career-advice.jobs.ac.uk

Clare Hall

Written by Clare Hall

Clare Hall (née Pitkin) has been working in the UK Higher Education sector for over twelve years, including with students' unions, university careers services, as well as conducting research on graduate employability and race equality in HE for the University of Birmingham. Clare completed her MA in Education Studies in 2019, with a research focus on employability in the curriculum. She currently coordinates The Portsmouth Award - an online employability programme to support students with their career development at the University of Portsmouth, where she has also been working in information, advice and guidance for ten years. Clare has regularly contributed to online careers advice content, developed workshops to enhance employability skills and preparation for recruitment processes, and has contributed to academic journal articles. Clare will be pursuing a PG Cert in Higher Education and a further PG Cert in Career Guidance from September 2026.

Reflecting on your experience to strengthen your applications

Read our full guide on how to reflect on your experience to strengthen your job applications by jobs.ac.uk. Writing consistently strong applications can be a big ask. Producing compelling content can be even trickier if you haven’t allowed yourself the space and time to engage in self-reflection. Therefore, providing yourself with the opportunity to pause…>

How to set effective goals for your career development

How to set effective goals for your career development Goal setting is something that is often referred to throughout your studies and/or when you move into the workplace. It helps to effectively manage and prioritise your workload. Broader than that, however, setting effective and manageable goals is also essential for your career development. They help…>

Staying motivated over the Winter break

As the darker nights draw in and time spent outdoors decreases, looking after your well-being, whilst staying focused on your studies or your job search, can be tough. Finding a healthy balance between living in the present to ensure you stay on track and looking ahead to the new year can be tricky to manage….>

Protecting your mental health at work

Read our article to find out more about how stress at work can impact you and your mental health, feel more confident about spotting the signs of declining mental health, and consider some strategies to protect your mental health within the workplace. The well-being of employees has, rightly, become a concern and a priority for…>

How to avoid a fear of rejection in your career

It is almost inevitable that throughout your career trajectory, regardless of the industry or sector you work in, you will experience rejection. Whether it’s not being chosen to lead on a project, not securing a longed-for promotion, or not having the opportunity to embark on further training and development, rejection can be hard to accept….>

How not to write a Further Education CV

Whether you are looking to make a career transition into the Further Education (FE) sector or you are applying for a promotion or alternative role in FE, there will be some key things to avoid when producing a CV as part of your applications. Read our article for pointers on what to avoid when writing…>

How to navigate career progression

As a member of staff within Professional Services in the Higher Education (HE) sector there will be wide-ranging opportunities for navigating career progression and development. Whilst this will offer exciting prospects, with such variety available, navigating those options and pursuing the right one(s) for you, may seem overwhelming. Read our guide below on how to…>

How to use employer research effectively to support your applications

Carrying out employer research is an essential part of producing high-quality, tailored applications that will stand out to prospective employers. Undertaking thorough research about the organisation you have applied to will also put you in a stronger position. Preparing for further stages of the recruitment process, including interviews. Read our guide below to find out…>

Training programmes to develop your career

 Training programmes to develop your career Working within higher education, whether starting out in a learning support or teaching capacity, or with a focus on research, can offer a highly rewarding career, but it is only natural to want to progress and to enhance your professional development for the betterment of both your own prospects…>

How to get job experience before starting a role

How to get job experience before starting a role If you are a recent graduate undertaking a job search, you will soon become familiar with current opportunities in the labour market. You will also come to appreciate that the majority of employers will be looking for candidates who have prior experience – whether that’s in…>