How Social Media can help you get that job!

(Content taken from SOAS Careers Service)

Are you getting the most out of social media when it comes to looking for jobs? Whether you want to find out about new companies, explore different job roles, or market yourself to future employers, see our overview of how to make the most of the following online tools:

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional networking site, with over 100 million users. It is free to join and relatively easy to set up a profile. Unlike Facebook, it is a business orientated site, where companies and individuals build connections and network.  You do not have to already be in employment to join LinkedIn, in fact, there is a dedicated area relating to students.

You can use LinkedIn to:

• Market yourself. Put together a professional online ‘CV’ that demonstrates your skills and motivations. Ask past employers or tutors to endorse your work through recommendations. Employers look for potential candidates on LinkedIn and some recruiters search out candidates on the site so it is a good way of marketing your skills and experience.
• Find vacancies and get recruited. Employers are increasingly advertising jobs on LinkedIn so use it to find vacancies. There is an easy to use job search tool whereby you can get job alerts sent to you. Add as many of your skills as possible to your profile to ensure that you come up when recruiters search for candidates.
• Build up your network. Start by connecting with friends, family, other students on your course and people you have worked with or interned with in the past. Join your school and university alumni groups as this will contact you to hundreds more people. You can also invite people to join LinkedIn and connect with them.
• Use your network. Find out information about jobs, sectors and organisations by asking relevant people in your network. Use the connections you have to open up new connections, which may in turn lead to opportunities. Use LinkedIn networks to information interview, pose questions on group discussion pages and look at other people’s profiles to get a sense of how their careers have developed in particular industries.
• Engage with companies. Find organisations you are interested in and follow them, thereby getting up to date information on what the organisation is doing, its profile and whether it is hiring at the moment. Ask organisation contacts about culture of the organisation, what it’s like to work there and how they got their job.
• Join groups that are in the field you are interested in and link up to like-minded people, post questions and demonstrate to employers that you have an active interest in the field.

Twitter

Companies and organisations use Twitter to provide information about what they are doing as well as posting job vacancies. You don’t have to tweet yourself but doing so can demonstrate to employers that you are engaged and interested in the industry.

You can use Twitter to:

• Follow companies, people, organisations of interest and brands to get industry insight and keep up to date. Tweet questions and ask for information or advice, which can contribute to your online networking activities.
• Use # (hashtags) for a quick way of searching for particular roles. For example, search for #internship to bring up each tweet that has been tagged with that term. Ensure that your tweets are positive and informed so as to give potential employers a good impression.
• Follow jobsites to get the latest vacancies and follow QM Careers to keep up to date with career events and news.

Facebook

Whilst Facebook is not a business website, you may wish to use it for the following:

• Follow organisations that use Facebook for marketing, recruitment and updating information on their activities.
• There may be people in your Facebook network that work for organisations that you are interested in.  You could send them an email through Facebook asking them quick, informal questions to get a bit more information.
• QM Careers has a facebook page where we will post information on current jobs, information on careers events and careers related articles and links.

Blogs

Large organisations often have blogs written by their graduate trainees or interns which give insight into the company. Be aware that these are likely to have been vetted by the company themselves so may not present the most balanced information. Unofficial blogs can give more insight but keep an open mind when reading them.

You may wish to show future employers your writing skills, your interest in a subject area and your engagement with an industry through writing your own blog. This is especially useful for careers which require you to demonstrate strong writing skills e.g. journalism.

YouTube

YouTube is the second largest search engine and as such, is a good way to find out more information about companies and what it is like to work for them.  Larger companies often post information and advice on interviewing and assessment centres.  You can also use YouTube to get information from careers professionals on different aspects of job hunting and find ‘how to’ videos on setting up profiles, writing CV’s etc.  We have produced some short videos interviews of QM Graduates talking about their jobs., which are posted on our YouTube channel.

What can I do after a bioscience degree?

When you complete a degree in a bioscience you should come out with a number of skills that many employers find valuable. These will include:

Quantitative Skills i.e. good with numbers.

Communication Skills i.e. can talk and write about your work and other topics to different people.

So when you explore what you can do with these skills, really think about what you enjoy and are good at rather than just thinking you have been trained to work in a laboratory. A science degree does give you laboratory experience, but it can give you so much more than that.

So what types of job can you do with a bioscience degree?  The Guardian did a Q&A session on this subject earlier this year. Have a look at some of the useful suggestions from their panel of experts.  There is also a very useful booklet called ‘Next Steps: options after a bioscience degree‘ which is available as a PDF here. There are example CVs in this booklet, including an academic CV and a more ‘skills based’ CV which can be used for work outside of science and/or academia. The Society of Biology also has a careers section on their website.

If you decide to pursue a career in research and are thinking of doing a PhD, it is a good idea to keep your options open and get some broader work experience alongside your PhD. Think about doing a PhD that involves close collaboration with industry e.g. a BBSRC CASE Studentship.  Alternatively, consider doing a PhD at a university that offers a PhD with an internship attached e.g. BBSRC Pips.

Thinking broadly about your skills and developing a wide range of experience will mean that you have career options both within scientific research and beyond.

If you want to discuss your options and ideas, book an appointment with QM Careers: 0207 882 8533.

Tracy Bussoli
Careers Consultant for Researchers
QM Careers

Summertime blues – not got an internship or summer job yet?

Haven’t got an internship? Not volunteering with vipers in Venuezla, tigers in Tanzania, youngsters in Yarmouth?

Maybe the name of your vacation game is making money.

Are you worried that you’ve missed the boat? If so, here are some ideas to get you sailing again:

London Life
Endless opportunities for casual and short-term paid work in the Great Metropolis, some more interesting than others.  Use the web links below and /or go straight to individual websites of bars, stores, hospitals, local councils (etc.)

Culture Vultures
A few openings remain at museums and tourist sites.  Act with alacrity. In addition, festivals, music and drama events, performance projects could all do with a helping hand (yours).

High Society
Left off the list for Ascot, Wimbledon, Henley?  See some of the action and get paid too. Polish up your serving skills – strawberries, not aces – and apply. ASAP.

Rough And Rugged?
Summer camps and adventure holidays, in the UK and beyond, continue to look for outdoor types who can coach and care for clients.

Wave Me Goodbye
Resorts from the Balearics to Barry Island are hiring help.  Whether you’re a well-worn waiter or a would-be water babe, move as fast as you like.

Home Sweet Home
Returning to your nearest and dearest? Get the family to put out feelers, check local papers and do your research for you.  Now.

Olympics Ahoy
Thought it was just London?  Think again. Venues include Newcastle, Glasgow, Cardiff, Weymouth. North of Watford and south of Streatham, they’re raring to recruit!

The Usual Suspects
Wherever you are, a high street near you will have agencies with something to offer.  Get registered, get known, get in there.

Sites To See
www.careers.qmul.ac.uk
www.gradsintocareers.co.uk/
www.gumtree.com
www.e4s.co.uk
www.summer-jobs.co.uk
www.student-jobs.co.uk

All aboard and full steam ahead.

Gill Sharp
Careers Consultant QM  Careers

What to do with a physics degree and how to find your dream job

Graduating from a physics degree is an enviable position to be in.  From analysing government policy to curing cancer or building satellites, if you’re a physics graduate then you will have developed the skills during your degree to do it.  The trouble is, with so many options how do you decide which route to go down?

As a physics graduate, I found the early years of my career the most difficult in which to pin down that elusive ‘perfect’ job.  I found myself without a position on a traditional graduate scheme with a well known employer, as do 95% of graduates.  After my first couple of roles in a retail head office and architect’s practise I began to realise that the reasons I had left both (9-5pm, admin tasks) were common to almost all jobs! It was only when I really began to think about why I did physics in the first place that things became clearer.

Physics encompasses the study of the universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles.  It is the scope and practical application of the subject which made it incredibly appealing to me.  The relationship between different physical systems and the interaction at their interfaces are what really floated my boat.  In my current role, I deal with many stakeholders with differing agendas and varying needs.  I thrive in this environment where there are multiple strands of information (data) that I must analyse as a whole. My physics training allows me to collate and analyse this information to look at the bigger picture and identify common themes.  This makes me a strategic thinker and, as a result, I may be the first to recognise potential opportunities and threats to the business.  Being in a position where these qualities are valued makes me feel motivated and most importantly, enjoy my job.

So, it makes sense to view the transition from an undergraduate student to a graduate worker less like a departure from your favourite subject but more like a change in a physical environment: the fundamental laws are the same but the application is different.  However, it is only through a healthy dose of self reflection and some real life experience in the work place that you can achieve the clarity that will lead you to that dream job. Get started by brainstorming some ideas and finding work experience during your degree.

Alison Harsthorn
Careers Consultant
QM Careers

Science jobs – think outside the laboratory box

If you are a student studying a life science degree at Queen Mary, you are probably aspiring to work within a laboratory  (http://www.prospects.ac.uk/options_biomedical_sciences_job_options.htm) after your studies. Why wouldn’t you? That is what a life science degree trains you to do, right? Well that is one option, but, if you think more broadly there are many more alternatives. Just think beyond your laboratory skills and knowledge.

You will have developed your written and spoken communication skills during your degree, especially if you have been involved in some of the many societies (http://www.qmsu.org/societies/) that are on campus. As well as developing a scientific knowledge, you will also have developed the language and jargon that is used in a scientific environment. This language will prove very useful within a scientific organisation.

With this in mind, think about which organisations deal with science and/or life science. These organisations will employ many people, many of whom do not do laboratory research. Your science knowledge and vocabulary will be welcomed in these environments. Jo Brodie, who is a science communicator, has drawn up a comprehensive list of organisations that are associated with science, with links to their job sites (http://brodiesnotes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/organisations-that-make-it-easy-for-you.html).

This site is well worth a look to spark your imagination and encourage you to think beyond laboratory research. Look at the job options, see what skills they require, then think about how you can develop these during your degree!

Tracy Bussoli
Careers Consultant QM Careers

Huntsy – a good way to make job hunting easier

If you find the process of applying for jobs stressful and sometimes wish you had a secretary to organise things, then Huntsy could be for you. It is a great widget that will help you organise your job search.

Start by creating a free account at huntsy.com. You basically add in any vacancies you find (they make this very easy) and the site will help you keep track of all the vacancies you are applying to, create templates for CVs and covering letters, and even set reminders to send a thank you letter, chase up a recruiter or schedule an interview.

Key social network sites such as LinkedIn and Twitter can be used to create an account if you wish and are also utilised to help with the job search. For example by flagging up any contacts you may have working for the firms that have the vacancy.

There’s even a motivational temperature guage to help you see if you are on track with your job search.  Huntsy will make you feel you have a small army of personal assistants helping you.

They are developing the site all the time with lots of improvements planned.  So sign up and let them organise you!

Student Barometer Results

In the autumn we asked you to answer a brief survey called the ‘Student Barometer’ which is a national survey completed by 120,000 students at all universities.

The results have just been published, and over 3000 QM Students responded. Thank you!

The highlights for QM are:

• Best careers service in London
• Best in London for sports facilities
• Best in London for the ability to earn money while studying (home students)
• Best in London for the availability of financial support – bursaries, scholarships etc
• Best in London for the quality of lecture theatres and classrooms.
• Best in London for the value for money of accommodation
• Excellent arrival experience
• Excellent support for disabled students

Full results are available here: http://bit.ly/J2KF68

Thinking of taking a gap year after graduating?

Taking a “gap year” either for self-fulfilment or career development can reap rewards.  To make the most of it, make your time out count:

Why take a year out?
Going abroad provides a chance to broaden your horizons, discover new cultures, and is a great way to network and make new friends. Picking up a language and teaching English are also motivators for some. Remember taking a year out, is not just about travelling – you may want to stay in the UK to pursue your passion for music for example, or volunteer for a while.

What about my career?
Activities undertaken on a year out can boost skills sought by employers, and can give you space to work out what you would like to do in the longer term.

If you are undecided on what you want to do next, make sure you do some thinking before you go (or come and speak to one of QM’s Careers Consultants!). A gap year is a great opportunity to pick up some work experience in an area that interests you.  You’ll find it beneficial in the long run if you make a good plan for what you want to achieve in your year out  – from writing a blog to becoming a yoga instructor – doing something productive on your year out is likely to be more impressive to a future employer than simply travelling from A to B and absorbing the experience.  Finally, be conscious of application deadlines and interview periods – and arrange your year out around this.

For further information on taking a year out – including gap year opportunities, taking a gap year abroad, having a gap year in the UK,  funding advice and more, see the excellent Prospects gap year webpages.

Vicki Tipton
Careers Consultant QM Careers

Vacancies – part time, full time, summer jobs and more

It’s that time of the year again, when you start making plans and thinking about your future. Perhaps you’re looking for an internship to kick-start your career or just want to earn some extra pocket money during the summer. With all the information available on the Internet though, you might not know where to start your job-hunt.

QM  JobOnline is our online job board where employers advertise their vacancies directly to  students. And right now there are nearly 1000 opportunities.  Whether you’re looking for a part-time job, a graduate scheme or a summer placement, search to access a wide variety of vacancies across all sectors.

For more information on JobOnline or to book a careers discussion with one of our Careers Consultants, drop by our office in Room WG3 in the Queen’s Building or give us a call at 020 7882 8533.

Raluca – Maria Chereji
2^nd Year French and Politics student

The most popular careers website

A little while ago we were blogging about how much we love Prospects. It looks like we weren’t the only ones: new figures have shown that unique visitors to the site have grown by 7% since last year. This means it retains its position as the most visited student and graduates careers website.

But wait! There’s more: the new Prospects monthly newsletter has also been hugely successful. About 1.4 million registrants now receive the latest job and industry information delivered straight to their inbox. Why not join them?

Moral of the story? If you haven’t done so already, visit Prospects to learn more about job roles, employers, different industries, get application information, postgraduate course listings and more.  For further information about any of these issues, visit us in Careers WG3  and book an appointment with one of our advisers to discuss your options further.

Raluca – Maria Chereji
2^nd Year French and Politics student