University of Manchester Careers Blog

Written by Emma Naylor, Student Engagement and Enterprise Assistant at the Careers Service

Welcome back to Semester 2! Now is a great time to start thinking about your career journey and here at the Careers Service we offer lots of support to help you. Although we are not on campus, you can still access all of our services online. We have just launched CareerConnect, an online platform for students and graduates to book appointments, access resources, search for opportunities and sign up for events.

Here are our top 5 tips for navigating the Careers Service and some advice on what you can get involved with this Semester.

1. Online workshops

Our online workshops are a great place to begin. We host a variety of events focusing on different careers and employability topics that are packed with useful information. Simply find one you are interested in and register online via CareerConnect.

Each month we have a different theme and in February we will be focusing on Career Planning and Decisions and Building Experience in 2021. Don’t worry if you can’t attend or miss a session, you can still access all the recordings on our YouTube channel.

2. CV Checker platform

Finding it difficult to write your CV? Try CareerSet, a new online CV checker where you can upload your existing CV or draft your first CV and receive instant personalised feedback. It will scan your CV against top recruiter and hiring manager’s criteria and give you a score out of 100. You can access CareerSet 24/7 from any location and re-submit as many times necessary. It’s a great way to get instant feedback on your CV instantly and follow the guidance on how to improve it before applying for a job.

3. Interview practice

Want to practice for an upcoming interview? Shortlist.Me is an online interview preparation platform and is a great way to begin preparing for online video interviews. The platform helps familiarise you with the interview process and you can access recruiter’s interviews, industry specific or tailored career interview questions. It is accessible 24/7 and you can take as many interviews as you want to help build your confidence.

4. Book a careers guidance appointment

If you would prefer a one-on-one chat with a Career Consultant about your current position and figure out your next steps, you can book an online appointment. Whether you are at the beginning of your career search journey, want a change or need some help during the process, we are here to help!

5. Follow our social media

We advertise a range of opportunities and events that will keep you up to date with everything that is happening at the Careers Service. We post useful careers information and share details of upcoming events and workshops. Follow our Facebook and Twitter accounts and join a range of groups with specific content based on your interests such as our Manchester Graduate Talent 2021 and Manchester EU and International Student groups. Don’t forget to regularly check our blog for updated posts and our YouTube for all events on-demand!

Applying for jobs in this current climate can be daunting, but we are here for you and want to support you through your time at the university. Also, remember you have access to the Careers Service two years after your graduation. If you need any more advice visit out our website for more advice.