Gu to Career Guide Planning Pl a 2014-15 201 4-
Your success. Our goal.
Careers Service
Go a long way, the right way.
Graduate and internship opportunities As we set out to shape the future of Barclays, we are looking to our graduates and interns to play their part. Whichever part of the business you join, your innovation, drive and inspiration will take us forward. You’ll get every opportunity to make a positive impact, and our full support when you do. And it all starts today. barclays.com/joinus
Barclays Bank PLC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Barclays Bank PLC is registered in England. Registered number 1026167. Registered Office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.
Welcome
t us ntac o C Imperial College Careers Service Imperial College London Level 5, Sherfield Building South Kensington Campus London, SW7 2AZ
Contact us Tel: 020 7594 8024 www.imperial.ac.uk/ careers
Welcome! Step inside for help with your career For most students, irrespective of degree discipline, an important question is bound to be ‘What will I do after I finish university?’ Well, you have already made the first step towards the answer by picking up this Guide. Aimed at both undergraduates and postgraduates, the Guide provides useful information to assist, whatever your career goal. It leads you through the process of making your career choice and planning your job-hunting strategy with practical advice on how to succeed. You will find information on the career destinations of past Imperial graduates and a section devoted to further study and working internationally. Successful career planning starts early, and by that we really do mean your first year; it is not enough these days to just apply for graduate jobs on the basis of a good degree alone. Companies expect you to have engaged with all available ways to develop your skills such as volunteering, internships, sports and societies so planning your time effectively from year one will make job applications much easier. Remember that the Careers Service is here to help, whether your career goals are well developed or still quite vague. We offer one-to-one advice, workshops, seminars, and online and hard-copy resources. We also work closely with your department to ensure that you get information that is tailored to your subject and offer support for placements and internships.
gt enin imes Op 10.00am–5.15pm Monday to Friday
Working directly with companies, we run a programme of events including careers fairs, forums and company presentations. Our website holds information on over 8,000 employers, covering all sectors from multinationals and public sector to startups and charities. Our online career management system, JobsLive, has up-to-date information on placements, internships and graduate vacancies, all aimed specifically at Imperial College students. To find out more, have a look at our website www.imperial.ac.uk/careers and register with JobsLive. You can also drop in to see us and browse our materials in the Information Room.
Elspeth Farrar, Director, Careers Service, Imperial College London
Produced by GTI Media Ltd The Fountain Building Howbery Park Benson Lane Wallingford Oxon OX10 8BA UK T: +44 (0)1491 826262 www.groupgti.com
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Most companies start their application process early in the autumn term for both graduate jobs and summer internships so don’t get caught out by leaving things too late! We look forward to helping you.
Editor Jane Pooler Editorial Sam Pope Design Jane Anderson Proofreader Gabrielle Orcutt Advertising Luke St George, sales product champion; the TARGETjobs sales team; the campaign management team
Commercial director Jon Mallott Sales director Simon Rogers Marketing director Chloe Burgess Production director Jane Anderson Publisher Matt Dacey Group CEO Graham Storey
ISSN: 1479-8964 ISBN: 1 84318 862 7 Printer Headley Brothers, Ashford
GTI Media works in association with AGCAS to provide top quality careers advice to university students.
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
1
Inside this guide
An international career 21 Working in the UK for international and EEA students 22 The global graduate
Postgraduate study 25 Further study
Imperial and your career 4
Take every opportunity
5
Here to help
Applications and interviews 29 The skills hit list
8 Life after Imperial
30 First impressions count
10 Start now to get ahead
34 To the letter
12 Skilfully done
36 Ace applications 37 In the hot seat
Planning and developing your career
39 Your time to shine
14 Career planning step by step 16 All experience is good experience 18 JobsLive in three easy steps 19 Who do you know?
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Who do you know? page 19
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Jobs and course providers 42 Leading employers and course providers who want to hear from you
Employers BAE Systems ....................................43 Bain & Company................................43 Barclays Bank PLC ............................IFC The Boston Consulting Group ............43 CHP Consulting ..........................(44) 43 CII ....................................................44 Corporate Value Associates (CVA) ......44 Credo................................................45 Dialog Semiconductor ......................45 Dixon Wilson ....................................45 Dstl (Defence Science & Technology Laboratory)....................................45 FTI Consulting ............................(46) 46 GSK..................................................46 Hiscox Insurance ..............................47 Integration Management Consulting ..47 Johnson Matthey ..............................47 KPMG LLP ..................................IBC, 47 Lazard ..............................................48 L.E.K. Consulting ..............................48 M&G Investments ............................48 McKinsey & Company ......................48 Morgan Stanley ........................OBC, 49 Mott MacDonald ........................(49) 49 National Grid ....................................50 Newton Europe..................................50 Oliver Wyman....................................50 PA Consulting Group..........................50
RBB Economics..................................51 Schlumberger....................................51 Strategy& ........................................52 Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd ........52 Teach First ........................................52 Tessella Ltd ......................................52 ThoughtWorks ..................................53 TPP (The Phoenix Partnership) Ltd ......53 TRW ..................................................53 UHY Hacker Young ............................53
Course providers London Business School ................(56) IFC = inside front cover OBC = outside back cover IBC = inside back cover ( ) = Display advertising
First impressions count, page 30
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
At your Careers Service website Go to www.imperial.ac.uk/careers for... • jobs and opportunities you won’t want to miss – register on JobsLive • answers to your questions on topics ranging from further study to how we can help you get that job – in our CV and application form workshops! • downloads/audio presentations from careers events • information for international students • more!
And don’t forget Go to targetjobs.co.uk to find your ideal graduate job, work placement or parttime job. You can search thousands of vacancies by sector and location, as well as access top-notch careers advice. And go to targetpostgrad.com if you’re considering postgraduate study. Find the right course for you, as well as advice on funding and how your postgraduate study options affect your career prospects.
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
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Imperial and your career
Imperial and your career
Take every opportunity
Employers want to hear from students at Imperial like you. So attend careers events, meet employers on campus and find out all you can. mperial College London isn’t just a great place to study – the employment prospects are excellent too. A wide spectrum of firms wants to recruit Imperial students, not just those who are active in science and engineering. Imperial is targeted by many large multinational firms, but these aren’t the only option – some students choose to start their career in smaller organisations or startups.
I
Meeting employers
recently recruited graduates, and find out more about the company’s culture and what people do day to day. Employer-led skills workshops – these take place on Wednesday afternoons in the autumn and spring terms. They enable you to develop skills for the selection process, which may involve applications, interviews or assessment centres, as well as important commercial skills such as presenting and negotiating. By interacting with the recruiter in this way, you show you are proactive and keen on self-improvement, while finding out more about what they do. Some of the workshops comprise
From as early as the start of your second year, take every opportunity to meet employers on campus. The big firms start recruiting for summer internships well before Christmas, so keep your eye on events organised by the Careers Service, including fairs, forums, lunchtime talks and workshops. Fairs – these enable you to meet many companies at the same time, to collect I found events information on them and compare organised by the Careers opportunities. Service very useful. The employer Forums – these provide an talks and events gave me a lot of opportunity to find out more about careers in a specialist helpful general information about area, by listening to, and different industries, which has helped me networking with, a panel of when making job applications. As well as professionals. gaining an insight into a company and what Lunchtime talks – these are 50-minute talks, usually by kind of qualities they are looking for, you graduate employers, which can also get an employer’s business card, give a taster of various career allowing you to contact them areas or a look at recruitment direct. processes. Employer presentations – these Kun Zhao, MSc advanced chemical may be on or off-campus and aim to engineering (2010) promote an organisation and the career opportunities they offer. You get the chance to meet representatives, including
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THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
interactive business games and case studies, giving you another opportunity to prepare yourself effectively for a range of professional and business sectors.
Events in 2014–2015 The following events are organised by the Careers Service:
2014 9 October
Finance and Consulting Fair 16 October Energy Industry Forum 23 October Engineering Careers Fair 30 October Consulting Forum 6 November Science Forum 13 November IT & Technology Careers Fair 20 November Manufacturing Forum 27 November Charities & Not for Profit Forum
2015 22 January 29 January 5 February 19 February 14 May 21 May
PhD Forum Science Careers Fair Career Women’s Forum Internship Careers Fair PhD Careers Fair Summer Recruitment Fair
To find out about events and book to attend, register on JobsLive at www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/jobslive.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Imperial and your career
Here to help
From work placements and job opportunities to further study and careers advice, we’re here to help.
T
•
•
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he Careers Service provides a wide range of resources. These include: comprehensive information, advice, vacancies etc – all accessible online at www.imperial.ac.uk/careers the Careers Information Room – you’re welcome to come in and browse at any time, pick up take-away handouts and publications, consult reference files, use the computers or find a space just to sit and read events organised by careers, such as careers fairs, talks and workshops, that put you in touch with employers workshops and seminars run by the team of careers consultants to assist
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
you with CVs, applications, or the interview and assessment centre process • and last, but not least, confidential oneto-one appointments with a careers consultant for guidance on careersrelated issues. Read on to find out more about all the ways in which the Careers Service is here to help.
Start with our website www.imperial.ac.uk/careers This comprehensive resource meets many of your information needs: • career planning in the Undergraduates section encourages you to reflect on yourself, your skills, qualities and interests and how these relate to possible careers • the Resources section offers a wide range of information such as handouts, publications, downloads of events and talks, useful tips and videos on every
aspect of the graduate recruitment process from CVs to preparing for aptitude tests • find what you need via the ‘A–Z’ and ‘Search the Careers Website’ facility.
Search and book online with JobsLive By registering with JobsLive on www.imperial.ac.uk/careers you can access the following: • details of job opportunities such as graduate positions, training programmes, internships, part-time work and volunteering opportunities • a database of employers by job type, industry sector etc • book a place on employer events such as occupational talks, company presentations, careers forums, and employer-led skills workshops • registration for careers seminars and workshops.
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
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Ho
Imperial and your career
w
contact us o t
Level 5, Sherfield Building South Kensington Campus Tel: 020 7594 8024 Email:
[email protected] www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
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gt enin imes Op
• 40-minute consultations: longer careers consultations are also available. If you’re located away from the South Kensington campus, you can request a telephone or Skype consultation. • Contacting us by email: you can also email your questions to
[email protected] and we will point you in the right direction.
Monday to Friday, 10.00am–5.00pm, including vacations.
Remember, your academic department also has a departmental careers adviser whom you can contact for advice on degree-related careers as well as on postgraduate study and research.
Getting advice from a careers consultant
If you have a disability or a specific learning difficulty, eg dyslexia
Our team of professionally qualified and experienced careers consultants offers you confidential, one-to-one guidance about any issue related to planning your career, such as your career options, how to find out more about opportunities of interest to you, deciding on your next step, getting feedback on your CV or helping to prepare for interviews. The careers consultant’s role isn’t to tell you what job to do or match you up with specific employers but to provide advice and guidance on how to move forward, make decisions and promote what you have to offer more effectively. You can seek individual guidance in the following ways: • 20-minute consultations: these are offered daily in the morning and afternoon during term time and in the afternoon during vacations.
The Careers Service is committed to making the full range of services available to all students; whatever your particular requirements, we can help you with information, guidance and advice in a variety of formats to suit your needs, and in a comfortable environment. The College’s disabilities adviser can also be contacted for further guidance: Disability Service Room 567c, Sherfield Building Tel: 020 7594 9755 Email:
[email protected]
Visit the Careers Information Room! Come to the Careers Information Room to browse, access reference materials, use one of the PCs for your research and pick up information, booklets or leaflets of interest. Much of the information is there for you to take away.
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
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Departmental careers advisers
every step at
Hel
Careers seminars and workshops As well as the careers talks by careers staff in your department, which you’ll hear about from them or from your departmental careers adviser, a rolling programme of central seminars on topics such as CVs, interviews and assessment centres is also run in the Careers Service. These are bookable via JobsLive. As a first step to producing an effective CV, we suggest that you attend a CV seminar, apply the tips and suggestions given to your own CV, and then, if you still have queries, book a 20-minute consultation with a careers consultant for feedback.
Tom Wheeler, BSc physics (2014), Student Union President (2014–2015) During the final year of my degree I found the Careers Service to be invaluable. Making decisions about my future career was a huge challenge, but knowing that I had an experienced, helpful and honest adviser to talk to made these decisions much more manageable. I received help with every aspect of my job applications, from figuring out which companies I should apply to and writing a CV and covering letter to preparing for job interviews. This then led to a job offer from an investment bank and opportunities to attend several other interviews/ assessment centre days. When I decided to stand for Union President, I received even more advice from the Careers Service regarding how to proceed with my job offer – support which has put me in a strong position for my future career.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Imperial and your career
Hard copy and online information is organised as follows: • exploring your options • exploring occupations or further study • exploring working abroad • applying for jobs • company information. The information team is always on hand to help point you in the right direction and a comfortable study area is available, enabling you to make the most of your visit. Examples of resources for you to take away are: • handouts written by careers staff on every aspect of career planning, eg getting started, researching your options, producing an effective CV, coping with psychometric tests or other selection-process exercises, postgraduate study, etc • TARGETjobs publications on a range of job sectors such as engineering, City
and finance or management consultancy • Inside Careers publications on a range of occupations A wealth of information on occupations can also be found online: www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/ occupations.
What advice and guidance do we offer? What’s available?
What is it?
Why do it?
20-minute consultation
20 minutes with a member of the careers staff. Book online on the same day via JobsLive.
An ideal starting point for specific questions, eg feedback on your CV, cover letter or application form.
Internship placement 20-minute consultation
20 minutes with a placement and internship officer. Book online on the same day via JobsLive.
Advice on finding and applying for internships and placements.
40-minute consultation
A 40-minute, one-to-one session with a careers consultant. You need to book in advance in person or by phone.
Allows detailed discussion about your options. Helps you to focus on what you want and form strategies to achieve your goals.
Final 5-minute CV check
A 5-minute final CV check is available in the autumn and spring terms. Look on our website for details of how to book.
You receive some quick, final feedback on your CV before sending it off.
Careers seminars
A weekly programme of seminars on a range of topics given by members of the careers staff.
You get information on CVs, interviews or assessment centres. Seminars are run to coincide with different stages in the recruitment cycle.
Develop and practise your skills in an activity-based Workshops on interviews and small-group workshop, facilitated by a careers staff assessment centre tasks member.
Employer-led careers workshops and talks
A full programme of occupational and skills talks and workshops given by external speakers. Check the Career Choice publication and JobsLive for details in the autumn and spring terms.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Good if you’re about to attend an interview or assessment centre or simply want to have a go and improve your skills in activities such as group exercises, in-tray exercises, presentations and interviews. You can become better informed and better prepared for the selection process by attending these, find out more about a range of careers or develop your teamwork, interview or presentation skills; or practise a ‘case study’.
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
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Imperial and your career
Life after Imperial
The end of your degree marks the beginning of a world of opportunities. Here’s what four Imperial alumni have to say...
Graduated with an MEng in materials science and engineering in 2010
ell b Do
After graduating I took a gap year, travelling and volunteering in Latin America, before starting my career search. I knew I wanted to work in finance or business and the wide variety of career paths and different global locations offered by a global oil and gas company really appealed, and I joined ExxonMobil in 2007.
Gaining exposure
2010
Now
She is now a project engineer (mechanical) at TfL (Transport for London).
Solving an 11-year problem By my fourth year I knew where I wanted to work, thanks to two summer placements in the railway industry. I was very happy to accept a place on the TfL Mechanical Engineering Graduate Scheme, as it was my first choice of places to work. The two-year graduate scheme consisted of three-month placements and I gained a variety of skills and knowledge. Highlights included developing my own macro, night shifts delivering new trains to London, working on the feasibility project of driverless trains and one placement based in Perth, Australia!
Playing an important part I’ve since rolled off the scheme into a project engineer role for the replacement of gearbox bearings on the Central line. It’s actually much more interesting than it sounds; a large part of the role involves designing and building a text rig to demonstrate that the replacement bearing won’t show the fatigue failure that the current bearings show. It’s an important part of the project, and one that the company is very interested in because it will help solve an 11year problem. I am responsible for the build of the rig and the completion of testing, and this has given me great experience of designing and engineering as well as management, costing and being held accountable.
My first role was as a business analyst within the finance department, monitoring and reporting on operating costs for the marine fuels department and presenting these monthly to the director. This involved global interaction – quite a responsibility in my first year! Then I moved to a more senior position in marine fuels, reporting on the overall finances of the business. In my third year, I moved to the gas marketing team with more responsibility and exposure to accounting, including formally overseeing the work of others and thinking about the direction of the group and its activities. Additionally, I helped oversee the divestment of a major part of the UK portfolio, which was a unique opportunity to work on a project with no precedent. My next move was to the internal audit department, which was brilliant due to the variety of work and location. I qualified as a management accountant (CIMA) within three years of joining the company. This involved lots of work outside the office to attend classes and prepare for exams.
Variety and challenge My current role involves undertaking different audits, each of which lasts three to four weeks and focuses on a different part of the organisation, often in a different country, eg in Russia, the Middle East, Europe or Africa. As well as the variety, there’s the challenge of quickly understanding a new subject and having an in-depth discussion with someone who has been working in that area for up to 20 years. There are opportunities for leadership too, managing the audit team. Working with people from many different nationalities and backgrounds, and interacting closely with senior management, provides great learning opportunities.
Jo
Zoë
Leadership and learning opportunities
Developing management skills I’m working towards Chartership with the IMechE and will hopefully achieve this by the end of the year. I also work closely with the IMechE Railway Division to organise events, including an annual visit to railways around the world; last year this was based in Canada. Being involved in this really helped develop my management and leadership skills in the first two years of the scheme when it was difficult to obtain these through placements. It’s been very interesting and exciting so far and I look forward to working on future TfL projects!
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THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
lliot E hn
Graduated with a BSc in maths in 2006
2006
Now He is now an internal auditor at ExxonMobil.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
h er p to
Barrio Fro já n
Dr Ch ris
Imperial and your career
Graduated with a BSc in applied biology (1997)
Photo
1997
T by
MSc in advanced methods in taxonomy and biodiversity (Natural History Museum (London) 1998).
ino
1998
So
2005
Nat iona l Geographic
Madden e r ai
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ria no /
Now He is now a benthic (seabed) ecologist at Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science).
PhD in oceanography (Southampton 2005).
Advising the government Before graduating, I benefited from two industry placements, which had taxonomy at their core (fungi and beetles), so it seemed sensible to continue that theme with an MSc in taxonomy and biodiversity at the Natural History Museum (London). Specialising in such a niche topic may seem limiting but it was quite the opposite, since the differentiation and naming of organisms is central to all biological research, from genetics and biotechnology to ecology and evolutionary theory. To this day, I still use the skills and knowledge I learned back then.
Outstripping the competition After a few years’ volunteering in the wilderness (Tanzania and the north Atlantic), and my fair share of temping jobs to fund it all, I returned to a PhD in oceanography, which allowed me to focus my efforts and experience into an early career in tropical marine ecology. Shortly after gaining my doctorate, I was offered two jobs advertised in the New Scientist and accepted my current post. I’m sure that having a strong academic core and broad taxonomic skill set, together with tailoring my experience to the job description and emphasising my transferable skills, was crucial to me outstripping the competition.
By land and sea Among my present responsibilities, I research the potential impacts of offshore activities such as wind-farm construction and dredging for aggregate, as well as advising the government on their licensing. Although my job is land-based, I do occasionally get to spend time on research vessels at sea (euphemistically called ‘cruises’) and have even appeared in a documentary by the National Geographic (pictured). Applied science might not be to everyone’s taste – it can sometimes seem less in-depth than pure research – but it is certainly varied and never boring. A career in science requires sacrifice and perseverance but in my opinion it’s definitely worth it in the end.
Graduated with an MEng in chemical engineering in 2012
Now
2012
She is now a process engineer at BP.
Ensuring design alignment I applied for an internship with BP in my third year at Imperial, as I’d previously done an internship at a much smaller company and had enjoyed that very much. I felt that a larger corporation would provide a good comparison and allow me to determine the environment in which I wanted to work. The internship gave me the opportunity to really experience what it is like to work at BP. The travelling and networking with employees from other parts of the company in the main offices helped me learn about all the different disciplines and what people did in BP.
An early job offer The way I was looked after during my placement and the company’s willingness to invest in my learning helped me consider applying for a graduate job. At the end of the internship I completed an assessment and was offered a graduate position, so it was great returning to my final year knowing I had a job lined up. I joined BP’s Challenge Programme in September 2012, and work within our Global Projects Organisation. I have been assigned to the Shah Deniz Project, based in Azerbaijan. In my role, I spend a large amount of time working on the interfaces between the team I am in and the people designing the offshore platform, ensuring design alignment.
A unique role It has been a great experience, as my role is quite unique for a process engineer. The company is moving forward with more subsea projects so my improved understanding and newly acquired skills should prove beneficial in the future.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
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Imperial and your career
It is never too early to start building your skills base and enhancing your employability. Ge
Start now to get ahead
our university years should be some of the most interesting and enjoyable of your life so you need to make the most of the opportunities available in and out of College. The next few pages give you some ideas about how to make the most of everything you do whilst at Imperial and increase your future employability too! • Plan – this helps you achieve more and make the most of your time. Take advantage of opportunities around you, in and out of College, and follow your interests. Have a plan but keep an open mind too. • Take advice – build on the experience of others: learn from them, take their advice, test it out, accept some of it, reject some too and adapt what works for you. • Learn from your mistakes – this is an important part of life experience. It can help to keep a note of the progress you make, how you’ve learnt from new experiences, including the setbacks along the way.
Y
Employers look for team players who understand the bigger picture. Imperial Horizons will help define you with a unique set of Imperial graduate attributes. Elspeth Farrar, Director of the Careers Service
t in
volved!
Ioannis Mariggis, MEng electrical and electronic engineering (third year) At Imperial, there are great opportunities to bring ideas beyond the classroom. My engagements with the Shell Ideas360 Competition and the ICStartup Venture Catalyst Challenge have taught me, through hands-on experience, how an idea is to be treated not only from a technical but also from a management and business perspective. They have also helped me develop my research and analytical abilities, as well as entrepreneurial and team-working skills. I would strongly encourage students to get involved with such activities, as they can become a great asset to your professional development – and of course to your CV.
First year Your degree is important and must be your first priority. But university life offers so much more than just the chance for academic study. Getting involved in clubs and societies or volunteering is good for your social life, helps you settle in more quickly and makes your CV stand out too. Work experience in vacation time is useful, even if it’s in routine customer service roles, as this helps demonstrate skills that future employers seek. Participating in the new Imperial Horizons programme – www.imperial.ac.uk/horizons – will help you see your subject in a broader societal and multidisciplinary context and provide you with opportunities to work and debate with students from other faculties. So take action now – get involved in activities that interest and excite you – and make the most of your first year at Imperial!
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Join clubs and societies Take up a new sport or develop a new interest. You will meet new and interesting people, make new friends and all this will be great for your CV too.
Volunteer There are lots of interesting projects in the local area that you could get involved with. Volunteering is worthwhile: while helping others out, you help yourself too! See www.imperial.ac.uk/volunteering.
Find some vacation work Most people need to earn some money during the long summer break, and the Careers Service can point you in the right direction. Start by searching on our website www.imperial.ac.uk/careers – and read the article on work experience on page 16. Many internships are only open to penultimate-year students so you also need to actively network and approach organisations directly – there’s more on page 19.
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Imperial and your career
Penultimate year Now is the time to start thinking seriously about your future career. Not having any idea what you want to do is no excuse to delay finding out about the possibilities! You are surrounded by many sources of information: careers consultants, Careers Service resources, the internet, tutors, friends and family. Don’t just coast through this year: start planning your life now! The start of the second or penultimate year is the time to set your sights higher and raise your game.
Get involved It’s time to put your skills to the test! Organise a social event for your department, look after the finances of a society or become fixtures secretary of your team. The more effort you put into something, the more you get out of it.
You can get information and advice on career options with your subject, graduate options, employers, further study and much more from the Careers Information Room and on our website www.imperial.ac.uk/careers.
This is excellent preparation for life after university. You learn to set agendas, run meetings, agree actions, persuade other students to do things, work within budgets and plan a variety of events.
Meet employers
Internships
Need help?
Committee work
Your penultimate year may be the best time to do an internship. What you will gain: • insight into a sector • an opportunity to discover if a job is for you • contacts in your chosen industry • experience to talk about in job applications and interviews • possibly even a job! (Many companies use internships to fast-track you into graduate jobs). Find out more on page 16 and by visiting www.imperial.ac.uk/careers.
At all the events happening, especially in the autumn term, such as fairs, forums, talks and skills sessions. Details can be found on www.imperial.ac.uk/careers or pick up a copy of Career Choice from the Careers Service.
Finalist You’ve studied, worked and played hard but now you have to sell that experience to employers... and fast!
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Get going October in your final year is a good time to put your career plans into action. Start thinking seriously about your future, if you have not already done so. Take advantage of the many events happening in the autumn term that bring you into contact with employers, such as talks, skills workshops and fairs. Information on all these can be found on the Careers Service website or in Career Choice.
We’re here to help The Careers Service is a good starting place if you need help firming up your plans or if you simply have no idea where to start. Pop in to speak to one of the information staff. Arrange an appointment with a careers consultant for either a 20minute or 40-minute consultation. Check out our website for all the advice and information you need to plan and develop your career: www.imperial.ac.uk/careers and register with JobsLive for updates by email.
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Imperial and your career
Skilfully done
mployers who recruit for vacation work or permanent jobs will be looking for particular skills or competencies.
E
Your degree gives you lots of experience in problem-solving but make sure you get some teamwork experience too, whether it is through employment, volunteering, completing a group project or participating in a club or society during your time at Imperial.
Oral and written communication skills The following experiences are examples of where you can demonstrate these skills: • projects where you’ve written a report or made a presentation • jobs where you’ve dealt with customers on the phone and in person • negotiating with a landlord • writing for Felix • participating in student radio • any time you’ve spent abroad developing language skills.
Analysing and debating Your degree is developing higher-level thinking skills and the ability to put across your point of view clearly and cogently, and participating in a scheme like the Imperial Horizons programme can help: www.imperial.ac.uk/horizons. This scheme is open to all undergraduates at Imperial.
Commercial awareness All sorts of activities help to develop commercial awareness. Perhaps you’ve managed a budget for a club or for friends. Why was a budget necessary and how did you keep within it? Have you
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makes pe r ice
ct fe
Teamwork
ever organised an event and sold tickets, raised funds for a charity or an expedition? How did you manage the resources or promote the event to save or to make more money? Consider the commercial implications of what you’ve done in all your work experience. Think about how your ideas, problem-solving or technical approach made a difference. Perhaps your improved computer program or novel way of approaching an engineering problem helped to deliver a higher standard of work to clients? Maybe you improved a database that made the organisation more effective by increasing profits or minimising losses. Even filling supermarket shelves creates sales opportunities! Keep up to date by regularly reading quality broadsheets to increase your awareness of current affairs and business issues. And take advantage of what Imperial has to offer: • find out what’s involved in starting a new venture here at www.imperial.ac.uk/entrepreneurship • take part in business game workshops, led by employers from industry and commerce and solve typical business and management problems.
Pra ct
Your time at Imperial offers many opportunities to develop yourself and your skills. Do what you enjoy, get involved and prove you’ve got what it takes.
Marc Ewenz Rocher, MEng aeronautical engineering (first year) The ‘Professional Skills for Employability’ Horizons Course was an excellent opportunity to improve my understanding of employability and to link my current work at College to my future goals and objectives. It gave me the chance to practise and understand the importance of team-working and presentation skills, all within a supportive environment. I feel I can sell my skills much more confidently now, which will be useful when I attend interviews and assessment centres in the future.
And finally... • For more general ideas on how to develop your skills, visit www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/ug. • Have a look at The skills hit list – what employers want on page 29 for more ideas about your skills and how to develop them further. • Consult a careers consultant – they have expertise in matching your skills to relevant careers and can help you to plan how to develop yourself further.
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
How to get hired targetjobs.co.uk and TARGETjobs sector guides – find 1,000s of graduate jobs with tips on getting hired targetjobsinternships.co.uk and TARGETjobs Internships – how to get started TARGETjobs Events – face to face experiences with future employers TARGETjobs Undergraduate of the Year – celebrating the brightest and the best – undergraduateoftheyear.com The Guardian UK 300 – top-ranked graduate employers TARGETpostgrad – courses, funding and fairs Keep in touch @targetjobsUK
Internships
Planning and developing your career
Planning and developing your career
Career planning step by step
Chun Li, MEng electrical and electronic engineering (2014) – technology placement with Goldman Sachs (2013)
Where do you start with planning your career? This article gives you ideas on how to get going.
Apply for jobs as soon as possible and to several different firms because it will be quite tough to get an offer. If possible, try to get in touch with people working in the same firm or industry and get some firsthand information from them. Use Imperial’s Careers Service too; they were very helpful. Research individual firms when you apply, as they may be looking for different types of competencies. And, finally, get some interview practice with several different people – careers consultants, tutors, your friends even.
lthough everyone’s situation is unique, there are some key steps to take in order to develop and progress your career. The diagram opposite shows the main elements of career planning; start this process early on as an undergraduate and you will save yourself time later. This process continues as your career develops too.
Explore y
A
tions r op ou
Know yourself How well do you know yourself? What can you learn from your experiences? What do you really want from work? What interests you or matters to you? What skills and strengths do you have and what are you good at? How would you like to improve?
Brent Morris, MSci physics (final year) Developing an understanding of my career options early in my degree helped me receive an internship offer from PwC and a graduate offer from Teach First. I began investigating the graduate opportunities available during my first year, attending a range of employer presentations to find out which industry and employer were best for me. The skills sessions graduate recruiters ran were particularly useful for understanding the competencies recruiters look for and how to demonstrate them in an interview or assessment centre.
14
tips Top
Explore opportunities Take action Check deadlines and how to apply. Make an action plan. Develop a good CV and work on your letter and applications too. Prepare for interviews and assessment centres. Remember to do the above for ‘plan B’ as well.
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Research occupations, employers, study and training opportunities, using recommended resources. Who do you know to talk to and who might know more about opportunities for you? Keep a file of key contacts and information you gather.
Review and evaluate your options Be clear about what you want, and rate your options in order of preference. How achievable and realistic are they? Find out what you can do to improve your chances, eg work experience. Have a ‘plan B’! If you’re struggling to do this, approach people who can help.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Planning and developing your career
There are four main aspects to career choice and development:
internships or courses. Read the articles from pages 29 onwards to find out more.
To make choices you need to know yourself as well as possible: your interests, what motivates you, the skills you have and those you wish to develop more.
This process doesn’t stop once you’re in a job. It continues as you find out more about what you enjoy, do well at and want to do more of, as well as who or what experience can help you progress further.
1
Explore opportunities open to you, whether directly related to your degree background or in new career areas, using the skills gained on your course. Research your options and approach organisations and employers direct to find out more. Start to develop your network.
2
Start reviewing and evaluating your options, and making decisions, focusing on areas of particular interest.
3
Prioritise and create a plan, with built-in deadlines and contingencies. Find out how best to present yourself – in writing and in person – so you can start applying for jobs,
4
Your career-planning ‘to do’ list Whilst at Imperial, there are many things you can do to help with each stage of planning your career. Book a 40-minute consultation with a careers consultant if you need help with how to move your career on. Use an online tool such as www.prospects.ac.uk/links/pplanner or targetjobs.co.uk/careers-report. Have a look at www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/ug/plan. Use the LINKS directory www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/resources/ weblinks.
The ‘Useful websites to explore opportunities’ on this page gives some useful starting points. Consult the ‘Options’ folder for your degree in the Careers Information Room. Read and apply the advice given in the next few articles on work experience and alternative job hunting or networking. Simply taking action and interacting with employers helps to move your career forward. www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/ug/ applicationandselection helps you present yourself well in writing or in person, with tips on your CV etc. Attend a talk or workshop given by a careers consultant or an employer for more tips or help with preparing for interviews and selection centre exercises. Book a 20-minute consultation with a careers consultant for feedback on your CV, covering letter, application form question or tips on interviews.
Useful websites to explore opportunities General Imperial College Careers Service LINKS directory www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/ links TARGETjobs targetjobs.co.uk Prospects www.prospects.ac.uk/ links/industries
Accountancy TARGETjobs City & Finance targetjobs.co.uk/finance ICAEW – Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales www.icaew.com
Actuarial TARGETjobs City & Finance targetjobs.co.uk/finance The Actuarial Profession www.actuaries.org.uk
Built environment Institution of Civil Engineers www.ice.org.uk The Institution of Structural Engineers www.istructe.org TARGETjobs Construction targetjobs.co.uk/construction
Computing and IT British Computer Society www.bcs.org Computer Weekly Magazine www.computerweekly.com TARGETjobs IT & Technology targetjobs.co.uk/it
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Consulting TARGETjobs Management Consulting targetjobs.co.uk/consulting Institute of Consulting www.iconsulting.org.uk Management Consultancies Association www.mca.org.uk
Marketing, sales and media
Engineering Association for Consultancy and Engineering www.acenet.co.uk Engineering Council UK www.engc.org.uk TARGETjobs Engineering targetjobs.co.uk/engineering
Environmental work
Law Society of England and Wales www.lawsociety.org.uk Inside Careers – Patent Attorneys www.insidecareers.co.uk/ patent TARGETjobs Law targetjobs.co.uk/law Chartered Institute of Marketing www.cim.co.uk Institute of Practitioners of Advertising www.ipa.co.uk
Not-for-profit sector Engineers without Borders www.ewb-international.org Prospects www.prospects.ac.uk/ links/industries – search for Charities and Voluntary Work TARGETjobs targetjobs.co.uk/charity
British Ecological Society www.britishecologicalsociety.org Environmental Data Services www.ends.co.uk Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management Public sector/NHS www.ieem.net Civil Service www.civilservice.gov.uk Finance and banking NHS Careers TARGETjobs City & Finance www.nhscareers.nhs.uk targetjobs.co.uk/finance Careers in Financial Markets Retail www.efinancialcareers.co.uk National Skills Academy for
Law and patent law LawCareers.Net www.lawcareers.net
Retail www.nsaforretail.com British Retail Consortium www.brc.org.uk
Science Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry careers.abpi.org.uk Institute of Physics www.iop.org Nature Jobs www.nature.com/naturejobs New Scientist jobs.newscientist.com Royal Society of Chemistry www.rsc.org Society of Biology www.societyofbiology.org Biochemical Society www.biochemistry.org
Social care The British Association of Social Workers www.basw.co.uk
Teaching UCAS Teacher Training www.ucas.com/ucas-teachertraining National College for Teaching and Leadership www.education.gov.uk/getinto-teaching
Further study Postgraduate study www.prospects.ac.uk/ postgraduate_study.htm TARGETpostgrad targetpostgrad.com
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Planning and developing your career
All experience is good experience
ork experience on your CV really helps you to stand out from other candidates. It enables you to demonstrate to future employers how you’ve applied your knowledge and skills in practice, and proves you have gained a better insight into an industry sector or role. It also helps you to make career choices by confirming that you are interested in a certain area – or that it doesn’t suit you after all. Many employers use work experience as a testing ground for recruits and may offer you a graduate
W
Amrita Ghosh, biochemistry (2014), was awarded the Careers Service Charity Insights bursary (2012) When I saw Charity Insights advertised in my first year, it seemed to be an amazing chance to gain experience and learn new skills on a four-week internship. My placement was with the National Children’s Bureau, working with the ‘Play England’ division, helping them to organise their annual ‘Play Day’ and get information online about this event. The experience I gained working with colleagues to overcome difficulties together will be really helpful in any future job. I would certainly recommend this scheme to other students – it offers a golden opportunity to volunteer and build contacts for the future.
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Work experience schemes Research each employer’s selection criteria, application process and the closing dates for applications so you can prioritise whom to apply to when. Bear in mind that many schemes are only open to penultimate-year students. If the challenge of working abroad appeals, there are many programmes that offer such an experience (eg in the USA), many of which charge you a fee. Details of work experience schemes in the UK and overseas are listed on the following page. At the Careers Service you can pick up copies of many free publications with information and contacts such as TARGETjobs Internships, Prospects – Work Experience and Internships or Rate my Placement. Make sure you’re also registered on JobsLive.
The unadvertised job market Don’t overlook the importance of speculatively approaching organisations of interest and the value of networking too. A personal approach can help you to uncover opportunities for work experience that never get advertised. There are tips on how to do this in Who do you know? on page 19, First impressions count on page 30 and To the letter on page 34.
Make the most of your work experience If you keep a note of your activities on work experience, challenges you face, even mistakes you make, and what you learn from it all, you will find this comes
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
in very useful later when applying to future employers. You can create your own log or diary or use the work experience tracker at targetjobs.co.uk. Things to include in your work experience diary: • what you find out about yourself – both your strengths and your weaknesses (the latter could be aspects where you simply need more experience and support in the future) • what you enjoy about working
xperie nc nt e ta
e
Charit yi
ights ns
job as a result of your achievements on a work experience placement. Both paid and voluntary work experience gives you the opportunity to develop skills that are important and relevant to future employers and careers.
All-impo r
Your worst nightmare or sheer bliss? All work experience is useful as it tells you more about what you like and dislike doing, as well as what your strengths and weaknesses are. And it looks great on your CV too.
Niall Jeffrey, MSci physics (third year) During summer 2013 I worked for ten weeks as an operations intern for GDF Suez, which I found through someone my Dad met at work. My role involved developing a series of original methods to analyse new materials science data for a client. For the project, I travelled to Brussels for a meeting at the research centre of GDF Suez subsidiary Laborelec to discuss possible techniques and conclusions. The best part about the internship was meeting new people. In the future I hope to work in a science or technology-based field. This internship really helped me gain that all-important experience whilst learning about energy companies and operations teams.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Planning and developing your career
Fu r
• achievements and responsibilities • names, job titles and contact details of future contacts • how you applied and developed key skills in practice • meeting customers • communicating with another office or department • analysing numerical information and learning new techniques • improving the way things have been done or making suggestions that others have taken on board. These things may not seem important at the time but employers will view these experiences favourably when you are applying for full-time work after graduation.
lp r he e th
The Careers Service offers help with the application process, and can answer any questions you may have.
rly learning Ea
Work experience schemes www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/ internships Start your search here to find out about all the options – including links to internships, placement schemes and volunteering opportunities.
JobsLive – www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/jobslive You can register to receive emails about vacation work, internships and work experience on JobsLive, as well as information about events to meet employers. The next page shows you how to get the most from JobsLive.
TARGETjobs – targetjobs.co.uk/internships A graduate careers website that provides internship opportunities and immediate vacancies for students and graduates. There’s also general advice about work experience and starting a graduate career.
UROP – www.imperial.ac.uk/urop
Chun Li, MEng electrical and electronic engineering (2014) – technology placement in Goldman Sachs (2013) The most important skill I learned from doing a technology placement in an investment bank was time management, because there was so much work and I needed to prioritise and plan how I’d do it all. I had to be proactive too as there were many financial and technology aspects that I wasn’t familiar with. I had to learn it all quickly, and ask people questions when necessary. I learned how to network and socialise with other people too, not just within the team I was working in but also in other divisions.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) provides opportunities for undergraduates to participate in and contribute to research at Imperial, which can also link with final-year project ideas. There are term-time and vacation opportunities.
Charity Insights – www.imperial.ac.uk/ careers/charityinsights Find out more about the bursary offered to students by the Careers Service to undertake a four-week internship in the charity sector.
IVC – www.imperial.ac.uk/volunteering Volunteering can be as beneficial as other work experience in developing and improving your skills and increasing your employability through practical experience.
The International Citizen Service – www.volunteerics.org Enables young people aged 18–25 to volunteer overseas on programmes that last 10–12 weeks.
IAESTE – www.britishcouncil.org/iaeste The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) is administered in the UK by the British Council, and aims to provide science and engineering undergraduates with paid, course-related vacation training abroad.
Prospects – www.prospects.ac.uk/workexperience A graduate careers website that includes a section on how to gain and benefit from work experience, with useful links to many other schemes.
STEP – http://opportunities. stepenterprise.co.uk STEP is a UK scheme that offers paid, project-based placements for penultimate or second-year undergraduates and internships for graduates. These are with companies of all sizes, small to large. Projects can be in marketing, strategy, product development, improving administrative procedures and software development.
More worldwide programmes Several organisations run global work experience, working adventure and work and travel programmes. There is often a fee to cover visa and work permit requirements and it’s important to check whether your airline fare and insurance are included when comparing fees. Visit: • www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/goingglobal • www.targetjobs.co.uk/gapyear • www.prospects.ac.uk/links/gapyear • www.istplus.com.
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Planning and developing your career
JobsLive in three easy steps
JobsLive is the Careers Service’s online jobs, appointments and events system. You can book online to see a careers consultant, book to attend events and search for vacancies and employers from a database of over 8,000 organisations.
Select JobsLive
1
Select ‘JobsLive’ from the Careers homepage www.imperial.ac.uk/ careers.
Step
2
Login
Step
3
Update your profile
Step
Login with your Imperial College login.
From ‘My Profile’ select ‘Update Profile’. Set your profile settings to receive daily or weekly email alerts about job vacancies and events, according to the types of work that interest you. You can also browse vacancies, internships and the large employer directory. It’s a good idea to subscribe to the weekly careers email, which keeps you informed about all Careers Service events and news.
Enjoy! Now you are ready to search for job vacancies, receive email alerts and book events or 20-minute consultations with careers consultants!
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www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Planning and developing your career
Who do you know?
Having contacts is one of the key ways of finding work and experience, so get networking to give your career a head start. n today’s fast-paced, competitive environment, we all know we need to stand out from the crowd. This section is about how to do just that. While many people find jobs through applying to advertised positions, it is thought that as many as 60 to 70 percent of jobs are never advertised, so networking is a useful additional tool. Here are some tips to make you an effective networker.
I
Know what your aim is. This helps you target your questions effectively at the right kinds of contacts. What kind of career area do you want to explore?
Who do you know? You have more contacts than you think. Consider fellow students, university staff, friends and their friends, parents and their friends. Your aim is to find someone (who knows someone) who does what you want to do!
1
2
Making your pitch! Prepare a short summary paragraph about your course, your key skills/strengths, experience and your career aim. This can help to break the ice: make a succinct introduction and you’ll come across as focused and confident!
4
Who else could you make contact with? Think about employers who come to Imperial for fairs, talks, and other events, relevant professional bodies and social networking sites (more on this later). Many employers send Imperial alumni to help staff career stands at fairs. You can also ask alumni questions via the ‘Ask an alumnus’ database, co-ordinated by the Careers Service – www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/ug/ask.
How I n e
3
orke tw
d
Getting the most from your contact. The purpose of any networking is to get yourself known by making direct contact and by finding out useful information about the industry or the role. To become a well-informed applicant, ask for advice and information, show curiosity and genuine interest, bring your strong points into the conversation and start building a positive relationship. Keeping an open mind and being flexible are some useful components for a successful approach to creative job hunting.
5
Marianne Teoh, BSc biology with management (final year) The Natural History Museum (NHM) is a world-renowned research centre, in which I had always dreamed of working. However, gaining a volunteer position proved extremely competitive, and my formal applications didn’t seem to get anywhere. I identified a researcher, who I found particularly inspiring, and I contacted him for advice on my career and working at the Museum, showing interest in his field. After meeting him, he recommended me to several colleagues at the Museum and I was offered a few different research experience opportunities. Spending a summer working in the NHM labs was brilliant, and I came away with even more contacts as well as the experience itself.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Questions you could ask your contact: What do you enjoy about your work and what are the downsides? What might a typical day involve for you? What experience do you look for in applicants? What are current trends in the sector that will impact on your work in the future?
6 • • • •
Follow up. Follow up by sending an email to thank your contact. This enables you to make a lasting positive impression. Nurture your contact by keeping in touch; ask them if you can add them to your professional network, eg connect via LinkedIn.
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Planning and developing your career
LinkedIn
Making the most of social media Social media offers you a chance to communicate widely and job-hunt creatively, as long as you use it wisely.
Your digital footprint
This is a professional networking site for making meaningful career connections. Think quality, not quantity. To benefit from this, create a profile (and keep it up to date), using specific key words for your skills and experience – just as you would in a CV. You can find contacts by joining groups relevant to your interests. Write a friendly personal message to introduce yourself to a new contact. Group membership enables you to see members’ profiles and send them messages directly. You can also contribute to discussions, which will help get you noticed. Consider joining one of the Imperial alumni groups. You can also research company profiles. See www.linkedin.com.
To check your own digital footprint, type your name into Google (or any other Facebook search engine) and see what there is Check out your out there about you. What you public profile. Is find is what any employer there anything you would find about you, too! wouldn’t want an employer to read or see? Pay You could also sign up to attention to your privacy settings to allow access Google Alerts only to friends or use a nickname for your private (www.google.com/alerts) to profile. Many employers now have Facebook pages receive updates when friends which contain useful content about their application and family members post process as well as providing a way to contact them. information about you. You may wish to become a fan of organisations in which you are interested. To be up-to-date with careers events and other useful information, sign up to www.facebook.com/ imperialcareersevents.
Discussion forums These can provide a useful avenue for finding out about career areas and for asking specific advice, eg careers.guardian.co.uk/forums. Professional associations will also have links to relevant forums.
Twitter and blogs Both can be useful if your chosen career field involves written communication and creative skills. Twitter is a real-time information-sharing network that lets you communicate with others while using no more than 140 characters. You could ‘follow’ professionals and companies to keep up-to-date, and Twitter has free apps. See twitter.com. Blogs are commentaries, news or diaries maintained by individuals or businesses, and can provide useful advice and insights. You can get blogs in any topic of interest and specialism, and these could also help you prepare for job interviews. See: wordpress.org, blogger.com (Google) and many others. Imperial’s own blog site is www.imperial.ac.uk/blog. Creating a blog of your own can showcase your creative writing skills and really get you noticed!
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Etiquette Be careful with your use of language – if you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it online and use professional vocabulary rather than familiar terms or text speak! To build your online brand and maintain online relationships you need to be as professional as you would in real life. Pause and think – once you’ve hit that submit button, it’s gone and online forever.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
An international Headercareer right
This article tells you everything you need to know about working in the UK, as an international or EEA student. n order to market yourself effectively it would be helpful for you to find out what UK employers are asking for and how this can be evidenced in your CV. Interacting with employers early through careers fairs and events will enable you to do this. Getting involved with extracurricular activities on campus can help develop skills and doing industry-related projects and internships can improve your commercial awareness. The timing of recruitment can vary, particularly in the large graduate programmes in finance and consulting, which come very early in the autumn term, so familiarising yourself with key dates and planning when to apply is also important. British CVs can also be different from those in your own country so getting some advice on this can help you promote yourself in the UK job market.
I
Immigration (correct at the time of going to press) For students from the EEA there are no restrictions with regard to working but for international students from outside the EEA there are restrictions, whereby you can only work 20 hours a week during term time and full time during vacations and during the four months after completing your course. For work after studies for non-EEA students, the main immigration programme enabling employers to recruit international graduates is Tier 2 General. However, an employer can only provide sponsorship if they are on the Government’s Register of Sponsors, so we recommend that you check this first.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
tivities ac
rri racu cular xt
Working in the UK for international and EEA students There are other schemes that enable nonEEA students to work after studies temporarily under Tier 5 but graduates must leave the UK upon completion. The International Office and Careers Service run regular workshops throughout the year, giving the most current picture, and you must always check the current situation at the time of application.
How to succeed with your application • Understand what you have to offer as an international student and articulate your skills, eg languages and cultural adaptability, in your covering letter. • Be clear on your immigration status so you can inform employers and refer them to sources of help, eg the UKBA employer helpline. • Make sure your written English is good and seek support, eg from the Centre for Academic English, to improve it, if necessary.
E
An international career
Jianchen Fu, BSc mathematics with statistics for finance (2014) I will be joining the Unilever UK Finance Programme in September 2014. At Imperial, I was active in two societies – Enactus Imperial and Chinese Students and Scholars Association. I travelled to Kenya for the last two summers to implement our Enactus social enterprise projects, and as Unilever supported our society I learnt a lot about the company. This knowledge made my job application much more personal than others, enabling me to secure my dream job! As an international student, getting involved in extracurricular activities will enable you to develop your skills and deep knowledge of companies, making you a great candidate.
Further sources of help and advice You will find information about working in the UK on our careers website – www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/ ug/international. Other key resources are: • Register of Sponsors for Tier 2 (general): www.ukba.homeoffice. gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/ employersandsponsors/pointsbased system/pbsregisterofsponsors • UK Council for International Student Affairs: www.ukcisa.org.uk, which also has a telephone helpline Monday to Friday, 1pm to 4pm: 020 3131 3576. • UKBA Employer Helpline: 0300 123 4699
International office For any individual advice and information on any of the above, contact: International Office Level 3, Sherfield Building Imperial College London South Kensington
London SW7 2AZ Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 8040 The International Office at Imperial also provides information and assistance via its website: www.imperial.ac.uk/international.
Careers Service Remember – the Careers Service can help you with making applications and finding careers information: www.imperial.ac.uk/careers.
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An international career
The global graduate
Global careers are a reality for many graduates from Imperial. Find out what’s on offer and what you need to be an international player. tudents and graduates have always been interested in working, studying and travelling abroad. This has often been in the form of a gap year, either before or after university, or as part of a longer-term career move. In today’s interconnected global economy, employers across all sectors need people who can work effectively in different locations. If this interests you, it is essential to thoroughly consider your options and know what you’re aiming for. With valuable experience of working abroad you can further develop your skills, including self-reliance, adaptability and potentially language skills too. This personal development will enhance your CV and stand you in good stead for the future.
S
both written and verbal English (although English is usually the language of business, working knowledge of a local language will help you communicate effectively and develop good relationships, both at work and socially). While you may not be expected to offer all this at the outset, you should be able to demonstrate the potential to develop such attributes. If you have left your country to study at Imperial, you will already have experienced living independently in a different culture and have demonstrated flexibility and resilience that living and working abroad requires.
What are international employers looking for? Research carried out by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has identified the following key attributes: • strong intercultural and communication skills • resilience – working abroad can mean losing the usual support structures of the organisation, friends and family • flexibility – to adapt to new situations and ways of doing things, plus the ability to cope with uncertainty • ability to handle diversity and to understand, respect and adapt to cultural differences • knowledge of local conditions • an awareness of the strategic aims of your employer and an understanding of the international environment in which they operate • a working knowledge of the local language plus a good level of skill in
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www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Take opp
An international career
or
ities tun
Edward O’Hare, MEng civil and environmental engineering (2011) During my summer break, I completed work experience at an international financial institution in New York. It was exciting to work in such a diverse environment and gain an insight into the realities of an industry that I wanted to learn more about. Being immersed in a different business culture and interacting with international clients also helped me gain a more global perspective and appreciate the opportunities afforded by different career paths. The experience of living in the USA was equally fulfilling. I travelled along the East Coast and met a lot of interesting new people, and this experience has helped me both personally and professionally. I’ve since reconsidered my career plans and now I know that I want to work abroad, in the USA or elsewhere, in the future. So I would say – if you do get the opportunity to work abroad, take it!
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Additionally, most international employers will seek the usual set of skills required for graduate-level work, such as problem solving, analytical thinking, numeracy, teamwork, leadership, selfmotivation, self-reliance and business/commercial awareness.
Taking a year out – factors to consider and how to benefit You may take a gap year for a break after your studies to experience different countries and cultures or travel before starting your career. Many students use a year out to enhance their employability, others to gain work experience or find opportunities that may not be open to them in the UK. Options you can pursue include: • independent travel/organised trekking • volunteering/working for a charity • Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) • a supervised/organised project such as a ‘gap-year project’ • a mixture of some or all of these • a job or placement, or a year in industry. You could, for example, follow the backpacker trail or opt for a more structured, project-based experience. The former keeps options open to follow
interests or take up opportunities along the way; however, opting for a more structured route can give you a more focused challenge whilst gaining experience of the country you are in. Many gap-year opportunities cover particular sectors often including tourism, sport and leisure, teaching languages, development and environment and conservation. Depending on where you wish to travel, it is worth noting that unemployment in some countries may be presently quite high and it may be worth securing a job before you leave. If you use a work-experience provider, make sure that you use one with a good reputation and a proven track record.
A long-term international career? International experience may be personally interesting to you or worth gaining to add an extra dimension to your CV. You may want a truly global career, involving several long-term expatriate assignments, such as on-site work with an upstream oil company. Alternatively, you may want a career that involves travelling internationally on a regular basis but from a home base, eg professional services work, consultancy or technical sales.
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An international career
out mor Find eh ? d e te
Inte re s
Much of the research needed for working abroad can be done online. It’s also worth noting that many international organisations and employers have Facebook and LinkedIn groups as well as Twitter feeds, which allow you to keep up to speed with their opportunities and initiatives and provide a means of networking with people from the companies that you are interested in. Check out the following:
We are looking for candidates who are willing to put themselves into stretching situations to develop their own skills. Working or studying abroad is an excellent way of demonstrating this. The best students know how to use this experience as examples of their willingness to develop new skills, how they can operate in different cultures and how they overcome unfamiliar challenges.
re
When making your first career choice it helps to check with employers what the potential for travel or placements abroad might be. Increasingly, international companies include an overseas placement as part of the graduate trainee period, or in the early stage of a career path. How and when you decide to proceed with your global career will be influenced by external factors, such as recruiter expectations, labour market conditions, work permit requirements and personal preferences and constraints. Research, planning and preparation are all important for success.
• EU Recruitment Portal ec.europa.eu/eures • European Volunteer Service europa.eu/youth • Going Global – international jobs and internships: www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/ resources/goingglobal • Prospects country profiles www.prospects.ac.uk/links/countries • Prospects gap year www.prospects.ac.uk/links/gapyear • TARGETjobs targetjobs.co.uk/gapyear • Voluntary Service Overseas www.vso.org.uk
China and South East Asia careers fairs Imperial holds careers fairs in China and South East Asia, in collaboration with Oxford, Cambridge and LSE. For further details, visit www.imperial.ac.uk/ careers/ug/ graduaterecruitment/ programme/ careersfairs/china
Beth Jenkins, UK Graduate Marketing Manager, Shell
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THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Postgraduate study
Postgraduate study Further study
Is postgraduate study the right career decision for you? Find out more here to help you decide. ostgraduate study is a very popular option with thousands of Imperial graduates each year for a variety of reasons. Whatever your reasons might be for choosing to continue with your education, you must be clear from the beginning that it is the right option for you personally and professionally – so you need to do some thorough research first! Postgraduate study can be an expensive way of simply delaying employment and career decisions, so make sure you consider what you aim to gain from it and how exactly this will help you achieve longer-term career goals.
P
Postgraduate study – what types of courses are there? The following are the types of course you could go on to do: • taught courses leading to masters degrees (MSc, MA) • research courses leading to masters degrees (MRes) • research degrees leading to MPhils or PhDs • vocational courses, required for entry into professions such as teaching or law • studying abroad – eg in the USA or on courses taught in English in Europe.
Applications Postgraduate courses differ in their application deadlines and requirements. These are examples of what you might have to do: • Masters/MRes: applications go direct to the university; course deadlines may
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Reasons why some choose to do postgraduate study
I need X qualification to pursue my career goal.” “Openings in my area of interest tend to be for postgraduates only.” “I am keen to pursue a career in research.” “I want to deepen my knowledge of my subject.” “I want to improve my academic record.” “Postgraduate study will help me improve my career prospects.
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Wh y
be open but popular courses tend to fill up quickly. • PhD: start researching the options in late November. • Vocational courses: applications for some courses have to be made via a clearing house system with fixed closing dates.
hose a PhD Ic
Chandrika Nair, BSc microbiology, MRes biochemical research, PhD medical microbiology, all at Imperial College With each year of my degree, I became progressively more enthusiastic about my subject. By the final year, I could not think of a more exciting way to fuel my curiosity than partaking in actual cutting-edge research. The MRes gave me the opportunity to undertake projects in three separate labs, picking up useful research techniques along the way. This experience of different lab environments greatly informed my choice of PhD supervisor and research topic. As a PhD is a substantial commitment, I would recommend not only seeking out lab experiences beforehand but also carefully researching prospective research groups to ensure that your aims are compatible. For me, the best bits of the PhD are the independence it allows and taking ownership of your research project. The growing pains of becoming an effective researcher, such as when troubleshooting problematic experiments, are all worth it when you consider that you are (hopefully) making your own novel contribution to your field of interest. I hope to continue pursuing my passion for science after my PhD. Alongside academic research, I’m currently also considering other exciting options such as scientific writing, science policy and outreach.
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• Studying abroad: usually requires much more time to plan ahead, (eg 18 to 24 months) to research courses, to take any tests, eg GRE, and to make applications.
Reasons to choose to do a PhD Do you enjoy practical work in the laboratory or delving into theories and models? If so, then a PhD or MRes leading to a PhD might be for you. Gaining a doctorate is the recognised route to becoming a professional researcher or academic but bear in mind that it will take a lot of determination, patience and stamina – to take on a project and work away at it for three or four years, you have to be really keen! There are different types of PhD: • The purely academic PhD – these push back the frontiers of knowledge and are usually funded by Research Councils, so look up the relevant one for you. • Collaboration with industry – companies often ask academics to research into various projects, who then take on PhD students to help them do this. Funding may come from the industry or from an award such as the Co-operative Award in Science and Engineering (CASE).
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
rience is vit pe
al
Work ex
Postgraduate study
Hannah Loake, MSc environmental technology (2012) I chose to study environmental technology hoping to get an insight into how companies deal with their environmental impact. On completion of my course I wanted to work in an environmental startup but needed more experience. In May 2012, I was volunteering at the Imperial Festival and got speaking to the owner of an environmental/digital start-up in Shepherds Bush. She offered me a threeweek summer internship, which also helped me to write my master’s thesis. I worked as a business strategist, which involved helping the owner commercialise her business idea and get funding. I would encourage other Imperial students to get as much experience as you can. You may not know what you want to do at first but things become clearer the more experience you get.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Postgraduate study
I chose to do a PhD because I aspired to conduct useful research and contribute to the fascinating field of control engineering. During my PhD, I learned how to assimilate knowledge quickly, rely on myself, and stay motivated through the highs and lows of research. Research is about perseverance, a positive attitude and an effective relationship with your supervisor. I have strived to expand my skill-set by teaching, voluntary work and participating in union activities. All the hard work finally paid off with a job offer at Mathworks as soon as I finish in 2014.
Do your research on postgraduate study!
Are you interested in research or a masters? Make sure you do some research first! • Explore www.findaphd.com to Kameswarie Nunna, PhD electrical and find PhD vacancies in electronic engineering (2014). Joined your discipline, both in the Mathworks (2014) UK and overseas. • www.findamasters.com features taught and research masters courses. • targetpostgrad.com allows you to search its database of courses and funding sources as well as providing advice. • www.prospects.ac.uk/links/postgrad includes useful information on courses, funding and how to apply.
Funding for further study There are various forms of funding for further study.
Research Council grants The government’s research councils fund both masters and PhD study: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council: www.epsrc.ac.uk Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council: www.bbsrc.ac.uk Medical Research Council: www.mrc.ac.uk Natural Environment Research Council: www.nerc.ac.uk Science & Technology Facilities Council: www.stfc.ac.uk Economic and Social Research Council: www.esrc.ac.uk Arts and Humanities Research Council: www.ahrc.ac.uk
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
College bursaries Most colleges and some departments have their own awards. Check with the department, university website or postgraduate admissions office to see what you might be eligible for.
Career development loans These are available for vocational courses that improve your career prospects: see www.direct.gov.uk/cdl for more information.
Charities and trusts These will not fund all of your study but can contribute up to a few hundred pounds for specific items such as books or transport. Consult the Directory of Grant Making Trusts or the Grants Register for more details.
• If you want to study abroad check out www.prospects.ac.uk/studying_abroad. htm for information on your options.
Students with disabilities Useful information and links can be found at www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/ug/ diversity/disabled. If you are Research Council-funded, you may be eligible for a Disabled Students’ Allowance. Contact your funding body directly for more information about this. Useful factsheets are available from: www.disabilityrightsuk.org.
International students There are a number of scholarships and awards available for postgraduate study in the UK for international students. See www.prospects.ac.uk/ for more information.
Graduate teaching and research assistantships Working as a research or teaching assistant within the department may entitle you to a bursary and/or a waiver of your fee. Look in the Times Higher Education Supplement, Tuesday’s Guardian and on www.jobs.ac.uk for information on these posts.
Employer sponsorship This is rare unless you are already working for the employer, in which case you may get funding to study for a vocational qualification.
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Applications and interviews
Applications and interviews
The skills hit list
Show employers that you’ve got what they want.
What an employer might look for
Evidence to convince them
Communication skills
• Getting your message across, verbally and in writing, to individuals and groups. • Listening effectively. • Understanding body language. • Creating a logical argument. • Being sensitive to the needs and level of knowledge of your audience.
• Writing a project report, making a presentation based on that report. • Understanding detailed instructions to carry out a lab experiment. • Being aware of others’ facial expressions or gestures in a meeting and using them to interpret what is meant. • Making a presentation to school students attending a department open day or working as a guide in the Science Museum.
Teamworking skills
• Working effectively with others. • Respecting and facilitating what others say. • Negotiating to achieve outcomes that benefit all. • Motivating and supporting others in the team.
• Working on a group project or field work, where you have collaborated with others to achieve a solution to a problem or produced a report. • Playing to the strengths within the group to ensure a good result. • Working in a team where members share ideas on how to approach a new activity and agree their roles, in a committee, club or society. • Encouraging and helping others with ideas, keeping the group on track.
Problemsolving / analytical skills
• Thinking logically and using ingenuity to solve problems and overcome difficulties. • Being flexible when unexpected obstacles occur. • Coming up with better ways of doing things.
• Improving the design of a machine, analysing its current capabilities and identifying appropriate changes. • Revising the scope of a final-year project due to practical problems and negotiating the change with tutors. • Modifying your experimental design to produce results. • Determining if your conclusions follow directly from the series of statements you made when writing a report.
Business awareness
• Understanding an employer’s goals and how you could contribute to achieving them. • Being aware of current economic, political or environmental issues affecting the employer. • Discussing basic financial concepts.
• Adding to the company’s profitability by increasing sales or introducing a more effective stock control system. • Understanding how world events can present risks and opportunities to companies. • being able to explain profit and loss calculations.
Planning and organising ability
• • • • • • •
• Setting up a group project: What is the desired outcome? Who does what? What deadlines will be set? • Arranging an expedition: working out how many will be involved, where to go, what equipment and provisions might be needed. • Deciding where to travel to in America with limited time and money. • Making sure everyone is clear about how their activities fit together to produce the play for the Drama Society. • Anticipating how much money to take when inter-railing. • Prioritising your studies and allocating time to other activities.
Interpersonal skills
• Displaying good relationships with customers or clients, managers, peers and subordinates. • Political awareness and sensitivity. • Negotiating with and persuading others with self-confidence and tact.
• • • •
Numerical skills
• Making simple calculations. • Interpreting ideas and drawing conclusions from numerical information. • Identifying trends and patterns in data.
• Quickly calculating the total cost of items in a bill or invoice. • Logically deducing inferences from a complex set of tables. • Analysing statistics to identify consumer spending patterns.
Setting objectives. Identifying resources available. Planning activities to achieve a goal. Establishing priorities. Being able to co-ordinate with others. Anticipating and avoiding difficulties. Organising personal time to carry out all responsibilities.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Using information to persuade a manager to see your point of view. Representing the views of your peer group to a departmental committee. Persuading caterers to provide good value for money for a hall ball. Dealing with difficult customers.
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Applications and interviews
First impressions count
Use your CV to showcase your ability, skills and experience in the best possible light. When can you use a CV? You normally send in your CV when applying for a position. Job adverts will tell you how they want you to apply so check this first and if in doubt ask the employer. If the employer requests a CV, it’s usual to include a covering letter as well. The exception is when you’re asked to upload your CV as part of a longer application form where no letter may be required.
How long should a CV be? Aim for two sides of A4, or a one-page CV if you can fit everything on; in some countries like the USA, this may be preferred. You can see examples of how a one-page and a two-page CV could be laid out on the next pages. For more on CVs, see www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/CV and www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/ quickguides.
What style should my CV be? Use bullet points to emphasise actions and achievements, and bold for headings and sub-headings, as this helps to signpost the reader towards relevant skills, experience and achievements.
Before you start
CVs are also useful when you’re making direct, speculative approaches to employers or following up contacts you’ve made, perhaps as a result of attending a special event (see pages 19–20 for more on this). Explain why you’re contacting them and that you’ve included your CV.
Consider how you will demonstrate to the employer that you meet their requirements. Make sure you’re aware of, and can meet, the skills, qualities, qualifications and experience required to succeed in the role. List your best evidence and rank this in order of significance – this will help you see what you need to emphasise on your CV.
H
When else can you use a CV?
elp
at hand
Irina Chemshirova, BSc biology with a year in industry/research (fourth year) Throughout my time at Imperial I have found the Careers Service extremely helpful, especially when it comes to checking your CV and covering letters. Additionally, they also happily looked at my personal statement when I was applying for an MRes.
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For more on CVs, including a ‘Quick Guide’, see – www.imperial.ac.uk/ careers/quickguides
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
Examples of ‘action words’ Using positive language when you communicate with employers in writing or in person helps to highlight your skills. Achievement: accelerated, accomplished, achieved, carried out, completed, improved, delivered, enhanced, finished, negotiated, obtained, produced, secured, increased, doubled, implemented. Communication: advised, participated, chaired meeting, wrote, instructed, demonstrated, edited, presented, discussed, promoted, persuaded, recommended. Taking initiative: created, formulated, designed, established, introduced, devised, started, developed, set up, launched, initiated, enabled. Research: classified, differentiated, investigated, determined, experimented, equated, searched, developed, surveyed, examined, indexed, compiled, catalogued. Organising and planning: distributed, reorganised, arranged, restructured, budgeted, verified, scheduled, computed, planned, produced. Interpersonal: advised, negotiated, consulted, evaluated, proposed, handled, sorted out, collaborated, discussed, mediated, facilitated. Leadership: directed, supervised, motivated, guided, managed, led, organised, undertook. Managing: organised, implemented, established, produced, initiated, attained, maintained. Problem solving: analysed, diagnosed, reduced, increased, simplified, evaluated, synthesised, tackled, investigated, reviewed, identified, refined, streamlined, examined, reorganised, solved.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Applications and interviews
Take note! This CV is not meant to be perfect: there is no such thing. It has been prepared with a new role in mind in a new area such as investment banking (so not engineering or postgraduate study, where a two page version would work better, allowing more space for details of degree, projects etc). Everyone’s CV is different and yours has to work for you in the context of its purpose. Layouts can vary: for example, dates on left-hand side. Heading titles and order can be changed and tailored to different roles. The key is to highlight all your achievements so far that are relevant and present them clearly in a structured way so that your CV stands out.
Name and contact details Provide key contact details clearly and neatly as shown here; there is no need for unnecessary headings such as ‘Curriculum Vitae’ or ‘Address’. There is no need either to add your date of birth. If you are an international student with the right to work in the UK, state that here.
Education This CV is aimed at jobs not related to her degree, so just a few brief details on degree have been provided. Expected overall grade and overall averages achieved so far have also been included.
Work experience Be specific and concise, mention achievements and outcomes. The use of bullet points that begin with an action word helps to highlight relevant skills. Even routine customer service or office jobs require skills and qualities that can be transferred and applied to future roles too.
Additional skills Present your skills in a structured way, perhaps with sub-headings and bullet points.
Interests and achievements Extra-curricular activities and interests are an important way of showing transferable skills and beneficial personal qualities for the new role too. Use positive verbs and highlight achievements, results and outcomes.
Referees
Choice of font Stick to one clear font throughout, eg Arial or Times New Roman, and choose 11 pt as a minimum for the main text.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Check instructions: if referees’ contact details are requested you may be asked to enter them onto the application form or provide full details at the end of a CV. Otherwise you can do as Kelly has done and simply state that details are available on request. But you still need to get your referees’ permission first and make sure they have a copy of your CV too.
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Applications and interviews
Example of a two-page CV This CV is for a life scientist applying for postgraduate study – MSc / MRes or PhD – related to the degree. The CV could work for a laboratory-based role in industry as well. A lot of scientific / technical information has been included on the first page – this amount of subject-specific detail wouldn’t be needed for applications to completely new roles and organisations, where other skills such as team work and communication would need to be emphasised more. Fei tries to show skills such as these on the 2nd page.
So remember – your CV needs to be tailored to the role!
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www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Applications and interviews
Fei demonstrates skills such as team work, communicating, leadership and initiative in the way she outlines what she has done in her ‘Other Work Experience’ and ‘Interests and Achievements’ sections. Even though the activities described aren’t directly relevant, they help to show relevant skills and qualities.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
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Applications and interviews
To the letter
Use your covering letter to prove you’re the candidate to beat. he purpose of a covering letter is to create a favourable first impression and persuade the employer to read your CV. Your letter should give edited highlights from your CV, explaining why you’re suitable for the internship or job you’re applying for. Make sure that it is tailored and adapted for each new company you contact, detailing why you’re interested in them in particular. Your letter also showcases your written communication skills so make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
T
Structure of a covering letter • Start by saying what position you’re applying for. If you’re applying speculatively, say what kind of opportunity you’re looking for or that you’d welcome the opportunity to meet with them to find out more about getting in. You should also say briefly what you’re currently doing, such as the course you’re studying and the year you’re in at Imperial. • Tell them why you believe you are suitable. Highlight your most relevant skills and abilities and write about the circumstances in which they were acquired. You could indicate how you contributed to a project team and helped find a solution to a problem, or how you improved something at your place of work. • Say what attracts you to the company. Mention what you have in common with them, your knowledge of the industry and your interest in the type of work they do. If you’ve found out more by talking to their employees (at a presentation, for example), you can mention this too. • Tell them that your CV is attached and give them an idea of when you are available for interview. Finish by saying that you look forward to meeting them.
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Most employers will ask you to email your CV or submit it on their website. You can use the email message itself for your covering letter or, if you prefer to, email them a short message and upload your cover letter as an attachment, together with your CV. In any email message you send, as with your covering letter, make sure you convey succinctly the key points that will grab the employer’s attention. Make your writing style concise and business-like – and keep a copy of your email and CV as you will need to refer to them later.
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Applications and interviews
Remember it’s your covering letter: this is just one example, and not necessarily a perfect one! You need to decide what you want to say about yourself in the context of the role for which you’re applying. Highlight a few key achievements and relevant skills and explain what motivates you too. Mention outcomes and successes. Your letter should convey both your suitability for the role and real enthusiasm.
Letter layout Aim for one side of A4 maximum Note correct layout for your address and their address Remember to date your letter Address letter to a named person if possible, using ‘title + name’ and with ‘Yours sincerely’ at the end. 3 Latymer Court London W4 8XZ Graduate Recruitment G-Tech London EC2 7AB
2 May 2014
Dear Sir / Madam
at G-Tech ing - Global Industries Re: Technology Consult wish to apply for the erial College London and d. ci physics course at Imp ently. My CV is attache rec Live s Job ’s I am in the final-year MS vice eers Ser advertised on the Car , ech G-T at role as ve l abo analytical abilities as wel ause the role requires nce that nology consulting bec the commercial experie k, wor ject I am interested in tech pro of iety The var g for ABC ls. rkin skil Wo . ork me m-w to tea eal interpersonal and involved all greatly app stages the travel and mobility isciplinary teams, at all lti-d mu in k consultancy offers, and wor ject pro last summer involved IT systems, writing new ing test in nce Technical Consultancy experie cess. Not only did I gain I also applied my of the consultancy pro r response times, but lysing data on operato ana technology users made and with orts on rep rati ion abo e coll evaluat an analytic tool. The clos ate cre delivering customised to and ls skil nts ing clie of needs programm ns nce of interpreting the orta imp bling client organisatio the ena , iate ant rec gy consult me fully app e, I then ativ working as a technolo y initi enjo own ld my wou I On d s. lise solutions. I rea technology application ely by developing their niques. to operate more effectiv tions and modelling tech lica app t van rele into began to delve further nt analytical and wed me to build excelle 2:1 predicted) has allo a h ry projects as well as (wit rato sics labo phy and in s ignment My degree through a variety of ass ls on a four-month, skil six g of lvin m -so tea a blem in king complex pro re, my experience wor rmo t for a new the cep Fur con ns. a of tatio nt sen reports and pre involved the developme the rch Interfaces” project carried out research into I e. cas s ines entrepreneurial “Resea bus e pag to the production of a 20l property, allowing us tua llec inte ting scientific product and exis the ing ted to our product and ve design. This reward underlying science rela elop a unique, innovati t would work and to dev elop my business duc dev pro also the but how ple h blis peo t esta differen m-work and not only to interact with her strengthened my tea experience enabled me r achievements have furt team reaching cula our in urri d a-c ulte extr res r My . yea SIFE last awareness nce working in le, my participation in erie mp exp exa my For , . ition ities add abil . In leadership we rolled out in Uganda the idea of s ess ines ren bus awa the my for the semi-finals company has increased to this within a small biotech bling me to contribute ena , stry indu an administrative role al utic life sciences/pharmace well. as tors sec stry challenges faced by the indu , as well as many other industry sector at G-Tech s and expertise. My y’s strong industrial focu because of the compan out this and the ds ed stan firm con larly ticu G-Tech par l earlier this year has the firm as a y Smithson at Imperia ament to the ethos of test her conversation with Jerem furt is to ke I spo t tha working tes nt, me ocia ass elop the dev l enthusiasm of all sonal and professiona able s this role offers for per ration and I hope to be side con r you for whole. The opportunitie you nk ple are truly unique. Tha alongside talented peo . with you in due course to discuss my application
The opening paragraph Explain why you are writing to them and where you saw the advert or found out about them Introduce yourself by referring to the stage you’re at, eg on ‘x’ course at Imperial
Why this job/organisation? Show that you’ve thought about why you’d like to work for them in that particular role. Try to provide even more specific reasons than are provided here and in the final paragraph. Avoid just repeating what’s on their website – sound genuine.
Why you? Highlight all the main reasons why they should be interested in you. Refer to relevant skills, experience and knowledge gained in your degree, in work and in extra-curricular activities. Don’t just repeat your CV; supplement what’s on it and tailor what you say to this particular role and organisation.
Yours faithfully Jacky Xu
The ending End on a positive: what you hope will happen next! Don’t forget to sign off using the appropriate format: in this case ‘Yours faithfully’ as it’s addressed to ‘Dear Sir / Madam’.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
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Applications and interviews
Ace applications
Tailor your application form to each employer and show that you mean business. ecruiters apply their company’s selection criteria when assessing an application and gain their first impression of you from reading this. Producing a well researched and carefully focused application is vital!
R
Make or break Many applications fail for basic reasons that could easily have been avoided – such as mistakes in spelling and grammar, waffle, clichés or not being concise and specific enough. Most large organisations will want you to use their company application form and apply online. Check the instructions carefully so you know whether you need to be fine-tuning your CV or filling in an online form.
Top tips for applications 1
Find out as much as you can about the company and the job. Your reasons for wanting to work for them must sound genuine and well researched.
2
Print off the form to get a sense of it as a whole before you start filling it in.
3
Work on your draft answers before you commit yourself online.
4
Follow all instructions!
5
Use the notes you have prepared about yourself.
6
Be clear and direct, using short paragraphs to give structure.
7
Stay within the word or character count for each answer.
8
Don’t waffle: keep answers relevant and concise even if there is no word limit.
9
Express yourself positively using ‘action words’.
10
Use spellchecker with care and watch your grammar.
11
Check for content – is it relevant and does it answer the questions?
12
Print off a copy and remember to save your form online.
Types of questions: open or closed? At first sight, most forms seem easy to complete. You are asked to provide personal details followed by exam results and work experience. These questions require short, factual answers or selecting options from drop-down lists, such as your preferred geographical location and choice of career, and the function or role of interest – eg research, production, marketing or finance. The open questions are harder to answer. These are designed to test your self-awareness and career understanding, eg: • Why have you chosen a particular career? • What evidence do you have of the qualities and abilities needed to succeed in it? • Do you understand what the career involves? • Can you provide examples of skills such as teamwork, commercial awareness and problem solving? Employers want your broader skills to match their selection criteria, hence they may ask the following of you:
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• Give an example of when you achieved a goal through working in a team. • What did you do that made a difference? • How do you know you were successful?
Your answers • Draw up a list of skills the employer is looking for. • Review your activities and achievements to find evidence that matches the selection criteria. • Draft your responses, giving yourself credit for what you have achieved or learned. • Always market yourself positively.
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www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Applications and interviews
In the hot seat
If you’ve got as far as the interview, you’re a serious contender for the job. Prepare and practice, then relax: you’re nearly there! on’t be daunted by job interviews – preparation will help you succeed. You have impressed the employer with your application and they now want to meet you to check: • you have the right skills and qualifications to do the job • you really want to work for them • you will get on well with staff, peers and clients. Interviews also enable you to find about more about the organisation and the job. There will almost always be an opportunity for you to ask questions at the interview and this offers a chance to really show how interested you are in the employer.
D
Research the employer and job Employers find it frustrating when applicants don’t demonstrate an understanding of the job or organisation. Consider the following: • What do you know about the employer, their industry and competitors? • What are the key issues affecting this sector at present? • What will the job really involve? Use the following resources to help you research the employer and the job: • employers’ websites, presentations and careers fairs • career guides and occupational information reference files • www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/links ‘Researching occupations and employers’ • publications and websites of professional bodies • anyone you know who is doing a similar type of work!
Market yourself effectively Ensure that you stand out from others – your degree alone is not enough. Review
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
your application form and CV: can you expand confidently on everything that is on there? You can use the typical questions on this page to get started. Trying to answer these questions aloud will help you to prepare and sound more convincing and fluent on the day. • Be very clear about what you can offer the organisation. • Consider your strengths, your achievements and skills.
Questions
• Provide evidence of these to show you are a strong candidate.
What happens during the interview? First impressions are very important! • Try to look confident, relaxed and happy. • A firm handshake conveys confidence. • Make eye contact with your interviewer and smile.
Why they are asked
What made you choose your degree?
To find out about you and what interests you.
Why have you applied to us?
To discover how much you’ve found out about them and how focused you career plans are.
What other jobs have you applied to?
They will expect you to be making a few other similar applications in the industry.
What is your greatest weakness?
Try to use an example that you can turn around and show you’re dealing with positively, eg ‘I’m not very confident at speaking in groups but I’ve tried to get all the practice I can at doing this’.
Describe a situation where Designed to work out how you go about problem-solving and you have had to solve a whether you can learn from your mistakes. problem. What did you learn from it? Why should we employ you?
An opportunity to demonstrate your suitability and draw parallels between what you’ve got to offer and what the employer needs.
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Turn in
Applications and interviews
gt
he tables
Lee Pearson, PhD environmental policy (2013) You need to have solid answers for ‘Why this company?’ and ‘Why this job?’ Those types of questions started every interview I attended and answering them should be calming, not stressful! I found the mock interview with a careers consultant at Imperial really useful. I’d done dozens of interviews before, but this was the first time I got feedback on my body language, specifically on hand gestures I use when I’m nervous. Modifying this in subsequent interviews definitely helped me project confidence.
Interviewers will want to explore this commitment with questions such as: • What do you know about us? • Who else have you applied to? • Where do you want to be in five years’ time? Good research will help you convince them you’re really keen. Some questions will assess your intellectual abilities, focusing on your academic record and degree subject. You may be asked hypothetical problems to see if you can think on your feet. Stay calm and remember that interviewers are interested in your problem-solving skills – the process by which you get there, not just the actual result.
mock-interview workshops run by careers consultants to help you practise being interviewed and you will receive feedback. There are online videos, DVDs and a good stock of books and handouts, which include typical questions to help you prepare. After an unsuccessful interview, you can always ask employers for feedback, which can be very useful. Finally, practise with your friends; they will spot annoying mannerisms or distracting body language.
• Sit up straight and don’t cross your arms as this creates barriers. • If you feel nervous, remind yourself that the interviewer needs to fill a vacancy – they want you to succeed.
Questions Most interviews are ‘competency based’ – ie recruiters will be seeking examples of when you have used the skills that are relevant to the job. Focus on what you did, and make sure that when talking about working in a team, you outline your role, your actions and the result of your efforts. Check the skills table on page 29 and think about the evidence you would put in the final column. Draw examples from employment, leisure activities, travel, interests and academic life. When questioned about these, talk about examples that show you working with others, your initiative and when you have managed or planned activities. Be positive about changes of career focus, highlight the fact that you are keen to get into this new career and not get out of the previous one fast. Be ready to talk about why you want this job with this organisation.
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These are becoming increasingly popular, especially for first interviews, but this doesn’t mean you can skimp on your interview preparation or treat it any less formally! Body language still has a role – your voice will sound better if you sit up straight or even stand. The questions, however, will be similar to those in standard interviews so be clear about the important points you want to get across to the employer. Make sure that you: • have privacy for the interview, away from distractions and noise • smile – it will make you sound friendlier and more confident • avoid monotones and use gestures as you would in normal conversation – they will help your voice sound livelier • you could record your voice beforehand to check how you sound • ask ‘Would you like me to expand on this?’ or ‘Does this answer your question?’ if there’s an awkward silence • have your CV or application form to hand and some paper to make notes.
Developing your interview technique Look out for events in your department or run centrally by the Careers Service, such as employer-led skills workshops, to help you with interviews. You can attend
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No
Telephone interviews
es! cus ex
Jassel Majevadia, PhD physics (2014), IBM technology consultant My top piece of advice would be to practise interviewing. No excuses – just get started! Practise in front of a mirror, or even better, a video camera on your computer, so you can play it back quickly, and also keep time. Begin by structuring some answers – the STAR format is great – and write your answers down. Practise a few times until you’re sure. A mock interview with a careers consultant was one of the best decisions I made because they help you break down your answers and structure them. They want you to be at your best so everything will get picked apart but don’t let that dishearten you!
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Applications and interviews
Your time to shine
Assessment centres are designed to give employers an all-round view of you and other candidates. So what exactly do they involve? mployers use assessment centres to obtain a more rounded view of candidates. They want to see how you interact with others, not just at one-to-one interviews. An invitation to an assessment centre usually follows a successful first-round interview, and a wide range of activities can take place there.
E
A typical timetable for an assessment centre
What’s in it for me? All selection processes are two-way: you can find out much more about your potential employer. You will meet a range of employees, gain a better understanding of the culture of the organisation and have the opportunity to ask lots of questions. You can be more certain that you are really interested in them.
How many people will be invited? Assessment centres can include group exercises where you work on a range of problems with five or six other candidates. Some, all, or none of the candidates may be appointed. It helps to regard them as future colleagues, people to co-operate with, rather than as competition. Boost your confidence by realising that assessment centres are expensive to run – only strong, viable candidates are invited.
How will I be assessed? Employers have a checklist of skills, abilities or competences against which they rate you during each exercise and interview. These may include: • problem solving • team/group skills • communicating successfully • handling complexity • commercial awareness • drive/energy • initiative
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
• ability to influence/persuade • technical understanding • an enterprising approach. Assessors will keep detailed notes on how you are doing and grade you against each competency in each exercise and look carefully at your overall performance. Even the best candidates won’t do everything perfectly, so if you feel you have made a slip, don’t let it put you off – stay focused!
Practicalities • Get to the venue in good time. Arriving late could be very embarrassing! • Take employer literature and a copy of your application with you for reference. • Dress codes may be indicated in the invitation and should be followed. It is better to be too smart than too casual. • Follow all instructions carefully and if you are not sure of anything, ask for clarification. • Be friendly and co-operative to everyone you meet. You never know who will have the final say about you. • Participate: there are no marks if you don’t.
8.45am Arrival, registration 9.00am–9.30am Company presentation and overview of the day 9.30am–10.00am Interview 10.00am–11.00am Group exercise 11.15am–12.15pm Prepare and give presentation 12.15pm–1.00pm Lunch with employees/ recent hires 1.00pm–1.45pm Case-study interview, in-tray exercise or written exercise 2.00pm–3.00pm Psychometric tests 3.00pm–4.00pm Panel interview 5.00pm Depart
• Make a note of the names of all the company representatives you meet.
How can the Careers Service help me prepare? We have several books covering assessment centres that you can refer to. You can also watch the video Assessment Centres online at www.imperial.ac.uk/ careers. Look out for workshops and talks about assessment centres, especially during the autumn and spring terms. If you have questions about an assessment
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Applications and interviews
Assessment centre tips PhD computing student, second year
centre you have been invited to, raise these during a 20-minute consultation with a careers consultant.
interviews. In very popular areas, like banking, tests offer a quick and relatively low-cost method for the employer to reduce the numbers.
How should I prepare for psychometric tests? Practice can help you know what to expect. If an employer sends you examples, make sure you do them. Percentages, pie charts, histograms and ratios figure strongly. Even if you have A level maths, it may help to remind yourself of ‘the basics’ again. Where can I get more information about tests? In the Careers Service, you
Tha n
At a recent assessment centre for a consultancy role at IBM, I was given two tasks: one was a group-planning exercise, and the other was a group discussion. My tip for these kinds of tasks is to be friendly with the other candidates beforehand as this will help you work together more efficiently. During the exercises, try to contribute ideas, listen to others, take their views into account, discuss, and be willing to compromise. Show that you are a good team player. Summarising key points and actions, as well as keeping track of time, are other ways to contribute too. This shows you are listening carefully and able to move the discussion on at times. We were also asked to prepare a presentation for a client in pairs, and our client was tough. Although we thought the task hadn’t gone well, our assessors thought otherwise – they weren’t expecting us to be perfect, they were evaluating our potential. So my advice would also be – try to stay calm, whatever happens.
ou! ky
Psychometric tests Online psychometric tests are often used by employers. You may have to take one of these tests when you apply or later at an assessment centre. There are two types – aptitude tests and personality questionnaires. Aptitude tests are strictly timed and typically involve verbal, numerical and diagrammatic reasoning. In contrast, personality questionnaires are not timed and feel less like an exam. Remember that test results are just one part of the picture when decisions are made. Interviews are often used to follow up the results of a personality questionnaire.
Why do employers use them? Employers like tests because they are objective; it is impossible to completely eliminate subjectivity and bias from
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Mark Frederick, MEng and PhD aeronautical engineering Imperial’s Careers Service gave me invaluable help when deciding on career areas to pursue, priceless advice with my first application, and superb preparation for competency-based interviews and assessment centres. I don’t think I would have received the offers I did without them. I would advise all students to spend as much time as possible on focused applications, to take heart in the face of the almost inevitable rejections, and to make use of the many resources and knowledgeable staff at the Careers Service.
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
can obtain practice aptitude test booklets for a small charge. We also have books detailing different types of tests as well as a free handout. Further information on tests and links to sample practice tests are on our website – www.imperial.ac.uk/ careers/ug/applicationsandselection. What if I am disabled or have a specific learning disability, eg dyslexia? If you let employers know in advance, they can make suitable arrangements for you. If you get extra time in College exams, mention this to employers as you may be entitled to get extra time for the tests. How should I approach personality tests? Be yourself, don’t try to reinvent your personality. You won’t know what they are looking for so it’s best to go with your instinctive reaction. Questions are designed by psychologists to detect when someone is being less than honest.
Top tips for aptitude tests Get a good night’s sleep. Take your calculator with you. Listen very carefully to the instructions and ask questions if you are not clear. Work as accurately as you can, without spending too long on any one question. Don’t focus on finishing the tests. They are designed so that very few people will complete them. In numerical tests, using approximations can save you a lot of time. Avoid wild guessing. Keep an eye on the time.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Applications and interviews
Examples of typical assessment centre activities What’s involved
How to succeed
Aptitude tests
Formal tests of reasoning (eg verbal, numerical, logical/diagrammatic). Strictly timed with right or wrong answers. Instructions and practice questions are given before the actual test.
Practise the aptitude tests available in the Careers Service; at www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/ug/applicationand selection you will find links to online test sites. Work quickly but accurately throughout. Have a good night’s sleep the night before!
Personality questionnaires
Not tests; no right or wrong answers or time limit. Designed to look at personality factors, eg motivations, interests or team style.
Don’t try to second-guess what the employer wants – inconsistency will show up, so answer questions honestly.
Group exercise
Group tasks may be with different roles assigned beforehand, or no roles assigned. Could be a practical task (eg building a paper tower), a problem-solving exercise or a group discussion. The objective is usually for candidates to work together to achieve a result. Assessors will sit around the room observing you.
Make sure you contribute but don’t dominate the group. Speak clearly, listen and don’t interrupt others. Argue your point assertively but be prepared to compromise. Check on time and summarise progress every so often. Try to draw out quieter members and be tactful to all.
Presentation
You may be given a topic, in advance or on the day, and told how long you should present for. You will present to assessors and possibly other candidates.
Good structure: introduction–middle– conclusion. Make slides clear and not too detailed. Prepare easy-to-read prompts for yourself (not a script). Practise in front of an audience and check you stick to time! Check how to use the technology before you start. Speak at a steady pace, maintain audience eye contact and project enthusiasm. There may be follow-up questions so make sure you can justify what you’ve said.
Case study or e-tray exercise
Review and analysis of data (possibly related to employer’s business) requiring written report and/or discussion. E-tray exercise – working through a series of ‘e-tray’ items, making decisions on action needed and drafting responses.
Manage your time – there will be a lot of information and a tight time limit. E-trays – scan through all items initially and prioritise your time allocation. Be prepared to discuss your decisions and conclusions.
Second interview
May be one-to-one or panel. Usually focuses on different areas from first interview; may probe issues arising from the day. May include technical questions and discussions of case studies or scenarios.
Prepare as for first interview – review what was asked then. Swot up on technical areas if applicable. For a panel interview, direct your answer to the speaker but keep eye contact with the rest of the panel.
Social activities
Could be lunch on the day or even dinner the night before, to give you the opportunity to talk to graduate trainees and managers outside the main assessment. An opportunity for you to find out more about the organisation and your role in it. Not usually formally assessed, although those you meet may be asked for their opinion informally.
Be yourself but be aware of the impression you are making. Even when the atmosphere seems relaxed, be aware that you are still being observed. Ask interesting questions but don’t monopolise the conversation.
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
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Jobs and course providers
Jobs and course providers
This section highlights leading employers and course providers with thousands of opportunities on offer for Imperial students. Have a browse through this section and get even more ideas about your future career. The process of planning and developing your career takes time and effort – but help is at hand! The articles throughout this Guide are packed with tips and advice to help you and this section gives you ideas of just some of the opportunities out there. Everything that the Careers Service does is aimed at helping you to plan and develop your career, from the events and activities it organises that put you in touch with employers, to the resources provided online or in hard copy, not to mention the expertise and advice on offer from a team of professionally qualified careers consultants. The articles in this publication give you tips on increasing your awareness of the opportunities around you. Explore these in light of your individual interests and abilities, then review your options and come to a decision about what your next steps will be. When it’s time to start making applications, the Careers Service can help again, ensuring that you promote yourself in the best way possible, both in writing and in person. One way to explore your options is simply to browse sample vacancies and get a better idea of what’s out there. This section presents you with a range of different opportunities, organised by different types of sector. Use these pages, alongside the websites suggested elsewhere in this Guide, to research your career options. Take every opportunity to meet and talk to employers too. Make sure you’re registered on JobsLive on www.imperial.ac.uk/careers, which is a key way of finding out about employer events at Imperial and vacancies. As you’ll see from the next few pages, there are many employers and course providers who are keen to hear from Imperial students like you!
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THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Apply now and tell employers where you saw them first
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
BAE Systems WEB www.baesystems.com/graduates SOCIAL MEDIA @BAESGraduates BAE Systems Early Careers MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Multiple across the UK AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Real world. Real work. Real challenges. Join us as a graduate and you’ll quickly become involved in developing some of the most technologically advanced defence, security and aerospace systems, and receive tailored development to advance your career! About Us We work together with local partners to develop, engineer, manufacture, and support the innovations that sustain economies, increase defence sovereignty and safeguard commercial interests. With some 84,600 employees in six continents, our story is about talented people who are relentlessly committed to creating solutions that protect and strengthen nations. That’s work that inspires us. That’s BAE Systems. What you can expect As one of the world’s most innovative companies, we can offer you an exciting and challenging career. Whether it’s our Graduate Development Framework (GDF), Applied Intelligence graduate roles, Finance Leader Development Programme (FLDP), Sigma Leadership Programme (Sigma), all combine formal learning with real world challenges. GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline STARTING SALARY £25,000 minimum PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Ongoing FORM OF APPLICATION Online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 200 graduates, 50 industrial placements VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes
Recruiting Co-ordinator The Boston Consulting Group 20 Manchester Square London W1U 3AN United Kingdom TEL 020 7753 5353 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.bcg.com
MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS We have 50 offices in 32 countries around the world. AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Bain & Company is the management consulting firm the world’s business leaders come to when they want enduring results. Together, we find value across boundaries, develop insights to act on, and energize teams to sustain success. We’re passionate about always doing the right thing for our clients, our people and our communities, even if it isn’t easy. Associate Consultants are the heart and soul of our organisation. As an AC, you will be our front line, developing powerful insights that will be used to convince senior executives to drive change across their organisations and support them in their initiatives. We welcome applications for full time positions from undergraduates, postgraduates and other advanced degree candidates. GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline STARTING SALARY Competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Applications open from September 1st, the deadline is November 2nd FORM OF APPLICATION CV and cover letter to joinbain.com APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE No fixed quota VACATION WORK/COURSES No
Gillian Bray CHP Consulting 20 Gresham Street London EC2V 7JE TEL 020 7588 1800 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.chp.co.uk/careers
MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS London and 80 other offices worldwide AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world’s leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses. Our customised approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organisation. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organisations, and secure lasting results. GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline STARTING SALARY Highly competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE From 15th September until 1st November 2014 FORM OF APPLICATION Online via apply.bcg.com/ukuniversity APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE No set number VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes FOR VACATION WORK APPLY BY from 1st to 31st January 2015
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Sophia Matthews Bain & Company 40 Strand, London, WC2N 5RW TEL +44 20 7969 6108 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB http://www.bain.com/offices/london/en_us/index.aspx SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.facebook.com/bainandcompanyUK?brand_redir=1
MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Based in London with operations in the US, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) CHP Consulting helps asset finance companies improve their business performance by implementing our software - ALFA Systems - and applying our wide-ranging experience of the industry. Blue-chip clients such as Bank of America, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Société Générale and Toyota Financial Services have reaped the benefits of CHP’s finest assets: our people. You will begin your career either on a client site or based in the office and your first role will typically be software development. As you gain more knowledge of the business and technology, you will have increased responsibility in our business change implementation projects. We only recruit people who we think will get on with each other, so the atmosphere is friendly and inclusive. GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline STARTING SALARY £40,000 plus £5,000 sign-on bonus PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Continuous FORM OF APPLICATION Online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 15–20 VACATION WORK/COURSES No
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CII 20 Aldermanbury London EC2V 7HY Tel +44 (0)20 7417 4788 Email
[email protected] Web www.discoverrisk.co.uk
Lauren Archer Corporate Value Associates (CVA) 50 Great Marlborough Street, London W1F 7JS TEL +44 (0)20 7559 5000 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.corporate-value.com
The CII is the world’s largest professional body for risk, insurance and financial services, with more than 115,000 members in over 150 countries. The UK is the #3 market for risk and insurance, and Europe’s largest by far. Some 30% of financial services roles are in our profession. The Discover Risk website brings key employers together in one place, showing internships, graduate schemes, case studies, interview tips, and key sector news. Our free Discover membership scheme is open to full-time students at UK universities. This gives you key sector insight, networking opportunities and soft copies of all member communications at no cost. Whether you are interested in underwriting, broking, risk management, loss adjusting, claims management or a business support function, this will give you the edge.
MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Boston, Casablanca, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Milan, Paris, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Vienna and Washington DC AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) CVA enjoys a worldwide reputation as strategic consultants, helping senior management solve crucial business problems. Our focus is on delivering sustainable and differentiating performance improvement, resulting in greater value for stakeholders. Thanks to our committed, gifted and personable people we have strong relationships with a large base of satisfied clients who trust us to bring their business challenges to a truly joint resolution. Over the past 27 successful years, we have developed extensive experience in a wide range of topics and industries and have developed rigorous analytical methods. Being a niche but global player enables us to focus our efforts while avoiding bureaucracy and maintaining an entrepreneurial culture. GRADUATES SOUGHT Any degree discipline, minimum 2.1 – you should have an outstanding academic record and be able to demonstrate quantitative skills and commercial awareness as well as exceptional extra-curricular achievements. STARTING SALARY Competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Annual at entry level. Apply by 31 October 2014 FORM OF APPLICATION CV APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE No fixed quota VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes FOR VACATION WORK APPLY BY 23 January 2015
There are six glasses in a row. The three on the left are full. The three on the right are empty. By moving only one glass, can you make a row of alternating full and empty glasses?
AN IT CONSULTANCY FOR PEOPLE WHO SEE THE WORLD DIFFERENTLY. Super geek, people person or business brain? CHP employs graduates and professionals from many disciplines. Do you have what it takes to be a top Java programmer? Do you make managing complex projects look easy? Could your ideas make leading companies more profitable? CHP is established in the UK, US, Asia-Pacific and throughout Europe. You will be based in our London City office and go on to work in a variety of roles on projects with some of the world’s leading leasing and asset finance companies.
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We will train you so that you’re able to work on any part of our business change projects, building and implementing our industry-leading software. You will have an outstanding academic background including a 2:1 degree or better and a minimum of 320 UCAS points. You will be curious, have a logical mind, and be confident, ambitious and ready for a challenge. Starting salary is £35k and you will join one of our graduate intakes throughout the year. Find out more about opportunities with CHP Consulting at www.chp.co.uk/careers.
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Credo 12 Arthur Street, London EC4R 9AB TEL 020 3206 8800 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.credo-group.com
Lauren Kennaugh Dialog Semiconductor WEB www.dialog-semiconductor.com
MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS London, Dubai AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Credo is a market leading boutique strategy consultancy with global reach. We work for the CEOs and boards of today’s most forward-thinking and influential companies, providing solutions for key strategic issues – which markets, what business model, how to achieve above market returns. Associate Consultants are involved in every stage of case delivery, from business development, through industry research and analysis, to strategic recommendations and client presentations. Small case teams and early exposure to clients and partners mean greater responsibility early on in your career. Six-monthly promotion opportunities are available. We offer extensive global travel opportunities and lead the market on pay. Credo is looking for exceptional individuals. Candidates must be logical, numerate and entrepreneurial, with excellent communication skills and a streak of creativity. GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline STARTING SALARY Market leading PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Annual; Milkround deadline: 9th November 2014 FORM OF APPLICATION CV and cover letter APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 10+ VACATION WORK/COURSES No
Human Resources Manager Dixon Wilson 22 Chancery Lane London WC2A 1LS
Dstl (Defence Science & Technology Laboratory) Graduate & Student Resourcing Team Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JQ TEL 01980 658 484 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.facebook.com/dstlearlycareers
TEL 020 7680 8100 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.dixonwilson.co.uk MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS London and Paris AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Dixon Wilson is one of the leading accountancy firms in the UK, with offices in London and Paris. We specialise in providing accountancy, audit and tax advice and strategic planning to private clients, companies, entrepreneurs and their businesses. Graduates are recruited for trainee chartered accountancy positions to work in all areas of the practice. GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline STARTING SALARY Competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE End of December (Spring Intake) End of April (Autumn Intake) FORM OF APPLICATION EAF APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE London: 16 Paris: 1/2 VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes, Summer Vacational Scheme FOR VACATION WORK APPLY BY Sending a CV and covering letter to
[email protected]
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Dialog Semiconductor has offices in Germany. UK, Austria, China, Greece, Japan, Hong Kong, Italy, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, the Netherlands, Turkey, and USA. AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Dialog Semiconductor creates energy efficient, highly integrated, mixed signal circuits optimised for personal portable, short range wireless, lighting, display and automotive applications. With its unique focus and expertise in system power management, and now with the recent addition of short range wireless and VoIP technology to the portfolio, Dialog brings decades of experience to the rapid development of integrated circuits for personal portable applications including smartphones, tablet PCs, digital cordless phones and gaming applications. GRADUATES SOUGHT Electrical and Electronic Engineering, some Physics and Software STARTING SALARY Competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Continuous FORM OF APPLICATION Online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 20+ VACATION WORK/COURSES yes
MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Dstl Porton Down, near Salisbury Dstl Portsdown West, near Portsmouth Dstl Fort Halstead, near Sevenoaks AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Dstl maximises the impact of science and technology on UK defence and security – across government. We work with the best people with the best ideas – from small companies to world-class universities, large defence companies and even other nations and develop battle-winning technologies, based on deep and widespread research, supporting UK military operations now and in the future. Our work covers a range of disciplines including social science, mathematics and engineering, including research, advice, consultancy, technical and systems risk management. GRADUATES SOUGHT Science / Engineering / Mathematics / IT / Electronics / Operational Analysis STARTING SALARY Graduates – Circa £22,167 Student Placements – Circa £15,000 pro rata PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Annual FORM OF APPLICATION Online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE Approx. 80 graduates & 100 placement students VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes
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FTI Consulting 200 Aldersgate Aldersgate Street London EC1A 4HD EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.fticonsulting.co.uk/graduates MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS London and Paris AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) The talent and expertise of our people makes FTI Consulting a global thought leader in business advisory services and consulting. Our business is growing and we are looking for bright, motivated people to contribute to our success. Our Economic and Financial Consulting practice is looking for graduates to help provide our clients with clear analysis of complex economic and financial issues for use in legal and regulatory proceedings and strategic decision making. You must be numerate and highly analytical with the ability to think creatively to join our team. We also have graduate opportunities in Forensic and Litigation Consulting, Strategic Communications, Tax advisory and Technology Consulting. GRADUATES SOUGHT Applicants should have, or be expecting, a first or upper second class degree in a variety of disciplines STARTING SALARY Competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE 17 November 2014 FORM OF APPLICATION Online application APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 35 across a range of practice areas VACATION WORK/COURSES Refer to website
GSK 980 Great West Road, Brentford, Greater London WEB www.futureleaders.gsk. com SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter, Facebook. MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Based in the UK, with operations in over 100 countries. AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) GSK has the challenging and inspiring mission to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. Developing innovative medicines and products, as well as improving access to healthcare for patients around the world, GSK gives its people the chance to answer some of the biggest questions facing everyone on the planet, alongside those about personal and professional growth. We offer graduate and placement opportunities in Communications, Finance, IT, Procurement, HR, Sales and Marketing (Consumer and Pharmaceutical), Management, Health Outcomes, as well as Regulatory Affairs, Product Development, Science and Engineering vacancies in our Global Manufacturing and Supply and Research and Development functions. GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline. STARTING SALARY Competitive salary and benefits package. PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Please see website for closing dates. FORM OF APPLICATION Online. APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 60–70 graduates and over 300 placement students. VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes. FOR VACATION WORK APPLY BY See website for details.
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING
EXTRAORDINARY GRADUATES EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITIES KICK START YOUR CAREER IN CONSULTING
FORENSIC AND LITIGATION CONSULTING STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATE FINANCE
The talent and expertise of our people makes FTI Consulting a global thought leader in economic and financial consulting. We provide clear analysis of complex economic and financial issues for use in legal and regulatory proceedings and strategic decision making. We have vacancies for numerate, highly analytical graduates to join our Economic and Financial Consulting practice. Working in small client teams where knowledge sharing is a key part of the culture means you’ll have the opportunity to do meaningful work from the very beginning of your career. For more information and to apply go to www.fticonsulting.co.uk/graduates. Closing date for applications is 17 November 2014.
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www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Hiscox Insurance 1 Great St Helens, London EC3A 6HX WEB www.hiscoxgroup.com/graduates
Elizabeth Bird Integration Management Consulting 7th Floor, 9 Berkeley Street London W1J 8DW TEL 020 7290 4770 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.integrationconsulting.com
MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS UK – London, Colchester, Glasgow, Manchester, York, Birmingham, Maidenhead; Europe – France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Guernsey; USA; Bermuda AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Hiscox is one of the world’s leading specialist insurance groups, providing cover for a diverse portfolio of personal and commercial risks. From the aerospace, marine and film industries, to the fine art world and high net worth households, our extraordinary cover operates around the globe. Our international two year graduate programme is designed to give immediate hands-on exposure, gaining on the job training from highly-respected professionals and support towards professional qualifications. We also offer an eight week summer intern programme giving real reward for real work. GRADUATES SOUGHT You can be studying for a degree in any discipline, but a good level of numeracy and strong interpersonal skills are essential. STARTING SALARY Competitive base plus generous benefits package PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Annual FORM OF APPLICATION Online via our graduate specific website www.hiscoxgroup.com/graduates APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE An international cohort of 20 VACATION WORK See website
MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Travel throughout Europe from our London hub AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) We are a strategy, management and operations consultancy whose passion for helping our industry leading clients means that we go the extra mile to ensure that our projects deliver more than just a recommendation – our advice is realistic, implementable and drives the results our clients need. Since opening in 2011, our London office has grown quickly to become a hub that serves our clients across Europe. Our analysts, who all begin their career with a 2–3 week training programme in Brazil, are able to break complex problems down into component parts and work together directly with our clients to find solutions that deliver results in the real world. Our analysts start as generalists and complete a 9 month consulting skills programme before specialising in their chosen area of expertise. GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline STARTING SALARY Competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Annual. Closing date 05/11/2014 FORM OF APPLICATION Please submit a CV and cover letter online at www.integrationconsulting.com APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 8–10 Analysts VACATION WORK/COURSES No
Johnson Matthey Orchard Road, Royston Herts SG8 5HE WEB www.matthey.com/careers SOCIAL MEDIA @Johnson_Matthey MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Across the UK; including Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Teesside. International opportunities also available. AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Johnson Matthey is a leader in sustainable technologies. Many of the group’s products enhance the quality of life of millions through their beneficial impact on the environment, human health and wellbeing. We focus on clean air, clean energy and low carbon technologies and are experts in the application and recycling of precious metals. Johnson Matthey has operations in over 30 countries and employs around 12,000 people. Our products and services are sold across the world to a wide range of advanced technology industries. We recruit graduates into a wide variety of job functions including Research and Technology, Development and Production, Sales and Marketing, Finance, IT and HR. Our graduates say “From day one... it was both fun and challenging to learn new skills and apply them to real world problems” GRADUATES SOUGHT Science and Engineering STARTING SALARY Competitive package and benefits PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Continuous FORM OF APPLICATION Online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 160+ VACATION WORK/COURSES yes
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Graduate Recruitment KPMG LLP 15 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5GL TEL Freephone 0500 664 665 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/graduates SOCIAL MEDIA facebook.com/kpmgrecruitment and twitter.com/kpmgrecruitment MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Nationwide AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) At KPMG, we provide Audit, Tax and Advisory services to some of the world’s biggest businesses. And we believe that all business and solutions boil down to one thing: people. That’s why whatever we do, we see people first. We’re a massively diverse business, welcoming all kinds of personalities and characters, skills sets and, indeed, degree disciplines. You’ll enjoy exceptional training, exposure to clients from day one, and ‘real world, real time’ responsibility. So if you thrive on intellectual challenge, variety and direct client involvement, this could be just the place for you. To find out more, visit kpmgcareers.co.uk GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline STARTING SALARY Competitive with excellent benefits package PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Continuous FORM OF APPLICATION Online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 1,000 VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes FOR VACATION WORK APPLY BY Ongoing
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Lazard 50 Stratton Street, London, W1J 8LL TEL +44 (0)20 7187 2000 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.lazard.com/careers MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS London, New York, Paris AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Lazard is the leading global independent advisor to corporations, partnerships, institutions, governments, sovereign entities and individuals. We offer a wide array of financial advisory services regarding mergers and acquisitions and other strategic matters, restructurings, capital structure, capital raising and corporate finance. At Lazard, we compete on the strength of our ideas and seek to win alongside our clients. That’s why we look for only the brightest people who value integrity to join our team. If you have these qualities and want to make a difference, you should consider a career at Lazard. Our London office offers opportunities for financial advisory Analysts and Summer Interns. Apply by: 3 November 2014 – Analysts, 17 November 2014 - Interns GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline STARTING SALARY Competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Annual FORM OF APPLICATION Online only at www.lazard.com/careers APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE Up to 20 Analysts and 20 Interns VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes FOR VACATION WORK APPLY BY 17 November 2014
Graduate Recruitment Team M&G Investments Laurence Pountney Hill London EC4R 0HH WEB www.mandg.co.uk MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS City of London With approximately £248bn* under management and a record of investment excellence stretching back over more than 80 years, M&G, the UK and European investment arm of the Prudential group, is one of the UK’s leading and most respected fund management groups. We’re not your average financial services firm and our unique culture is just one aspect that makes us stand out from the crowd. We offer a supportive environment that encourages innovation and creativity whilst maintaining a healthy work/life balance. Recruiting and retaining talent is vital to our continued success. Investing in your development is just the beginning. *as at 31 March 2014 GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline STARTING SALARY Competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Annual FORM OF APPLICATION online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 25 grads & 35 interns VACATION WORK/COURSES Insights Day
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Holly Winter L.E.K. Consulting 40 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7JL TEL 020 7389 7200 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.lek.com MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS London HQ with an additional 21 offices across Europe, the Americas, and Asia Pacific AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) L.E.K. is an international firm that specialises in strategy, transaction services and performance improvement consulting. It advises the largest private and public sector organisations, private equity companies and smaller, more entrepreneurial businesses. With a reputation for resolving the most complex commercial issues, L.E.K. helps business leaders consistently make better decisions, deliver improved business performance and create greater shareholder returns. Associates are involved in all aspects of strategic and financial analysis, offering exposure to multiple industry sectors and a wide variety of commercial challenges. The nature and pace of L.E.K.’s strategic work facilitates the rapid development of a highly analytical skill-set, which is underpinned by a structured training programme. The Associate role at L.E.K. provides a dynamic, varied and highly rewarding work environment. GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline, 2.1 or above STARTING SALARY Highly competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Annual FORM OF APPLICATION Online application by 9th November 2014 APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE c. 30 in London - start dates available in September 2015 and spring 2016 VACATION WORK/COURSES 8 week summer internship for penultimate year students (application deadline: 25th January 2015)
Samantha Marchant McKinsey & Company No. 1 Jermyn Street London SW1Y 4UH United Kingdom TEL 020 7961 7070 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.mckinsey.com MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS London, Dublin and Rest of world. AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) At McKinsey we help world-leading clients in the public, private and third sectors to meet their biggest strategic, operational and organisational challenges. Our goal is to provide distinctive and long-lasting performance improvements; in short, it’s about having an impact. GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline STARTING SALARY Competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Deadline 30 October 2014 FORM OF APPLICATION CV, online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE No set quota VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes FOR VACATION WORK APPLY BY 29/01/2015
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
EMEA Graduate Recruitment Team Morgan Stanley 25 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 4QA EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.morganstanley.com/careers MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Amsterdam, Budapest, Dubai, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, Glasgow, Istanbul, Johannesburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Moscow, Paris, Stockholm, Tel Aviv, Warsaw and Zurich. AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Our business Morgan Stanley is more than a leading financial services firm. With 1,200 offices spanning 43 countries and talented, passionate people bringing excellence and integrity to everything we do, the firm is truly global. Throughout the firm’s history, diverse and talented individuals have worked together to develop our new ideas and groundbreaking financial products. Our successes Morgan Stanley has maintained its leadership position in the industry for many years. The firm’s investment banking franchise regularly features at the top of the league tables for Mergers & Acquisitions and IPOs. Our research, strategy, and economics teams are consistently ranked highly in investor surveys. Our Sales & Trading, Prime Brokerage, Wealth Management and Asset Management businesses have won multiple awards over the years and Morgan Stanley’s commitment to diversity and equality has also received accolades. GRADUATES SOUGHT We welcome applications from all degree disciplines. STARTING SALARY £Competitive + benefits PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Annual FORM OF APPLICATION Online (CV and cover letter) APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 350–400 Interns across European locations VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes FOR VACATION WORK APPLY BY The closing date will vary by internship programme. Please check our website.
here AMBITION meets OPPORTUNITY
W
Melissa Hopper Mott MacDonald Mott MacDonald House 8–10 Sydenham Road Croydon CR0 2EE United Kingdom TEL 020 8774 2176 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.mottmac.com/careers/graduate SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: @MottMacGraduate, www.facebook.com/mottmacdonaldgroup MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Our head office is based in Croydon and we have around 30 offices throughout the UK. AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Mott MacDonald is an employee owned global management, engineering and development consultancy employing more than 16,000 staff, working in 140 countries and with an annual turnover of more than £1.2 billion. We deliver technical expertise across 12 core sectors: buildings; communications; education; environment; health; industry; international development; oil and gas; power; transport; urban development and water. We recruit graduates from engineering backgrounds as well as a number of other disciplines and in return you will have a place on our award winning graduate programme. GRADUATES SOUGHT Engineering and other STARTING SALARY £24,000–£28,000 PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE We are open in October and recruit continually but early applications are encouraged. FORM OF APPLICATION Online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 250 VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes FOR VACATION WORK APPLY BY December
OVER 16,000 STAFF
SUPPORT AND TRAINING
MOTT MACDONALD
TO BUILD A LIFELONG CAREER
EMP LOYEE- OWNED
WORKING IN
150 YEAR HERITAGE
£1.2
12 CORE
BILLION
MANAGEMENT ENGINEERING
SECTORS
Buildings, Communications, Education, Environment, Health, Industry, International Development, Oil and Gas, Power, Transport, Urban Development, Water
DEVELOPMENT
sust
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DRIVING INNOVATION
WORKING IN
140
500
AWARDS IN SIX YEARS
COUNTRIES
www.mottmac.com/careers/graduate
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
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National Grid WEB www.nationalgridcareers.com MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Nationally across the UK AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) National Grid’s job is to connect people to the energy they use, safely. We are at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society — delivering clean energy to support our world long into the future. National Grid holds a vital position at the centre of the energy system. We join everything up. We own and manage the grids that connect the energy sources to the people that use it. We’re the largest utility in the UK, running systems that deliver gas and electricity across the entire country, connecting people to the energy they use. Our Graduate Programmes – offers you a fantastic insight into a number of career paths i.e. Power System Engineer, Investment Delivery Engineer, Construction Interface Engineer, Commercial Analyst, First Line Manager, Finance Analyst, Procurement Buyer and Information Services – Analyst, Cyber Security Specialist, Data Scientists. Our Student Programmes – we offer 12 month Industrial Placements and 12 week Summer Internships for individuals in their penultimate year of their degree. GRADUATES SOUGHT Combination see website for breakdown STARTING SALARY £26,500 Bachelors £27,500 Masters PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Annual FORM OF APPLICATION Online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 30+ VACATION WORK/COURSES yes FOR VACATION WORK APPLY BY 31/01/2015
Gemma Porter Oliver Wyman 55 Baker Street London W1U 8EW TEL 020 7333 8333 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.oliverwyman.com/careers MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS London and other locations across the Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Oliver Wyman is a global leader in management consulting. With offices in 50+ cities across 25 countries, Oliver Wyman combines deep industry knowledge with specialised expertise in strategy, operations, risk management, and organisation transformation. Our 3,000 professionals help clients optimise their business, improve their operations and risk profile, and accelerate their organisational performance to seize the most attractive opportunities. Our challenging Consultant position offers exceptional career growth and opportunity to motivated and hardworking graduates. We do not require a specific academic major or industry experience. GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline STARTING SALARY Highly competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE 2nd November 2014 to receive offers in December 2014, 14th December 2014 to receive offers in February 2015 FORM OF APPLICATION CV and covering letter online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE No fixed quota VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes FOR VACATION WORK APPLY BY 18 January 2015
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Katie Goodman Newton Europe 2 Kingston Business Park Kingston Bagpuize Oxfordshire OX13 5FE TEL 01865 920700 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.newtoneurop.com/careers SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook, Twitter MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS UK & Northern Ireland AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Newton works with all kinds of organisations in the public and private sectors from factory floor to boardroom identifying and fixing cost, delivery and quality problems that inhibit operational and supply chain performance. With a track record of creating a 10–50% improvement over two to six months without any capital expenditure, we’re paid by results, so there’s no financial risk for our clients. Unlike a typical management consultancy, our approach does not focus on strategy, re-structuring or re-organisation. Instead, it focuses on identifying and resolving the issues that limit performance, to deliver a tangible and measurable improvement. GRADUATES SOUGHT Any STARTING SALARY £38,000 PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Ongoing FORM OF APPLICATION Online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 40–50 VACATION WORK/COURSES No
Amelia Scott PA Consulting Group 123 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SR TEL 020 7730 9000 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.paconsulting.com/careers MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS UK, Nordics and US AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) PA is different from other management consultancies. As an employee-owned business, specialising in management and IT consulting, technology and innovation, PA doesn’t just offer a job; but a stake in the firm. We are looking for applicants who want to quickly become experts in their field and you will be asked to apply for a specific practice area, rather than a general graduate scheme. Progression is based on merit, not time served, and high performers will progress rapidly. As an analyst you will work on a broad range of complex business challenges working on projects in small meritocratic teams. Our website will give you more detail about our different roles but you can apply to the following practices: Shared services and outsourcing; Financial services; Strategy and decision sciences; Technology group; IT advisory and IT delivery; People and operations excellence; Project management; Government, defence and security and Life sciences and healthcare. GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline STARTING SALARY Competitive + benefits PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Early applications are recommended FORM OF APPLICATION Online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 40–50 VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes FOR VACATION WORK APPLY BY Various
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Alicia Fecci RBB Economics 199 Bishopsgate London EC2M 3TY TEL 020 7421 2410 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.rbbecon.com
Schlumberger WEB http://careers.slb.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA LinkedIn
MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS London, Brussels, The Hague, Melbourne, Johannesburg, Madrid and Stockholm. AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) RBB Economics is an economics consultancy specialising in the application of economics to competition law. RBB is one of the largest competition economics practices in Europe. Competition economics concerns the behaviour of firms with market power, and covers issues such as mergers, vertical agreements, joint ventures, price setting and other potentially abusive behaviour. RBB provides professional, independent economic advice on such matters. We are looking for consultants with a range of quantitative and analytical skills and an ability to communicate complex economic concepts in a clear and concise style. Entry level candidate should have excellent academic credentials, generally to postgraduate level, in economics and preferably an interest in industrial organisation. GRADUATES SOUGHT Economics STARTING SALARY Competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Continuous FORM OF APPLICATION CV and covering letter APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE No quota VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes
MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS 85 Countries worldwide, major offices in Paris and Houston AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) We are the world’s largest oilfield services company. Each day in more than 85 countries, our people invent, design, engineer and apply technologies that help customers find and produce oil and gas more efficiently and safely, often in remote and challenging locations. Knowledge, technical innovation and teamwork are at the centre of who we are. As the demand for energy increases so does our need for hard-working, fresh talent to meet the engineering and technical challenges of today’s upstream oil and gas business. We have countless career opportunities that will let you prove your abilities from your first day at work. GRADUATES SOUGHT Science and Engineering STARTING SALARY Competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Continuous FORM OF APPLICATION Online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 80+ VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes
How to get hired targetjobs.co.uk and TARGETjobs sector guides – find 1,000s of graduate jobs with tips on getting hired targetjobsinternships.co.uk and TARGETjobs Internships – how to get started TARGETjobs Events – face to face experiences with future employers TARGETjobs Undergraduate of the Year – celebrating the brightest and the best – undergraduateoftheyear.com The Guardian UK 300 – top-ranked graduate employers TARGETpostgrad – courses, funding and fairs Keep in touch @targetjobsUK
Internships
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
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Strategy& More London, Riverside, London SE1 2RT WEB strategyandyou.pwc.com/uk MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS London AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) When Booz & Company combined with PwC in 2014, a new kind of consulting firm was born – Strategy&. Together, PwC and Strategy& are building the world’s leading strategy-through-execution firm. We offer the best of both worlds: a proud 250-year consulting legacy and the opportunity to pioneer a new kind of consulting firm, one that’s disrupting the entire industry landscape. Our joint expertise means we’re uniquely placed to help industry leaders solve their toughest problems and seize their greatest opportunities, delivering them an unrivalled mix of capabilities to drive the value they’re looking for. With a focus on anticipating change in today’s evolving business environment, you’ll help to build the lasting strategies and differentiating capabilities that our clients – a portfolio of FTSE 100, Fortune 500, Public Sector and top Private Equity organisations - need to power ahead of their competitors. From day one you’ll work on challenging and varied assignments - for example helping a company identify attractive new markets or advising a Private Equity client on game-changing investments - working closely with our clients, and senior Strategy& people. We’ll make sure you maximise your potential through outstanding training and development, and the opportunity to be sponsored for an MBA at one of the world’s leading business schools. GRADUATES SOUGHT All degree subjects STARTING SALARY Competitive plus benefits PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Annual FORM OF APPLICATION Online (CV and cover letter) APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 30 vacancies VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes, Summer Internship FOR VACATION WORK APPLY BY 8th January 2015
Teach First 4 More London Riverside, London SE1 2AU EMAIL
[email protected] WEB teachfirst.org.uk/graduates MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS East of England, East Midlands, Greater London, North East, North West, South Coast, South East, South West, West Midlands, Yorkshire, South Wales AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) We believe inspirational teaching and leadership is key to helping every child succeed, regardless of their background. The Teach First Leadership Development Programme is a personalised programme encompassing high-quality training, supportive coaching, work experience and a PGCE qualification. The skills and experience gained can be taken forward into any career. That’s why many businesses recognise our programme’s ability to effect change and develop leaders for the future. Put simply, they know that graduates who can engage, stimulate and inspire in the classroom can handle pretty much any situation in any organisation. GRADUATES SOUGHT 2.1 degree or above and 300 UCAS points (or equivalent, excluding General Studies) required, in a degree or A-levels that satisfy our teaching subject requirements. STARTING SALARY Competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Year-round applications, early submission recommended as subjects close as they are filled. FORM OF APPLICATION Online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 2,060 VACATION WORK/COURSES Our Insight programme is a two week work experience opportunity allowing undergraduates to gain a unique insight into the Leadership Development Programme.
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Stefanie Weigelt, University Marketing Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd Mythenquai 50/60, 8022 Zurich, Switzerland TEL +41 (0)43 285 97 99 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.swissre.com/careers SOCIAL MEDIA Linkedin, Twitter, Youtube MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, Swiss Re has 67 office locations in more than 20 countries in Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific. AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Founded in 1863 Swiss Re Group is one of the world’s leading wholesale providers of reinsurance, insurance and other innovative forms of insurance based risk transfer. Our business at Swiss Re is about understanding and analysing the major risks that concern the world − from natural catastrophes to climate change, from ageing populations to cybercrime. We combine experience with expertise and innovative thinking to create new opportunities and solutions for our clients. And we enable the risk-taking essential to enterprise and progress. This is only possible with around 11,500 truly exceptional Swiss Re people across our group worldwide. Our goal is to attract talented people from a broad range of disciplines and backgrounds and offer them a place to succeed. As a knowledge-based company, we consider four areas to be particularly important for this: we foster diversity and inclusion; we provide excellent development and training opportunities; we work to maintain favourable employee relations; and we offer competitive compensation and benefits. GRADUATES SOUGHT All disciplines STARTING SALARY Competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Annual FORM OF APPLICATION Online application, interview, assessment day APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 50 worldwide VACATION WORK/COURSES No
Tessella Ltd 26 The Quadrant Abingdon Science Park Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 3YS EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.tessella.com MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Abingdon, Burton, Stevenage, Warrington AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Tessella is a global analytics, software services and IT consulting company that works with some of the world’s leading organisations to solve complex real world problems in pharmaceuticals, energy, consumer goods and the public sector. We offer exciting careers in technology from bespoke software development, test and support to mathematical modelling, algorithm development and technical consulting. A career at Tessella offers a varied, challenging and rewarding opportunity to combine your science background with your interest and ability in software engineering. All our staff receive an annual training allowance of 150 hours, which can be used to learn new technical skills or earn recognised professional qualifications to develop their careers. For more information about our current opportunities, visit our website. GRADUATES SOUGHT Science, Engineering or Mathematics STARTING SALARY Competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Continuous FORM OF APPLICATION Online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 20 VACATION WORK/COURSES No
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
ThoughtWorks WEB join.thoughtworks.com SOCIAL MEDIA #twgrads MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS ThoughtWorks Europe currently has offices in: London, Manchester, Hamburg. As a consultancy, frequent travel is required to client locations around UK and Europe. AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) Stop Working. Start Amazing. ThoughtWorks is a force for software excellence and social justice. We look for passionate, inquisitive individuals who are fascinated by technology - you don’t have to be an expert software programmer just yet though as we offer fantastic training and development. You’ll spend five weeks training at ThoughtWorks University in India. You’ll have the chance to travel and work with people from all over the world. Your talent and drive, together with our support will help you achieve excellence. GRADUATES SOUGHT Technology, IT, Comp-Sci, Maths, Physics, Engineering STARTING SALARY £32,000 PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Continuous FORM OF APPLICATION CV and covering letter Online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 30 VACATION WORK/COURSES Occasionally
TRW WEB http://engineeringuk.trw.com MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Solihull, West Midlands & Cirencester, Gloucestershire AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) TRW designs, develops and manufactures cognitive safety systems for leading vehicle manufacturers, and is among the world’s most successful tier one automotive suppliers. We are looking for talented engineering graduates to join us in developing highly advanced technologies, such as Lane Departure Warning systems and electric power steering, for the global vehicle market. So if you want your engineering and technical skills to be challenged and developed, then get in touch. We offer a competitive starting salary of at least £26,000, a joining bonus of £2,000 and a graduate pay progression programme. We also offer summer and industrial/sandwich placements, with an annual salary of £15,500 (prorated for placements of less than 12 months). GRADUATES SOUGHT Engineering STARTING SALARY £26,000 PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Annual – apply for graduate positions by 31st January 2015 FORM OF APPLICATION Online APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 10 VACATION WORK/COURSES Yes FOR VACATION WORK APPLY BY 31st January 2015
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Louise Ivison TPP (The Phoenix Partnership) Ltd Mill House Horsforth Leeds LS18 5TN TEL 0113 2050082 EMAIL
[email protected] WEB www.tpp-uk.com/careers MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS Horsforth, Leeds AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) TPP deliver world class healthcare software through our innovative products; SystmOne, SystmOnline, SystmConnect and SystmInsight. TPP have been listed in ‘The Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies To Work For’ for the last 5 years and won in 2014! Based in Leeds, TPP is rapidly expanding with graduate opportunities available in the Account, Graduate Business Analyst, Software Developer and Technical Operations teams.With thousands of people using our products every day; you’ll feel the value of your work. You don’t need any prior experience: TPP help all new starters develop and learn all the necessary skills needed to do the job. GRADUATES SOUGHT 2:2 degree, BBB at A level (Minimum grades, dependant on the role) STARTING SALARY £24,000–£28,000 (dependant on the role) + Bonuses PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Continuous FORM OF APPLICATION Apply directly to
[email protected] or visit our website for more information APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 50+ VACATION WORK/COURSES No
UHY Hacker Young Quadrant House 4 Thomas More Square London E1W 1YW TEL 020 7216 4600 WEB www.uhy-graduate.com MAIN LOCATIONS OR REGIONS London, Birmingham, Brighton, Letchworth, Manchester, Newport, Nottingham, Sheffield, Sunderland, Scotland (with Campbell Dallas) AREAS OF ACTIVITY & JOB FUNCTION(S) We offer all of the services you would expect from a firm of our size and a few you might not expect: • Audit, accounting, payroll and bookkeeping • Corporation and personal tax • Corporate finance services such as strategic • Advice on family matters, including inheritance tax, trusts and other tax planning • Specialist services such as VAT, litigation support, corporate restructuring and recovery, international tax planning • Company secretarial services. GRADUATES SOUGHT Any discipline with a 2:1 STARTING SALARY Competitive PATTERN OF RECRUITMENT/CLOSING DATE Annual FORM OF APPLICATION Online - www.uhy-graduate.com APPROX ANNUAL INTAKE 35 VACATION WORK/COURSES No
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JOBS AND COURSE PROVIDERS
BAE Systems www.baesystems.com/graduates Bain & Company http://www.bain.com/offices/london/en_us/index.aspx The Boston Consulting Group www.bcg.com CHP Consulting www.chp.co.uk/careers Corporate Value Associates (CVA) www.corporate-value.com Credo www.credo-group.com Dialog Semiconductor www.dialog-semiconductor.com Dixon Wilson www.dixonwilson.co.uk Dstl (Defence Science & Technology Laboratory) www.facebook.com/dstlearlycareers FTI Consulting www.fticonsulting.co.uk/graduates GSK www.futureleaders.gsk. com Hiscox Insurance www.hiscoxgroup.com/graduates Integration Management Consulting www.integrationconsulting.com Johnson Matthey www.matthey.com/careers KPMG LLP www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/graduates Lazard www.lazard.com/careers L.E.K. Consulting www.lek.com M&G Investments www.mandg.co.uk McKinsey & Company www.mckinsey.com Morgan Stanley www.morganstanley.com/careers Mott MacDonald www.mottmac.com/careers/graduate National Grid www.nationalgridcareers.com Newton Europe www.newtoneurop.com/careers Oliver Wyman www.oliverwyman.com/careers PA Consulting Group www.paconsulting.com/careers RBB Economics www.rbbecon.com Schlumberger http://careers.slb.com/ Strategy& strategyandyou.pwc.com/uk Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd www.swissre.com/careers Teach First teachfirst.org.uk/graduates Tessella Ltd www.tessella.com ThoughtWorks join.thoughtworks.com TPP (The Phoenix Partnership) Ltd www.tpp-uk.com/careers TRW http://engineeringuk.trw.com UHY Hacker Young www.uhy-graduate.com
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OTHER ADVERTISERS EMPLOYER: Barclays Bank PLC, IFC PROFESSIONAL BODIES: CII, page 44. COURSE PROVIDERS: London Business School, page 56 IFC = inside front cover; IBC = inside back cover; OBC = outside back cover.
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THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
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Approxim ate annu al intake Anglia an d the ea st London/S outh-eas t South-w est Engla n d The Midla nds North-ea st Engla nd North-w est Engla nd Wales Scotland Northern Ireland
Consulta nts – str ategic Enginee ring Finance – accoun tancy/fin Finance ancial m – actuari anagem al ent/taxa Finance tion – bankin g Finance – financ ial ser vic Finance es – insura nce Finance – investm ent Finance – stockb roking Hospitali ty & tou rism Human re sources Industry – chemic al & pha Industry rmaceuti – oil & o cal comp il ser vice c Industry anies ompanie – other s Law Managem ent Marketin g, sales & media Not-for-p (includin rofit g adverti sing, ma Patent w rket rese ork arch & P Public se R) r vice – c iv il ser vice Public se and gove r vice – e rnment a mergenc Public se gencies y ser vic r vice – lo e s cal gove Public se rnment r vice – h ealth ser Public se vices r vice – u niformed Public se ser vices r vice – o ther Retail m anagem ent Teaching
LOCATION
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No set number
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60-70 graduates and over 300 placement students. An international cohort of 20
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350–400 Interns across Europe
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THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
55
75% of the top 500 global companies are based in one city. Study business management in London and we’ll introduce you.
To get ahead in international business you’ll need good connections, not to mention a world-class business education. Choose London Business School and be at the heart of the world’s most connected, dynamic city. Develop highly sought-after business and analytical skills. Benefit from our direct ties to leading global businesses including major banks, consulting firms and corporates. Immerse yourself in our unique business school environment, and gain valuable contacts and insights from those who’ve already reached the top. Discover how our Masters in Management Programme can help you hit the ground running – with the skills, mindset and connections to excel.
For more information visit www.london.edu/mim/ Email
[email protected] | Call +44 (0)20 7000 7573
London experience. World impact.
The most extensive UK and international courses database Major funding opportunities linked to relevant courses
The best postgraduate fairs in the UK targetpostgrad.com
Internships
56
THE IMPERIAL GUIDE TO CAREER PLANNING 2015
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
© 2014 KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, is a subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative, a Swiss entity. The KPMG name, logo and “cutting through complexity” are registered trademarks or trademarks of KPMG International.
My KPMG “As you can see, it’s made up of a lot of people. Some I see every day. Some maybe less so. But each and every connection I’ve made here has taught me something. And I know many of them will last for life. I’d recommend KPMG to any graduate because, no matter which path you take, you’ll be working with some of the brightest brains in business with access to the best professional development around.” Katharine, Graduate Trainee
Visit www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/graduates to find out about careers for graduates from all degree disciplines in Audit, Tax, Advisory, Technology, Marketing and HR.
őŇōŀĹŎĽŌĹńĽņŌŋʧŏĽŀĹŎĽŇňŌŁŇņŋʧ Ĺ ň ň ń ő ņ Ň ŏ ľ Ň Ŋ ŋ ō Ņ Ņ Ľ Ŋ ŁņŌĽŊņŋŀŁňŋ ĹĻŊŇŋŋĹńńļŁŎŁŋŁŇņŋ Ł ņ Ň ō Ŋ ń Ň ņ ļ Ň ņ Ň ľ ľ Ł Ļ Ľ.
For more details visit our website www.morganstanley.com/careers Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity. (M/G/D/V) © 2014 Morgan Stanley
