Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Finding an internship or work

experience

Dr. Tracy Bussoli

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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What is an internship?

One website’s definition:

“An internship is a career-related experience intended to expose you to a field of interest while offering you the ability to acquire professional experience.”

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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What’s in it for you?

• Great material for your CV/application forms

• Chance to develop transferable skills

• Opportunity to discover whether a particular field is right for you

• ‘Networking’ opportunities

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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What's in it for them?

• Extra pairs of hands in the summer holiday period?

• PR purposes

• Extended interview process

• Try before they buy?

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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When to apply

• Most internships offered during summer (6-12 weeks)

• October – February of penultimate year

• Occasionally Easter/Christmas placements

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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How to find an internship

• Careers publications at Careers Service– Vacation Opportunities booklet – Hobsons GET directory – Target series for relevant sector – JobOnline http://www.thecareersgroup.co.uk/qmul/jobonline– The Careers Group online vacancies

• Check employers websites

• Speculative applications

• Networking

• Careers Fairs

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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How to find vacation work

• Local and national press

• JobCentre

• Agencies (Recruitment Employment Confed)

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Careers Service

Positive:Build your awareness of employers and job roles

Get help with applications and interviews

Do your research

Identify your skills and match them to an employer

Negative:They can not place you in a job

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Careers Fairs

Positive:Build your awareness of employers and job roles

Meet employers and ask them questions

Do your research and make a good impression

Negative:They may not accept applications on the day

They could be busy and not have much time for you.

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Employer Directories

Positive:Build your awareness of employers and job roles

Use information as a basis for further research

Sector specific guides have targeted information

Negative:Does not contain information about smaller companies

or cover all job roles.

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Job Centres

Positive:Wide range of jobs

Good for local jobs

Negative:May not have so much focus on graduates

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Job Websites

PositiveEasily accessible, good search functions

Large number of websites - specialist for specific jobs- general for awareness of employers and job roles

NegativeCompetition can be high

Time consuming

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Journals

Positive:Useful for researching the sector and keeping up-to-date

with issues/news

Targeted to each sector

NegativeSome jobs advertised will be for more experienced hires

Can be expensive if you want to buy your own copies

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Networking

Positive:Build your awareness of employers and job rolesProvides opportunity to sell yourselfUp to 60% of vacancies are never advertised!

Negative:Can be daunting and takes confidence and persistenceSome may find it difficult to know how & where to start

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Newspapers

PositiveVacancy sections often available online Local/regional papers better for part-time / stepping

stone jobs Different papers advertise certain types of jobs on

different days e.g. Guardian arts jobs on Mondays

NegativeCan be competitive. Estimated success rate - National

newspaper 7% local newspaper 5 – 24%

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Recruitment Agencies

Positive:May have a large number of vacancies availableMay have more immediate startsGets you experience whilst looking for other jobsSpecialist agencies available check www.rec.uk.com

Negative:There is no guarantee they will find you workCompetition can be high

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Speculative Applications

Positive:Shows initiative and determinationVacancies may not always be advertised (up to 60%)Use to promote your circumstances effectivelyResearch company well. Give follow up call

Negative:They may not be recruitingCan be time consuming

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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No internship?

“All work experience is of value and, if those going into it are sufficiently well advised, much can be gained

from even apparently mundane jobs”.

(Association of Graduate Recruiters)

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Top Tips

• Don’t rely on one method. Use a variety to increase your chances.

• Use a targeted approach. Research the employer. Tailor your application for what they are looking for.

• Get to know your sector.• Be prepared for rejection. Be persistent –

keep trying.• Make the most of your time. Volunteer etc

(DO-IT)• Re-evaluate. Are you being realistic?

Careers Servicewww.careers.qmul.ac.uk

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Opening times:Monday-Thursday 10.30am-5pmFriday 10.30am-4pm

Drop-in sessions:Monday-Thursday 10.30am-12.30pm

2.00pm-4.30pm

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