Cafe Uni

If you have finished university and are busy applying for graduate jobs, then there are lots of ways to help the application process go more smoothly.

You may have applied for a job successfully and now have an interview for the next step of the process. This is a really good opportunity to get your personality across and hopefully show the company that you would be an asset to them.

However, something important to remember with interviews is that they are a two-way process.

Having an interview also gives you the chance to assess if you think you would fit in within the company, if it’s the type of job you would like and if you could progress within your chosen career. If you do decide this is the job for you, then go for it!

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Once you have graduated from university, it will be time to look for a job.

Lots of students who have recently graduated will be in the same position of looking for jobs, so you need to make sure you stand out when it comes to applying. Your application will be up against lots of graduates, as currently there is an average of ten applicants per job.

Students are often in a similar situation, in that they might have the same degree in the same classification, even perhaps from the same university, so anything extra you have will really help you to be noticed on your job application.

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When you are a graduate and have finished university, it can be a daunting time.

You face the prospect of looking for a job, you may feel unsettled in the course you chose to do, and be at a crossroads about where to go and what to do next.

You may even be thinking about which town, city or even country you should live in. Many people return home after university, to the town where they are from or where their parents live.

I decided not to do this because the town I am from is very small and there are not very good job opportunities. However, if there are job opportunities in the place you are from, then this can be a good option, as it will give you a bit of time out and a place to base yourself in while you consider your next move. Read the rest of this entry »

Lots of students at university, especially those who are doing degrees such as English or media, may want to be a writer when they graduate.

You may want to be an academic writer, a journalist, an author or a copywriter – or one of the many other writing jobs that exist.

If so, it’s a good idea to do some preparation now so that, when it comes to looking for a job, you will have had some experience and can show that this has been a long-time passion, instead of just a new idea that has come in to your head.

One really good way to start writing is to start a blog. This could be about absolutely anything you want; from a hobby or sport that interests you, to something university-related, or even about your social life (but remember that potential employers may be reading it!).

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This week, students have been in the news again as they have been protesting about plans for 2011.

New plans have been revealed to scrap the EMA (education maintenance allowance), which will really affect lots of students.

At the moment, students whose families earn less than £21,000 get up to £30 a week to help them with living costs. The idea behind it is that, with EMA, a lot of students would have to get a job straight from school, and would not be able to afford to go on to college.

Students have been protesting against this proposal because it would mean that they might not be able to go to university and get a degree, which would affect their long-term career plans when it comes to what type of jobs they will be qualified to do.

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When you’re a student, university can seem like a big party with a few lectures thrown in. But suddenly, you’ve graduated and are expected to get a job.

One thing that can really help is getting work experience.

The fact is, more and more people are doing degrees at university so you really need to find a way to stand out. By doing work experience, you will be able to acquire new skills, make your CV stand out against others and improve your employability.

Most work experience is unpaid so it may seem futile and frustrating getting up and going out to ‘work’, when you could be earning money or staying in bed but it’s likely to help you boost your CV and secure you a better job in the future, so it really will be worth it.

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According to new research, there are about currently 18 applicants for each job vacancy.

This research shows the state of the current job market in the UK at the moment, with further research saying that 50 per cent of those who are currently unemployed are not confident of finding work in the next two months.

This could mean a bleak lead-up to Christmas for those students who graduated this year and are currently job-hunting.

It also means it is especially important at the moment to make your job application stand out from the others that will also be applying for the same job as you.
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Finishing university and graduating from your chosen degree is an exciting time. But it also marks the time to start looking for employment.

You might already be scouring the job websites, looking on university noticeboards and sending your CV out, but have you thought about graduate training schemes?

They are a great way to enter the working world, while also learning and being trained up in a certain job. Because they are aimed at graduates, you won’t be expected to know everything already, but will still be working in your chosen career.

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So, you’ve put in the hard work, finished your course and graduated. The long slog is over and now it’s time to start looking for a job.

But what happens if you then decide that you don’t actually want to work in the field that you studied in?
Don’t panic – all is not lost. Your degree doesn’t have to have gone to waste, as there are lots of ways you can work this to your advantage.

Firstly, it is useful if you decide what field it is that you DO want to work in. You don’t have to know the exact job, but the right direction would be a good step. I studied for a law degree and, after graduating, knew I didn’t want to be a lawyer.

I had to decide whether I wanted to still stay in the legal industry doing a different job, or whether I wanted to move away from law entirely – and this is what I finally decided, before I took the step towards journalism. Read the rest of this entry »

Being a student at university is sometimes the first time that people have to manage their own money.

It can be tricky trying to sort out loans, course fees, rent; not to mention all the other things thar are often done for people at home such as food shopping, bills, tax.

All too often, managing money can seem like an overwhelming task for a new student at university but, you will be surprised that, by the time you’re a graduate, you will be managing your money easily.

It sounds straightforward and simply, but the first essential thing you must do, is organise yourself a budget. It is important not to underestimate how much you think you will spend.

There is no point giving yourself a small amount of the budget for socialising if you know you like to go out five nights a week. Remember to count in course costs, such as buying text books and course outings if necessary. Read the rest of this entry »