STRATEGIES FOR JOB SEARCH IN LONDON Fiona Tracey Careers Adviser London Metropolitan University

CONTENTS Why London? Employment overview Types of employers Methods of application How to enhance your chances Sources of vacancy information Useful addresses

What is so special about London? Huge range of opportunities in all fields Centre of financial activity: investment banks, financial institutes, accountancy, Stock Exchange, Insurance Media: advertising, film and television, marketing and PR, journalism Tourism, Retail and Hospitality

Types of application Blue chip companies/graduate recruiters - mostly online applications Small to Medium Size Employers (SMEs)- CV and cover letter or application form Speculative applications - CV and cover letter Newspaper adverts - CV and cover letter or application form

What is a CV Your marketing tool - often the first impression an employer gets An organised summary of personal details, education and experience, targeted to the specific position or company A chance to demonstrate your strengths and enable you to focus the readers attention on to aspects you want to highlight

How is it structured? One or two sides of A4 - not a side and a half Reverse chronological order Tailored to the specific vacancy - the CV you use for banking will be different from a CV for waitressing or retail It must look professional - first impressions count!! Do not leave obvious gaps

What to include. Personal details: name, address, telephone, , date of birth Education - reverse chronological order, starting with current course Skills - IT, languages, driving license Experience - what to include and what to leave out Skills - communication, organisation, team, problem solving, negotiation

Education London Metropolitan University BSc(hons) Computing - introduction to database management -networks and telecommunications -programming and data structures Final Year Project: Implementation of an online test using Visual Basic 6 and Microsoft Access Newham Sixth Form College A level: IT C, Maths D, Bengali E 6 GCE passes including Maths and English

IT Experience 2003Newham Youth Centre Student mentor/Team leader Duties: supporting students in computing modules assisting in organising support sessions for mentors dealing with inquiries on a personal basis and via assisting in publicising the scheme in LBNewham Best Training IT Trainer Duties: training students in Microsoft Office products assisting in inductions and registration process assessing student competence on Microsoft handling all course queries

Additional Experience May 2004London Metropolitan University Receptionist July 2002Marks and Spencer Replenishment Assistant W.H.Smith Sales Adviser October 1997IKEA Retail Trainee

Skills Communication researched, wrote and delivered class papers, both individually and as part of a team provided a consistently high level of customer service including handling all inquiries and complaints Organisation worked part time while studying full time for degree, prioritising work and ensuring all deadlines were met set up a student chat room to enable sharing of ideas and discussing issues; marketed and publicised the chat room and generated sponsorship from university

Where to look for jobs Newspapers: The Guardian - media, sales, marketing, education, public sector and charities The Daily Telegraph - public sector and finance, sales and marketing The Independent - computing, finance and accountancy, Media, sales/marketing, public sector and IT The Times - education, legal, public sector, sales/marketing and IT Financial Times - business and finance

Useful addresses

How to enhance your chances Get as much experience as possible Value the experience you have! Work on an unpaid basis Study for extra qualifications Do voluntary work Get involved in extra-curricular activities Network!