International Students : October 2012 Events

UCL Careers Service aims to support international students throughout the entire career management process, from understanding the UK graduate labour market to writing CV’s, interviewing and beyond. 

With the Autumn term having started, we offer a series of careers events specifically designed to address the needs of international students considering work or post-graduate study in the UK and overseas.

To book onto any of these sessions, please log in to your My Careers Service account.

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Monday 1^st October 2012, 1-2pm

De-mystifying the UK Job Market

An introduction to finding a job in the UK through a variety of different routes.  We will look at how to find job openings including graduate training schemes, examine other strategic approaches to job-hunting and look at cultural differences in the recruitment process.  We will also provide a term-by-term ‘job-success’ planner so you won’t miss important application deadlines.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the UK job market including the different ways for graduates to access it.
• Provide information on current market using data from previous UCL graduates and an employer’s perspective.
• Form a strategic approach to job hunting in the UK using different approaches such as networking, online tools and speculative applications
• Understand the recruitment cycle in the UK.

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Monday 8^th October 2012, 1-2pm

Working while you study and CV’s for part-time work

This one hour talk offers advice on how to combine earning money with effective studying, the legal requirements for working in the UK, information about the range of jobs that you might be able to do and where to look for part-time jobs.  We’ll then look at how a CV for part-time work should be structured.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the importance of having UK work experience on a CV for finding post study work in a global job market.
• Outline and signpost legal requirements for working part time while studying, including visa and tax issues.
• Explore different types of part-time work in the UK and sources to find jobs.
• Develop an awareness of the structure and content of typical UK CV’s, for part-time work and how to translate previous experiences to a style that future employers will understand.

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Monday 8^th October 2012, 5-6pm

Effective Job Applications

This seminar gives advice on how to effectively communicate your relevant skills to employers and provides key strategies to better stand out through the entire UK application process.  Discover how to build a sound argument that you have what the employer is looking for and learn how best to communicate that argument in your job applications

Learning Outcomes:

• Gain insight into UK employers or educational institution’s perspective and an overview of the application process.
• Understand how best to structure a UK CV and covering letter, and its key components
• Consider how best to explain your experiences in a way UK employers will understand their value and see how they match their job descriptions.
• Understand how best to answer competency (or other) questions on an application form and complete a personal statement.

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Tuesday 9^th October 2012, 1-2pm

Employer presentation – working in China for Mars

This session is presented by Mars representatives to help Chinese students understand the opportunities open to them within the large international organisation of Mars.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the graduate programmes available from Mars
• Gain insights into working for a large multi-national company in China both as a graduate and beyond
• Learn how the Mars recruitment programme works, including tips on completing the application forms and the assessment centre
• Hear real life accounts of working for Mars from a recent graduate

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Monday 15^th October 2012 1-2pm

Writing a UK CV

How can you make sure that your CV impresses an employer?  If you’re applying for jobs in the UK, an excellent CV is critical to your success.  This seminar gives advice on putting together an effective CV and formatting a powerful cover letter for the competitive UK market.  We will give you an insight into what UK employers are looking for, and point out common CV-writing mistakes.

Learning outcomes:

• Develop an awareness of the structure and content of typical UK CV’s, cover / motivation letters and application forms.
• Understand how to translate skills, experience and personal qualities gained through academic and other experiences to a recruiter.
• Explore techniques used in UK application processes, including reading job advertisements, analysing CV’s and tailor CV’s to specific recruiters.
• Articulate positively and convincingly your reasons for applying for specific jobs based in the UK.

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Monday 22^nd October 2012 5-6pm

De-mystifying the UK Job Market

An introduction to finding a job in the UK through a variety of different routes.  We will look at how to find job openings including graduate training schemes, examine other strategic approaches to job-hunting and look at cultural differences in the recruitment process.  We will also provide a term-by-term ‘job-success’ planner so you won’t miss important application deadlines.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the UK job market including the different ways for graduates to access it.
• Provide information on current market using data from previous UCL graduates and an employer’s perspective.
• Form a strategic approach to job hunting in the UK using different approaches such as networking, online tools and speculative applications
• Understand the recruitment cycle in the UK.

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Monday 29^th October 2012 1-2pm

Effective Job Applications

This seminar gives advice on how to effectively communicate your relevant skills to employers and provides key strategies to better stand out through the entire UK application process.  Discover how to build a sound argument that you have what the employer is looking for and learn how best to communicate that argument in your job applications

Learning Outcomes:

• Gain insight into UK employers or educational institution’s perspective and an overview of the application process.
• Understand how best to structure a UK CV and covering letter, and its key components
• Consider how best to explain your experiences in a way UK employers will understand their value and see how they match their job descriptions.
• Understand how best to answer competency (or other) questions on an application form and complete a personal statement.

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For further information please visit: http://bit.ly/SrBODx

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Summer is on the way!

Summer 2012 is going to see a huge influx of tourists both for the Olympics, Paralympics and the Queen’s 60^th Jubilee so not only will be really exciting to be in London, it will give you a good chance to add to your CV and your bank balance!.  Here are some ideas of how to get started:

• While jobs at the Olympic park are no longer an option (all employees needed to be UK Boarder Agency approved by April), extra help within pubs, cafes, restaurants and retail will needed to handle the crowds.  Keep an eye on the Careers Services Jobonline website or visit the jobs section of the UCL Careers Service website so you don’t miss out.
• Often smaller business advertise their roles by posting notices in their window so keep your eyes peeled as you’re walking around your local neighbourhood.  Getting a local part-time job keeps your travel costs down, and also gets you really involved in your local community.
• The most common type of summer work is within the hospitality industry.  Agency’s such as Hospitalitystaff.co.uk or fest staff recruit for a whole range of roles from checking tickets to serving food and security across loads of different festivals and events.
• Individual venues also take on extra staff over the busy summer period.  A good example is the Royal Albert Hall which hosts the Proms between July and September and who is currently looking for stewards to help out.
• If you’re more interested in an experience and less worried about the money, why not try volunteering.  UCL Volunteering is right here on campus to help out and organisations like the Volunteer England have special sections on volunteering for Olympics.  Also many of the museums, galleries and concert halls will be looking for volunteers over summer.  An example is the Royal Festival Hall on the Southbank who are looking for extra volunteers for their Festival of the World.

To help you out with other ideas, doing up your CV or preparing for interviews, the UCL Careers Service will be open throughout the whole of summer (apart from the official UCL closure days) offering application checking and short guidance sessions.  To check times and see how to book, visit the Careers Service website.

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Tips for new graduates: How to make yourselves more employable by Enterprise Rent-A-Car

 

Car hire giant Enterprise Rent-A-Car, one of the UK’s ten biggest graduate recruiters, has set out some hints and tips for graduates looking to make themselves more appealing to potential employers.

1. Experience matters

Work experience and internships will often make you stand out. Employers know that a taste of the commercial world will sharply reduce the learning curve when you join the workforce full-time.

2. Volunteering

Unpaid volunteering highlights graduates with a social conscience and proactive work ethic.

3. On-campus activities

Make the most of clubs, sports teams and social groups on your CV, particularly in positions of responsibility. Remember to show how they  helped build teamwork and leadership skills.

4. The academics isn’t everything!

Unless you’re going down a route where you need explicit technical skills, it’s often good to position yourself as a well-rounded individual. A good degree matters but so does everything else you did at university.

5. Confidence shows

Some people are great at writing CVs but lack interpersonal skills. How well do you communicate what’s on your CV? How well do you sell yourself? Do you say “I’m afraid I’ve only done this…” or “Actually, I’ve achieved this…”?

6. Have you done your research?

Ensure you know at least something about the business where you’re applying for a job. A question that begins “I was looking at your website and wondered…” is a good sign to employers. Also, it’s often worth calling the company up before the interview to ask for more details about the job on offer.

7. Professionalism

It’s amazing how many new graduates don’t turn up on time for their interview or dress appropriately. Not every company expects a suit, but you should at least make the effort to find out about its dress code.

8. Using your initiative

For employers, the most promising recruits are usually those who really made an effort. That can mean everything from entering undergraduate awards and competitions while at university, to making the best use of your contacts afterwards.

9. Networking skills

Business is a social environment, so you will often have to demonstrate your skills at listening, making small talk and putting other people at their ease.

10. Motivation

If you get asked “Why do you want to work here?” you should have a real answer and not just a pat response. You might not yet be thinking in terms of a lifelong career, but you should at least know why you’ve chosen that company.

 

With thanks to Enterprise Rent-a-car

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Are you interested in working in Singapore?

Highly skilled manpower is strategic to Singapore’s economic growth, both in established sectors like engineering, finance healthcare and legal services, as well as emerging sectors like the creative industries.

There are currently opportunities for both graduating students and working profes­sionals in the private and public sectors. Do feel free to visit the Contact Singapore Job Portal for a brief glance of the opportunities that are available http://www.contactsin­gapore.sg/jobs

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International Career at the United Nations

The United Nations Secretariat is seeking highly qualified individuals for employment as junior professional officers (P-2 level). For this purpose, a competitive examination will be held on 1 December 2010 in the following disciplines:

• Administration
• Demography
• Economics
• Human Rights
• Legal Affairs
• Radio Producer
• Security
• Statistics
• Web Design/Development.

The competitive examination will be open to nationals of the following countries:

Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Comoros, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Finland, Grenada, Iran, Japan, Latvia, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Monaco,Montenegro, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Norway, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Tonga, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Yemen

In order to qualify for the examination, applicants must meet all of the following minimum requirements:

1. Be a national of the countries listed above;
2. Be no more than 32 years as of 31 December 2010 (should be born on 1 January 1978 or after);
3. Have at least a first-level university degree relevant to the discipline for which they apply; and
4. Be fluent in either English or French, the two working languages of the Secretariat. Knowledge of other official UN languages is an advantage.

Additional criteria over and above the minimum may be required.

Application deadline is 19 September 2010.  Detailed information on the examination and submission of application may be obtained from the United Nations Secretariat careers portal at http://careers.un.org under National Competitive Recruitment Examination.

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Malaysia’s 100 Leading Graduate Employers

Useful resource for anyone considering work in Malaysia with links to employers across a range of industry sectors. For more information visit Malaysia Top 100 Graduate Employers.

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Returning home after graduation? 10 top tips to support your job-hunting!

I was recently involved in a research project funded by the British Council to understand the employment prospects of UK-educated Indian and Chinese students upon their return home.

As part of the research, I met with a number of UCL Alum and below is a summary of their top tips to find a job upon your return home.

1. Maintain and re-establish links with friends, lecturers and colleagues. Establish a presence on business networking websites such as LinkedIn – networking is a very effective way of finding work.
2. Join the UCL Alumni Community and the British Council Alumni Group, this will not only expand your network but you can talk to UCL alumnus, learn from their experiences and source job opportunities.
3. Be realistic in regards to starting salary upon your return home, remember the cost of living will be very different to the UK.
4. Be prepared to sell your rationale for studying in the UK and returning home positively. Recruiters may have negative perceptions attached to leaving your home country to study overseas.
5. Overseas employers may not be familiar with the UK education system and as such they may not know much about UCL, so make sure you include UCL’s world ranking on your CV.
6. If finding a job in the UK/Europe proves too challenging, explore career opportunities in different emerging markets such as the Middle East, Singapore and Africa to gain overseas experience, as most businesses are seeking to trade in these regions.
7. Target multinational organisations or organisations in your home country with multinational joint venture partners.
8. Explore UCL’s International JobOnline  to support your job hunting. This site carries job opportunities from employers who are interested in UK returnees.
9. Expect a degree of ‘reverse culture shock’, give yourself time to adjust.
10. Stay positive, finding a job is a job in itself – so persevere!

For more information or to see a careers adviser before you return home, book in for a Quick Query.

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World Cup Special: Brazil

When the World Cup comes around, the team that usually head the betting odds are Brazil. Having won the tournament a record five times and being the only team to win on every continent it’s been staged on, Brazil are always amongst the favourites and with their flamboyant style of samba football are the team everyone loves to watch.

Now Brazil is starting to make an impact in line with status as a footballing superpower in the jobs market. With one of the world’s fastest growing economies and already with the largest economy in South America, many major companies are expanding into Brazil bringing with them a number of opportunities for graduate employment. Microsoft are one firm who have expanded in to Brazil and have a range of employment opportunities, from sales roles to software development and consultancy, as well as graduate schemes.

However, despite Brazil’s increasing economic stature, large areas of the population are still impoverished. Some 26% of the population of Brazil leave below the poverty line. If working in Brazil isn’t appealing to you, you could try taking up a volunteering opportunity. Latitude is one organisation that provide you with opportunities to work on community projects, like in an orphanage or with street children or environmental projects in the rainforests. At around £1,800 it may not be cheap, but it’s a great way to help people less fortunate, experience another culture and looks good on your CV. A list of other volunteering organisations can be found on the Graduate Prospects website if the schemes Latitude offer don’t appeal to you.

For graduates, Brazil really is Kaka to a graduates Luis Fabiano – always creating opportunities!

Zara Chaudhry, PA to the Head of Service/ Administrator

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World Cup Special: Portugal

The Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the world’s highest paid footballer, earning £11m a season at Real Madrid. Unfortunately, Ronaldo’s earning power isn’t reflective of the average Portuguese. Portugal’s economy is one of the worst in the Eurozone. Along with Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain, it is considered to be most at risk of defaulting on it’s debts. With unemployment levels reaching 10% and the government making savage economic cuts, finding work in Portugal is a difficult process.

That’s not to say Portugal is a fruitless destination for graduates. While long term employment may be tricky, it does provide opportunities for ventures which can boost your CV and help you stand out to employers.

Volunteering is a great way to experience another culture and learn new skills to put on your CV. The Canadian Alliance for Development offer a range of short term opportunities for volunteering projects for 18-30 year olds throughout the summer, giving you the opportunity to gain insight into the rural Portuguese landscape and way of life while at the same time give something back to the community.  Please note that these schemes aren’t free and there will be costs involved.

Another way to make yourself stand out is to learn a language. With businesses becoming increasingly multinational, language skills are much sought after by employers. CESA are an organisation offering courses designed to give you the chance to learn Portuguese by immersing yourself into Portuguese culture. The length of the courses vary and are located in either Lisbon or Faro.  Again, these schemes aren’t free and there will be costs involved.

The organisations mentioned above are examples of many that offer opportunities that will help you to increase your employability and learn about Portuguese culture. Others and further information on volunteering or travelling abroad can be found on our Careers Tagged website

Robin Stone – Client Service Officer

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World Cup Special: It’s Paraguay’s turn!

Adverts for job vacancies based in Paraguay seem to be a rare thing or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that job adverts in English appear to be a rare thing. This isn’t really a surprise when you consider that the official languages of Paraguay are Spanish and Guaraní. I would imagine that anyone skilled in either of these languages would be able to find a great deal more information online than I could. However, here are a handful of websites that might be useful when job hunting in Paraguay:

International JobOnline

Job of Mine

Acciontrabajo Paraguay

Computrabajo Paraguay

Although tracking down job vacancies was difficult, information on voluntary projects is much easier to find so if you are interested in volunteering abroad or perhaps starting a career in development then Paraguay offers a range of opportunities.

Internships with Fundación Paraguaya.

This social enterprise works on innovative plans to reduce poverty and unemployment. They run three key programs focussing on microcredit, education for entrepreneurship and a Self-Sustainable Organic Farm School.

http://www.fundacionparaguaya.org.py/

Internships with Para La Tierra

These internships are aimed specifically at current biology students and recently qualified young scientists looking for some field work experience to help them gain employment after university.

http://www.paralatierra.org/

Other organisations with projects based in Paraguay include:

The Peace Corps (for US citizens) – http://www.peacecorps.gov/

Save the Children – http://www.savethechildren.net/alliance/

Kiva (microfinance enterprise) – http://www.kiva.org/fellows/

Paraguay Facts

The Paraguay national football team has reached the second round of the World

Cup three times (1986, 1998 and 2002) but has never progressed any further.

…..and for those of you who could do with a break from the football…did you know that Paraguay is the world’s third largest exporter of soybeans.

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