How do I get a job offer?

Getting a job offer involves marketing yourself effectively to employers both at the application and interview stage. This part of the seminar is designed to develop your understanding of how to:

• identify what employers are looking for in terms of skills, qualities and experience
• identify your own skills and how to evidence them
• develop a UK CV
• complete application forms
• perform well at interviews

How do I apply for a job I am interested in?

Once you have found a suitable job to apply for or discovered a company you would like to approach, the next step is to make an application. In the UK, employers may ask you to send them your resume (known as your Curriculum Vitae or CV) or they may ask you to complete an application form.

How secure is the personal information I provide on my application?

In the UK any personal information collected as part of a job selection process is subject to protection under the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA).

This means that an employer must keep your information secure, only hold on to it for as long as absolutely necessary and cannot transfer your information to countries outside the European Economic area, unless there is adequate protection

The Information Commissioner's Office is the government agency responsible for data protection. You can find their web site at: www.dataprotection.gov.uk

See useful links for more websites related to data protection and employee rights.

How do I know what employers are looking for?

They will explain the experience, skills and qualities they are looking for in the vacancy advertisement. Further details about the role and key responsibilities will be given in the job description. You may also be provided with a person specification which describes the requirements that a job holder needs to have in order to do the job effectively. This information may be sent out to you with your application form or gathered through research on the company's website.

What are employers looking for in a graduate?

50% of graduate jobs are open to graduates with any degree subject which means that you could, for example, train to be an accountant with a degree in physics. This is different than in many countries and it means that employers are interested in learning more about you and whether or not you have the skills and personal qualities required for the job. They are particularly interested in 3 main areas:

• Your academic performance
• Your experience of work (paid and unpaid)
• Your activities and interests

It is important to take some time before applying to think about what skills you have and your personal qualities and what evidence you can provide on your application. In the example below, a student has been involved in essay writing and tutorials and highlighted a range of skills they have developed as a result of these activities.

Certain skills are in particular demand from UK employers and are often called transferable skills. Find out more at prospects.ac.uk

What form will the recruitment process take?

• This will depend on the company. For a large employer you may be asked to go through a number of stages. For example:

Stage 1 – submitting a written application (CV or application form)

Stage 2 – attending a first interview (sometimes over the telephone)

Stage 3 – attending a final, more in depth interview or an assessment centre. This often takes place at the company headquarters and can be one or two days in length. Along with other candidates you might be asked to participate in further interviews, individual or group tests and activities.

Smaller employers and those looking for part-time staff or volunteers may have a shorter recruitment process involving, for example, a written application and an interview.