University tips

1. University tips • It’ll be over before you know it: start planning now • Do you want short term temptation or long term gain? • Your final year is crucial: aim to get at least a 2.1 • Dissertation is the most important work of your life thus far • Work part time to boost your income, CV and skills • Lots of good friends = lots of good future contacts • Think positive and don’t worry about problems, i.e. debts • Brunel is your springboard to bigger and better things

2. Skills & Strategy • Skills gained: research, writing, analysis of arguments and data • Develop your technical, communicationand people skills • Secret to confidence and happiness: Fake It Until You Make It • Competition is fierce so you must stand out from the crowd • Can’t get work experience without work experience? Volunteer! • Develop your brand: contacts / events / sports / website • Internet footprint: social media is essential but use it wisely • Target organisations you want to work for and be persistent

3. Career options Local government, Parliament, civil service, political parties Charities, trade unions, NGOs, EU, Commonwealth, NATO, UN Research, teaching, think-tanks, political websites, journalism Lawyer, legal executive, paralegal, probation, social work Immigration, interpreter, embassies,armed forces, police Accountancy firms, estate agents, insurance, banking, retail PR, advertising, marketing, fundraising, regulators, NHS Postgraduate, placements, travel, volunteer, start a business

4. Job sites Monster,Total Jobs,Reed,Fish4,Milkround,Prospects,DWP Guardian,Work 4 MP,Charity Job,Civil Service,Third Sector European Union,EU Commission, EU Council,EU Parliament,ECJ UN,NATO,OSCE,Commonwealth,MI5,Red Cross, WTO,OPEC Chatham House,CND,Foreign Policy Centre,Open Democracy OXFAM,Adam Smith Institute,Electoral Reform Society,RUSI IPPR,Labour Party,BBC,Amnesty International,UK Parliament US Embassy,Law Society,UNISON,Open University,HSBC

5. CV layout • 30 seconds to impress: your CV layout and content is crucial • Maximum 2 sides of quality paper and plain font size 10 - 12 • Uncluttered text with bullet points and short paragraphs • Simple sentences and correct tensewithout ‘justifying’ text • Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation is essential • List in reverse chronological order and avoid long gaps • Relevant headings, subheadings and bold where appropriate • Aligned, consistent and easy on the eye; ask others to check it

6. CV content • Profile: 2 or 3 good opening sentences to entice the reader • Tailor your CV for each application with relevant information • Headings: Employment, Education, Positions, Skills, Interests • Describe your activities and focus on specific achievements • List correct dates and qualifications; never lie or over embellish • Use positive uncomplicated language and make it interesting • Do not use humour, self-critique, be arrogant, state the obvious • Leave off sex, DoB, nationality, driving, salary, referees

7. Interviews • First impressions count: plan your day, be calm, look smart • Read job description and your application; research employer • Think about your own background and anticipate questions • Relaxed posture, open body language, good eye contact • They already like you: be confident, humble and friendly • If possible, have a conversation; engage with the interviewer • Show enthusiasm and ask good questions (not about salary) • Avoid drinks, silences, making notes, jokes – learn from it

8. Fact or Fiction? Communication: 55% visual, 38% vocal, 7% words Fact Hydration is important: human brain is 50% water It’s 75%! Sitting near the middle of a table helps at interviews Fact Fact Most important part of a CV is the top half of page 1 Fact On the phone it’s easier to tell if someone is lying Good sign! It’s a bad sign if someone mirrors your body language Fact Smelling peppermint or cinnamon reduces anxiety Raising your arms like a winner increases confidence Fact