TheCareersService.

Pre-Placement Preparation Guide.www.sheffield.ac.uk/placements/students

Contents

Pre-Placement Preparation Guide.

Introduction 1

Whydoaplacement? 2

Gettingstarted 3

Findingaplacement 4

Theapplicationprocess 5

Selectionprocess 6

ExampleofastandardCV 7

Overseasplacements 9

Internationalstudents 10

Successstories 11

Afteryougetanoffer 12

Introduction

A Degree with Employment Experienceiswhereyouspendthepenultimateyearofyourdegreeworkingonaplacementwithacompanyororganisation.

ThisoptionisavailabletoundergraduatestudentsattheUniversityofSheffield(withapprovalfromyourdepartment).

Inahighlycompetitivegraduatelabourmarket,relevantworkexperienceisbecomingmoreandmoreimportanttosecureyourstepintoagraduatecareer.Arecentsurveyofthetop100graduaterecruiterswarnedthatgraduateswhohavehadno previous work experienceareunlikelytobesuccessfulinthegraduaterecruitmentprocessandreportedthatone third of graduate positionswouldbefilledbygraduateswhohavealreadyworkedfortheirorganisations–eitherthroughplacements or vacation work.

Whetheryouwanttoworkforoneoftheleadinggraduateemployers,asmallerorganisation,orpursuefurtherstudy,

ayearspentonplacementcanprovideyouwithmany skillsandbenefits.

Usethisbooklettohelpyoufindoutmoreaboutthebenefitsoftakingaplacementyear,getadviceonfindingandapplyingforplacementsandultimatelyhelpsecuretherightplacementforyou!

Callintooneofthetwice-weeklydropinsessionsintheCareersServiceorattendoneoftheDegreewithEmploymentExperiencetalkstofindoutmore!

Claire BrookePlacementCoordinatorCareersService

www.sheffield.ac.uk/placements/students

DegreeWithEmploymentExperience

1

Why do a placement?

Enhanced Employability...•Studentswithworkexperiencearemore

valuabletoorganisations.

•Researchhasshownthatthemajorityofstudentsareofferedagraduatejobwiththeirplacementprovider.

“It’s all down to my placement experience, without it I would not have this amazing job!”

Improved Finances...•Exploitthepossibilityofearningasalary

andstillbenefitfromstudentdiscountsandcounciltaxexemption.

Develop Key Skills...•Anopportunitytodeveloppractical

skillsthatwillbevitaltosucceedinyourfuturecareer.

•Benefitfromanenhancedperspectiveonyourowndevelopment,aidedbyyourplacementjournalonMOLE.

“My time management and team working skills have improved and I am sure this will put me at an advantage when I return for my final year.”

Gain Career Focus...•Tryoutanindustryororganisationwith

lowrisk.

•Giveyourselfmoretimeandopportunitiestoassessthegraduateemploymentmarket.

“My year at Bentley has given me good awareness of what a finance job entails and has therefore given me more focus on which career path I would like to take.”

Experience the Graduate Recruitment Process...•Selectionpracticessimilartograduate

recruitmentareusedbymanyorganisationswhenrecruitingplacementstudents.

•Anopportunitytogetaheadofyourpeers.

Progress Academically...•Applythetheoryyouhavelearnedin

yourdegreeandseetheresults.

•ReturntoUniversityinyourfinalyearrefreshedandwithimprovedfocus.

“I have learnt a lot of new things, both academic knowledge and experimental skills. They have helped me realise my strengths and weaknesses.”

2

Getting started

Where to Look...ApplicationscanbeginasearlyasthebeginningofSeptemberintheAutumnterm.Theapplicationprocesscantaketime,sostartassoonaspossible!

Thisdependsonwhatyouarelookingtogainfromyourplacement,consider;

•Which area or industry you would like to work in... Relevanttoyourdegreeortotallynew?

•The type of organisation you could apply to...Largeorsmallcompany,publicserviceornotforprofit?

•Where you would like to work...AroundSheffield,nearhomeorfurtherafield?PossiblyLondon?

•What type of experience you want to get from it... Practicalapplicationofyourstudiesornewtechnicalknowledge?

Onceyouhaveanideaofwhatyouwantfromyourplacementexperience,comealongtothecareersserviceforhelpinfindingandsuccessfullyapplyingtoorganisations.

Think About Finances...Placementscanbeagreatopportunitytorebalanceyourfinancialsituationduringyourdegreeandimproveyourownfinancialintelligence.

Consider what your income may be;

•Themajorityofplacementsarepaidbutsomecanbevoluntary.

•Averageincomeforpaidplacementsisapproximately£14-17kbutcanbehigherorlowerdependingonsector,organisationandlocation.

•Somecompaniesoffersponsorshiporbursariestowellperformingstudents.

•TheErasmusschemeprovidesfundingforplacementsintheEU.

Consider your outgoings;

•Locationcosts–researchrentandutilitycostswhereyourplacementis.

•Travelcosts-willyoubecommutingtoyourworkplaceortravellinghomeatweekends?

££ £

3

Yourresearchmethodshoulddependonwhichtypeoforganisationyouarehopingtojoin.PlacementsareadvertisedasearlyastheAutumnSemestersoit’swisetobeorganisedandinvesttimeinresearch.

Large Organisations...• Ifthereisaparticularcompanyyouare

interestedinthenhavealookatthecareerssectionontheirwebpages,theymayofferaformalandstructuredscheme.

•LargeorganisationsalsoadvertisethroughtheCareersServiceoronrecruitmentwebsitessuchas;

•Prospectswww.prospects.ac.uk/work_experience.htm

•Rate My Placementwww.ratemyplacement.co.uk

Wider Research...UsealltheresourcesatyourdisposalasaUniversityofSheffieldstudent;

•CareersService

•MyVacanciesisaccessiblethroughMUSE.

•Placementandrecruitmentfairs

•Attheuniversity,visitwww.sheffieldcareersfairs.ac.uk

•Furtherafield,suchastheNationalPlacementExhibitionattheNEC,Birmingham.Formoreinfo,see;www.work-placement.co.uk

• InternetandBusinessPress

•Searchengines,industry,sectorandinstitutionalwebsites.

Networking...•Speaktofriendsandrelativeswho

workinorganisationsthatyouareinterestedin.

•Utilisecontactssuchastutorsinyourdepartmentandaskwhothedepartment’sindustrialpartnersandaffiliatesare.

•TrysearchingLinkedInforcontactswww.linkedin.com

Speculative Approach...•SendatargetedCVandCoveringLetter

tofindoutwhatopportunitiestheymayhaveforyou.

•Thisisacommonapproachinsomesectorse.glegal,media,SME’sandnon-profitorganisations.It’sbecomingmorecommoninotherareastoo.

Finding a placement

4

The application process

LEVEL 1 – SPRING

Thinkingaboutdoingaplacement.

Researchrelevantorganisations.

LEVEL 2 – AUTUMN

Decidethataplacementisforyou.

Placementsareadvertisedonthewebandatthecareersfairs.

DoyourresearchwithhelpfromtheCareersService.

Selectionprocessesbeginforlargerorganisations.

HelpisavailableattheCareersServiceforapplications,tests,interviewsandassessmentcentres.

Please note:Some selective placement providers such as those in Pharmaceutical R&D and the Government Economic Service advertise

and have closing dates very early in the autumn term.

LEVEL 2 – SPRING

Selectionprocesscontinuesforlargeorganisationsandbeginsforsmallerorganisations.

Placementsareofferedtostartinthesummer.

SUMMER

Placementexperiencebegins.

5

The application process

Selection process

Psychometric & Ability Tests•Predominantlyadministeredonline,

designedtotestyournumericalandmentalabilityorpersonalitytraits.

Interviews•Therearevariousforms;suchas

telephoneinterviewsorfacetoface,panelorindividualassessment,competencyorsituational.Thisdependsonthetypeoforganisationthatyouareapplyingto.

Assessment Centres•Assessmentcentresaredesignedto

simulateworkingscenariosandtestyourproblemsolvingability.

•Theyareverylikelyinlargeorganisationssuchasmultinationalcompaniesandaremuchthesameastheselectionprocedureforgraduatetrainingprogrammes.

AcomprehensiverangeofassistanceisonofferforallpopularselectionmethodsattheCareersService;withworkshopsrunregularlyonpracticetestsandinterviewsaswellassomehelpfulliterature.

Application Forms•Areusuallyonline,particularlyforlarger

privateorganisations.

•Theywillincludepersonaldetailsandmayaskaboutyourownmotivationsforapplyingandsomecompetencyquestionsdesignedtofindoutaboutyourpreviousexperienceandpotentialtosucceedintherole.

CV•YoumaybeaskedtoincludeaCVso

it’sagoodideatogetituptodatebeforeyoustarttheprocess.ThereisanexampleofaCVonthefollowingpage.

Covering Letter•Someorganisationsmayaskfor

acoveringletterwithaCVasanapplication;thisismorecommonamongstsmallerorganisationsandthosewithlessfinancialresources,suchascharitiesandNonGovernmentOrganisations.

•Acoveringlettercangiveyoumorefreedomtoexpressyourmotivationsandyourownskillsbutmustbeconciseandrelevant.

ThereishelpavailablefortheseimportanttasksattheCareersServicewherehelpwithdraftCV’sandcoveringlettersandapplicationformsisonoffer.

6

Laura RobinsonTerm Address:

Home Address:123FulwoodDrive456HeathcroftAveSheffieldSunburyonThamesS102UBTW157LL07989123456

laurasample@sheffield.ac.ukIf you are including your term and home address include the dates when you are at the address.PROFILEUse this section to target your CV to the particular placement you are applying for. You might do this by outlining your current situation, subject you are studying, your unique selling points together with any relevant experience.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONSBA(Hons)BusinessManagement UniversityofSheffield(graduation2012)(Predicteda2.1basedonfirstyearexamresults)Use this space to include some information about the degree you are studying.You may wish to include some of the relevant modules that you have studied and the marks you have achieved. The important thing is to differentiate yourself from others doing this course. It may be appropriate to mention course projects, presentations, prizes awarded A level:Subjectandgradeawardede.gMaths(A)English(B),Psychology(A) June2009GCSES:9subjectsatgradeA-CincludingEnglish(A),Maths(A)andScience(B) June2007RELEVANT SKILLSUse this section to reflect how you possess the transferable skills the employer is looking for.Select four- six skills and provide evidence demonstrating how you have developed these skills. Evidence can come from work experience (paid or unpaid) including voluntary work, your academic work and other interests such as sport or other hobbies. **Be aware that including a strong skills section in your CV can be quite hard to achieve **Team work• Workedaspartofateamof6tocreateandimplementfundraisingeventsforalocalhospice.Eventsincludedasponsoredabseil,fundraisingdinnerdancewithsilentauctionandapubquiz.Intotalweraisedover£5000,thestrengthofourteamandtherolesweundertookwithintheteamwerekeytoexceedingourtarget.

Organisation• AsViceChairofUniversityofSheffieldHighPeakClubIamresponsiblefororganisingweeklywalksandclimbswithinthePeakDistrict.Ialsoarrangeforexpertspeakerstoattendourmonthlymeetings.InAugustIorganisedaclimbingholidayintheAlpsfor25membersofthesociety,thisinvolvedbookingflights,accommodationandtheitineraryfortheweek.ThisrequiredexcellentorganisationalskillsasIwasorganisingthistripatthesametimeasworkingparttimeandstudyingformyfirstyearexams.

Sample CV

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WORK EXPERIENCE

In this section you can highlight your responsibilities and your main achievements.

Work experience can include any paid and unpaid employment including voluntary work.

If you are including a Skills section in your CV you may choose to use different examples of

responsibilities /achievements to those included in the skills section.

Marris and Brooks – Part time Administrative Assistant January10–present

(10hoursperweekduringtermtimeandfulltimeduringvacations)

Workingforasmalltrainingconsultancy,mainresponsibilitiesinclude:

• Communicatingwithcompaniestoprovideinformationonthetrainingcourseswedeliver,

viaemail,telephoneandmailshots

• Bookingtrainersandvenuesfortrainingcourses

• Arrangingaccommodationfordelegates

• Generatinginvoicesandchasingupnonpaymentofinvoices

Keyachievementsinclude:

• Re-designingthemarketingliteraturetoappealtoawideraudience,asaresultofthenew

marketingmaterials,bookingsforourtrainingcourseshaveincreasedby10%

• Negotiatingareducedroomhirechargeforvenuesthecompanyusesonaregularbasis

Bluebell Hospice Volunteer Fundraiser July2009–present

• Participatinginfundraisingactivitiesforthehospice

• Fundraisingeventsorganisedincludesponsoredabseil,pubquizzes,dinnerdanceand

sellingofcharitylotterytickets.Wehavesofarraisedover£5000forthehospice.

Go Out Doors – Part-time Sales Assistant July2009–January2010

• Operatingthetillandhandlingcash

• Providingadvicetocustomersontheclothingandequipment

• InDecember2009Iwasawarded‘employeeofthemonth’basedonmysalesforthemonth.

POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Vice-Chair High Peak ClubOctober2009–present

• ElectedViceChairofthisstudentledclubwhichcurrentlyhas65members

• Organisingwalks,climbsandotheractivitiesinthePeakDistrictandfurtherafield

• Coordinatingmonthlymeetingsandarrangingforexpertspeakerstogivetalksatmeetings

• Chairingmeetingsintheabsenceofthechair

• Membershipoftheclubhasincreasedby25%overthepastyearandnewmembersare

impressedbyhowwellorganisedtheclubisandthevarietyofactivitiesoffered

REFERENCES

Availableuponrequest

Top tip! Convert your CV into a pdf to ensure that the format does not change when

you email or upload it. This also means it can be read easily on Macs , IPhones or

blackberry devices.

This sample CV is intended as a guide only and you are recommended to refer to the resources

available on http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/gettingajob/cvs.html and seek advice from

the Careers Service.

8

Overseas placements

Financial Considerations...•Flightsandtraveltoyourhostcountry.

• Insurancefortravel,medicalandpersonalbelongings.

•Feestocoverembassyandvisaservices.

•Costoflivinginhostcountry.

•Accommodationcosts,particularlythosethatwillberequiredupfront.

•FundingforplacementsintheEUmaybeavailablethroughtheErasmusscheme.Visitwww.sheffield.ac.uk/erasmus

Social Aspects... Youwillbespendingayearlivingandworkinginanotherculturewithdifferentcustomsandetiquette,whichcanbeapositiveexperienceifapproachedintheappropriateway.

Itisimportanttoresearchthecountryandareayouwillbegoingtoliveandworkinbeforeapplyingforaplacementthere.Seetheplacementswebsiteformoreinformation.

Medical Factors...•TakeawellequippedFirstAidkit.

•Findoutwhatvaccinationsareneededandifyouneedtotakemalariamedication.

•Haveadentalcheckuppriortodeparting.

•Orderanyprescriptionsthatyoumayneedbeforeyoudepart.

Language...Itisveryimportanttoconsiderthelanguagethatisspokeninyourhostcountry.Findoutwhetheryouwillneedtobeabletospeakitfluently.

Further Information...Theplacementswebsitehasmoreinformationonhowtoovercomelanguagebarriers(seebelowfordetails).MoreinformationandguidanceonworkingoverseasisavailableviathePlacementsresourceonMOLE.

www.sheffield.ac.uk/placements/students

Anoverseasplacementcouldgiveyouincreasedself-confidence,culturalawarenessandinternationaladaptabilityinaglobalisingeconomyandlabourmarket.However,itwillrequiremoreplanning,maybeexpensiveandcanbemorechallengingthanaplacementintheUK.

9

International students

Asaninternationalstudentyoucanundertakeaplacementyearproviding:

• Itisanapprovedpartofyourdegreeprogrammeoryourdegreeprogrammecanbeextendedtoincludetheyear.(TheUniversityofSheffieldcoursesnamedDegreeswithEmploymentExperience/YearinIndustryhaveapprovedplacementsaspartoftheprogramme).

•Theplacementdoesnotextendbeyondtheendofyourcourse.

•Youremainaregisteredstudentwiththeuniversity.

•Youcontinuetopaytheappropriatetuitionfee.

IfyouareaninternationalstudentandconsideringundertakingaDegreewithEmploymentExperience,pleasespeaktoInternationalStudentServicesforadviceonextendingyourvisafirstofall.

• InternationalStudentServicescanbecontactedon01142221269orinternational.students@sheffield.ac.uk

TheStudentAdviceCentreprovidesadviceandinformationonvariousspecialistmattersrelatingtointernationalstudents.

•TheStudentAdviceCentrecanbecontactedon01142228660oradvice@sheffield.ac.uk

Some International Inspiration... Muhammad Faizan Sheikh - BEngElectricalEngineeringwithEmploymentExperienceatJaguarLandRover(JLR)

“IworkedinElectricalPowerSupplysystems;carryingoutresearchanddevelopmentprojectsforcurrentandfuturemodelsofcars.WhenIstarteduniversity,IhadquestionsaboutthetypeofcareerI’dwantaftermystudies.TheplacementyearhasgivenmethechancetoexperiencedifferentjobroleswithinJLR.Itgavemeaninsightoftheworkenvironmentinresearch,productdevelopmentandproduction.Duetomyhardworkanddedication,Ihavebeenofferedaplaceontheirgraduaterecruitmentschemeinproductdevelopment.Irecommendeverysecondyearstudenttomakeaplacementyearapriorityandgivewhateverittakestosecureaplacementinareputablecompany.”

10

Success stories

Holly Beavitt-Pike - BScArchaeologywithEmploymentExperienceatthePeakDistrictNationalParkAuthority-ConservationArchaeologist

“MuchofmyplacementwasbasedintheParkAuthorityofficesinBakewell,whereIreviewedplanningapplicationstodetermineiftheywillaffectanyarchaeologicalremains.Ialsocarriedoutagri-environmentalconsultations,wroteupsitevisitsandusedGIS(geographicinformationsystems)tocreatemapsandassessthearchaeologicalsignificanceofsitesthreatenedbydevelopment.IregularlyvisitedsitesacrossthePeakDistricttolookatwaysinwhicharchaeologycanbemanagedinasustainablemanner.Thejobcamewithquitealotofresponsibility!ThisplacementhasbeenarealsuccessandIhavelovedeveryminuteofit,includingwalkinguplotsofbighillsinrain,sleet

Henry Cormack – BScEconomicsandPoliticswithEmploymentExperienceattheGovernmentEconomicService

“Iwasgivenmyfirstchoicedepartment,whichmeantworkingatHMTreasuryduringtheyearitwasresponsibleforenactingthebiggestrescueofBritain’sbanksinrecenthistory.MyjobasanAssistantEconomistinvolvedarangeoftasks–fromdaytodayroutinematters,suchaspreparingbriefingsforministers

andcivilservants;tomorechallengingandexcitingwork,suchasundertakingaprojecttoexaminetheimpactoftherecessionontheUK’seconomicgrowth.IwasalsoluckyenoughtobeallocatedatrainingbudgetbyHMTreasury,whichIusedtodevelopmy(lackof!)skillsindeliveringpresentations.ThisissomethingI’vebenefittedfromwellbeyondthedurationofmyplacement,whichgoestoshowhowvaluableundertakingaplacementcanbe.”

andsnow!Theopportunitytodothisplacementhasallowedmetocontinuemyloveofarchaeology,andbeattheforefrontofmanagingthisvaluableresourceforfuturegenerations.”

HollyhasnowgraduatedwithafirstclassdegreeinArcheologicalScienceandhassecuredapositionasArchaeologyandHeritageAssistantfortheLakeDistrictNationalParkAuthority.

11

After you get an offer

Transfer to a Degree with Employment Experience...• Informyourdepartmentthatyouhave

anoffer;theymaywishtoseeacopyofthejobdescriptionandcontract.

• InformthePlacementCoordinator,healthandsafetycheckscanthenbemadebytheuniversity.

•Achangeofstatusformwillthenneedtobefilledinandhandedintoyourdepartment.

Pre-Placement Necessities...•Fillinacontactdetailsformpriorto

startingyourplacementandgiveacopytothePlacementCoordinatorandyourdepartment.

•Findoutkeyfactsaboutyourplacement;

•Writtennoticeofsalary

•Locationoftheplaceofwork

•Holidayentitlement

•Sickpayentitlement

•Startandenddateofplacement

•Attendapre-placementbriefingsession,usuallyheldinMay.

•MakesurethatyouareregisteredfortheplacementresourceaccessiblethroughMOLE.ThiscanbedonebyemailingthePlacementCoordinator.

•Arrangeaccommodationforthedurationofyourplacement.

ThePlacementCoordinatorishappytoseeyouonanindividualbasistodiscussanypre-placementpreparationthatyoumayneedtomake.

Drop-insessionstakeplacefrom1-2pmonTuesdaysandThursdaysduringtermtime.Appointmentsarenotnecessary.

Onceyouhavereceivedanofferofaplacement,thereisanadministrativeprocessthatmustbefollowedinordertosuccessfullytransferontoaDegreewithEmploymentExperience.

12

CAREERS SERVICE

Placement top tips• Apply in plenty of time, pay attention to closing dates.

• Look at the information the company is requesting.

• Be flexible with your location; wanting to stay in Sheffield = limiting placements!

• Apply for as many placements as possible.

• Choose placements on their whole offerings, not just on salary or location; look at training and future opportunities too.

Design  I  Print  I  www.sheffield.ac.uk/cics/uniprint

Contact detailsClaireBrooke,PlacementCoordinatorCareersService,388GlossopRoad

T:01142220962

E:placements@sheffield.ac.uk

Drop-insessionstakeplacefrom1-2pmonTuesdaysandThursdaysduringtermtime.Appointmentsarenotnecessary.

DegreeWithEmploymentExperience

Placement_DEE