Working in the UK
Usually companies attending Universities or a recruitment fair will not be there to interview or offer jobs to candidates on the spot. Generally, they introduce their company in the hope that you will apply to them. Click on these links for information on Money and tax and Immigration
Terminology
Internships
These are:
- formalised schemes where you get experience of working with a company through undertaking projects on your own.
- paid positions for a fixed number of weeks, often during the summer but may run at Easter also.
- often aimed at second or third years. There are some shorter internships for first years and some for graduates.
- often used to fast-track strong candidates to later stages of the graduate scheme recruitment process
- advertised in the autumn and spring. Start looking in October for spring/ summer internships.
Charities and non-profit organisations are allowed to offer unpaid internships. Other companies offering unpaid internships may be breaking the national minimum wage legislation.
Work Experience and Shadowing
Listen to a podcast about work experience here.
Work experience can be part of your course in which case the minimum wage requirements do not apply. It often refers to low-paid work for a short period of time, which you may set up yourself. Work shadowing is the opportunity to observe an employee in their workplace. It can be useful to gain an insight into a job role.
Temporary, Casual and Part-time Work
Listen to a podcast about part-time work here and download an information sheet here
- Temporary work is short term work. Apply for temporary work through The Careers Group here.
- Casual work doesn't have fixed hours: you work when the employer needs you. For example, catering staff working at different events venues.
- Part-time work is a regular number of hours per week.
Volunteering
Universities and students unions’ often offer a wide range of volunteering (unpaid) opportunities. These are very valuable in developing the skills that employers look for and improving your English.
Graduate Training Schemes
Graduate Schemes are entry-level positions for graduates. They usually include a period of training (typically one or two years) but they are permanent jobs. Companies may offer different schemes depending on the career route.
In most sectors you need to apply in the Autumn (Michelmass) term between August and December, to begin work with the company July - September the following year. For finance and business roles apply as soon as you can after August.
Download a podcast of careers adviser Evan Hancock explain Graduate Schemes at the International Futures. Right-click here and "Save Target As" or just click and the file will open and start to play in your media player. You can read our terms and conditions of use here.
The Application process: Graduate Schemes and internships
A typical process would include:
Clicking a link above will open a relevant helpsheet. Further information about where to look for jobs can be found on our Jobs page.