This document provides guidance on job hunting skills for international students. It discusses researching the job market and vacancy sources, applying for jobs through both advertised and unadvertised openings, networking, and tailoring applications for specific roles. Key recommendations include researching potential employers, identifying target vacancy sources, seeking unadvertised roles through direct outreach, and emphasizing enthusiasm and interest for roles during interviews. International graduate schemes and resources for finding vacancies from organizations like Prospects and the University of Kent are also referenced.

1. Job hunting skills for international
students
Welcome to the
Careers and
Employability Centre

2. Job hunting skills for international
students
• Getting started
• Researching the job market
• Vacancy sources
• Applying for jobs
• Making speculative applications
• Your questions

3. Job hunting skills for international
students – where to start?
• Where?
• What sector?
• What job?
• Timescale?
• Direct entry
or graduate recruitment?
Understanding
who you are
Researching
options
Making
choices and
taking
action
Making
applications

4. Job hunting skills for international
students – next steps
• Start by checking out the full range of vacancy media – web, print,
events and agencies. Are you covering all the bases?
• Look at job level, salaries and location of jobs being advertised in the
vacancy sources. Are they realistic for you at your current career point?
• Narrow your vacancy search – compile a list of target vacancy sources
you will check regularly and register for e-alerts

5. Job hunting skills for international
students – did you know…..
40% VISIBLE Jobs market
• Advertised via websites, journals, agencies, events
60% INVISIBLE Jobs market
• Word of Mouth
• Speculative Approaches

6. Job hunting skills for international
students – vacancy sources
• Employer directories (Target, Prospects, Times 100)
• Websites
• Recruitment Consultancies and Agencies
• Careers Events
• Professional Bodies
• Speculative job search

7. Job hunting skills - researching
employers is important
• To identify potential employers in order to target for advertised
vacancy search
• For background information on employer competencies,
business activities etc order to successfully complete written
applications
• For in depth information on employer’s culture, business
strategy/mission and performance in order to get through
interviews and assessment centre
• To identify employers to target
for speculative applications

8. Job hunting skills –
how do they want applications?
Find out…………..
•How are CVs/cover letters used and what style is preferred?
•How does interview format and etiquette differ?

9. Job hunting skills –
seeking unadvertised vacancies
Using a 4-stage approach:
1.Identify potential employers in the sector you want to work in
2.Phone up to find out a key contact to direct your speculative
application at
3.Send out a well-crafted cover letter and CV targeted at that
employer
4.Be prepared to phone follow-up your application within 2-3
weeks where appropriate

10. Job hunting skills –
contacts and the art of net working
Contacts could be…
Lecturers
Friends & Relatives
Alumni
And could provide……..
Information Interviewing
Placement/Work Experience
Vital information about the job market
Social networking?
Meeting Employers at Fairs?

11. Job hunting skills – top tips
• Research the role
• Always tailor your application to the job role – a general CV and
covering letter wont get you anywhere! Target the job you really
want
• Make your enthusiasm for the job come across in your
application form and at your interview – demonstrate your
motivation - this is easier if you have genuine interest in the role
• Join a professional body and network with professionals
• ACCA, UKIndia Business Council etc

12. Careers and Employability Centre
Where to look for vacancies
Careers and Employability Centre
• http://www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/
Prospects
• http://www.prospects.ac.uk/
University of Kent resources
• http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sitesint.htm

13. Careers and Employability Centre
Where to look for vacancies
Check out international graduate schemes,
for example…
 Unilever
 HSBC
 Tesco
 Deloitte
 KPMG
 IBM

14. Careers and Employability Centre
Where to look for vacancies
• Universum is an organization committed to connecting leading
international employers with top global talent.
• By joining the global talent network, Universum can provide you
with career opportunities at exciting companies looking for your
particular mix of skills and abilities.
• You will also be provided with valuable feedback on the match
between your skills profile and your preferred industries’
requirements.

15. So, how can you get to see us?
• Briefings – Sussex plus, Finding part time work, CVs and
Applications
• Careers Advisers are available daily.
• Call in or phone 01273 678429 Excellent for CV, personal
statements, cover letters and application form feedback.
• Come along to the events – listed on news & events page
• Follow us on Twitter & Facebook