Working in the UK

Job Search & Effective Applications

Session plan

1. Job search strategies and the graduate labour market

2. Government schemes & work permits

3. CVs & Covering Letters4. Completing applications

The UK Graduate Job Market

Peter IrelandHead of Careers Service

Aims & Objectives

This session will cover: How to find graduate opportunities

in the UK Understanding different job search

strategies Identifying the skills graduate

employers look for

Finding Graduate Vacancies

Employer directories Online / Print media Agencies Recruitment fairs/other careers

events The Careers Service Departmental noticeboards Personal contacts

Job Search Strategies Research the sector that interests you

to identify potential employers Different job markets will have their

own approaches to recruitment: Agencies Careers Services Specialist / Trade press National Press Speculative applications

What UK Employers Want

Knowledge from your degree plus:- Work experience Evidence of business/commercial

awareness Demonstrating career focus Skills (generic and specific to the

job)

What do graduate employers look for?

• Effective communication (oral / written)• Teamwork• Ability to solve problems• Analytical skills• Flexibility & Adaptability• Self-management• Independent judgement• Numeracy• Decision making• Logical argument

Before you apply

Research the requirements of the employer Skills Knowledge Experience

Look for the evidence you can present Academic study Work experience Interests & activities

Be specific in the examples you use

Working in the UK After Studies

Government schemes & work permits

My Role

Fay SherringtonStudent Support CoordinatorStudent Assistance Humphrey Booth House0161 295 0475

sao-acd@salford.ac.ukwww.academic.salford.ac.uk/sao/

Working in the UK After Studies

Many Schemes through the Home Office

Main ones are: International Graduate Scheme

(IGS) Highly Skilled Migrant Programme

(HSMP) Work Permit

IGS

12 month work visa Can work in any field Must know result (not awaiting) If student visa expires before result is

given student will probably need to return home

After IGS can switch to HSMP or Work Permit

Intention to increase to 2 years in future

IGS Requirements

Must apply before visa expires If sponsored will need letter to

confirm sponsor is happy May need to return home Will need to have graduated or at

the least confirmation of pass/grade (submission of dissertation and no result is not enough)

Work Permits

Employer must apply for Work Permit If job is a “shortage occupation” Work

Permit is relatively easy to obtain Shortage Occupations

Dentists Midwives Veterinary surgeons Others (see list at

www.workingintheuk.gov.uk)

Work Permits

If not a “shortage occupation” Work Permit can be very difficult to obtain

Employer must go through a lengthy often expensive process

Must advertise to resident workers Must give 4 weeks for applicants to

respond to advert Must demonstrate why all other applicants

could not do job even with extra training

Work Permits

Once employer obtains a Work Permit the student must apply to change immigration status (2 stage process)

Small companies will not often be willing to try this if haven’t before

We recommend student approach large multinationals with a history of successful Work Permit applications

Highly Skilled Migrant Programme

• Points based system • Points depending on

Qualifications Past earnings UK earnings or study Age

Highly Skilled Migrant Programme

2 stage process First apply for HSMP Second apply for leave to be

amended before visa expires• The Home Office are very strict on the

evidence required• Often students think they should get

more points than the Home Office award

Conclusion

Most student will be able to get a 12 month IGS visa to work in UK after studies

After 12 months may be able to apply for HSMP or work permit

You must put in an application before your visa expires or return home to apply

Effective CVs

Andy KayCareers Adviser

Aim

To be aware of the content, format and quality of presentation required to produce an effective CV and covering letter

Learning Outcomes

Understand the CV and covering letter as unique marketing tools for your skills and knowledge

Know what key elements to include in a CV and covering letter

Appreciate the importance of visual impact of a CV and covering letter

A CV is……..

A Curriculum Vitae A Summary of your relevant skills,

knowledge and experience A personal marketing tool

It’s the truth that...

“ The CV and covering letter are the only part of the selection process which you as a job seeker have 100% control”

Max Eggert

From “The Perfect CV”

It’s also true that…

You have about 30 seconds to get your message across

Impact through presentation and content

Starting your CV1. Identify the main areas of your life

Education Work Experience Activities and Interests

2. List all the things done under those headings

3. Identify the highlights4. Identify the skills used/developed5. List specific examples & give evidence6. Give dates to the content developed

CV Content Personal Details Education Relevant experience Other work experience Additional Information Interests Referees

No more than 2 Sides of A4 - MAXIMUM! Place most important / relevant information

first

Your CV should be...

Well presented Targeted to the company / vacancy Individual Current & accurate Achievement based Positive+ Have you…

Identified the company’s needs? Communicated clearly how you can meet these?

Language Writing style is different in a CV You do not have to write in full

sentences Be concise and businesslike Focus on action using strong verbs

Achieved Managed Organised

What impresses Employers?

Clear presentation (remember 30 secs!)

Concise, plain English Professional image Original Correct spelling, grammar and

punctuation.

Quality Control

Accordnig to reshearch at an Enlingsh univertisity, it deosn’t mtater in what oredr the letteers are in a word, the olny ipmortmnt tihng is that the frist and ltast ltteer is in the rghit pclec. The rset can be a toatl msess and you can still raed it wouit porbelm. Thish is bcuseae we do not raed ervery lteter by itleslf but the word as a whloe.

Writing Covering Letters

Andy KayCareers Adviser

Covering Letter

Always accompanies a CV Explains why you are writing Highlights and expands on

relevant information from your CV The covering letter is part of a full

package

Covering Letter Basics

Dear Sir / Madam………Yours faithfully,

Dear Mr / Mrs BrownYours sincerely,

Hand-written or word-processed?

More Basics……..

One side of good quality A4 paper Print your name clearly after your

signature Include your title (Mr/Miss/Ms/Mrs)

Structure

Introduce yourself – explain why are you writing (mention any previous contact)

Outline your interest - Why them? Highlight & signpost relevant skills,

knowledge and experience Closing comments

Additional points Use the same paper as your CV Use the same font style Lay out your letter like a business

letter Your address and contact details in

the top RH corner If using email – the message body is

your letter, but minus the contact details Avoid informality in your email

Your address…

Date Name Job Title Company name and address Dear Sir/Madam or Mr/Ms Smith, Subheading in bold (e.g. Graduate Management Trainee) Body of letter…

• Introduce yourself - explain why your are writing • Why are you interested in this job with this company?• What skills and experience can you offer?• End positively

Yours faithfully / sincerely,

Your signature… Your name

Conclusions Understand that you are marketing

yourself Recognise that the purpose is to

get an interview Work out what the employer wants Focus on action and achievement Take care with language Proofread

Application Forms

How to make an impact in small boxes

Amazing Application Forms

Christine BlaymireCareers Adviser

Aim

To help you produceeffective application forms

Structure

Why are application forms used?

How are application forms used?

Hints and tips

Examples & Exercises

Covering letters

Why use them?

To make information standard

The employer can ask specific questions

“I can’t be bothered!” “It’s too hard!”

How do employers use them?

Scoring

Setting an agenda for the interview

Hints and Tips Read and check instructions

Prepare

Photocopy the form; draft your answers

Vary your examples

Get it checked

Keep a copy

Examples (1)

Give details of your main extra curricular activities and interests to date. What have you contributed and what have you got out of them? Mention any posts of responsibility.

I have played the violin since the age of 4. I played in an orchestra at home. I joined some societies at Salford University. I socialize with my friends at the weekends. To keep fit I play volleyball.

Examples (2)

Give an example of situation where you had to deal with a particularly difficult guest/customer and how you handled it? (max 200 words)

I was working at Asda and the customer complained about some cheese she bought 3 weeks ago but she did not have a receipt. She said she had lost it and started shouting. So I asked my manager what to do and I gave her the money back as a goodwill gesture.

(52 words)

“Challenging” questions (1)

The annual value of world-wide sales per associate at Mars is well over $400,000. Similar manufacturing industries achieve annual total sales per employee of between $50,000 and $200,000.

- What insights into our business does this give you?

- Should we focus on increasing or decreasing our total sales per associate value? Please explain your answer.

“Challenging” questions (2)

Over 8,000 people will request this application form. Please use the space below to tell us:

What you have achieved that makes you stand out.

What obstacles you overcame which makes this achievement significant to you.

“Challenging” questions (3)

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

Convince us that this should be chosen above anything else.

Why do you believe we asked you this question?

The “additional information” question (1)

“Please use the space below to give any information not specifically requested on this form which you feel may be relevant.”

or

“Please use this section to provide any additional evidence to support your application.”

The “additional information” question (2)

“All applicants must complete this section. We need as much information about you as possible.

The person specification is based on the duties of the post detailed in the job description and outlines the abilities, skills, knowledge and experience necessary to do the job.

Please study the person specification carefully and explain how you meet each of the criteria giving as much detail as possible. The decision on whether or not to call you for interview will be made on the basis of how well you meet the requirements of the person specification . Do not enclose a CV as it will not be considered.

You should make full use of this section attaching additional sheets if necessary.”

Covering letter with an application form

Should you send one?

What should be in it?

How long should it be?

Summary

Read the form, plan & draft answers

Why is the employer asking that?

Take care with spelling, grammar, legibility and presentation

Keep a copy

Tailor a covering letter if required