Career Destinations. IGNITE YOUR AMBITION Careers and Employability Guide

Transcription

1 Career Destinations IGNITE YOUR AMBITION Careers and Employability Guide

2 IN THIS GUIDE: 3 Introduction 4 Your Careers Service 6 Timeline 7 Career Practitioner Support 8 The importance of Work Experience 10 Placements 12 On campus Employer Events 13 Careers Fairs 14 Getting Started: What Employers Look For 15 Get the Job You Want 16 Steps to Success: from application to final interview 18 Graduate Recruitment Process 2

3 INTRODUCTION This guide aims to help you to stand out from the crowd and establish what you need to do and when to do it to get the graduate job you want. Graduate roles are competitive, according to the 2014 High Fliers report the average number of applications per vacancy is 39, rising to well over 50 for very competitive areas. In order to be successful in today s job market it is essential that you prepare early, develop your employability skills and research potential employers carefully. The Times Top 100 graduate employers expect to fill 37% of their vacancies with graduates who have gained work experience with them before, which demonstrates that doing an internship or undertaking a work placement will get you ahead of the game. Use the hints and tips in this guide to think about how an employer perceives you and follow the links provided for more up to date information on how you can get ahead. If you haven t done so already, visit Career Destinations in Building 37 Highfield Campus, to make use of the expert help available. We look forward to seeing you soon. The Career Destinations team 3

4 YOUR CAREERS SERVICE CAREER COACHING We provide expert help and advice on CVs and job applications One-to-one support is available for individual careers advice Attend our interactive workshops, topics include: interview help, assessment centre guidance, presentation skills and social media tips The Insider Career Mentoring Programme provides the opportunity to be matched with a mentor working in the career sector you d like to work in FACULTY COLLABORATION Our Career Practitioners are aligned to each faculty and take a lead in delivering sessions bespoke to your subject Working closely with each faculty, Career Destinations staff support the delivery of events, for example, helping with individual faculty careers fairs BUILDING EXPERIENCE 4 The Student Consultancy Programme provides an opportunity to develop your business skills as part of a team of 4 students working on an 8 week project The Excel Southampton Placement Programme offers a wide range of 4-12 week placements over the Easter and Summer vacations Our Enterprise team can help you develop entrepreneurial skills that can be used in the workplace and learn about self-employment Use our tips and information on volunteering to help you develop your skills whilst giving something back to the community - locally, nationally and globally Complete the Graduate Passport to record your achievements and stand out from the crowd in a competitive job market

5 INFORMATION AND RESOURCES Visit Career Destinations to find books on job search techniques and CV help, plus free publications such as The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers directory and TARGETjobs sector specific guides View e-books on wide-ranging subjects including interview tips and working abroad Our website contains detailed information and advice, including free practice psychometric and aptitude tests EMPLOYER NETWORKING Careers Fairs: The opportunity to meet local, national and international organisations at our 3 main fairs held during the year Employer Events: Come along to our on campus Employer Events to speak to specific organisations and hear from current employees Visit our Events Calendar for more information CAREER COACHING JOBS FACULTY COLLABORATION CAREER DESTINATIONS BUILDING EXPERIENCE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES EMPLOYER NETWORKING JOBS On an average day our Jobs Board contains in excess of 250 live vacancies, including graduate jobs, part-time roles and internship opportunities Find out more about what opportunities could be waiting for you - visit Join in the conversation: #myambition 5

6 TIMELINE FIRST YEAR Your first year at University is about building friendship groups that will last a lifetime, settling in and having fun, but you need to be aware that 1 in 5 Southampton students began researching potential employers before they even came to University. That figure will increase to 41% by the end of this year. Use the following points to help you stay competitive going into your second year. UNSURE OF YOUR CAREER PLANS? Book yourself onto a First Steps in Planning your Career workshop Action the suggestions in the Career Planning pages of our website in the How we can support you section. This will take you through steps to clarify your choices Research what you can do with your degree by looking at the Options with your Subject section of our website HOW COMPETITIVE ARE YOU NOW? Undertake a skills audit using ac.uk/careers/students/ support/skills.html. Identify your strengths and areas for development and make a plan on how you can address those areas to ensure success in the job market SECOND / PENULTIMATE YEAR Many graduate schemes open from the September of your final year with closing dates soon after. If you want a place on a graduate scheme, it is essential to make a plan of who you are going to apply to and when they are likely to open and close their recruitment. Use the following points to make sure you are ready to begin applications when the time comes: READY TO APPLY? Check out our Events Calendar to find out which employers are coming to campus and learn what they look for in a candidate ac.uk/eventcalendar/ Attend the CV and Applications workshops to find out what an employer is really looking for and how to target your applications to maximise your chance of success Come along to a small group support session where you can access help whilst completing your individual applications, CVs and personal statements FINAL YEAR AND POSTGRADUATE Closing dates are not always fixed and many recruiters operate rolling recruitment, which means that they begin to run assessment centres and make offers soon after they begin accepting applications, continuing until places are filled. Try not to leave your applications too late as you may find roles close early and you will miss your chance. 50% of Southampton final year students are not interested in graduate schemes so what else is there? Charities and not-for-profit organisations (the Third Sector) offer you excellent opportunities to develop and make an impact. Recruitment deadlines are varied and often later than traditional graduate schemes as they recruit on an ad-hoc basis. FURTHER STUDY / PHD 6 Choose your course wisely; check out any papers or journals that have been written on your area of study by that institution. Is funding available? What options for study are available? What work/employment do students do after completing the course? Be clear on the type of course you wish to study, the commitment involved and what you hope to achieve at the end of it all If you are considering a PHD, know why you are doing it! You are committing to at least 3 years

7 EVERY EXPERIENCE COUNTS: Employers want to know that you are employable. Show them that you are by having a part-time job, gaining work experience or undertaking an internship Ask in your faculty about placement opportunities and check out the Excel Southampton Placement Programme which is open to first year applicants Attend the Careers and Placements Fair to identify opportunities. Closing dates for internships, placements and work experiences can be as early as October so you need to think about this now Get involved in some regular extra-curricular activities to further develop your employability skills and to create a bank of experiences which showcase your skills and personal attributes. These activities needn t be professional or work based they could be anything from volunteering experience to participation in a society CREATE AN ACTION PLAN If you are going to be looking for work decide which roles you are interested in and identify potential employers Use the Job Hunting section of the website to find jobs and employers, and create your own job searching strategy, including making speculative applications If you are considering postgraduate study look at to find out about courses you could consider. Make a short list and research funding options GET THE JOB YOU WANT Many employers come onto campus and run sessions specifically around their recruitment process and what you need to do to shine. Keep checking our Events Calendar to make sure you don t miss out Attend our assessment centre and interview workshops. These are practical sessions which offer you a chance to find out how to be outstanding at every stage of the recruitment cycle of study so make sure you are clear on your motivations and research opportunities thoroughly Find out more careers CAREER PRACTITIONER SUPPORT Career Destinations has a large team of experienced Career Practitioners to support you with your future plans. Our Drop In sessions, run daily at Career Destinations, give you the chance to speak to someone who can get you the right help, when you need it most. A duty adviser will help you to identify your needs and make recommendations on the best way to meet them. All of our Career Practitioners are aligned to particular academic units, so you will also be able to access bespoke career support designed for your subject within your faculty. Look out for careers related lectures, events and activities advertised via your faculty or department. 7

8 THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK EXPERIENCE One of the key factors that will set you apart from other students during the recruitment process is your ability to demonstrate experience of the world of work. Work experience will provide you with a portfolio of transferable skills, an understanding and appreciation of the commercial world and potentially inspire your future career direction. Employers are increasingly looking for students who are able to combine excellent academic achievement with practical hands-on experience. At the University of Southampton we are committed to providing you with the skills to ensure post-graduation employment success. We will give you the support you need to secure work experience from providing advice on how to source a placement to guidance on the application and selection process. The term work experience is very broad and can relate to any of the following experiences: Industrial/Sandwich Placements Some programmes have a placement element which enables students to take a year or semester out in industry Placements integral to a Programme Some programmes integrate professional practice as a compulsory component and therefore work experience takes place throughout the duration of the student s study. This type of work experience is a requirement for professional body accreditation Excel Southampton Placement Programme We offer 400 paid vacation placements both on campus and with a wide range of external organisations Student Consultancy Programme Experience being a business consultant by working in a small team on an active employerled project over an 8 week period during term-time Benefits of Work Experience: Voluntary Work Many of our students recognise the value of volunteering during their spare time. You can benefit from the opportunity to develop skills and attributes which will help you find employment after you graduate Work experience through the curriculum A number of degree programmes encompass elements of work experience through the curriculum such as field work, employer-led projects and exchanges Work Shadowing This involves spending time observing an individual or several individuals within a company to gain an understanding and feel for the type of work involved in that occupation. Opportunities are rarely advertised, but you can arrange this for yourself Develop a range of transferable skills, personal qualities and competencies Become more confident in your abilities Begin to relate your experiences and skills to the workplace put theory into practice Make more informed choices about your career and future Network and make contacts Enhance your CV and improve your job prospects Part-time or Summer Casual Work Many students work part-time during their studies, in order to earn extra money towards their living costs. The types of jobs you can undertake do not always reflect your academic programmes or the career you wish to pursue after you graduate, but often contribute to skills development and experiences that will be invaluable in the future Student Ambassadors Working with the Recruitment and Outreach Team to lead and support the delivery of a variety of on and off campus activities, residential events and mentoring schemes with young people aged years of ages, can provide you with a wealth of experience Mentor and alumni connections Our alumni provide a fantastic opportunity to discover more about jobs you may be interested in. Career Destinations run a mentoring programme that will connect you with a mentor or you can explore the University of Southampton Alumni LinkedIn group which has over 12,000 members across many years and subjects 8

9 Over 50% of the Times Top 100 graduate employers believe that graduates with no previous work experience are unlikely to be successful during the selection process and have little or no chance of receiving a job offer 37% of graduate vacancies with the Times Top 100 graduate employers will go to graduates who have already worked for their organisation, either through internships, vacation schemes or industrial placements Increasing numbers of employers are now offering work experience places for first year undergraduates as a means of identifying talent early (High Fliers The Graduate Market 2014) The Importance of Reflection We cannot over emphasise the importance of completing a period of work experience. However, your ability to reflect upon what you have learnt and articulate this in an engaging and inspiring manner for your future applications, is equally important. It is a good idea to keep a reflective diary or log highlighting the skills and achievements you have developed during your placement. 9

10 PLACEMENTS The Excel Southampton Placement Programme, coordinated by Career Destinations, provides placement opportunities exclusively for University of Southampton students to gain great work experience. Each year around 400 placement opportunities are available for 4-12 weeks; working with local and national SMEs, large corporations, third sector organisations and internally within the University. Advertised at the beginning of each month, placements take place during the Easter and Summer vacation periods and offer experience of working on bespoke projects. Opportunities are available in all manner of sectors and are available to you regardless of your subject. They can be very diverse, from working in a research environment to engineering, retail, marketing or fundraising. Not only will you be supported by the Excel Southampton Placements team throughout the application process and during the placement, but you will also receive a student stipend (funding). If you have found your own placement, for example with a third sector organisation, and this meets the Excel Southampton criteria, you may still be able to access the stipend. This is a great way to enhance your CV, gain invaluable skills for future applications, build your professional contacts and boost your employability. My Excel Southampton placement was a fantastic opportunity to learn about the world of work, gain solid experience for my CV and build confidence in myself. My role was varied, I learnt a lot and I now have solid work examples to mention in job applications and at interviews. Fiona Clabon, BA Graphic Design 10

11 EXCEL SOUTHAMPTON AWARDS The placement programme concludes each year with a reflection activity that provides the opportunity for you to consider the skills you have developed during your placement and use these to enhance your CV and graduate applications. The Excel Southampton Awards ceremony takes place during the evening of the same day and recognises the significant achievements of students and the contribution of host employers. CASE STUDY Madeleine Ryan 3rd Year, BA English and French Excel Southampton Placement Marketing and Events Assistant, The Royal Marines Museum Events Management career I m really interested in a career in events management and although I ve organised student balls and social events, I wanted to get some professional experience. My placement was a great opportunity to see what it s really like to organise and run events for the public. I was involved in back office administration and budgeting work, as well as the handson running of events. It was stressful at times, but I really enjoyed it. Making people happy by running a successful wedding or birthday party for them is fantastic. I also learnt how to deal with public enquiries in the right tone. Being resourceful The only drawback to this placement was my lengthy commute. It was worth it though! And event management isn t a 9-5 job anyway, so it was good practice. There s a lot of pressure, especially when things go wrong, but I learnt to be resourceful and get things done. Everyone in my office was nice and it was interesting to see how the dynamics of office politics work. Things to consider If you re going to do an Excel placement, you should consider everything involved, such as travel and costs managing these aspects is all part of the experience. Being paid means you can take opportunities you might otherwise not be able to afford. The application and interview process is also valuable, because you learn to present yourself and your experience to show employers that you re the person for them. I would apply for an Excel placement again and I d recommend it to others. 11

12 ON CAMPUS EMPLOYER EVENTS Employers of all sizes, from multinational corporations to small businesses, come to campus to promote their recruitment opportunities and engage with you. Even if you don t recognise the name of a company/employer, the knowledge, experience and opportunities they have to share may still be of interest and relevant to you. These events are open to you regardless of your academic discipline or level of study and we encourage you to attend. Remember that some employers wish to target particular academic disciplines or year groups and work directly with faculties to reach the relevant students. Events and Workshops: Our series of daytime events and workshops provide a platform for you to benefit from a company s expertise and experience. These sessions generally take place on campus and offer the opportunity for face-to-face advice and guidance: Employer Presentations Network with graduate employers and hear recent graduates experiences How to Get Into an insight into opportunities within companies or employment sectors How to Survive the Selection Process understanding the recruitment process and how to be the successful candidate in a competitive market Interactive Employability Skills Workshops learn about the key skills and values that are important to employers, such as leadership, networking and presentation skills CV Clinics one-to-one employer-led appointments to gain feedback on your CV Mock Assessment Centre Exercises the opportunity to test out assessment centre exercises used by employers Mock Interviews develop your interview skills by participating in an interview simulation Mock Telephone Interviews sample a phone interview and prepare for the real thing 12 Visit our Events Calendar on the website for more information.

13 CAREERS FAIRS IT, Science & Engineering Fair 2013 Careers Fairs are held throughout the academic year and are attended by hundreds of employers/exhibitors from a wide range of sectors. Some fairs are organised centrally through Career Destinations and others are organised by specific faculties. Fairs give you the opportunity to meet potential employers face-to-face and provide the ideal platform to discuss placements and graduate employment opportunities. They are also a good source for understanding the job market and getting ahead in planning your future career. The Business Fair (including Third Sector and Not-for-Profit) 21st October 2014 Incorporating business, finance and management companies as well as third sector/charity organisations, this event will have over 100 exhibitors offering opportunities to students Information Technology, Science & Engineering 22nd October 2014 This recruitment event continues to be essential to students or graduates interested in careers in IT, science or engineering and provides opportunities to meet over 100 leading recruiters Careers & Placements Fair 3rd March 2015 This fair attracts graduate recruiters and local SMEs alike giving you the opportunity to connect directly with 70 organisations offering graduate opportunities or work experience placements Career Destinations fairs are extensively promoted on campus and preceded by the Prepare for the Fair events which provide good tips and advice to ensure you make the most of these opportunities. 13

14 GETTING STARTED WHAT EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR Employers want a well-rounded individual with good academic achievements and the ability to reflect on their activities and experiences. Sounds simple but in reality what does this mean? How do you show this to an employer? 14 Qualifications Whilst a large proportion of graduate roles ask for a minimum of a 2.1, there will still be opportunities to explore if you gain a 2.2 or lower. It is worth knowing that many roles are open to applicants with degrees from any discipline and you need to think about your degree in terms of skills developed as well as knowledge gained. Talent Employers look for a mix of skills and personal qualities so make sure that you can provide evidence to support your application. Targetjobs.co.uk have quoted the following as the top 10 skills employers are looking for: 1. Commercial awareness or business acumen you need to know about how a business works and the industry within which it operates 2. Communication being able to convey your message to an audience in a tailored and easily understood way 3. Teamwork building positive working relationships in order to achieve team goals 4. Negotiation and persuasion finding common ground and reaching conclusions with which all parties are happy 5. Problem Solving applying logical thought to find solutions 6. Leadership leading by example, delegating tasks and setting deadlines 7. Organisation showing you can prioritise your time to achieve your objectives 8. Perseverance and Motivation show you can keep trying even when the going gets tough 9. Ability to work under pressure keeping your cool and being calm in a crisis 10. Confidence having self-belief as well as belief in the company and your colleagues Start thinking about how you can talk about your skills and reflect on what you have learnt. Undertake the Graduate Passport and come along to the Graduate Passport reflection sessions. In addition, consider attending the following sessions: Communicating with Confidence, Powerful and Impactful Presentations and Team Working for Success. Evidence Employers want you to be able to evidence your skills and provide examples of when you have demonstrated a skill or competence. You can develop a portfolio of skills and experiences through work experience, internships, being actively involved in clubs and societies, undertaking volunteering, to name a few. Our Volunteering and Finding Work Experience workshops can help you to think about what you could do. Less is more - getting involved with many student societies can be great fun but consider focusing on those of particular interest and taking on a position of responsibility. Recruiters will be impressed with this approach as it will enable you to evidence a broad range of skills. Find out more

15 GET THE JOB YOU WANT Make sure you are clear about your options and think about the type of employer you are looking for. If you are unsure what you want then revisit the timeline guides on page 7. Sign up to the Career Destinations Jobs Board and check it regularly Make the most of employer meetings research the company, prepare questions and think about what message you want to convey. You can excel in any situation given the right preparation Use your networks utilise every opportunity to meet employers, attend careers fairs, networking events and employer briefings 6 5 Enterprising? Not sure if you want to work for someone else? Challenge yourself and boost your employability by participating in our business-based Enterprise events. Students from any subject or year of study will benefit from connecting with inspiring people on exciting projects and develop the skills employers actively seek such as leadership, teamwork, problem solving and commercial awareness. 1 OUR TOP TIPS 4 Check your university account employers targeting specific programmes and areas of study may use your faculty to promote vacancies and opportunities to find out more about them 2 3 Sign up for alerts from sites specific to your job preferences visit the sector pages on our website to find out where employers are likely to advertise If you have companies that you would like to target, sign up to their facebook accounts, twitter feeds and follow them on LinkedIn... and don t forget the all important work experience as mentioned on pages 9 and 10 If you are thinking about starting your own business or social enterprise come along to one of our Enterprise workshops which can teach you everything from business planning to pitching your ideas. Meet others who have been successful at our Enterprise Cafes and hear about their real life experiences. For more information see 15

16 STEPS TO SUCCESS: FROM APPLICATION TO FINAL INTERVIEW Your application form, CV and cover letter should show your enthusiasm and understanding of the job or course and your ability to meet its requirements. STEP 1: Find out all you can Study the job description, person specification and job advert to find what skills and personal qualities the employer is looking for. Research the company, look at their values and mission statements to show you really understand the organisation STEP 2: Map your experiences Write down your experiences, achievements and outside interests. For each of your identified activities think about the role, responsibilities and tasks involved. Identify the skills you developed from each area and use the skills list on page 15 to help you. You might also want to check out the Understanding your Skills section in How We Can Support You on our website STEP 3: Make the match Reflect on all your experiences, matching evidence to the recruiter s needs, emphasising your strongest points, but showing what a well-rounded, employable person you are Disclosing Disabilities Disclosing disability is a personal decision, which should be thoughtfully considered in order to make future employers aware of how a disability affects you. Look out for relevant workshops and resources about when and how to positively disclose your disability. Assessment Centres Assessment centres provide a great opportunity to demonstrate your capabilities in a work setting. Prepare as much as possible for the individual elements and try to enjoy the experience. Attend our Assessment Centre and Demystifying Psychometric Tests workshops and look in the Assessment Centres section of our website for information on how to prepare and what to expect. 16

17 Successful Interviews Preparation is key to a successful interview. Every question asked will have a purpose and most will fall into one of these three categories: 1) Can this person do the job? This is about your skills and experience and what you have done in the past 2) Will this person do the job? This is about your personality, temperament, working style and motivation 3) Will this person fit in? This is about your values and attitude; will they match those of the organisation and will you fit into the team Use the STAR approach: Formulate your answers to competency based questions: S Situation provide background information to set the scene T Task what were you trying to achieve, what was the overall aim? A Action what was your personal contribution, what did you do? R Results what was the conclusion and what did you learn? Visit the Job Application Resources section of the Career Destinations website in order to find out the top tips for interview success and to identify typical interview questions. Keep an eye on our Events Calendar as we often have employers offering the opportunity for you to practise your interview technique or attend our Interview Skills workshop for more insight. 17

18 GRADUATE RECRUITMENT PROCESS Application Form or CV Submitting an application is your first opportunity to stand out so look at the Steps to success: from application to final interview section of this guide and use and for more handy tips. Aptitude / Situational Judgement and Psychometric Tests The next stage of graduate recruitment often involves a variety of tests. Most commonly these are numeracy and verbal tests but can include others such as diagrammatical reasoning and personality assessments. Occasionally these tests can come before the application stage and you have to be successful in order to complete the application form. Be warned though, don t be tempted to get your maths whizz friend to undertake the online tests for you as you are often required to re-do the tests at an assessment centre. Use the Psychometric and Aptitude section of our website to find out more and to undertake practice tests. Visit Career Destinations to see the wide range of books we have available on how to be successful at this stage. If you are worried about your numeracy and verbal reasoning tests then the key is to practise. Assessment Centre Assessment centres involve a variety of different activities and tests, often including group work, presentations, role play and e-tray exercises. Keep in mind that you are looking to stand out for the right reasons, so avoid talking over others and be respectful of team members views. Show that you are a team player and remember to join in; if you do not contribute then the assessors have nothing to assess. For in-depth information on what to expect from each of the possible elements with tips on how to prepare, see careers-advice/assessmentcentres and also check out our How to prepare for an assessment centre download available from the Job Application Resources section of the Career Destinations website....and remember to dress appropriately as first impressions do matter. 18

19 Interviews Interviews often make up part of the assessment centre but can also be conducted separately and you can have several interviews for a role. Often these are panel interviews made up of different people. Focus on addressing the person asking the question and using occasional eye contact to include the others. Panel interviews are a practical way of allowing interviewers to make notes whilst still talking to you so don t let this put you off. Use the interactive PwC Interviews platform and downloads on the Career Destinations website to help you prepare. The Offer This will usually be made by telephone or and there may be a timeframe within which you can accept or reject the offer. You don t have to accept straight away so think carefully about the information you are given and read your contract thoroughly. At this stage there should also be an opportunity to clarify anything that is still unclear. Not successful? If you don t receive an offer, ask for feedback as this could be invaluable for future assessment centres and interviews. Be honest in your reflections, what went well? What could you have improved on? Drop into Career Destinations to talk with an adviser about how you can improve, making sure that next time you are in the best position to be successful. Use the Career Destinations website to guide you throughout the application and interview process. The sections on Job Application Resources and Interactive e-resources are packed with useful tips, video clips and examples. Don t forget the Career Destinations Drop-In service (Building 37) can support you throughout the graduate recruitment process. Our Career Practitioners can advise you on any aspect of your application. 19

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