Finding the right job in a recession - Top Tip # 3

3. Apply early- make sure your application reaches employers as early as possible

Don’t leave sending applications off until the deadline - there is evidence that many employers are starting to look through applications as soon as they receive them and inviting good candidates for interview as early as possible. Places on large graduate employer schemes may be fewer this year and are likely to be filled early. Quite a lot have already closed.

However it’s not too late to consider applications to some of the medium sized and smaller employers. They may not advertise their vacancies as widely, so do your research using internet resources such as CDEC’s researching employers page. For sector specific information, check out our careers information pages, too.

If you are a first or second year hoping to get onto a scheme when you graduate, consider applying for an internship, as in difficult times employers tend to recruit a higher proportion directly from their internship schemes. Use our jobs database and other jobs sites are a good place to start. And use the careers information pages for particular career areas.

Hot Job!

Westgate Chambers in Lewes is looking for a self-motivated student, preferably of Law, to work as an assistant in their offices. The job is part-time for 10 hours per week and involves general office duties such as answering the phone, dealing with post and copying documents. This is an ideal opportunity to gain an insight into working in chambers, and get paid for it!
For further details and how to apply please see our website.

Young, gifted and female

If you are under 25, female and are thinking about setting up in business for yourself, take a look at What's Stopping You? It's a FREE one-day event designed to give you the support and resources you will need to make that big step. It will include seminars, expert advisers, and exhibition area and networking zone. The nearest one is taking place at the University of Chichester's Bognor Regis campus on 13 February 2009. Book your place now at www.youngwomensevents.co.uk/!

Who Are You? Careers Self-Analysis

It isn’t easy deciding what kind of career to pursue after graduating from university. What job will suit you, what industry will reflect your values and interests and how you will be able to use the skills and aptitudes you’ve developed are all questions that may need examining. At CDEC we have plenty of useful resources that can be used to look at what you want to do with your life both after and during your degree.

The first step is knowing who you are. We have many links to self-analysis tools on our website but if you prefer to work on paper we have a booklet with the same tools called Your Career Options which is available to take away from our Information Centre.
A particularly insightful tool is the Meyers Briggs Type Indicator you can find on Profiling for Success. To access the test you’ll need the following Client Code: myphe, Access Code: sussex, and Password: sussex050808. You cannot use a Hotmail email address for your results.

We also have a number of reference books on the subject of career development. Check out our Shelfari page for a full list which includes the classic “What Color is Your Parachute?”.

Bear in mind that the results you get from these resources are only as meaningful as what you use them for. If a test describes you in a way you don’t identify with, you don’t have to use it. Their purpose is to generate ideas to research further, not to label or pigeon-hole yourself.

Once you have some ideas, or if you are struggling to find any, you can discuss them with one of our advisers who can help you with the next steps of researching and applying. We hold 20 minute short careers interviews every weekday between 12:00 and 16:00 and on Wednesday evening between 17:00 and 19:00. We cannot make appointments in advance or by email so please call us after 10:00 on 01273 678429 for a same day drop in appointment. Alternatively, if you are unable to come in to CDEC, you can use our Careers Advice Online service. Please check our website for eligibility.

Virtual Fair - Studying in Australia and New Zealand

Study Options are holding a virtual fair this week until 30th January 2009 on their website. You can find out about the study opportunities in Australia and New Zealand, the education system, the courses, the universities and the application process. Check the site for a full list of chat sessions

Hot Job!

Artsadmin, based in London, is a unique producing organisation for contemporary artists working in theatre, dance, live art, visual arts, and mixed media. Applications are now open for their year long traineeship in project management for the arts. This has a bursary of £11,000.
For more information on how to apply please see our website

My Future Career Survey

My Future Career is a survey on student attitudes to graduate careers and employers which also works as a reflection tool that helps you structure your career. By participating in My Future Career, you get the Wetfeet Career Guide and entry into various competitions. The first twenty respondents from today will also receive a £5 Amazon voucher. Only current students are eligible to participate, click here for the survey