CAREER ZEN
Keeping Calm with the Careers Centre
Job hunting, career planning and thinking about life beyond university can be stressful and daunting at times. That's why we've put together some top tips and resources to help you stay calm during the career search; as well as some small actions you can take now to benefit yourself and your future career.
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There are countless opportunities out there. Knowing how to identify what is a right fit for you will make getting started with the job hunt much easier! You need to think about what you enjoy and what motivates you, what your strengths are and anything else that will impact your job search. Taking a little bit of time to think about what matters to you will help you to identify the paths that suit you best. This will mean that you can approach the job hunt with focus and clarity when you're ready.
20 Minutes to Spare? Take These Small Steps to Start!
- Book an appointment to talk through career planning with an adviser.
- Take Prospect's Career Planner quiz to identify your values and possible options.
- Take a look at our Careers A-Z to read about a range of sectors.
- Read Target's articles about career planning.
- Watch this TED Talk: 2 Questions to Uncover your Passion and Turn it into a Career
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University is a busy and exciting time of your life, and you will already be juggling your studies with your social life. Adding careers into the mix can be difficult, but it is important to be prepared to balance searching for jobs whilst completing your degree. Luckily, there is a lot of advice out there about how to do this effectively!
- Stay organised: Keeping track of your deadlines is vital in your degree - and the same goes for applications. Make sure you have a method to stay on top of key application dates and careers events throughout the semester.
- Get the basics sorted: Is your CV up to date? Do you have a LinkedIn profile? Do you know how to write a cover letter? Getting these sorted at an early stage will help you make applications quickly and easily, ready for when you spot a great opportunity. Look out for our Career Ready Sessions - workshops that will give you the skills you need.
- Find a routine that works for you: Incorporate regular time for career planning into your routine. Looking for an internship? Set aside 30 minutes every Saturday afternoon to search for vacancies - or how about just freeing up 10 minutes to read our weekly Career Matters newsletter when it comes around!
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The job hunt is a marathon, not a sprint. It is important to pace yourself to avoid feeling burnt out and unmotivated; taking regular breaks, or even taking a break from the job search completely to focus on yourself, can help. Use this time to rest, recuperate and replenish your reserves. If you feel like it, do a few things that will boost your employability - building your network, getting involved with a society and learning a new skill are all things that will benefit your career planning and enhance your CV later on.
15 Minutes to Spare? Try These Tips for a Healthy Break!
- Take a look at the A-Z of Societies, and see which ones you can get involved in next year!
- Read the University's advice on wellbeing.
- Check out free online courses by Harvard University - pick one out to try at your own pace!
- Try these 12 Feel Good Natural Movements you can do from home.
- Look through this article about the importance of taking a break from the job hunt.
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Looking for a job can be an emotional roller coaster. Through the highs and lows you have to keep moving forward, and the best way to do this is with a positive mindset in the face of rejection and pressure.
- Inspiration helps: Have you got a really clear vision of what or where you want your career to be? Creating a moodboard of ideas or simply finding out about successful individuals in your field of interest, can help to keep your motivation up through the job search.
- Acknowledge your achievements: Take the time to look at how far you've come and any personal achievements you're proud of. This reminder can give your confidence a helpful boost whenever you're feeling low.
- Be realistic: Not everyone will be offered the first job they apply for - in fact, most people won't. It can take several weeks to hear back from a firm, just to be told 'no'. Rather than letting rejection and uncertainty discourage you, acknowledge these as a reality that everyone else will also be experiencing.
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The job hunt can be an emotional drain, and so it is good to know where you can get support through this journey:
- The Careers Centre: We are here to help you from first year, right up to graduation and for three years after. Our team of highly qualified advisers run daily appointments for you to discuss all things careers, and throughout the year we run a programme of careers events.
- Saint Connect: Join St Andrew's global, online community to connect with alumni, parents and graduates who are best placed, and willing, to help you. Find a mentor through Saint Connect to cheer you on through the job hunt!
- Family and Friends: Try talking to your own network of close friends and family members - they will most likely have been through the process or will be going through it right now.
- Student Services and Nightline: If you find yourself getting overwhelmed by stress and anxiety, remember that Student Services and Nightline are on hand to help!
10 Minutes to Spare? Get to Know Your Support Network!
- Join Saint Connect to search for alumni who are able to share their experiences in different sectors, and mentor you through the job search!
- Find out more about the Careers Centre - look at our website and follow our social media, send us an email or a message on Facebook with any questions!
- Familiarize yourself with the support available at Student Services and Nightline.
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Careers Centre
Best wishes,
The Careers Centre Team
Email: careers@st-andrews.ac.uk
Website: http://st-andrews.ac.uk/careers
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/universityofstandrewscareerscentre
Twitter: @careerscentre