HOW TO WIN AT THE JOB GAME

OUTLINE How to decide what job How to improve your profile How to look for work experience/internships How the job selection process works How to write a good internship application

How To Decide What To Do With The Rest Of Your Life Probably is not the rest of your life, people change track and jobs many times However, it is something you have to think about Do not embark on further study just to postpone your decision

Make a list of your skills and things you would like to do in a job, eg interacting with people, data analysis, making money,..... Think about what jobs would involve your skills and wish list List of job types and skills at (I recommend the first)

CAREERS & EMPLOYABILITY FAIR Thursday 1st November 2.00 – 5.00 pm in Eliot Great Hall Lots of different employers including – Bank of England – PWC – Capita – Reeves – Accenture If you attend, do your homework about these companies

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW? Think about what you want to do after your degree. The next two years rush past and the serious employee has to think about the future NOW Consider internships and work experience in the field you wish to work in. More about this later There are a number of University run initiatives

Job Market Forum This is a School of Economics run Moodle module which you can register for, see the right hand button on the School of Economics home page The Job market forum is for past and present Economics students who are in the job market. It is a forum for student discussion about jobs in general and employment advice If wish to receive a reference from a member of the School, we require you to upload your CV onto this site. In the first instance, you should be asking your personal tutor/academic adviser for a reference.

MyFolio MyFolio is the University of Kent’s student owned e-portfolio and Personal Development It is a personal develop planning (PDP) tool It is designed to help you set and achieve personal and employment related goals Most usefully, it records your achievements It is at

Employability Points Scheme This University of Kent scheme provides students with the means to demonstrate activity across a range of activities. The scheme has links with a number of external firms and organisations. Students can get work experience with a number of participating companies. More details at or contact: Christopher Broad, Employability Points Co-ordinator,

University of Kent Careers Employability Award The University of Kent Careers Employability Award helps students to identify and plan Possible future careers Potential employers The student’s employment skills Present these skills in CVs and job applications The award takes about 12 hours, is free, undertaken online using Moodle and further details can be found at

Other Possibilities Volunteering, see Kent Union Student Ambassador Scheme, see Course Rep (bit late for this) University Societies Language and IT skills, see express.html and express.html

INTERNSHIPS AND WORK EXPERIENCE? Difficult as pressure of work Apply to smaller firms for experience Will you be paid? Unpaid internships are common Need to think about where you are going to live

HOW TO LOOK FOR INTERNSHIPS Internet makes this easy, eg Google graduate finance internships London Look at This last one is good for financial internships and job advice Use your family and any contacts Use company websites, have to know them first

However, be realistic. No point in wasting effort Firms are not just interested in your degree results so far. Firms look at A levels. Without As you are not going to hit a top financial firm They often have minimum scores in GCSEs, eg Maths and English grade B at least

THE PROCESS OF APPLYING It varies a lot between jobs Hard work and takes time (from now to September 2013). More continuous than before Some mix of – online/paper application – CV + cover letter – online tasks – Competency questions – Interview – It is hard work making applications and going through the application process

SOME DOs & DON’Ts Quality of application is important. This takes hours and days of time. Take it seriously Research your application Clamp down on the security of Facebook and other social network stuff

CURRICULUM VITAE Even if the application is online, the following rules still apply List of education, work and other experiences related to getting you an internship or work experience You are trying to match your skill set and experience to those that are required for the internship Make a list of the requirements and make sure your CV match these. Use your brain, internship description or look at or

So have to alter CV to fit the internship Have a basic CV but make it fit the skills etc. required for the different internships you apply for CVs are just one part of the application process CVs are often used as a filter to get the number of applicants down to a reasonable number CVs have to be easy to read

They are an advert for you. They are often read in less than 30 seconds Design and think clearly about the design and order of presentation No more than two sides (backed or unbacked?) Some like one side. But a CV must be clear and bring out the message. You have the skills they want

Personal Profile - You can put a short personal statement at the beginning summarising the type of person you are and matching the requirements of the job Do not have complicated boxes or tables, do not repeat yourself a lot, eg putting your school next to each educational qualification Position the really good things so they catch the eye. Not every word of your CV will be read closely. So good things go first or last in a clearly labelled section. You have to put exam results down. If they are not good, think about whether a job is for you.

EXAMPLE CV Easy to read Personal profile – does the CV justify this profile? This person has good personal skills and gets on with well with people Everything bullet pointed no long paragraphs Has a wide range of skills (numeracy, analytical, literacy and personal skills), does this come across? Experience a bit confusingly organised

Second year marks? This student’s computing skills a bit hidden Would put maths grade A much more visibly Put average mark of 67% in first bullet point. Depending on results, might give individual marks. Overall could do with a little more punch Other comments?

COVER LETTER A covering letter is a short introduction of yourself Written in clear English – no mistakes Make sure that it matches the requirements of the internship You can make no more than 3 short points Try to have a name you are writing to Show you know the firm Do not go over the top

EXAMPLE COVER LETTER Which University and what am I studying? Could show more knowledge of XXX Has “economics given an extensive knowledge of business and customers ? Leadership, is that what they want? Paragraph beginning “Overall...” is a bit over the top? C.V is an error Other errors or suggestions?

WHAT WE WILL DO TO HELP YOU Help you with CV and covering letter workshops on one to one basis Come with your printed CV and example cover letter (not all at the same time!) Next week talk on “Further Academic Study”

Weeks 6-12, drop in advice sessions me to arrange a meeting Anything else you would like?

CONCLUSION AND WHAT TO DO NOW Decide what you are going to do. Nothing or a big effort Consider signing up for University initiatives However, work experience and especially internships are what will really kick start success in your search for a good job Sort out you CV and start applying. Be prepared for the effort involved and the different types of assessment involved If in doubt ask for help DO NOT POSTPONE THESE ACTIONS