UNDERSTANDING THE UK JOB MARKET

Transcription

1 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING THE UK JOB MARKET UCL CAREERS GLOBAL Katie Bisaro

2 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL What we ll cover today The current UK job market What do UK employers look for? Ways to find a job in the UK Application timelines How UCL Careers can help

3 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL What is on recruiters minds right now? Securing graduates with future potential Reducing cost of recruitment Generating return on investment quickly Achieving best fit to minimise risk you ll leave Not just academics but overall package

4 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL What do we mean by graduate job? Any job that requires a university degree to carry out Graduate scheme vs. graduate job Scheme: structured programme recruit up to one year in advance; usually commercial sectors Graduate Job: ad hoc recruitment, all sectors; titles like officer, graduate, assistant, coordinator Post-grad vs undergrad different for recruiters?

5 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL Where is the data coming from? Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) 200 biggest recruiters of graduates in the UK Times Top criteria: offers best graduate opportunities Data represents BIGGEST graduate employers REALITY: 99% of British businesses employ less than 250 employees

6 UCL CAREERS Q1: % change in graduate vacancies between 2013 and 2014? INCREASE BY >7%

7 UCL CAREERS OPTIMISTIC REALISTIC

8 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL Q2: Which competency is most lacking in candidates? BUSINESS AWARENESS

9 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL Skills candidates lack: (% finding short supply of each skill, source AGR) 8 Computer Literacy (6%) 7 Numeracy (19%) 6 Subject Knowledge (19%) 5 Problem Solving (32%) 4 Teamworking Skills (33%) 3 Leadership (33%) 2 Communication Skills (64%) 1 Business Awareness (67%)

10 UCL CAREERS Graduate schemes Quiz Q3 Approx. 600 recognised UK graduate schemes recruit around 20K graduates structured programmes- 3 months to 3 years Tend to recruit for specific start dates 2/3 operate a single start date (traditionally September) - recruit year in advance Recruit in large numbers Top 100 employers recruit more than 100 graduates each

11 UCL CAREERS Why are they so popular? Training and development 90% sponsor professional exams Possibility of sponsoring international students Accelerated career path structured advancement to more senior roles Ongoing support International exposure

12 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMME Limited graduate scheme opportunities Graduate-level opportunities Graduate Scheme opportunities Grad 'jobs'/ Direct entry

13 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL Largest sector graduate recruitment Quiz Q4: Accountancy and professional services firms (22.2% of all vacancies )

14 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMME UK Graduate Numbers 2014 Q Source: High fliers (Jan 2015) GET Directory/ Times Top /

15 UCL CAREERS What are employers looking for? Quiz Q6: 77% of graduate schemes require a 2.1 degree class or above Quiz Q7: 52% employers are not likely to offer jobs to graduates with no work experience Quiz Q8: 31% of 2014 entry level positions were filled by grads who have already worked for their organisation (paid internships, industrial placements, vacation work)

16 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL Top messages: Grad schemes: recruitment starts early (now!) Check application deadlines Often no difference between UG/PGT applicant Schemes not the only way into UK job market Need visa? Check employer issues Tier 2 visas Check website or direct (HR contact) UK job market is growing balance this with being realistic (2:1, need previous work experience, visa sponsorship)

17 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL What to do now Build understanding Business awareness Recruitment timelines What specific recruiters are looking for..engage with UCL Careers! Build UK work experience now Consider part time work or volunteering Think about Plan B if no visa

18 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMME What types of recruitment activities should I prepare for? Varies, but typically 1. Online application (why this job/company, evidence for skills) including CV 2. Psychometric tests (verbal, numerical, logical reasoning) 3. Initial interview (usually by phone) 4. Assessment centre day (group exercises, presentations, case studies, final interview) 5. Offer made

19 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMME Limited graduate scheme opportunities Graduate-level opportunities Graduate Scheme opportunities Grad 'jobs'/ Direct entry

20 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMME Roles Policy Outreach Editing/Writing Marketing Campaigning Research Project management Sales Producing Planning Designing Sectors International Development Media and broadcasting Publishing and journalism Cultural heritage Environment Creative Arts and Design Government and Policy Performing Arts

21 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMME Job hunting - online UCL JobOnline- UCL vacancy search engine UCL Talent Bank Connects UCL students and grads with jobs and internships Graduate Talent Pool- Partnership between governemnt and employers to help UK graduates looking for work placements Guardian jobs Sector specific vacancy websites: Bond.org, unjobfiner.org (not for profits) Creativeskillsset.org (arts/media/film)

22 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMME SPECULATIVE APPLICATIONS In some job areas you will need to be proactive and make the first approach to an organisation. Why might a direct approach be welcomed? How to? Send concise! (you can attach CV) Try to send to named contact in relevant department Be clear what you are asking for

23 EXAMPLE SPECULATIVE APPLICATION Dear Ms. Smart, I came across your during my research into Camden Council and am very interested in your current housing projects. I am a second year UCL Political Science student, with a specific interest in local government, and am keen to learn more about the field. I wondered if it would be possible to apply for any volunteer or work experience positions within Camden Council? I would love to bring my skills and interest in local government,as well as a strong work ethic which I have developed through my summer work in the service industry for the past 2 years. I understand you are very busy and appreciate you taking the time to reply. Thank you very much and I look forward to hearing from you.

24 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL FINDING ORGANISATIONS Professional bodies: List can be found on (types of jobs section) Search LinkedIn/Facebook Tutors/Friends/Family UCL Alumni Mentoring:

25 Be pro-active - keep in regular contact RECRUITMENT AGENCIES Long list of recruitment agencies in different sectors found here: University of London Temp agency Register with a manageable number by submitting your CV try and get a face-to-face interview.

26 UCL CAREERS Meeting Employers Fairs Employer presentations/workshops UCL alumni International-friendly employers Grant Tier 2 (general) visa UK Border Agency website list of sponsoring companies

27 THE POWER OF ALUMNI Official alumni careers mentoring network

28 Visit UCL VSU VSU Fair 9-10 Oct VOLUNTEERING Community Service Volunteers - ay=volunteering/ Do-It E4S Experience Development opment.org/ I-to-I National Council for Voluntary Organisations One World Vinspired Volunteer Development Agency Volunteering England

29 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL SUMMARY The UK Job Market: Recruitment starts early (especially grad schemes) Business awareness and work experience very important Visa regulation make sure employer sponsors Tier 2 Building work experience and networks Consider volunteering (VSU) Try speculative applications Attend UCL Careers events Plan B (if final year/masters) what will you do if visa not issued? Visit UCL Careers Short Guidance

30 UCL CAREERS How can UCL Careers help you? Short Guidance - Careers Consultant CV/application check UCL JobOnline Employer events Practice Interview Online Aptitude Tests Sign up: yuclcareers

31 UCL CAREERS Next UCL Careers Global talks Next Tuesday (13 th October) 1-2pm: Working while you study: CVs for part-time work Bedford Way G03 Next Thursday (15 th October) 5-6pm: Writing a UK CV (for all non-uk students) Roberts 106 LT Tuesday, 20 th October 1-2pm: Working in the UK after graduation (Visa talk) Cruciform B304 LT

32 UCL CAREERS GLOBAL WAYS TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE UCL Careers UCL UCL Careers Blogs.ucl.ac.uk/ucl-careers UCL Careers TV