{"id":51846,"date":"2025-10-15T14:52:32","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T13:52:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.studentemploymentservices.co.uk\/staging\/3440\/?page_id=51846"},"modified":"2025-10-16T16:15:54","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T15:15:54","slug":"careers-guide-2025","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.studentemploymentservices.co.uk\/staging\/3440\/students-graduates\/careers-guide-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"careers guide 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
[mk_page_section bg_image=”http:\/\/www.studentemploymentservices.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/typer.jpg” bg_position=”center top” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” bg_video=”yes” video_color_mask=”#353535″ min_height=”290″ full_width=”true” sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”38″ line_height=”90″ font_weight=”bold” letter_spacing=”1″ margin_top=”144″ font_family=”none” align=”center” el_class=”career_advice_header”]CAREERS ADVICE[\/mk_fancy_title][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=”44″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”false” align=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1760627542750{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Found a role you like to apply to but don\u2019t know where to start? 🤷‍♀️<\/span><\/p>\n

Our guide can help. It shows you how to write a CV, craft a cover letter, and prepare for interviews – all to help you land the placement year<\/a>, internship<\/a> or graduate job you\u2019re aiming to secure.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-solid fa-arrow-down” color=”custom” background_style=”rounded” background_color=”custom” size=”lg” align=”center” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1760620028126{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}” custom_color=”#cccccc”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row animation=”fade-in”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1760627750692{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n

💡 Remember: First and foremost before you hit the \u2018Apply\u2019 Button when you are interested in a role:<\/p>\n

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Tailor Your CV & Cover Letter<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Avoid sending the same application to every job. Recruiters can tell when you\u2019ve taken the time to personalise your application and that effort makes all the difference. Remember, you only have about 30 seconds to make a strong first impression!<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=”30″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][mk_page_section speed_factor=”4″ min_height=”50″ padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”0″ animation=”fade-in” sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column width=”5\/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1760625167859{margin-bottom: 40px !important;margin-left: 5px !important;}”][mk_fancy_title color=”#4c4c4c” size=”23″ font_weight=”bold” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]📝 CV Tips[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1760607743242{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n

    \n
  • Keep it to no more than two pages<\/li>\n
  • Section it with sub-headers such as ‘Personal Profile’, ‘Education’, and so forth<\/li>\n
  • Make it simple and easy to read<\/li>\n
  • Use a clear, readable font (size 11 or larger)<\/li>\n
  • Use bullet points and short sentences for easy reading<\/li>\n
  • Avoid unnecessary details (e.g. date of birth, National Insurance number)<\/li>\n
  • Be truthful – employers can check your background and references<\/li>\n
  • Check for spelling and grammar mistakes – use spell check or ask someone to proofread<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″ css=”.vc_custom_1760625219987{margin-right: -5px !important;}”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1760617235752{margin-bottom: 40px !important;}”][mk_fancy_title color=”#4c4c4c” size=”23″ font_weight=”bold” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]🖊️ Cover Letter Tips[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1760612581827{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n

    Writing a cover letter can feel tricky, especially when you want to stand out. Here\u2019s what to include:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Why you want to work for the company<\/li>\n
    • What interests you about the role<\/li>\n
    • Why they should pick you – show how your skills and experience match what they\u2019re looking for<\/li>\n
    • Include a few examples or achievements to back this up<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][mk_page_section speed_factor=”4″ min_height=”50″ padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”0″ animation=”fade-in” sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column width=”5\/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1760625283171{margin-bottom: 40px !important;margin-left: 5px !important;}”][mk_fancy_title color=”#4c4c4c” size=”23″ font_weight=”bold” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]📞 Telephone Interview Tips[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1760610957820{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n
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      • Find a quiet place with no distractions.<\/li>\n
      • Be ready at least 10 minutes early so you don\u2019t miss the call.<\/li>\n
      • Speak clearly and confidently – show enthusiasm for the role.<\/li>\n
      • Slow down if you\u2019re nervous; take your time when answering.<\/li>\n
      • Keep a glass of water nearby in case you get tongue-tied.<\/li>\n
      • Try standing up while you speak – it can help you sound more confident.<\/li>\n
      • Have brief notes or cue cards ready with key points or answers.<\/li>\n
      • Know your CV and cover letter – be ready to discuss them.<\/li>\n
      • Research the company and prepare a few questions to ask.<\/li>\n
      • Talk about why the role and company appeal to you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″ css=”.vc_custom_1760625290987{margin-right: -5px !important;}”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1760617284657{margin-bottom: 40px !important;}”][mk_fancy_title color=”#4c4c4c” size=”23″ font_weight=”bold” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]🤝 In Person Interview Tips[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1760611151973{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n
          \n
        • Arrive 10\u201315 minutes early so you\u2019re calm and prepared.<\/li>\n
        • Greet the interviewer with a confident handshake and smile.<\/li>\n
        • Dress appropriately for the industry and role.<\/li>\n
        • Review the job description beforehand to refresh your memory.<\/li>\n
        • Practice speaking your answers aloud – not just writing them down.<\/li>\n
        • Research the company and its competitors to show genuine interest.<\/li>\n
        • Ask thoughtful questions about the company or role.<\/li>\n
        • Treat the interview as a conversation, not an interrogation.<\/li>\n
        • Stay positive and focused throughout.<\/li>\n
        • Use open body language – make eye contact and show enthusiasm.<\/li>\n
        • Smile and be genuine – show that you want to be there.<\/li>\n
        • Thank the interviewer for their time at the end.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][mk_page_section speed_factor=”4″ min_height=”50″ padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”0″ animation=”fade-in” sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column width=”5\/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1760625302115{margin-bottom: 40px !important;margin-left: 5px !important;}”][mk_fancy_title color=”#4c4c4c” size=”23″ font_weight=”bold” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]💻 Online Interview Tips[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1760611356051{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n
            \n
          • Test your tech – check your internet, camera, and microphone work properly.<\/li>\n
          • Make sure your interview link or app opens correctly before the start time.<\/li>\n
          • Be ready and set up at least 10 minutes early.<\/li>\n
          • Choose a quiet, well-lit space with no distractions or background noise.<\/li>\n
          • Dress professionally, as you would for an in-person interview.<\/li>\n
          • Look at the camera when speaking to help maintain eye contact.<\/li>\n
          • Keep notes or your CV nearby for quick reference.<\/li>\n
          • Stay calm and focused if there\u2019s a technical glitch – it happens!<\/li>\n
          • Thank the interviewer at the end and confirm any next steps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″ css=”.vc_custom_1760625309475{margin-right: -5px !important;}”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1760622566413{margin-bottom: 40px !important;}”][mk_fancy_title color=”#4c4c4c” size=”23″ font_weight=”bold” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left”]🧥 What To Wear Tips[\/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1760624349982{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n

            Make sure you dress professionally and appropriately and ensure clothes are clean, ironed, and fit well.<\/p>\n

            Women:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Comfortable shoes or mid-sized heels.<\/li>\n
            • Shirts, blouses, or smart tops.<\/li>\n
            • Fitted blazer for a professional touch.<\/li>\n
            • Trousers, smart skirts, or shirt dresses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Men:<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Plain suits (navy or grey) with a neat shirt.<\/li>\n
              • Simple tie and black lace-up shoes.<\/li>\n
              • Ensure suit is clean and shirt tucked in.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][mk_page_section min_height=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=”20″][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][mk_page_section bg_color=”#008cbf” speed_factor=”4″ min_height=”50″ padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1760625599443{margin-left: -8px !important;}”][mk_fancy_title color=”#ffffff” size=”25″ line_height=”98″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” letter_spacing=”2″ margin_top=”9″ margin_bottom=”10″ font_family=”none” align=”center”]Wishing you all the best in your job search 🙂[\/mk_fancy_title][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                [mk_page_section bg_image=”http:\/\/www.studentemploymentservices.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/typer.jpg” bg_position=”center top” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” bg_video=”yes” video_color_mask=”#353535″ min_height=”290″ full_width=”true” sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”38″ line_height=”90″ font_weight=”bold” letter_spacing=”1″ margin_top=”144″ font_family=”none” align=”center” el_class=”career_advice_header”]CAREERS ADVICE[\/mk_fancy_title][\/vc_column][\/mk_page_section][vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=”44″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”false” align=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1760627542750{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Found a role you like to apply to but don\u2019t know where to start? 🤷‍♀️ Our guide can help. It shows you how to write a CV, craft […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":6191,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-51846","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.studentemploymentservices.co.uk\/staging\/3440\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/51846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.studentemploymentservices.co.uk\/staging\/3440\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.studentemploymentservices.co.uk\/staging\/3440\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.studentemploymentservices.co.uk\/staging\/3440\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.studentemploymentservices.co.uk\/staging\/3440\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51846"}],"version-history":[{"count":146,"href":"https:\/\/www.studentemploymentservices.co.uk\/staging\/3440\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/51846\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51996,"href":"https:\/\/www.studentemploymentservices.co.uk\/staging\/3440\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/51846\/revisions\/51996"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.studentemploymentservices.co.uk\/staging\/3440\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.studentemploymentservices.co.uk\/staging\/3440\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}