Beijing Pre-fair

Seminar

WELCOME What to expect from the fair and how to make the most of your time

What careers support is available once you begin your course

Quick overview of the UK graduate recruitment cycle

EMPLOYERS ATTENDING THE BEIJING FAIR

Abercrombie & Fitch

Arup

Baker Hughes

BDA

Capital Dynamics

Daimler

Ernst & Young

Gallup

HRnetOne

Johnson & Johnson

KPMG China

Linklaters

Meltwater Group

RBS

Shell

Towers Watson

Vanke

Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies

YOUR OBJECTIVES Meet specific employers

Distinguish between same sector employers

Go beyond employer’s website

Network effectively

EMPLOYERS ATTEND FAIRS TO….

Meet variety of students

Offer insights into their recruitment process

Provide personal insight into organisation

Market their brand

But rarely to recruit on day

YOUR RESEARCH

Identify + research sector of employers you are interested in

Employer’s website

Application process

Recent news / issues (Google news, FT, relevant trade press)

PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS

“I notice that…your company is involved in…”

“You seem to focus on area x, I’ve taken a course in (relevant topic) and have some experience in y….”

“What led you to join…….

“I’ve looked at your online application and I’m interested to know what you are really looking for in the motivation questions….”

PHRASING QUESTIONS MATTERS

Not

“Why should I work for X rather than Y?”

But

“I’ve read a lot about global professional services firms, what would you say differentiates yours…?”

IMAGE AND IMPACTImage

Business/smart dress, shoes

Impact

Someone employer could send to client?

Interpersonal skills

Business cards

AFTERWARDS• Note names

• Follow up email if appropriate (especially if employer representative has given you business card)

• Make notes on what you discussed with whom (you will have forgotten in 2 months time)

IMMIGRATION AND ELIGIBILITY TO WORK

Seek expert advice from:

•International support office

or equivalent

•Your Student Union

•UK Border Agency website

•UKCISA

UK GRADUATE RECRUITMENT TRENDS (SOURCE: HIGH FLYERS 2012 REPORT)

The UK’s leading employers are expecting to increase their graduate recruitment by 6.4% in 2012

The most notable increases are predicted to be in engineering & industrial companies (up 22.4% compared to 2011), IT & telecommunications firms (up 31.6%), high street banks (up 16.0%) and retailers (up 11.5%).

More than 30% of this year’s entry-level positions are expected to be filled by graduates who have already worked for a given organisation

50% of employers candidates are applying earlier in the season than before.

RECRUITMENT PRACTICE VARIES BY SECTOR…Sector: Investment

banking and consulting

Industry/”blue chips”

Development, NGO, 3rd sector, SMEs

Deadlines: Oct and Nov Many in November, some after Christmas

Some early deadlines (for int. organisations). Few or none for NGOs

Other features: •Structured programmes • Apply early • Internships important

•Structured programmes •Competitive• Often take multiple disciplines

•Few structured programmes •Experience important • Be proactive

…AND ORGANISATION SIZE

Big famous firms• 100s/1000s of applicants• Multi-stage filtering process all applicants have to go through• Deadlines from October to December• Interviews/assessment centres in late autumn and the new

year• Offers in the in late autumn and new year

Smaller, newer, niche organisations• Limited budget for recruiting• May recruit at any time of year, just in time• May welcome speculative, creative approaches

GRADUATE SCHEME TIMELINE

October November December January

I Banks Applications Deadlines*Online tests

Phone & 1st interviews

InterviewsACs

Consulting Applications Deadlines* Interviews

Big 4 Applications Deadlines on-going*

MNC Applications Deadlines*

Your Careers service

Fairs – check CS websiteEmployer presentations & skills sessions Ask the Recruiter and more

You Sector / employer research / attend eventsCVs, cover letters, on-line applications Practise on-line tests, mock interviewsKeep abreast of current affairs, follow stories that interest you

* NB – it is your responsibility to check deadlines on company websites

WHAT RECRUITERS LOOK FOR

1 Consistently good academic performance

2 Attendance at a reputable HE institution

3 Some work experience

4 Extracurricular activities

5 Valuable set of (transferable) skills

6 Motivation for your career choice

7 Very good communication skills

DEVELOPING YOUR EMPLOYABILITY

Business/sector awareness-Follow industry developments- Attend events-Network with employers

Academic ability

- Consistent results Relevant

experience- volunteer, network, internships

Self awareness- Career planning

Drive / initiative / analytical ability -Outside interests, experience-Dissertation project

Specialist knowledge-relevant modules -prof’l exemptions -relevant dissertation

Interpersonal skills – communication/ team-working / leadership-group projects, insights, volunteering, other interests, developed networks

HOW TO APPLYUsually online application form, plus CV and cover letter

Depends on the job posting – make sure you understand what is needed for each individual job

Either just interviews or full assessment centre (psychometric tests, interviews, group tasks, presentation skills, in tray exercise, role play etc)