careers service 1 finding an internship or work experience dr. tracy bussoli
TRANSCRIPT
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Finding an internship or work
experience
Dr. Tracy Bussoli
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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What is an internship?
One website’s definition:
“An internship is a career-related experience intended to expose you to a field of interest while offering you the ability to acquire professional experience.”
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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What’s in it for you?
• Great material for your CV/application forms
• Chance to develop transferable skills
• Opportunity to discover whether a particular field is right for you
• ‘Networking’ opportunities
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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What's in it for them?
• Extra pairs of hands in the summer holiday period?
• PR purposes
• Extended interview process
• Try before they buy?
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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When to apply
• Most internships offered during summer (6-12 weeks)
• October – February of penultimate year
• Occasionally Easter/Christmas placements
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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How to find an internship
• Careers publications at Careers Service– Vacation Opportunities booklet – Hobsons GET directory – Target series for relevant sector – JobOnline http://www.thecareersgroup.co.uk/qmul/jobonline– The Careers Group online vacancies
• Check employers websites
• Speculative applications
• Networking
• Careers Fairs
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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How to find vacation work
• Local and national press
• JobCentre
• Agencies (Recruitment Employment Confed)
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Careers Service
Positive:Build your awareness of employers and job roles
Get help with applications and interviews
Do your research
Identify your skills and match them to an employer
Negative:They can not place you in a job
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Careers Fairs
Positive:Build your awareness of employers and job roles
Meet employers and ask them questions
Do your research and make a good impression
Negative:They may not accept applications on the day
They could be busy and not have much time for you.
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Employer Directories
Positive:Build your awareness of employers and job roles
Use information as a basis for further research
Sector specific guides have targeted information
Negative:Does not contain information about smaller companies
or cover all job roles.
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Job Centres
Positive:Wide range of jobs
Good for local jobs
Negative:May not have so much focus on graduates
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Job Websites
PositiveEasily accessible, good search functions
Large number of websites - specialist for specific jobs- general for awareness of employers and job roles
NegativeCompetition can be high
Time consuming
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Journals
Positive:Useful for researching the sector and keeping up-to-date
with issues/news
Targeted to each sector
NegativeSome jobs advertised will be for more experienced hires
Can be expensive if you want to buy your own copies
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Networking
Positive:Build your awareness of employers and job rolesProvides opportunity to sell yourselfUp to 60% of vacancies are never advertised!
Negative:Can be daunting and takes confidence and persistenceSome may find it difficult to know how & where to start
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Newspapers
PositiveVacancy sections often available online Local/regional papers better for part-time / stepping
stone jobs Different papers advertise certain types of jobs on
different days e.g. Guardian arts jobs on Mondays
NegativeCan be competitive. Estimated success rate - National
newspaper 7% local newspaper 5 – 24%
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Recruitment Agencies
Positive:May have a large number of vacancies availableMay have more immediate startsGets you experience whilst looking for other jobsSpecialist agencies available check www.rec.uk.com
Negative:There is no guarantee they will find you workCompetition can be high
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Speculative Applications
Positive:Shows initiative and determinationVacancies may not always be advertised (up to 60%)Use to promote your circumstances effectivelyResearch company well. Give follow up call
Negative:They may not be recruitingCan be time consuming
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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No internship?
“All work experience is of value and, if those going into it are sufficiently well advised, much can be gained
from even apparently mundane jobs”.
(Association of Graduate Recruiters)
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Top Tips
• Don’t rely on one method. Use a variety to increase your chances.
• Use a targeted approach. Research the employer. Tailor your application for what they are looking for.
• Get to know your sector.• Be prepared for rejection. Be persistent –
keep trying.• Make the most of your time. Volunteer etc
(DO-IT)• Re-evaluate. Are you being realistic?
Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk
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Drop-in sessions:Monday-Thursday 10.30am-12.30pm
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