This document provides information for international students on applying for jobs and interviews. It discusses common application form questions, tips for answering questions using the STAR method, part-time work options during and after studies, interview preparation and conduct. Resources for finding campus jobs, minimum wage rules, and visa options for working in the UK after graduation are also outlined. International students are encouraged to visit the Careers and Employability Centre for briefings, advice from career advisors, and assistance with CVs, applications and interviews.

1. International student briefing
- express yourself !
Welcome to the
Careers and
Employability Centre

2. Information about……
• Application form questions
• Working in the UK during and after your studies
• Answering questions in interviews
• CEC briefings (i.e. CV design) and Events
• Resources available from CEC
• Your questions and queries

3. Application form - questions
• Describe an occasion when you have had to persuade and
influence someone to accept your point of view? Why was it
important and what did you do?
• Explain why you chose to study your current programme of
study?
• Apart from your family, who or what has been the greatest
influence on your life to date?

4. Application form – STAR formula
S situation or scenario
T task or challenge
A action, what did you do?
R result, positive outcomes

5. Application form - tips
• Consider why you are being asked the question
• Work in draft first
• Follow guidelines for on-line applications
• Check for spelling and grammar
• Complete all the sections
• Check you have answered the questions

6. Application form - answers
Review answers to practice questions………..

7. Application form - example
Eg. Organisation skills
I worked as an activity leader on a children's summer camp in
America. There were ten leaders and due to bad weather we had
to come up with a plan to keep the children busy indoors. I
suggested we brainstorm some ideas and then get into groups of
three to spend an hour developing one idea each. I then drew up a
rota so that we all knew what we were doing and when. The extra
activities were popular and the other leaders were happy to have
shared the workload and limited the amount of additional work.

8. Part time working in the UK -
Working in term time
• Visa conditions usually allow non EEA students to work a
maximum of 20 hours work per work during term
• Non EEA students cannot be self employed or provide services
as a professional Sportsperson or entertainer
• There are no restrictions for EEA students
• BUT this University recommends that you only work 15
hours per week max if you are an undergraduate, and 20
hours per week if you are a postgraduate

9. Part time working in the UK –
Campus jobs database
• Jobs advertised our website
www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs/search
• Other places to look
- The Argus newspaper
- Jobcentreplus
- Websites
- Employment agencies
- On the street!

10. Part time working in the UK –
The things you need to know
• Minimum wage (£6.08)
• Income Tax ( < £7475)
• National Insurance (< £139)
- but you must have an NI number!
• Health & Safety

11. Working in the UK after graduation
• Currently Post Study Work Visa
• When PSW closes in April 2012, there will be a new
scheme under Tier 2.
• Students will need to find graduate level employment
with a sponsor in the UK, earning £20,000 or more.
• This must be before their student visa expires.

12. Working in the UK after graduation
• New scheme will be similar to the Tier 2 (General) but
the employer will not have to pass the resident labour
market test, which may make it easier for recent
graduates to secure employment. No cap on number
of certificates given to graduates still in the UK
• UKCISA http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/
• UKBA for a list of current tier 2 sponsors
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

13. Interviews…. Are good news!
• So why do we hate them?
• Practise asking and answering a question

14. Interview - preparation
• Make sure you prepare
• Remember it’s a two way process
• Know your CV inside out
• Revise the job specification
• Plan what to wear

15. Interview – during the interview
• Make a good impression
• Walk tall and be grounded before you speak
• Make eye contact and smile (even on the phone!)
• Shake hands
• When the interview is underway
• Sit reasonably upright
• Maintain good eye contact
• Keep an open posture
• Speak clearly
• Remember to breathe!

16. Showcase your skills
and achievements in
a Sussex Plus
webfolio.
www.sussex.ac.uk/sussexplus
sussexplus@sussex.ac.uk

17. So, how can you get to see us?
• Briefings and workshops – Sussex Plus, Finding part time
work, CVs and Applications
• Careers Advisers available daily.
• Call in or phone 01273 678429 for CVs, personal
statements, cover letters and application form feedback.
• Attend Events – listed on news & events page
• Follow us on Twitter & Facebook