The London Graduate Fair is here! October 13, 2011
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Once again the wonderful Business Design Centre in Islington is host to the London Graduate Fair which takes place next Tuesday. Over 80 employers and training providers will be available to talk you through opportunities with them. You can pre-register to attend.
Careers Fairs have changed over the years. The days of spot-offers for jobs, if they ever really existed, have gone. That can be a bit of a culture shock to international students but also UK students often have different perceptions about what a fair is and how to use it.
Meeting the right people
The majority of job-seeking is now done online, but the advantage of coming to the fair is that you get to meet the recruitment teams from the companies you are interested in applying to.
This is a unique opportunity to get the information you want to know, not what their website tells you. You can make a lasting impression, putting yourself ahead of other candidates. In the current climate that could make all the difference.
If you’re a bit shy about approaching exhibitors, don’t worry – they are there to help you.
Here are some tips:
- As you approach, make eye contact so they are ready to talk to you
- If they are busy, don’t be afraid to stay a close distance so they know you are waiting.
- If you know what sort of job you are looking for, tell them and ask if they have anything similar
- If you don’t, tell them your academic (and professional) background and ask them what they have to offer
- Don’t forget to exchange contact details should you wish to ask some more questions or submit an application
Dress to Impress
Remember how important it is to create a good first impression. Some careers advisers may advise you to wear a suit as if you were attending a formal interview, some say smart casual is enough. Whatever you wear, make sure your clothes are clean and presentable and you feel comfortable – pulling or tugging at your suit after a few hours walking around the fair is not going to present you in a very positive, confident light. Wear what you think will make you look professional and smart. Why are we so sure? We’ve heard it straight from the horse’s mouth, as Vince Curran, graduate programme manager at CPA Global explains:
“We will be looking out for how graduates dress for the fair. Even though we will be business casual it is still important that they remember they are trying to impress an employer, and the way they present themselves is a shop window to their future career.”
Don’t forget to bring plenty of CVs to the fair to hand out to the companies you are interested in. They may no
t accept them as job applications but they will at least have your contact details should they want to speak to you further. If you have access to a careers service you should get your CV checked before the event. For those without access to such advice, free CV checking is also available on the day.
Reminder: Design our Finalist Directory August 25, 2011
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The deadline for this competition is next Tuesday!
The Careers Group, University of London is holding a competition to design the new front cover for our annual publication, The Finalist Directory. We are looking for something new and exciting that will stand out and attract the right audience.
The Finalist Directory is distributed to University of London College Careers Services in September each year and has a shelf life of approximately 6 months. The content includes several careers related articles, an A-Z listing of employment opportunities, an A-Z listing of postgraduate study opportunities and careers event listings.
Producing a winning design for the front cover would be an ideal addition to your portfolio and also ensure exposure of your design to a range of employers, as well as approximately 12,000 finalists from the following colleges: Goldsmiths, King’s College, Queen Mary, Royal Holloway, School of Oriental & African Studies, Specialist University of London Institutes & Colleges, St. Mary’s College and University College London. The winning designer will be acknowledged at the beginning of the publication.
Requirements:
- Size – A4, portrait
- Title – The Finalist Directory 2011 / 2012
- Tag line – The essential guide for graduate opportunities and postgraduate study options.
- Logo – The Careers Group logo should be in the bottom right hand corner
- Colour – full colour
How to enter: Email us to initially express your interest and we will send you a copy of The Careers Group logos and our brand requirements. Then send your design in high resolution pdf format by Tuesday 30 August at 5pm. Please remember to include your name and contact details, as well as a short paragraph explaining the ideas behind your design.
Design the new front cover for the Finalist Directory August 3, 2011
Posted by Andrew Falconer in : Marketing, The Careers Group , add a comment
The Careers Group, University of London is holding a competition to design the new front cover for our annual publication, The Finalist Directory. We are looking for something new and exciting that will stand out and attract the right audience.
The Finalist Directory is distributed to University of London College Careers Services in September each year and has a shelf life of approximately 6 months. The content includes several careers related articles, an A-Z listing of employment opportunities, an A-Z listing of postgraduate study opportunities and careers event listings.
Producing a winning design for the front cover would be an ideal addition to your portfolio and also ensure exposure of your design to a range of employers, as well as approximately 12,000 finalists from the following colleges: Goldsmiths, King’s College, Queen Mary, Royal Holloway, School of Oriental & African Studies, Specialist University of London Institutes & Colleges, St. Mary’s College and University College London. The winning designer will be acknowledged at the beginning of the publication.
Requirements:
- Size – A4, portrait
- Title – The Finalist Directory 2011 / 2012
- Tag line – The essential guide for graduate opportunities and postgraduate study options.
- Logo – The Careers Group logo should be in the bottom right hand corner
- Colour – full colour
How to enter: Email us to initially express your interest and we will send you a copy of The Careers Group logos and our brand requirements. Then send your design in high resolution pdf format by Tuesday 30 August at 5pm. Please remember to include your name and contact details, as well as a short paragraph explaining the ideas behind your design.
We’re back with news on Internships June 24, 2011
Posted by TCG Info in : The Careers Group, employability and skills , add a comment
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to do an internship? We’ve recently launched a paid internship programme, working in partnership with Step Enterprise. Yes, we believe everyone who works should be paid at least the minimum wage. And you’ll gain experience in the workplace, develop your technical skills as well as enhancing your employment prospects.
You might be interested in reading some case studies.
Find out what’s currently available and register to receive emails about the latest opportunities.
All the background on the programme is on our News blog.
Christmas closure dates at the careers service December 15, 2010
Posted by Helen Curry in : The Careers Group , add a comment
Image by Mitchell Goldstein (Flickr)
Here at The Careers Group, offices will close at the end of business on Thursday 23 December 2010 and re-open on Tuesday 4 January 2011.
College Careers Services closures will vary – check your university careers service website or page on Facebook for details before you travel.
Have a great Christmas break, and make sure you make the most of the networking opportunities 
The Guardian London Graduate Fair from The Careers Group June 16, 2010
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Don’t forget, our big graduate recruitment fair is coming soon! Put the 23rd and 24th of June in your diary, and sign-up online to get in first (and enter the draw for a 737 flight simulator experience – want!).
The fair is free to any and all comers, whether you are a current student or a graduate, a University of London alumnus or from further afield.
We have 96 exhibitors booked and confirmed, so there will be plenty of options to explore, including the Civil Service, KPMG, Waitrose, Haymarket Media Group, The Army, IBM, London Fire Brigade, Teach First, The Body Shop, Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET scheme)… need I go on? Plus, many more further study, training, recruitment agencies and gap year organisations. This makes the fair even bigger and better than last year, so if you are worrying about getting a job this summer, it’s all happening here!
For more information see the fair website – http://www.londongradfair.co.uk/summer/ Where you can also sign up for workshops, and check out the schedule of career sector talks and employer presentations.
For the latest news on exhibitors, follow:
- Twitter – http://twitter.com/londongradfair
- Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/londongradfair
And before you go, remember to check out these previous posts for top tips about how to make the most of the fair and impress those recruiters!
- Freebies – the only reason to attend a careers fair? (of course not!)
- Networking – examples of questions to ask
- Top 5 networking tips
Design Competition: Design the new front cover for the Finalist Directory May 25, 2010
Posted by TCG Info in : The Careers Group , 4comments
Last year's winning cover, by Moira Gil and Sonsoles Alvarez from the London College of Communication, University of the Arts London
The Careers Group, University of London is holding a competition to design the new front cover for our annual publication, The Finalist Directory. We are looking for something new and exciting that will stand out and attract the right audience.
The Finalist Directory is distributed to University of London College Careers Services in September each year and has a shelf life of approximately 6 months. The content includes several careers related articles, an A-Z listing of employment opportunities, an A-Z listing of postgraduate study opportunities and careers event listings.
Producing a winning design for the front cover would be an ideal addition to your portfolio and also ensure exposure of your design to a range of employers, as well as approximately 12,000 finalists from the following colleges: Goldsmiths, King’s College, Queen Mary, Royal Holloway, School of Oriental & African Studies, Specialist University of London Institutes & Colleges, St. Mary’s College and University College London. The winning designer will be acknowledged at the beginning of the publication.
Requirements:
• Size – A4, portrait
• Title – The Finalist Directory 2009 / 2010
• Tag line – The essential guide for graduate opportunities and postgraduate study options.
• Logo – The Careers Group logo should be in the bottom right hand corner
• Colour – full colour
How to enter: Email cs@careers.lon.ac.uk to initially express your interest and we will send you a copy of The Careers Group logos and our brand requirements. Then send your design in high resolution pdf format by Friday 16 July at 5pm. Please remember to include your name and contact details, as well as a short paragraph explaining the ideas behind your design.
If you need any further information please email us at the address above.
Find out more about The Careers Group: www.careers.lon.ac.uk
Find The Careers Group on Facebook: www.careers.lon.ac.uk/facebook
Follow The Careers Group on Twitter: twitter.com/careersgroup
Like us? Hate us? How can we help you? December 17, 2009
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We in the information team are having a drive to get feedback to improve our services. Do you have any thoughts on our blog here? What is your favourite post? What do you find annoying? Should we write more or less? Any ideas welcome!
Please leave us a comment below, or email us on library@careers.lon.ac.uk
It really does make a difference and the team will look at all your suggestions.
The finalist directory – see the winning design! October 22, 2009
Posted by Helen Curry in : The Careers Group , add a comment
A design for life
The Finalist Directory 2009/2010 is out now in our careers services and personally I have found the new cover design completely distracting – in a good way! The winners of our design competition, Moira Gil and Sonsoles Alvarez, have made a list of 170 things to do post-graduation, including:
34. Go to Walden Pond and read Thoreau while drifting in a canoe
65. Overcome your fear of failure
136. Paint the Big Apple red
147. Milk a cow
163. Spend three months getting your body in optimum shape
It is wonderfully creative and I bet if anyone did do half these things it would enrich their life no end. Pick up a copy in your college careers service to see the full list, as well as receive valuable advice on graduate job-hunting and postgraduate study!
Library closed on 3rd August 2009 July 27, 2009
Posted by Helen Curry in : Uncategorized , add a commentPlease note that The Careers Group library will be closed all day on the 3rd of August 2009. Otherwise the library remains open throughout the summer vacation, with the usual opening hours:
Monday – Friday 09:30 – 17:00
Wednesday 09:30 – 20:00
All current students of the University of London, and Gradclub members are welcome to use this library located in Russell Square for free. Others may also use the library for a small fee, please see the library webpage for details.
