1. Beijing Pre-fair Seminar

2. WELCOME What to expect from the fair and how to make the most of your time What careers support is available once you begin your course Quick overview of the UK graduate recruitment cycle

3. EMPLOYERS ATTENDING THE BEIJING FAIR Abercrombie & Fitch Arup Baker Hughes BDA Capital Dynamics Daimler Ernst & Young Gallup HRnetOne Johnson & Johnson KPMG China Linklaters Meltwater Group RBS Shell Towers Watson Vanke Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies

4. YOUR OBJECTIVES Meet specific employers Distinguish between same sector employers Go beyond employer’s website Network effectively

5. EMPLOYERS ATTEND FAIRS TO…. Meet variety of students Offer insights into their recruitment process Provide personal insight into organisation Market their brand But rarely to recruit on day

6. YOUR RESEARCH Identify + research sector of employers you are interested in Employer’s website Application process Recent news / issues (Google news, FT, relevant trade press)

7. PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS “I notice that…your company is involved in…” “You seem to focus on area x, I’ve taken a course in (relevant topic) and have some experience in y….” “What led you to join……. “I’ve looked at your online application and I’m interested to know what you are really looking for in the motivation questions….”

8. PHRASING QUESTIONS MATTERS Not “Why should I work for X rather than Y?” But “I’ve read a lot about global professional services firms, what would you say differentiates yours…?”

9. IMAGE AND IMPACT Image Business/smart dress, shoes Impact Someone employer could send to client? Interpersonal skills Business cards

10. AFTERWARDS Note names Follow up email if appropriate (especially if employer representative has given you business card) Make notes on what you discussed with whom (you will have forgotten in 2 months time)

11. IMMIGRATION AND ELIGIBILITY TO WORK Seek expert advice from: International support office or equivalent Your Student Union UK Border Agency website UKCISA

12. UK GRADUATE RECRUITMENT TRENDS (SOURCE: HIGH FLYERS 2012 REPORT) The UK’s leading employers are expecting to increase their graduate recruitment by 6.4% in 2012 The most notable increases are predicted to be in engineering & industrial companies (up 22.4% compared to 2011), IT & telecommunications firms (up 31.6%), high street banks (up 16.0%) and retailers (up 11.5%). More than 30% of this year’s entry-level positions are expected to be filled by graduates who have already worked for a given organisation 50% of employers candidates are applying earlier in the season than before.

13. RECRUITMENT PRACTICE VARIES BY SECTOR… Sector: Investment banking and consulting Industry/”blue chips” Development, NGO, 3 rd sector, SMEs Deadlines:Oct and NovMany in November, some after Christmas Some early deadlines (for int. organisations). Few or none for NGOs Other features: Structured programmes Apply early Internships important Structured programmes Competitive Often take multiple disciplines Few structured programmes Experience important Be proactive

14. …AND ORGANISATION SIZE Big famous firms 100s/1000s of applicants Multi-stage filtering process all applicants have to go through Deadlines from October to December Interviews/assessment centres in late autumn and the new year Offers in the in late autumn and new year Smaller, newer, niche organisations Limited budget for recruiting May recruit at any time of year, just in time May welcome speculative, creative approaches

15. GRADUATE SCHEME TIMELINE OctoberNovemberDecemberJanuary I BanksApplicationsDeadlines* Online tests Phone & 1 st interviews Interviews ACs ConsultingApplicationsDeadlines*Interviews Big 4ApplicationsDeadlines on-going* MNCApplicationsDeadlines* Your Careers service Fairs – check CS website Employer presentations & skills sessions Ask the Recruiter and more YouSector / employer research / attend events CVs, cover letters, on-line applications Practise on-line tests, mock interviews Keep abreast of current affairs, follow stories that interest you * NB – it is your responsibility to check deadlines on company websites

16. WHAT RECRUITERS LOOK FOR 1Consistently good academic performance 2Attendance at a reputable HE institution 3Some work experience 4Extracurricular activities 5 Valuable set of (transferable) skills 6 Motivation for your career choice 7 Very good communication skills

17. DEVELOPING YOUR EMPLOYABILITY Business/sector awareness -Follow industry developments - Attend events -Network with employers Academic ability - Consistent results Relevant experience - volunteer, network, internships Self awareness - Career planning Drive / initiative / analytical ability -Outside interests, experience -Dissertation project Specialist knowledge -relevant modules -prof’l exemptions -relevant dissertation Interpersonal skills – communication/ team-working / leadership -group projects, insights, volunteering, other interests, developed networks

18. HOW TO APPLY Usually online application form, plus CV and cover letter Depends on the job posting – make sure you understand what is needed for each individual job Either just interviews or full assessment centre (psychometric tests, interviews, group tasks, presentation skills, in tray exercise, role play etc)