Careers Bulletin
June 2009
GradsEast online recruitment fair, 8-19 June 2009
The East of England, home to top names in aerospace, biotech, film studio and production, food and drink and ICT offers a great place to live and a diverse range of graduate job opportunities. The fair aims to attract employers, large and small, from all counties of the Eastern region from various sectors such as accountancy, IT, Education, Biotech, Environment, Creative, Not for Profit & Public Sector, Printing & Publishing, Financial/Hi-tech Services, Engineering, SelfEmployment and Business Start-up. Find out more and register free at www.gradseast.org.uk/fair09
Summer recruitment fairs
The Graduate Recruitment Fair @ Manchester 17-18 June 2009 London Grad Fair www.londongradfair.co.uk/ 16-17 June 2009 These graduate jobs fairs are free to attend, and are open to students from any university. Check out the websites for information about location, timings, employers attending, and how to register. Look on this page of the Careers website to find links to over 100 recruitment companies specialising in particular industries and sectors—like aero engineering, oil and gas exploration, conservation, biotechnology, air transport and overseas development, among many more. Register with sites that have jobs you’re interested in; send them your CV; keep in touch with them. Over 50% of all jobs are advertised and filled this way. Go to
www.cranfield.ac.uk/registry/cranfield/ careers/ourservice/page18058.jsp
www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/careers/aboutus/events/careersfairs/graduaterecruitmentfair/
www.cranfield.ac.uk/careers
Cover letters
Always write a cover letter when you send your CV off to apply for a job or ask about opportunities. And always adapt the cover letter for each individual application. Use it to emphasise the skills they are looking for and any details which you feel will convince them to interview you. Your cover letter should be no more than one page. Three or four short paragraphs will be sufficient. Always use positive language. Your cover letter needs to say three things:
Introduction— Say why you are writing and if in response to an advertisement say where you saw it,
the job title and any reference quoted. Say briefly what you are currently doing.
Why them? - Target the letter to show that you know something about the company. Mention any
contacts you have made with them at careers fairs, for example. Show that you know something about what they do, and have thought about how you can bring them what they need.
Why you? - Tell them why you are the person for the job - you can use the advertisement or company
information as reference. Give some appropriate examples of what you have achieved. Avoid saying ’as you can see from my CV’: try to add a bit of personal colour that goes beyond your CV. Pick up a copy of our CV Guide for more information and ideas.
Assessment centres: 12 tips for success
Double-check your information in advance don’t be remembered for the wrong reasons! Arrive on time, ready to start and dressed to impress make sure you know the dress code! Smile at everyone give a warm and friendly impression to all you meet –it’s infectious! Do not regard the exercises too competitively companies are looking for team players, not Managing Directors Listen carefully to all instructions ask for clarification if you do not understand instructions fully Do not be intimidated by other candidates they’re just as nervous as you... If you make a mistake, move on assessors are also often looking to see how you cope with failure Enjoy the process you’ve got to this stage: don’t underestimate your ability Do not be put off by the pushy, domineering, loud candidate there’s always one: make sure it isn’t you… Talk with other people at the centre but don’t ask the assessors for feedback during the process Ask for feedback after the assessment centre Listen to the feedback given, accept it in good grace and learn from it Be considerate, polite and pleasant at all times If you are a borderline case then it may just swing opinion your way
There is a collection of material in the Careers Service resource library in Building 115 about assessment centres, interviews and aptitude and selection tests. Look on the Careers website or call in for more information.
www.cranfield.ac.uk/careers