Applying for Graduate Schemes

In this session, we will cover:

o The most common graduate stepso The graduate recruitment processo CV and written applicationso Further support

Common steps after graduation

Work – graduate or non graduate Further studyOther Looking for work

Finding vacanciesGraduate schemessussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs/graduateschemes tinyurl.com/gradfairs

Graduate jobssussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs Social media – LinkedIn, Twitter etc.Recruitment Agencies agencycentral.co.uk , jobagencies.com

Sector specific sussex.ac.uk/careers/researchingcareers Employers’ websites sussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs/researchingemployers/

Location specific Sussex: diigo.com/list/sussexcdec/working-in-sussex UK: careers.manchester.ac.uk/findjobs/where/regionalInternational sussex.ac.uk/careers/careerchoices/international

Working for yourselfguides.careers.sussex.ac.uk/enterprise sussex.ac.uk/careers/startupsussex

Graduate Recruitment Process

Competency Based Recruitment

Set around a group of defined skills, attributes and expectations

• Job advertisement• Job description

• Person specification• Other information

1. CLIENT RESPONSIVENESS2. DELIVERING QUALITY SERVICE3. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS4. LEADERSHIP5. BUSINESS FOCUS6. PROBLEM SOLVING7. ACCOUNTABILITY8. CAREER MOTIVATION9. MAKING AN IMPACT

KPMG Competencies

Example Online Application

Find out what the employer wants by looking at:

• Job advert• Job description• Employer´s website• Sector information

Think about how you match this

• Skills• Experience• Knowledge

Before starting an application…

Filling in Application forms• Work in draft first

• Follow tips for on-line applications

• Check for spelling and grammar

• Complete all the sections

• Check you have answered the question

Evidencing your skills in an application form

Competency questions• Describe a time you've successfully used communication

skills.• Provide an example of a situation when you dealt with

conflict in your team.

Personal statements• Please give us any information supporting your application

and provide evidence of any educational, employment and extracurricular activities which demonstrate that you have relevant skills for the role

STAR

Situation

Task

Action

Result

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/compet/skillquest.htm

Personal Details Name / Address / Contact InformationPersonal profile (optional) Do I have something concrete to offer – qualification/experience?EducationWhat, Where, When / Highlighting relevanceWork experience Any experience or employmentAdditional skillsIT, languages etc.InterestsMake them relevantReferees1 academic and 1 work or personal

CVs- What do you include?

Use of language

• Use bullet points.• Verbs at the start of sentences e.g. “Doubled attendance at club meetings“.• Use action verbs.• Short sentences.• Active not passive.• Sufficiently formal.• Check grammar and spelling.

Layout / Structure

• Logically ordered. • Easy to read and not cramped.• Use of underlining and bold.• Font.• Length.• Try the 30 second test!

Selection tests and Assessment centres

Interviews

Prepare:

• logistics• knowledge of the job• knowledge of the employer• know how you match• anticipate questions• practise

Resilience while job hunting

• Job hunting takes time and potentially some rejection.

• Ask for feedback.• Keep a positive attitude and self-belief.• Fewer targeted applications = more effective than

blanket approach.• Create a network of support – use CEC!

How we can help

• CEC resources: sussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs/applyingforjobs

• CEC events sussex.ac.uk/careers/events

• 1-to-1 advice and feedback

• Approx. 400 graduate jobs at: sussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs