If you’re a first year undergraduate, chances are you haven’t thought too deeply about your career just yet. But no matter how long you’ve still got to work out the details, there’s no time like the present to get an idea of the sector(s) you might be interested in! Here’s just a few reasons you should apply for the Behind Manchester’s Doors scheme this year. 1. Get a feel for a specific sector If any of the following sectors pique your interest, a successful application for Behind Manchester’s Doors would give you the opportunity to get a taste for what working there would actually be like by ..read more

Part-time work is a great way to boost your CV and earn a bit of extra cash whilst studying, whether you’re a first year undergraduate or studying a masters! However, there are a few things to keep in mind to help strike the right balance between work and study. Working hours – how many is too many? It’s important to not take on too much during your time at university. The University recommends working no more than 15 hours a week, but you may look to decrease or increase this in line with your study commitments and financial situation throughout the year – just make sure that you’re not takin ..read more

International student Laora is studying Psychology at The University of Manchester. Read below why she recommends the ‘Get Ready: International Students’ pathway – an online module on CareerConnect for students looking to build their career in the UK. So you’re an international student? You just got to Manchester? Everyone is talking about part-time jobs, internships and spring weeks, and you have no idea what it all means or where to start? I get it, trust me, I’ve been there! The Careers Service can help. Their pathways section on CareerConnect offers short online modules where you can gain ..read more

Fancy working abroad after you graduate?  Here are some websites that are a useful place to start: Prospects Prospects’ country guides are a great place to start exploring working internationally. For more than thirty countries, they give you information on important sectors and large, international companies you can find, how the application systems might differ from the UK, and a list of country-specific websites for further information. Passport Career As a student or recent graduate of the University of Manchester, you have access to the online platform Passport Career, which not only ..read more

As you begin semester 2, you may be searching for a year-out placement opportunity. One of the common assumptions we hear from students at this time of year is that all the good placements have gone, as some recruiters close their vacancies around Christmas time. Some students are anxious that they’ve missed their chance if they haven’t secured an offer yet. If this sounds like you – don’t worry! There are still plenty of opportunities to be sought and we’re here to help. We’re offering our best advice and tips to find the right placement, as well as hearing from recent students who found thei ..read more

Securing a career mentor is an ideal way to hone your job search, boost your professional network and find out more about the breadth of opportunities post-uni. A career mentor is someone with experience in your sector. They can provide an insight into the application process, including the transition from studying to full-time work. They work closely with mentees and tailor their guidance so that no two partnerships are the same.  A mentor can help you:  Gain new contacts and expand your network  Develop a better understanding of your options  Provide CV and application t ..read more

Welcome to our NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) blog post for 2023. Thousands of scientists and engineers of all disciplines work for the NHS, and the STP is how they recruit most of their Clinical Science trainees each year. This blog will help you navigate the application process, and it will be updated when there is new information to share with you – so expect a major update next week when recruitment for the STP for England goes live! N.B. Some of the resources mentioned in this blog may only be accessible to University of Manchester students. If you are not a Manchester student, co ..read more

Coming to the end of your degree? Whether you know exactly what you want to do next or have no idea, the Careers Service is here for you. Offering full access to the Careers Service for two years after you complete your course, the Careers Service can help you with whatever you want to do next. Find a graduate job, move abroad, apply for further study, start a business – the Careers Service will give you advice, support and guidance, no matter what your future plans are. There is a whole section of the Careers Service website dedicated to graduates. This is where you will find information abou ..read more

Written by Adam Taylor, Careers Consultant (Employability Learning and Devopment) Have you sent job applications that get rejected, or worse, don’t get any response at all? It could be because you’re not telling employers why you want to work for them! Employers regularly feedback to us about the applications they receive and one of their biggest complaints is that on application personal statements and cover letters applicants simply don’t explain why they are interested in the organisation itself. Even when the application makes it clear that the core values are important, or it’s a role aro ..read more

Written by Samantha Oates-Miller, Career Insights and Graduate Support Assistant If you are setting up or refreshing your LinkedIn profile, you will want to include a recent photo of yourself. This quick guide will help you ensure the photo you take is professional and well laid out. 1. Location Find a location with a plain wall, ideally a light colour, and good natural light. This means that the place you choose should be near a window, with the light coming towards you (not behind you). Avoid cluttered backgrounds, or walls with busy patterns. You will also need enough space in front for you ..read more