¹û¶³Ó°Ôº

XClose

¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Careers

Home
Menu

Applications advice

Our team can provide personalised tips to help you understand how recruiters will shortlist any application and show how to best demonstrate your motivation & relevant skills / experience for the role

applications advice

YouTube Widget Placeholder

Ìý
What to expect from your appointment

‘Applications advice’ÌýappointmentsÌýareÌýonly suitable for those who have already written a draft application for a particular opportunity or role, (or type of role for speculative applications).ÌýThe aim of these appointments is to teach you how to identify what recruiters are looking for and how to tailor your applications according to their requirements.Ìý

These applications could be for a wide range of different opportunities including things like:

  • Jobs orÌýinternships
  • Work experience or work shadowing (including speculative applications)
  • Volunteering projects
  • Further study or postgraduate courses
  • PhD or research positions
  • Scholarships or other funding opportunities
  • Anything else which requires some form of application document

ÌýDuring the appointment, the adviser will go through the recruiter's requirements with you, (using the job orÌýcourse description or any other information you have about what you're applying for), so that they are able to review your applicationÌýfrom the recruiter's perspective and give you feedback on how it might be improved.

We aim to give you a better understanding of the typical short-listing process and will look at how you can best demonstrate why you are suitable for the role you areÌýapplying for.

If you are not applying for something specificÌýbut are still at the stage of exploring career options, next steps andÌýjob hunting techniques more generally, a ‘Short guidance’Ìýappointment type will be more useful.

Please bring with you

The adviser will need to see a printed copy* of your draft application. This shouldÌýbe in the format requested by the recruiter whichÌýould include:

  • CV
  • Covering letter
  • Speculative application letter
  • Personal statement
  • Answers to specific questions on an application form

You will also need to provide details of what you're applying for so that the adviser has a clear understanding of the recruiter's requirements.ÌýPlease bring the job / course description or person specification etc. or at least be prepared to provide the adviser with an overview of the key requirements for your application. Printed copies* of this informationÌýwill help to saveÌýtime during your session.

*A 'print@¹û¶³Ó°Ôº' machine is available for student use at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Careers.

What it won't cover

General guidelines on writing applications

TheseÌýappointments are not designed to give you a detailed overview of how to write a specific type of application. This includes topics such as typical formatting, contentÌýandÌýdesign.

Before making an appointment, please use the resourcesÌýand / or relevant events highlighted on ourÌýWriting effective applicationsÌýpage for tips and guidance on how to write your draft application.


Generic CVs

If you're not sure what you want to apply for, we are unable to provide useful advice on how to improve yourÌýCV. TheÌýappointment is designed to focus on a specific recruiter's requirements and how your application can best evidence your suitability for a particular opportunity.

If you are exploring your career options, next steps and job hunting techniques, a ‘’Ìýappointment will be more useful.


Spelling, grammar and proof reading

Our advice concentrates on the content and relevance of an application for the target area of work or study. We may point out grammatical or spelling errors, but it is our policy not to proof-read applicationsÌýnor to give detailed feedback or coaching against English language competency.

If the English demonstrated in applications is unlikely to meet recruiters' requirements, we encourage students to take advantage of theÌýEnglish language courses offered by theÌý.

Students' Union ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº offer a Ìýto assist non-native English speaking students with their academic writing and speaking which may be useful.

You could also showÌýyour application to someone whose first language is English. They could help proof-read or help with spelling and grammar. This could be aÌýfriend, colleague orÌýsomeone on your course.


ForeignÌýlanguage applications

If you are applying for roles outside the UK, your application mayÌýbe written in a language other than English. We are only able to provide advice on applications written in English.

Our information on ‘Applying globally’Ìýprovides links to resources with information on country-specific application procedures andÌýformats. These can be used withÌýour advice on contentÌýto draft an application in English which you can translate into the relevant language.

Book now

Log into your my¹û¶³Ó°ÔºCareers account to see when our next appointment slots are available.

Appointment limit

To ensure we are able to support as many students as possible with their applications, during busy periods when appointments are in high demand, you will be limited to three Applications Advice appointments per term. (Calculated over an 11 week period).

Ìý