Applying for Graduate Jobs with a degree from SECL

Nicola Urquhart - Careers Adviser

The Careers and Employability Service

What we will cover

• The graduate labour market• What do employers want?• What skills do SECL graduates have?• How to make successful applications• International CVs• How the Careers and Employability Service

(CES ) can support you

The Graduate Labour Market• 73 applicants per graduate job

• More than a third of vacancies are expected to be filled by undergraduates who have had previous work experience with organisations, such as paid internships, industrial placements, vacation schemes or sponsorships

• Higher levels of unemployment, under-employment

• Heading towards 50% of people being graduates

• Older generation working longer – no ‘retirement’ age

What is Employability?

‘A set of attributes, skills and knowledge that all labour market participants should possess to ensure they have the capability of being effective in the workplace – to the benefit of themselves, their employer and the wider economy.’ (CBI, March 2009)

Key skills and attributes

Communication

Report writing

Team working

Leadership

Planning and organisation

Project management

Enterprise

Problem Solving

Reflection

Adaptability

Energy

Drive and resilience

Integrity

Reliability

Enthusiasm/passion

Self awareness

Confidence

Contextual/cultural awareness

Capacity to develop

NumeracyPositive attitude

Business and customer awareness

IT skills

Adaptability

Maturity

What do employers want?

Degree awarded at 2.1 or above

Employability Skills and Attributes

Work Experience

Commercial Awareness

Extra-Curricular Activities

A good fit with the organisation

What skills do SECL graduates have?

• Communication, written and verbal • Ability to critically evaluate and interpret resources • Articulating knowledge and understanding of texts,

concepts and theories • Ability to write clearly and persuasively • Well developed understanding of different cultures• Interpretation of spatial data • Language skills• Time management skills

Jobs where a degree from SECL would be useful

• Advertising • Civil Service Fast Streamer • EU Administrator• Human Resources • Interpreter/translator • Market Research • Marketing • Public Relations• Publisher • Sales • Social Research• Speech and Language Therapy • Social Work • Teacher • Youth work

Some employers of SECL graduates

• Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations organisations

• Charities• Civil Service • Education• EU Institutions • Heritage organisations • Public Sector • Recruitment Agencies• The National Health Service

www.prospects.ac.uk

Making Successful Applications

Research how the sectors you are interested in recruit!

What employers say…

"Few students are able to articulate what they have gained from their experience in higher education." (Association of Graduate Recruiters, 1995)

When should a CV be used? When an employer asks for a CV. When an employer states ‘apply to…’ without

specifying the format. When making speculative applications.

What is the purpose of a CV?

• To show how you meet the criteria so the employer can not deselect you

• To inform the employer about your education, work experience, skills and interests

• To ‘sell’ your qualities and to persuade the employer to invite you to interview

What should a CV contain?• Personal details• Personal profile/ Career aim (optional) • Education from GCSE level –institutions, qualifications &

dates (most recent first)• Relevant work experience• Work history• Other information• References

Don’t be constrained by headings.

• Languages • Scholarships/Awards• Positions of responsibility • Publication/Presentations • Conferences attended • Research skills • Additional skills

Personal Details• Name (as a heading rather than ‘CV’)

• Address

• Telephone number

• Social Media Links if appropriate (Linkedin, Twitter)

• Email address• Make sure this is a professional email address, not

‘sexybeccy@hotmail.com’

Career Aim

An adaptable and responsible graduate seeking an entry-level position in public relations which will utilise the organisational and communication skills developed through studying for my degree in Classical and Archaeological Studies , involvement with Kent Rag and promotional work for BSkyB during

vacations. During my degree I successfully combined my studies with work and other commitments showing myself to be self-motivated, organised and capable of working under pressure.

Education and Qualifications

• Start with the most recent

• Don’t forget your current study

• Mention relevant modules

• You might like to mention top marks

• You don’t have to put your grades on if you weren’t happy with them

• Include the years of study

• Primary school not needed

Education and Qualifications

2011 – Present University of KentBSc (Hons) Classical and Archaeological Studies (Predicted 2:1)Modules include: French Language, Languages in the classroom Highlights include:

• Gained a grade of 73% in French Language • Awarded an ‘Outstanding’ for presentation on

‘Languages in the Classroom’ module

2009 – 2011 Maidstone Grammar SchoolA-levels: French (A), Art (A), Information Technology (B)

2005 – 2009 Wrotham SchoolGCSEs: 8 GCSEs grade A-C including English, (A) Mathematics (A) French (A) Science (B)

What examples can you give from your work experience?If you have no paid work experience, give examples from voluntary work or from your course

Interests and Activities

Choose interests and activities which can demonstrate skills relevant to the job such as:

• Team work• Organising• Commitment• Your intellectual abilities• Your personality• Your values

References

• Ideally, one academic and previous/current employer.

• Ask permission from your referee and let them know what position(s) you’ve applied for.

• Use relevant references if possible.

• You can say ‘references available on request’ rather than including contact details

International CVs and applications

• Research the Country you are interested in applying to

www.prospects.ac.uk

www.goinglobal.com • Consider using the Europass

template

www.europass.org.uk/lp • Social Media, Twitter, LinkedIn,

Blogging

Matching your CV with the job/company

• It is not ‘one size fits all’, you need to tailor your CV to each position you apply for.

• Research the company. Do they have a mission statement or core values? What will they be looking for in you? Check the job description/person specification.

• Convey your knowledge of the organisation and enthusiasm for the post

Matching your CV with the job/company

What do you do when a company does not provide a person specification?

•Look at the job advert and highlight key words e.g. • ‘You will be adaptable and socially confident, enabling you to

build strong relationships quickly, which will be key to your success’.

•Look at the company values on their website.

Presentation of your CV

• The first visual impression of your CV is VERY important.

• For standard CVs, use plain white A4 paper.

• Do not double side

• Keep your CV to two sides of paper.

• Check your spelling and get someone to check it for you.

• Use bullet points and bold font but in moderation.

• Formatting – make sure it’s consistent.

• Size 11-12 font (depending on font style).

• Clear font e.g. Arial, Calibri.

• 2:1, not Two One or 2,1.

• Use short, concise sentences.

• Use the same font in your covering letter

Presentation of your CV

How not to do it!

• My hobbits include - instead of 'hobbies.'

• I have good writen skills.

• i am a prefectionist and rarely if if ever forget details.

• I hope to hear from you shorty.

• In my spare time I enjoy hiding my horse.

• Restaurant skills: Severing customers

Hints on Wording

• Avoid personal pronouns - No “I’s”• Avoid producing a passive CV• Start with verbs wherever possible• Use short sentences & concise

phrases• Focus on accomplishments• Refer to specific projects with

quantifiable results• Try to incorporate wording used in

that sector

Make use of Action Verbs

created instructed analysed produced

negotiated designed calculated maintained

administered controlled reviewed observed

consolidated delivered founded increased

studied invented supplied detected

programmed recommended distributed

developed solved prepared installed selected

arranged formulated solved started

THE COVERING LETTER

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.

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.

Useful resources • I want to work in…

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/modernlanguages.htm • What can I do with my degree

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/Philosophy.htm • Interviews (includes assessment centres and

psychometric tests etc.) www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm

• Example CVs & Covering Letterswww.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm

• Employability Skills www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillsmenu.htm

• Postgraduate Study http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm

• Choosing a Career www.kent.ac.uk/careers/Choosing/ChoosingCareer.htm

Where to find the Careers and Employability Service

Opening Hours:

9-5, Mon - Fri

Opening Hours• Monday 10.30am – 5.00pm

• Tuesday – Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

• Term-time and vacations (except at Christmas)

Speaking to someoneDrop-ins:

•Monday to Friday

•10:30am-12:30pm

•2:00pm-4:00pm

•Library Wednesday 3pm-5pm

Booked appointments

•Pop in to arrange or call us on 01227 823299

School - based drop-ins

•Watch this space

Magazines

Graduate directories

Career Planning Guides

Events Board

Reference books

Occupational Profiles

University prospectuses

The Careers Resource Library

Careers and Employability Service Web Site: www.kent.ac.uk/ces

Careers Events

• Employability Week 4th- 8th November• Careers Fair Tuesday 5th November, 12pm-

3pm, Sports Centre• Kent Opportunities Fair, Thursday 7th

November, 12pm-3pm, Eliot Hall• Employers on Campus • Career Talks www.kent.ac.uk/ces

Careers Employability Award on Moodle

The Award covers:

1.Identifying your skills and how to

“sell” these to employers. 

2.Finding out which careers these

relate to.

3.Preparing a quality CV and

performing well at interview. 

What do you have to do?

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm•The module takes about 12 hours to complete•But this can be done at your own pace•Fantastic feedback from students who have completed the award

You do this by completing:9 quizzes3 short assignments1 feedback form

Keep up to date• Follow us on twitter:

@UniKentEmploy @UniKentCes

• Like our Facebook page:www.facebook.com/UKCES

• Employability blog• http://unikentemploy.wordpress.com