This document provides information and guidance to international students on building and promoting their employability skills. It discusses identifying skills and competencies, providing evidence of skills through experiences like internships, volunteering, work or clubs. The document also covers applying for jobs through application forms using the STAR method, writing CVs and cover letters, and part-time work options in the UK while studying. Resources and career services provided by the university to help students with career planning and applications are also mentioned.

1. International students - How to build
and promote your employability skills
Welcome to the
Careers and
Employability Centre

2. Information about……
• Identifying your employability skills and competencies
• Providing evidence of your skills and competencies
• Applying for jobs
• CEC events and resources

3. Identifying your skills
CV checklist handout
• Look at the skills listed – choose one to focus on
• Write down something that would demonstrate this skill
• How would you give evidence of having this skill?
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs/applyingforjobs/cvs

4. Evidence of skills
How to gain experience and develop skills
• Placement year
• Volunteering
• Vacation internships/schemes
• Work experience
• Part time work
• Clubs and societies
• Student rep/ambassador roles
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/gettingexperience

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

6. Evidence of skills - 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.

7. How to apply for a job
• Application form
• CV
• Cover letter
• Phone employer
• Call in
• Linked in

8. Application form - tips
Work in draft first
Follow guidelines for on-line applications
Check for spelling and grammar
Complete all the sections of all the questions
Be positive!

9. CV design
A CV usually contains the following information:
Personal details
inc. name and contact details
Education history
Employment/voluntary work
Skills and experiences
Achievements
Interests and hobbies
References

10. CV design
• Two pages in length – clear layout you can use headings to
separate sections
• A personal profile/objective – optional but useful
• Ensure you check spelling and grammar
• Be concise, use bullet points and space
• Make a positive impression on the first page so the employer is
immediately aware of what you can do

11. Cover letters
First paragraph
• Who are you and why are you writing?
Second paragraph
• What attracts you to the job and what have you done
that makes you a suitable applicant
Third paragraph
• What attracts you to the organisation- research the company and why you want to work
for them specifically
Fourth paragraph
• Your availability for interview and your enthusiasm to discuss your application in person at
interview
What about speculative letters?

12. Part time working in the UK -
Working in term time
• Students on a Tier 4 visa are usually allowed to be in paid employment for
up to 20 hours per week during term
• Only Undergrads can work full time during the vacation.
• Postgrads can work full time after the official end of their programme
• Restrictions include self employment , professional sportsperson or
entertainer
The University recommends that you only undertake paid work for up
to 15 hours per week if you are an undergraduate (20 hours per week if
postgrad)
• Jobs advertised our website www.sussex.ac.uk/careers

13. Part time working in the UK –
The things you need to know
• National minimum wage (£7.20ph)
- Highest rate available
• Income Tax (payable if earning
over £10,660 per year)
• National Insurance (payable if
earning over £155 per week)
• You must have a NI number
0345 600 0643
• Complete forms possibly attend
interview at Job centre

14. For more information…
• http://www.sussex.ac.uk/careers
• Briefings – Sussex plus, Finding PT work, CVs and Applications
• Careers Advisers are available daily 10-5pm
• Events – listed on news & events page
• Follow us on twitter & face book

15. Wednesday 2 November
11am – 3pm
The Amex Stadium
130+ exhibitors…
1 iconic venue!
All students welcome!
Sponsored by:
www.sussex.ac.uk/careersfair

16. Career planning sessions
this term..
Wednesday 26th Oct – Get hired! Practical advice on applying for placements, internships & jobs
Most Tier 4 students can work part time and also apply for a professional placement year or vacation
internship (sometimes called a vacation scheme). Knowing when and how to apply is crucial if you want
to take advantage of this opportunity. This session will prepare you to make winning applications.
Wednesday 9th Nov – 10 effective job search strategies
Not sure where, when or how to start looking for vacancies, or how to organise your job/placement
search? This session will provide 10 logical steps to help you to make positive applications and approach
employers with confidence.
Wednesday 16th Nov – How to build and promote your employability skills
‘Explain how your skills and experience meet the job description’ - most application forms will include a
question asking you to explain why you are the best person for the job. In this session you can explore
your skills and experience in advance
so that you will be able to answer this
question and make a positive impression.