The University of Kent Careers and Employability Service Exams over ….. What Next?! You can download a copy of this presentation at

Can I still apply for graduate training schemes?

Not many available at this time of year but a few still open Can apply for up to 3 years after graduation Many smaller employers recruit graduates over summer Get a short-term job after graduating – can sometimes move up in this or gain valuable skills.

SUMMER GRADUATE RECRUITMENT FAIRS

Summer Fairs  Many graduate recruiters you can talk to: a cattle market!  Run all year round in all areas of UK, but peak in June  Research the employers attending on the fair web site to decide who to approach  Arrive early and dress smartly  Take CVs and a black pen  Be prepared to shake hands. Smile and make eye contact!  Prepare your 30 second verbal CV: “Hello I’m Jo Smith. I’ve just completed my Law degree at the University of Kent and got an Upper Second. I’ve a strong interest in retail management as I’ve had several part-time retail jobs and enjoyed the fast moving environment …”  Note the name of the person you talk to  Don’t just see the big companies: others may be just as good and their stands will be less busy.

Imminent Fairs The Summer Graduate Fair 15 June 2016, Olympia Central, London W London Graduate Fair - The Careers Group and TARGETJobs 22 June 2016, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1 List of all fairs

Staying in Kent Going to another part of the UK Help from other university careers services

International Students Work Abroad

Year Out? Teaching English Abroad Voluntary Work

What can I do with my degree subject?

Postgraduate Study  New £10,000 loans available for Masters degrees  useful for cheap courses in your area: type in postcode to find courses.

Choosing a Career CHOOSING A CAREER BOOKLET - available from Careers Service. Prospects Planner - powerful career choice program.

Vacancy Sources Kent University Vacancies Database Prospects Web Directories Recruitment Agencies I want to work in ….

Other things to do Develop an action plan nning.htm nning.htm Treat job hunting as a full time job. Don't take a “scattergun” approach

Job Hunting Still lots of jobs out there – 300+ on our vacancy database Make sure your CV is top quality Need to be flexible in terms of choice of job and location: don’t wait around for your ideal job. We support you for up to 3 years after graduation – weekly vacancy s, careers interviews etc. We are open throughout the summer vacation Other hints and tips at

Careers Employability Award on Moodle Half the unemployment rate for students completing the award DP2650 if you have problems

Telephone: Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9 to 5 including vacations Drop-in times (no appointment needed: 15 minutes): to and 2 to 4 pm Help given for up to 3 years after graduation Weekly careers s every Monday afternoon

Bruce Woodcock Duty Adviser is available to help with QUICK queries between am to p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. every day You don’t need to book an appointment to see me at these times. Can also make appointment for interview – book at Careers Reception or ring a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays Open throughout Easter and summer vacations.

The University of Kent Careers and Employability Service You can download a copy of this presentation at

Comments from students who have completed the award You get a really nice certificate! It was so easy, quick and I learned a lot. Without realising, you have finished the course and have already put together a very good CV and covering letter. It really blew my mind with some ideas I’ve never known before, such as portfolio working and working from home. I never thought about obtaining happiness from my work before. It would be mad to apply for a job or attend an interview without doing it! Before the course I had only a vague idea of my career path and opportunities. Now I am applying for summer internships and know how to effectively sell my skills to a prospective employer and have a much more focused plan for my future. The module is very, very useful! I really love how it makes you to think about your personality and helps you to identify your strengths and weaknesses. I found the module to be highly thought-provoking as it really encouraged me to consider how my degree will benefit my future and what I can be doing now to improve my graduate employment prospects. I enjoyed the depth of the module. It went far beyond some general tips on how to write a good CV and prepare for an interview. Rather it went in to detail about the whole process of graduate job search from the beginning to the end. It was very instructive. The amount of time put into this is astounding! I actually spoke to friends from other universities who said they wished they had something like this. It has made me feel a lot more confident when it comes to applications and interviews and has also made me think about skills that I didn't think I had before. I recently had a very successful interview largely because I put the advice on the module into practice.