BEYOND WINCHESTER FINAL YEAR GUIDE
Top tips to be clear about your options and ready for a great future for after university
Your future starts here at Winchester
In addition to completing your final modules, it’s important to know your options and to start planning for a great future. Some graduate roles are open for applications in the autumn term, so start now with the following five steps.
Step 1 – Weigh up what opportunities are best for you
Explore online, talk to others, look on our Careers Intranet pages or on CareerConnect (winchester.jobteaser.com) and find out more about what you want to do, be it:
■ Postgraduate study
■ Graduate-level or other work
■ Starting your own business or going freelance
■ Adding to your experience or taking time out
Step 2 – Recognise your strengths
Further to becoming an expert in your subject, you have developed many skills that have equipped you for the world of work via volunteering, part-time work, research, course presentations, being in a society and playing in a team. Consider the skills you may want to tell employers about.
■ Research and analysing information
■ Organisation and time management
■ Communication and presenting ideas
■ Leadership and motivating others
■ Problem solving and being creative
Step 3 – Discover which career/job areas suit you
Finding the right career is about matching your interests and motivations to your unique profile of skills, values and aptitudes. Generate some ideas by following this ABCD.
A Attend employer events and talk to those doing jobs you are interested in.
B Build in time for work shadowing, volunteering, a placement or work experience.
C Complete an online careers questionnaire to generate ideas, e.g. Career Planner on www.prospects.ac.uk.
D Discuss your plans in-depth with a Faculty Employability Adviser.
Step 4 – Top tips to find graduate or other roles that start after you finish university
Some graduate roles open from Autumn so you will need to start looking from then onwards. There will be plenty of opportunities advertised on a range of sites that you will be qualified and skilled for.
1 Use the University’s careers and opportunities platform, CareerConnect, to find work. Set your preferences on CareerConnect to receive email alerts for fulltime and graduate jobs.
2 Signn up for notifications on specialist graduate job sites such as prospects.ac.uk, targetjobs.co.uk, brightnetwork.co.uk; milkround.com and gradcracker.com
3 Join the University’s Graduate Academy for support with all your applications.
4 Update your profile on LinkedIn and connect with previous graduates at companies you are interested in working for. Let them know you’re looking for work, and reach out to teaching staff and relatives too.
5 Search on known job sites (e.g. reed.co.uk, uk.indeed.com, totaljobs.com, hampshirechronicle.co.uk) and use filters to put in job titles and/or the word “graduate”.
6 Use sector-specific job sites for particular industries, like charityjob.co.uk.
7 Use specific recruitment agencies for the specific industry area you want to work in.
8 Use agencycentral.co.uk to search for industry-related recruitment agencies.
9 Many jobs are not publicly advertised. Use your contacts to find the hidden opportunities. Send them a well-written professional CV.
10 Don’t forget to consider and apply to small companies that offer graduate jobs and often have wider scope for progression.
Step 5 – Look good on paper, online and at interview
■ Producing a professional application to secure an interview takes time, but it is vital to tailor your application to the job you are applying for and create a clear and targeted document.
■ Aim to show an employer you are suited to them and the role.
■ Write an appealing cover letter to set you apart in the application process.
Careers and Opportunities Hub Support
We’re a friendly team, dedicated to helping you to prepare for your future, explore your options, find work or postgraduate study, develop connections and skills, or start your own business.
CareerConnect is your careers and opportunities platform, where you can:
1 Book a careers appointment to:
■ Explore different graduate career and study options
■ Help you communicate the value of your achievements and skills
■ Build strong online applications, profiles and statements
2 Search for work and set your choices to be alerted to roles that suit you:
■ Part-time and seasonal opportunities
■ Graduate programmes and full-time work
■ Placements and volunteering opportunities
3 View and book to attend our workshops and employer events during the year:
■ Keep an eye on the range of events advertised on CareerConnect
4 Find information and advice on a range of different topics:
■ Look out for our selection of brief videos
Visit
Open weekdays at SAB303 or West Downs for advice on:
Finding jobs, volunteering, placements and part-time work
Checking and update your CV
Searching for graduate roles and schemes
Receive application advice
Help yourself to our leaflets and booklets
careers@winchester.ac.uk
@universityofwinchestercareers
@_UoWcareers @uowcareers