Graduated from QM in 2011? Your last chance to join for free careers support

If you graduated from Queen Mary in 2011 and would like to use the support available at QM Careers you will need to be a member of Gradclub.

What is it?
Gradclub is our unique membership scheme (not the same as the alumni card) that allows you to access our services and facilities for 2 years after graduation.

How do I join?
Go to www.gradclub.co.uk and register your details. Once you have entered that you graduated from Queen Mary, you will be asked for a promotional code which is QM2011UL. This will allow you to join for free.

This special promotion expires on the 31st December 2011. After this time membership will be £55, so join now!

What does QM Careers do?
Book an appointment to see one of our Careers Consultants to discuss your options, get feedback on your CV / application, as well as get advice on how to do well at interviews and assessment centres. We can also help you prepare for psychometric tests,  apply for postgraduate study, consider working abroad or even advise you on how to start your own business.  Our information room has take away information, brochures and help sheets on a range of topics and all job areas.

Graduated and feeling stuck?

Friends and family asking ‘So what are you going to do now…?’?
Relief and celebration that you’ve passed your degree turning to concerns about what to do next?
Feeling demoralised that your job applications are getting nowhere?

Graduating and moving into employment is a big deal. It’s an exciting, and yet tricky stage for many people. Challenging as your time at Queen Mary probably was, the employment market may seem unclear and daunting by comparison. So here are 3 tips to help you successfully take steps into work you’ll enjoy.

One Start with YOU. Take stock of your qualifications, skills and personality. Employers will value your degree, but they’ll also be interested in what you offer them as a person. On-line tools such as Sort _it will help you. Vacation jobs and travel may seem a long way from the type of career you are looking for, but actually through them you are likely to be building your communication skills, problem solving and commercial and cultural awareness to name but a few.

Two Stay Positive. Looking for work involves lots of rejection and no-one enjoys that. Try not to compare yourself to any friends who seem to have it all sorted at the first attempt. That’s very rare. Come and talk to a Careers Adviser (or Skype with us) to renew your focus and confidence.

Three Take Action. Do at least one thing each day to move your carer forward. Research potential employers, contact a friend with similar aims to share ideas, make an application, do some interview preparation…. Job searching is definitely more about effort than luck. And an action we’d suggest for today is to join Gradclub  as this offers a great value way to continue to access careers support over the coming months. For a limited time only QM is subsiding membership so it is free to join – but make sure you join now to avoid missing out on the special offer.

Having trouble getting to QM Careers this summer?

Are you an EU/international student or GradClub member who has gone home for the summer?
Or are you a student or GradClub member who lives outside of London?

We realise that it may be hard for some of you to visit Careers for face-to-face appointments over the summer.  So for the next few weeks we will be trialling short appointments with Careers Advisers using Skype.  Short appointments last for 20 minutes and are available Monday to Thursday.

Skype is a free service to make internet calls.  You can create an account online. You will need to have webcam, microphone and audio facilities.

Telephone +44 (0)20 7882 8533 or email us at careers@qmul.ac.uk to book an appointment, with the following information:

• Student ID or GradClub number
• First name
• Last name
• Department
• Course
• Year
• Email address
• Contact phone number
• International status
• Details of how you would like Careers to help you.

It’s that simple!  We look forward to Skyping with you soon.

Leaving QM? But not the Careers Service!

The majority of students coming to the Careers Service at the moment are final year students graduating this year. For those of you who are graduating this year, read carefully…!

Are you unsure what you want to do next? Will you need to get your CV and Application form checked over the summer?  Thinking of post-grad study? The Careers Service is here to help you with all this and more…HOWEVER, once you have graduated and you student ID card has expired, you can only use the Careers Service if you are a member of GradClub.

Usually being a member of GradClub costs £25, however Queen Mary has subsidised it completely which means you can use the Careers Service FREE of charge even once you graduate – but you must be a member.

What you need to do is:

1. Visit the GradClub website www.gradclub.co.uk
2. Enter in your details with the promotional code QM2011UL
3. Check your given email to activate your account
4. log into the GradClub website to print off your GradClub card
5. visit us at the Careers Service with your GradClub card and a passport size photo of you to get your GradClub card authorised

The promotional code is valid for a limited time only so make sure you sign up now.

Important note for students graduating from QM this year

We hope your exams went well, and wish you all the very best for the future.

Whatever your plans, and before you leave Queen Mary, please be aware of the following (and tell your friends!):

Important Survey

Early in 2012, we will need to get in touch to find out what you  have gone on to do, whether that’s a job, further training, work   experience or travel. The UK government requires all university  departments to conduct this destination survey.

Results affect department rankings, and also (anonymously) inform future students about what they can do with a QM degree.

Please help us locate you later on by taking a minute now to update your contact details.

Then please complete the survey when we call and email you in Jan/Feb 2012. This is really very important to us, even if the job you are in at the time is not where you planto end up.

Continuing To Use QM Careers After You Graduate

If you would like feedback on your CV, a practice job interview, help finding vacancies or deciding what to do next, Queen Mary Careers offers appointments all summer (Queens’ Building,  WG3).

You can continue to use these services for free until July 2013 by joining the QM Careers  GradClub and entering promotional code   QM2011UL.

Keep In Touch With QM – Become A Careers Ambassador

If you’ve secured a job or career path and would like to share your experiences with current students in the future, we would love to hear from you.

Please get in touch via careers@qmul.ac.uk about becoming a Careers Ambassador for QM.

Many thanks – and enjoy your summer!

Emily Huns

Head of Service
QM Careers

What’s Next?- Life After Exams

While you are no doubt currently thinking of only revision and exams, in the not-so-distant future you may just face the pivotal question: ‘what’s next?’ Queen Mary Careers is here to help you find the answer.

Finalist Sessions

Throughout May and June Careers Advisers will be running Finalist career workshops in and tailored to your departments. These workshops will cover an array of issues including job hunting, CVs, application forms, interviews, assessment centres and career choice. For more information on the dates and times of these sessions, please either contact your departmental administrator or view the events calendar on the Queen Mary Careers website:

http://www.careers.qmul.ac.uk/events/index.html

Summer at QM Careers

Do keep in mind that although exams end in June, Queen Mary Careers is open all summer long! Throughout the summer months we will be offering our normal services. Whether you need help with a CV, tips for interview preparation or a guidance session, we are happy to help. Our opening times are Monday through Thursday 10:30am-5:00pm and Fridays 10:30am-4:00pm. We conduct appointments every Monday through Thursday. If you would like to book an appointment, phone 020 7882 8533 or drop by our offices.

Take Advantage of GradClub

QM Careers is only funded to help current students and GradClub members. Joining GradClub will allow you to use our services for two years following your graduation date. Sign up is FREE before 31 December 2010 for QM graduates only. Email or drop by QM Careers for this year’s promotional code. For full information on GradClub membership and to apply visit www.GradClub.co.uk.