Job Searching Information Technology Careers and Employability Service

Agenda The graduate labour market and preparing to apply for jobs. How to search for jobs: Graduate directories Vacancy websites Social media Networking The speculative approach Newspapers Recruitment agencies Creative approaches Page 2

The Graduate Labour Market is…… Complex! Competitive! Page 3

‘An average of 73 candidates chasing each vacancy, up from 30 applicants per job before the economic downturn.’ The Guardian, 07/12. Page 4

‘Over a third of this year’s entry-level positions will be filled by graduates who have already worked for their organisations – either through internships, industrial placements or vacation work’’. High Fliers Research Limited, 2013 Page 5

‘Graduates who have had no previous work experience at all are unlikely to be successful during the selection process’. High Fliers Research Limited, 2013 Page 6

So before you job search you need to prepare! Develop your employability skills: Get work experience. Join a club/society. Volunteer. Make the most of opportunities on your course. Use the Careers and Employability Service: Create a good CV. Get top tips on application forms. Practise your interview/assessment centre skills. Page 7

Activity In pairs discuss: What type of jobs are you likely to look for? How have you searched for jobs in the past? What would you like to get out of this session? At the end each pair to feedback to the group. Page 8 3 minutes

Graduate directories Available to collect for free from the Careers Resources room – G0-05 (Whilst stocks last!) Page 9

Vacancy websites See hand-out CVs may be scanned so include your technical skills Page 10

Finding vacancy websites for your sector Job sectors Graduate jobs in… Employers and vacancy sources ci.htmhttp:// ci.htm Page 11

Internship Vacancy Websites Page 12

Using Social Media to Job Search Twitter Follow companies Get industry updates Don’t moan! Page 13

Facebook ‘Like’ company pages ‘Like’ Is your profile professional enough?! Real example of what not to do: ‘Reasons not to go to work #1: work sucks a**’ Page 14

LinkedIn Search for jobs. Use key words in your profile. Follow companies. Connect with people in the industry. Join relevant groups. Page 15

Network mind map example Page 16 MeFamily Market research AuthorFriendsBBC Business owner Workmates University Events management Church Waste management Fashion retail

Make your own network mind map Page 17 3 minutes

Speculative approaches The BBC say a third of jobs are never advertised (others say 70-80%) Send your CV and cover letter (to the correct person) The organisation can see that: –You are interested in them specifically –You have initiative –They could avoid recruitment advertising fees Page 18

Newspapers Local papers e.g. Kent Messenger London papers e.g. Metro The Guardian The Telegraph The Times Page 19

Recruitment agencies Page 20 Pros Recruitment consultant may know the organisation well so can help you to prepare for your interview Can save time with CV writing as you may not have to tailor it to each role Some agencies have exclusive access to jobs so you can only apply through them Usually a free service for you Cons They may not have your best interests at heart, the consultant is paid commission upon your employment They can be very persuasive and make you believe a position is suited to you when it is not Some recruitment agencies may play on your weaknesses and insecurities to convince you to take a job Organisations ask recruitment agencies to find the most suitable person for their job vacancy. You will usually have an interview with the recruitment agency and then the organisation if shortlisted.

Creative approaches Page 21

Further Information Page 22