Searching for Jobs

Where Can You Find Jobs?

• Careers Centres - nearly all universities have a careers centre and it is well worth you seeking them out whilst you are a student. Some offer a "Graduate Service" for a small fee to students who have already graduated.

Services vary but they offer basic careers guidance and have general information and resources that are available for your use.  They may offer you skills workshops in things such as how to write a successful application form and interview technique.  You will also get a chance to practice psychometric tests that you may have to undertake when applying for jobs.

• Careers Fairs - throughout your time at university there will be many careers fairs that you can attend.  They are useful events that will give you a chance to explore many different areas of work and meet different employers.  Some fairs will also offer you specific advice on skills such as writing an effective CV.  To find out more about careers fairs in your area look at your University careers website or visit your careers centre, alternatively do a search for careers fairs on the Internet. The Society of Biology runs an Annual Undergraduate Careers Fair - more information can be found here.

• The Press - many new jobs are advertised every week in the press.  National broadsheets should be scanned every week.  They generally focus on particular job areas on different days so find out which day is appropriate to you.  Some science journals are worth scanning every week i.e. New Scientist, Nature.  It is also worth finding out about specialist titles for your area of work and looking at them e.g. Farmers Weekly.

• The Internet - used to advertise job vacancies.  For many jobs it will be possible to do online applications, CVs and cover letters. Our Jobs Online section lists useful sites for jobs in biology and for general graduate jobs.

If you are interested in working in a highly competitive area e.g. the media, then it might be necessary to take a more proactive attitude towards your job search involving networking and speculative applications. 

Networking

Seeking people out, talking to them, learning from them, getting people's advice.  It is a very useful tool and improves your awareness and knowledge of careers in your field - it can be a useful way of identifying openings and being "at the right place at the right time".

To begin networking:

1. Think about all the people you know that work in a similar field to the area you're interested in, at social occasions look out for people who are working in areas that interest you.  By talking to these people you might be able to find out information or be given advice about careers in your field of interest.  Even if a person can't help you directly, they may know someone who can.

2. If you know someone that might be able to help try emailing or ringing them.  If you don't feel comfortable with this approach you could always write a letter and follow it up with a phone call.

3. Be clear about the information you want when contacting these people.  You might want to find out general information about the job area or more specific advice such as feedback on your CV or opportunities for work experience.

4. Try to get names of more people that might be able to help you from your first contact and in this way you will be able to continue expanding your network.

5.After you have received advice always write a thank you letter to the person who has helped you, not only does this reflect well on your manners, it also keeps your name fresh in the mind of the contact.

Speculative approaches

Jobs that are in areas that are very competitive are often never advertised, instead the companies rely on speculative applications.

Speculative applications are when people write an application letter to a company when they are not advertising any suitable vacancies.  The applications must be well targeted and are much more effective if written to a specific person and not just "Head of Recruitment".  If someone who is a mutual contact has recommended you to write to the company, mention their name in the letter.

< Return to Jobs - Key Info for Students Page <