Looking%20to%20the%20Future%20Informatics%20postgraduates

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Looking to the Future Informatics postgraduates

• Carol Macdonald
• Careers Adviser

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Session Aim

• Introduce the Careers Service
• Outline recruitment time-lines for major
  employers
• Highlight careers events / programmes this
  semester

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• Begin with the end in mind
• Steven Covey, management guru author of Seven
  Habits of highly effective people

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Your Career Strategy!

• Set goals - short, medium longer term
• What do you want to achieve during your MSc?
• How can you make the most of your time at
  Edinburgh?
• What do you want to achieve immediately
  after?...and longer term?
• Identify what will help you to achieve your goals
• Find out whats going on at Edinburgh
• Research career options and potential employers
• Clarify requirements skills, experience
  required or beneficial
• Identify any gaps
• Check entry routes recruitment methods used
• Network! Network! Network!
• Market yourself (Applications, Interviews
  other situations)
• Prepare a Career Action Plan - set SMART
  objectives
• - keep it alive!

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Recruitment Timelines

• Advertising already underway www.ed.ac.uk/caree
  rs/sage www.prospects.ac.uk
• www.get.hobsons.co.uk
• www.targetjobs.co.uk
• Employers presentations start 4th October
• Application deadlines from October
• First interviews begin this semester

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Some application closing dates for 2011

• Standard Bank 7 November
• Bank of England 15 November
• Virgin Media 26 November
• Sky Technology 30 November
• Credit Suisse 17 December
• Standard Life (IT leadership) 10 December
• Sainsburys 12 December
• Catlin Group 14 December
• SELEX Galileo applns from Sept (1st come 1st
  served)
• RBS assessment centres from Nov
• General Guidelines
• Investment banks
• Blue chip/ International Orgs
• Management consultancies November

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Finding out more!

• Careers Fair - 5/6 October
  www.ed.ac.uk/careers/fairs
• Employer presentations www.ed.ac.uk/careers/talks
  -events
• Vacancies - www.ed.ac.uk/careers/sage
• Directories Prospects, Get, Times Top 100
• UK graduate careers sites include
• www.prospects.ac.uk
• www.get.hobsons.co.uk
• www.targetjobs.co.uk
• Informatics website - www.ed.ac.uk/informatics
• Industry info vacancy sites
  www.ed.ac.uk/careers/occupations
• Computer Weekly
• www.insidecareers.co.uk (IT Industry Guide job
  alerts)
• www.scotlandis.com
• Recruitment Agencies - www.rec.uk.com local
  surveys
• Be pro-active be creative, network!

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What are employers looking for?

• Good academic background
• Technical skills
• and more.

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Competency Framework

• IBM
• Adaptability
• Client focus
• Communication
• Creative problem solving
• Drive to achieve

• Passion for business
• Taking ownership
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Trustworthiness

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What makes a good CV?

• Careful targeting (job and employer)
• Highlights relevant experience, skills and
  achievements
• Gives space and importance to the most relevant
  material
• Makes an impact
• Visually appealing clear layout,
  avoiding lengthy text
• Appropriate headings order - reverse
  chronological or themed
• Appropriate length
• Accompanied by a strong covering letter

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Careers Service What we offer!

• Information Centres - staff available to help
• Drop-in sessions daily
• Appointments with Careers Adviser
• Events
• Website www.ed.ac.uk/careers
• Graduate Applications Tues 28th Sept 1.10pm
• Successful Interviews Thurs 14th Oct 1.10pm
• School Drop-in sessions
• Thurs 28th Oct Tues 9th Nov
• 1pm - 2pm

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International students

• Do you need a UK national insurance number?
• Job Centre Plus staff will be in Careers
  Service, 33 Buccleuch Place, on Tues 22nd/Wed
  23rd September to process NI numbers for non UK
  students.

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Careers Service - Where to find us?

• 33 Buccleuch Place, Central Area
• Tel [phone]
• Weir Building, KB
• Tel [phone]
• Email careers_at_ed.ac.uk
• Opening hours on website
• www.ed.ac.uk/careers