1. Working in the UK
Wayne Clark
W.Clark@westminster.ac.uk
Career Development Centre
Graduate Skills Academy
31 May 2012

2. Objectives
This session will help you to:
• understand the different routes into
employment
• find and research jobs and employers
• tips for international students

3. Getting started
• What job do I want?
• What have I got to offer?
• What jobs are out there?
Check your legal status regarding working in the UK

4. Deciding what you want
Skills, interests and values
• What are you good at?
• What is important to you?
• What are you willing to do?
Identify the skills and experience you have that
match the employer’s need

5. Targeting companies
• Business activity • Travel
• Size • Location
• Training • Salary
• Prospects • Benefits
• Culture • Security
Check the employer will accept applications from
international students (not all employers are able to
sponsor a work permit)

6. Current climate
• Employers expect to hire 6.4% more graduates
in 2012 than they did in 2011
• Following a rise of 2.8% in entry-level roles
during 2011 and an increase of 12.6% in 2010
• Competition remains tough: employers have
received 19% more applications for their
graduate programmes this year
• employers caution that applicants with no work
experience are highly unlikely to be successful
The Graduate Market in 2012 High Fliers (2012)

7. • 80% of heads of uni careers services said
graduate labour market was more buoyant
(35%) or the same (45%) in the quarter ending
31 March 2012 when compared to the last
quarter
• 60% said it was more buoyant (50%) or the
same (10%) compared to the same period last
year
AGCAS Quarterly report (April 2012)

8. What’s out there?
• Large graduate recruiters
• Small to medium sized enterprises
• Private sector
• Public sector
• Voluntary sector
Gain UK based work experience/volunteering or
part time work during or after your studies

9. Iceberg principle
The open Advertised
job market posts
25%
The hidden 75% Direct
job market approaches
Networking

10. Open job market
• Local and national press
• Jobcentre Plus
• Internet
• Recruitment fairs
• Recruitment agencies
Use positive language in your applications/covering
letters/CVs and at interview

11. Useful websites
vacancies - www.wmin.ac.uk/careers
your course, what next? www.wmin.ac.uk/page-10020
www.prospects.ac.uk ww.insidecareers.co.uk
www.targetjobs.co.uk www.monster.co.uk
www.totaljobs.com www.fish4.co.uk
www.milkround.com www.jobserve.com
www.get.hobsons.co.uk ww.jobs.guardian.co.uk

12. Finding the hidden jobs
• Networking
• Work experience through temping and
volunteering
• Speculative applications
• Cold calling - in person, by phone

13. Networking
• Family and friends
• Clubs and associations
• Tutors and careers consultants
• Previous employers
• Professional associations
• Alumni Association
Identify relevant sources of support both in and
outside the university

14. Speculative applications
• Do your research
• Target named person, with a relevant role
in the organisation
• Develop a persuasive, targeted CV and
covering letter
• Follow up with a phone call
• Ask for further contacts
• Be persistent

15. Further information and guidance
Career Development Centre services:
• 20-minute quick queries:
CV, covering letter, application form advice
• 45-minute individual guidance interviews:
detailed career guidance, mock interviews
Resources:
• CV Guide
• Videos and DVDs
• Free sector-specific and general careers
publications

16. Contact us
Central London Harrow
1st Floor Room EG.16
Cavendish House Maria Hewlett Building
101 New Cavendish Street Nearest tube: Northwick Park
London, W1W 6XH
T: 020 7911 5184
E: careers@westminster.ac.uk
www.westminster.ac.uk/careers

17. In summary
• Know what you have to offer and what you
want
• Know what’s out there
• Develop your network
• Plan your campaign
• Review it regularly
and, if you need help, seek advice and
guidance