Transcript Slide 1

Working in the UK
Job Search & Effective
Applications
Session plan
1.
2.
3.
4.
Job search strategies and the
graduate labour market
Government schemes & work permits
CVs & Covering Letters
Completing applications
The UK Graduate Job Market
Peter Ireland
Head of Careers Service
Aims & Objectives
This session will cover:
 How to find graduate opportunities in
the UK
 Understanding different job search
strategies
 Identifying the skills graduate
employers look for
Finding Graduate Vacancies







Employer directories
Online / Print media
Agencies
Recruitment fairs/other careers events
The Careers Service
Departmental noticeboards
Personal contacts
Job Search Strategies


Research the sector that interests you to
identify potential employers
Different job markets will have their own
approaches to recruitment:





Agencies
Careers Services
Specialist / Trade press
National Press
Speculative applications
What UK Employers Want
Knowledge from your degree plus: Work experience
 Evidence of business/commercial
awareness
 Demonstrating career focus
 Skills (generic and specific to the job)
What do graduate employers look
for?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Effective communication (oral / written)
Teamwork
Ability to solve problems
Analytical skills
Flexibility & Adaptability
Self-management
Independent judgement
Numeracy
Decision making
Logical argument
Before you apply

Research the requirements of the employer




Look for the evidence you can present




Skills
Knowledge
Experience
Academic study
Work experience
Interests & activities
Be specific in the examples you use
Working in the UK After Studies
Government schemes & work
permits
My Role
Fay Sherrington
Student Support Coordinator
Student Assistance
Humphrey Booth House
0161 295 0475
[email protected]
www.academic.salford.ac.uk/sao/
Working in the UK After
Studies


Many Schemes through the Home
Office
Main ones are:
International Graduate Scheme (IGS)
 Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
(HSMP)
 Work Permit

IGS






12 month work visa
Can work in any field
Must know result (not awaiting)
If student visa expires before result is given
student will probably need to return home
After IGS can switch to HSMP or Work Permit
Intention to increase to 2 years in future
IGS Requirements




Must apply before visa expires
If sponsored will need letter to confirm
sponsor is happy
May need to return home
Will need to have graduated or at the
least confirmation of pass/grade
(submission of dissertation and no
result is not enough)
Work Permits



Employer must apply for Work Permit
If job is a “shortage occupation” Work Permit
is relatively easy to obtain
Shortage Occupations
 Dentists
 Midwives
 Veterinary surgeons
 Others (see list at
www.workingintheuk.gov.uk)
Work Permits


If not a “shortage occupation” Work Permit
can be very difficult to obtain
Employer must go through a lengthy often
expensive process
 Must advertise to resident workers
 Must give 4 weeks for applicants to
respond to advert
 Must demonstrate why all other applicants
could not do job even with extra training
Work Permits



Once employer obtains a Work Permit
the student must apply to change
immigration status (2 stage process)
Small companies will not often be
willing to try this if haven’t before
We recommend student approach
large multinationals with a history of
successful Work Permit applications
Highly Skilled Migrant
Programme
•
•
Points based system
Points depending on
Qualifications
 Past earnings
 UK earnings or study
 Age

Highly Skilled Migrant
Programme

•
•
2 stage process
 First apply for HSMP
 Second apply for leave to be amended
before visa expires
The Home Office are very strict on the
evidence required
Often students think they should get more
points than the Home Office award
Conclusion



Most student will be able to get a 12
month IGS visa to work in UK after
studies
After 12 months may be able to apply
for HSMP or work permit
You must put in an application before
your visa expires or return home to
apply
Effective CVs
Andy Kay
Careers Adviser
Aim

To be aware of the content, format and
quality of presentation required to
produce an effective CV and covering
letter
Learning Outcomes



Understand the CV and covering letter
as unique marketing tools for your skills
and knowledge
Know what key elements to include in a
CV and covering letter
Appreciate the importance of visual
impact of a CV and covering letter
A CV is……..



A Curriculum Vitae
A Summary of your relevant skills,
knowledge and experience
A personal marketing tool
It’s the truth that...

“ The CV and covering letter are the
only part of the selection process which
you as a job seeker have 100% control”
Max Eggert
From “The Perfect CV”
It’s also true that…


You have about 30 seconds to get your
message across
Impact through presentation and
content
Starting your CV
Identify the main areas of your life
1.



2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Education
Work Experience
Activities and Interests
List all the things done under those
headings
Identify the highlights
Identify the skills used/developed
List specific examples & give evidence
Give dates to the content developed
CV Content







Personal Details
Education
Relevant experience
Other work experience
Additional Information
Interests
Referees


No more than 2 Sides of A4 - MAXIMUM!
Place most important / relevant information first
Your CV should be...
Well presented
 Targeted to the company / vacancy
 Individual
 Current & accurate
 Achievement based
 Positive
+ Have you…



Identified the company’s needs?
Communicated clearly how you can meet these?
Language




Writing style is different in a CV
You do not have to write in full
sentences
Be concise and businesslike
Focus on action using strong verbs



Achieved
Managed
Organised
What impresses Employers?





Clear presentation (remember 30 secs!)
Concise, plain English
Professional image
Original
Correct spelling, grammar and
punctuation.
Quality Control

Accordnig to reshearch at an Enlingsh
univertisity, it deosn’t mtater in what
oredr the letteers are in a word, the
olny ipmortmnt tihng is that the frist
and ltast ltteer is in the rghit pclec. The
rset can be a toatl msess and you can
still raed it wouit porbelm. Thish is
bcuseae we do not raed ervery lteter by
itleslf but the word as a whloe.
Writing Covering Letters
Andy Kay
Careers Adviser
Covering Letter




Always accompanies a CV
Explains why you are writing
Highlights and expands on relevant
information from your CV
The covering letter is part of a full
package
Covering Letter Basics



Dear Sir / Madam………
Yours faithfully,
Dear Mr / Mrs Brown
Yours sincerely,
Hand-written or word-processed?
More Basics……..



One side of good quality A4 paper
Print your name clearly after your
signature
Include your title (Mr/Miss/Ms/Mrs)
Structure




Introduce yourself – explain why are
you writing (mention any previous
contact)
Outline your interest - Why them?
Highlight & signpost relevant skills,
knowledge and experience
Closing comments
Additional points





Use the same paper as your CV
Use the same font style
Lay out your letter like a business letter
Your address and contact details in the
top RH corner
If using email – the message body is
your letter, but minus the contact
details

Avoid informality in your email
Your address…
Date
Name
Job Title
Company name and address
Dear Sir/Madam or Mr/Ms Smith,
Subheading in bold (e.g. Graduate Management Trainee)
Body of letter…
•
•
•
•
Introduce yourself - explain why your are writing
Why are you interested in this job with this company?
What skills and experience can you offer?
End positively
Yours faithfully / sincerely,
Your signature…
Your name
Conclusions






Understand that you are marketing
yourself
Recognise that the purpose is to get an
interview
Work out what the employer wants
Focus on action and achievement
Take care with language
Proofread
Application Forms
How to make an impact
in small boxes
Amazing Application Forms
Christine Blaymire
Careers Adviser
Aim
To help you produce
effective application forms
Structure

Why are application forms used?

How are application forms used?

Hints and tips

Examples & Exercises

Covering letters
Why use them?

To make information standard

The employer can ask specific questions

“I can’t be bothered!” “It’s too hard!”
How do employers use them?

Scoring

Setting an agenda for the interview
Hints and Tips

Read and check instructions

Prepare

Photocopy the form; draft your answers

Vary your examples

Get it checked

Keep a copy
Examples (1)
Give details of your main extra curricular activities and
interests to date. What have you contributed and what
have you got out of them? Mention any posts of
responsibility.
I have played the violin since the age of 4. I played in
an orchestra at home. I joined some societies at Salford
University. I socialize with my friends at the weekends.
To keep fit I play volleyball.
Examples (2)
Give an example of situation where you had to deal
with a particularly difficult guest/customer and how you
handled it? (max 200 words)
I was working at Asda and the customer complained
about some cheese she bought 3 weeks ago but she did
not have a receipt. She said she had lost it and started
shouting. So I asked my manager what to do and I
gave her the money back as a goodwill gesture.
(52 words)
“Challenging” questions (1)
The annual value of world-wide sales per associate at
Mars is well over $400,000. Similar manufacturing
industries achieve annual total sales per employee of
between $50,000 and $200,000.
- What insights into our business does this give you?
- Should we focus on increasing or decreasing our total
sales per associate value? Please explain your answer.
“Challenging” questions (2)
Over 8,000 people will request this application
form. Please use the space below to tell us:
What you have achieved that makes you stand
out.
What obstacles you overcame which makes this
achievement significant to you.
“Challenging” questions (3)
If you could change one thing in the world,
what would it be?
Convince us that this should be chosen above
anything else.
Why do you believe we asked you this
question?
The “additional information”
question (1)
“Please use the space below to give any
information not specifically requested on this
form which you feel may be relevant.”
or
“Please use this section to provide any additional
evidence to support your application.”
The “additional information”
question (2)
“All applicants must complete this section. We need as much
information about you as possible.
The person specification is based on the duties of the post detailed
in the job description and outlines the abilities, skills, knowledge
and experience necessary to do the job.
Please study the person specification carefully and explain how you
meet each of the criteria giving as much detail as possible. The
decision on whether or not to call you for interview will be made on
the basis of how well you meet the requirements of the person
specification . Do not enclose a CV as it will not be considered.
You should make full use of this section attaching additional sheets
if necessary.”
Covering letter with an application
form

Should you send one?

What should be in it?

How long should it be?
Summary

Read the form, plan & draft answers

Why is the employer asking that?

Take care with spelling, grammar, legibility
and presentation

Keep a copy

Tailor a covering letter if required