Careers Working in the UK After Graduation

Careers Some facts… 57.7% offer starting salaries of £22,001 - £27,000 Average vacancies per employer: 20 down from employer predictions: 53.4% - little change 22% cautiously optimistic 11% worse to come 3.4% severe cut in vacancies Figures from AGR Summer Survey 2009

Careers Your situation Not all employers are willing to deal with sponsorship for a work visa ‘shortage occupation’ employers Employers will presence in your home country Your search will be more demanding than that of a UK graduate – prepare for this

Careers Preparing yourself to apply Employers want: Skills Commitment to the field: what can you do to prove this? Extra curricular - especially ability to work in team

Careers Ways to find your 1 st UK job Graduate Training Scheme Graduate role in a medium sized company Other role Recruitment agency Speculative application

Careers Graduate Training Schemes = Join with a group of others = fast track learning via lots of training so you can take on responsibility sooner = often require a 2:1 = often rotate around departments before specialise = 6 mths - 4 years. After that no obligation to keep you on = in all kinds of jobs - from business to charities. = may involve gaining a professional qualification = in lots of areas of business not many in charities or arts/media

Careers Hiring process 1) Find the vacancy: finalist directory/websites/ 2) Send off CV /cover letter / application form 3) Deadlines mainly November 4) Do an online psychometric test 5) Have an initial interview 6) Attend an assessment centre - group exercises, e-tray exercises, interview, presentation

Careers Making your GTS application Start TOMORROW!!! Get your forms/CV checked by Careers Be prepared for rejection at any stage 20% of people get jobs through GTS Use other ways of job hunting too!

Careers Graduate Role in an SME Role advertised as ‘suitable for a recent graduate’ or ‘trainee’ role Training is ‘on the job’ Can get responsibility quickly Apply in summer Usually just one or two interviews

Careers Other roles… Administrator, secretary, receptionist… A ‘foot in the door’

Careers Recruitment Agencies You send CV to temping agency You call them a lot!!!! They show your CV to companies They arrange for interviews Work isn’t guaranteed Pay varies, £/hr

Careers Speculative Application To an SME Cover letter and CV Key is to show why interested in them

Careers Finding hidden jobs… 60% jobs never advertised! 25% jobs gained from networking Find out about jobs by making contacts!

Careers Next Steps…. If you want to apply to a GTS start now! Learn how to write a CV at a CV clinic – book with Careers (WG3, Queens) If you don’t know what you want to do or need a CV/application form check book at appointment with Careers Mock interview with Careers Join a society, do volunteering or take up a hobby if you need to show extra- curricular activities