Careers Handbook by Careers Centre

HELP TO BUILD YOUR CV GRADUATE JOBS PART-TIME AND VACATION WORK ADVICE ON POSTGRADUATE STUDY PERFECT YOUR INTERVIEW TECHNIQUE HOW TO SUCCEED AT ASSESSMENT CENTRES

THE CAREERS CENTRE

the professional university www.rgu.ac.uk/careers

kindly sponsored by

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INTRODUCTION The Careers Handbook introduces you to the services of the University’s Careers Centre, and directs you to the advice and support that the Careers Service can provide to you at any stage of your university career and beyond graduation. Do remember that planning your career should NOT be left to the last semester, in the last year. Start planning early in your course! There are lots of opportunities available both within and outwith the University such as volunteering, participating in clubs and societies and part time and vacation work all of which can enhance your employability. The Handbook covers the following: Helping you to consider what options are open to you, what you want to do and how this matches your qualifications, experience, skills and interests. You should take steps to build up any skills or experience to enhance your employability towards your career ideas. Assisting you to understand where you can find jobs and how to promote yourself effectively at the application and selection stages The final section provides key resources to support you in achieving your ambitions. In addition, each section of the handbook gives links to our own website and others which will provide further information specific to that topic.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR – BP

BP is again pleased to sponsor this careers booklet which is packed full of great tips about how to identify the best career for you and how to develop the skills you will need to ensure that you are ‘work ready’ by the time you begin your search for a job towards the end of your time at University. As a major employer and a significant recruiter in the North East of Scotland, we know how competitive the job market can be and we have worked closely with the University Careers Centre to develop an understanding of what employers are looking for when recruiting graduates. We would strongly encourage you to make use of the Careers Centre from an early time at University – where guidance on progression through the course itself, transfers to great advice on how to produce CVs, your approach with interviews and assessment centres in whatever your chosen field may be. We hope that you find this booklet useful and wish you every success in your chosen career. Amanda Chilcott HR Director, BP North Sea

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CONTENTS What do Robert Gordon University graduates do?

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Career planning

Changing your course

Graduate job seeking

Work experience and voluntary work

Part time jobs

Postgraduate and further study

Cover letters

CVs

Application forms

Interviews

Assessment centres

Careers Centre resources

Student and graduate feedback

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module from the careers centre

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

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my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

FAQs • Where is the Careers Centre? The Careers Centre operates on both campuses; Garthdee and city centre. The main Careers Centre is on University Street on the lower level of RGU Sport, Garthdee. A satellite service operates in the Studentzone, St Andrew Street library, city centre campus. Check our website to find out when we are available there. • When is the Careers Centre open? Our Garthdee office is open Monday to Friday 9 – 5pm (except Wednesdays when it is open 11 – 5pm). The Centre at Studentzone is usually available three days a week during teaching semesters. A more limited service operates here during holiday periods. Check our website for details of when we are available. • How can I make an appointment with a Careers Consultant? Make an appointment online at www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareer. • I am looking for a part time job – can you help me? Yes. See page 9 of the Handbook. • How do I look for a graduate job? My Career (see page 6 of the Handbook) has graduate, part time, vacation and work experience opportunities for our students and graduates to apply for. Access our Employer Directory to connect with employers who may be interested in hearing from our students and graduates. See our ‘Preparing to Succeed’ employability module on graduate jobs. • Can you help me to prepare a CV/Complete an application form? We would recommend you undertake our employability modules on CVs and application forms. You can then seek feedback from one of our Careers Consultants by bringing your CV/ Application form in hard copy to a Drop in session or make an appointment via our website. • I have a job interview arranged, can you help me to prepare? Yes, we have a range of resources to help you including interview DVDs and links to other resources, available online via our website. We can also arrange a mock interview so you can practise and get feedback on how to improve your performance at interview. We can offer help in preparing for Assessment Centres too. • I cannot come into the Careers Centre, can I access support on line? We can arrange an interview for you with one of our Careers Consultants via telephone or Skype. We also offer advice by email and our ‘Preparing to Succeed’ employability modules are available on Moodle on a range of topics. • Can you help me to connect with employers? Yes, we arrange a number of Careers Fairs each year and in addition also host employer on campus events. See our website and events calendar for forthcoming events. 3

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

career planning Not sure what to do when you leave University? Don’t worry! It is never too late to start planning your career, whether you are in your first year or last. Career planning is made up of four simple steps:

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1. Self Awareness: A key aspect of career planning is reviewing what you like and just as importantly, what do you not like. Consider the different activities you have been exposed to within education and employment. What are your interests and hobbies? Are there aspects of these that you would like to take forward into a career? You need to consider your motivation for doing the job, and how this links in with your values. We recommend that you speak to a Careers Consultant to get you started thinking critically about what you have to offer the world of work and what you want back from it. Online tools such as Prospects Planner or Windmills online careers coaching programme may also be useful start points, see the resources section for the URL links.

2. Opportunities: Most people are only aware of the careers that they are exposed to. What else is there? By researching companies and jobs you may uncover a position that you may not have realised existed. Prospects Planner and other online career matching programmes will be able to suggest career ideas worthy of further research based on your responses to a variety of careers related questions. Please note that these tools are a starting point to generating ideas not an excuse to avoid having to escape further research. 3. Decision Making: Once you know what you like and are interested in, it is important to compare this with what the career offers to allow you to make a well informed decision. You may also have to consider the industry or sector you want to go into, and consider the future prospects for positions within that area. The more you know about yourself the easier you will find it to identify possible career options. The more you know about what jobs and careers offer you the easier it will be to see where you and where your skills and interests fit in. 4. Taking Action: Once you have made your decision, you need to develop your own action plan for taking the next steps towards achieving your career goals. Now that you have started the career planning journey, further sections within this Handbook will support you in your career planing, employability and job seeking. Resources:

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www.rgu.ac.uk/preparingtosucceed/myskills www.rgu.ac.uk/preparingtosucceed/careerplanning www.targetjobs.co.uk/careers-report www.prospects.ac.uk/links/pplanner

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CHANGING YOUR COURSE If you have decided that the course you are studying is not for you then you should take some time to consider your options and seek help and advice. Don’t ignore your feelings, it may just be that you don’t like your course as you are unsure what career path it opens up for you, and having a clearer direction will allow you to be more focused in your studies. Speak to your Course Leader or Tutor as soon as possible to see if any issues can be resolved. Try to identify what it is about the course that you do not like, perhaps a change of module or having some additional support will help? Discuss your future options with a Careers Consultant. We can support you with identifying your skills and considering how they match in with different careers. We will be able to work with you to develop a career action plan to move you and your ideas forward.

Went to Careers Centre for careers advice - unsure of best employability route. My meeting was very productive and adviser was very helpful.”

2nd year Management Consider the impact of leaving your course halfway through the year as each full year of study is accredited. Speak to your Course Leader about the qualification you may be eligible for if you successfully pass all your modules. Don’t rush from one course to another without thinking about what your decision process was for your original course, are you in danger of making the same mistake again? You may decide to change course, either within Robert Gordon University or by moving to another institution, take time out of education, or seek employment with training. Make sure that you research your ideas. Find out about jobs available in different industries and learn what options are open to you with your subject. Finally you should think about the funding implications if you leave your course now. Contact SAAS to find out how your decision might affect the funding you receive in the future. Resources:

www.rgu.ac.uk/preparingtosucceed/careerplanning www.rgu.ac.uk/prospectus www.ucas.com www.saas.gov.uk 5

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

graduate job seeking Graduate Vacancies can be found in a wide variety of places. These include online sources, newspapers and journals, recruitment agencies or speculative approaches. The Careers Centre can help you identify the most appropriate sources of vacancies relevant to your ideas and help you develop an effective job search strategy. This strategy may include some of the following: SOURCES OF ADVERTISED VACANCIES My Career, which includes the Careers Centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vacancy database allows you to search for all types of opportunities from employers specifically recruiting Robert Gordon University students. Our Employer Directory is a searchable resource which allows you to identify potential employers from our extensive list of employer partners. Employer Directories advertise graduate vacancies, are published annually and you will find copies of these in the Careers Centre. They are free to take away and most of them are also available online. As well as useful articles on industry information they highlight details of employers who recruit students for work placements/internships and graduate jobs. Key directories include TARGETjobs, Inside Careers, The Times Top 100 Employers, Milkround.com and the Prospects Directory. Newspapers, both local and national are a key source of graduate jobs as well as part time and non graduate roles. You will be able to view opportunities via their websites as well as in print. Our website provides links to the main UK news media publications and depository sites for UK and international newspapers. The Library holds an extensive range of professional journals relevant to the subject discipline areas of the University. Recruitment Agencies (office based and online agencies) aim is to match suitable applicants with companies that are actively recruiting to fill vacancies. There is no charge to the applicant only to employers. They offer a wide range of full-time or part-time, permanent or temporary positions in a variety of fields. Vacancies can be for non-graduate positions as well as professional roles that require a degree. Certain agencies specialise in particular areas e.g. engineering, finance, IT, sales and marketing, etc. Remember that Recruitment Consultants are not Careers Advisers and, therefore, will not provide careers advice so you need to be clear about the skills, knowledge and experience you have to offer and the type of work you are looking for before you register with them. Job Search Websites and Jobs Search Aggregators There are a multitude of online searchable vacancy websites (often linked to large scale recruitment agencies). Aggregator sites pull vacancies from a range of other job search websites into one online resource. It is often possible to set up structured feeds from these types of websites to your email account alerting you to new opportunities that match your registered interests.

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

OTHER SOURCES OF VACANCIES The Hidden Job Market. It is commonly understood that a significant number of positions may never be formally advertised but filled by speculative applications, word of mouth, and networking. The benefits of tapping into the hidden job market cannot be underestimated by students and graduates when looking for employment. Speculative applications involves sending your CV and a good cover letter to organisations that you are interested in working for. Remember to ensure your CV and letters are targeted to the organisation and positions you are trying to attain. Networking is a critical job search skill. Talk to people, make direct contact with employers and tell everyone you know that you are looking for job opportunities. Attend professional events in your chosen job area if you can and also bear in mind asking academic staff for contacts. Networking is a way of building a list of suitable employers and contacts who may be able to help you with your job search. Careers Fairs are a good way for you to meet and talk to employers in a relatively informal way about their organisation. We hold two fairs each year, our Graduate Fair is held each October on the Garthdee Campus and the North of Scotland Graduate Recruitment Fair is held in April at a central venue in Aberdeen. Check our website for details of which employers will be present and how you can make the most of the fair. Self Employment Self-employment appeals to many students and graduates who are keen to establish their own business, to be their ‘own boss’, to work in the area of their choice and often to fulfil a lifelong ambition. This may appeal to you as an entrepreneur with a new business idea, to work freelance or to take on board a franchise opportunity. Whichever path you take, it takes significant determination and hard work but there is lots of support available to you, starting within RGU from Scottish Institute for Enterprise (SIE) Interns, to many external business start-up and funding organisations. Resources:

www.rgu.ac.uk/preparingtosucceed/graduatejobs www.rgu.ac.uk/graduatejobsearch www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareer www.targetjobs.co.uk www.sie.ac.uk www.bgateway.com

RGU se lf gradua -employed te Owner s include o your ow f a ‘paint canvas n’ studio with se and Dir s and ceramic e ski and ctor of catere s d s holiday nowboard s differe with a nce.

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Work experience and Voluntary work Work experience is a valuable way of discovering more about employers and gaining an insight into what you like and don’t like in a working environment. Employers will ask you about your work experience, whether on the application form or in an interview. It is beneficial to have experiences you can draw upon. If it has some relevance to the organisation, so much the better, but don’t worry if you haven’t been able to obtain such work as all work experience is good experience Internships are career related placements with graduate employers, designed to provide a taste of the organisation and to encourage students to apply to that employer in their final year. They are often restricted to the vacation before your final year and you will normally work alongside full time employees in their day-to-day work. Such a placement may give you an advantage over other students when applying for jobs. In general, these placements are well-paid, although you will usually need to arrange your own accommodation. Internships are extremely popular, and entry is competitive. However, if you are unsuccessful this should not put you off applying for a graduate opportunity with the same company as there are often more job vacancies than internships. Voluntary work or work shadowing is beneficial if you lack experience in the area of work you are trying to get into. It allows you to build your knowledge and skills, enhances your CV and will help to convince an employer of your genuine interest in the job. Whilst you may not be able not to get work experience within larger organisations, there are smaller organisations within the voluntary sector who appreciate assistance with their marketing, public relations or finances. At University, you can volunteer through the Student Union and work towards your MV Award. Go the RGU Student Union website for more information on volunteering. The Careers Centre runs the BP Student Tutoring Scheme which asks students to volunteer for half a day per week over eight weeks in a local primary or secondary school. Find out more from careers website. Resources:

www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareer www.saltirefoundation.com www.rguunion.co.uk/volunteering www.volunteerscotland.org.uk

Robert Gordon University students volunteering on an outdoor project

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Part Time Jobs Many students need to work part time whilst studying to survive financially. But never underestimate the benefits of having part time work experience on your CV! It is an opportunity to develop many of the transferable skills that graduate employers seek whilst earning money. Please think carefully about how you will balance part time work alongside your studies, particularly if you are in your final year or are a post graduate student. It is important to maintain a balance between work and study. We recommend you do not work more than 15 hours per week and this is supported by the National Association of Student Employment Services (NASES) who also run the “Student Employee of the Year Award”.

NASES On Campus Student Employee of the Year Winner 2011 Will Ritchie (Careers Consultant Team Leader), Caileag Walker (International Hospitality Management Student)

Part time jobs can be found in many of the same ways as listed above for graduate jobs. Access www.netvibes.com/rgucareers for links to a wide range of part time opportunities across Aberdeen and be sure to attend our Part Time jobs fair in September on the Garthdee Campus. A National Insurance Number is required for working in the UK. If you do not have a national insurance number you will need to contact Jobcentre Plus on 0845 6000 643 to make an appointment for an “evidence of identity interview”. Please note National Insurance Numbers will only be issued if you can provide evidence of a confirmed offer of employment or that you are actively seeking employment.

Resources:

www.rgu.ac.uk/preparingtosucceed/parttimework www.netvibes.com/rgucareers www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareer

• Lo o time k out f o cam jobs fair r part pus i • Vi n Se on si ptem jobs t part ber ti p webs ortal on me ite care er

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Postgraduate and further study

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Postgraduate study may interest you for a number of reasons; it may be a necessity for you to enter a particular profession such as Teaching, Social Work or Physiotherapy, it may be a desire to specialise in a particular field such as Communications or Management or to continue your research interests to MSc or PhD level. Having a postgraduate qualification may give you an edge over other applicants and potentially attract a higher salary, but remember it is the whole package that is important so work experience and strong transferable skills can be just as valuable.

Make sure you undertake thorough research into the types of postgraduate courses available, where they are offered, what funding is available and where graduates from the courses are now. Early application is advisable, for example primary teaching closes early December the year before the course starts, other courses may not have closing dates but depending how competitive entry is places may be filled quickly. Use the information in this handbook on CVs, cover letters and interviews as this is directly applicable for postgraduate study. In an application consider the following: / course do the o t t n wa do you • Why rch? resea is subject? ? o u got t y th sity • Wh this univer kills have yo s y h ic • W t academ fer? a you of • Wh ? ls can il k s r le offe ransferab s? egree first d tt rength • Wha t are your st nce of your a • Wha t is the relev s? • Wha study? er aim to this re your care ta • Wha

Resources:

www.rgu.ac.uk/preparingtosucceed/options www.rgu.ac.uk/myfuture www.targetcourses.co.uk www.ktponline.org.uk www.prospects.ac.uk/links/latestcourses

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COVER LETTERs When applying for a position with a CV, it is essential to attach an accompanying cover letter, outlining the role you are applying for and why you feel you are suitable. Although less common, employers may also request a cover letter to accompany an application form. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make an employer work to read your cover letter, keep it succinct and no more than one page of A4. The cover letter highlights to employers that you have the necessary skills and experience needed for the jobs you are applying for. It should give the personal touch that your CV may lack: Not all vacancies are advertised and so sometimes it is worthwhile submitting a speculative application. In this instance, the content and quality of the cover letter is key as it is the first impression you make with an employer. Consider what your unique selling points are in relation to the company and what roles you can undertake for them and highlight this within the letter. Ensure that your CV and cover letter are in the same format, and printed on the same paper. If you are emailing your application, attach your CV and cover letter as separate documents with clear reference to the post you are applying for in the email body.

Resources:

www.rgu.ac.uk/preparingtosucceed/cvs www.targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/applications-and-cvs www.targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-hunting-tools-downloads www.prospects.ac.uk/links/coverlet

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COVER LETTER structure

Your Address Date Name Position Company Address Dear Title and Surname or Sir/Madam Introductory line stating purpose of letter Paragraph One: State why you are writing, (e.g. for a vacancy that has been advertised or a speculative approach) and what you are currently doing (e.g. course and level of study and when you graduate(d)). Paragraph Two: Match your relevant skills and knowledge including any experience to the job. You may wish to refer to sections on your CV here, and draw attention to other parts of your CV that make you specially suited to and support your application. Paragraph Three: Explain why you are interested in that company in particular and what appeals to you about that vacancy. Demonstrate that you have researched the company and are aware of the services or products that they deliver and the market in which they operate. End your letter positively, detailing when you are available for an interview and, importantly any dates you are not. Yours sincerely (if you have addressed the letter to a named person) Yours faithfully (if letter is addressed Sir/Madam) Sign your name here Print Name

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COVER LETTER example

Martin Smith Lead Physiotherapist Specialist Physio Agency Top Street Timbuktoo TT6 7RP

Ryan Thomson Flat B, 222 Union Street Aberdeen, Scotland AB10 7QE

Dear Mr Smith My name is RyanThomson, and I am writing to you regarding your advertised role for newly qualified or Junior Physiotherapists to join your organisation in a full-time post. I am in my final year of the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy course at the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. The course finishes at the end of May and I will graduate in July 2011. On discovering your advertisement, I was immediately interested due to the specialist and highly effective treatment your company strives to provide in a condition I have seen regularly throughout my history in Physiotherapy. Throughout my course I have completed over 1000 hours of clinical practice, including an elective 5-week placement in a specialist Spinal Injuries Unit in Green Park Hospital, Elgin and two 6-week placements in a musculoskeletal outpatient setting. Throughout this time I have developed a heightened interest in the musculoskeletal system and biomechanics of movement, leading me to set my sights on pursuing this speciality in more detail following my graduation. I recognise that a position within your company would provide the perfect opportunity to pursue a field of work that is both highly beneficial to the patient and also personally rewarding to the therapist. The prospect of developing myself as a practitioner in an internationally-renowned centre and focussing my attention early on such an important aspect of physiotherapy appeals greatly to my personal and professional targets. In the long-term, I see myself working in an established, reputable company providing the most recent, recognised and efficient treatments to help my patients experience the optimal quality of life and allow them to pursue their own aspirations and goals. Please also find attached my CV for your consideration, I hope that this has displayed my own personal traits and skills and demonstrated my motivation to work to the highest standards achievable within my career as a Physiotherapist. I am available for interview at any time and look forward to hearing from you. Yours Sincerely, Ryan Thomson

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CVs

TOP TIPS • A potential employer may take just 20 seconds to make a judgement on your CV. • Your CV should be a maximum of 2 pages long, well presented with no time gaps, giving actual examples and evidence of your skills and abilities. • Make a positive and lasting first impression. Ensure that you match your key skills, achievements and experience to each position and company you apply to. Think about your USPs (Unique Selling Points), what will make you stand out? • Do not write ‘Curriculum Vitae’ at the top, nor include personal details such as date of birth, nationality or gender, just contact details are sufficient (include a professional e-mail address, e.g. not: lusciouslucy@email.com or desperatedan@email.com). A photograph is not required. • A ‘Career Objective’ or ‘Personal Profile’ sets the scene, and outlines briefly what you have to offer, but is optional depending on space and preference, and can equally be detailed in the cover letter. • Make the most of what you’ve learned at university, not just module titles but emphasise project/dissertation work, practical experience and both the specific and transferable skills developed on your course. • Don’t undersell work experience. Any placement, part-time, vacation or voluntary work is valuable in highlighting transferable skills. Ensure you consider your achievements and extracurricular activities to give an insight into your motivation and personality. • Ensure format is consistent; use a mix of bullet points and short, punchy sentences. and make sure all your key matching information is easily accessible and clearly presented, an employer should not have to go looking for information in your CV • Your CV must be legible so choose an appropriate font such as Arial or Verdana in a point size no less that 11 and use good quality paper. • Check your spelling and grammar. If you don’t, and an employer picks up on this your application may immediately be rejected.If you can’t take the time to proof read your CV, what does this say about your work ethic? • Ask your referee’s permission to include their details on your CV. Ensure that they are in a position to sell you positively to an employer, you may choose a current or past employer and/or your course tutor. Provide them with details of the job you are applying for.

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• Use action words and phrases. This may support you in selling your skills and experiences to the employer. You may wish to bullet point the information to make it easier for the employer to read. • Look at the examples of the skills based and chronological CV below, consider which one would suit you and your target audience best depending on how much you have to say on the areas mentioned above. These examples are for guidelines only and more detailed examples can be found on the Careers Centre Moodle Pages. You may choose a reverse chronological CV if you have an in depth work history to allow you to show case your related duties and responsibilities. However, if you have limited or no work experience in the area of work you are applying for you may wish to evidence that you have the skills and potential needed to do the job with a skills-based CV. • Consider your target audience when writing your CV. The information you include when applying for a professional job may be more detailed than that for a part time opportunity.

“ Used service as I needed to update my CV and get it ready for applying for placements. The Consultant gave me hope and also helped me to realise a lot of things that are skills I didn’t realise counted.” 3rd year Photographic and Electronic Media

Resources:

www.rgu.ac.uk/preparingtosucceed/cvs www.rgu.ac.uk/graduatejobsearch www.targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/applications-and-cvs www.targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-hunting-tools-downloads www.prospects.ac.uk/links/cvwriting 15

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SKILLS-BASED CV EXAMPLE

James Hampton

1 The Grange, Smithfield, S1 2AB (E) Hampton@btinternet.com (T) 01234 567 890 Final year BSc(Hons) Surveying undergraduate with relevant industrial experience. Ambitious to secure a position within an established construction company as a Quantity Surveyor to develop current skills further and contribute to the company’s growth. EDUCATION BSc (Hons) Surveying – RICS accredited 2007 – 2011 Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen Key Modules: Construction Management; Business Management; Procurement; Value and Cost Studies; Law and Construction Contracts; Risk Management; and Integrative Studies. Dissertation: Commercial Management within the UK Construction Industry. Smithfield High School 2001 – 2007 Highers: Maths (B); Business Management (B); Physical Education (A); Physics (B); English (B); and Geography (A). PROJECTS Energy Report Project: As part of Value and Cost Studies module, worked as part of a team to analyse the theoretical energy consumption of a real building. Analysed the information obtained and considered how to increase the buildings efficiency. The results led to substantial gains on energy consumption and were commended by the module assessor. Legal Case Study: As part of the Law and Construction Contracts module, a case study was undertaken in the form of a legal problem which centred on the Scots Law of Delict. Several legal approaches were considered and by reviewing precedents set through case law possible legal action was ascertained. The project was awarded an A. Investment Appraisal Report: As part of 3rd year Integrative Studies project prepared an investment appraisal report for the redevelopment of a site in central Aberdeen. Recommended how the site should be redeveloped and assessed its market value. Domestic Scale Project: Prepared an approximate quantities estimate for a domestic scale project at Garthdee as part of 2nd year Integrative Studies module, and as part of a team prepared a bill of quantities for the project. RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE Student Quantity Surveyor Jan - Sept 2010 Cope Construction, Glasgow • Assisted in general daily quantity surveying duties. • Measurements on site for interim valuations and sub contractor payments. • Assisted in the tender enquiry process including setting up spreadsheets for tender assessment purposes. • Involved in site meetings and documented minutes for site records. • Shadowed senior quantity surveyor during the reporting of the monthly cost/value reconciliation reports. • Assisted Quantity Surveyor in the measurement and agreement of variation orders.

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OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE Sales Colleague, Supermarket, Smithfield Bar Staff, Smith Arms Pub, Smithfield

2007 – present Summer 2008 and 2009

SKILLS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Communication • Experienced in writing reports, essays and delivering presentations due to continual educational process. • Understand the importance of tailoring communication style to work with peers, customers or sub contractor enquiries. • Successfully developed negotiating skills whilst working with sub contractors on pricing works at Cope Construction. Teamwork and Leadership • Member of local Smithfield Junior Football Club, member of the team that won the Junior Championship for three years consecutively and was awarded players player of the year 2010. • Contribute well within team projects at university, having been commended by lecturer on leadership skills during energy report project. • Completed Gold Duke of Edinburgh whilst a Venture Scout, required to work as part of a team to complete expeditions as well as independently to complete challenges. Organisational and Time Management • After 2 months at Cope Construction, was allocated full responsibility for producing proposals for local, national and international projects, including the new Dam at New World Location. Was fully accountable for managing a project budget of over £250,000. • Skills were developed and enriched by carrying out independent research during final year dissertation project to deadline, and overall management of workload throughout university duration. • As an Assistant Cub Scout Leader, required to organise group trips. For example, co-ordinated a visit for twenty Cub Scouts to a local fire station. This required planning the respective travel arrangements, ensuring risk assessments were carried out and parents informed of arrangements. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS •

Student Member of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • •

Active member of Aberdeen RICS matrics group, participating in social and CPD activities. Full UK (clean) driving licence with own car.

REFERENCES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

CHRONOLOGICAL CV EXAMPLE

DURBA PARVEZ

21 Garthdee Avenue Aberdeen AB10 5AZ Tel: 07025121211 Email: dparvez@yahoo.co.uk CAREER OBJECTIVE MSc International Business Post Graduate with five years of experience in logistics and supply chain. Seeking a challenging logistics position in the energy sector where professional experience and expertise can add value to organisational goals and objectives EDUCATION Jan 2010 to May 2011

MSc International Business Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK Key Modules: International Business, Finance for Managers, Performance Planning and Decision Making, Business Environment and Managing People. Dissertation: Logistics and energy supply and demand. An EU perspective

Sep 2009 to Dec 2009

Pre Entry English Certificate University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK

2002-2004

Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management Institute of International Business, India

1999-2002

Bachelor in Business Nagpur University, India

PROFESSIONAL CAREER HISTORY 2007- 2009 • • • • •

Logistics Coordinator ABC Logistics, India

Fully accountable for managing the logistics activities of a major UK based client Implemented new procurement software resulting in 15% cost savings for company budget Developed business by gaining new contracts, analysing logistical problems and recommending solutions Handled export shipments of other nomination clients as per their SOP Responsible for arranging workshops and training on behalf of clients, involved presentations and online demonstration of database

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

Senior Executive AFL India Handled the export and import shipments for variety of goods from various exporters and importers based in India to different parts of the world Negotiated rates with overseas counterparts for securing business which required knowledge of current prevailing competitive rates and excellent interpersonal skills Provided timely information about the shipments to customers to avoid any dispute

Dec 2006-May 2007 • • •

Executive Key Accounts DHL India In charge of the supply chain activities of the largest client of the company Directly responsible for giving end to end service to the client for their air /sea import, custom clearance and transportation. Provided documents on various licences, procedures, agreements as per the requirement of Indian Custom regulations.

July 2005- Nov 2006 • • •

Customer Care Executive SAL Logistics India Fully accountable for the customer care department for the air and sea import shipments of the company

Mar 2004 - June 2005 •

OTHER CAREER HISTORY 2010 – Present 2009 – 2010

Retail Operative, Primark, Aberdeen Student Ambassador, Robert Gordon University

KEY SKILLS AND ACHIEVEMENTS • • • • •

Awarded ‘Student Ambassador of the year 2010’ for commitment and positive attitude Completed London Marathon 2009 Excellent team player, regularly selected for projects and surveys organised by ABC Logistics Working Knowledge of SAP applications Fluent in English and Hindi

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS •

Chartered Institute of Logistics Managers

REFERENCES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

APPLICATION FORMS (online and paper based) When completing an application form whether online or paper, preparation is important. You should photocopy, print or download the application form. Use this as a first draft to ensure you can fit everything in you want to and also to make sure you answer the questions positively. Employers use application forms to judge each candidate using the same information which makes the process more systematic and ultimately fairer. Application forms also allow employers to restrict the information they receive to the areas they are particularly interested in, tailored to the role they are recruiting for.

“Make s ure that students know w ha actually t the company do actual jo es and what th e b entail s that yo are app u lying fo r. I have s some ve een ry this area poor attempts in ” BP Rec ruiter

Ensure that you read the form thoroughly and follow all instructions. If you are handwriting, use black ink and ensure your handwriting is legible as your form will probably be photocopied and this makes it easier to read. Make certain that you adhere to the word/ character count. DO keep your own copy, this means that when you come to the interview stage it is good to review so you can remember what you told the employer, many employers will take their lead at interview from information on your application form. Be informative, detailed but concise in your answers. Give employers the essential detail but leave them wanting to meet you to find out more. Use the job description and person specification as a guide, bearing in mind the competencies and qualities that the employer is looking for, and answer the questions with evidence of these skills. Don’t dismiss anything as irrelevant without careful thought – students often think that their vacation work as a waiter, shop assistant or security guard is not relevant, and of no interest to a graduate employer. This is not the case. Employers can learn a great deal about your motivation and skills from jobs such as these, so include them! Don’t make lists on your application form, detail the relevance and the extent of your interest.

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

Most applications have a section for competency-based questions, and this can be the hardest section of the form for most applicants. The questions usually begin “give an example of” or “describe a time when you” and asking for examples of specific skills such as problem solving, leadership, communication or teamwork etc e.g. Give me an example of where you have demonstrated your ability to work effectively as part of a team? Describe a time where you needed help to complete a job, project or task. How did you go about asking? These skills are normally the ones that are essential for success with that employer. You need to construct a paragraph for each situation, ensuring that the focus is on you – even if the situation involved a group. One way of answering these questions is via the STAR approach:

S T A

Situation: How, when, where and with whom?

Whilst employed at Aberdeen Technologies Ltd last summer

Task: Describe the task you were faced with.

I was asked to review the current inventory system.

Action: What action did YOU take?

To do this, I had to look at how often stock was ordered, how often it stayed in the warehouse and identify any areas of over ordering. I worked out a method of tracking the products in the warehouse, ensuring there was minimal stock whilst meeting demand. I then submitted my proposal to my manager.

Result: What result/conclusion did you achieve? What did you learn from the experience?

My manager approved my ideas, and after implementation cut stock levels by 30% and reduced costs by 15%.

References: Generally in application forms employers expect one academic and one personal or employer reference. Ensure that you have asked your referees permission to give their names and provide them with details of the position you have applied for so they can relate the reference to the job. Resources:

“Read th and answe questions ca re demonst er with clarity fully in relati rate what you and on to th d e quest id how yo io u Big com would approa n or forms a panies screen thch it. nd the v are reje ast majo ese c Poor formted at this stag rity fi lli n g mean e. intervie s no w” BP Rec ruiter

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

INTERVIEWS What is an interview? It is an opportunity to present your skills, experience, personality and suitability, whilst giving you the chance to evaluate the company and the job. The interview process may be challenging but employers don’t expect perfection so try to relax, be yourself and enjoy the experience. Interview types vary between organisations. Some graduate recruiters initially have telephone interviews to ‘screen’ a high number of candidates. Smaller companies may have a one-off one-to-one interview, however more likely in larger organisations is a Panel Interview. The final stage may be an Assessment Centre so employers can assess your skills directly.

“If ask ed to d escrib a piec e eo you w f work whic ere inv h olved specifi in, ca did – I bout what be yo se talk ab e a lot of pe u ou op practic t ‘we’. Link le yo al possib skills where ur le ve intervie to the job b r eing wed fo r” BP

Recru

iter

Preparation is key! When invited to interview ensure you have all appropriate details such as location and timing. Refresh yourself on the position and the organisation and the application you submitted. Consider questions you may be asked and think of questions you may wish to ask. Book a Mock Interview at the Careers Centre to practice and get feedback. You can also watch a DVD of graduate job interviews. The purpose of any interview is to assess if you CAN you do the job by assessing skills, achievements, experience and learning potential, WILL you do the job in terms of your motivation, interest in position, company and industry, work ethic and outside influences and ultimately will you FIT the organisation regarding your communication style, attitude and personality, values, work style and appearance. Typical structure of an interview starts with a short introduction by those interviewing and the interview process. The middle bit (30 – 45 mins) is to ascertain the ‘Can You’ – Skills and Experience, ‘Will You’ – Motivation and ‘Fit’ – Personality, rounded off with a conclusion (5 – 10 mins), allowing you to ask any questions. You will usually be told when you should expect to hear from the employer and thanked for your time. If asked to deliver a presentation you will be notified in the interview invitation and advised what resources may or may not be available. Ensure you plan your topic with careful attention to timing, allowing for any questions to be asked. Consider the delivery method and your intended audience. It is also worthwhile preparing hand-outs. Behaviour during interview is crucial ensure you make a good first impression. Maintain positive body language throughout, any distracting mannerisms may detract from what you are trying to say. Speed, pitch, rhythm and tone of voice are equally important. It’s OK to be nervous, interviewers are human and should quickly put you at ease. They may push you a little to get the best out of you so be prepared to voice opinions and to analyse yourself. Listen and give relevant answers, not necessarily those you have pre-prepared. If you don’t understand a question or need time to think, say so, don’t launch in blindly or stare wildly into space! Finally thank interviewers for their time. 22

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

What employers don’t want you to do is to underestimate your skills and abilities, ramble or waffle, use jargon words, nor antagonise or argue with them. They don’t want to hear about your weaknesses without saying what you are doing about them. Asking questions at interview is an important part of the interview decision process so think ahead and prepare. Genuinely ask yourself ‘Do you have all the information you need to make a decision about whether this is the job for you?’ Ask questions which demonstrate that you are already thinking about your performance or development in the job should you be offered the position. After the interview and whatever the outcome, treat it as a learning experience and reflect on your performance. Were you uncomfortable with or unprepared for any questions? Note down any difficult questions you struggled with. It is worth aiming to get feedback from an employer, not all will supply this, but some are very happy to do so and whether positive or negative will hopefully be constructive for future interviews. Types of questions Competency • Detail a time when you had to persuade someone to change his or her mind? • Who is the most difficult person you have had to work with? What did you do? • Tell me about a time when you were part of a successful team. What part did you play? • What is your greatest achievement? What obstacles did you have to overcome? • Tell me about an innovative idea that you have had. How did you implement it? Behavioural (Personality, Attitude, Motivation)… • Why have you applied for this job? • What do you know about this organisation? • Use 3 adjectives to describe yourself. • How do you like to be managed? Administrative (Salary, Terms and Conditions, Availability)… • What are your salary expectations for this post? • What type of environment do you work best in? • Would you be willing to travel to other locations as part of this role? Additional typical questions… • Tell me about yourself ... • How would your friends describe you? • What are your strengths/weaknesses? Resources:

www.rgu.ac.uk/preparingtosucceed/interviewprep www.rgu.ac.uk/graduatejobinterview www.targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/interview-techniques www.prospects.ac.uk/links/interviews

“Listenin intervie g at the w is being – be clear on w a a techn sked, especiall hat ic y over ela al interview, do at b n questio orate. Ask a cla ’t n if requ ri ired and fying rush yo u go back r answer. Be pre don’t to many ca simple first p pared to ri s questio es to answer a nciples in n” technic al BP Rec ruiter

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

ASSESSMENT CENTRES An Assessment Centre is an extended selection procedure, usually lasting a day or two. It allows an employer to test candidates skills further than they can at a traditional interview. The benefit to applicants is that a number of different selectors get to see you over a longer period of time and have the chance to see what you can do in relation to the required job competencies, rather than what you say you can do, in a variety of situations. The Careers Centre can support you in understanding a typical assessment day and preparing you with practice exercises and informative discussions. There is also an Assessment Centre DVD that is available to view online. During an Assessment Centre selectors assess your performance against pre determined criteria necessary for you to do the job well and fit in with the organisation. Typically, a variety of the following activities may shape the Assessment Centre: • • • •

Information sessions Social/informal events One-to-one or panel interview Psychometric/aptitude tests, personality inventories

• • • • • •

Case studies In-tray exercises Presentations Group activities Practical tasks Discussions and role plays

Saurabh, MEng graduate now working for Total presents to Oil and Gas students at a Mock Assessment Centre run by the Careers Team

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

Find out the format of the assessment centre. How long it will last, what sort of exercises will be carried out and support available for transport and any necessary accommodation. Make sure you are dressed appropriately. Some companies have a much more relaxed approach to dress than others but, if in doubt, wear a suit. You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be criticised for being too smart but employers will notice if you walk in wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt! Ensure you know yourself, why you are the best person for the job. Be prepared to demonstrate these skills and strengths through the activities you are asked to undertake. Keeping abreast of current affairs and having a commercial awareness can be useful too. Throughout the Assessment Centre stay enthusiastic and motivated, no matter how tired you may get. Maintain positive body language, excellent communication skills, good eye contact and it can be very important to have a good sense of humour! During the social or informal part including meal times of the event remember to behave in a way that shows you in a positive light as you are being assessed throughout. Talking to other candidates as well as the company employees will help you prepare for the group activities. You are competing against the competencies. There may be a position available for every assessment centre candidate, therefore donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t compete aggressively against other candidates, be yourself, show your strengths and support others in participating fully. Ask for feedback: Hopefully you will be offered a position but if this is not the case you can ask the employer for feedback on your performance. This information will help you to prepare effectively for the next assessment centre.

Resources:

www.rgu.ac.uk/preparingtosucceed/assessmentcentres www.rgu.ac.uk/assessmentcentre www.shldirect.com www.teamtechnology.co.uk

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

CAREERS CENTRE RESOURCES ONLINE RESOURCES AGCAS DVDs AGCAS (Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services) produce a series of DVD titles of interest to students and graduates. These are available to view online by visiting the weblinks below: • Your Journey to Work - From a degree to a graduate job www.rgu.ac.uk/journeytowork www.rgu.ac.uk/graduatejobsearch • Making an Impact : The Graduate Job Interview www.rgu.ac.uk/graduatejobinterview • At the Assessment Centre www.rgu.ac.uk/assessmentcentre CAMPUSMOODLE Online you can access three resources to support your career planning and employability whilst at Robert Gordon University : • RGU CAREERS CENTRE: MY CAREER, ADVICE, INFORMATION AND EVENTS This page provides you direct access to all the latest information and advice from the Careers Centre. www.rgu.ac.uk/moodle/careers • DEGREE SPECIFIC INFORMATION Your personalised careers page can be found under your module listings (see page 27 for screen shot). campusmoodle.rgu.ac.uk/my/ • MY CAREER: PREPARING TO SUCCEED The Careers Centre has produced a series of 8 online modules to help you to prepare to succeed in your career. www.rgu.ac.uk/moodle/preparingtosucceed MY CAREER Your online careers appointment, event booking and job searching system. www.rgu.ac.uk/mycareer

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

degree specific information

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

DELICIOUS The social bookmarking site Delicious contains recommended careers information links from the Careers Centre. www.delicious.com/rgucareers FACEBOOK Like Us on Facebook to find out about all the latest news, jobs and events from the Careers Centre. www.facebook.com/rgucareers PART-TIME JOBS PORTAL The Careers Centre has just made finding your next part-time job easier with this online job search resource. www.netvibes.com/rgucareers SHELFARI Review our collection of reference only books that you can browse in the Careers Centre. www.shelfari.com/robert_gordon_university_careers_service TWITTER Follow Us on Twitter for updates on all the latest news, jobs and events from the Careers Centre. www.twitter.com/rgucareers GRADUATE CAREERS PUBLISHERS Target Jobs Target Jobs produces a series of free sector related career information aimed at graduates entering the labour market - available from the Careers Centre. Their website gives further information on a wide range of sectors, graduate vacancies, internships and career advice. www.targetjobs.co.uk/ Graduate Prospects Graduate Prospects provides the Careers Centre with a range of printed material to support students when researching and choosing their graduate job. Online, Prospects is the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Official Graduate Career Website. The site has information on vacancies, industry insights, occupational and employer profiles to support you in planning your career. www.prospects.ac.uk Inside Careers Inside Careers supplies free graduate career information, advice and job vacancy listings in the areas of Business & Management, City & Finance, IT & Engineering. www.insidecareers.co.uk/ Realworld Magazine This series of magazines gives you a range of sector specific career information, graduate job vacancies and advice on how to enhance your applications. www.realworldmagazine.com/ 28

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

STUDENT and graduate FEEDBACK “Firstly I used care er advice help on deciding for and clari my optio fying ns. Then I ha session fo r making d another applicati cv/cove ons ring exactly w letter. I now kno / w here I wa nt to go how to g and o about gett 4th yea r Applie ing there.” d Socia Science l s

as es as I w e servic th p d a e s g “I u f doin iddle o e m ic v e d th a d in neede I . s n o m , y plicati centres sment s e . Very s s ts a on cal tes numeri d n very a re V a C staff ervice, good s .” to help ment happy anage

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“Because I am international student, I used that service, I can know clearly how to find job and manage my job plan. Thank you so much!”

MSc Project Management

e advic reers r my a C d o “Use tments fo ood s in o ts. G c e e app p s m e pro lped futur really he uture d ef far an take som o t a lot n.” io decis MBA

elped ved CV h “My impro an interview me secure er placement m and a sum mpany I sent o c e with th .” to it in chanical r Me 2nd yea ng ri e Engine

“I am abou very imp t r care the resu essed ers a l t p I wo poin of my u othe ld recom tment an r m d to m student end to s ake an a /gradua they pp te n wort eed hel ointmen s p, it h it.” t if i Grad s rea lly u Soft ate M S ware c Tech nolo gy

“I felt a lot more secure knowing that I had the advice of the careers advisor with me and that I could ask for more help should I need it at any time.” 4th year Applied Biomedical Science

Tell us what you think of our service: www.rgu.ac.uk/careers/feedback 29

my career: preparing to succeed Your online and interactive job search and career planning module

where are we?

Opening Times: CAREERS CENTRE /

Monday

9am–5pm

Tuesday

9am–5pm

Wednesday

11am–5pm

Thursday

9am–5pm

Friday

9am–5pm

Check our website for our drop in times in both locations. www.rgu.ac.uk/careers T: 01224 262110 E: careers@rgu.ac.uk

www.twitter.com/rgucareers

www.facebook.com/rgucareers

Robert Gordon University, a Scottish charity registered under charity number SCO13781 Produced by The Gatehouse: Design & Print Consultancy at Robert Gordon University • 0710/28796/CAREERS/AA