Career planning for final year students

City Campus Careers and Employability Centre Howard Street (next to the main entrance) City Campus Sheffield S1 2LX Phone 0114 225 3752 Email careers@...
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City Campus Careers and Employability Centre Howard Street (next to the main entrance) City Campus Sheffield S1 2LX Phone 0114 225 3752 Email [email protected]

Call into the Student Services Centre in Heart of the Campus. Phone 0114 225 2491

3763.5-08/14

Collegiate Campus

Career planning for final year students

Become a graduate with more

Contents What are my options after graduation?

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Which career is right for me?

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How can I find a job?

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How can I get experience to make me more employable?

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How can I improve my chances of getting a job?

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What help can I get after graduation?

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Where can I find more information?

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Why you need to read this guide Today’s job market is highly competitive, but there are still excellent opportunities for well prepared, flexible and determined graduates. You need to be clear about what you want, what you can offer and how you’re going to find it. This way, you have the best possible chance of securing the career you want.

This guide will help you build on what you’ve already done. It gives you details about the support available, and how we can help you make informed decisions about your next steps – whatever they might be.

Think about your next steps and spend time researching your options.

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What are my options after graduation? When you graduate, there are many options open to you, so have a think about your next steps before you decide what you want to do. Find a graduate job

Career Impact programme

Graduate level jobs specifically ask for the qualifications, skills and experience of a graduate. Many graduate opportunities are also open to graduates from any discipline.

We’re inviting motivated, ambitious individuals who are aiming for a 2.1 or higher to apply for the Career Impact programme. Commencing in autumn 2014 and run by the Careers and Employment Service in connection with employers, it aims to coach, inspire and support you throughout the process of graduate job applications.

There’s a lot of competition for graduate vacancies, particularly the very popular graduate training schemes, so it’s not always easy to get one. It may also be more difficult if you • limit your search to a particular geographical area • are interested in a highly competitive sector

• interactive workshops to prepare you for the application process

• don’t have the work or other experience required by certain industries

• employer input and exclusive networking opportunities

Work your way up

• intensive, one-to-one support with applications and career guidance

Many graduates find that their first jobs are not exactly what they were looking for. Don’t worry – frequent job changing is common after graduation. If you find a job that isn’t at the level you’d aimed for, you can always try to work your way up. By volunteering for extra responsibilities, looking for opportunities to develop and gaining experience, many graduates make rapid progress.

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The programme includes

• the chance to learn from students from other courses and backgrounds Penultimate and final year, home undergraduate students who can attend and contribute to fortnightly group sessions should apply. Applications are particularly encouraged from black and minority ethnic students, care leavers, disabled or LGBT students. See the ‘Employability’ tab on shuspace for details on how to apply.

Go on to further study Many students go on to study at postgraduate level on a full or part-time basis. If you’re considering this option, make sure you think about how it relates to your future career plans and pay special attention to how you can fund it. New national bursaries are available for certain students and Sheffield Hallam offers a discount to its undergraduates. Other sources of funding are also available, but you will need to research how to access them. See the ‘Further study’ section of Careers Central for details.

Become self employed If you’re interested in becoming your own boss, the Enterprise Team in our Research and Innovation Office can help. They offer a range of resources to students and recent graduates, including specialist business advice, free office space and weekly drop-sessions in the Careers and Employability Centre. Whatever stage you’re at they can offer the support needed to turn your dream into a reality. Visit shu.ac.uk/startup or email [email protected] to find out more.

Take some time out You might want to consider taking some time out after graduation. Our Careers and Employability Centre and Careers Central have plenty of information on this topic for you to explore.

Top - Find more out about postgraduate options at our study fairs. Bottom - Our Research and Innovation Office can help you become self-employed.

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Which career is right for me? Deciding on a career can be difficult, but awareness of your skills, interests, motivations and individual circumstances will help you. Take some time to think about the following questions. What are my interests? Reflecting on your interests can help you to learn more about yourself, including the careers that suit you best. What’s my personality? Knowing more about what kind of person you are can help you to decide what you want to do next. What skills do I have? The key to a successful application is your ability to reflect on what you have to offer, and explain how that matches the job requirements.

Career Mentoring Scheme This scheme gives you a unique insight into the career or industry you are interested in by connecting you with a related professional working within it. It’s also a great addition to your CV and extends your network of contacts. The scheme can be evidenced as part of the Hallam Award. Applications are particularly encouraged from black and minority ethnic students, care leavers, disabled or LGBT students. Details are available on Careers Central or email [email protected]

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What are my values? Understanding what your personal values are and identifying those which are most important to you can help you achieve a satisfying balance in your life – inside and outside work. Use the online tools and information on Careers Central to discover more about yourself and how to find fulfilling and enjoyable work. Look under ‘Self awareness’ via the ‘Planning your future’ tab.

Careers advisers can help you find the right job.

Useful resources There are lots of tools at your disposal to help you find the right career, so give some of these a try. • Visit Careers Central, our online career planning resource, via shuspace. This includes information to help you find a career that suits you. • Select the ‘Options with your subject’ tab for detailed information about what you can do after your degree. • Try an online career planner which asks you questions about yourself and uses your responses to suggest occupations for you to explore. Find the Prospects and TARGETjobs planners via the ‘Planning your future/Career planning for beginners’ tab on Careers Central.

• Talk to friends, relatives, tutors, and careers advisers and see what they suggest. • Organise some work shadowing. This is a fantastic way of trying out a job role or sector that you think you’re interested in. • If you’ve already had a job or completed a placement, make sure you reflect on what you did and what you achieved. Did your experience confirm your career interests or open up other options?

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How can I find a job? Finding the right job can be challenging. Here are some suggestions to help you with your search. Don’t forget you can also speak to one of our employment advisers. Find graduate jobs on Careers Central

Send speculative letters and CVs

We advertise around 3,000 graduate jobs each year from local, regional and national employers on shuspace. See ‘Graduate vacancies’ under the ‘Employability’ tab on shuspace or via the vacancy feed on Careers Central.

Not all employers advertise their vacancies. Instead they rely on graduates to proactively approach them about opportunities which involves putting together a covering letter and sending it off with your CV to show you’re interested in working for them. Make sure you thoroughly research the company first. Our employment advisers can advise you with this type of approach.

Make sure you log in and set your preferences to receive our weekly newsletter so we can send you details about the jobs that interest you.

Useful resources

Careers fairs and events

Attend our recruitment fairs

• Visit the ‘Finding a job’ tab on Careers Central.

Further details are available on Careers Central.

You can meet over 100 national and international graduate recruiters in one afternoon at the annual Graduate Recruitment Fairs at the University of Sheffield. Visit sheffieldcareersfairs.ac.uk for details. Your faculty may also organise smaller recruitment events for specific subjects and there are regular events in the Careers and Employability Centre.

• Find job vacancies on the ‘Employability’ tab on shuspace.

Autumn semester

• Test your interview skills using our Interview Simulator online via the ‘CV/Applications/ Interviews’ tab on Careers Central. • Create or improve your CV using our CV Builder via the ‘CV/Applications/Interviews’ tab on Careers Central.

Make the most of social media Many jobs are advertised on social media sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Sign up to network with professionals, get insider knowledge of job sectors and find employment. you can also book a LinkedIn profile check at one of our regular sessions in the Careers and Employability Centre. 8

Industry events are a great way to network with potential employers.

Applications for many graduate training schemes and some postgraduate courses, like teaching and law conversion courses, close by the end of the first term of your final year – so don’t delay. Make sure you allow enough time to get your application checked by an employment adviser before you send it off.

Work While You Study Fair Wednesday 1 October, 11.00am-2.00pm Careers and Employability Centre, City Campus Science and Health Fair Thursday 23 October, 12.30–3.30pm, Hallam Hall, City Campus Built Environment Careers Fair Tuesday 28 October, 11.00am-2.30pm, Hallam Hall and Careers and Employability Centre, City Campus Engineering and Technology Fair Tuesday 4 November, 10.30am–3.30pm, Octagon Centre (University of Sheffield) Business, Finance and Languages Fair Wednesday 5 November, 10.30am–3.30pm, Octagon Centre (University of Sheffield)

Law Fair Wednesday 19 November, 12.30–3.30pm, Octagon Centre (University of Sheffield)

Spring semester Working and Teaching Abroad Fair Wednesday 28 January, 11.00am- 2.00pm Careers and Employability Centre, City Campus Work While You Study Fair (part of National Student Employment Week, 23–27 February) Wednesday 25 February, 11.00am-2.00pm, Careers and Employability Centre, City Campus Graduate Careers and Summer Internships Fair Thursday 12 March, 3-–6pm, Hallam Hall and Careers Employability Centre, City Campus

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How can I get experience to make me more employable? Employers really value hands-on experience. It helps boost your CV and applications so you really stand out. Even as a final year student there are plenty of ways you can get experience, and many of the activities suggested below can count towards the Hallam Award. Find out more at hallamstudentsunion.org Get a part-time job

Think about an internship

We advertise a huge range of part-time, vacation and voluntary opportunities on Careers Central.

We advertise paid internships via Careers Central which can be a brilliant way of getting vital, relevant experience. We won’t advertise unpaid internships but depending on your circumstances you could also consider this.

Some jobs may relate directly to what you’re studying or the career you want, but the transferable skills you develop in most jobs will impress future employers. Its not too late to get a part-time job even if you haven’t worked before. Graduate employers are unlikely to offer a post to someone with no work experience.

Line up some casual work on campus We recruit students for casual roles in the University, including events assistants, room surveyors, telephone survey assistants, student ambassadors and administrative assistants. See ‘Campus jobs’ under the ‘Employability’ tab on shuspace.

Volunteer with Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union Volunteering is an excellent way to get work experience. You’ll also develop desirable transferrable skills so you can impress future employers. And because you’re making a real difference to people’s lives, you’ll get a great sense of pride and fulfilment too.

Become a student rep As a student rep, you represent your course or faculty to the University and Students’ Union – developing many skills to enhance your CV. You can find full details at hallamstudentsunion.org/studentreps

Get involved in clubs and societies Many clubs and societies give you the chance to practise your administration, marketing and promotional skills, and being part of or leading a team offers opportunities for development. And it looks great on your CV! Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union offers a huge variety of activities. Visit hallamstudentsunion.org to find out more. We recommend that you don’t work more than 15 hours a week to allow you time to concentrate on your studies especially in your final year of study.

Visit hallamstudentsunion.org/volunteering to find out how you can get involved.

Top - You can work on campus by becoming a student ambassador. Middle and bottom - Volunteering can give you experience in an area that interests you.

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How can I improve my chances of getting a job? There are lots of ways you can improve your chances of finding the job you want. Here are a few suggestions. See an adviser

Develop your business ideas

Our one-to-one sessions are incredibly useful whether you have a specific job in mind or you want a broader discussion to explore your options. A session with a careers adviser will be especially helpful if you are uncertain about what to do after you graduate.

If you’re interested in becoming your own boss, the Enterprise Team in our Research and Innovation Office can help. They offer a range of resources to students and recent graduates, including specialist business advice and free office space. Whatever stage you’re at they can offer the support you need.

Our employment advisers can help you with everything related to finding jobs and applying for them. They’ll make sure you know how to make quality applications both now and in the future. You can see an employment adviser either in the Careers and Employability Centre or in your faculty. Ask your local helpdesk for details or visit the ‘Contact us’ tab on Careers Central.

Create a winning CV Make sure you keep updating your master CV throughout your final year. This will be the main source of information for every application you make even if you are completing an application form. If you think your CV needs an overhaul or you need to start from scratch, we can help. Our Career Builder tool is incredibly helpful and you can access it via Careers Central. Come to our Careers and Employability Centre to speak to an employment adviser and pick up some useful handouts.

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Visit shu.ac.uk/startup or email [email protected] to find out more.

Practise your interview technique We offer regular practice interview panels which are just like the real thing. Dress for the occasion and let us know the type of work you are applying for. We’ll give you instant feedback, designed to improve your performance and confidence. You can also try our Interview Simulator online via the ‘CV/ Applications/Interviews’ tab on Careers Central.

Join the Career Mentoring Scheme This scheme gives you the chance to link with a professional from an organisation or job role that interests you. See the details on page 6.

Know what employers are looking for For a good overview of the skills employers value most, have a look at the ‘Finding a job’ and ‘Options with your subject’ tabs on Careers Central.

Top - Careers advisers and mentors can give you valuable support. Bottom left - Make contacts and network at our employer events. Bottom right - Get valuable experience during a summer internship.

Attend an employer event

Help tailored to international students

Our employer events are a fantastic way to meet graduate recruiters and find out exactly what they’re looking for. We run a full programme of employer-led company presentations, employability skills sessions and on-campus interviews.

We run one-to-one career coaching sessions and regular career planning workshops specifically for international students. You can find a range of information about all of these areas on Careers Central via the ‘Employability’ tab on shuspace.

Get some experience See page 10 for more information about how you can get valuable work experience.

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What help can I get after graduation?

Where can I find more information?

Our help doesn’t stop after you finish your course, so make the most of the resources available to you as a Sheffield Hallam graduate.

Whether you want to find the information for yourself or speak to someone in person, there’s a lot of help available.

Alumni networks

Careers Central

Support in your faculty

Join Alumni Connect to access graduate vacancies on Careers Central, online career resources and professional networks. Current final year students can register to join before leaving university.

Careers Central is the one stop resource to help you plan your future and get where you want to be. It includes information about

You can see the employment adviser attached to your department in your own faculty. Ask your local helpdesk how to book an appointment. You can find the name of the adviser linked to your department on the ‘Contact us’ tab on Careers Central.

• deciding what you want to do • what employers want • how to find work with your subject • live job vacancies • careers workshops and employer events

Find out more at shu.ac.uk/alumniconnect

Services for graduates You can continue to use the Careers and Employment Service after you graduate. Stay in touch by contacting or calling into the Careers and Employability Centre. You can continue to see a careers adviser for up to three years after you graduate and use our Careers Central resources indefinitely. All our contact details are on the back page of this booklet.

Get involved in an internship programme We keep track of all the local, regional and national schemes that have been developed to help you get your career off to the best possible start. These include the Sheffield based RISE, paid internships which we are developing with Sheffield City Council. This programme will support your entry into the graduate labour market and in many cases results in a permanent job. You can find details on Careers Central or via the ‘Employability’ tab on shuspace. 14

You can still access careers support after graduation.

You can access this information externally by registering at shu.ac.uk/careers

Let us know how you get on Six months after you graduate we’ll send you a link to a nationally organised Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey to find out what you’ve been doing. This is really important for the University, so if you don’t complete the survey online, we will attempt to contact you with a phone call. Please let us know if you change your contact details. It will provide valuable information for the graduates who follow you, and give us a sense of whether you feel you have been well prepared for your next steps.

Find us via the ‘Employability’ tab on shuspace or Blackboard.

Careers and Employability Centre

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9am–5.15pm Wednesday 10.30am–7pm (during teaching weeks) Friday 9am–4.45pm

Our new Careers and Employability Centre at City Campus has everything you need to help you find a job. You can

See shuspace or phone us for opening times during holidays.

• talk to our staff about your future career, further study options, or taking time out

Find us on social media

• get help to find part-time and graduate vacancies • attend a range of events and presentations – check the ‘Employability’ tab on shuspace for the latest updates or our events feed on Careers Central

Our Twitter accounts and Facebook page enable you to stay up to date with careersrelated news, vacancies and events. Add @SHUCareers, @SHUStudentJobs, @SHU_GradJobs and like facebook.com/ SHUCareers

• come to our drop-in CV checking service every day from 12-1pm. Also available at Heart of the Campus, Collegiate – contact us for details. We’re open each weekday during teaching weeks. 2 15