1. Careers and Employability Centre
International students – Build and promote your employability skills Claire Ward – Careers and Employability Consultant
Careers and Employability Centre

2. What we do.. Careers and Employability Centre
Advice and information on how you can develop your skills and experience whilst studying, including getting involved with student societies, volunteering and other extra curricular activities.
First floor, Library
Mon-Friday 10-5pm

3. Information about
Identifying your employability skills and competencies
Providing evidence of your skills and competencies
Applying for jobs
CEC events and resources

4. Identifying your skills
CV checklist handout
Choose a skill to focus on
Write down something that would demonstrate this skill
How would you give evidence of having this skill?

5. Evidence of skills How to gain experience and develop skills
Placement year
Volunteering
Vacation internships/schemes
Work experience
Part time work
Clubs and societies
Student rep/ambassador roles

6. Evidence of skills S situation or scenario T task or challenge
A action, what did you do?
R result, positive outcomes

7. Example 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. How to apply for job Application form CV Cover letter Phone employer
Call in
Linked in

9. 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!

10. CV design A CV usually contains the following: Personal details
inc. name and contact details
Education history
Employment/voluntary work
Skills and experiences
Achievements
Interests and hobbies
References

11. CV
Two pages in length – clear layout you can use headings to separate sections
A personal profile/objective – optional but useful
Ensure you check spelling and grammar
Be concise, use bullet points and space
Make a positive impression on the first page so the employer is immediately aware of what you can do

12. Cover letters First paragraph Who are you and why are you writing?
Second paragraph
What attracts you to the job and what have you done
that makes you a suitable applicant
Third paragraph
What attracts you to the organisation- research the company and why you want to work for them specifically
Fourth paragraph
Your availability for interview and your enthusiasm to discuss your application in person at interview
What about speculative letters?

13. Part time work in the uk
Students on a Tier 4 visa are usually allowed to be in paid employment for up to 20 hours per week during term
Undergrads can work full time during the vacation.
Postgrads can work full time during the Christmas and Easter vacation and after the official end of their programme (currently)
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)
Student jobs are advertised our website – log into CareerHub and ‘vacancies’

14. Student jobs on Careerhub
National minimum wage (£7.50ph) or above
Income Tax (only payable if earning over £11000 per year)
National Insurance (only payable if earning over £155 per week)
You must have a NI number
ussex.ac.uk/careers

15. Come to our sessions for international students
Lockin China (Wed18th Oct 5pm)
Mandarin Consultants (Weds 26th Oct)
Career Fair (Weds 8th Nov)
Grad link (Thurs 9th Nov)
‘Using Linked in for job search’

17. Signpost session: Career planning – start here!

18. Title

19. Come to our sessions for international students
Tuesday 3rd October – Get hired! Practical advice on applying for placements, internships & jobs
Most Tier 4 students can work part time and also apply for a professional placement year or vacation internship (sometimes called a vacation scheme). Knowing when and how to apply is crucial if you want to take advantage of this opportunity. This session will prepare you to make winning applications.
Tuesday 10th October – 10 effective job search strategies
Not sure where, when or how to start looking for vacancies, or how to organise your job/placement search? This session will provide 10 logical steps to help you to make positive applications and approach employers with confidence.
Wednesday 18th Oct 12-1 – How to build and promote your employability skills
‘Explain how your skills and experience meet the job description’ - most application forms will include a question asking you to explain why you are the best person for the job. In this session you can explore your skills and experience in advance so that you will be able to answer this question and make a positive impression.

20. How we can help Website www.sussex.ac.uk/careers - start here!
Briefing sessions – working part time,
CV design, interview practice etc.
Events including Careers Fair 8th Nov 2017
Careers and Employability Consultants
Offering CV advice, personal statements, cover letters etc.