This document provides information for international students on applying for jobs and interviews. It discusses common application form questions, tips for answering questions using the STAR method, part-time work options during and after studies, interview preparation and conduct. Resources for finding campus jobs, minimum wage rules, and visa options for working in the UK after graduation are also outlined. International students are encouraged to visit the Careers and Employability Centre for briefings, advice from career advisors, and assistance with CVs, applications and interviews.
2. Information about……
• Application form questions
• Working in the UK during and after your studies
• Answering questions in interviews
• CEC briefings (i.e. CV design) and Events
• Resources available from CEC
• Your questions and queries
3. Application form - questions
• Describe an occasion when you have had to persuade and
influence someone to accept your point of view? Why was it
important and what did you do?
• Explain why you chose to study your current programme of
study?
• Apart from your family, who or what has been the greatest
influence on your life to date?
4. Application form – STAR formula
S situation or scenario
T task or challenge
A action, what did you do?
R result, positive outcomes
5. Application form - tips
• Consider why you are being asked the question
• Work in draft first
• Follow guidelines for on-line applications
• Check for spelling and grammar
• Complete all the sections
• Check you have answered the questions
7. Application form - example
Eg. Organisation skills
I worked as an activity leader on a children's summer camp in
America. There were ten leaders and due to bad weather we had
to come up with a plan to keep the children busy indoors. I
suggested we brainstorm some ideas and then get into groups of
three to spend an hour developing one idea each. I then drew up a
rota so that we all knew what we were doing and when. The extra
activities were popular and the other leaders were happy to have
shared the workload and limited the amount of additional work.
8. Part time working in the UK -
Working in term time
• Visa conditions usually allow non EEA students to work a
maximum of 20 hours work per work during term
• Non EEA students cannot be self employed or provide services
as a professional Sportsperson or entertainer
• There are no restrictions for EEA students
• BUT this University recommends that you only work 15
hours per week max if you are an undergraduate, and 20
hours per week if you are a postgraduate
9. Part time working in the UK –
Campus jobs database
• Jobs advertised our website
www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs/search
• Other places to look
- The Argus newspaper
- Jobcentreplus
- Websites
- Employment agencies
- On the street!
10. Part time working in the UK –
The things you need to know
• Minimum wage (£6.08)
• Income Tax ( < £7475)
• National Insurance (< £139)
- but you must have an NI number!
• Health & Safety
11. Working in the UK after graduation
• Currently Post Study Work Visa
• When PSW closes in April 2012, there will be a new
scheme under Tier 2.
• Students will need to find graduate level employment
with a sponsor in the UK, earning £20,000 or more.
• This must be before their student visa expires.
12. Working in the UK after graduation
• New scheme will be similar to the Tier 2 (General) but
the employer will not have to pass the resident labour
market test, which may make it easier for recent
graduates to secure employment. No cap on number
of certificates given to graduates still in the UK
• UKCISA http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/
• UKBA for a list of current tier 2 sponsors
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/
13. Interviews…. Are good news!
• So why do we hate them?
• Practise asking and answering a question
14. Interview - preparation
• Make sure you prepare
• Remember it’s a two way process
• Know your CV inside out
• Revise the job specification
• Plan what to wear
15. Interview – during the interview
• Make a good impression
• Walk tall and be grounded before you speak
• Make eye contact and smile (even on the phone!)
• Shake hands
• When the interview is underway
• Sit reasonably upright
• Maintain good eye contact
• Keep an open posture
• Speak clearly
• Remember to breathe!
16. Showcase your skills
and achievements in
a Sussex Plus
webfolio.
www.sussex.ac.uk/sussexplus
sussexplus@sussex.ac.uk
17. So, how can you get to see us?
• Briefings and workshops – Sussex Plus, Finding part time
work, CVs and Applications
• Careers Advisers available daily.
• Call in or phone 01273 678429 for CVs, personal
statements, cover letters and application form feedback.
• Attend Events – listed on news & events page
• Follow us on Twitter & Facebook
Notas do Editor
Students from outside the EEA are restricted to the number of hours you can work each week during term time. The University of Sussex guidelines recommend that undergraduate students work for a maximum of 15 hours per week during term time. Some postgraduates find that they can fit in 20 hours per week but this will depend on you and your course. Before undertaking any employment you should satisfy yourself that your studies will not be affected. Many students work full-time during vacations. Vacations are the times outside the academic year ie the term dates. Full-time work in the UK is normally seen by employers as around 37 hours a week. A lot of you will be interested in finding work on campus. The University policy is to advertise part time jobs to students so jobs do come up. The University often employs students to work in administration positions and also to help out at events such as Open Days and our graduate recruitment fair.Jobs on campus are very competitive and go quickly so make sure you make a good application and apply early. We can help you with your CVs, application forms etc
There are many ways of finding part time work, but we suggest that you start with the online jobs listing from the Careers & Employability Centre. This is the University’s database of jobs for students and recent graduates. As well as on campus, you’ll see jobs advertised in Brighton & Hove and the surrounding area.We’re not an employment agency so we don’t place you in jobs but we make them available to you. You apply directly to the employer. Competition can be tough so you’ll need an excellent application
So, once you’ve established that you can work part time whilst you’re studying, here are the additional things you need to knowThere are 2 levels of minimum wage£6.08 aged 21+£4.98 aged 18-21Jobs advertised on our website will be at least £6.08All workers in the UK are subject to income tax, including students. However there is a threshold which you can earn without paying tax. During the tax year 2011/12 this is £7475 per year. Further information about income tax and which forms you need to fill in when you start work are available from our website.National Insurance number – all workers in the UK need to have one. If you weren’t here at age 16 you won’t have one so you need to apply. Full details of how to get a number are on our websiteIf you earn more than £139 a week and up to £817 a week, you pay 12 per cent of the amount you earn between £139 and £817.Jobcentre Plus will arrange an 'Evidence of Identity' interview for you or send you a postal application. The interview will usually be one-to-one (unless, for example, you need an interpreter). You will be asked questions about why you need a National Insurance number, your background and circumstancesHealth and safety – you should have a health and safety induction when you start work. This will cover things such as who to contact in an emergency and fire regulations.
‘Graduate level’ is defined on UKBA web siteAlso see UKBA for list of employers able to issue ‘certificate of sponsorship’
Recommend UKCISA web site Situation changes frequentlyAdrian Farley of Farley and Associates - immigration specialist visiting Sussex Uni in week 4 or 6‘No visa no fee’http://www.farleyandassociates.co.uk/
Get involvedRecord volunteer or part time work, internships and society activityEvidence your broader skills for employers