Kasia is a 4th year History student and currently works as a Careers Service Assistant. Read on for some great tips on how to make the most of the support the Careers Service offers.
University can be a memorable time, full of opportunities and possibilities. There are countless activities to join, societies to explore, and fields waiting to be discovered. However, the reality of adulthood, financial responsibility, and the anxiety of job hunting often loom in the background. With so many choices, a changing job market, and new career paths emerging, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Still, it’s important to remember that this journey isn’t entirely uncharted territory. In this article, we share five simple tips on how to make the most of your Careers Service to build confidence in job hunting and develop your skills.
1. Careers Service website – the things you have been too scared to ask about.
The golden rule for getting started in the professional world is that there are no silly or embarrassing questions. It’s okay – none of us were born knowing how to format a flawless CV or handle tricky interview questions. The Careers Service website ensures that you have nothing to overthink when applying for jobs. You can find a helpful guide to writing CVs that clearly explains the unspoken rules around length and tone and suggests which structure will best suit the job you’re hoping to land. Worried about taxes? The website also offers clear, straightforward guidance on this and other seemingly complex formalities, tailored especially for students. Don’t hesitate to look around – you might even find answers to questions you didn’t know you had.
2. CareerSet CV feedback
CareerSet is so simple and easy to use – you upload your CV and get instant feedback, with your score, strengths, and areas for improvement highlighted. Not only can this give you a quick confidence boost when you produce a model CV, but it also helps you realise that success isn’t just about how much experience you have – it’s about how you frame it for a specific job application. The tool is especially useful when you’re applying for multiple positions. It’s the easiest way to double-check that your ever-changing CV is still clear to others.
3. Graduates First – interview and selection test practice.
Have you already browsed through all the interview questions on the Careers Service website? Make sure to test your performance with the Graduates First platform next. Whether you want to get familiar with how a video interview works or practice your self-presentation skills in realistic conditions, this tool will come in handy. Since it provides instant feedback, it’s especially helpful if you want to calm your nerves the night before or the morning of the interview. You will feel much more confident, able, and empowered during the meeting itself.
4. Careers Service Drop-ins
If you would prefer human contact or you have particular questions, make sure to mark our drop-in sessions in your calendar. You don’t have to book, just come to our Main Library or Nucleus office and ask us anything that has been on your mind. Whether you are worried about your cover letter or confused about your next career step, don’t hesitate to come and see us.
Information and advice drop-ins
5. Edinburgh Award
If you’re working as a student, why not have a look at the Edinburgh Award Work Experience to make the most of your position? It’s a great chance to gain recognition for your professional engagement that will make you stand out in your future applications. You will also get a chance to reflect on your experiences in the role, build confidence in your skills, notice how you can improve, and realise what makes you stand out. After this programme, you will have no trouble with crafting a CV or answering an interviewer’s questions. Your self-awareness will make you an outstanding candidate.
Whether you have an idea of what you want to do in the future or you’re taking your first career-related steps, the guidance offered by the Careers Service serves as a great foundation. We will help you make the most of your time at university, equipping you with skills and knowledge that will be useful at any stage of your professional journey.
