Staffordshire University.
Careers Centre Graduate Guide.
Congratulations! After years of hard work you’ve finished your
studies. You should be proud of yourself, we know we are!
Now it’s time for you to make that transition from student to graduate.
Remember how you felt when you started University? How brave you had to be?
Well, now it’s time to be brave again as you leave University and move on out into the world
of work.
We’ve put together this guide, to help you structure your time as you start to plan, and
work towards, your future goals.
The key message, though, is this
- use
your Careers Centre.
We are open throughout the summer and our friendly Employability Coaches are available
everyday* to help you.
(*subject to availability – if you are travelling any distance check with us first by giving us a
call or email. Contact details later in this publication.)
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Contents.
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Begin new career.
A checklist of job hunting tasks which, when done together, will vastly
improve your chance of getting the job you want.
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What do Staffordshire University graduates do?
Some information about what last years’ graduates did. Plus, a polite
reminder about our annual graduate survey.
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Need careers help?
A guide to the FREE services on offer to you from the University Careers
Centres.
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JobZone.
An introduction to our job and opportunity portal.
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Looking for paid graduate level work?
Find out about our Graduate Internship scheme
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Unitemps – finding work that works for you.
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Join Ask Staffs Alumni .
Our new professional networking group exclusively for Staffordshire
University graduates at all stages in their career (from newbie to established
professional).
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Begin New Career.
Finding a job or moving on in your career as a new graduate can be daunting
and frustrating. It helps, though, if you can have some structure to your time
so that you feel as though you are constantly moving forward. With this in
mind we’ve created a list of job hunting tasks which, when done together, will
vastly improve your chance of getting the job you want. Online resources for
all the tasks below can be found at www.staffs.ac.uk/careers/graduates.
Making decisions.
Do you know what you want to do and what will suit your personality and skills? On the
Career Planning section of the Careers Centre website there are links to resources to get you
thinking about what you want to do.
Find employers you want to work for and contact them.
If you sit and wait for vacancies you are interested in to be advertised you will soon get
demoralised. Take control of your job search by thinking about the kind of work you would
like to do and finding employers who offer those opportunities. Use LinkedIn’s company
search to find employers you could target – remember to think about how far you want to
commute (or if you’d be happy to move).
Once you’ve found some employers check to see if they are attending any careers events
(read attend Careers Fairs later), search for them on LinkedIn and see if you can make
contacts within the organisation. Call in to Careers and speak to one of our Coaches to
formulate a strategy for contacting employers.
Create a graduate CV.
Use our Graduate CV Guide to prepare a professional CV and then call into Careers and let
one our Coaches critique it for you. They will help you sell your skills and target your CV to
specific jobs/opportunities. You could write a covering letter, too, so it’s ready to go when
you find jobs you want to apply to.
Create a LinkedIn profile
Use LinkedIn to help you to network more effectively. Join LinkedIn groups related to your
career and interests – for example Ask Staffs Alumni networking group.
Read our guide to LinkedIn on our website, link above.
Develop an ‘elevator pitch’.
A short 2 minute maximum summary of who you are, what you want to do and what your
next role might look like. Use positive language and keep it precise. You can use this when
networking with potential employers, for example, at Careers Fairs and Networking Events.
Network your socks off!
Networking is the most powerful job hunting tool available and completely within your
control. Maintain a network of contacts – former classmates, academics, co-workers,
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neighbours, family, friends . . . and let them know you are looking for work. You can also
build new networks using social media tools like LinkedIn to communicate with
professionals and employers in the occupational area you are interested in. Join industry
specific groups on LinkedIn, and alumni groups – including Ask Staffs Alumni which gives our
graduates the opportunity to communicate with our alumni on career-related matters.
Find jobs to apply for.
Keep an eye on the job market by following jobs boards, reading national and local
newspapers, joining professional organisations, searching LinkedIn.
You should also register with JobZone, our job and opportunity portal, and Unitemps, our on
campus recruitment agency. See details later in this publication.
Don’t just rely on finding an advertised vacancy, though, be proactive – see ‘Find employers
you want to work for and contact them’ above.
Attend Careers Fairs.
Find out about jobs and opportunities, research organisations and network with employers.
A list of up and coming events can be found on the Graduate Prospects website at
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/events.htm
Fill in application forms.
All your hard work networking, researching employers and finding jobs has paid off and
you’ve found an opportunity you would like to apply for. Read our ‘Careers Centre guide to
. . . Application Forms’ and bring/email a copy of your form to us in the Careers Centre for
guidance.
Prepare for interviews, tests and assessment centres.
Practice your interview skills. There are online talks and guides on the Careers Centre
website to help. You may also want to arrange a mock or practice interview with one of our
Consultants. This will give you the opportunity to answer interview questions and receive
some feedback on your answers.
Consider an internship.
We run graduate internships through our on campus recruitment agency, Unitemps. They
are a great way to work, for 12 weeks, at graduate level.
Benefits include:
 Enhancing your CV by giving you skills and related working experience
 Giving you a taste of a company and job role
 Many paid internships lead to permanent offers of work
 Your first step onto the career ladder of your choice
See details later in this publication for details of how to find out more/apply.
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Other opportunities.
Getting a job might be the last thing on your mind at the moment – your career research
might have highlighted the need for some further study first. Take a look at our further
study section of the website if you are considering this option.
Be brave and keep your chin up.
It’s important that you balance your job
hunting with some fun. Try to make sure
that you keep in touch with friends and do the things that make you happy. Go to our ‘Keep
your chin up’ page for some online resources.
And finally . . .
Fill in your Destinations of Leavers of Higher Education form and return it to us.
We’ll be sending it out to you around Christmas-time 2014. Find out more and learn what
Staffordshire University graduates do by visiting the graduates webpage.
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What do Staffordshire University
graduates do?
How do we know? Every year we contact our graduates six months after graduating to see
what they are doing. You will receive a questionnaire from us, called Destinations of
Leavers of Higher Education, in the post around Christmas 2014. If you don’t complete the
form (either the paper version, or online) we will give you a call to gather the information.
Small selection of Job Titles of 2013 graduates.
3D Artist, Accountant, Acoustician, Aerospace Engineer, Behavioural Therapist, Biomedical
Scientist, Broadcast Journalist, Business Analyst, Camera Operative, Card Designer, Case
Worker, Child Development Organiser, Clinical Photographer, Clinical Psychologist,
Computer Forensics, Creative Director, Design & Technology Teacher, Design Engineer,
Digital Forensic Examiner, Drug and Alcohol Recovery Worker, Early Years Practitioner,
Editor, Electrical Engineer, Event Organiser, Firefighter, Fitness Instructor, Football Coach,
Freelance Writer, Furniture Designer, Games Designer, Graphic Designer, HR Officer, Health
Visitor, Housing Officer, ICT Project Manager, Intelligence Officer, Interior Designer,
Lecturer, Logistics Manager, Marketing Executive, Media Officer, Midwife, Music Director,
Nurse, Nursery Practitioner, Operating Department Practitioner, Paralegal, Paramedic,
Personal Trainer, Photographer, Podiatrist, Police Officer, Primary Teacher, Production
Engineer, Professional Footballer, Quantity Surveyor, Radio Presenter, RAF Officer,
Regeneration Officer, Reporter, Runner, Social Worker, Solicitor, Surface Pattern Designer,
Technical Manager, Theatre Sister, Tutor, Video and Motion Graphics Producer, Virtual
Reality Engineer, Web Developer, Youth Worker.
Some key figures:
Over 90%* of 2013 Staffordshire University graduates were in work, study or work and,
study in January 2014.
Of those in work a massive 71% were already working in a graduate level role in January
2014.
Data taken from the 2012/13 Destinations of Leavers of Higher Education Survey.
*Percentage of those who responded to the DLHE survey, from all Staffordshire University courses.
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Need career help?
You can visit our webpages at http://www.staffs.ac.uk/careers.
The Careers Centre team is here to help you both in person, and online.
Our Employability Coaches and Consultants are available in the Careers Centres throughout
the summer. As a Staffordshire University graduate you are more than welcome to
continue using our services for 3 years after leaving University. Our services are FREE and
given by skilled professionals – who are also extremely friendly and helpful.
You can access our help as follows:
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In the Careers Centres (Stoke and Stafford campus)
Our Employability Coaches are available, daily, throughout the year between 10 and 12
in the morning and 2 and 4 in the afternoon (although, if you are travelling any distance
it is always worth double checking by giving us a call/email). Our Coaches will spend
time with you listening to your questions and helping to guide you to the right decisions
for you. You can visit our Coaches as often as you like, as you move towards your career
aims.
Our Employability Consultants can offer longer guidance appointments for more
complex issues. If you would prefer to see a Consultant you will need to book an
appointment in advance. Give us a call or drop us an email and we will recommend the
best person to speak to. Employability Consultants also offer interview practise sessions
– where you role play an interview with them and they then give you constructive
feedback.
Don’t panic if you are moving away from campus and are unable to easily visit us in
person. We have an email guidance service which you can use. Send your questions to
careersadvice@staffs.ac.uk and one our Employability Consultants will reply. If you
prefer, we can also arrange for you to have a one to one session with a Consultant using
Skype. Drop us a line to the email above to arrange this.
Online – our webpages are full of information and resources, like careers talks and
guides online. Visit www.staffs.ac.uk/careers.
What can we help you with?
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Almost anything career-related!
Whether you know what you want to do, but are unsure how to get there, or don’t have
a clue – we can help you.
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Visitors to the Centres ask us about: finding jobs; getting ready for interviews; deciding
what to do; further study; writing targeted CVs; approaching employers; how to shake
hands and loads more . . .
Careers Centre locations:
Stoke Campus.
At Stoke we are in the Cadman Building, the older building on College Road (opposite the
Flaxman Building) with the carved mural above the main door that houses the Thompson
Library. Come in the main entrance and turn right down the corridor and keep going –
following the signs – until you reach us. You can give us a call on 01782 294991, or email us
via careers@staffs.ac.uk.
Stafford Campus.
At Stafford we are in the Beacon Building, on the ground floor next to Dolche Vita and the
Student’s Union space. You can give us a call on 01785 353233, or email us via
careers@staffs.ac.uk.
Opening Times.
We are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (although through the summer this may vary
slightly – check before you visit).
Employability Coaches.
Available at both Stoke and Stafford Careers Centres, daily from 10am – 12pm and 2pm –
4pm. Over the summer this can vary slightly, so check with us before you make a visit)
Appointments with Employability Consultants.
These are available to book throughout the week, contact us for details.
Email guidance/Skype.
If you are unable to visit the Careers Centre, then you can use our email guidance service
and/or Skype to get help. Send your questions to careers@advice@staffs.ac.uk and an
Employability Consultant will reply.
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Need work or experience?
Register with Jobzone, the Careers Centre job and opportunity portal, to view:
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Graduate jobs.
Part-time/temporary jobs via Unitemps (our on campus recruitment consultants).
Voluntary opportunities.
Graduate internships.
Local and national.
Register at www.staffs.prospects.ac.uk.
Careers Guide tip: register for Jobzone alerts.
Would you like your own personal recruitment consultant to email you jobs you are
interested in?
Well you can have one! Sign up on Jobzone for job alerts, selecting criteria for the type of
opportunity, location, etc that you are looking for, and the system will automatically email
you when opportunities matching your search appear on the system.
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Looking for paid, graduate level work?
Careers Centre internships offer graduate level paid work for 12
weeks with potential to lead to a permanent role.
Benefits include:
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Enhancing your CV by giving you skills and related working experience.
Giving you a taste of a company and job role.
Many paid internships lead to permanent offers of work.
Your first step onto the career ladder of your choice.
All our internships are paid positions with mostly competitive salaries.
To be eligible you must have completed a degree or postgraduate degree course or
currently be studying for a postgraduate course.
To apply for the roles go to www.unitemps.com. See current vacancies and upload your CV.
Internships and graduate roles are also advertised on www.staffs.ac.uk/jobzone.
Contact Unitemps on 01785 353233 Stafford or 01782 294991 Stoke, or email
internships@staffs.ac.uk for further information.
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Candidates. Looking for work?
Finding work that works for you.
Are you a student looking for work to help fund your degree? Are you a graduate keen to
develop your skills and increase your employability? Or are you an experienced worker
seeking a more flexible role in a different working environment?
Whatever your situation, Unitemps can help.
Focused on the higher education sector and based on university campuses (including
Staffordshire University), we provide flexible employment to current students, graduates
and the wider community. Offering interesting and varied opportunities both on campus
and in local businesses, our team are totally committed to finding you the right job. Unlike
most recruitment agencies, our staff don’t work on commission. Instead they are driven by
helping candidates find jobs and helping employers find talented candidates. So whatever
you are looking for, Unitemps looks out for you.
To start your job search, register with Unitemps online at www.unitemps.com or contact
the Unitemps team at either the Stoke or Stafford Careers Centres to speak directly to a
consultant.
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Join Ask Staffs Alumni.
Ask Staffs Alumni is a LinkedIn professional networking group exclusively for
Staffordshire University alumni and current students.
Networking is an important part of finding work in the 21 st century. The Ask Staffs Alumni
networking group on LinkedIn is a forum for Staffordshire University students, past and
present, to network or share career-related knowledge and information. Members can ask
for advice, offer insight into their career field and post jobs and opportunities. This is an
exclusive and supportive environment in which members can learn from each other.
All Staffordshire University students and alumni are welcome to join; we just ask that the
group is respected and members adhere to its protocol.
Find out more and register to join at www.staffs.ac.uk/careers/alumni.
Careers Guide tip: network your socks off!
Networking is the most powerful job hunting tool available and completely within your
control. Maintain a network of contacts – former classmates, academics, co-workers,
neighbours, family, friends . . . and let them know you are looking for work. You can also
build new networks using social media tools like LinkedIn to communicate with
professionals and employers in the occupational area you are interested in. Join industry
specific groups on LinkedIn, and alumni groups – including Ask Staffs Alumni which gives our
graduates the opportunity to communicate with our alumni on career-related matters.
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Staffordshire University.
A postgraduate professional future with us.
Staying on for a postgraduate or professional qualification won’t just improve your employability.
You could earn around £15k1 a year more on entering the job market than someone with an
undergraduate degree.
Study could take as little as 12 months, and if that wasn’t enough, as a 2014 Staffordshire University
graduate, you’ll also be entitled to 15% off course fees.
So, three great reasons for going on to further study with us:
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Rated 94% postgraduate student satisfaction2
15% saving on postgraduate course fees3.
£15k increased first-year earning potential.
Start in January, February or September.
Staffordshire University graduates get 15% off fees.
Call 01782 294400.
Go to www.staffs.ac.uk/postgraduate.
1
First year earning potential, compared to candidates with an undergraduate degree. Source HESA.
2
PTES category: Overall Satisfaction, ‘skills and personal development met or exceeded my expectation.’
3
You are entitled to 15% off your course fee for the majority of our postgraduate awards, if you have
previously completed an undergraduate degree with Staffordshire University.
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Staffordshire University.
FOR 100 YEARS.
We’ve been the trailblazers, the transformers, the trendsetters. We’re always looking forward, and
always ahead of the times. We’re tremendously proud of our graduates – past and present. We’d
love you to be part of the next exciting chapter . . .
Join Staffordshire University Alumni at www.staffs.ac.uk/alumni.
Visit our stall at graduation.
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