We add a new, exciting blog post every Monday. We provide the best tips, insights into what we do and more! Stay tuned.Â
Note: Take a look at the categories bar on the right-hand side of the page. We will have blog posts listed there. You will find the blog you’re searching for a lot easier that way!Â
Looking for flexible work during your studies? Finding job opportunities is exciting but also it opens up potential scams and privacy risks if you aren’t careful. Protecting your personal information, finances, and online data is important through this process. Follow these 6 tips for a safer job search:
1. Verify Company Legitimacy
Before applying or interviewing, thoroughly research companies to avoid falling for fraudulent postings. Check for proper websites, reviews, listed addresses and credible details. With jobs posted on Unitemps, you can be confident the positions and employers are 100% legitimate. We verify all roles before sharing them.
2. Never Pay for Opportunities
Legitimate employers will never require payments or investments from candidates as part of the hiring process. Steer clear of any solicitations asking for fees.
3. Limit Personal Info Shared
Be very cautious about providing things like financial data, contact details, addresses or photos until you’ve firmly secured a position. Only share absolutely necessary information early on. We Unitemps has an easy application process and we require only necessary information upfront. No need to enter excessive personal or financial details that could potentially be compromised.
4. Gain Support
Have questions or concerns at any stage? Unitemps has a real staff on hand to assist you, unlike impersonal job boards. We’ll promptly address any security worries.
5. Watch for Red Flags
If something seems questionable about a job prospect, don’t ignore red flags. High-pressure tactics, unprofessional communications, vague details, and promises that are too good to be true should raise caution.
6. Use Unique Login Credentials
When applying online, create new usernames and passwords for each job site rather than reusing existing credentials across platforms. This limits potential data exposure.
Unitemps Staffordshire University is local and campus-based. By working with us, you can feel confident your personal data and activity are monitored and protected locally at a place you know.
Unitemps is the trusted source for connecting Staffordshire University students to great local opportunities. Applying through our official website helps ensure you conduct a secure, protected job search and additional support from our team here at Staffs.
If you have questions about current vacancies or just want to chat about your potential work opportunities, UNITEMPS STAFFORDSHIRE IS HERE FOR YOU! Feel free to contact us anytime to discuss the opportunities.
This quote may actually be right, but how do you do it? How do we successfully network with people and what makes the person you’re reaching out to want to help you find a job?Â
Read on to get our top 5 tips and tricks on networking successfully.Â
Start Using Social Media
For many, face-to-face contact is a daunting experience. With social media, it is a lot easier to get to know someone who shares the same background and interests as you. It also helps you know beforehand whether you would like to put in the time getting to know someone.
Start using the following platforms:
LinkedInÂ
Google Plus
Twitter
Engage with content that other people are sharing and liking. Comment your thoughts and opinions on a shared topic; this can be a great conversation starter and a point to refer back to if and when you meet this person face-to-face.Â
Also, get involved and spice up your profile with a profile picture, a biography and some interesting posts. Don’t forget to take some time to browse through your posting history and make sure you aren’t sharing or involving yourself with any offensive or controversial topics.Â
Quick tip: mass-requesting to follow people is not the right way to network. It is not about the numbers, but the quality of each connection you make.
Read below to find out how to form genuine relationships.Â
2. Arrive Early to Events
Events are a fantastic opportunity for you to cheerlead your skills and show off your best self. But it can be uncomfortable when you walk into the venue and see hundreds of people huddled in their own bubble. So arriving early to events can be beneficial because you can form a group with those who are just arriving. Everyone would love to talk to somebody, and this is a great way to introduce yourself.
3. It’s Give & Take
Many people forget that networking is a two-way street. When you approach someone, talk about yourself, and then ask for a favour, you are essentially coming across as selfish. And of course, it would be fantastic to just walk up to someone, ask for a CEO position and get it – just like that. I wish that was true…Â
But networking is all about building a rapport. When you meet someone, what can you offer them? What will they gain from talking to you? Knowing all of this and being able to share this across naturally will help the keep the other person engaged with the conversation and invested in you.Â
4. Be Kind and Be You!
Build genuine relationships. Just be yourself. In many comedic films, when the protagonist goes to an office party and tries to network by being self-aggrandising and pretentious, it always ends in a flop. I’m not sure if this was the old way to network, but in 2021, people are becoming more open to real people.Â
If you’re feeling anxious about the event, prepare some questions you’d like to know about someone beforehand. Have some cue-cards at hand, so you can drive the conversation. And know that awkward, silent moments happen. If you don’t click with someone, just thank them for their time and wish them well.Â
5. Listening is Just as Important…
Listening to others is so important, more so than the talking. People are so quick to talk about themselves that the conversation becomes one-sided.Â
Picking up on some of the things that they say can help you so much in the conversation. If you’re able to relate to someone’s experience and bringing it back to circulation in the conversation will reflect on you as a good listener.Â
University – what a ride! First of all, a huge congratulations to you for graduating – get celebrating!
Now, whether you’re thinking of taking a well-deserved break for a while or whether you’re ready to keep pushing forward into your professional life, it’s never too early to start applying and securing your graduate role.
Read on to get the best tips and tricks, as well as getting to know your support system at Staffordshire University.
My JourneyÂ
I secured my first full-time role recently in June 2021. When I submitted my final assignment, I felt an influx of emotions: relief, fear, excitement.
I first felt underwhelmed, because throughout my time at university, I had a few goals that I wanted to achieve. Unfortunately, obstacles flew in from all angles – personal, financial, and housing. It made focusing on these goals and studying extremely tough and unrewarding. I felt like I physically dragged myself to the finish line: 4pm, May the 4th (be with you).
I felt like I ran out of time to do the things I wanted to at university. I think I was also just so relieved that it was all over that I looked for more negatives than positives in my situation.Â
Eventually, I “chillaxed”. There was a new obstacle to overcome – an exciting and new experience for me – getting a full-time job. After my final submission, I applied to over 200 jobs on all sites that I could think of. This kept me busy after university, which was exciting and nerve-wracking too.Â
With my English Literature & Creative Writing degree, I heard these a LOT:Â
“So, you wanna be a teacher then?”
“*Laughter*”Â
“Good luck getting a job with that degree!”Â
But this didn’t put me off at all. Most of the time, these were jokey remarks, and I felt like I could prove them wrong.Â
I was so grateful to have spoken with my personal tutor, Mark Brown. He told me to think outside the box and to look at what I have learned during my time at university. Now, my degree wasn’t a label, but an ocean of skills and experience that I could fish out and present at my job interview.Â
I got out an A3 piece of paper and drew a mind map. After scribbling down my skills, work experience, volunteering, and extra-curricular activities. I realised I had more to offer than I thought. Eventually, I realised I could apply my skills to so many job titles I’d enjoy: copywriting, marketing, translation, freelancing, and graphic design.
I got my job as a Marketing Assistant & Creative Producer Assistant thanks to Unitemps. Lizzy was so supportive & she helped ease my nerves for the interview. She also encouraged me to get some certificates online to stand out from others. So I did! Â
Target Keyword Searches
These are essentially the keywords you use in the search bar, whether that’d be on Google, Indeed, LinkedIn, and other job search websites to help refine your list of jobs. This makes job hunting easier because you will be matched with more roles that suit your level of expertise, as well as your interests.
It can be daunting to look at the list of irrelevant job roles without first refining your job needs. For example, on LinkedIn, you will see these filter options in the “Jobs” section:
At first, 24,000 jobs appear and it will take too much time trying to scroll through page after page of job titles for candidates with 25 years of experience! Filter through the following options:Â
Remote: this is a preference. If you are a stay-at-home parent or you would love to work for a company but would like to stay in your jammies at home-sweet-home, then click on “Remote” button.
Date Posted: experiment with this. It helps to lower the number of searches and the earlier the job post, the better. This is because many job postings from earlier may have expired, so it would be a waste of time applying to those.
Experience Level: many graduates like myself would typically click on “entry-level” jobs, “internship” or “associate”
LinkedIn offers a free trial for their Premium Feature which can be helpful when seeing what the other applicants’ backgrounds are like, which job titles match your skills on your profile and who is viewing your profile.Â
University & ‘Career Planning’
Did you know that Staffordshire University graduates have access to Career and Personal Development support for life?Â
On their page, ‘Life after University‘, the Careers Team suggests that having a ‘Career Plan’ is useful to help you understand yourself and what options you have for careers moving forward. The list will ultimately help you understand the following:Â
Your strengths, values and interests – as well as what you could work on to stand out from other candidates.Â
The goals you need to work towards your career (long-term and short-term). This will help you stay motivated and organised, because job-hunting is no easy feat.Â
Some ideas of which fields you can apply yourself to (what jobs could you do).Â
If you would like to find out more about this, please visit HERE
“MyCareer is your career and personal development one-stop-shop and the first place to go to:
Look for jobs and experience
Book a place on career workshops and events
Ask quick career-related questions”.
Once you have graduated, you will have received an email asking you to register for a new graduate account. This will give you access to a variety of work, with exclusive access to you, the graduate! You can also register HERE if you haven’t received it or are visiting after years of graduating at Staffs.
As well as finding work, their Careers Team is on hand every day of the working week (Mon-Fri), virtually and in-person, to help you in the following:Â
Writing a tailored CV
Writing the best cover letter for that particular role you’re applying for
Answering any career-related questions (or anything about student life; did you know that the Career Coaches are current students?)Â
LinkedIn Assistance
Practice InterviewsÂ
And a lot more to list… Visit the link above and contact them today!
Unitemps
Saving the best for last – kidding, we’re all useful in our own way; and it’s a lot more beneficial if you use all the services mentioned here regularly!
Unitemps offers new opportunities on the daily, whether that’d be a part-time role, a full-time graduate role, temporary or permanent roles, virtual or in-office roles, graduate schemes and more.Â
We also offer placement opportunities if you decide to stay in education. Placements are a great way to get on-the-job experience within your subject area. These vary from 12-week projects such as SAMPID to full 12-month placements. Undertaking a placement can be beneficial to your subject area knowledge and employability after completion of your award.Â
We have roles tailored to every need and with just a few clicks of a button, you can send out your best CV and Cover Letter after visiting the Careers Studio and registering with us HERE.Â
Not only do we offer the opportunities above, but did you know that we are in partnership with Staffordshire University for the following schemes?:
1) SAMPID
As it was just Women’s Engineering Day a week ago today, you may have heard of SAMPID. But if you haven’t, that’s okay! SAMPID stands for the ‘Advanced Manufacturing, Prototyping and Innovation Demonstrator’ programme.Â
The primary aim of SAMPID is to drive innovation in Advanced Manufacturing Sectors across the Staffordshire region. In just 12-months, you will develop skills in your STEM field.
Please read our previous blog to find out more about SAMPID HERE.Â
2) SDIPsÂ
The Staffordshire Digital Innovation Partnerships (SDIPs) programme is a collaborative project between Staffordshire University and Staffordshire County Council to drive transformation through digital innovation in the region. The project is funded by Staffordshire University, Staffordshire County Council and the European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020 and will run until December 2021.
Digital Innovation Partnerships (DIPs)
Business Intelligence Partnerships (BIPs)
Social Challenge Innovation Partnerships (SCIPs)
Register with Unitemps Today:
https://www.unitemps.com/Register/Candidate
Follow Unitemps on Twitter for Regular Updates! @UnitempsStaffs
In celebration for International Women in Engineering Day, we want to share the opportunities that Staffordshire University pioneers towards women in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), whilst celebrating the achievements already made by women!Â
Staffordshire University works closely with Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire businesses to provide 12-week SAMPID placements for all students wishing to build their careers in STEM.
SAMPID is a fully funded project by the university to pave the way for women to get into STEM jobs. You may have heard of SAMPID through our previous blog “Placement Opportunities” or Unitemps Staffordshire’s job opportunities.Â
If you haven’t, that’s okay! Read on to find out how Unitemps and Staffordshire University are working together to break social barriers within STEM and to find out how you can get involved.
What is SAMPID?Â
SAMPID stands for Staffordshire Advanced Manufacturing, Prototyping, Innovation Demonstrator. It is a program run by Staffordshire University, which brings together the expertise of local small businesses with our students/graduates and academics to develop new to the market products or components utilising cutting edge equipment.
Some examples of industries that students can get experience of through the programme include:
What opportunities does SAMPID provide for students?Â
For students, SAMPID is an amazing opportunity to get real life experience working in a STEM role.
By getting involved in a project, you will gain technical skills, experience using specialist equipment such as robotic arms and 3D printers and develop networks with local businesses, all of which can only help you to stand out from the crowd when applying for future positions.
The SAMPID programme is dedicated to ensuring you finish the placement feeling better prepared and qualified for your career ahead.
Celebrating the Women in STEM
Staffordshire University currently has the following amazing women working on SAMPID projects:Â
Shruti Chakraborty working with Promtek studying an MSC in Robotics and Smart Technologies.
2) Hajar Nour working with The Efficiency Group Ltd studying a MSc Mechanical Engineering and Sustainable Energy Technologies:
“What made me choose engineering was first, because it is a creative career. Also, my passion for problem solving, maths, physics, exploring and creating at the same time is fascinating.”
3) Emily Pugh working with Funky Frames studying BA (Hons) Industrial Design (Product Design Pathway):
“I chose to do Industrial Design as I wanted to learn about product design but on a bigger scale. I wanted to learn more about the business side of Product design, alongside the designing aspect. I believe this is what will help me in the real world of manufacturing.”
4) Emma Hearn working with Crib Gogh studying a BA (Hons) Fashion Design
How to get involved in SAMPID
The project was launched in 2020 and is growing exponentially at an increasing rate. So far:
18 projects have been approved
9 projects are live
1 is currently being advertised: Visit HERE:
50 projects by 2023
More projects are yet to come!
Want to get involved in SAMPID? We have a live role here:
(Staffordshire University SAMPID is fully funded by Staffordshire University and the European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020 and offered completely free of charge to each participating business).
Placements are a great way to get on-the-job experience within your subject area. These vary from 12-week projects such as SAMPID to full 12-month placements. Undertaking a placement can be beneficial to your subject area knowledge and employability after completion of your award.
Unitemps’ Placement Opportunities
Unitemps offers many placement opportunities for Staffordshire University students wishing to get real hands-on experience, as well as great connections for when they graduate. Read on to find out the benefits of seizing this opportunity!
What type of placement can I do?
There are many placements available to students at Staffordshire University. The main year of industry placement is the most well-known. With many other project based placements also offered.
A Year in Industry
A year in Industry is usually based within an organisation in your subject area. These are usually started after the end of your studies in your second year. It is usually up to you to find a placement at the start of your second year of university, However, academic staff usually post relevant opportunities they find within your courseâs teams group or blackboard area and are sure to assist you in finding one if necessary.
SAMPID
Staffordshire Advanced Manufacturing, Prototyping and Innovation Demonstrator is a scheme aimed to drive innovation in advanced manufacturing sectors across the region. The aim of the project is to support businesses to develop new to the market products or components utilising groundbreaking equipment. Funded by Staffordshire University and the European Regional Development Fund (2014-2020) these placements are offered on a paid basis lasting 12 weeks at 15 hours per week.
Throughout the placement, a dedicated academic will support one day per week.
This can be in any of the following areas:
Aero-auto
Energy
Agri-tech
Medical Technology
Applied Materials
Transport
Food and Drink
Within the placement, you would have the opportunity to utilise Staffordshire Universities Advanced Manufacturing Equipment, such as; Metal 3D printers (Solvent washable), Sinter oven (for metal 3D printers), Educational Robot, Collaborative Robot, Inspection Camera, Spin coater and Probe station.
SDIPS
Staffordshire Digital Innovation Partnerships, this programme is aimed at collaborating with small to medium enterprises to enable digital innovation within their organisation. These projects last for 24 weeks and are focussed on three areas:
Digital Innovation PartnershipsâFocused on technological transformation to support the development of new processes, services or products and their accompanying transformational change within their business.
Business Intelligence PartnershipsâFocused on supporting businesses to unlock the power of the data they collect, utilising a range of business intelligence tools and techniques.
Social Challenge Innovation PartnershipsâStaffordshire County council priorities that a business can pitch to develop prototype solutions to.
These projects are all full time for the duration of 6 months, with the support of an academic for half a day per week.
Why a Placement?
Instead of going into your third year of your degree, a student placement is an option to take a year out to work for an established industry relevant to your area of study. Whatâs the point of taking a year out when you could just finish that degree and get a job after?
Hereâs a few reasons a placement may be the right option for you:
You will get real industry experience which will increase your employability and skills.
It will also help you apply what you have learnt in theory, so you will have a fantastic, competitive edge when entering the job market (and increased subject area knowledge!).
You will also figure out if the career youâre pursuing is really right for you and the different job roles within that sector that you may want to consider.
You may even be able to find a salaried placement.
And lastly, the obvious: you get great contacts! TopResume states that â60 percent of jobs are found through networking.â, so being able to reach out and build relationships will be vital to your job-search in the future.
Many times, students have been offered guaranteed graduate roles whilst taking a placement (Wouldn’t you love to spend your third year at Uni knowing you have a job lined up, with a company you are already comfortable with straight afterwards?!).
Whatâs a Placement Like?
Different for every organization and sector, a placement will technically be a full-time role. You will get a chance to develop your knowledge and skills practically which you build your skill set; this will be a fantastic head start when entering your final year of your degree! You will also work alongside an experienced team too, which will be a great way to network and ask questions.
Some Stats to Think About
According to ISE Development Survey, the importance of work experience is highlighted by the fact that 87% of respondents agreed that a student who had completed an internship had a more enhanced skill set – than those who did not.
They also found that employersrehired an average of 43% of their placement students.
It is estimated that the average salary of students who have completed sandwich placements is 8% higher than those that did not, six months after graduating.
Where does Unitemps Come In?
Register with us on www.Unitemps.com where you will regularly see placements being posted. So far, we have placed 15 students on a placement since 2021 and we are excited to give more students the opportunity to develop their skill set. We have 6 live placement opportunities in a variety of sectors.
Other ways to get a Placement with Staffordshire University
MyCareer (Online/Science Centre):
The Career Coaches are there for you all week to support your with tailoring a CV or cover letter, coaching you for your next placement with mock interviews and supporting you in building your portfolio. Placement opportunities are also advertised on MyCareer, so check regularly!
Contact them via online (MyCareer), going into a drop-in session at the Science Centre, or emailing them at careers@staffs.ac.uk.
Employability Hub (Microsoft Teams):
Students will be automatically enrolled onto this page, where there will be jobs and placement opportunities regularly updated on their files. All opportunities will relate to a specific degree area, so that all students have a good chance at securing employment.
Useful Resources:
www.ratemyplacement.co.uk
www.prospects.ac.uk
https://www.studentjob.co.uk/placement
LinkedIn
Indeed
TotalJobs
Gradcracker
unitemps.com
mycareer.staffs.ac.uk
Bright Network
Google Jobs
Reed
TargetJobs
SimplyHired
Register with Unitemps Today:
https://www.unitemps.com/Register/Candidate
Follow Unitemps on Twitter for Regular Updates! @UnitempsStaffs
As the UK is progressing out of national lockdown, the way we approach testing is changing. Many of us are getting back onto campus for in-person teaching or to grab a hot drink from Squeezebox. With our venues slowly opening, safety is still the number one priority. Read on to find out how Staffordshire University ensures that all staff and pupils remain safe whilst on its premises.
How is Staffordshire University staying safe?
Testing and reporting:
The LRV on the Stoke-on-Trent campus operates on-site supervised lateral flow testing for the public, as well as staff and students at the university. These lateral flow tests are available from 9:30am-3:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Staff and students are advised to take a COVID test twice a week, so that Staffordshire Universityâs campus maintains a COVID-secure campus. Regular testing also ensures that staff and students remain safe. Ian Blachford, the Chief Operating Officer at Staffordshire University, says that:
âIt is easy to think that now that infection rates are lower, and hospitalisations are down, that the threat of COVID-19 has been removed. It hasnât. If we donât continue to test regularly, we could unwittingly play our part in the further spread of the virus and further possible lockdowns.â
To read in more detail about testing and reporting COVID test results, please visit here.
Sanitation and distancing measures:
In line with government guidelines, the university also implements social distancing measures. These include:
The campus is also remaining safe by encouraging everyone to keep their distance from one another through clear and visible markings.
Readily available hand sanitisers in stairwells, lift lobbies, foyers, lecture theatres and reception areas, so that anyone entering or leaving the premises has the chance to disinfect their hands.
Shared learning spaces and gyms will have wipes for staff and students to wipe down their areas as they arrive and leave.
Cleaning operations have adapted their procedures to focus on: hand rails, buttons, and doors, with special focus on high-touch areas such as bathrooms and lift facilities.
All students and staff are encouraged to wear face masks on campus. Staff have been provided with PPE to wear while teaching.
The retail outlets in Cadman, Ashley 2 and the Business School will remain closed until early next year. Vending machines are still available for use, though we encourage customers to either wash their hands or use hand sanitiser before and after use.
What should I do to help?
Having all these measures in place will not be effective if we didnât have the full support from those who are on campus. Here are some things you must do, now that you are aware of how Staffordshire University supports your wellbeing and safety:
Monitor yourself for any symptoms of COVID-19 and arrange a test if you have any of the following: a high temperature (38°C+), a new, continuous cough, or a loss of smell/taste.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds â singing âHappy Birthdayâ twice helps! Or use hand sanitiser.
Catch coughs and sneezes with tissues. Immediately dispose of the tissue responsibly and clean your hands.
Avoid close contact with other people, maintaining a distance of two-meters wherever possible.
Support from the Well-being Team:
You are not alone, remember that. The pandemic has heightened the feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, and fear. Please speak with our friendly and qualified Well-being team who will be happy to help.
With the academic year slowly coming to an end, many of you are starting to wonder, âWhat is the next step?â. For many, this is a daunting question and for others the prospects are exciting. But whether you are thinking of just taking a breather or jumping straight into your graduate role, here are our top tips when applying for first graduate role!
Map out your Hard & Soft Skills ?
Itâs likely that employers require some hard skills, but soft skills are just as important and will also be needed for your role, so what is the difference between hard and soft skills?
Hard skills are technical abilities which are specific to the role. They are skills that are typically learned through training/education such as speaking a foreign language, coding, cleaning procedures and more.
Soft skills, on the other hand, are interpersonal/introspective abilities that can be more difficult to learn without real-life and hands-on experience. For example, leadership, creativity, compassion and more.
Create a brainstorm or jot down any volunteering, university or work experience youâve done and list all the skills you have developed or gained from those. Perhaps a group presentation has taught you to be innovative, or you led a group to achieve a fantastic grade. These will all be useful for your interview, and particularly if you can present those skills in a SMART format.
As a graduate, employers know you may not have all the skills required, but if you are motivated and excited about the role, that may just be your ticket in! Be passionate.
Dedicate Time into Each Application â˛
Each role will require a new CV and Cover Letter in order to show employers that you have read and understood the role. It also reflects you as a person who is detail-oriented and are keen on getting the job because you put effort into your application.
Make Time for Everything Else ?â?â?
It’s easy to get caught up with job applications and we sometimes may neglect things that are just as important such as taking time out for hobbies and socialising with friends. Itâs easy to feel guilty if youâve not applied for a certain number of roles in a day or even if you get a rejection email. But, taking care of yourself is important so you donât get burnt out and can show your best self in an interview!
Consider every opportunity! â
Everybody wants an ideal work-life with a fantastic salary and great hours, but the most important thing to do as a graduate is to get your foot in the door and consider all jobs out there. So, donât just ignore temporary roles or jobs that pay minimum wage! Also, make sure these roles interest you, so that youâre able to progress and develop yourself in the long run. You want to love what youâre doing!
Unitemps are here for every student at Staffordshire University all year round. Working closely with the Student Support and Well-Being team, we employ Student Support Workers to work with students who may be facing difficulties while studying. Whether that be with their academic work or with their mental health, Unitemps are here to help. Â
We offer students two main types of support whilst studying, working with a Specialist Mentor (ASC & Mental Health) or a Specialist Study Skills Tutor (ASC & SpLD) or both.Â
Specialist Mentor (Mental Health & ASC)Â
A Specialist Mentor will regularly support you with: Â
Motivation and setting goals
Mindfulness and relaxationÂ
Managing expectations about appropriate levels of study Â
Creating appropriate study patterns Â
Finding the tools and mindset to achieve personal academic goalsÂ
Study-related stress or anxiety managementÂ
Time management, organisational skills, and study/exam preparation skillsÂ
Understanding your illness and managing symptoms, signs, and triggers
Specialist Study Skills Tutor (ASC &Â SpLDÂ (Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia))Â
A Specialist Study Skills Tutor will regularly support you with: Â
Structuring essays and other written work Â
Critical and reflective thinking and research skills Â
Comprehension, summarising, referencing and note–taking Â
Developing and implementing proofreading strategies Â
Assisting with time management and other academic-related organisational skillsÂ
Examination preparation/revision techniques Â
Understanding and implementing feedback from academic staffÂ
After University? Â
When coming to the end of their studies and entering the world of work, we aim to maximise the studentâs opportunities by working with our Careers Service and Student Support Team, offering extra guidance to ensure that they are fully equipped when applying for jobs. Â
Itâs something that we all experience at some point: rejection. Rejectionmay dent our confidence and lower our motivation to keep trying. But now is the best time to work over those feelings!
So, here are my top tips to help you keep trying, applying, and staying positive.
Remain Professional
If it feels right, ask to be considered for other roles and thank the interviewer for their time. Whilst you may not have been the best fit for the role you have applied for, donât burn those bridges.
Connect with your employer on LinkedIn and follow their page to see what other opportunities they have for you. Itâs a fact that kindness goes a long way, so who knows what could happen? Perhaps another similar role will open within that company, so the employer would contact you first! Keep your options open.
Ask for Feedback
Follow-up the interview with an email asking for personal feedback.Not only will you get closure, but you may also find areas you need to work on. Whilst it is a bit uncomfortable to ask for feedback, their response could help you ace that next interview!
You can also access the Careers Studio at Staffordshire University. Career Coaches can support you in a variety of ways. They can support you with personalising your CVs and cover letter. You can also have 1-to-1 practice interviews, sessions on confidence–building, and so much more.
Talk to your family and peers. The worst thing to do after an interview is nothing; that would just eat you up! So, let it all out by talking to a trusted friend or family member. It will just ease the pressure, especially because they can relate on some level or another.
Keep Your Head Held High
Being unsuccessful does not mean that you have failed or are a failure. If you feel you were the perfect fit for the role, itâs important to note that the employer wouldâve loved to have you on board, but another candidate just turned out to be stronger in one way or another.
Self-Care
Statistics says it all. Did you know that you may need to apply to 27 places before landing 1 interview? Give yourself a pat on your back for getting to the âinterviewâ stage in the first place.
Consider all the positives that have come from the interview itself. Were there any unexpected questions that came up? Did you feel confident and prepared for the interview? Everything that happens is an opportunity, so look at the brighter side and keep trying.
Itâs the best news you could have heard that day, but itâs not over yet. There are still many things you can do to prepare for your new role and that you should try to do before you start!
So, here are our top tips to help you get into the groove of your new position and settle in as best you can!
First thingâs first
Now you have been accepted for the role you need to say yes, it would also be courteous to thank the interviewer and the Unitemps consultant for their time. Thankfully you were the best fit for the role, now is the time to create a connection (you never know when you may need to find employment again!). If you haven’t updated your LinkedIn for a while this is the perfect opportunity (with a great profile picture too!)
Connect with your new employer on LinkedIn and follow the company pages if you havenât already to give a good first impression. This is also an opportunity to have another look at the company and who you will be working with.
Donât Forget
Follow-up the interview with an email asking for personal feedback. Even though you got the role, they may have some valuable feedback to find areas you need to work on (and might also highlight the areas where you shine). Try not to be uncomfortable when asking for feedback, as you did get the role and their response could help you further improve for a future interview.
Getting ready for your role
Discuss the news with your family and peers, they may have supported you through your application so make sure to show your appreciation for this. Celebrate your successes and think about what you did that caught their eye. Discuss what the role entails and when you are likely to be working and how much. Make sure to not get snowed under as soon as you start and manage your time well. If you used the career studio then make sure to thank them for their support too!
Now you have been successful and thanked anybody who supported your application itâs time to prepare for work.
A few key things to make sure you do before starting work
Accept the role â make sure you have contacted your Unitemps consultant or new employer to accept the role!
Research the company â make sure you know what they do and where they provide their services the more you know about them on your first day the more prepared you will look.
Update your Account â ensure your Unitemps account has all your most recent information on such as emergency contacts and bank details (so you can get paid!)
Find out how to submit timesheets â ensure you know how to submit timesheets, your consultant should send you a document showing how to do this or you can visit here for more information.
Update your calendar â make notes of key dates in your calendar, for example timesheet approval deadlines, pay days, days you are due to work and employment start and end dates.
Ensure you know how to submit holiday pay requests â whilst working through Unitemps you will likely accrue holiday pay at an hourly rate, this can be requested at the âClaim holiday payâ tab in your Unitemps account, take a look to make sure you know where this is.
Ensure you know how to get to work – plan the bus route or work out how much traffic there will be if you drive (you don’t want to be late for your first shift!)
Prepare to Dress to impress – Make sure to make a great first impression by dressing to impress.
Are you #Readyforwork?
Now you should be ready to start work, make sure you have confirmed your start date with both your new employer and the Unitemps consultant.
Good luck in your new role and donât forget to follow our social media so you can share our opportunities to your connections too!