Transcript Looking to the Future Informatics postgraduates

Looking to the Future
Informatics postgraduates
Carol Macdonald
Careers Adviser
Session Aim:
 Introduce the Careers Service
 Outline recruitment time-lines for major
employers
 Highlight careers events / programmes
this semester
“Begin with the end in mind”
Steven Covey, management guru & author of
‘Seven Habits of highly effective people’
Your Career Strategy!
 Set goals - short, medium…& longer term
 What do you want to achieve during your MSc?
 How can you make the most of your time at Edinburgh?
 What do you want to achieve immediately after?...and longer term?
 Identify what will help you to achieve your goals
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Find out what’s going on at Edinburgh
Research career options and potential employers
Clarify requirements – skills, experience required or beneficial
Identify any gaps
Check entry routes – recruitment methods used
 Network! Network! Network!
 Market yourself – (Applications, Interviews & other situations)
 Prepare a ‘Career Action Plan’ - set SMART objectives
- keep it alive!
Recruitment Timelines
 Advertising already underway
www.ed.ac.uk/careers/sage
www.prospects.ac.uk
www.get.hobsons.co.uk
www.targetjobs.co.uk
 Employer’s presentations start 4th October
 Application deadlines from October
 First interviews begin this semester
Some application closing
dates for 2011
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Standard Bank
Bank of England
Virgin Media
Sky Technology
Credit Suisse
Standard Life (IT leadership)
Sainsbury’s
Catlin Group
SELEX Galileo
RBS
General Guidelines
 Investment banks
 Blue chip/ International Orgs
 Management consultancies
7 November
15 November
26 November
30 November
17 December
10 December
12 December
14 December
applns from Sept (1st come 1st served)
assessment centres from Nov
November
Finding out more!
 Careers Fair - 5/6 October
www.ed.ac.uk/careers/fairs
 Employer presentations www.ed.ac.uk/careers/talks-events
 Vacancies - www.ed.ac.uk/careers/sage
 Directories – Prospects, Get, Times Top 100
 UK graduate careers sites include:
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www.prospects.ac.uk
www.get.hobsons.co.uk
www.targetjobs.co.uk
 Informatics website - www.ed.ac.uk/informatics
 Industry info & vacancy sites – www.ed.ac.uk/careers/occupations
 Computer Weekly
 www.insidecareers.co.uk (IT Industry Guide & job alerts)
 www.scotlandis.com
 Recruitment Agencies - www.rec.uk.com & local surveys
Be pro-active – be creative, network!
What are employers looking for?
 Good academic background
 Technical skills
and more……….
Competency Framework
IBM
 Adaptability
 Client focus
 Communication
 Creative problem
solving
 Drive to achieve
 Passion for business
 Taking ownership
 Teamwork and
collaboration
 Trustworthiness
What makes a good CV?
• Careful targeting (job and employer)
• Highlights relevant experience, skills and achievements
• Gives space and importance to the most relevant material
• Makes an impact
• Visually appealing
clear layout, avoiding lengthy text
• Appropriate headings & order reverse chronological or themed
• Appropriate length
• Accompanied by a strong covering letter
Careers Service – What we offer!
 Information Centres - staff available to help
 Drop-in sessions daily
 Appointments with Careers Adviser
 Events
 Website: www.ed.ac.uk/careers
 Graduate Applications Tues 28th Sept 1.10pm
 Successful Interviews Thurs 14th Oct 1.10pm
 School Drop-in sessions:
Thurs 28th Oct & Tues 9th Nov
1pm - 2pm
International students
 Do you need a UK national insurance
number?
Job Centre Plus staff will be in Careers
Service, 33 Buccleuch Place, on Tues
22nd/Wed 23rd September to process NI
numbers for non UK students.
Careers Service - Where to find us?
33 Buccleuch Place, Central Area
Tel: 0131 650 4670
Weir Building, KB
Tel: 0131 650 5773
Email: [email protected]
Opening hours on website
www.ed.ac.uk/careers