Are you a PG (Postgraduate) student and have a question about placements? Start here.
Placements
- Ways to find a placement
- Placement approval process
- Placement deadlines
- Placement requirements and FAQs
- Placement restrictions for students on a student visa
- Concerns about taking a placement and how to overcome them
- Making the most of your placement
Part-time work
Networking
- What is networking?
- What opportunities are available for networking?
- Do I need to update my Handshake profile?
- What should I include in my Handshake profile?
- How to find out about networking opportunities?
- What should I include in my Linkedin profile?
- How should I use Linkedin to network?
- Top tips for networking?
CVs and Cover Letters
- What is a CV?
- How long should my CV be?
- What should I include on my CV?
- Does my CV need a personal profile?
- Where can I look for help with my CV?
- How can I get my CV checked?
- What is a Cover Letter?
- Do I need to write a Cover Letter?
- How long should my Cover Letter be?
- Where can I get help with writing a cover letter?
- How many applications should I make?
- What are speculative applications?
- How do I target my speculative applications?
Interviews
- How can I prepare for an interview?
- What questions could I be asked at interview?
- How can I prepare for a video interview?
- Can I get some interview practice?
How do I find a placement?
You are responsible for finding your own placement. There are several ways you can do this:
- Applying for placement vacancies advertised online (for more details see “Ways to find a placement”
- Sending your CV with a covering letter to companies/organisations you would like to work for to ask if they have any vacancies. Find out more about CVs and Cover Letters
- If you already have relevant work experience in your chosen sector you could also apply for short-term contract jobs (e.g. one-year contracts if you’re looking for a one-year placement) and discuss the possibility of converting these into a placement with the employer.
When should I start looking for a placement?
Please make sure you are aware of the placement deadlines applicable to you. To give yourself the best chance of finding a placement, start looking as soon as your course allows. First, you will need to be sure that you are eligible to undertake a placement year. Check your module pages on Canvas and talk to your tutors to make sure you understand the eligibility requirements. These are often related to your first semester’s results. Some courses will allow you to start looking for placements before you’ve had your eligibility confirmed but, in other cases, you will have to wait until you’ve had your results. Again, make sure you understand what the rules are for your course.
Where should I look for placements?
Websites:
- Handshake the Careers and Employment jobs and events board
- My Career Portal Ways to find a Placement for lists of job and placement websites
- Sector-specific job sites. Find links to sector-specific job sites using the relevant Job Profiles on the Prospects website
Employer’s own websites:
- If there are employers you would like to work for check their websites for advertised vacancies.
- There are a number of websites and directories you can use to find suitable employers:
- Business toolkits in the Online Library includes searchable databases of employers
- Times Top100 Graduate Employers
- UK300
- Employer search on Handshake
- GoinGlobal employer directory
- Follow employers on Linkedin, Handshake and other social media
Careers/jobs fairs and employer events
Check Handshake https://herts.joinhandshake.co.uk/stu/events regularly to find out about employer events and careers fairs. You will find out about University of Hertfordshire events and external jobs fairs and employer events.
Specialist recruitment agencies
If you have experience you could also search for placements and fixed-term contracts using specialist recruitment agencies.
- Use www.agencycentral.co.uk to search for agencies
Networking/direct approaches
Talk to any contacts you have in the UK to see if they know of any opportunities in organisations where they work. You can also contact employers directly if they are not advertising. See tips in the networking section below.
What can I do to get ready for my placement search?
There is a limited window of time for your placement search and there are a number of things you can do to prepare for the time when you can start looking:
- Get your CV ready. On My Career Portal homepage, click through to "CareerSet".
- Update your Linkedin profile and create a Handshake profile. Find out more about CVs.
- Identify the best job-sites to use for placements in the sectors that interest you by reading “Ways to find a placement” above.
- Psychometric tests
What search terms should I use when looking for placements?
Try a range of search-terms as different employers will use different name for what we at UH call a “sandwich placement”. Options include:
- Placement
- Sandwich placement
- Industrial year
- Industrial placement
- Year in industry
- Internship
- Placement year
How can I tell if an advertised placement is suitable for a Master’s student?
Entry requirements: Read all the information on the placement advertisement carefully and check the careers information on the employer’s website. It takes time to write a good application so it’s best not to spend a lot of time applying for placements you’re not eligible for. It’s very common to see placements advertised for 2nd year or penultimate year undergraduate students. In many of these cases it’s unlikely they would consider a Master’s student however if there is a company you’re keen to work for you could email them to see if they’re prepared to be flexible or talk to the employer if they are attending a campus/online event in the near future. Focus your search on placement vacancies where:
- The employer doesn’t state that they are looking for placement students from a particular year group
- The employer states the opportunity could be for a placement student or a new graduate
- Placement opportunities in smaller organisations (where there might be more flexibility)
Course requirements: Make sure you’re familiar with your course’s requirement for a sandwich placement. Check that the start and end dates of the placement will match the requirements of the course. There will be a set period of time in your course when you can do a placement and it’s very unlikely that there can be any flexibility with the dates. Also make sure the placement working hours match the requirements for your course and the placement length is within the maximum and minimum period of weeks.
Can I do two (or more) shorter placements to make up a sandwich placement year?
You will need to check the guidelines for your course. If in doubt talk to one of your tutors. In practice it can be difficult to organise two placements that will fit neatly into the timeframe that you have without any gaps.
What are the deadline dates for finding, starting and finishing a placement?
Please visit this page to find all of the deadlines you need to be aware of.
What do I need to send to the Placements Team/my Tutor to show that I have a placement?
You will need to send the offer email or letter that the employer has sent you to the Placements team (placements@herts.ac.uk) and your tutor. For further information click here
Where can I get a placement eligibility letter?
Please talk to your tutor and/or check your module pages on Canvas as this is something your school will need to provide for you.
What is the minimum hours per week I need to work in order to have a placement approved?
This will usually be 35 hours per week.
What should I do when I’ve found a placement?
As soon as you’ve accepted an offer of placement from an employer you will then need to get it approved by the Careers and Employment placement team. You can start this process by emailing the job description and your offer letter/contract to placements@herts.ac.uk. Do this as soon as possible as the approval process can take a long time, especially during busy periods. . For further information regarding the placement approval process, click here
Where can I look for part-time work?
There are a number of places to look for work this can include on-campus work such as Student Union, Sports Village, food outlets, off-campus roles at supermarkets, restaurants. Retail shops, bars, warehouses, call centres and seasonal work such as summer camps, festivals or Christmas Temps. For more information, links and advice, click here and for a list of job sites, click here.
How many hours can I work in a part time job?
It is recommended that part-time work around studies should be limited to 10 to 15 hours per week during term time. International students looking for part-time work should also take into consideration any Visa restrictions or implications. For further information please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
What is networking?
Networking is all about connecting with people to develop a mutually beneficial relationship either in person or online. Networking involves a regular commitment over time as it can lead to job referrals, industry insights, work experience and referrals.
What opportunities are available for networking?
There are many opportunities to develop your network while at university, this can include speaking with tutors and lecturers, attending careers and job fairs, attending talks from employers, using online platforms such as Linkedin and Handshake and speaking with classmates.
Do I need to update my Handshake profile?
When you create your Handshake account, ensure that your profile is complete and reflects the experiences and skill that you have developed through your modules at university, and also in any extra-curricular activities or work experience. For further information on how to complete your Handshake profile, watch this short video.
What should I include in my Handshake profile?
When completing your Handshake profile be sure to upload a professional profile picture, check that your course and level of study is correct, add in any relevant modules that you have studied, include work experience, extra curricular activities and skills.
How to find out about networking opportunities?
Use Handshake “Events” section this will have information about careers fairs that the Uinveristy has arranged, and also events from external organisations, be sure to attend events in person or online to develop your network. After events make sure to follow up with anyone you have met either via LinkedIn or email.
What should I include in my Linkedin profile?
To ensure that you stand the best chance of successfully networking on LinkedIn it is important that your profile is as complete as possible. As with Handshake ensure that you have a professional looking profile picture, use the strap line and “about” sections to demonstrate your skills relevant to the industry you are interested in. You can get your LinkedIn profile scored and receive recommendations here. For more information on making a strong profile, click here
How should I use Linkedin to network?
Use LinkedIn to connect with classmates, lecturers, alumni and industry professionals. When connecting with people you do not know, send a short message outlining what you are looking to get out of the connection. A good place to start connecting with people is using the University of Hertfordshire page, and navigating to the alumni. You can also join groups and start to post or comment on posts to help further develop your network. There is further information on using LinkedIn to network here
Top tips for networking?
Firstly, make sure that you commit time to developing your network, this can be contributing to post on social media or facilitating face to face meet ups. Look for opportunities to offer assistance as well as asking for help. Think about how you would introduce yourself, this should include who you are, what you do, why you’re unique and your goals and ambitions, this is often known as your “ “elevator pitch” for more information click here.
What is a CV?
It is a marketing tool which evidences your skills, with the purpose of getting you an interview. It allows you to summarise your education, skills and experience enabling you to successfully sell your abilities to potential employers.
How long should my CV be?
No more than 2 pages. It is important to tailor your CV to the employer you are applying to. To make your CV specific, analyse the job description and ensure you use similar language and meet each requirement.
What should I include on my CV?
- full and up-to-date contact details including your name, address, email address, phone number and any relevant social media or web links such as your LinkedIn profile or personal blog
- a short (4-6 lines), well written, tailored personal profile describing who you are, what you can offer and what you’re looking for.
- details of your best and most relevant skills
- highlight key achievements
- most recent and relevant experience first, listing them in reverse-chronological order
For more detailed information visit My Career Portal and click on "CareerSet".
Does my CV need a personal profile?
A personal profile is a useful way of introducing yourself to an employer. It should be a concise statement that highlights your key attributes and helps you stand out from the crowd. Usually placed at the beginning of a CV it picks out a few relevant achievements and skills, while expressing your career aims. A good CV profile focuses on the sector you're applying to, as your cover letter will be job-specific. Keep CV personal statements short - around 100 words is ideal.
For more detailed information visit My Career Portal and click on "CareerSet". Or click here
Where can I look for help with my CV?
For tips on all areas of your CV visit My Career Portal and click on CareerSet. Or click here
How can I get my CV checked?
You can get instant online feedback on your CV by uploading it to CareerSet. It scores your CV based on key criteria that recruiters and hiring managers look for to generate personalised feedback.
- Personalised, actionable feedback.
- Line-by-line analysis to improve one line at a time.
- GPT integration for instant writing suggestions.
After making changes you can reload your CV to see how your score has increased and with it, hopefully, your chances of securing a job. You can also upload a job description and see how well your CV matches it as well as getting advice on how to improve the match.
Link to CareerSet
What is a Cover Letter?
It is a document or email sent alongside your CV when applying for jobs. It acts as a personal introduction and helps to sell your application. You do this by highlighting relevant skills and experience; therefore, you should always write your cover letter with the position you're applying for in mind.
Do I need to write a Cover Letter?
We would recommend you write a cover letter, as it is the first opportunity you have to impress an employer. The purpose of a cover letter is to explain to an employer why you are the best candidate for the job.
How long should my Cover Letter be?
No more than half a page. Demonstrate your passion and knowledge of the industry, explain how you got interested in the industry in the first place. Summarise how your experience will help you do the job.
Where can I get help with writing a cover letter?
You can get help writing a cover letter with CareerSet, which provides:
- Core checks including salutations, length, word choice and spelling accuracy.
- Relevancy scoring to align keywords and skills.
- Enhanced writing with fewer mistakes and greater relevancy.
Link to CareerSet
How many applications should I make?
It is important that your applications are good quality and tailored to each opportunity. You should aim to submit two or three job applications per day to maximise your chances of getting responses and interviews. Aim to apply for 10 to 15 jobs every week.
You can get advice on effective job search techniques and strategies, as well as tips on networking and building your personal brand on My Career Portal.
What are speculative applications?
Not all graduate jobs are advertised so speculative applications give you access to a wider variety of roles. Making a speculative application means contacting an organisation to ask whether they have a suitable job for you, even though they aren't advertising a particular vacancy. It usually involves sending a cover letter and a CV. Even if there isn't a job available, your initiative may impress the employer and they'll bear you in mind for future vacancies.
How do I target my speculative applications?
Create a shortlist of employers by focusing on the sectors and companies that interest you. Include small, local businesses - it's usually small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that are the most open to speculative applications.
Research the organisations by looking on their websites to find out how they operate and what they do. It is useful to find out what projects they are working on and whether there any plans for growth or expansion.
Tailor your CV and cover letter to explain what type of role you're looking for and why you have chosen that company by referring to any key projects they're working on, or their aims and values and why they interest you. Then highlight the relevant skills and experiences that you have. Further advice available here https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/applying-for-jobs/how-to-write-a-speculative-job-application
How can I prepare for an interview?
For all interviews the key to a good performance is preparation. Find out as much as you can about the employer and the job/placement you’re applying for and use these tips on our website to help you: My Career Portal
What questions could I be asked at interview?
You can’t predict every question you’ll be asked at an interview, but you can predict what topics the interviewers will want to explore from your preparation (link to section above). The key is to understand the different types of interview question and know how to use your preparation to give a good answer.
Use the resources below to help you prepare for the different types of questions you might be asked:
Commonly asked interview questions and how to answer them: click here
Competency questions:
- What are competency-based interviews My Career Portal
- How to answer competency-based questions https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/interviews-and-assessment-centres/how-answer-typical-competency-based
Strengths-based questions
- What are strengths-based interviews My Career Portal
- How to answer strengths-based questions https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/interviews-and-assessment-centres/strengths-based-interviews-jobs-and
Values-based questions
How to answer tricky interview questions
Technical questions
How can I prepare for a video interview?
Research the company and role thoroughly. Our Interview tool resource will give you the opportunity to practise answering interview questions online and receive instant AI feedback.
Can I get some interview practice?
Our Interview tool resource is a great way to practise for all types of interviews and you can use it at any time. If you would like a mock-interview with a Careers Adviser you can book an appointment via Handshake https://herts.joinhandshake.co.uk/edu/appointments/new