YearONE

YearTWO

FinalYEAR

Employability and Careers Centre

www.essex.ac.uk/careers

A year by year guide to planningyour career

Although 3 years sounds like a longtime, don’t leave it until your finalyear to think about your future.

Employers are looking for muchmore than just a degree. It’simportant to start getting work-related experience from year one todevelop real skills to give you the beststart in the graduate job market.

So start investigating opportunitiesnow so that you can plan ahead!

Get some experience on your CVVisit the Employability and Careers Centrewebsite www.essex.ac.uk/careers/ job_hunting/on_campus.aspx to find out about the many paidand unpaid opportunities the University of Essexoffers to students to help you gain thosetransferable skills that employers are looking for.

On-Campus Opportunities: The Students’ Union is the biggest studentemployer on campus with over 350 studentstaff: www.essexstudent.com/jobs

Get volunteering with the V-team:www.essexstudent.com/activities/volunteering

Frontrunners is the University’s unique paidplacement scheme which gives students theopportunity to undertake challenging employmentaround campus: www.essex.ac.uk/frontrunners

Off-Campus Opportunities:JobsOnline is our online vacancy board. Searchour extensive vacancy listings for a range ofpart-time roles, vacation work, internships andgraduate opportunities:www.essex.ac.uk/JobsOnline

Essex Interns is here to help you find paidpractical work experience with local, national andeven international employers. Emailinternships@essex.ac.uk or find us on Facebookat www.facebook.com/internshipsessex.

The Big essex Award Sign up for the Employability Award and getrecognition for all your extra-curricular activityand work experience on your transcript!www.essex.ac.uk/bige. Email the Awards Teambige@essex.ac.uk

Get involved with university lifeGet active in the Students' Union's sports cluband societies. Getting involved in campusactivities will help you develop new skills andexperiences: www.essexstudent.com/activities

It’s never too

early to start…

2

Get started on your CV Getting it right now will make it easier to updatefor your future job applications.

The Essex CV pack is a completely self-contained resource pack that takes you throughthe whole CV and covering letter writingprocess: www.essex.ac.uk/careers/essexcv

The Essex Application pack gives guidance oncompleting competency-based and statement-based job application forms:www.essex.ac.uk/careers/essexapplication

Book onto a CV Basics workshop to help youcreate a winning CV. Book your place on-line atwww.essex.ac.uk/careers/eventbooking

Learn about yourselfMake use of Career Planner to discover whatmotivates you. What do you want from a job?What skills and qualities can you already offeremployers? Find out at www.prospects.ac.uk/myprospects_ planner_login.htm

Apply for Insight DaysGet the opportunity to gain knowledge andinsight into an industry by carrying out a short-term placement: www.ratemyplacement.co.uk

Essex AbroadStart planning now to broaden your horizonsand develop your skills. The Essex Abroad team

can help you find a suitable study abroadplacement or assist you once you have foundyourself a work, research or volunteerplacement: www.essex.ac.uk/studyabroad

Student EnterpriseDevelop your enterprise and entrepreneurialflair by getting involved in our studententerprise programme on campus:www.essex.ac.uk/careers/my_degree

Attend developmental workshopsThe Employability and Careers Centre offers arange of workshops, employer fairs, CV clinicsand more throughout the year. See the fullprogramme at www.essex.ac.uk/careers/events

Consider the module choices for yoursecond year Think about how your second year modulesmay relate to your career interests. If in doubt,check with your personal tutor or seek advicefrom the careers team.

Come and talk to us!Our Careers team provides careers informationand advice to students. Visit our Employabilityand Careers Centre on our Colchester Campusif you would like to see us or make anappointment with a Careers Adviser. If you arestudying at our Southend Campus you can talkto our Careers Co-ordinator.

Year ONE

3

The start of year two is a time forreflection, planning and action.Speak to our careers team to reflecton your experiences, make careerdecisions and develop action plans.

If you concentrate on developingyour career plans during yoursecond/penultimate year, with afocus on the specific skills for theoccupation you are considering, youwon’t find yourself over-burdened inyour final year.

Research career optionsBegin actively researching different jobs andidentifying those of interest. Attend relevantcareers fairs and employer campus visits. Ourevents run throughout the year and focus onkey job hunting skills and provide insights intopopular graduate careers. Check out our termlyevents programme where you can book a placeonline: www.essex.ac.uk/careers/events

At our Colchester campus our annual Optionsand Law fairs give you the opportunity to meettop employers, find out more about your careeroptions and find internship and graduateopportunities.

Develop your job hunting skills Continue to build your work experience. Visitthe Employability and Careers Centre websitefor a wide range of resources to help you findwork experience through part-time jobs andvolunteering www.essex.ac.uk/careers/job_hunting/on_campus.aspx. For more detailsof our on and off-campus opportunities,including our Frontrunner placement schemesee page 2.

Get more experienceGaining practical hands-on experience in theworkplace is vital for developing valuableworkplace skills. Get a summer workexperience placement or an internship. Startlooking for internships in the autumn term asmany closing dates are as early as Decemberor January!

Make speculative applicationsBe proactive! Not all internships are advertised.Write speculative applications direct toorganisations, especially if you are interested inareas such as journalism, media and creativecareers where internships are rarely advertised.Always tailor your CV and covering letter toeach organisation and role you apply for.

Sign up for Essex InternsIf you have not already done so, register withEssex Interns for paid work experience to boostyour employment prospects: www.essex.ac.uk/careers/internships

Focus your career

plans and get relevant

experience…

4

Search for opportunitiesWork experience placements and internshipsare also listed on careers websites such as: www.prospects.ac.uk/work_experience.htm

www.thegraduate.co.uk

graduatetalentpool.direct.gov.uk

www.ratemyplacement.co.uk

Develop your interview skills and get practisingFamiliarise yourself with interview questions:www.essex.ac.uk/careers/applications/interviews.aspx. Find out about assessment centresand practise aptitude tests for free:www.essex.ac.uk/careers/applications/tests.aspx

Continue to develop your skillsParticipate in clubs, societies, sport andvolunteering opportunities to help showcaseyour skills on your CV. Employers are interestedin students who involve themselves in theuniversity culture:www.essexstudent.com/activities

Investigate appropriate coursesAttend Postgraduate study fairs across thecountry. Remember that popular coursesrequire early applications.

Continue developing your occupational skillsThe Skills Centre offers the Professional SkillsDevelopment Module. Enrol on one or moreemployability modules in different departmentsand get academic credit for work experience.The learning from work module is available inselected departments: www.essex.ac.uk/skillscentre/employability/modules.aspx

Learn a new languageJoin our award winning ‘Languages for All’programme to get a competitive edge ingraduate employment. Study a languagealongside your course at no extra cost for oneyear: www.essex.ac.uk/study/languagesforall

Consider how you will spend your summerUse your summer holiday to gain experienceand skills that will build your CV and make youmore attractive to employers and postgraduatecourses. Gain experience and developnetworking contacts through a summer job,volunteer post, work placement or overseasopportunity: www.essex.ac.uk/careers/job_hunting/on_campus.aspx

Year TWO

5

Year ONE Year T

REMEMBERyou can visit theEmployability andCareers Centre at anystage of your universitylife to discuss yourcareer plans and helpyou make the most ofyour Essex Experience.

A degree is just a start. Employers

are looking for people who stand

out from the crowd. They want

graduates who have real-life skills

that can be applied to their

organisations, so think ahead and

start planning your future now!

What you should be doing and when...

6

Autumn Spring Summer

Visit the Employability and Careers Centre. Get some guidance from a Career

Get paid or voluntary experience on your CV. Check out JobsOnline, the Students' Union, Frontrunners an

Sign up for The Big essex Award.

Join clubs or societies.

Develop your CV & application writing. Download the Essex CV and Application p

Learn about yourself. Make use of Prospects Career Planner.

Begin researching career options. Attend careers fairs & employer visits. Options Fair and Law Fair 2013

Think about how your second yearmodules relate to your career plan.

Essex Abroad. Consider studying or working abroad

Get involved in the Student Enterprise Programme

Develop your job hunting skills.

Apply for work experience and internships. Sign up with Essex Interns.

Develop your interview skills and practice online tests and e

Start researching graduate employment

Autumn Spring

Short list care

Gain

Carry out i

TWO FINAL year

TIMELINE Career

7

rs Adviser Pick up the newest graduate directories

Register with recruitment agencies and online vacancy boardsnd Essex Interns.

pack.

3.

exercises

Start applying for and attending interviews for graduate employment andpostgraduate study

Attend interviews

Summer Autumn Spring Summer

Up date your CV and start applying!

eer ideas

relevant work experience

ndepth investigation of top careers

Decide which companies to apply to

Search creatively for jobs with small to medium-sized companies and get networking with contacts.

Practise psychometric tests and prepare for assessment centres

Research postgraduate study options

Research employment sectors

Your final year will be busy. Yourstudy demands will increase,particularly in the summer termwhen you should concentrate onrevision and your final exams. Butdon’t lose sight of you career goals.It’s important that you set aside timeeach week to focus on developingyour career plans.

The best time to focus on your careerplans will be during the autumnterm, which is convenient as mostemployers open their recruitment atthis time of year. But remember,apply as early as possible!

Pick up the newest graduate directoriesProspects Directory, Times Top 100, GETDirectory – all available to take away from theEmployability and Careers Centre

Check for early closing datesMany popular professions set deadlines fromOctober to December. For example, graduateschemes within the financial sector, CivilService and Primary PGCE.

Think about your future nowMeet employers and explore possible careeroptions at employer workshops andpresentations on campus and at externalevents. Meet top graduate employers at ourOptions 2013 Careers Fair. Visit our events page: www.essex.ac.uk/careers/events

Update your CV and make applicationsMake sure your CV is up-to-date and startapplying.

The Essex CV pack takes you through the CV-writing process from beginning to end:www.essex.ac.uk/careers/essexcv

The Essex Application pack gives guidance oncompleting competency-based and statement-based job application forms:www.essex.ac.uk/careers/essexapplication

Get more experience on your CVGain relevant work experience within your areaof interest to give you the edge in the graduaterecruitment market: www.essex.ac.uk/careers/job_hunting/on_campus.aspx. See page 2 formore details of on and off-campus opportunities.

Continue to apply for the FrontrunnersschemeUndertake challenging paid employment oncampus and develop the higher-level skills youneed to compete for the best jobs:www.essex.ac.uk/frontrunners

Well researched and

tailored applications

are key…

8

Consider graduate internships Essex Interns continues to help graduates findpaid internships which could potentially feed into a permanent position. Register atinternships@essex.ac.uk and follow us onfacebook: www.facebook.com/internshipsessex

Be creative with your job search!Speculative approaches to employers are usefulfor gaining work in employment areas in whichvacancies are rarely advertised (e.g. journalism,broadcasting and publishing).

Make speculative applications It’s estimated that around 60% of jobs arenever advertised – be proactive and tap intothis hidden job market by making speculativejob applications.

Network with your contactsThis may include friends, family, tutors, peopleyou have met through part-time jobs, workplacements and voluntary work. Professionalassociations, organisations and educationalestablishments often run networking eventsand conferences:www.prospects.ac.uk/job_hunting_networking.htm

Make use of social media networksDevelop a professional online LinkedIn profile,join relevant Facebook groups and followgraduate recruiters on Twitter to support yourjob search. Remember, your digital footprintmay be visible to recruiters so be aware of how

you present yourself online. Follow our Twitterand Facebook pages for daily updateswww.facebook.com/EmployabilityandCareersEssex; www.twitter.com/UoE_Careers

Don’t panic about interviews andassessment centres, there are loads offree resources to help you Preparation is the key to being successful atinterviews and assessments. Visit the websitesbelow for advice www.essex.ac.uk/careers/applications/interviews.aspxwww.prospects.ac.uk/interview_tips.htmGet practising online tests and exercises withour FREE on-line aptitude tests (developed byKenexa) for all University of Essex students!Register now www.essex.ac.uk/careers/applications/tests.aspx

Start your job hunt right nowJobsOnline is our on-line vacancy board.Search for graduate roles, placements andinternships as well as part-time and vacationwork at www.essex.ac.uk/JobsOnline

Graduate positions are also listed on graduatecareers websites. For a selection of general andsubject specific vacancy websites visit ourwebpage: www.essex.ac.uk/careers/job_hunting/vacancy_sites.aspx

FINAL Year

9

Congratulate yourself on completing your studies, of course,but continue developing your skillsand identifying opportunities.

Visit the Employability and CareersCentre The Employability and Careers Centre at theColchester Campus is open all summer. Wecontinue to offer our specialist services andresources throughout the vacation.

Graduation: What Next?An intensive action- focused two-day event run by the Employability and Careers Centre,helping you prepare for your next steps, withinput from the careers team and majoremployers. Help with travel is made availablefor Southend students.

GradFocusSpecialised support over the summer break(July to September) which includes a one-hourindividual action planning session with acareers adviser plus regular tips for job huntingand labour market insights via the LinkedIngroup Jobs and Opportunities, Facebook andTwitter. Interviews are available via Skype andtelephone if you are not nearby.

Join the University of Essex Alumni & Friends LinkedIn GroupEnhance and build your network ofprofessional contacts.

Register with Essex Interns We continue to support graduates find paidinternships which could potentially lead to apermanent position. Register atinternships@essex.ac.uk and follow us onfacebook www.facebook.com/internshipsessex

Meet more recruitersKey fairs and events take place during thesummer. A comprehensive list can be seen atwww.prospects.ac.uk

Regularly check online vacancy boardsMany small to medium-sized companiescontinue to recruit into the summer, so keep aneye on JobsOnline and TargetJobs atwww.targetjobs.co.uk/graduate-jobs

Consider immediate vacanciesCheck adverts advertised in newspapers, atJobcentreplus and with recruitment agencies.

Keep in touch with usYou can still get support from our careers teamafter you graduate. We will be in touch with youabout 6 months after you leave requesting thatyou complete the Destinations of Leavers fromHigher Education survey.

After your

final exams

10

The Employability and Careers Centre is here for youThe Employability and Careers Centre at theColchester Campus is on square 2 or visitEmployability and Careers at Southend at theInfo Point in the Learning Hub on floor 2 of TheForum. Come in and see how we can help youplan for your future.

Take a look at our FREE resources in thecentre as well as our on-line resourcesincluding: Destinations, the Going Globaldatabase for international opportunities andEXODUS Careers Europe database. Alsoavailable at our Southend Campus.

Colchester Campus:During term time we are open:Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm

Wednesday1pm – 4pm

During the vacation period we are open:Monday to Friday 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm

Wednesday2pm – 4pm

Don’t forget you can access the Employabilityand Careers Centre services and resourcesafter you graduate.

DON’T forget

Employability and Careers Centre

Employability and Careers Centre

University of Essex Alumni

11

Colchester Campus University of Essex Wivenhoe ParkColchester CO4 3SQUnited Kingdom

Southend Campus Elmer ApproachSouthend-on-Sea SS1 1LWUnited Kingdom

T 01206 872494E careers@essex.ac.uk www.essex.ac.uk/careers

www.facebook.com/EmployabilityandCareersEssexwww.twitter.com/UoE_Careers

Need any help?

Get in touch!