Professional Training at Surrey
•
The University has one of the
highest graduate employment
rates in the country
•
Professional Training develops
students professionally and
personally
•
Attracts students to the
University
finding and getting the right
placement
year 1 workshop
why should I do a placement year?
The killer reasons why









enhance your future job prospects
build a great CV
acquire new, transferable = marketable skills
learn how to succeed in an organisation = “soft” skills
earn some money
improve your final year performance
have a better idea what career to pursue
apply the mathematics you have learned
have fun
why wouldn’t you want to do a
professional training placement?
?
the competition is fierce
 The placements are there but you have to find them and
compete for them
 The more effort you make the stronger your prospects
 You can improve your prospects
 the earlier you start
 the better your CV and covering letters
 the better your on-line applications
 the more research you do
 the better you perform in interviews
What can you do?
 You can improve your prospects





The
The
The
The
The
earlier you start
better your CV and covering letters
better your on-line applications
more research you do
better you perform in interviews
 It’s not too late to build your CV!
 volunteer, interests, societies,
languages….
Some Recent Placements
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pharmaceutical - GSK/Pfizer/ Quintiles/
Roche
Finance – Bank of England/Lloyds
TSB/HSBC/HFC/Goldman Sachs/Disney
Actuarial – RSA/AXA/Mercer/AVIVA
Computing – Microsoft/IBM/ Intel
Education – HEFCE/AQA
Government – Civil Service/Customs and
Excise/DTI/ONS/DSTL/
National Vetinary Labs/LOCOG
Car Industry – Rolls-Royce/ Ford/
Peugeot/Citroen
Marketing - Marks and Spencer/
Reuters/Nestle/Kimberley Clark
Statistical/Mathematical - Datalytics/
Broventure/NATS
Professional Training Results
July 2012 degree classifications:
All students (84)
First class
43%
Prof. Training (29)
55%
Upper second
31%
38%
Lower second
24%
7%
Third/Ordinary
2%
0%
what is the process of finding a
professional placement?





attend workshops and other sessions designed to help you
complete the PTY form and give it to Steph Evans in PTY Office
on BB 04 or give it to her today
write your CV and e-mail it to John Rayman for comments
use the resources available to research sectors/companies and
placements
be ready to start applying late summer 2014
complete the professional training form
 information you’ll need for your CV
 information for the professional training office
creating your CV





the purpose of a CV
structure
content
cover letter
resources to help you
assess this CV
 would you select this applicant for interview?
 how many mistakes can you find?
Curriculum Vitae
Personal details:
Name:
Julie Maureen Crisp
Address:
21 Station Road
Shrewsbury
SW2 3GH
Telephone:
01483 805678
9th January 1992
Date of birth:
Place of birth: Manchester
Nationality:
British
E-mail littlejackiewackie@gmail.com
Qualifications:
10/2011 – 2014
Surrey University, Stag Hill, Guildford GU2 7XH
Mathematics BSC
Sept 2003 – July 2010
Oswestry School, Cheshire
2010 A levels:
-Mathematics A
- Physics B
-Computer Science A
-Chemistry A
2008 GCSEs:
English Language A
-Maths A
-Biology A
-Physics A
-Chemistry A
-French B
Geography A
Economics C
Business Studies B
Work Experience
2011
Norwood Finance Ltd, 27 Winterbourne Road,
Birmingham B 7 3 HF
Summer internship, 8 weeks
2009 – 2010
Toys R Us, part time sales assistant
Developed communications skills through being on customer
services desk, and ability to work under pressure at peak times
2005 – 2007
Direct Call Services, Part time customer services clark
Promoted to senior clark
Interests and Achievements
I enjoy building computers and developing websites.
Voluntry work: Working on a talking newspaper for the blind
Fund raising for the RNIB, eg organised raffles and an auction
Music: play saxophone in jazz group
Reading, watching films, listening to music.socialising
Playing computer games, especially violent kinds
References available on request
Curriculum Vitae
Personal details:
Name:
Julie Maureen Crisp
Address:
21 Station Road
Shrewsbury
SW2 3GH
term time?
Telephone:
01483 805678
home or university?
9th January 1992
Date of birth:
Place of birth:
Nationality:
E-mail
Manchester
British
littlejackiewackie@gmail.com
Qualifications:
j.crisp@surrey.ac.uk
Education
10/2011 – present 2014
Surrey University, Stag Hill, Guildford GU2 7XH
Mathematics BSC BSc
year 1 marks, year 2 marks?
Sept 2003 – July 2010
Oswestry School, Cheshire
2010 A levels:
2008 GCSEs:
9/03 – 7/10
-Mathematics A
on one line only
- Physics B
-Computer Science A
-Chemistry A
English Language A
-Maths A
-Biology A
-Physics A
-Chemistry A
-French B
Geography A
Economics C
Business Studies B
on one or two lines only
Work Experience
2011
Norwood Finance Ltd, 27 Winterbourne Road,
Birmingham B 7 3HF
don’t break a section
Summer internship, 8 weeks
2009 – 2010
2005 – 2007
Toys R Us, part time sales assistant
Developed communications skills through being on customer
services desk, and ability to work under pressure at peak times
 list what you did and the results you got in bullet
points
Direct Call Services, Part time customer services clark
Promoted to senior clark what did you do?
skills and Aptitudes?
Intrests and Achievements
 bullet points, punchy and specific
spelling
I enjoy building computers and developing websites.
Voluntry work: Working on a talking newspaper for the blind
Fund raising for the RNIB, eg organised raffles and an auction
Music: play saxophone in jazz group
Reading, watching films, listening to music. socialising
Playing computer games, especially violent kinds is this a sensible thing to put?
References available on request
spelling
purpose of a CV
 from your point of view
 to get the interview, not the job
 demonstrate in the CV that you have the skills,
experience and motivation
 to sell yourself
 from the employers’ point of view
 weed out unsuitable candidates quickly
 make a short list
imagine that you are the product
and the CV is your advertisement
 get your unique selling propositions (USPs) across
 only have a few seconds attention from the reader



your particular strengths
unique combinations of attributes
what do you have that the competition doesn’t?
things to think about




first impressions are critical in job hunting as in life.
the CV and the covering letter are your first contact with a potential
employer.
your CV is competing with all the other CVs
the CV needs to show immediately that you have




the relevant aptitudes, skills and knowledge
the necessary experience
the motivation
these features can be demonstrated by your CV
how the CV is written is as important as what it contains
structure







Up to you – it’s your CV
must be logical and easy to follow
no repetition
everything the reader needs must be clear and easy to find
typical example
 education
 employment (work experience, volunteering)
 skills and aptitudes
 interests
 bio data
 references
two pages of A4 – also be able to produce a one page version
explore internet for examples/templates
style








sharp, positive and focussed
most space given to most important aspects
make every word count
reverse chronological order for education and
employment
bullet points – short and punchy, not prose
active verbs – e.g. organised, managed, presented
don’t use the word “I”
don’t repeat yourself
education
 give your overall marks for first semester (then year 1
when you have them), don’t list modules studied
 individual module marks if very good and relevant to
the job
 A levels and year
 list GCSEs briefly but mention specifically English and
foreign languages
 awards, scholarships and prizes (most emphasis on
university)
possible education template
Education
2012 – present
University of Surrey
BSc Mathematics
2010 – 2012
A level
2005 – 2010
GCSE
year 1 first semester mark 68%
St John’s College, Wigan
Maths (A*) Biology (B) Physics (A)
Templecourt School, Warrington
7 A, 3 B, 1 C including English (A),
French (B)
employment
 company name, location (not address), job title, dates
e.g. 6/11 – 9/11
 describe company’s business
 list what you did and the results you achieved and any
achievements
 describe any training given
 include volunteering or internships in same detail
 briefly mention short work experience
 don’t cover skills used or developed
 employment experience is probably the most
important elements employers are looking for
possible employment template
Employment
4/10 -9/10 Courtauld’s Ltd, Coventry
Artificial and Synthetic Fibres Division
Laboratory technician
o
o
o
o
set up apparatus for preparation of novel compounds
carried out syntheses and tested resulting products using mass
spectrometry
wrote up reports of work carried out
presented verbal report on work at weekly meetings
skills and aptitudes
 developed from studies, employment,
volunteering, interests …
 either integrate into sections with the activity - but
risk of repetition
 or a specific section
 give evidence for each claimed skill
 no clichés
 select your key strengths
 where you think you are better than most
Skills and Aptitudes Review
skill
written communication
oral communication
problem solving
leadership
creative thinking
numeracy
team working
commercial awareness
language skills
judgment
computer literacy
negotiating
persuading
decision making
time management
project management
self motivation
ability to meet targets
and deadlines
customer relations
what this means
ability to write concisely and convey
meaning in a way appropriate to
different readers presenting a
persuasive argument
ability to express ideas verbally in a
way easily understood by others who
are unfamiliar with the topic, including
delivering presentations, giving
accurate information or acting as a
spokesperson
devising and then using an appropriate
method, rule, technique or logic to
solve a problem
ability to organise and motivate others
being original and inventive in order to
solve problems, generate ideas or
produce novel designs
ability to understanding and interpret
facts and ideas expressed in figures
and non-verbal data
working cooperatively and effectively
with wide variety of other pee to
achieve a common goal
having an understanding and
appreciation of the products and
services of an organisation, its
markets and customers
understanding and being competent in
another language
ability to think clearly and logically
under pressure, giving consideration
to the potential impact upon other
elements before deciding on the
wisest course of action to be taken
programming skills, competence in
operating software packages
agreeing a course of action that is
both appropriate and beneficial to
those involved
ability to challenge the attitudes and
points of view of others in a logical,
non-judgemental way that people can
understand
taking responsibility for what needs to
be done and setting achievable goals
frequently within a set time frame.
ability to organise one's work prioritise
and sequence what needs to be done
within deadlines
ability to take responsibility for the
management and delivery of all or a
part of a programme of work
capacity to identify, address and
compete tasks without needing to be
prompted or micro-managed
comfortable when faced with different
tasks with different, tight deadlines.
Able to maintain accuracy under
pressure
comfortable and positive in face to
face contact with customers,
especially those who are dissatisfied.
activity
(e.g course, employment, club/society.
volunteering etc.)
evidence
(describe circumstances in
which the skill was
demonstrated)
skills and aptitudes
that employers want most










verbal communications
team working
integrity
intellectual ability
self-confidence
organisational skills
interpersonal skills
writing ability
numeracy
analytic skills/decision making
interests








demonstrate breadth of personality
if you don’t have interests – get some!
socialising with friends doesn’t count
current/recent most important
sports, clubs, charities, cultural activities..
interesting travel, projects…
be specific – what, when, what level, where…
be aware of current affairs


listen to radio 4, Today programme
read a quality newspaper
bio data
 addresses, phone (mobile) and non-quirky e-mail
 boozytommy@gmail.com ?
 much better t.jones@surrey.ac.uk
 d.o.b., nationality optional
 two referees
 academic, employment/volunteering
 not “references supplied on request”
a reader friendly CV




logical structure
all key information clear and easily available
no jargon, no acronyms
professional looking presentation




text balanced over 2 pages
good use of white space
very good quality paper if printed
single conventional font e.g.




verdana
ariel
times new roman
11 or 12 point size, but headings can be larger, use bold, italic and underline
appropriately CAPITALS CAN BE UGLY
putting the CV together
 sweet spot – middle of first page – should have
your best aspects
 get someone else to check it before you send it
– especially if English is not your mother
tongue
 never rely on spell check e.g. hobbit
 never tell lies
 everything on the CV must be true
 not everything that is true must be on the
CV
 blow your own trumpet but no hyperbole
some signs of a bad CV
 more than 2 pages long, poorly word
processed or printed, section breaks over page
 gaps in chronology
 spelling or grammar mistakes
 irrelevant, trivial details
 gimmicky fonts
 quirky presentation
some employers’ pet hates






typos
inappropriate e-mail addresses
no section on key skills
more than two pages
decorative paper
with a photo
61%
35%
30%
22%
20%
13%
personal statements?

“I have a real passion for learning and I approach all tasks with
great enthusiasm. I am a responsible and reliable student who
is willing to work hard in order to develop my career.”
actual statement from a student with 72% overall

“I have a real passion for learning (obvious – you got a
first) and I approach all tasks with great enthusiasm (where
is the proof?). I am a responsible and reliable student
(repeated what you just said in the first sentence) who
is willing to work hard in order to develop my career (can you
imagine someone saying that they are not willing to
work hard to develop their career?).”
use the “not” test
 I am a hardworking and honest individual and
an excellent timekeeper
 I don’t work hard, I’m not particularly honest
and I am a poor timekeeper
 but when might these three attributes be worth
putting down?
sending CVs to employers
 use original print hard copies not photocopies
 electronically use a PDF, not Word document
 send/e-mail to named individual with cover
letter
cover letters
 grab the reader’s attention and interest
 highlight the relevant skills and experience in
your CV
 show you have done your research on the
job/activity and employer
 demonstrate why you want to work for that
employer
 Could be applying for a vacancy or speculative
writing the cover letter
 no more than ¾ of a page of A4
 addressed to a named individual
 specific for particular application even with a
template
 written in formal business style
 well laid out, clear and easy to follow
 perfect spelling and grammar
 good quality paper
cover letters are formal
 written English is not spoken English written down
 some words to avoid





don’t, can’t, I’d, Dad, shouldn’t, it’s (which only means it is!)
don’t start sentences with “and”, “but” …
typed, not handwritten but signed by hand
short sentences each with a verb, subject and object
not bullet points
typical structure of cover letter
 Your address and the address of the company
 subject e.g. professional placement/ job title
 para 1 introduce yourself, what you are applying for,
where you saw it
 para 2 why do you want to work in this job/activity?
 para 3 why do you want to work for this company?
 para 4 why you are a suitable candidate, what relevant
skills and experience you bring
 positive ending
 your signature
 your name
can I improve what goes into my CV?
 during the semester




get actively involved with clubs/societies
develop an existing interest or take up new interests
go to evening classes to learn something useful
volunteer
 use the long vacation this summer






get a paid job
do an internship
volunteering at home or overseas
major project
learn to drive
travel somewhere interesting, do something useful there
don’t just sit back, your competitors are on the case already
what employers look for in graduates
1960s and 1970s
degree
= employment
1980s
degree + extracurricular activites
= employment
1990s
2 (i) + good university
+ extracurricular activities
+ work experience
= employment
now
2 (i) + good university
+ extracurricular activities
+ work experince of real value
= employment
probability that Graduates with no work experience would
get a job offer 2013 survey
very likely
5%
quite likely
39%
not very likely
47%
not at all likely
9%
10
20
30
40
50
percentage of top graduate emkloyers
resources – summer activities


http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research/sector/vacationw
orkandworkexperience
http://www.careers.cam.ac.uk/sectors/Vacwork/index.asp
 http://www.prospects.ac.uk/work_experience_vacation_
work.htm
 http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/careers/experience/place
ments/vacation-work.html
what should I do now to prepare for
applying for a placement?
 fill out the PTY form and return to Steph Evans
 get your CV written and send it to John
Rayman
useful resources





www.surrey.ac.uk/careers/current/leaflets/index.htm
www.surrey.ac.uk/careers/current/work/cv/index.htm
www.prospects.ac.uk/cvs_and_cover_letters.htm
www3.surrey.ac.uk/destinations/units/unit-cv005.shtml
http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-huntingtools-downloads
applying for jobs abroad:
 www.surrey.ac.uk/careers/current/work/abroad/index.ht
m
more useful resources……









http://www.milkround.com
www.work-placement.co.uk
www.gradjobs.co.uk
www.studentemploymentservices.co.uk
www.RateMyPlacement.co.uk
http://www.gradcracker.com/
http://www.allaboutcareers.com/jobs
www.Wikijob.co.uk
www.fledglings.net