Student & Graduate Placements

For Students

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Confused about what you should be doing to improve your chances in the world of employment? We have pulled together our best hints and tips on how to make the most of your CV and your employment opportunities. We hope you find them helpful!

CV Advice

Your CV is one of the most important employment tools. It will be needed for the majority of jobs that you apply for and will play a big part in whether or not you get asked back for an interview. Therefore, it is crucial that your CV looks professional and says ‘Hire Me!’. There is a lot of CV writing advice out there, but we have pulled together a quick list of tips to get you started.

Use specific examples to explain why your experience is relevant for the role.
Allow yourself to stand out. You can play around with fonts and layouts but remember to keep it smart.
Sell yourself. Be proud to share your CV.
Check your spelling, grammar and contact details. Then check them again!
List your education and experience in reverse chronological order (i.e. most recent first).
Make it easy to read by keeping it clear and simple.
Have a personal statement section which you can tailor to each application. This is a snapshot of your personality, aspirations and reasons for applying for the role.
Don’t forget about your hobbies and interests. These say a lot about your personality and are great way to make you stand out from the crowd.
Avoid long long lists (i.e. grades, modules etc.).
Don’t underestimate the power of transferable skills.
More than two pages is too long!
Be yourself!

Interviews

If you have applied for a job and have successfully been invited back for an interview, there are a few things you still need to be prepared for. Remember that you are likely to be up against some strong competition. So it is crucial that you prepare ahead of time. Make sure you have looked over the job spec, checked the company’s website, researched the business, and thought about what the role entails and how you can deliver what they are expecting. On the day, try to relax (remember we have all been there).

Stay optimistic and positive (don't let the nerves get the better of you!)
Be confident. Remember that you have made it this far!
Make sure you are on time and check that you know where you are going.
Dress smartly. Always go to your first interview looking your best.
Sell yourself and your skills. Only you know what you are capable of.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions.

Remember

Interviews are difficult for everyone and so don't worry if you feel nervous. Relax, try to be confident and make the most of your opportunity to show the employer what you can offer and why they should invest in you.

Help

There are many places you can go for advice on your CV and Interview skills. Some of them are free, such as your University Careers Service and some of them cost a little but are worth the investment in some instances.