career in ways which would not otherwise be possible through employment. The transferable skills you will learn along the way will be extremely valuable to you when you begin to look for work and will help you stand out from the crowd. The enterprise path will also provide you with the opportunity to develop excellent network connections.

Robert Hoving studied a Masters degree in International Business Studies at RGU. He launched ShirtbyHand, a bespoke ladies and gents shirt tailoring service, with support from SIE. “RGU and SIE have played a crucial role in getting my business off the ground. They gave me sound business advice and SIE introduced me to experienced professionals in the industry who put me on the right tracks; without their help I doubt I would have progressed as quickly as I did.” Robert Hoving, MSc International Business

“Hi my name is Seb, I’m a computer science student and I have been running Vital Cybersecurity for about 8 months now while I study. I provide IT security awareness training and IT security consultancy for small businesses. I wouldn’t have been able to get to the stage I’m at now though without the help of SIE, Business Gateway & RGU. Sebastian Coles, BSc Computer Science, & SIE Intern

WORK EXPERIENCE, INTERNSHIP & VOLUNTEERING A degree alone is not enough. Many employers are looking for applicants to have an ‘added extra’; work experience and voluntary work whilst at university are great ways to get this. Recent research by Highfliers demonstrated that: “Over half the recruiters who took part in the research repeated their warnings from previous years – that graduates who have had no previous work experience at all are unlikely to be successful during the selection process and have little or no chance of receiving a job offer for their organisations’ graduate programmes.” Highfliers, The Graduate Market in 2015. Work experience, whether through an internship or a formal placement as part of your course, is a great way to discover more about employers and gain an insight into the areas of a working environment which appeal to you and which do not. Employers will want to know about your work experience, whether on your CV, application form or in an interview. It is beneficial to have experiences you can draw upon, more so if they are directly related to the job applied for, however, if not, do not worry as all work experience is valuable. Placements are typically organised through your School Placement Office and you should contact them for more information. Internships are mostly career related placements with graduate employers designed to provide a taste of the organisation, job role and to encourage students to apply for a position within the organisation when they are in their final year. In addition to internships offered by individual companies, organisations such as ScotGrad and Third Sector Internships Scotland also offer diverse internship opportunities on behalf of a range of SME’s (Small to Medium Sized Enterprise) and international organisations.

Useful websites: www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareer www.scotgrad.co.uk www.adoptanintern.org.uk www.3rdsectorintern.org.uk www.gradcracker.com www.saltirefoundation.com www.glassdoor.co.uk

www.targetjobs.co.uk/internships www.e-placementscotland.com www.brightgreenplacements.org.uk www.ratemyplacement.co.uk www.step.org.uk – primarily England www.graduatetalentpool.direct.gov.uk –primarily England

You can find further information relating to work experience and internships, including websites you can use to search for opportunities by visiting our toolkit topic ‘Sourcing Graduate Opportunities’.

WORK EXPERIENCE, INTERNSHIP & VOLUNTEERING The Careers & Employability Centre runs the BP Student Tutoring Scheme which provides students with the opportunity to volunteer for half a day, per week, over eight weeks in a local primary or secondary school. For more information go to the events section of MyCareer www.bptutors.uk There are many benefits to voluntary work, 73% of employers say that they are more likely to employ someone if they have volunteering experience. It’s a great way to build skills and confidence, boost your CV, develop a network of really useful contacts, meet new people and, ultimately, to help out on some highly valuable projects. At RGU you will get all of the support you require through the Student Association and you can log all of the hours you have procured to gain nationally recognised certificates through the Saltire Awards.

“Volunteering is an incredible chance to get involved in projects and activities which you are interested in and passionate about. Throughout university, you are presented with a huge range of opportunities that can allow you to meet new people, discover new hobbies, develop your skills and so much more. When graduating from university, students should have more than just a degree. It is the experience and skills which can make you the best candidate for a job, and volunteering gives you that advantage.” Edward Pollock, President (Communications & Democracy), RGU Students’ Union

There is a huge range of volunteering opportunities on offer, which will suit a variety of skills sets. The Student Association will support you throughout the whole process and will help you find the right opportunity. Roles are on offer at the university and also with a large number of partner organisations in the community and these can be regular volunteering commitments or fun one-off events like the Baker Hughes 10k or the Highland Games. At university you can volunteer through the Student Union, go to www.rguunion.co.uk for further details.

“Volunteering is a great way to meet new people. It gives you experience and examples to talk about at job interviews. It can show that you are dedicated and self-motivated. The best bonus – RGU:Union holds an event each year to reward volunteers where they throw the biggest and best party of the year!” Nicola Robertson, Forensics student and President of the Forensic Society 8

Choosing a Career that suits you www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit Not sure what to do when you leave university? Don’t worry! It is never too late or too early to start planning your career, whether you are in your first year or your last, using 4 simple steps can provide you with a robust structure to your thinking and planning around your career development. SELF AWARENESS

 OPPORTUNITIES



DECISION MAKING

 TAKING ACTION

Self Awareness: The most important and hardest part of career planning. Before you can start thinking about the types of jobs that are out there, you need to know about you. What skills do you have, what are your likes and strengths, and as importantly what do you dislike and what are your weaknesses (remember you can take steps to turn a weakness in to a strength). Think about what you enjoy and are motivated by on your course, also think about your outside interest and hobbies, are there aspects of these you would like to take forward into a career? Make an appointment to speak to a Careers Consultant or look at online tools such as ‘Target Jobs Careers Report’ and ‘Prospects Planner’ from the Graduate Prospects website (both of which are linked from the My Career Toolkit topic ‘Career Planning & Decision Making’ - www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit) . The Toolkit also provides access to the HEAR online assessment center where you can take a series of psychometric tests which can shed light on your personality traits and preferred work-styles (as well as numerical and verbal reasoning and logic tests) which can be used as a predictor of employment roles that match your strengths, personality and skills. Opportunities: Most people are only aware of the careers that they are exposed to but what else is there? By researching companies and jobs you may uncover a position that you may not have realised existed. Look further than the job title, read the job description – just because you think you know what a job involves doesn’t mean you do! Decision Making: Once you know what you like and are interested in, it is important to compare this with what the career offers to allow you to make a well informed decision. You should consider the industry sector: what future prospects exist for positions in this area, where do your skills and interests fit in ? Taking Action: Once you have made your decision, you need to develop your own action plan for taking the next steps towards achieving your career goals. Further sections within this handbook will support you in your career planning, employability and job seeking.

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The UK Graduate Labour Market UNDERSTANDING THE UK GRADUATE LABOUR MARKET Trends in the graduate labour market do not always follow the general trends of employment in the UK. It is worth taking the time to research which industry sectors are growing, what skills graduate employers are seeking and where to look for jobs. This will help you prepare for and plan your graduate job search more effectively, particularly in competitive job areas. CURRENT TRENDS The Graduate Market in 2015 is a study of the latest graduate vacancies and starting salaries at the UK’s one hundred best-known and most successful employers, conducted by High Fliers Research during December 2014. Some of their findings included: • The number of graduates hired by organisations featured in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers rose by 7.9% in 2014, compared with recruitment in 2013, the largest annual rise in graduate recruitment for four years. • The largest growth in vacancies is expected in the public sector, accounting & professional services firms, banking & finance employers, retailers and the Armed Forces, which together intend to recruit over 1,200 extra graduates in 2015. • Recruiters have confirmed that 31% of this year’s entry-level positions are expected to be filled by graduates who have already worked for their organisations, either through paid internships, industrial placements or vacation work. • Graduate starting salaries at the UK’s leading graduate employers are expected to increase for the second year running in 2015, reaching a median of £30,000 for the first time. • Two-thirds of employers provide paid vacation internships for penultimate year students and over half offer industrial placements for undergraduates (typically lasting 6-12 months as part of a university degree course). • A third of employers said they had received more completed graduate job applications during the early part of the recruitment season than they had last year and a similar proportion believed the quality of applications had improved too. • Together, the UK’s top employers have received 6% more graduate job applications so far, compared with the equivalent period in the 2013-2014 recruitment round.

www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit

Source: ‘The Graduate Market in 2015’, Highfliers.

The Associate of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) Annual Survey recently revealed that more graduates are being hired than ever before with a 13.2% rise in graduate vacancies for 2014-15. Their findings showed that the largest growth in graduate vacancies are in accounting and professional services, the public sector and engineering and industrial firms. The AGR also found that average graduate salaries are up 3.7% from last year, rising from £27,000 to £28,000. The median salary after three years on the job has also risen by 4.5% to £35,000 although rates of salary progression vary between different sectors. Source: The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) Annual Survey, 2015.

HOW TO USE LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION Explore our Toolkit Topic ‘Scottish Labour Market Information’ and use websites such as Prospects to find out more about trends in the graduate labour market and the industry sectors which interest you. Keep an open mind as to the variety of sectors your degree may be useful in and consider the skills and experiences employers will be seeking. Connecting with RGU’s pages on LinkedIn can help develop further labour market information by exploring what alumni are doing now. Our Course Specific Careers Information pages on moodle also contain previous graduate desinations. Building knowledge of the graduate labour market will also increase your commercial awareness, a key competency sought after by graduate employers. 11

A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY AWAITS RGU GRADUATES

•ABERDEEN

International Careers www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit Graduates from Robert Gordon University work in graduate-level positions for a variety of organisations across the globe. Every year the Careers & Employability Centre supports students on their employment options when considering international opportunities. We offer you a wide range of quality assured careers resources and advice to enable you to realise your international ambitions. Key resources are available via our dedicated International Careers Info section at www.rgu. ac.uk/mycareertoolkit Going Global gives you access to International Country Careers Guides (covering visa and immigration information, country specific labour markets and applications/CV advice, culture and salary information, and job search resources), an International Employer Directory and searchable database of more than 600,000 job listings around the world (updated twice a day).

International Country Career Guides can be downloaded from Moodle. These guides are of use, not only to international students looking to return to their home countries after completing their studies, but to any student with the ambition to build a career in some of the world’s most dynamic economies. International Job Search Websites and Job Directories connect with a wide range of international job opportunities from a variety of online jobsites. If you are an International Student considering working in the UK on completion of your course you must start your job search early, we recommend you start your career planning and job search when you begin your studies. Working in the UK, specifically visa and immigration information, for international students is also available to download from this page, including an informative presentation by our colleagues in the International Student Advice/Visa and Immigration Service. Please see the My Career: Toolkit Topic, Visa Requirements/Working in the UK. (www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit ) Please note the Careers & Employability Centre does not provide advice on any individual international students’ visa issues – all concerns you have regarding your student visa should be forwarded to isa@rgu. ac.uk

More information, advice and resources to support you to compete effectively for graduate/ professional level jobs in the UK is available via My Career Toolkit, the Careers Information Gateway, your course specific careers Moodle page and by speaking to the Careers Consultants in the Careers & Employability Centre.

Starting your Graduate Job Search Throughout your time at university you should be considering the type of role and organisation you want to work within when you graduate. In your final year you need to take action and apply for relevant vacancies! Within the UK there are two distinct elements of the annual graduate recruitment cycle: Graduate traineeships offered by large scale companies start advertising in September/ October with many closing dates in December/January. The recruitment cycle is intense with a successful application/test leading to potential telephone and/or face to face interview then to assessment centre. Immediate opportunities are typically the types of graduate opportunity where the organisation is looking to recruit graduates directly to named jobs within the organisation. The time frame for recruitment is much shorter and can be less intensive so you need to identify and apply for these vacancies in semester two. See the ‘Toolkit’ for further information on this distinction between graduate ‘traineeship’ and ‘job’. Both types of vacancies can be found in a variety of places: My Career is the Careers & Employability Centre database that allows you to search for all types of opportunities from employers specifically recruiting Robert Gordon University students. Make sure you sign up for targeted emails through www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareer to be notified of relevant opportunities or use the inbuilt Employer Directory: a searchable resource which allows you to identify potential employers from organisations that have engaged with the University. Graduate Employer Directories advertise graduate vacancies and are published annually. Whilst some are available to pick up free of charge from the Careers & Employability Centre, all of them are available online. These Employer Directories provide useful articles on industry information as well as highlighting details of employers who recruit students for work placements/internships and graduate jobs. Key directories include: TARGETjobs, Inside Careers, The Times Top 100 Employers, Milkround.com and the Prospects Directory. Newspapers, both local and national are a key source of graduate jobs as well as part-time and non graduate roles. Make sure you find out which day the jobs section is included with your paper. Professional Journals are an excellent source of vacancies as well as current labour market information. Don’t forget to check your course specific careers Moodle page which has links to various professional bodies.

www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit

Recruitment Agencies are there to find suitable applicants for organisations that are actively recruiting to fill vacancies. There is no charge to the applicant, only to the employer. You can be registered with more than one agency and you can use them to find part-time, full-time and temporary positions that are related to your degree and non-graduate positions. Remember that Recruitment Consultants are not Careers Advisers and therefore will not provide careers advice, so you need to be clear about the skills, knowledge and experience you have to offer and the type of work you are looking for before you register with them. Online you can find many different vacancy websites. Some are linked to recruitment agencies; others pull vacancies from a range of job search websites. It is often possible to set up structured feeds from these types of websites to your email account alerting you to new opportunities that match your job search requirements. See www.rgu.ac.uk/cig/jobsearch for websites you may wish to use to source vacancies.

The Hidden Job Market. Up to 70% of all jobs are never advertised on the open market and are filled through internal advertising, speculative applications, word of mouth or through contacts (source TargetJobs). Speculative Applications involve sending your CV and a cover letter to organisations that you are interested in working for. Remember to ensure these are targeted to the organisation and position you are trying to attain. Careers Fairs are a good way for you to meet and talk to employers in an informal environment about their organisation. There are two fairs held every year, the RGU Autumn Careers Fair held at the Garthdee Campus and the North of Scotland Graduate Recruitment Fair held in April at a central venue in Aberdeen. Check our website for details of which employers will be present and how you can make the most of the fair.

Selling Yourself

The downturn in the price of crude oil has impacted on the local labour market. This has meant that many local graduate recruiters are reviewing the number of graduates they intend to hire, resulting in an increasingly competitive local market. In this market it is important that students understand how to effectively market their skills, experience, knowledge and achievements. Outwith the local Aberdeen/Energy market the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) are reporting an annual growth in graduate opportunities across the UK. Accounting/Professional Service, the Public Sector, Engineering & Manufacturing and IT are all outstripping the average increase in available graduate opportunities. Whether it’s on a daily, monthly or yearly basis, all of us at some point in our lives have to try and sell ourselves to somebody else. The question you need to ask yourself is ‘am I any good at it?’ Whether you are completing an application or attending a job interview the key is to know your value and connection to the job you are applying for. For example, before you buy a mobile phone you will look into what features the phone has, the cost of the contract and what is included. The same applies when applying for a job – you need to consider what skills, knowledge and experience you have to offer, their relationship to the job and how to communicate this to the employer. To start the process of getting to know your worth write down a list of strengths and weaknesses. These can be anything which you consider relevant to the job such as your technical skills, qualifications and employability skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation etc. Once you have finished your list look at the strengths and reflect on why they are such an asset and begin to identify real life situations you have been in (work, study and more general life situations) where you can evidence how you have used these strengths and skills to achieve in those situations. Also consider why employers would be interested in employing you - do you match up to the person specification they have drawn up as their ideal candidate for the job opportunity you are applying for. By doing this before completing an application or attending an interview, you will allow yourself to focus on the attributes you have to offer, which will ensure they are at the forefront of your mind during all stages of the application process.

www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit

Next you need to think about how you communicate your strengths. To help you gather evidence of your skills we recommend you use the STAR approach. For each skill or strength, identify that you have experienced success by using this skill. Use examples from your studies, work or extracurricular activities. The STAR approach is a bit like writing a mini essay:

S T

10%

Situation: How, when, where and with whom? Task: Describe the task you were faced with. Action: What action did YOU take?

The Action you took should form the main body of your answer. This part is about YOUR role in the action, even if you worked as part of the team, the employer wants to know the part that you played. Ensure that your description clearly identifies the skill you are discussing.

Result: What result/conclusion did you achieve? What did you learn from the experience?

The result is your conclusion – try and be specific in what you achieved e.g. membership of the society increased by 35%.

70%

R 10%

The Situation and Task are usually combined and form the introduction.

An enhanced version of the STAR technique is STAR + , where the + step allows you to reflect on why the skills or topic being discussed using the STAR tool is relevant to the job you are applying for - this can demonstrate your detailed knowledge of the job and your connection to it. STAR examples: Whilst employed at Aberdeen Technologies Ltd last summer, I was asked to review the current inventory system. To do this, I had to look at how often stock was ordered, how often it stayed in the warehouse and identify any areas of over ordering. I worked out a method of tracking the products in the warehouse, ensuring there was minimal stock whilst meeting demand. I then submitted my proposal to my manager. My manager approved my ideas and, after implementation, cut stock levels by 30% and reduced costs by 15%. A candidate for a customer services role is asked: “Describe a situation when you had to deliver excellent customer service following a complaint”. A customer rang up complaining that they’d waited more than two weeks for a reply from our sales team regarding a product query. I needed to address the client’s immediate query and find out what went wrong in the normal process. I apologised, got the details and passed them to our head salesperson, who contacted the client within the hour. I investigated why the query hadn’t been answered. I discovered that it was a combination of a wrong mobile number and a generic email address which hadn’t been checked. I let the client know and we offered a goodwill discount on her next order. The client not only continued to order from us but posted a positive customer service tweet. 17

CVs Your CV is normally your first point of contact with an employer, yet many people don’t put in the effort a CV deserves – instead thinking they will sell themselves when they get to interview. However, unless you get this element of your application right you won’t be invited to the interview. You need to ensure that you amend and update your CV every time you use it to match your skills and experience to the job you are applying for. Ensure that you are being descriptive in the information you have written – look at ‘Selling Yourself’ on page 17 for more information. Potential employers may take just 20 seconds to make a judgement on your CV. Ensure that it is a positive one by making it easier for employers to see the key information: • Does the format of your CV have clear headers, and make use of bold and italics, to highlight key information so that employers can pick out relevant information whilst scanning your CV? • Do not write ‘Curriculum Vitae’ at the top or include personal details such as date of birth, nationality or gender, contact details are sufficient (include a professional email address e.g. not: lusciouslucy@email.com or desperatedan@email.com). A photograph is NOT required. • Keep your CV to 2 pages – any more and employers are not interested, any less and you are not using all the space to sell yourself. • Consider the order of your CV. In April 2011, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) stated that employers only absorb 60% of information from the first page and 40% of information from the second. • Your CV should be legible so choose a font such as Arial or Verdana in a font no less than size 11. • Check, re-check and check again your spelling and grammar. If an employer spots a mistake, it may lead to them questioning the quality of your work – after all, in their eyes you have had time to ensure your CV is perfect. • Use bullet points with short, punchy sentences to make sure that all your information is accessible. • Don’t undersell your work experience. Any placement, part-time, vacation or voluntary work is valuable in highlighting transferable skills. Ensure you consider your achievements and extracurricular activities to give an insight into your motivation and personality. Creative CVs Students studying arts, design or creative courses may wish to consider drafting a CV which stands out from the traditional format. You can find examples of creative CVs at www.rgu.ac.uk/creative-cv-guide

www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit

There are two common types of CV to be found in the UK: Skills-Based and Chronological. If you are applying for a position outside the UK, look at the section on International Careers for more guidance on other CV formats. More information can be found within My Career Toolkit at www.rgu.ac.uk/careersonmoodle A Skills-Based CV is very popular with employers. It allows you to showcase your education, relevant work experience as well as demonstrating that you have what the employer is looking for by evidencing your potential through a skills profile. This is the CV format you should choose (template of which can be found on following pages) unless you have in-depth related work experience at the level you are applying, in which case, you should consider a Reverse Chronological CV (template of which can be found on following pages).

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Here at The Miller Group we see a lot of graduate applications and you need to ensure that your application stands out for the right reasons. Make your CV easy to read, avoid tables and pictures and keep it to two pages. Clearly state when and where you achieved your degree, ensure there is a brief overview of your dissertation topic and include any work experience to good effect including charity work. Remember not to leave any time gaps and start with a noticeable and relevant statement about yourself.â&#x20AC;? Laura Lavin Employee Development Adviser, The Miller Group Ltd

Skills-based CV Template You do not need to write Curriculum Vitae at the start of your CV - instead use your name as the header. Ensure that you use up-to-date contact details, take this into account if you are moving into different accommodation over the summer.

The Career Objective or Personal Profile Section allows you to introduce the reader to your CV and to you. It needs to say “this is who I am, what I have to offer and what I want to look for.”

Your email address should be professional: no lusciouslucy or desperatedan @email.com The first section within your CV should reflect your current full-time activity. As a student this will be your studies. You should start with your most recent first and work backwards, however there is no need to include your primary education.

You should ensure that it is no more than 3 or 4 lines and is tailored towards the job you are applying for.

The key modules section of your CV allows you to demonstrate to an employer that you have the theoretical knowledge required to do the job. You do not need to list every module you have studied or the grade. Instead focus on five or six that are relevant to the job.

Whilst there is nothing better than relevant work experience, if you have not got any or your experience is limited you may wish to consider including a Projects section.

This section allows you to provide evidence of any experience you have which is relevant to the job you are applying for. This may be part-time work, work experience, placement or volunteering. Make sure that you refer to the job description and ensure you mention all the activities that you were involved in.

This would allow you to highlight projects that you have worked on that have required you to apply the theoretical knowledge into practical settings. In constructing the information, you may wish to consider the STAR approach that can be found on page 17 of this Handbook.

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If you do not have a lot of experience in the area you are applying for jobs in, this section allows you to demonstrate to an employer that you are competent in the skills required for the job.

It is important that you don’t leave gaps on your CV and also allow an employer to understand your full work history. This section allows you to list other jobs or voluntary positions that you may have held. You do not have to go into detail with your duties as they may not be relevant to the employer, however you can use the information within the Skills and Achievements section to provide evidence of your skills.

You should ensure that as well as providing evidence of your ability in the skill through education, work and social activities you should also highlight particular achievements.

Telling statements are factually correct. Selling statements are also factually correct but are achievement orientated and make the statement sound much more impressive. Example of Telling Statement • Worked as a Surveyor’s Assistant during my work placement with a Construction Agency in Aberdeen.

Re-read the job description to identify skills that are important to the position, select the ones that you perceive to be the most important but also allow you to sell yourself positively.

If your course is affiliated to a Professional Body, or there is one that you can join, then do! They are a great source of labour market information and professional development, as well as vacancies. It also shows an employer that you take a genuine interest in the profession you want to join.

• Responsible for producing and proof reading proposals and issuing these to relevant departments. • Responsible for tracking and monitoring project costs Example of Selling Statement

Unless an employer specifies that you list the names and contact details of your referees, it is suffice to write “references available on request.” Before you use a referee, ensure you have their permission to pass on their details and also make them aware of the position you are applying for by sending them a copy of the job description, this will allow them to tailor your reference.

Review your CV against the Job Description/Person Specification and if there is anything additional you wish to add then this is the space to do so. You may wish to highlight that you are able to travel independently or that you are an active member in the local branch of your Professional Body as this person has done.

• Selected from over 80 applicants for a 12 month work placement as a Surveyor’s Assistant within the Aberdeen branch of a national, multi-award winning Construction Agency. • After 2 months, was allocated full responsibility for producing proposals for local, national and international projects, including the new Dam at New World Location. • Was fully accountable for managing a project budget of over £250,000.

Reverse Chronological CV Template The key modules section of your CV allows you to demonstrate to an employer that you have the theoretical knowledge required to do the job.

The Career Objective or Personal Profile Section allows you to introduce the reader to your CV, and to you. It needs to say “this is who I am, what I have to offer and what I want to look for.” You should ensure that it is no more than 3 or 4 lines long, and is tailored towards the job you are applying for.

You do not need to list every module you have studied or the grade. Instead focus on five or six that are relevant to the job.

Anita McBruce

1A The Courtyard, Invernowhere, Aberdeenshire, AB99 9XY (t) 01234 567890 (m) 07654 321098 (e) a.mcb@normal.co.uk Career Objective

You should also include, concisely, any directly related ‘projects / course work’ you have undertaken that directly connects you to the type of work you are applying for. You should also note any accredited placements undertaken as part of your course, however they should be detailed in the Work History area of your CV.

Final year BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance student with the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, with one year accredited placement experience with a mid tier chartered accountancy firm seeking a graduate CA traineeship to further expand professional knowledge, skills and qualifications. Offering a strong work ethic, history of high achievement in study and work, and proven client facing skills. Education BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

Sept. 2009 - June 2013

Key Modules: Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Personal and Business Accounting, Money and Financial Markets, Corporate Ethics, Financial Accounting for Groups and Companies Projects: ‘Public body accounting in the age of austerity’ – a 15,000 word research report on salient issues for the accountancy profession with respect to public body finance in the current environment of fiscal austerity rd Placement: 40 week assessed placement (3 year) with Anderson, Anderson and Brown LLP (Aberdeen) – assigned to support the audit team and actively participated in audits of 3 SME clients Aberdeenshire Royal Acadmey, Auchenshoogle, AberdeenshireSept. 2003 – May 2009 Advanced Highers: English (B), Modern Studies (B), Highers: English (A), Maths (B), Accounts and Finance (A), Modern Studies (A), Physics (A), Chemistry (B) 8 Standard Grades at Credit level. Related Professional Experience Audit Trainee (student placement – 40 weeks) Sept. 2010 – July 2011 Anderson, Anderson and Brown LLP, Queen’s Road, Aberdeen, AB15 4LY

This section allows you to go into detail of the jobs (and placements) that you have had that are directly relevant to the position you are applying for. This will allow you to demonstrate a clear commitment to an area of work, the achievements you have secured through it and the progress you have made in your career to date. You should be concise and explicit in describing how your duties and achievements link you to the job description / person specification for the job including the ‘essential’ and ‘preferred’ skills, e.g. communication, team player etc.

• • • • •

•

• •

Placed within one of the Audit teams – tasked with providing audit support to senior members of the team – working under the direction of a Partner and the Training and Development Manager. Successful supported the delivery of three large scale corporate audits in addition to several small scale company and private client audits. Liaised with clients to provide advice and support on all areas of financial concerns referring to senior colleagues where appropriate. Constructed reports and communicated key issues from my work with clients into the wider final audit report to agreed deadlines. Actively participated in daily progress/business meetings – providing update on my work and receiving the support of colleagues to progress issues encountered. Occasionally able to offer advice and opinion to senior colleagues based on my studies from University. Was given responsibility (under the direction of the local HR team) to review, research and develop the company’s profile as a ‘recruiter of choice’ for accountancy students in the North East of Scotland. Final report was presented to senior partners and has subsequently been adopted and implemented by the company Leading from the above I recruited a volunteer campus brand manager (for RGU) and designed the engagement strategy to be used to allow the company to communicate its graduate offer to students Achieved an A grade in my placement report; jointly assessed by University tutors and the company (Training and Development Manager)

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This section allows you to showcase jobs that you have had and are not immediately relevant to the position you are applying for. Here, you will be able to demonstrate to the employer your ownership of the skill set they are looking for. Review the job description / person specification – have you been able to demonstrate, through the details you have provided, clear evidence in your Education and Career History sections, all the ‘essential’ and ‘desired’ elements the employer is looking for? This section will allow you to address any skills which are asked for but are not yet covered, for example: IT skill, languages, familiarisation with various technical procedures etc.

Other Work Experience Summer Intern Alpha Beta Consultancy, High Street, Invernowhere, Aberdeenshire • • • •

Relief Barperson/Waitress (casual – mainly weekends) Cliff Edge Hotel, Auchenshoogle, Aberdeenshire • • •

June 2010 – Sept 2010

16 week. self sourced, summer internship with a small business consultancy offering bespoke business solution services to SME organisation Shadowed senior consultant in client meetings and assisted with the preparation and delivery of consultancy reports. Supported the senior consultant in collecting evidence from desk audits communicating directly with company employees and working to tight deadlines in relation to analysis and reporting of audits in to they main consultancy report. Additionally responsible for routine office administration tasks (including diary management), utilising my meticulous nature and developing my organisation skills Dec. 2009 – Sept 2011

Meeting and greet hotel guest and offering exceptional customer service while providing food and beverage services in the lounge bar and award winning restaurant. Responsible for collating table orders and processing final bill payments. Worked effectively as a team with the other front of house staff and hotel kitchen to routinely facilitate the service of over 150 covers on a busy weekend evening service

Additional Skills IT

• • •

Competent user of all Microsoft Office products including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Project and Outlook Familiar with SAGE and ORACLE Social media savvy – constructed and maintained Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter presence for Alpha Beat Consultancy

Languages • German (fluent – bilingual – mother of German descent) • French & Italian (conversational level and Standard Grade Credit passes in both)

You can use this section to help reinforce your skills set which has been discussed above. It can also allow you to highlight some more personal information about yourself and your interests/personality and showcase some achievements you have acquired which do not fit easily in to the structure above. Other items you may wish to consider highlighting here include membership of any related professional body. Significant or related volunteering experience may be better positioned in the ‘Other Work Experience’ section where you can provide more detail on how it connects you to the job description.

Social Care • SVQ level 2 qualified in Social Care – work place based qualification achieved whilst engaged as a volunteer befriended with Care Scotland – for 2 years I befriended a preteen with Asperser’s Syndrome – supporting him develop and practice strategies for engaging more effective with the world around him. Additional Achievements • • • •

Section Leader, 1st Auchenshoogle, Girls Brigade (2010 – present) Volunteer Befriended (with disadvantaged young people), Care Scotland (2009 – 2011) Driving Licence (include if you have access or own a car) Finance Secretary for the Business Society – RGUnion (Sept 2012 – June 2013)

References available on Request

Unless an employer specifies that you list the names and contact details of your referees, it is suffice to write “references available on request.” Before you use a referee, ensure you have their permission to pass on their details and they are aware of the position you are applying for by sending them a copy of the job description, allowing them to tailor your reference.

Cover Letters When applying for a position with a CV it is essential to attach an accompanying cover (sometimes referred to as ‘motivation’) letter, outlining the role you are applying for and why you feel you are suitable. Although less common, employers may also request a cover letter to accompany an application form. Don’t make an employer work to read your cover letter, keep it succinct and no more than one page of A4. “A cover letter is an important accompaniment to a CV. Use the cover letter to highlight your key skills and explain why you are the best candidate for the job. With a high level of applications for each position if your cover letter doesn’t catch the interest of the person reading it there is a high chance they won’t read your CV.” Graeme Humphrey Managing Director at Codify

The cover letter highlights to employers that you have the necessary skills and experience needed for the jobs you are applying for. It should give the personal touch that your CV may lack and ‘tell your story’ in terms of background and motivation for progression. Not all vacancies are advertised and so, often it is worthwhile submitting a speculative application. In this instance, the content and quality of the cover letter is key as it is the first impression you make with an employer. Consider what your unique selling points are in relation to the company and what roles you can undertake for the company and highlight these within the letter. Ensure your CV and cover letter are in the same format. If you are posting your application both your CV and the cover letter should be printed on the same paper. When emailing your CV and cover letter use a PDF to ensure the copy sent is in the format you intend the reader to view. To ensure your email is not marked as ‘spam’ ensure you clearly write in the subject line why you are making contact alongside a brief introduction in the body of the email. The cover letter should be attached as a PDF again so it reads professionally in the correct format. Personalise your application by identifying the name of the person responsible for recruitment (check online or call directly and ask!) and address your email/letter to them. Applications that are addressed ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ may not be directed to the appropriate person.

Cover Letter Template www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit

Your Address Date Name Position Company Address Dear Title and Surname or Sir/Madam Introductory line stating purpose of letter Paragraph One: State why you are writing, (e.g. for a vacancy that has been advertised or a speculative approach) and what you are currently doing (e.g. course and level of study and when you graduate(d)). Paragraph Two: Match your relevant skills and knowledge, including any experience that make you specially suited to the job and support your application. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Signpostâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; here to key elements of your CV, do not duplicate information. Paragraph Three: Explain why you are interested in that particular company and what appeals to you about that vacancy. Demonstrate that you have researched the company and are aware of the services, or products, that they deliver and the market in which they operate. End your letter positively, detailing when you are available for an interview and, importantly, any dates you are not. Yours sincerely (if you have addressed the letter to a named person) Yours faithfully (if letter is addressed Sir/Madam)

Sign your name here Print Name

Application Forms “Read the questions carefully, answer with clarity and demonstrate what you have done in relation to the question or how you would approach it. Big companies screen these forms and the vast majority are rejected at this stage. Poor form filling means no interview.”

“As a dyslexic, application forms are exceptionally challenging as I have difficulty in expressing thoughts and opinions through words. However, the careers adviser was fantastic, recommending I use a Dictaphone to verbally answer the application form questions. This innovative suggestion was priceless in articulating my answers and allowed me to be invited by two global oil and gas based companies to their assessment centres.” Duncan Macpherson MSc Purchasing and Supply Chain

BP Recruiter When completing an application form, whether online or paper, preparation is important. You should print or download the application form, use this as a first draft to ensure you can fit everything in you want and to also ensure you answer questions positively. Employers use application forms to judge each candidate using the same information which makes the process more systematic and ultimately fairer. Application forms also allow employers to restrict the information they receive to the areas they are particularly interested in, and therefore, are tailored to the role they are recruiting for. Ensure that you read the form thoroughly and follow all instructions and adhere to the word/character count. DO keep your own copy, this will ensure that when you come to the interview stage, you remember the information you provided, many employers will draw upon the information presented in the application form at interview. Be informative, detailed, but concise, in your answers. Give employers the essential detail but leave them wanting to meet you to find out more. Use the job description and person specification as a guide, bearing in mind the competencies and qualities that the employer is looking for, and answer the questions with evidence of these skills.

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Don’t dismiss anything as irrelevant without careful thought. Students often think that their vacation work as a waiter, shop assistant or security guard is not relevant and is of no interest to a graduate employer; this is not the case. Employers can learn a great deal about your motivation and skills from jobs such as these, so ensure you include them! Don’t make lists on your application form, detail the relevance and the extent of your interest. Most applications either have a section for competency-based questions or a personal statement, this can often be the hardest section of the form for most applicants. For more information on personal statements, go to page 28 of this handbook. Competency-based questions begin with ‘give an example of’ or ‘describe a time when you’ and ask for examples of specific skills such as problem solving, leadership, communication or teamwork, e.g. • Give an example of where you have demonstrated your ability to work effectively as part of a team. • Describe a time where you needed help to complete a job, project or task. How did you go about asking? These skills are usually the ones that are essential for success with that employer. You need to construct a paragraph for each situation, ensuring that the focus is on you, even if the situation involved a group. One way of answering these questions is via the STAR approach that can be found in the ‘Selling Yourself section’ on page 17. References: Generally in application forms employers expect one academic and one personal or employer reference. Ensure that you have asked your referees’ permission to give their names and provide them with details of the position you have applied for so they can relate the reference to the job.

“The Careers & Employability Centre provided me with the practical experience for an upcoming interview following a consultation. The staff were all very welcoming and supportive during the whole process. They provided me with essential guidelines, advice and the confidence to tackle the rather daunting interview. They were also able to offer me the knowledge of where to look for jobs/internships after university and the possibility of postgraduates courses. I would strongly recommend any person to get in touch, whether looking to improve in certain areas of a job application or to find out what they want to do in the future, it really is invaluable.”

“Make sure that you know what the company actually does and what the actual job entails that you are applying for. I have seen some very poor attempts in this area.” BP Recruiter

Stuart Cooper 4th Year BA Management

Personal Statement www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit

You may be asked to complete a personal statement as part of an application process. It is important to get this right and it provides you with an opportunity to promote yourself successfully to an employer. It is important that you don’t repeat information that you have already provided elsewhere as this section is an opportunity to present new information. Before you start it is a good idea to draw up a profile of your skills, which will ensure that you have noted everything down and have not forgotten something important when you begin to write the statement. More information can be found in the ‘Selling Yourself section’ on page 16. You can usually identify what an employer is looking for in an applicant by reading the job description and person specification for the position, as the essential and desirable criteria will be listed in these documents. If there is no person specification available you should try and work out what is required by referring to the organisation’s website, or by careers resources online such as Target Jobs and Prospects. Re-read your application and compare it with the job description/ person specification to ensure that all points have been covered. Think about the structure and style. It is better not to present your statement as a solid block of text as this can appear rather daunting for the reader and makes it difficult to identify important points. Using headings and paragraphs to address each of the points in the person specification may help you to prepare an appropriate and professional statement. Positive language throughout will impress much more than sentences which begin with ‘I think I am a...’ or ‘I developed…’ It is better to say ‘I am confident I…’ or ‘I developed excellent...’ You may prefer to write in more of an essay format, the style is up to you, however remember to ensure it is concise and easy to read. Statements should be typed, with the use of a UK spell checker, rather than hand written and a page to a page and a half of text should be sufficient for most employers.

STRUCTURING A Personal Statement A positive opening statement indicating that you are confident that you have the skills and qualities required to successfully undertake the position is a good way to grab the reader’s attention and encourage them to read on. Why should they employ you? In this part of the statement demonstrate why you are a suitable applicant. Try to convey how you can contribute to the work of the organisation and, using your skills profile, give evidence as to how you match each point of the person specification. Highlight any relevant work experience you have undertaken or related modules you have studied. You can give examples from your studies, placements, voluntary experience, interests and part-time jobs. Remember to use STAR (see page 17) for example: During my recent successful placement in the sales and marketing team at Aberdeen Tools Ltd I liaised with customers, listening carefully to identify their requirements before discussing and suggesting a number of potential products. This allowed me to demonstrate my excellent communication, organisational and record keeping skills on a daily basis whilst contributing to the team’s sales targets. Explain why you want to work for them. Why are you interested in a career in this area? Which specific aspects of the job particularly appeal to you and why do you want to work for this particular organisation? The more you have researched the organisation the better you will be able to demonstrate your interest and motivation to do the job. Finally, provide a few words summing up why they ought to employ you. Emphasise your commitment and enthusiasm for a career in this field. Before you submit your application, check you have addressed each essential criteria and some of the desirable ones too if you can. A good tip is to read your statement out loud or, better still, get someone else to check it over for you. Always keep a copy to refer to before you go for an interview. Postgraduate Application Statements When applying for a place on a postgraduate course you will often need to write a personal statement. The principles for writing this statement are the same as for a job or position. However, now you are persuading the person reading your statement that you are enthusiastic about the subject and have the required knowledge and experience to be successful on the course. For some course applications you will be asked for specific information relating to your experience, knowledge and skills developed. Other application forms will be quite general and will only ask for supporting evidence. Even though you may be applying for more than one course, at more than one university, do not use the same statement for all of your applications. Ensure you have researched the university and course/research area. Find out what sets your choice apart from other universities and courses. For more information about personal statements for postgraduate study see our toolkit topic ‘Persuasive Personal Statements’ via www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit 29

Interviews An employer will invite you for an interview because they think that you may be the candidate that they are looking for. It is up to you to sell yourself and confirm that they are right. Remember, the recruitment process is a competition therefore it is important that you have thoroughly researched the company, their competitors and the industry sector they operate in. The interview is an opportunity to present your skills, experience, personality and suitability, whilst giving you the chance to evaluate the company and the job. The interview process may be challenging but employers don’t expect perfection so try to relax, be yourself and enjoy the experience. Interview types vary between organisations. Some graduate recruiters initially have telephone interviews to ‘screen’ a high number of candidates. Smaller companies may have a one-off one-toone interview, however more likely, in larger organisations, a Panel Interview will be held. The final stage may be an Assessment Centre which will allow employers to assess your skills directly. Preparation is key! When invited to interview ensure you are aware of all appropriate details, such as location and timing, in advance. Refresh yourself on the position, the organisation and the application you submitted. Consider the questions you may be asked and think of questions you may wish to ask. Make sure that you prepare your answers, referring to the job description and your application, to support your responses. Look at the video examples of graduate interviews and the information preparing for interviews which you can find under ‘Interview & Assessment Centres’ at www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit . Once you have completed your preparation, should you require further support you can book a mock interview at the Careers & Employability Centre to practise and get feedback. The typical structure of an interview begins with a short introduction by those interviewing, stating who they are and the format of the interview that will take place. The middle part of the interview typically lasts around 30-45 mins and consists of: Structure of an Interview Can you do the job?

The interviewer will assess skills, achievements, experience and learning potential by asking questions on your work experiences and studies.

Will you do the job?

Here, the interviewer is interested in finding out more about your motivation to do the job, interest in the position, company and industry. They will want to find out more about your work ethic and outside influences by asking you questions on projects you have been involved in at university and extra curricular activities.

Will you fit the organisation?

The interviewer is interested in learning more about your communication style, attitude, personality, values, work style and appearance to better understand how you will fit in with the organisation.

The interview will be rounded off with a conclusion, lasting 5-10mins, allowing you to ask questions. You will usually be told when you should expect to hear from the employer and you should also be thanked for your time. If asked to deliver a presentation you will be notified in the interview invitation and advised of the resources which may or may not be available. Ensure you plan your topic with careful attention 30

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to timing as time should also be allocated for questions following the presentation. Consider the delivery method and your intended audience, it is also worthwhile to prepare handouts. Behaviour during the interview is crucial to ensure that you make a good first impression. Maintain positive body language throughout as any distracting mannerisms may detract from what you are trying to say. Speed, pitch, rhythm and tone of voice are equally important. It’s OK to be nervous, interviewers are human and should quickly put you at ease. They may push you to get the best out of you so be prepared to voice opinions and to analyse yourself. Listen and give relevant answers not necessarily those you have pre-prepared. Apply the STAR approach to your responses (page 17) and if you don’t understand a question or need time to think, say so, don’t launch in blindly or stare wildly into space! Finally, thank the interviewers for their time. What employers DON’T want you to do is to underestimate your skills and abilities, ramble or waffle, use jargon words, antagonise or argue with them. They don’t want to hear about your weaknesses unless you provide evidence of how you plan on addressing them. Asking questions at interview is an important part of the interview decision process so think ahead and prepare. Genuinely ask yourself ‘Do you have all the information you need to make a decision about whether this is the job for you?’ Ask questions which demonstrate that you are already thinking about your performance or development in the job should you be offered the position. After the interview, and whatever the outcome, treat it as a learning experience and reflect on your performance. Were you uncomfortable with, or unprepared, for any questions? Note down any difficult questions you struggled with. It is worth aiming to get feedback from an employer, not all will supply this, but some are very happy to do so and, whether positive or negative, the feedback will hopefully be constructive for future interviews. TYPES OF QUESTIONS:

COMPETENCY Detail a time when you had to persuade someone to change his or her mind? Who is the most difficult person you have had to work with? What did you do? Tell me about a time when you were part of a successful team. What part did you play? What is your greatest achievement? What obstacles did you have to overcome? Tell me about an innovative idea that you have had. How did you implement it?

BEHAVIOURAL (Personality, Attitude, Motivation...) Why have you applied for this job? What do you know about this organisation? Use 3 adjectives to describe yourself. ADMINISTRATIVE (Salary, Terms and Conditions, Availability...) What are your salary expectations for this post? What type of environment do you work best in? Would you be willing to travel to other locations as part of this role? TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF... How would your friends describe you? What are your strengths/weaknesses?

Visit www.rgu.ac.uk/interviewquestions for more examples! 31

Assessment Centres An Assessment Centre is an extended selection procedure, usually lasting a day or two. Assessment Centres allow employers to test a candidate’s skills further than they can at a traditional interview. They do this by asking candidates to undertake a variety of exercises and tests where the company selectors can observe the candidates’ skills, behaviors and strengths they are looking for in action. The benefit to applicants is that a number of different selectors get to see you over a longer period of time and have the chance to see what you can do in relation to the required job competencies, rather than what you say you can do, in a variety of situations. The Careers & Employability Centre can support you in understanding a typical assessment day and can help you to prepare with practice exercises and informative discussions. There is also an Assessment Centre DVD that is available to view at My Career Toolkit www.rgu.ac.uk/ mycareertoolkit (see the Interview & Assessment Centre topic area). During an Assessment Centre selectors assess your performance against pre-determined criteria necessary for you to do the job well and fit in with the organisation. Typically, a variety of the following activities may shape the Assessment Centre: • • • • •

• • • • •

Information sessions Social/informal events One-to-one or panel interview Psychometric and Aptitude tests Case studies

In-tray exercises Presentations Group activities Practical tasks Discussions and role plays

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Find out the format of the assessment centre. How long will it last? What sort of exercises will be carried out? What support is available for transport and expenses? Make sure you are dressed appropriately, some companies have a much more relaxed approach to dress than others but, if in doubt, wear a suit or other formal attire. You won’t be criticised for being too smart but employers will notice if you walk in wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt! Ensure you know yourself; why you are the best person for the job. Be prepared to demonstrate these skills and strengths through the activities you are asked to undertake. Keeping up to date with current affairs and having a commercial awareness can be useful too. Throughout the Assessment Centre stay enthusiastic and motivated, no matter how tired you may get. Maintain positive body language, excellent communication skills, good eye contact and, remember, a good sense of humour can be equally as important! Remember that you will perform better in some activities and exercise than in others, this is just natural. Selectors will use aggregate scores over all exercises to determine who they want to hire, so one poor performance does not mean you will not get selected! During the social or informal part, including meal times, remember to behave in an appropriate and professional manner which will show you in a positive light as you are being assessed throughout the entire day. Talking to other candidates as well as the company employees will help to prepare you for the group activities. You are competing against competencies, not the other candidates. There may be a position available for every assessment centre candidate, therefore don’t compete aggressively against other candidates, be yourself, show your strengths and support others in participating fully. Ask for feedback. Hopefully you will be offered a position, however if this is not the case, you can ask the employer for feedback on your performance. This information will help you to prepare effectively for the next assessment centre.

You can watch a video of real students and graduates being assessed by recruiters in activities which commonly feature at assessment centres: www,rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit (Interviews & Assessment Centre Topic ‘Assessment Centre Expectations’ link)

NETWORKING Networking is about interacting with people, sharing information with them and, through this, developing professional and social contacts which may in turn be helpful to you when job seeking or making decisions about your career plans. Networking can be beneficial in a number of ways. You may find out about job vacancies before they are advertised, you can gain insights into many job roles, and you might get some feedback on your CV and career plans. Your contacts may be able to advise you about entering the career which interests you or provide you with introductions to those who can help. You can develop a network through your existing contacts, or create your own new network. To start networking think first about the people you already know, perhaps through your personal contacts, your work and study or your leisure interests. For example, do you know anyone amongst your friends and family who works in the sector you are keen to enter? They might be able to introduce you to a colleague or acquaintance who can assist you. Another way to develop a network is to make contact with RGU Alumni who have graduated with the same degree as you or who are working in the sector you wish to enter. You can find out about RGU Alumni via the Alumni area of the RGU website which in turn links you to the LinkedIn website where you can make connections with graduates who may assist you in developing your own career. Remember, when networking, that your first contact does not need to be actually doing the job that you want to do but they might be able to put you in touch with that person. Once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve found the first people to start your network, others will begin to follow.

www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit

Social Media Many graduate employers, like us, are now using social media to source talented communities and recruit graduates. Building your online brand is a great way to connect and network with potential employers. It will also give you an insight into the culture and values of the company you are researching (as well as hints and tips on their application process). Social media has become one of our best sources for attracting candidates to our graduate opportunities. Jeff Lovejoy Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Talent Acquisition Specialist

The 2015 LinkedIn Global Recruiting Trends report states that recruitment via social professional networks has increased by 73% in the last four years. In the UK, 25% of hires are made through social media channels. The Jobvite 2014 Social Recruiting Survey noted that employers planned to increase their investment in social media recruiting by 73%. Employers also stated that LinkedIn is their primary social media recruitment source. LinkedIn has over 360 million members from over 200 countries. When setting up a LinkedIn Profile ensure that you include: professional photo, brief profile summary, education qualifications, job details, as well as additional information such as internships, volunteering, awards or languages. Once established, this profile can act as a marketing tool to potential employers and, in some cases, it could impact their decision to offer you a position. If you’re unsure how to use create a profile, visit the LinkedIn Help Centre where they offer a Using LinkedIn – the Basics video tutorial. The Help Centre also provides a range of other useful topics to answer further questions you may have regarding LinkedIn once you’re set up. LinkedIn allows you to connect directly with employers you may have met during internships/ placements, at University presentations or at Careers Fairs, thus, enabling you to build a professional network; a valuable resource for when you begin to search for a graduate job. Many employers also directly advertise on LinkedIn and it can be used as another job search tool. Additionally, if you want to submit a speculative application to an organisation, LinkedIn will allow you to source the relevant person to direct it too. Many organisations also have their own LinkedIn profile which will allow you to increase your knowledge and awareness of the organisation and relevant industry prior to submitting an application. You can also increase your commercial awareness by using LinkedIn Pulse to receive the latest business news. If you’re unsure of what you want to do when you graduate LinkedIn can also be used to research people currently employed in the area you’re interested in. This will enable you to gather an understanding of the experience required to obtain the role as well as the potential career development afterwards. To connect directly with alumni who have graduated from your course, to review their current job roles, go to the Alumni section of the Robert Gordon University LinkedIn page.

www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit

I consider LinkedIn to be a very useful medium, where companies and individuals can communicate. Bibby Offshore have recently started to post about some of the different activities happening within this business. By sharing this information we anticipate this will help more people to better understand what it is like to work here. On a personal note, my details being on LinkedIn facilitated my move to Bibby Offshore. Neil Leonard HR Director, Bibby Offshore

Many employers also have a Facebook page for their organisation. On this page they post relevant organisation and industry news as well as job opportunities. By liking their page you can keep up to date and informed of the latest information which will prove useful in applications and interviews. In addition, many organisations, such as the Civil Service, offer Q and A sessions.

Twitter is a form of micro-blogging that gives you 140 characters to ‘tweet’ what’s on your mind. You can elect to follow companies, who use Twitter to notify individuals of vacancies, upcoming open days or online Q&A sessions. It is important to remember to be polite when contacting recruiters or employers online. Traditional etiquette and protocol still exists even though the face to face aspect has been removed. Do not confuse being pro-active with being aggressive; it is important to leave a positive impression.

In a 2014 Guardian article, Social Media Careers Coach, David Schindler wrote that: ‘Facebook and Twitter chats are underused job hunting tools: there are lots of local groups sharing opportunities on Facebook if you search by job type and location. And don’t forget Twitter chats. These are regular, often weekly online conversations built around a theme, a set of questions and field of work.’

The Being Social Media Savvy topic, which can be found on the Careers section of Moodle, will provide you with an insight into these various social media platforms. If you’re an International student the topic also provides international equivalents of LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

LinkedIn is a priceless tool to use when job hunting. Employers love it, recruiters love it and you should too. It is easy to use and a fantastic source of knowledge to understand the job market. LinkedIn got me my most recent job. I found the role I liked, I submitted my CV, a recruiter got in touch and they arranged an interview for me to meet with my prospective employer. Then I used LinkedIn to ‘stalk’ my interviewers, learn about their job roles and work out how I could add value to their team. I didn’t get the first job I interviewed for but I had made great connections with the recruiters I met through LinkedIn who, turned out, recruit for a number of different organisations. They got me an interview with a second company the following week and I got the job. Paul Sutherland MBA

Postgraduate and Further Study

Postgraduate study may interest you for a number of reasons: it may be a necessity for you to enter a particular profession such as Teaching, Social Work or Physiotherapy; it may be a desire to specialise in a particular field such as Communications or Management or to continue your research interests to MSc or PhD level. Having a postgraduate qualification may give you an edge over other applicants and could potentially attract a higher salary, however remember it is the whole package that is important so work experience and strong transferable skills can be just as valuable. Make sure you undertake thorough research into the types of postgraduate courses available, where they are offered, what funding is available and where graduates from the courses are now. Early application is advisable as, for example, primary teaching closes early December the year before the course starts, and other courses, without closing dates, may close early due to the level of course popularity. Use the information in this handbook on CVs, cover letters, personal statements and interviews as this is directly applicable for postgraduate study. In an application consider the following: • • • • • • • •

Why do you want to do the course/research? Why this subject? Why this university? What academic skills have you got to offer? What transferable skills can you offer? What are your strengths? What is the relevance of your first degree to this study? What are your career aims?

Changing/LEAVING Your course

www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit

If you have decided that the course you are studying is not for you then you should take some time to consider your options and seek help and advice. You may wish to visit www.backoncourse.ac.uk for free, independent, impartial advice to students who have left university. Don’t ignore your feelings, it may just be that you don’t like your course as you are unsure what career path it opens up for you and having a clearer direction will allow you to be more focused in your studies. Speak to your Course Leader or Tutor as soon as possible to see if any issues can be resolved. Try to identify what it is about the course that you do not like, perhaps a change of module or having some additional support will help, or gaining an understanding of how the course and modules will develop over the course of the programme - it may be you just need to get over one module to access the rest of the course content that you will really connect with. Discuss your future options with a Careers Consultant. We can support you with identifying your skills and with considering how they suit different careers. We will be able to work with you to develop a career action plan to move you and your ideas forward. Consider the impact of leaving your course halfway through the year as each full year of study is accredited. Speak to your Course Leader about the qualification you may be eligible for if you successfully pass all of your modules. Look at page 9 of this Handbook for more information on how to choose a career.

Don’t rush from one course to another without thinking about what your decision process was for your original course, are you in danger of making the same mistake again? You may decide to change course either within Robert Gordon University or by moving to another institution. Alternatively, you may decide to take time out of education, or seek employment with training. Make sure that you research your ideas. Find out about jobs available in different industries and learn what options are open to you within your subject. Finally, you should think about the funding implications if you leave your course now. Contact your funding body e.g. SAAS, to find out how your decision may affect the funding you receive in the future. 39

Student and Graduate Feedback Having a mock interview built up my confidence for my first professional interview, the Adviser made me feel at ease straight away and provided great feed-back which came in very useful when I had my real interview. I felt much more relaxed and feel it helped my performance when it really mattered. 4th year Social Work

My CV is now better structured and arranged which I believe helped during job applications. The advice, guidance and support the Consultants had a huge impact on my interview. LLM International Commercial Law

The Drop In session was very helpful and to the point. I received clear guidance and can now move forward to hopefully submitting a successful application. Although I was initially struggling with my personal statement, I now have a methodical way of approaching it. Thank you to the Careers and Employability Centre for the easy accessibility and helpful appointments that are helping me pursue my ambitions. 4th year BSc Diagnostic Radiography

After visiting the Careers and Employability Centre for the second time for CV advice, I felt a lot more changes were required however, the Careers Consultant assured me that my CV was already much more impressive, which I agree with. MSc Oil and Gas Engineering

Everything was covered, in detail, during my drop in session and all my questions were answered. My application was submitted with confidence, after changes made, as a result of detailed feedback. 4th year Pharmacy

The Consultant was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the PGDE course and was of great help. I have more information needed to go ahead and begin my application for further study over the Summer so it does not clash with dissertation and modules at the beginning of Fourth year. 3rd year Applied Social Science

I found the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;My Career Toolkitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; very helpful prior to my careers appointment. The guidance provided will enable me to compose a well-structured personal statement. This will in turn improve my chances of getting an interview for a potential job. 4th year Diagnostic Radiography

I was looking for constructive feedback on layout for a CV and felt I received a great amount of information that allowed me to progress a lot further in improving the content of my CV and applications. Now I have a strong idea of how to apply the skills a job application is looking for to a CV. MSc Digital Marketing

I have been advised clearly about my strengths and weaknesses in answering questions during a mock interview. I received very helpful feedback from the Consultant. Now I feel more confident to tackle the real interview next week. MSc Project Management

The Careers Consultant has previously been very helpful particularly by answering questions quickly and clearly. The Careers Consultant has also been willing to put on extra sessions for specific applications which was very helpful and very much appreciated by the whole course. 3rd year Pharmacy

Careers and Employability Centre Resources WWW.RGU.AC.UK/MYCAREERTOOLKIT The Careers and Employability Centre offers a wide variety of services for current students and recent graduates, including face to face appointments and drop in sessions with a Careers Consultant, as well as a wide range of valuable online employability resources. These online resources can all be accessed by selecting the Careers tab on the Moodle toolbar. MY CAREER TOOLKIT My Career Toolkit is a series of online interactive employability topics designed with direct input from graduate employers. These topics act as a career journey providing you with valuable information on how to develop your experience through internships and volunteering; to constructing your CV and submitting applications; to reaching the interview and assessment centre stage. MY CAREER Login to My Career, as either a student or a graduate, to access a range of job opportunities including part-time work, summer internships, volunteering roles and graduate level positions. Make sure you complete your profile to receive automatic emails of opportunities you have indicated an interest in. Through My Career you are also able to book an appointment with a Careers Consultant and register to attend employer on campus events. COURSE SPECIFIC INFORMATION: These pages provide an overview of the sectors and job roles related to your discipline; details of the latest RGU graduate destinations for your course by job role, organisation and location; as well as links to recruitment websites and employers specific to your area. On these pages you can also read direct quotes from graduates of your course to find out where they are now. INTERNATIONAL CAREERS This page links you to key international job search resources such as Going Global and Venture as well as additional job search resources and labour market information categorised by international area. For international students looking for work within the UK there is also a section linking you to visa information and Tier 2 sponsored organisations.

As a graduate you can still access employability support from the Careers & Employability Centre for up to 2 years after you graduate.

NOTES

Where Are we? Careers & Employability Centre

Level 3

Opening Times:

Level 3

MONDAY

9am–5pm

TUESDAY

9am–5pm

WEDNESDAY

11am–5pm

THURSDAY

9am–5pm

FRIDAY

9am–5pm

Check our website for our drop in times. www.rgu.ac.uk/careers T: 01224 262110 E: careers@rgu.ac.uk

www.facebook.com/rgucareers

www.twitter.com/rgucareers

www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareertoolkit Robert Gordon University, a Scottish charity registered under charity number SC013781 Produced by The Gatehouse: Design & Print Consultancy at Robert Gordon University • 0116/48257/CAREERS/AA