Careers Service 1 The Careers Service What we can do: * Help with choosing a career * Advice on postgraduate study, in the UK and overseas * Help with making applications, writing CVs and preparing for interviews What we cannot do: * We do not recommend students to employers * We cannot provide specific lists of employers recruiting people from your country or your degree subject * We do not do a thorough proof-reading or correct all mistakes in spelling or grammar in job applications, although we will point out any areas that need improving. * We are not qualified to give detailed advice about your entitlement to work in the UK

Careers Service 2 What can I do for work? Work in … Shops - food, clothes, supermarkets Leisure & entertainment - cinema, leisure centre, library, Small Office - on reception answering phone calls (depends on level of english) helping out with some administration work Rest & bars - waitressing, bar work At QM - some jobs available on campus

Careers Service 3 How do I find out about jobs? General Resources Job hunting websites Local newspapers Careers Service Jobshop Careers Service part time jobs board Company website: in the ‘About us’ or ‘Work for us’ section –look in the Mile End area phone directory –look in the Yellow Pages (both of these available in the library)

Careers Service 4 Jobs at Queen Mary Queen Mary jobs in central or academic departments Find these at E.g. Education Liaison Office E.g. Learning Support Service E.g. Conference and Events E.g. Human Resources E.g. Students Union E.g. Shops on campus

Careers Service 5 Shops Retail jobs Look at specific shop websites: get ideas of shops to look at by going to where you can look at shops on Oxford Street How to apply for jobs: Go into the store / apply online at their website

Careers Service 6 Leisure and Entertainment Cinema Pubs Leisure centre (sports) Bowling alley, roller disco London tourist attractions Find out about specific locations through a google search or the phone directory

Careers Service 7 Waitering / Waitressing Recruitment agencies for this type of work: Admiral - High Society –Contact Fergus on or (excellent English required) Michael Wisher and Associates Ltd (excellent English required) FMC Ltd –

Careers Service 8 Work in an office Open to you if you have previous experience in: - working in an office - answering phone calls Good English required! Available through recruitment agencies: - Reed, Adecco, Kelly Services, Manpower

Careers Service 9 Things to watch for… You should never have to pay an agency a fee: if they ask for money that means they ar acting illegally - don’t go there! If you receive an saying that you will be given work if you send them your bank details don’t give them! This is a fraud and they are trying to steal your money!

Careers Service 10 What if I can’t get a job? It may happen that you have trouble finding a job if you don’t have a much previous experience of working or if your English isn’t very strong. Don’t worry you can do something about that. Volunteering will give you experience and anyone can do that through the QM organisation Provide. As you do this and through your studies your english will improve and you may be in a place to get some part time work in the new year. Type of work Provide offer: - children & young people, refugee groups, older people, legal and advocacy work for those of you in law, hospitals and health work Go onto their website and register with them or else drop in and see them to ask your questions in the SU bar.

Careers Service 11 Don’t worry!!!!!

Careers Service 12 How do I apply for a job? Download an application form from website or Send the organisation a CV & covering letter if requested by them then Wait to see if they contact you for an interview…

Careers Service 13 Your CV Personal Details Education Work Experience Interests/Achievements References Don’t use boxes on your CV - lay it out as in this example X 123 Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS Education BSc Management, Queen Mary University (2008-) High School (Country) ( ) Grades IB / A level equivalent Work Experience ( ) Sales Assistant, X Shop Answering customers enquiries & providing good ustomer service: example Stocktaking & maintaining the shop floor Managing a team of three people: example Interests Music: part of X youth orchestra for four years, with weekly rehearsals and a summer tour References: Name & Address & Name, address &

Careers Service 14 Personal Details, Education & Experience on your CV The content: CVs will have the following sections. Personal Details Include your name, address, phone number and . Your gender, marital status and date of birth should not have any bearing on whether you get the job, so unless you think you need to be particularly clear, you don’t need to include these. Education: list in reverse order List the details of your university education and your A & A/S levels (or equivalent) with grades. Note the number of GCSEs your attained and, if you wish, detail how many at each grade. If your degree/masters/PhD is directly relevant to the job you are applying for you may wish to include details about the course, such as the modules you took, a description of your final year project or dissertation and some of the skills you learn from it. Work Experience: list in reverse order Include part time, temporary, and voluntary experience as well as conventional paid work, starting with the most recent and working backwards. Employers are interested in all of the experience you have had, whether it’s voluntary and unrelated to your target job, or paid and directly related. That’s because you learn something from every job - it’s about showing them what you learnt from what you did. You may want to divide the information into two sections 'Relevant Work Experience', which is related to the job you are applying for, and 'Other Work Experience'. That way you keep your most interesting experience near the top of the CV. Use this section to show what you learnt to do as well as describing your role. Focus on those qualities which the employer is looking for e.g. teamwork, communication. - more about that in a minute.

Careers Service 15 What are my ‘skills’ for the Experience part of my CV? Interpersonal skills Communication Problem solving Time Management Teamwork Leadership Self-motivation Decision making Work under pressure

Careers Service 16 Interests and References on your CV Interests / Achievements This is usually a short section including leisure activities, memberships of clubs and societies, positions of responsibility and travel, showing that you do more than work and study! You can use this to show your strengths: organising society events or practicing a martial arts, for example, shows qualities such as dedication, organisation and time management. References Two people: use any combination of: personal tutor, a former employer or someone who has a professional job who knows you well socially. If your former employer lives abroad give an and phone number for them

Careers Service 17 Changing your CV What the company wants = what you have to offer Think about the main responsibilities of the job Analyse the skills that are required: employers are more interested in your skills and personal qualities and you showing evidence of that than your qualifications

Careers Service 18 Presentation Two sides of A4 or less Use good quality A4 paper Make it neat and tidy, using capitals and bold print to make sure the information is clearly laid out. Focus on the qualities and skills that you have learnt. List your education and work experience in reverse order Perfect spelling and grammer Avoid gaps of time

Careers Service 19 Your Covering Letter Beginning This identifies who you are, what you are applying for, and how you heard about it. Middle To explain why you are right for the job. To explain why they are right for you. End Briefly states your availability for interview. Sign off the letter: Yours sincerely if you addressed to a particular name, or Yours faithfully if you used a job title/Sir/Madam.

Careers Service 20 Layout Abi Sharma Queen Mary University Mile End Road London E1 4NS Mrs Bishop HR Administrator Topshop Oxford Street WC1 9 October 2008 Dear Mrs Bishop, Yours faithfully Abi Sharma Date Name My name and address

Careers Service 21 How can we help you? Advertise part-time work Check your CV & covering letter Mock Interview Talk through any questions

Careers Service 22 Queen Mary Careers Service WG3 Queens Building – Opening times: Monday-Thursday10.30am-5pm Friday10.30am-4pm Drop-in sessions: Monday-Thursday10.30am-12.30pm 2.00pm-4.30pm Part of