Setting up a Creative Business

Job Searching

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htmNatalie Smith and Amy WigginsCareers AdvisersCareers and Employability ServiceAgendaThe graduate labour market and preparing to apply for jobs.How to search for jobs:Graduate directoriesVacancy websitesSocial mediaNetworkingThe speculative approachNewspapersRecruitment agenciesCreative approachesPage 2The Graduate Labour Market isComplex!Competitive!

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

Page 4Over a third of this years 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 5Graduates who have had no previous work experience at all are unlikely to be successful during the selection process.High Fliers Research Limited, 2013

Page 6So 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 7ActivityIn 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 minutesGraduate directoriesAvailable to collect for free from the Careers Resources room G0-05(Whilst stocks last!)

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Vacancy websiteswww.kent.ac.uk/ces See hand-out Page 10Finding vacancy websites for your sectorwww.prospects.ac.uk Job sectorsGraduate jobs inEmployers and vacancy sources

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Using Social Media to Job SearchTwitterFollow companiesFollow @ukmemployGet industry updateswww.twitjobsearch.comDont moan!Page 12

FacebookLike company pagesLike www.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**

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LinkedInwww.linkedin.comSearch for jobs.Use key words in your profile.Follow companies.Connect with people in the industry.Join relevant groups.Page 14

Network mind map examplePage 15Make your own network mind mapPage 16

3 minutesSpeculative approachesThe 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 specificallyYou have initiativeThey could avoid recruitment advertising feesPage 17

Use example of Larkfield. Has anyone ever sent a speculative approach? 17NewspapersLocal papers e.g. Kent Messenger http://www.kentjobs.co.uk London papers e.g. Metro http://londonjobs.metro.co.uk The Guardian http://jobs.guardian.co.uk The Telegraph http://jobs.telegraph.co.uk The Times http://jobs.thetimes.co.uk/jobs/london

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Recruitment agenciesPage 19ProsRecruitment consultant may know the organisation well so can help you to prepare for your interviewCan save time with CV writing as you may not have to tailor it to each roleSome agencies have exclusive access to jobs so you can only apply through themUsually a free service for you

ConsThey may not have your best interests at heart, the consultant is paid commission upon your employmentThey can be very persuasive and make you believe a position is suited to you when it is notSome 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. Creative approaches

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Take Elisas suitcase CV too20Further Informationwww.kent.ac.uk/ces

www.facebook.com/ukmemployability

www.twitter.com/ukmemploy

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