2. Job Searching Information Technology www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm Careers and Employability Service

3. 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

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

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

6. ‘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

7. ‘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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. Vacancy websites www.kent.ac.uk/ces See hand-out CVs may be scanned so include your technical skills Page 10

12. Finding vacancy websites for your sector www.prospects.ac.uk Job sectors Graduate jobs in… Employers and vacancy sources www.targetjobsit.co.uk http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/computers ci.htmhttp://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/computers ci.htm http://www.gradcracker.com/ Page 11

13. Internship Vacancy Websites http://www.kent.ac.uk/ces/work-experience.html http://www.ratemyplacement.co.uk/ http://graduatetalentpool.direct.gov.uk Page 12

14. Using Social Media to Job Search Twitter Follow companies Follow @ukmemploy Get industry updates www.twitjobsearch.com Don’t moan! Page 13

15. Facebook ‘Like’ company pages ‘Like’ www.facebook.com/ukmemployabilitywww.facebook.com/ukmemployability Is your profile professional enough?! Real example of what not to do: ‘Reasons not to go to work #1: work sucks a**’ Page 14

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

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

18. Make your own network mind map Page 17 3 minutes

19. 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

20. Newspapers Local papers e.g. Kent Messenger http://www.kentjobs.co.uk http://www.kentjobs.co.uk London papers e.g. Metro http://londonjobs.metro.co.uk http://londonjobs.metro.co.uk The Guardian http://jobs.guardian.co.uk http://jobs.guardian.co.uk The Telegraph http://jobs.telegraph.co.uk http://jobs.telegraph.co.uk The Times http://jobs.thetimes.co.uk/jobs/london http://jobs.thetimes.co.uk/jobs/london Page 19

21. 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.

22. Creative approaches Page 21

23. Further Information www.kent.ac.uk/ces www.facebook.com/ukmemployability www.twitter.com/ukmemploy Page 22