Jenny Keaveney
Careers Advisory Service www.kent.ac.uk/careers

 Choosing a Career
 Where to look for jobs
 CV Preparation
 Interview Skills
 Careers Advisory Service facilities
 Survival Strategies

Careers Advisory Service www.kent.ac.uk/careers/

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“I was brought up to believe that, if at first you don't succeed, you must try, try and try again. But this is totally wrong. If you don't succeed at first, then by all means give it a really good go, but then give up and try something else. I have tried seven careers so far and failed at six. If you give up enough things that you are bad at, then by the law of averages you should eventually find something you are rather better at."
 Matthew Parris, Times journalist

 Energy Procurement Administrator
 Merchandiser
 Business Development Analyst
 Paraplanner
 Operations Executive
 Brand Development Executive
 Perfusionist

You could:
 start from yourself and work outwards
 start from your opportunities
– for graduates in your specific subject or
– for graduates in general and work back
 Or, combine the two!

 Your interests
 Your skills
 Your values
 Your personal circumstances
 Any other factors

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What do graduates in your subject do?
What careers will use your subject knowledge? www.kent.ac.uk/careers/degreein.htm
BUT ….
 There is more to you than your degree!

 One-third of advertised graduate jobs open to graduates in any subject
 For example: advertising, accountancy, banking, marketing, personnel, public sector management,
 Plus all the unadvertised graduate jobs!
 Even more opportunities after experience and training

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Relate your skills, interests and values to careers and jobs
Use computer guidance systems e.g.
Prospects Planner
Look at job ads and job descriptions
Talk to people about their work and how they got their jobs
Use careers websites and the Careers
Information Room
Get first-hand insight into careers of potential interest to you

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Don’t panic!
Don’t feel pressured
 A career path does not have to follow a straight and direct line
 Further information:
– www.kent.ac.uk/careers/Choosing/ChoosingCareer.htm
– www.prospects.ac.uk/links/Pplanner

Careers Advisory Service www.kent.ac.uk/careers/

 What are you looking for?
– Graduate training schemes?
– Other graduate jobs?
– Internships?
– Other temporary jobs?

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Vacancy sites – graduate and/or general
Graduate directories
Employer sites
Specialist resources
Careers Fairs
Job Centres
Recruitment agencies

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/graddirectories.htm
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 www.prospects.ac.uk
www.get.hobsons.co.uk
www.targetjobs.co.uk
www guardianuk300.com
www.top100graduateemployers.com/

 Professional bodies
 Magazines
 Specialist directories
 Specialist recruitment agencies
 http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin.htm

CAREERS FAIRS
Graduate Events
The Summer Graduate Fair
ExCel, London, 15 & 16 June www.summergradfair.co.uk
TARGETjobs/The Careers Group
The London Graduate Fair
Business Design Centre, Islington 22 & 23 June www.londongradfair.co.uk/summer
For fairs elsewhere in the UK, see www.prospects.ac.uk/links/careerfairs

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/recruit.htm
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The Graduate Recruitment Bureau www.grb.uk.com
Reed Graduates www.reed.co.uk/graduate
Brampton Stafford Recruitment www.bramptonrecruitment-4-graduate-jobs.co.uk
The Graduate Recruitment Company www.graduate-recruitment.co.uk
Job Centres www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/index.htm

Network!
 ask your friends
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 ask your relatives ask your “network”
 ask a past Kent graduate
 ask a careers adviser www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/CJ.htm

Careers Advisory Service www.kent.ac.uk/careers/

 What is a CV?
 When is it used?
 What does it contain?
 Who do you send it to?
 What about the covering letter?

 One of many ways to apply
 Your marketing tool
 Flexible & targeted
 Available in different styles:
– Chronological
– Skills-based
– Different in different countries

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As the main tool for on-spec applications
When requested by an employer
In support of other application information
Never without a letter via email as attachment
When your Referee needs more info

 Personal details
 Academic background
 Work Experience
 Interests & achievements
 Additional information
 References

John Andrews
33 Union Street, Manchester, M6 3AE. Tel. 0161 351 4039 Nationality: British
Email: J.Andrews@hotmail.com
Mob: 07727374619
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
2008 - 2011 University of Kent at Canterbury BA (Hons.) Economics and Accounting 2:1.
Final Year Subjects: Economics, Business Law and Taxation
Project: "Economic Consequences of the Decline in the Kent Mining Community".
2006 - 2008 Manchester Community College.
A Levels: Mathematics B, History B, Economics C. AS Level: Geography D
2001 - 2006 St. John’s Boys School, Manchester.
8 GCSEs (grades A*-C) including Mathematics, English and French.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Summer 2010 Tourist Information Office, Canterbury.
Helping tourists, working in Bureau de Change, booking theatre and concert tickets.
Summer 2009 Canterbury City Council.
Accounts Clerk in Treasurer’s office. Dealing with enquiries, using computerised systems.
2008 - present Simple Simon’s Public House, Canterbury.
Bar work throughout the year serving food and drinks to customers and cashing up.
ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS
Secretary of the Accounting Society, involved booking speakers.
Organised a charity fun run for Rag Week – raised £150.
Enjoy competitive sport and play for the University football team.
Other interests include current affairs and studying the Stock Market.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
IT Skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email, WWW etc.
Good level of spoken French.
Full, clean driving licence.
REFERENCES
Available on request

John Andrews
33 Union Street, Manchester, M6 3AE. Tel. 0161 351 4039
Email: John.Andrews-1989@hotmilk.com
Mobile: 07727374619
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
2008 - 2011 University of Kent at Canterbury BA (Hons.) Economics and Accounting 2:1
Final Year Subjects: Economics, Business Law and Taxation
Project: "Economic Consequences of the Closure of the Kent Coalfields".
2006 - 2008 Manchester Community College.
A Levels: Mathematics B, History B, Economics C. AS Level: Geography D
2001 - 2006 St. John’s Boys School, Manchester.
8 GCSEs (grades A*-C) including Mathematics, English and French.

WORK EXPERIENCE
Summer 2010 Tourist Information Office, Canterbury.
Assisting visitors of many nationalities, booking theatre and concert tickets.
Summer 2009 Canterbury City Council.
Accounts Clerk in Treasurer’s office. Dealing with enquiries, using computerised systems.
2008 - present Simple Simon’s Public House, Canterbury.
Bar work throughout the year serving food and drinks to customers and cashing up.

ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS
Secretary of the Accounting Society, involved booking speakers.
Organised a charity fun run for Rag Week, raising £500.
Enjoy competitive sport and play for the University football team.
Other interests include current affairs and studying the Stock Market.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
IT: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email, etc.
Good level of spoken French.
Full, clean driving licence.
REFERENCES
Available on request

 Standard/Chronological
 Skills-based
 Computing/Online
 Creative
 Legal www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm

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Target it on the job in question
Clear layout – not crowded
 Short sentences & concise phrases
 Focus on accomplishments
 Give evidence - show results
 Use personal power words/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

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Named company representative
Director/Manager of Personnel
Your referees
Others who request it Recruitment agencies, Postgraduate admissions officers, Sponsorship/Funding bodies
By post, by email or uploaded
NEVER “To Whom it may Concern”

 Too long
 Untargeted
 Disorganised
 Contains errors/missspellings
 Too academically-focused

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One side of good quality A4 paper
Formal/conventional layout
Addressed to a named person
State position applied for & where advertised
Explain why applying
Convince the reader of your interest & suitability (egs!)
Give dates when available/can start
Sign off “Yours sincerely” (if sent to named person)

John Andrews
33 London Road
Canterbury
Kent
CT2 8NE
1 st June 2011
Ms Verity Wise
Graduate Recruitment Manager
Great Big Bank Co.
Anywhere Street
London
SW1
Job Reference Number 12345 (state this if it is mentioned in the advert)
Dear Ms. Wise
I am writing in response to your advertisement in “Prospects Finalist" for Graduate
Trainees and enclose my CV for your consideration.
I first became interested in retail banking through talking to a Kent graduate, currently in the second year of your Management Training programme, at the University Careers Fair.
Since then, discussion with my careers adviser and with management staff at my local branch has confirmed my decision to aim for a career in this field.
Through my degree course, I have been able to develop my interest in business together with my numeracy skills. While at University, I have also been able to utilise my skills in working with people through a variety of vacation jobs. My work at the Tourist Information
Office was valuable in teaching me the importance of ascertaining customers’ needs and providing clear and accurate information.
I will be available for interview if required at your convenience. I can be contacted at my college address (above) and look forward to hearing from you.
Yours Sincerely
John Andrews

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Careers Advisory Service website www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm
CAS booklet “Making Applications”
Reference Books in Careers Service
DVDs “Your Job’s online” & “Looking Good on
Paper” (available online at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/IntVid.htm http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/applicationsand-cvs http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cvs.htm

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Contents – up to employer
Often competency-based – see: www.kent.ac.uk/careers/compet/skillquest.htm
Common concerns
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(Degree class, A-level grades, alternative qualifications, nationality)
References
Submit online or download to complete

Careers Advisory Service www.kent.ac.uk/careers/

 What is an interview?
 How do you prepare?
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How should you dress?
The first two minutes …
 The questions
 What questions should you ask?
 CAS facilities.

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Good news! - only a minority of candidates will be interviewed
“A conversation with a purpose”
Flexible – in length, structure etc
Stressful!

 Face-to-face/Telephone
 Formal/casual
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Based around your career history …
 .. or the competences required for the job
 Stand-alone/part of an assessment centre

… is the key to success
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Re-read employer information
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Re-read your application
Prepare some questions to ask
Remind yourself why you find this career/employer attractive
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Plan how you will travel
Dress neatly and smartly

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Conformity is the rule
Suits/smart casual?
Details count
Consider the employer!

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Make Eye Contact
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Smile!
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Shake hands
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Standing/Sitting
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Gestures/Fidgeting
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Voice
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Breathing!

There are only two interview questions:
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Can you do the job?
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Why do you want the job?
… but there are many ways of asking them!

 Do you have the right skills?
 Do you have the right attitude?
 Do you have the right experience?
 Can you give us evidence of all the above?

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Explain a situation where you have demonstrated good relationship skills?
What makes a good [teacher/lawyer/manager etc] Do you have these qualities?
If you are in a team, what role would you like to be?
Give an example where you have been leader.
Give an example where you have come across a problem, and how have you solved it?

 What do you know about this employer and this type of work?
 What sort of person are you?
 Have you done your research?
 Have you carried out a realistic selfassessment?
 Are you enthusiastic?
 Avoid the obvious!

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What do you know about this company?
Is there an element of your degree that enthused you to go into teaching?
Why do you want to be a patent attorney? What is the job of patent attorney?
What do you look for in choosing a company/job to apply to?
Why do you think you are particularly suited to/what appeals to you about marketing?
What are the names of our leading brands?

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Prepare for “obvious” questions …
… but expect the unexpected
Don’t panic!
Think!
The “No, but …” technique
Be positive; be honest; be yourself
There is often no right or wrong answer
Don’t be afraid to admit ignorance

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Why are you applying to us?
Why have you chosen IT/marketing etc.?
What makes you suitable for this job?
Tell me more about your relevant skills.
What other jobs are you applying for?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Why did you choose your current employer?
Why are you leaving your present employment?
What have you got out of your job?
What do you do in your spare time? What do you get out of it?

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See the CAS booklet
Do ask a question!
Keep it brief
Ask about the work itself, not pay/perks
Prepare your questions in advance
Tell them something about youself they don’t know!

In Print:
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AGCAS Booklet “Going for Interviews”
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CAS booklet, “Interview Skills”
Reference File No. 014:
First Interviews
Second Interviews and Selection Centres
Interview Report Forms
Reference Books (kept at CAS Reception Desk)
Insider Guide to Successful Interviews
Great Answers to Tough Interview Questions

Other media:
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Video: Making an Impact – the graduate job interview www.kent.ac.uk/careers/IntVid.htm
 www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm
(includes practice interviews and interview reports from
Kent students)

Careers Advisory Service www.kent.ac.uk/careers/

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Where is the CAS?
Who works there?
What does it do?
How can it help me?
When can I use it?

 Jenny Keaveney
 Tim Reed
 Bruce Woodcock www.kent.ac.uk/careers/staff.htm

 careers guidance
– quick queries
– careers interviews
– computer-aided guidance
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 job vacancy database careers library careers website

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Helpdesk
– help always available!
General information (e.g. help with applications & interviews)
Employer information
Occupational information
Postgraduate study information
DVDs, CDs, networked PCs, etc …..

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Don’t panic!
Be flexible
Plan a strategy for your job-hunting (& review it regularly)
Update your CV and revise it every time you use it to apply for a job
Continue to build up your skills and experience (stop-gap jobs, internships, work shadowing, etc)
Network - discuss your career ideas with as many people as possible
Use a variety of vacancy and information sources
Employ creative job-hunting techniques as well as conventional methods
Keep motivated and don’t give up!
Keep in touch with the Careers Service at Kent – and perhaps use your local University’s careers service too

Careers Advisory Service www.kent.ac.uk/careers