Ready to compete...where are the jobs, is my CV and interview technique OK? Pauline Glasgow, Careers adviser

Aims Raise awareness of the job market and opportunities available to you when you graduate Encourage you to make successful applications

Objectives Increase knowledge of the labour market Identify your selling points Promote yourself effectively on your CV and at interview

SWOT Analysis Small groups Write down on flip chart paper Report back Surveys/reports/useful websites for English

Apprx 18,000 students, including 599 from QUB 25% of students planning to do postgraduate study 13% planning taking time out to travel (down on last year) 40% expecting to join labour market – this is an increase The media is still the most popular career area Accountancy is the 8th most popular choice More students are making earlier applications – ‘huge shift’ Queens students make, on average, 5 applications. UK average, is 6.8 Salary expectations - £22,600 UK Graduate Careers Survey

QUB Careers Service Your Careers Service! ROI Graduate Careers Service UK Graduate Careers Service Gti Target Careers www,targetjobs.co.uk Inside Careers UK Careers o.uk NI Careers m Website Publications -Career Planning guides -Helpsheet series Advisers Website Publications -Employer Directories -Sector Guides Websites Website Publications Private sector (own websites or directories) Public sector (own websites or directories) uk ROI Careers Voluntary Sector (own websites or directories) Europe Appropriate Resources

How to find employers/vacancies in NI Graduate Opportunities Section of the Careers website Employer websites eg NI Civil Service Queen’s/UU, NHS individual companies etcwww.nicsrecruitment.gov.ukwww.hpssjobs.com Yell (useful for identifying companies in different occupational areas/locations etc) JobCentre On-line Regional/local/national newspapers eg Belfast Telegraph, Irish News etc Recruitment agencies

Competencies & skills Times Top 100/Directories/sample jobs Identify criteria ‘any discipline’ recruiters want How do you match? In pairs, tell your partner one thing you are good at/do well

CVs Sample CVs Read from an employer’s perspective Discuss – what you liked, what could be improved

Degree Education Basic details ie dates, name of university, course studied, degree result expected/obtained Achievements eg projects, scholarships/prizes awarded, work placements Notable aspects eg features/modules you enjoyed etc Important to say something about what you gained from your degree (think transferability)

Work Experience Basic details ie dates, name of employer, job title Brief overview of duties/what you did Achievements ie skills developed, insights gained, extensions to original term, notable outcomes etc Focus on what you gained rather than what you did (again, think transferability)

Achievements and Interests Your chance to include other relevant details not included in degree/education and work experience eg - Extra-curricular activities at University -Voluntary work -Sporting activities -Other skills eg IT, languages -Achievements outside degree/work experience -Hobbies/pastimes Can be a key factor in demonstrating your motivation and ‘get up and go’ factor

Activities and interests Selectors are more interested in your level of involvement than in what you are involved in. Mention any position of responsibility. Stress social skills e.g. teamwork, motivating others etc. Describe any initiative you developed.

Don’t use weak words such as “did” or “worked”; change them to “achieved” or “implemented”. Include active verbs when describing your activities e.g. achieved, arranged, contributed, established, implemented, initiated, negotiated, organised. Put the most powerful words at the left-hand side of the page: that is were the scanning eye travels first. Not “While I was at Brown and Co. I developed a new database system”, but “Developed a new database system while at Brown and Co”.

Interviews If you get to the interview stage you basically meet the requirements for the job The purpose of the interview is to give the employer a chance to assess your suitability for the role and for you to demonstrate your abilities and personality The interview should be a two-way process Interviews can take different forms eg face-to-face, panel, by telephone etc Can also be ‘stand alone’ or form part of an assessment centre

STAR APPROACH : Will help structure your answers SiTuation Describe the situation or the task that you had to accomplish. Give an example of a specific event or situation, of what you have done in the past. Give enough detail for the interviewer to understand. This situation can be from college, work experience or from your social life. Action you took Describe the action you took ……….keep the focus on you. Even if you are discussing a group project, describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team. Don't tell what you might do, tell what you did Results you achieved What happened? How did the event end? What did you accomplish? What did you learn?

Tell me about yourself Means: Can you present yourself as the best candidate for the job? Approach:  Read the job description  What are the key competencies required?  Prepare a list of your main selling points  Prioritise your list  Start with your best selling point  Introduce the remaining points throughout the interview

Why should we employ you? Means: Can you add value to the company? Approach:  Refer to the job description and your list of selling points.  Briefly summarise how your education, experience and skills match the job.  If given time, you may introduce additional selling points

Why did you apply for this job? Means: How motivated are you? Approach: Do your homework. Make sure they know you’ve done it. List the attractions of the job -Interesting work -Aligns with your previous experience -Real responsibility -Reputation of the company etc. State your desire to work for a company offering these incentives.

Can you give me an example of When you’ve worked as part of a team? Means: Can you work effectively with other people? Approach:  Thinks about teams you belong to.  How do you contribute to their effectiveness?  Provide an example of you supporting others in a team effort.

Can you give an example of when you’ve had to work under pressure? Means: Can you prioritise your work and do you have a work ethic? Approach:  Thinks about a time when you had deadlines to meet.  How did you prioritise your use of time?  Describe the outcome and how you maximised your effectiveness.

What do you do in your spare time? Means: Are you a well-rounded person and do your interests demonstrate other abilities? Approach: Emphasise involvement and achievement. Try to match the skills you have developed with those required by the job. Be enthusiastic. Keep it brief.

What are your strengths and weakness? Means: Are you self-aware and do you have a plan for your own development? Approach:  Link your strengths to the job.  Describe weaknesses in terms of personal development – how you have become stronger.  Mention briefly how you hope to develop further.

Scenario problem solving Means: Can you think on your feet and see the implications of your decisions? Approach: – Make sure you understand the problem – Ask for time to think about it. – Try to consider a number of alternative solutions

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? Means: Have you a career objective that is achievable with this company? Approach: Discuss your personal goals in terms of the job e.g. Acquiring experience and responsibility Developing your management skills Continuous professional development – do not make this a condition!

Have you any questions? Means: They are providing you with an opportunity to clarify any issues that are important to you. Approach: You are still being assessed so ask about eg: training and development performance assessment and prospects for promotion

First Impressions A first impression is often based on the first seconds: Smile Respond in an animated, enthusiastic way Be confident and maintain good eye contact

Body language Research has shown that: 55% is based on appearance 38% is based on tone of voice 7% what is actually said

Resources People – Careers, lecturers, network contacts Websites, as discussed Events – Summer Recruitment Fair, 12 th June Information Room materials