Job searching and making multiple applications in a competitive job market can feel overwhelming at the best of times. This can be added to by frustration when you don’t hear back from recruiters or prospective employers. Producing tailored applications and preparing thoroughly for interviews can be time-consuming. Not receiving feedback on your content or performance…>
Written by Clare Hall
Clare Hall (née Pitkin) has been working in the UK Higher Education sector for over ten 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 has recently developed an online employability award programme for students at the University of Portsmouth, where she has also been working in information advice and guidance for eight years. Clare has regularly contributed to online careers advice content, developed workshops to enhance employability skills and prospects, and has contributed to academic journal articles.
How career mentorship helps growth and development
The opportunity to receive mentorship from another professional or peer can create a valuable activity for continuing professional development and growth by offering a varied and hands-on approach to learning. Typically, a mentoring relationship can enable individuals to benefit from real-world/industry insights, shared experiences and individual and personalised guidance. These are all essential for both…>
How to make your cover letter stand out
Read our guide to understand how you can make your cover letter stand out in a highly competitive job market. Producing tailored cover letters for each application you make might seem daunting, and there’s no doubt it can become a drawn-out process, but it’s essential you dedicate the time to compose targeted letters that will…>
How do recruiters use AI?
How is AI being used as part of recruitment processes? We know that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool and can support the development of your job applications as well as assisting you with preparation for interviews. It’s not only you, as the candidate, however, who will benefit from the use of this new…>
How can I build my experience in the HE sector?
From student support services to marketing and recruitment… …and from fundraising to human resources, the Higher Education sector requires a wealth of expertise and experience from professionals across different areas of work. Typically, when people think of working in the higher education sector, they are likely to visualise roles that relate directly to academia, teaching,…>
How do I write a supporting statement for my application?
What is a supporting statement? Increasingly job application processes require candidates to complete a section which outlines both their motivation to apply and their suitability for the role. This might appear as an open text box on an online application form where you can populate your response to a specific instruction or question. For example,…>
Moving to the UK checklist
The United Kingdom, steeped in history and culture, as well as being home to high-quality universities and research opportunities, is an appealing option as a prospective PhD candidate or established academic coming from abroad. However, before you make the move to the UK for either study or work purposes, there will be several considerations. Review…>
How long is a PhD?
There are many reasons why you might choose to embark on a PhD. For instance, you might be keen to secure a teaching role with a UK Higher Education Institution, where a Doctoral level qualification is typically a prerequisite; you might be looking to pursue a career in research; or you might be keen to…>
How can I get into teaching?
Teachers are in high demand in the UK If you are a recent graduate exploring potential career opportunities, teaching can offer a rewarding and fulfilling career option for many individuals. Whilst the labour market in the UK will see variations in the demand for different skills and qualification levels – and therefore job roles –…>
Managing your autocratic manager
There will be advantages and disadvantages to having an autocratic manager with a different approach to leadership. But for some employees, working under a colleague with an autocratic style can feel limiting and, at times, frustrating. This leadership style is typically characterised by the individual in the authority role making decisions based on their own…>