UEL Get That Job

It will be much easier to produce an interesting CV and covering letter or write a personal statement as part of an application form if you have accumulated some sort of work experience. You need to start thinking early on about ways to gain experiences that will help you to find a job in the areas that interest you. This is especially important if you joined university straight from school or have not had any previous work experience.

If you haven’t managed to do this before graduation it is never too late. Whilst you are job hunting, take on a volunteering role in an organisation similar to that you wish to work in or offer to do unpaid work experience.

Some ways to gain valuable experience are:

Paid work

This could be through part-time or holiday jobs. It doesn’t matter what the job is. All work experience proves that you are employable and allows you to pick up and demonstrate a range of work-related skills from the use of initiative and problem solving to team work.

Volunteering

Volunteer for charities or other organisations. For example, you could volunteer to do administrative work in the Human Resources (HR) department of your local hospital to develop an understanding of how HR works in a large organisation and other work-related skills. You can find out about the latest volunteering opportunities from the UEL Employability and Enterprise Team (EET).

Work Placements/Experience

This could be a part of your degree course or something you arrange yourself. Companies and organisations offer a range of placement and internship opportunities. A placement could last anything from a week to a year-long and could be paid or unpaid. Even if it’s not related to your degree, a placement can help you develop useful, transferable skills.

Underestimate the importance of work experience at your peril. Over 50% of graduate recruiters say that candidates without any work experience have “little or no chance of receiving a job offer.” (High Fliers, 2012)

National Work Experience Campaign 

Roles and responsibilities

Why not become a Student Rep for your course or a Student Ambassador? Or maybe take on a role within the Student Union or a club or group you belong to? These experiences can provide more opportunities to demonstrate your qualities, such as the ability to get on with a wide range of people and advocacy and negotiation skills.

Mentoring

At UEL you can be mentored by a private or public sector professional or mentor other students.

Career events

The Employability and Enterprise Team (EET) organise career events where you can take part in CV workshops and mock interviews. You can also use the event to find out about organisations and what employers require of potential employees.