1. Career Opportunities (Getting that Job!)
WEDNESDAY @
THE AUDITORIUM
1.30 – 2.30 pm
Career Opportunities (Getting that Job!)
Malcolm Thompson

2. Post Graduation
Numbers Graduating In
Employment
further study
Working and Studying
Unemployed
Other
2870
19.8%
61.2%
12.6%
4.5%
1.9%
Destinations of HND Graduates
Retail and catering
Associate Professionals, Technicians
Engineering and Building Professionals
Childcare, Health, Education
Other
20.1%
11%
10.4%
7.9%
50.5%
Source: What do graduates do? Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU) 2013

3. What skills do employers want?.
What skills do employers want?
They place a high level of importance on:
interpersonal skills: diplomatic, flexible,
open-minded, emotionally intelligent;
communication and listening: communicate confidently, effectively act on decisions
commercial awareness: a sound knowledge of business environments
problem-solving and strategic thinking: analyse and overcome numerous obstacles, managing staff, anticipating change
numerical skills: manage or work with budgets in some capacity;
IT literacy - technology increasingly important in business sphere.
strong organisation and time management ability - multiple projects, involving a variety of colleagues, deadlines will be tight

4. The CV – Competing for ATTENTION (acknowledgement: http://www. bbc. co
The CV – Competing for ATTENTION (acknowledgement: (acknowledgement:
Typically 60 applicants for every low-skilled job, 20 for every skilled job.
Half of the candidates are suitable for the role (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development)
Therefore important that:
your CV “catches the attention” of the recipient
It is well laid out
the spelling and grammar are accurate
Increasingly, a digital copy of a CV is requested. May be a search for key words e.g. job description
The covering letter and CV is the total package – your golden opportunity to sell yourself to employer
Your covering letter will be seen before your CV, therefore important it makes an impact.
PUT MODESTY ASIDE AND SHOW SELFCONFIDENCE

5. Acknowledgement: CV Plaza. Career advice and resources

6. Acknowledgement: Bruce Woodcock University of Kent Careers

7. Work Sheet
What can I “ bring to the table” i.e. what Unique Selling Points do I have?
What Work Experience do I have?

8. WORK EXPERIENCE! WORK EXPERIENCE! WORK EXPERIENCE!
DO NOT SAY; I don’t have any Work Experience!
Your experience of job roles and responsibilities will have allowed you to demonstrate qualities of;
Dependability and reliability
Flexibility , initiative, co-operation, conscientiousness, being approachable
Your technical skills will include; network design and performance, trouble – shooting, project development, project management, team working
PROJECT YOURSELF
If you work experience is a little thin, highlight your education and training.
Include employer, dates of employment, job title and your main duties.
give examples of the skills you used and what you achieved.

9. What Next? Work experience application Complete your HND!
Should I 'top up' to a degree? It depends on the career path you wish to take!
To apply for a graduate scheme or graduate-level job,
you'll usually need to complete a degree (which is why most HND graduates decide to 'top up‘).
Work experience application
Job search

10. …… and in Summary Decide which path you are going to take!
Search out, plan, prepare
THANK YOU