Category: Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair

Categories
Career Options Career planning Careers programmes EY Graduate jobs Graduate recruitment Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair Graduate success graduate training schemes

EY Northern Ireland Recruits for Summer Interns, Industrial Placements, and Graduates.

EY

The Student Recruitment Journey Unveiled

Entering the professional world after graduation is a new adventure waiting to unfold. Understanding the recruitment process can often seem daunting!

But don’t worry: Let’s explore the student recruitment journey together.

Your Adventure Awaits:

Your professional journey is all about finding your path to the right opportunity. If you’re not sure what’s next, why not check out EY’s interactive quiz, the EY Pathfinder, that matches your strengths to our business areas to find a role that’s right for you.

Understanding the Recruitment Process:

Now that you’ve identified the programme/role that’s right for you, let’s look at the stages in EY’s student recruitment process, which is similar to other organisations, which involves:

Stage 1: Online Application – after you’ve created your account, you’ll need to choose your programme. During this stage, you will need to entre your personal details so we can learn more about you.

Stage 2 – Online Assessment – these online immersive assessments have been designed for you so you can demonstrate your potential for the programme you have applied to. You’ll receive full instructions by email about the structure of the assessment and whether it needs to be completed in one sitting, including access to practices tests – so make sure you take the time to practice!

Stage 3 – Assessment Centre – in the assessment event, you’ll take part in a number of exercises. The event is designed to see if you have the strengths needed for your role at EY, but it’s also a chance to see if EY is right for you.  

Stage 4 – Final Interview – this is your opportunity to share your strengths and motivations for the role you’ve applied for. Before the interview why not check out EY’s LinkedIn, website, Facebook, X, and Instagram – and tell the interviewer something they haven’t heard before!  It is also your chance to ask any questions you have about the programme and business area you’ve applied for.

If you need support with any aspect of our recruitment process, we’ll work with you collaboratively in providing you with adjustments.  

To learn more about EY and our recruitment journey, why not check out the Adventure Awaits platform, and hear from members of our Student Recruitment team.

Celebrate Your Success:

After conquering the various stages of the recruitment journey, it’s time to celebrate your new role! Cherish your accomplishments and gear up for the exciting professional adventure awaiting you.

We hope this gave you a concise yet comprehensive idea of what to expect from the student recruitment process. Remember, keep an open mind, resilient spirit, prepare well, and get set to embark on your professional adventure.

Best of luck!

Learn more about taking the first step in your career through Adventure Awaits: Careers at EY in Northern Ireland | EY UK

EY are one of the sponsors for our 2024 Spring Careers Fair.

Find out more about Queen’s Careers Fairs.

Categories
Careers programmes Fairs Go Global Fair Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair Spring Careers Fair Spring Recruitment Fair WORK EXPERIENCE AND PLACEMENT FAIR

Expert guide to preparing for a Careers Fair – Emma Lennox, Careers Consultant

Staff helping student out at the fair
Emma Lennox

Careers Fairs offer the opportunity to connect in-person with employers offering work experience, placement and graduate opportunities.

Hear from Emma Lennox, Careers Consultant on how to properly prepare for Careers Fair

Preparing for the Careers Fair

“Preparation for career fair is key. You need to know the logistics; so what buildings are being used?, what employers are going to be there? and who are you going to target when you get there?  

If it’s online, make sure you have the technology started, make sure you know your device is going to work. You have everything connected and you’ve got your battery ready to go.

If there is a virtual or an online aspect to careers fair, you have an extra element of preparation. You might have to go onto the platform in advance and make your profile and make sure it sells you in the skill sets that you want employers to know about”.

Make sure you are prepared for the virtual elements of the Careers Fair

Speaking to Employers at the Careers Fair

“This is the time to go and actually speak to actual employers to find out things you can’t find from their website”

“Don’t ask them something you should already know, so it’s on their website or it’s in the fair information booklet. Make sure you’ve done your research.”

Here are possible questions to ask:

  • Asking about a particular job if some of the details a bit vague.  
  • You could ask about the recruitment process
  • Ask about specifics of the assessment centre
  • You can ask about what the day in the job would really look like
  • What are the main responsibilities
  • What is a new recruit going to be asked for

These are the things that really get the employer talking and show that you’ve done your research and you’re engaged and interested in this organisation.  

Employers here to answer your questions at the Careers Fairs
Employers here to answer your questions at the Careers Fairs

Top Tips

  • “Try not to go to the careers fair with a group of 10 of your best friends. You walk around in a huge group and the employer will just see a huge group. This is your time to stand out, to be an individual”.
  • “Don’t take lots of stuff with you through the careers for and make sure you keep your hands free because you need to take notes. Remember the positions; Remember the companies; and remember the jobs when you go back later and you’re working out how to keep this engagement going.
  • “Look at the job tasks; look at the values and the mission statement of the company because you might go in there and find a company you never considered before”.

After the Careers Fair

“Don’t forget to follow up after careers fair”.

“If the employer has a LinkedIn account, you can ask if you can follow them. Definitely follow the company, see what’s happening and keep up to date with things. If you were speaking to someone, you have a personal rapport with them and you think, “I would really like to discuss this role further”. You can send them a personal e-mail and thank them for their time.”

Keep an eye out for QUB Careers Fairs and other events here

Categories
Fairs Graduate jobs Graduate recruitment Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair Spring Careers Fair Spring Recruitment Fair work experience WORK EXPERIENCE AND PLACEMENT FAIR

Where is the Spring Careers Fair?

STUDENT ARRIVING AT a Queens Fair in the Mandela Hall
Find your way around the three campus venues

Location one

Venue of spring career fair
Students can attend career fair in different venues

The Mandela Hall – you’ll find it right at the back of the ground floor of One Elmwood. Tip tip, there is a side entrance opposite the Parlour that brings you straight to the Hall.

Location two

The Whitla Hall. You’ll probably know this one as it’s where graduation takes place. If you don’t, just come out of the black and white hall and turn left.

Location three

South Dining Hall exterior

The South Dining Hall – just beside the Whitla Hall, you will find the South Dining Hall. It’s right opposite Lanyon South.

Don’t forget to register for the Fair at go.qub.ac.uk/springfair.

Categories
Career planning Careers programmes employability Employer events Employer Insight Employer Q&A Employers Graduate recruitment Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair MyFuture MyFuture App

Student Quick Guide to MyFuture Virtual Careers Fair

Man Working at Computer

PREPARE FOR THE FAIR:

CLICK ON “MEET THE EMPLOYERS”, CHECK & EDIT YOUR PROFILE:

Browse the employer booths to check on who is coming, star your favourites and set up your profile (Tip: Upload your CV via your profile to share it with relevant employers).

AT THE LIVE FAIR:

CHAT WITH EMPLOYERS VIA LIVE VIDEO CHATS – YOU HAVE TWO OPTIONS:

  1. GROUP CHATS: Just click on Group Chat for the relevant employer in the list to view instructions/click on meeting links.
  2. ONE-ON-ONE CHATS: Some employers are offering both 1 on 1 and Group chats. You can join up to three 1 on 1 chats at a time. Make sure to check your progress/wait time through 1 on 1 queue(s).

TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR PROGRESS IN ONE-ON-ONE QUEUE(S)

  1. JOIN QUEUES WITH DIFFERENT WAIT TIMES. MyFuture will keep your place in each of these for you. When you see your wait time is down to 5 minutes – you are next and could be called in at any moment! You can check on your progress up through 1 on 1 queues via the tab beside “Meet the Employer Exhibitors”.
  2. STAY ALERT TO A QUEUE WHERE THE WAIT TIME IS DOWN TO 5 MINUTES OR LESS. When the employer is ready, you will see a “come in and meet me” invite from them on your screen in their queue. Just click it and follow the join instructions to take you into the 1 on 1 virtual meeting room.
  3. WARNING: If you do not accept/click on the invite within two minutes, the employer will move on to the next student in the queue.
  4. YOU CAN ALSO MANAGE YOUR TIME BY ATTENDING A GROUP CHAT IF YOU ARE WAITING FOR A 1 ON 1 QUEUE WITH A WAIT TIME OF MORE THAN 20 MINUTES

OTHER TIPS:

YOU CAN ALSO BROWSE THE EMPLOYERS JOB ADVERTS AND PROFILE VIA THEIR VIRTUAL BOOTH (including during the days before the fair goes live)

NEED SOME TECHNICAL HELP DURING THE 3.30PM TO 6PM ONLINE ELEMENT OF THE SPRING FAIR?

  1. Technical help will be available to students for the duration of the online element of the Fair via the Careers Service booth Group Chat.
Categories
Applications CVs Employers Graduate recruitment Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair Graduate success graduate training schemes internship Interviews

Ask the employer: What sets a winning job applicant apart?

Many graduate recruiters see piles of CVs and interview hundreds of applicants to fill jobs and placement roles. So, what sets a good candidate apart? We cornered some of NI’s top recruiters at the Graduate Recruiter and Placement Fair last week to find out. Here is what they had to say…

Include skills developed through extracurricular activities

“It is important to appreciate that on paper, all graduates from the same degree programme look the same. However candidates who succinctly articulate how their skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria outlined on the Job Description will stand out, as this shows they have considered the requirements of the role and thought about how they will bring value to the organisation. I would encourage students to really think about what they have achieved outside of their academic qualification.  Reflection upon the skills developed through involvement in extracurricular activities such as clubs, societies, sports, volunteering and work experience, and setting this in the context of the competencies employers seek, will set your application apart from others.”

Kim McAllister, Talent Acquisition Manager, Almac Group

EDITOR’S NOTE: Queen’s Degree Plus programme provides an opportunity to articulate the skills you have built up through extracurricular activities to employers. Find out more at GO.QUB.AC.UK/DEGREEPLUS

Show that you are keen

“If we get the feeling that you are super keen and can’t wait to get started sometime that is worth even more than a high score in the technical test. “

Elisa Herbig. Talent Acquisition Specialist at AquaQ Analytics

Make sure your CV hits the mark

“Your CV doesn’t need to be elaborate or fancy. A lot of the time what really helps people is having something presentable that is easy to read. For the recruiter who is going to be reviewing it. Making sure the formatting is correct. Making sure there are no typos. Making sure the application is as easy to read as possible. Highlight any relevant experience for the role. Voluntary experience is good to include. Even if you have been working part-time show you have been doing something alongside your academic studies.” 

Adrian McCarthy is the manager of For Purpose

Relax in the interview

“Top interview tip – relax! We are just as nervous as you are. We want to sell you the job as much as you want to sell your skills to us. We want to make sure this is somewhere you want to work.” 

Joelene Ridgill , Purchasing Manager at Seacoya Group Ltd

Include work experience in your CV

“It sounds obvious but, in terms of a winning CV, good grades go a long way. It shows that the applicant knows how to put the work in to achieve their goals. It’s also very important to have some work experience or extracurricular activities since a candidate will have gained invaluable skills and experiences that they can bring into their new role. It also shows their adaptability and an appreciation for hard work. 

For an interview, it’s easy to say but just try to relax and be yourself. Your CV already shows many of your skills and this is a chance to show your personality. Remember that interviewers are just people, and someday it will be you in the interviewer’s seat!”

Sarah Fleming, Senior Manager, Muldoon & Co

Read assessment centre instructions

“At Liberty IT, we don’t ask for your CV when you apply. We only ask for your basic details such as what you’re studying and what year you’re in. If you meet the criteria you will then be invited to complete an online coding test through Codility and if you’re successful in that you get to attend our recruitment centres. 

The recruitment centre is broken up into four sections to make sure we get the best idea of your skills, experience and potential. To do well, make sure you read the advice we’ll send you, be yourself and try to enjoy the experience.”

Birgitta Swanberg, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, Liberty IT

Tailor your CV for the role

Information within a CV needs to be clear and concise. No long paragraphs.  Ensure your skills and experience are easily identifiable throughout. Remember the recruiter looking at your CV doesn’t know you so highlight your relevant experience using the job description. To help you refine your CV to the role and make it stand out from the pile. Finally don’t forget to include personal achievements. Competing in team sports is a good indicator that you work well within a team and have competitive nature. 

Clodagh Mckeefry, Corporate Recruiter, MRP 

Show who you are as a person

I want to see what you do in your free time. An academic record is fantastic but I want to know about your volunteer experience, part time jobs, clubs you’re a part of, etc. It’s all about showing people that you are capable of doing more and pushing yourself.

Jared Kearney, Senior Campus Recruiter, Citi UK and Citi Irelan

Categories
Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair internship placement placements

Ask the Employer: How can a student make an impact on a placement?

It’s peak season for placement applications. If you attended our Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair last week, you’ll know that a placement is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door at your dream company. But once you successfully secure a placement how can you make an impact that will lead to a potential job offer? We asked some top recruiters and here is what they had to say…

Be Enthusiastic

“The most successful placements are undertaken by students who appreciate the vast developmental opportunity that is presented to them via a work placement.  Enthusiasm, active listening and the willingness to learn will result in a successful placement experience for both student and host organisation. Depending upon business requirements, students who contribute effectively, learn from others and ultimately impress during their placement year with Almac, leave with a conditional offer of employment ahead of their final year of study.”

Kim McAllister, Talent Acquisition Manager, Almac Group

Go above and beyond

“A student always makes an impact if they go above and beyond to help others. It could be that they offer to help someone who is struggling to get a job finished for a deadline or just something as small as offering to make tea or coffee for your team. 

And ask questions! It shows you’re keen to learn and have a genuine interest in the role. 

We also love to see our new members get to know everyone in the office by chatting with them at lunch or attending our social events. We’re a tight knit office so it’s important that people feel part of the team and enjoy the culture at Muldoon & Co.”

Olivia Blundell, Trainee Accountant, Muldoon & Co

Be willing to learn

“Having recently had a Queen’s student on our team, we found that having the willingness to train and learn was a great benefit. Get involved in the team and don’t be afraid to put points and ideas forward.” 

Joelene Ridgill , Purchasing Manager at Seacoya Group Ltd

Get involved

“The best thing to do is to get involved in as much as possible. At Liberty IT, we have the opportunity to sign up for an unlimited amount of training and attend internal and external tech talks and conferences. Our past interns have participated in hackathons, talked at events and helped out with recruitment. There’s no limit to what you can get involved in.”

Birgitta Swanberg, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, Liberty IT

Ask questions

“Be eager and demonstrate a willingness to work by arriving on time and with a positive attitude. Look to develop your skills by communicating with employers within the business; ask questions and make sure you seek out those answers. Show interest in the work by keeping up with new technologies within the market.” 

Chloe Brown, Corporate Recruiter, MRP

Teach yourself along the way

“Speak up, ask questions, and research topics. We don’t expect you to know everything, but we want to see you proactively learning and engaging.”  

Jared Kearney, Senior Campus Recruiter, Citi UK and Citi Ireland

Categories
Employer Engagement Employer events Employers Graduate recruitment Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair Graduate success graduateland Leadership

Highlights from Day Two of the Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair

Leaders in industry gave some valuable advice to students and graduates during some inspiring presentations and workshops. Here are some of the takeaways from Day Two.

Neil Chief Economist on Island of Ireland at EY gave the keynote speech. 

Here is what he had to say:

“The most important message for students is to remain positive and upbeat despite what you read. You can very easily feel daunted or intimidating. At a time of change or disruption, there are plenty of opportunities. If you think of it this way, when there is lots of problems, the world needs problem-solvers.”

“Keep your sense of positivity, observe and learn but don’t be intimidated as if that will close down opportunities.”

“The world is always changing. The idea you can map out a career ten or 15 years is not true, you have to keep flexibility in your mind and approach.”

“The place you thought you would get a job, that may not be the case. Think what you enjoy and what you like doing. Think what competencies or skills you have. Be less predetermined in what those opportunities might be.”

“Be open mind and absorb what you can. Recruitment is a two-way thing. It’s not just what you have to do to get an opportunity, it’s asking yourself, can be at my best in that organisation?.”

Lessons from Leaders

Mark McCormack, Head of Technology at Aflac 

“Problem-solving is one of the most important skills you can develop for any career. It’s what separates us from the computers; that and empathy – and the craic.”

“I might work with computers but it’s the people that make the work interesting and fun.”

“You learn that the things that make you successful in one part of your career are not necessarily the things that make you successful later on. You have to learn and adapt. If you are not learning, then you are probably not enjoying yourself.”

“We look for three things: adaptability, resilience and reinvention.”

“Stay flexible, keep learning and find some good people to work with and you can’t go wrong.”

Lessons from Leaders

Mark Dougan, Director, Prince’s Trust NI

“Courageous leaders are stepping up every single day in NI: teachers, nurses, youth workers, business professionals and young people like yourselves… you are quite literally being made into a leader as a result of this crisis.”

“Lead with courage with a small l.”

“The only thing certain is uncertainty. We have to learn to co-exist with uncertainty.”

“You are courageous leaders in the making and at this moment you need to intentionally decide to get in the game.”

“Yes, it’s challenging and you will make mistakes but the more you do, the more rewarding it becomes as you develop your skills as an effective leader.”

“Everyone is struggling with different challenges and none of those challenges outrank others. Think intentionally how you enable others to lead with courage; set them goals and give them clarity that they need to be courageous leaders in their own right and they will bring their best selves to work every day.”

“Be curious. Ask questions, lots of questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question.” 

Missed a presentation or workshop?

You can re-watch on our past events page here:

https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/careers-events/pastevents/

Categories
Employer events Employers Graduate recruitment Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair Graduate success graduateland postgraduate

The Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair in pictures

Some highlights from our recent virtual fair. Don’t forget you can re-watch the presentations and workshops on our events page.

Categories
advice Applications Graduate recruitment Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair Graduate success graduate training schemes graduateland postgraduate

Highlights from Day One of The Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair

If you missed our inspiring lessons from leaders and workshop on strength-based interviews, on Day One, here are key takeaways. Don’t forget, you can catch up on all our past event here:

https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/careers-events/pastevents/

Takeaway 1: There is psychology behind the graduate application process

Sarah McKeag, Associate Director, from EY Belfast, who also sponsor the event, gave an insightful talk on their strength-based recruitment process. They engage the Centre for Applied Positive Psychology to help assess students. It’s not as scary as it sounds. Sarah explained that strength-based recruitment is not about the experience you have had, but about your potential as a leader.

“The different between strength and competency based interviews is that competency can be learned. Strength-based assessment is all about your natural energy and enthusiasm. The challenge for students is how they portray that energy during the virtual recruitment process, she said.

Takeaway 2:Some of the key strengths employers look for

Sarah listed the ten strengths EY assess against – have them in your mind during the graduate recruitment process:

  • Accountable
  • Analytical
  • Agile
  • Adaptable
  • Curious
  • In the know
  • Number savvy
  • Resilient
  • Strong communicator
  • Team Player

“We are not looking for students to have reams of work experience or to have done work experience with us or another accountancy firm,” said Sarah. “In our assessment centre, we will give candidates a situation or a task and we will ask them how they feel about that. We may give them a number of tasks and ask them to choose their preferred five. We may give them a group activity. Afterwards, we ask them to evaluate what they would do differently,” said Sarah.

Takeaway 3:How you cope during lockdown could help get you hired

Being adaptable and resilient is huge for students who we have onboarded in last six months. This year, many students started uni in a different way than they would have envisaged. Things are changing for us all. It’s how you manage that change process,” says Sarah. 

Takeaway 4:Teamwork matters

“Listening to colleagues, make them feel valued and supported. Everyone has an important role to play. We are one big family. Leadership and Teamwork is about integrity and treating colleagues and our teams with respect whilst modelling and expecting excellence by helping others fulfil their potential.” said Sara Venning from NI Water

Takeaway 5:Challenges keep work interesting

“I’ve been Chief Executive for siz year. I love my job I love that no two days are the same. I’m always learning something new, constantly innovating and problem solving, and I love that what we do makes a difference to people’s lives across NI,” said Sara Venning from NI Water

While Natasha Sayee from SONI Ltd added: “I am passionate about what I do. If it’s challenging, then I bring my best every day. If it forces me to drive hard, then it is something I will stick with.

Takeaway 6:You can’t be an island

“To be truly successful, you need to take your passion and use it to collaborate with and motivate others. Passionate people are fierce; we are strong. Don’t do a solo run, find your squad, you will achieve so much more together,” said Natasha Sayee from SONI Ltd.

Takeaway 7:Go in strong in a virtual interview

“Plant yourself like an oak tree and allow yourself time to blossom,” said Natasha Sayee from SONI Ltd. 

Categories
consultants Graduate recruitment Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair Graduate success graduate training schemes graduateland Job Hunting job search postgraduate

Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair: 9 Things We Learned About Job Hunting from Day One

If you missed Day One of our Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair, you missed some golden nuggets of advice about graduate recruitment. Lucky for you, we’ve pulled together some top tips below. If you want more expert help navigating the graduate recruitment landscape, don’t miss Day Two of the fair.

Register here: https://virtualcareersfairs.qub.ac.uk/events

  1. Career paths are not linear

“Your career can be a winding path, take opportunities that come your way. You might find your first job isn’t your dream job but it will allow you to grow into a role that is your dream job.”

Mary McLaughlin, Queen’s Careers Consultant.

2. Networking is a key stage of research

“Networking is so important to learn about the career paths of other people and to where they are. It can help you determine if you are a good fit but also help you learn about other jobs you might not otherwise have heard about.” 

Diane Masson, Queen’s Careers Consultant

3. Virtual Fairs have the same principals as traditional fairs.

“The principals of a virtual fair are the same. It’s about networking with employers. Finding out about the work culture as well. Is it an organisation you would thrive in and develop and grow? Does it sit with your own values and your own interests? It’s also about finding out about job search and recruitment. Asking questions about when employers recruit and how they recruit. What are those cycles, do you know when their deadlines are? What is there selection process? A Fair is opportunity to find out about those things. It is unlikely that you will leave with a job, but you will leave armed with information. The more informed you are, the more equipped you are to make good career decisions. And the better informed you will be about how to perform well in the selection process.”  

Diane Masson, Queen’s Careers Consultant

4. MyFuture contains a wealth of opportunities

“Jobs that are advertised on MyFuture are from employers who are targeting Queen’s students, so employers who are on MyFuture want YOU. 

“You can find placements, internships, Global Opportunities and even insight days, which will enable you to find out about the organisation. International students can access Student Circus to find work in the UK. You just need your QUB email and password to access a range of opportunities. You can set filters for industry and sector and get job alerts specific for you.”

Diane Masson, Queen’s Careers Consultant

5. Read the small print on a job description

“Read the information about a job and the detail. You might dismiss a job without reading the detail and if you read the information, you might discover it is applicable to you.”

Diane Masson, Queen’s Careers Consultant

6. There are loads of places to find jobs

“Websites like Prospects, Target Jobs, GradIreland are a great resources. You also have industry specific sites like Gradcracker – which is STEM sector specific. Company websites are also a good resource. Big graduate recruiters have lots of info on own websites and of course you can also find lots of information of the Careers Service website.”

Diane Masson, Queen’s Careers Consultant

7. It’s never too early to look for jobs

“Don’t leave to last minute. That applies to both your job search and the application process. It is never too early to start your research. That is what this virtual fair is all about. Research sectors you want to work in.”

Diane Masson, Queen’s Careers Consultant

8. Knowing yourself is half the battle

“Knowing yourself and identifying your skills is really important. Think through your experiences and how those are going to help in your career.”

Mary McLaughlin, Queen’s Careers Consultant

9. Don’t downplay your skills

“Sometimes we have a tendency to downplay our skills. Think through part-time jobs and what type of skills you learned. Those are skills any employer will want to have. It’s not just that you stacked shelves at the supermarket, for example, you also communicated with your colleagues and helped others on the team. Those are skills that make you a great fit for any role.”

Mary McLaughlin, Queen’s Careers Consultant