1. Introduction to the Careers and Employability Service Bioscience Year 1 Bruce Woodcock University of Kent Careers and Employability Service bw@kent.ac.uk You can download a copy of this presentation at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

2. “Students in their first or second year at university need to ask themselves what job they want to do. It’s important that they do not wait until their final year to think about finding a job, especially in the current market”. Sarah Shillingford, Graduate Recruitment Partner, Deloitte

3. The more you enjoy university life, the more you’ll get out of it. Employers like you to have what they call “customer-facing experience”. You’ll get loads of that if you take a part-time job or work as a student volunteer. It’s a terrific help if you can understand how businesses work, show you can get things done and apply simple common sense. It was my work experience that gave me all these things, not my academic course. Kate, marketing officer with a PR agency Join three university societies and become actively involved in at least one. Alan Richardson, Graduate Recruitment, RBS

4. VACATION WORK Work Experience page www.kent.ac.uk/careers/vacwork.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/vacwork.htm See our jobs and internship database www.kent.ac.uk/ces/vacancies.html www.kent.ac.uk/ces/vacancies.html Science internships www.kent.ac.uk/careers/ScienceJobs.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/ScienceJobs.htm Placements www.kent.ac.uk/careers/placements.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/placements.htm

5. BUNAC www.bunac.org.uk Spend summer working and travelling in North America.  Summer Camp USA: employed as a camp counsellor, teaching sports, music and other skills  Work America programme: anything from working in a theme park or a restaurant to arranging an internship with a company.

6. What can I do with a Kent Bioscience Degree? www.kent.ac.uk/careers/bioscience.htm

7. Bioscience Careers Page What Kent Bioscience graduates did after leaving Jobs related to your subject Employers and vacancy sources www.kent.ac.uk/careers/bioscience.htm

9. WHAT SKILLS DO BIOSCIENTISTS NEED? - GSK Presentation skills Teamworking Computing skills Time management/organising skills People skills Report writing/documentation of experiments Laboratory experience Problem solving skills

10. Skills gained on a science degree Gather and analyse relevant information from a wide variety of sources Identify and propose solutions to problems Project management Technical skills Work independently (individual projects) Communicate with others in a clear and articulate manner Present ideas and arguments verbally in presentations, seminars, and discussions Sell these on your CV and applications

11. www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillsmenu.htm

13. Application Process The smaller company process is much simpler and you can apply much later (often after final exams) but salaries are usually lower and they offer less training and less chance to specialise.

14. PRESENTATION OF YOUR CV Use short sentences and concise phrases Use bold type and bullet points, but in moderation BSc. And MSc. Not Bsc or MSC! Don’t use lower case I: “i am ……”

15. Research by forum3 found: The average graduate will send out 70 CVs when looking for their first graduate job. The average number of responses is 7 including 4 rejections and the remainder inviting the graduate to interview or further contact. The more CVs you send out the more interviews you get. Applicants who included a covering letter with their CV were 10% more likely to get a reply. Applicants who addressed their application to the correct named person were 15% more likely to get a letter of acknowledgement and 5% more likely to get an interview. Applicants sending CVs and letters without spelling mistakes are 61% more likely to get a reply and 26% more likely to get an interview. The most common mistakes not found in a spell check were: fro instead of for, grate: great, liased: liaised, stationary: stationery.

16. How not to do it ….  Working on a farm has improved my communication skills which are especially important when working with large livestock.  Applying for job at biscuit company: my life-long love of chocolate biscuits, is the main reason for my interest in the company  It's best for employers that I not work with people  On an application for a position requiring considerable people skills - My hobbies include watching television, computer chess, stamp collecting and walking my 2 spaniels.  Reason for leaving last job: my employers insisted that all employees get to work by 8.45 am and I could not work under those conditions.  I am seeking challenges that test my mind and body, since the two are usually inseparable.  I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse.

17. Why you need to use a spell checker I am a prefectionist and rarely if if ever forget details. Proven ability to track down and correct erors. I have good writen comunication skills. Lurnt Word computor and spreadsheet pogroms. Develop an annual operating expense fudget… And why you must read it carefully as well Extra Circular Activities At secondary school I was a prefix Over summer I worked for an examinations bored. (Kent BA English graduate!) In my spare time I enjoy hiding my horse I want experience in a big sex practice I am a conscious individual. Reason for leaving last job: maturity leave I have a desire to work with commuters Dear Madman (instead of Madam) I hope to hear from you shorty

18. Science CVs: “Sell” your degree List relevant modules (plus marks if good!) Projects – especially if relevant Laboratory skills/IT skills Soft skills – evidence of teamwork, project management, problem solving etc. For non-science jobs (e.g. banking) you would need a different CV focusing on your soft skills more than technical skills.

19. Choose a sensible email address: Such as: eek_eek_i_am_dieing_eek_arg_errrg@milk.com death_metal_kitty@milk.com demented_bovine@gnumail.com platypus_mcdandruff@mail.com flockynockyhillipilification@gnumail.com virgin_on_the_ridiculous@hotmilk.com yourmywifenowgraham@gnumail.com original_madcow_jane@gnumail.com rage_against_the_trolley_fish@gnumail.com sexylikewoaaaah@hotmilk.com

20. WORK EXPERIENCE Summer 2003Sainsbury's, Canterbury Checkout assistant This job developed my ability to deal with the public and work under pressure Don’t feel you have to include every job “In addition to the above, I have held a variety of temporary jobs during school and university vacations, including fruit-picking, factory work, bar work and waiting on tables”

21. Example Bioscience CV www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/sciencecv.htm Apply early for placements in your second year as some deadlines are early in the first term!

22. THE COVERING LETTER – 1 Page First Paragraph  State the job you’re applying for.  Where you found out about it.  When you're available to start work (& end if it's a placement) Second Paragraph  Why your interested in that type of work  Why the company attracts you (if it's a small company say you prefer to work for a small, friendly organisation!) Third Paragraph  Summarise your strengths and how they might be an advantage to the organisation.  Relate your skills to the job. Last Paragraph  Mention any dates that you won't be available for interview  Thank the employer and say you look forward to hearing from them soon. www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/goodbadcovlet.htm

23. How not to do it …  "I have a criminal record but I'm not in jail at the moment"  "I am somebody who knows my own destiny but I have no long term plans"  "I have good writen comunication skills"  "I want experience in a big sex practice"  "I enclose a tea-bag so you can enjoy a cuppa while perusing my form"  "I loathe filling in application forms so much that I'll give you details at the interview"

24. Competency Questions on Application Forms  The hardest part of the form for most applicants - asking for examples of specific skills such as teamwork, leadership, problem solving e.g. Describe how your personal planning and organisation resulted in the successful achievement of a personal or group task. Give an example of where others have disagreed with your views. How did you deal with this?

25. Competency Questions Answers could come from  vacation or part-time work;  university clubs and societies;  voluntary work;  study at school or university – especially projects;  holidays and travel or personal and family experiences. Planning and organising a week’s independent travel in Scotland is as valid an example as a trek through the Himalayas.

26. COMPETENCY QUESTIONS: STAR APPROACH Start by briefly outlining the Situation Keep the focus on your specific Tasks and responsibilities Say what Action you took, then try to summarise what you achieved. If it’s a group task, make sure you define your own role and contribution. This is the biggest part Give concrete Results when possible. If you cannot be totally positive about the experience, say what you learned from it and what you might do differently next time. Situation/Tasks/Action/Result = www.kent.ac.uk/careers/compet/skillquest.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/compet/skillquest.htm

27. The STAR Approach  SITUATION: Whilst employed at Weaver Bros. last summer TASK: I was given the task of rationalising the stock control system ACTION: I would look at factors such as when the stock was last ordered, what it was used for and how often it was used. I worked out a method of streamlining the paperwork involved in this process and redesigned the relevant forms, which I then submitted to my manager. RESULT: My ideas were accepted and implemented and a 15% reduction in stock levels was achieved"

28. Applications and Interviews Covering Letters www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htmwww.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm Example CVs and Covering Letters www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cvexamples.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cvexamples.htm CV Checklist www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cv-checklist.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cv-checklist.htm Applications and interviews www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm University of Kent Vacancy Database www.kent.ac.uk/ces/vacancies.html www.kent.ac.uk/ces/vacancies.html

29. FIRST YEAR CAREER PLAN Career Planning is a long term process. Start early! Get a SUMMER VACATION JOB to add skills to your CV. GET ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN UNIVERSITY LIFE – societies, sports, student representative, to get evidence of skills for your CV. Prepare a Science CV Get the Careers Employability Award on Moodle See www.kent.ac.uk/careers/timeline.htmwww.kent.ac.uk/careers/timeline.htm

30. Careers Employability Award on Moodle Half the unemployment rate for students completing the award www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm DP2650 Email bw@kent.ac.uk if you have problems enrollingbw@kent.ac.uk

31. DP2650DP2650 Careers Employability Award on Moodle  Get your CV quickly and professionally reviewed online in the CV assignment  Learn how to give high quality answers to application form competency questions in the Competency Skills assignment and get a question answer reviewed for quality.

32. www.kent.ac.uk/careerswww.kent.ac.uk/careers Telephone: 01227 823299 Email: careerhelp@kent.ac.uk Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9 to 5 including vacations Drop-in times (no appointment needed: 15 minutes): 10.30 to 12.30 and 2 to 4 pm Help given for up to 3 years after graduation Weekly careers emails every Monday afternoon careerhelp@kent.ac.uk

33. Bioscience Year 1 students You can download a copy of this presentation at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm