1. International Students - Get hired!
Welcome to the
Careers and
Employability Centre
welcome and introductions
lunch time briefings occur everyday – CVs, Sussex plus, pt work and IS briefing
flexible session try to cover what ever you want to discuss

2. Information about…… Application forms Curriculum Vitae
Interview skills
Working in the UK during your studies
Including – part time work, internships and placements
Resources available from CEC .

3. Application forms What are they for?
To pre-select a manageable number of suitable candidates for a particular job against a list of criteria (skills and experience)
To get selected for interview, you have to match this criteria.
Most graduate application forms are online

4. Application form - Getting Started
Find out about the company and the job
Employers use competency based questions
So, look at the key words in the person specification
How will you show that you match the job or person specification?
Allow time to complete the form ahead of any deadline

5. Application form – types of questions
1.Straight forward questions..
‘Please list your qualifications…..’
2.Empty page questions 'Please use this space to explain why you should be considered for this position….use additional pages if you need to’
3.Complex questions
‘Describe an occasion when you have had to explain something complicated to someone? Why was it important and how did you approach it?’

6. Application form – STAR formula
S situation or scenario T task or challenge A action, what did you do? R result, positive outcomes

7. Application form - example
Eg. Organisation skills I worked as an activity leader on a children's summer camp in America. There were ten leaders and due to bad weather we had to come up with a plan to keep the children busy indoors. I suggested we brainstorm some ideas and then get into groups of three to spend an hour developing one idea each. I then drew up a rota so that we all knew what we were doing and when. The extra activities were popular and the other leaders were happy to have shared the workload and limited the amount of additional work.

8. Application form - tips
Work in draft first
Follow guidelines for on-line applications
Check for spelling and grammar
Complete all the sections of all the questions
Be positive!

9. CV design Content: Personal details such as name and contact details
Education history
Employment/voluntary work
Skills and experiences
Achievements and Interests
References
There are many different styles of CV, some of you will be used to a CV that is longer, shorter, more detailed or less, with or without a photo (Global resumme book for examples of CV from around the world)
Generally in the UK these are the guidelines…….

10. CV design Design: Two pages in length - clear layout, use headings
A personal profile/objective - optional but useful
Ensure that you check the spelling and grammar
Be concise and use bullet points, and spacing
Positive impression on page 1 so the employer is impressed
Taylor your CV to the job, it may be different to your friends CV, the important thing is that is does you justice and demonstrates your skills and experience (not necessarily in paid work)

11. Interview - preparation
Make sure you prepare
Remember it’s a two way process
Know your CV inside out
Revise the job specification
Plan what to wear
Smile

12. Part time working in the UK - Working in term time
Students on a Tier 4 visa are usually allowed to be in paid employment for up to 20 hours per week during term
Only Undergrads can work full time during the vacation.
Postgrads can work full time after the official end of their programme
Restrictions include self employment , professional sportsperson or entertainer
The University recommends that you only undertake paid work for up to 15 hours per week if you are an undergraduate (20 hours per week if postgrad)
Jobs advertised our website
Students from outside the EEA are restricted to the number of hours you can work each week during term time. The University of Sussex guidelines recommend that undergraduate students work for a maximum of 15 hours per week during term time. Some postgraduates find that they can fit in 20 hours per week but this will depend on you and your course. Before undertaking any employment you should satisfy yourself that your studies will not be affected.
Many students work full-time during vacations. Vacations are the times outside the academic year ie the term dates. Full-time work in the UK is normally seen by employers as around 37 hours a week.
A lot of you will be interested in finding work on campus. The University policy is to advertise part time jobs to students so jobs do come up. The University often employs students to work in administration positions and also to help out at events such as Open Days and our graduate recruitment fair.
Jobs on campus are very competitive and go quickly so make sure you make a good application and apply early. We can help you with your CVs, application forms etc

13. Part time working in the UK – The things you need to know
National minimum wage (£7.20ph)
- Highest rate available
Income Tax (payable if earning over £10,660 per year)
National Insurance (payable if earning over £155 per week)
You must have a NI number
Complete forms possibly attend interview at Job centre
So, once you’ve established that you can work part time whilst you’re studying, here are the additional things you need to know
There are 2 levels of minimum wage
£6.08 aged 21+
£4.98 aged 18-21
Jobs advertised on our website will be at least £6.08
All workers in the UK are subject to income tax, including students. However there is a threshold which you can earn without paying tax. During the tax year 2011/12 this is £7475 per year. Further information about income tax and which forms you need to fill in when you start work are available from our website.
National Insurance number – all workers in the UK need to have one. If you weren’t here at age 16 you won’t have one so you need to apply. Full details of how to get a number are on our website
If you earn more than £139 a week and up to £817 a week, you pay 12 per cent of the amount you earn between £139 and £817.
Jobcentre Plus will arrange an 'Evidence of Identity' interview for you or send you a postal application.
The interview will usually be one-to-one (unless, for example, you need an interpreter). You will be asked questions about why you need a National Insurance number, your background and circumstances
Health and safety – you should have a health and safety induction when you start work. This will cover things such as who to contact in an emergency and fire regulations.

14. How to get more help… Workshops – Finding PT work, CVs, Applications..
Careers Advisers available daily 11-5pm
Events – listed on news & events page
Follow us on twitter & face book
Careers and Employability web site

15. Career planning sessions this term for international students..
Job search techniques workshop (Weds 9th Nov)
Employability workshop – Evidencing your skills and experience (Weds 16th Nov)
Gradlink –
‘Selling your UK degree in the China graduate job market’ ( Weds 9th Nov)

16. Save the Date! All students welcome! Wednesday 2 November 11am – 3pm
Sponsored by:
Save the Date!
Wednesday 2 November
11am – 3pm
The Amex Stadium
130+ exhibitors…
1 iconic venue!
All students welcome!