This document provides information about finding part-time jobs through the University's Talent Bank program. It discusses the importance of skills for employability and what employers look for in graduates. It describes the Talent Bank program, which allows students to gain paid work experience across various university departments. The application process for the Talent Bank is also outlined, including application deadlines and the skills assessed during the process.

1. Find a Part-time Job – Join
the University’s Talent Bank
Hristina Simeonova
Employability Assistant
Career Development Centre

2. Objectives
By the end of this session you should:
– Recognise the importance of skills desired by the
employers
– Be able to identify skills that can be gained and
developed from part-time work and other
experiences
– Be familiar with the University’s Talent Bank
scheme, how to apply for it and the benefits you
can gain from being part of it

3. What are skills?
– Abilities acquired through education and other
experiences.
– “an ability to do an activity or job well, especially
because you have practised it.”
Cambridge advanced learners dictionary
Other terms in use: capabilities, competencies,
abilities.

4. Employers’ Expectations of
Graduates
– Degree
– Experience
– Skills
Carl Gilleard
– Former CEO
Association of
Graduate Recruiters

5. Degree
– For some roles the subject knowledge gained from your
degree will be utilised to some extent in the role. However,
some employers will not necessarily care what your degree
subject was, the final classification is important (ideally 2:1 or
better)
– A degree is more than subject knowledge, it is a set of values,
qualities, skills and experiences that employers value. Chief
among these is the concept of committing to something for a
long period and doing well.
– Degree + Experience + Skills = Employable

6. Experience
– Ideally the experience will be relevant to the role you are
applying for but…
– Any experience which has enhanced your “employability” will
be useful. Experience can be gained from:
 part-time work
 volunteering
 work experience/placements/internships
 extra-curricular activities – clubs/societies/interests
– Degree + Experience + Skills = Employable

7. Skills
– A combination of applied knowledge and experience which
make you able to function effectively in the workplace.
– Skills gained in one job can be transferred to another. For
example, customer service skills.
– Degree + Experience + Transferable Skills = Employable

8. Selling skills gained in part-time roles to
an employer
Ideally, your part-time role would be related to your future graduate career
but that isn’t always possible and certainly isn’t absolutely necessary.
– What skills has this woman gained in her part-time job as a receptionist
that will be of use in her planned career as a marketing executive?
– Communication
– Working under pressure
– Customer service
– Multi-tasking
– Attention to detail
– Teamwork
– Commercial awareness

9. Or this man who is working as a Data Entry
assistant but wants to work in finance?

10. Or this woman who works in the Library but wants to
be a HR Executive?

11. Some jobs require relevant experience
– Any job can give you useful skills but some jobs require
relevant experience before you can do them at graduate
level
– Examples include: Teaching, lab-based roles, most
retail/sales roles, IT support roles (at 2nd and 3rd line)
– So how can you get experience in these?
– Part-time roles, volunteering, internships, university
schemes

12. Evidencing your skills
in applications and interviews
– Typically in application forms and interviews you are invited to
provide evidence of your skills.
– The questions will take the form of “Describe a time when…” or
“Give an example of…”
– These “competency-based” questions are asking you to talk
about your skills by telling a story about something that you did
in your past.

13. How to evidence your skills
Context Where were you?
What did you have to do?
Scenario or problem
Action What action did you
take? What was
your role? Be specific.
Result What was the
outcome and why?
Would you do it
differently next time?

14. Finding part-time roles
– Easiest method: walk the streets, pop in and ask.
– The less energetic method: search online
– Career Development Centre job listings
https://engage.westminster.ac.uk/
Google – “Part time jobs in London” – follow the link to
indeed.co.uk – over 7000 roles, Guardian – over 200 roles.
– Other sources: local newspaper and Free-Ads style
publications

15. Got a non-relevant part-time job but
want relevant experience?
– Consider volunteering.
– Visit http://do-it.org.uk – there are thousands of voluntary
opportunities in an around London all of which will provide you
with an excellent opportunity to apply and further develop your
skills and gain valuable experience whilst helping a charitable
cause.
– If you want help with finding suitable volunteering, have a chat
with Berekhet Berakhy at the Career Development Centre
b.berakhy@westminster.ac.uk

16. Want to go into teaching but lack classroom
experience?
– Get in touch with the University of Westminster
Associates in Schools (UWAS) team
– http://westminster.ac.uk/uwas
– Provides 15 days of classroom-based experience,
supporting an experienced teacher

17. Do you want a part-time role that is flexible around your
studies, pays relatively well and will be a great source of
skills and experience?
Apply to join the
Talent Bank!

18. What is the Talent Bank
– Gives students the opportunity to apply for paid
temporary and part-time vacancies across all
campuses and various departments within the
University of Westminster as well as with local
employers.
www.westminster.ac.uk/talent-bank

19. Talent Bank Roles
 Administration
 Receptionist
 Social Media/ Marketing
 IT
 Events
 Call centre
 Library jobs
 Customer Service
 Web development

20. Application Process
– Applications opened 24/7
– Complete an online application form with a CV and
a Supporting Statement
– Attend an Assessment Day
– Join the Talent Bank
– Apply for opportunities on and/or off campus

21. Talent Bank Student Specification
Demonstrated via
Application
form
Supporting
Statement
CV
Assessmen
t Day
Essential
Self-motivated with enthusiasm,
initiative and a ‘can-do’ attitude
x x
Able to work independently and in a
team
x x
Excellent written & verbal
communication skills
x x x x
Excellent attention to detail x x x x
Reliability and good timekeeping x x x
Excellent customer service skills x x x
Desirable
Previous work experience x
Microsoft Office Skills x x

22. Talent Bank Deadlines
Assessment days
Applications must be
received by
Successful candidates
notified
Feedback sent to
unsuccessful applicants
2015
Wednesday 22 July, 1-5pm
Monday 6 July, 9am
Thursday 16 July, 4pm
Week commencing 27
July
Wednesday 7 October, 1-5pm
Monday 21 September, 9am Thursday 1 October, 4pm
Week commencing 12
OctoberFriday 9 October, 9.30am-
1.30pm
Wednesday 25 November, 1-
5pm
Monday 9 November, 9am
Thursday 19 November,
4pm
Week commencing 30
NovemberFriday 27 November, 9.30am-
1.30pm

23. Talent Bank Case Studies

24. Things to remember when applying …
– Apply before the deadline e.g. 9am on 6 July
– Tailor your CV
– Tailor your Supporting Statement and provide
examples based on the Student Specification
– Title your CV as instructed
– Think about how you communicate with us prior &
after your application

25. Contact us
Central London
1st Floor, Cavendish House
101 New Cavendish Street
London
W1W 6XH
T 020 3506 6305
E talentbank@westminster.ac.uk
www.westminster.ac.uk/talent-bank

26. Follow us on
facebook.com/uowcareers
twitter.com/uw_careers
blog.westminster.ac.uk/careers

27. Thank you for listening