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Getting an internship S2 – A&F Irena Jennings Lecturer in Careers and Employability, Kent Business School DCG, MBPsS i.jennings@kent.ac.uk KBS Extension Building – Room G.06

Grow your vision with us

Aims for today

• Establish what relevant work experience is

• Look at the typical recruitment processes

• Establish where to find relevant work experience

• Clarify the purposes of CV and covering letter

• Determine what makes a CV stand out

• Tips for making effective applications

• Events/updates

• Resources for further support

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What is relevant work experience?

• Sandwich placements / placement year / year in industry / industrial placement / 12-m internship

• Summer placements / summer internships / structured work experience programme

• Work shadowing / insight days / observation – relevant to career choice

• Part-time work / casual job

• Volunteering / student society

Insight Days at Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Application Deadline 13th November 2015 Central London and City Financial Management, Economics, Banking/Finance

• About the Financial Conduct Authority As the regulator of the biggest financial market in Europe and the second largest in the world, we have an unparalleled outlook on the financial sector. Ultimately, we make sure the financial sector acts with integrity and fairness. We make a difference. And so can you.

• Our Insight Days are an opportunity to take a closer look at what we do, how we do it and meet people at the heart of the business. It’s a chance for you to experience life at the FCA and decide whether a regulatory career is for you.

• Wednesday 28th October – Women in Business & Industry Thursday 5th November – EmployAbility – Supporting students with disabilities Thursday 12th November – Insight in to Internships – Supporting penultimate year students in applying and succeeding at assessment centres Friday 13th November – Elevation Networks – Inclusive careers for ethnically diverse graduates

• Email fca.graduates@fca.org.uk to find out more details and how to apply.

Source: Ratemyplacement

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American Express Campus Undergraduate 2016 Finance Summer Internship

Closing date: 16 November 2016

• Our Summer Internship Programme (10 weeks: Jun–Aug) is open to penultimate year students. The programme acts as a pipeline to our Full Time Graduate Programme.

• Finance is at the centre of all key business decisions. Our roles require individuals that will think strategically, develop high impact relationships, collaborate and communicate effectively and ensure financial integrity for American Express and its clients.

• Required: minimum of 320 UCAS points and a predicted 2:1 degree or international equivalent

Source: Ratemyplacement

Accountancy internship

• Our internship programme will give you a useful insight into our business and culture and help you decide whether to apply for the graduate programme. You’ll be given a real taste of life at the heart of the firm, working on interesting projects alongside graduate trainees and experienced professionals.

• Our internship programme lasts six weeks – running from 4 July to 12 August, in offices across the UK.

• Now open for applications.

Source: Ratemyplacement

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The recruitment process

SMEs Larger organisations &

global businesses

CV & covering letter Email with CV

(covering letter!)

Online application, psychometric tests,

UCAS points,

Personal interview, presentation (?), Excel

test (?)

Telephone interview/

Digital interview Assessment Centre (exercises & tests), Second interview

Finding work experience

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Other resources

• http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2036048 • http://www.aatcomment.org.uk/aat-developing-your-career/work-experience/accounting-work-experience-volunteering • https://www.facebook.com/UkPracticalWorkExperienceInAccountancyCanaryWharf • http://www.wikijob.co.uk/ http://www.icaewjobs.com/

https://www.wikijob.co.uk/

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LinkedIn.com

Why most applications fail

“I have applied to over 40 companies and didn’t even get an interview.”

• Think essay! – Referencing (attention to detail); word count

– Address the question!

• Prepare at every stage: – CV + covering letter + application form

– Prepare for interview and/or assessment centre

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CV & covering letter

CV Covering letter

• List of achievements

and qualifications

• Details (facts, dates,

grades)

• Clear chronological order to

show time scale [in reverse]

• Written communication:

articulate succinctly

• Showing relevant

information at a glance

• Making links between your CV and the job

• Giving explanations, reasons, interpretations

• Drawing together experiences and achievements (from your CV)

• Written communication: articulate coherently

• Showing your interest in the organisation/the job

Before you start

• Find out main requirements

• From resources / relevant professional bodies • From job description > Person Specification

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What do Chartered Accountants do?

• Provide financial services - trustworthy information

about financial records (financial reporting, taxation,

auditing, forensic accounting, etc.)

• Play a strategic role by providing professional advice

• Aim to maximise profitability on behalf of their client or

employer

• Work in many public practice firms, industry and

commerce, as well as in the not-for-profit and public

sectors – many clients

What do accountancy employers want?

• 3 GCSEs, 2 A-levels; 2:1 min. (some accept a 2:2)

• General business awareness and interest in business

• Self-motivation and commitment (need to combine working with studying for professional qualification)

• Communication and interpersonal skills

• Organisational and time management skills

• IT proficiency, especially Excel

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Numeric skills

• Leadership capability and team working skills

• Self-motivation and taking initiative

• Integrity and trustworthiness

Source: ICAEW

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What about financial managers?

The role:

• Provide financial advice to help management make sound business decisions.

• Work in public and private sector organisations, such as multinational corporations, retailers, financial institutions, NHS trusts, charities, manufacturing companies, universities and general businesses.

• Provide budgetary planning for short and long term, and advise on financial implications of any decision.

• Aware of statutory legislation and regulations.

• Also known as financial analysts or business analysts.

Requirements: • commercial and business awareness • excellent communication skills • an analytical approach to work • high numeracy and sound technical skills • problem-solving skills and initiative • strong attention to detail and an

investigative nature • the ability to balance the demands of

work with study commitments • good time management skills and the

ability to prioritise • the ability to work as part of a team and

to build strong working relationships • the ability to make quick but rational

decisions • the potential to lead and motivate others; • good IT skills

Source: www.prospects.ac.uk/links/occupations

What about investment analysts? The role:

• Research global information and investment ideas to fund managers to decide about investment portfolios they manage

• Work in investment banks/businesses, providing information to in-house fund managers; work for stockbrokers and investment banks, where research assists portfolio managers for work with clients:

– wealthy individuals

– pension funds / life assurance companies

– charitable organisations

– banks and large corporations

– companies or individuals seeking alternative investments such as real estate and hedge funds.

Requirements: • ability to research, analyse and evaluate • excellent interpersonal and written/oral

communication skills • the ability to work under pressure/deadlines • strong numerical ability and quantitative

skills • self-confidence, drive and tenacity • ability to work effectively in a team • initiative, flexibility and innovation • interest in current affairs and an appreciation

of their impact on the market • in depth investment knowledge (from an

interest in the markets, participation in relevant student societies or running a shadow portfolio)

• commitment to further study and qualifications

• global mind-set

Source: www.prospects.ac.uk/links/occupations

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Example Rochester

CV Profile – an example

I am a highly motivated, dynamic and reliable individual who is looking for a summer internship to develop my skills further. I am diligent and am a multi-tasker and get on well with other people. I am looking for a challenging and interesting position with a reputable firm.

Note: Example of how NOT to present yourself!

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CV Profile – Better example

Better example:

Confident second year Accounting & Finance student with strong analytical and problem solving skills; also good team working and communication skills; seeking summer internship in finance.

Being concise & informative CV example - work experience

Avoid interpretations and opinions:

• During this experience, I had the chance to work with many different customers. This allowed me to improve many useful skills, such as team working and communicating with customers, which is important for an accountancy career.

Better (e.g. retail part-time experience):

• Worked with wide range of customers, handled cash and card payments and provided efficient customer service.

• Dealt with customer enquiries and product returns and developed strong communication skills.

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Preparing for application

Examples of competency questions

• Describe a time when you had to manage a challenging project/piece of work on your own. How did you approach the project to make sure you met your deadlines? What barriers/constraints did you have to overcome in order to be successful? (max. 250 words)

• Give an example of a time when you have had to convince others round to your way of thinking. What resistance did you face? How did you overcome this? How did the others react? (max. 150 words)

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STAR

• S – Situation – Briefly describe situation where your

example comes from for context?

• T – Task – What exactly was the task/role?

• A – Action – How did you approach this task? What

exactly did you do?

• R – Result – What was the end result?

Employability Award for Business

http://blogs.kent.ac.uk/kbs-employability/careers-advice/moodle-award/

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News and events • Employability Festival: • 26 October – 6 November;

www.kent.ac.uk/ces/empfest • Careers Fair: 3 November,

12:00 – 15:00, Sports Hall At KBS: • Bitesize employability

workshops Tuesday evenings, 18:00 – 18:30, KBSX4

Further help & support

• Careers and Employability Service

– Drop ins Mon-Fri 10:30-12:30 and 14:00-16:00

– Appointments: 01227-823299, careerhelp@kent.ac.uk

• At KBS

– Irena Jennings, i.jennings@kent.ac.uk

– Office hours Tuesdays, 10:00-12:00 – G.06 KBSX

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• Follow us on Twitter:: @KBSJourney

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