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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Welcome!

Welcome to all new International students and welcome back to all of our returners!  I hope you had a great holiday and are ready to be busy this Autumn term.

To help you on your way the UCL careers service has a jam-packed programme over the next few weeks including our specialized International programme, the Masters Quickfix events, 7 fantastic fairs, loads of employer events and some great skills for work forums.  Don’t miss out as many of the events you will need to book for so get familiar with your “My Careers Service” account.

Next week our talk topic is Application Forms where you can get a better understanding of what an employer wants you to write when your applying for job.  To find our more information, or to book, please visit the International Students Programme page at the careers service website.

All the best for this Autumn term everyone, and remember, we’re here if you need us – all you have to do is call for a one-to-one appointment!

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Why do part-time work?

How can part-time work help you in your career search after university?  There are a number of ways:

• Get English work experience for your CV: this is valuable primarily if you are going to seek work in the UK after graduating rather than returning home.  In some other countries, part-time work isn’t valued as if it doesn’t relate to the industry you are trying to get work in, however in the UK employers do value it.

• Get soft-skills examples for application forms and interviews.  At the application stage you will be expected to give example of times when you have used skills like teamwork, interpersonal skills, leadership etc.  These are skills you will have often used in your part-time work, so it can provide examples for you.

• Improve your English: whether you are planning to try and get UK work or to return home, a high standard of English is invaluable.

• Gain cross cultural understanding: part-time work will give you the chance to mix with people outside of your course who may have a different age and background to yourself or your peers at uni.

• Gain useful contacts for your job hunt: the people around you in your part-time work may know people who work in the industry you want to get into. You could ask to be put in touch with them to find out some more about job roles in the industry, how to get into it and any other useful information.

• Understand the professional work environment in the UK: in every country the work environment differs.  It will help you at interview for a full-time job if you know how to interact with employers and how you will be expected to behave in the work-place.

Content supplied from International Futures website written by Abi Sharma.

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Welcome to UCL everyone!

I hope everyone is settling in nicely to the new academic year, weather your returning or new to our campus.

We had a great turn out for our first workshop from our international programme last night, aimed at careers planning for masters students and for those of you who didn’t get to attend, the slides will be posted through the careers service shortly.

On Tuesday I’ll be running a session on ‘Working while you Study’ which will cover a range of things from job hunting, typical part time jobs, how to present your work experience, and how to do up a part-time work CV.  It will be from 1-2pm in the Harrie Massey Lecture Theatre.  To book or for more information please visit the careers events page.

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China UK Entrepreneurship Challenge!

The China UK Entrepreneurship Challenge aims to encourage new business ventures between China and the United Kingdom and is intended to simulate the real-world process of entrepreneurs soliciting start-up funds from early-stage investors and venture capital firms.

The competition is divided into two challenge tracks: Innovative Business track (for existing businesses) and Tomorrow’s Leaders track (for students).

Teams will be selected to participate in this competition for more than £10,000 in prizes, together with an investment opportunity of £250,000 for the international Winners.

• Do you have an idea for a business venture involving the UK and China?
• Do you want a slice of £10,000 in cash?
• Do you want expert advice and comments on your business idea?
• Do you want to build your international network of contacts?

Then join the China UK Entrepreneurship Challenge!
Deadline for idea submission 12 March 2010.

China UK Entrepreneurship Challenge is a joint collaboration between CIDA-UK, University College London, University of York, Lancaster University, Queen’s University Belfast, Chongqing Association for Science and Technology, Tianjing TEDA science park.

For more information visit: http://www.chinaukchallenge.com/

Key Dates:

Idea Assessment – 12 March 2010

Semi-Finals – April 2010

National Finals – June 2010

International Grand Final – September 2010

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