This document provides job hunting tips for graduates. It outlines 10 steps for an effective job search: 1) assess your strengths and what you can offer employers, 2) research job options related and unrelated to your degree, 3) learn about your career prospects, 4) research employers and vacancies, 5) make effective applications focusing on quality over quantity, 6) prepare for interviews, 7) review and get feedback on applications, 8) consider alternatives like further study if needed, 9) stay motivated through the process, and 10) make an action plan and take steps toward your goals. Additional resources for support are also listed.

1. Job Hunting Tips
for Graduates
Rosanne Rieley
Careers Adviser
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2. Where are you in your job
search?
Making
applications
GRADUATION ________________________________________________ 
JOB
No idea Interviews
what to do

3. Aim of session
To suggest ways and
resources to help move you
forward in your job search
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4. 1. Where to Start?
Assess what you want and what
you can offer
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5. Think about what it is you want
from a job/career?

6. What can you offer an employer?
 Creativity  Logical thinking
 Determination  Negotiation
(self-  Networking
discipline, motivati  Working with
on, planning) others
 Empathy  Practical skills
 Finding (research
information methods/
 Innovation software/lab
techniques)
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7. 3. What can you do with your
qualification?
Find out about types of jobs
 Jobs related to
your subject
 Jobs not related
www.prospects.ac.
uk
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8. I haven’t got a clue what I want to
do!
 Prospects Planner — University
of Leicester
 Windmills Programme
Look at what other
graduates do:
 Graduate destinations —
University of Leicester
 National destinations- Prospects
What do graduates do?
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9. 4. Research the Market
Employers and Vacancies
Where are they?
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10. Employers
Types
 Graduate employer
 Large employers listings
 Small and medium  Prospects Directory,
sized enterprises  Hobsons
(SME’s)  GET Directory
 GTI Target series
Sectors  The Times Top 100
Employers
 Private
 Public
 Commercial
 Voluntary (Third Directories
10 Sector)  Kelly’s Directories

11. Vacancies –
The Visible Job Market
 University of Leicester Jobs on-line
http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ssds/sd/careers/vac
ancies/jobsonline
 www.milkround.com
 Prospects Finalist
 Prospects Graduate
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/graduate
 Employer’s own websites
 Local and National Press www.thepaperboy.com
 Professional Associations and Bodies
11  Specialist Journals

12. Vacancies - The Visible Job
Market
 Graduate Recruitment Fairs and events
Careers fairs – Prospects website
 Recruitment websites or Job Boards
 E.g. www.monster.com www.totaljobs.com
 Recruitment Agencies www.rec.uk.com
 Job Centre Plus
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

13. Graduate Work Experience/
internships
 The University of Leicester's Internship
Programme (TULIP) — University of Leicester–
6 month paid internship employed within the
university. Start Sept/Oct
 KTP – Knowledge Transfer Partnerships –
Opportunity to manage projects 10 weeks – 3
years. Projects between graduate, an
organisation and an university
KTP - Accelerating Business Innovation also
advertised on www.jobs.ac.uk

14. Graduate Internships cont…..
 Graduate Gateway – Must be living in
Derbyshire, Leicestershire or
Nottinghamshire, 26 week period working on
business assignment. Opportunities during
Autumn & Spring
Loughborough University - Working with
business
 ‘Graduate Talent Pool’ – Government
initiative, range of paid & unpaid internships
Graduate Talent Pool: graduate internships | Home
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page

15. Graduate internships cont…
 HEFCE Graduate Internships
Graduate Work Placements — University of
Leicester
 Graduate STEP – 8-week summer
internships
Step - Nurturing Talent - Graduate Step
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16. Working Abroad
 International job online | Latest
international graduate jobs |
Prospects.ac.uk – International
Graduate Jobs
 The Homepage for NASES
National Association of Student
Employment Services – Country
specific information and guides
 Country specific information –
Prospects website
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17. The Hidden Job Market
Fact – Not all jobs are advertised!
 Speculative
submissions
 Networking

18. 5. Make Effective Applications
Focus on quality not quantity !
 CV
 Covering Letter
 Application Form
 Competency-based
 Statement by
Applicant
 Aptitude Tests

19. Find out employer Requirements
 Skills
 Knowledge
 Attributes  Do you match
their requirements
and are you able
to provide
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evidence?

20. 6. Impress at Interview
Preparation is key!
 Telephone
Interview
 Face to Face
Interview
 Assessment
Centres
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21. 7. Review and Reflect
 Monitor applications
 Obtain Feedback
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22. Track your applications
Company Name Position Deadline Date Sent Outcome Action
Applied for Date

23. 8. Consider Alternatives
 Non graduate schemes and other jobs
 Part-time
 Fixed term/temporary contracts
 Volunteering
 Self employment
 Further Study and training e.g Professional/skills
 Gap Year
 Working in own country
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24. 9. Keep Motivated
Getting a job takes time & effort!
 Under going period of transition
 Organise your activities and structure
your time
 Learn from each experience and move
on
 Try and remain optimistic and positive
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 Seek help and support

25. 10. Make a Plan of Action
Be proactive not inactive!
 Assess where you are
 Assess where you want to
be
 Set goals/objectives
 Take action
Activity – in 2’s discuss
any action you will now
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take

26. Summary - Job hunting check list
 Be self- aware - Have developed clear ideas
about your strengths, skills, interests and
motivations as well as practical needs
 Be opportunity aware - Explore different types
of jobs and options and systematically weigh up
the pros and cons
 Make a plan
 Research and draw up a list of contacts,
vacancies and employers you are going to apply
to and their requirements
 Focus on making quality applications
26  Review

27. 10. Further help and support
 www.le.ac.uk/studentdevelopment - General
website
 www.le.ac.uk/graduatesuccess - Available from
5th July 2010 – Graduate Success Guide
 Career Development Support
 CV and Application Feedback
 Guidance Consultations
 Interview Coaching
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