// Archives

Mastering day one: Overcoming new job jitters

By Hemakshi Soni, BA Sociology and Social Policy © via Unsplash by Desola Lanre-Ologun So, you’ve cleared the initial application, nailed the nerve-wracking interview and you’ve secured a position at a placement or a job and now it’s time for your first day. First of all, congratulations! This is a big achievement and it is …

What Is the Soundtrack to Your Career?

By Amy Liscoe, psychology student If you’re anything like me there probably isn’t a day that goes by that you don’t listen to music. It wakes me up each morning, plays in my headphones throughout the day, and often creeps in again when I’m off to bed. Music is such a huge part of my …

Kindness: The Workplace Superpower!

By Hannah Woolley, Careers and Employability Consultant Being kind doesn’t often feature in lists of what graduate employers look for, nor does it tend to appear in many job descriptions or person specifications, yet offering kindness can be a powerful force for good in the workplace.  We asked two brilliant UoN alums to share their …

Spark up your motivation with magpie!

By Hannah Woolley, Careers and Employability Consultant Has your get up and go got up and gone? Perhaps you’re job hunting, you’ve had a few setbacks and progress has slowed? Or, maybe you’re doing a placement or internship, things have been pretty full on, and your energy has taken a dip? Whatever your situation, if …

The Role Sport Played in Developing My Career Skills

By Josh Borlant, Economics student During school years, I had always been involved in sport, playing football, rugby and golf for respective first teams, as well as externally for local clubs and at county level. Having come to university, I chose to carry on playing football and I haven’t looked back. I’ve had an incredible …

Managing Interview Stress With Mindfulness Meditation

By Maisy Sheldon, Biotechnology with Industrial Year student Sweaty palms, elevated heart rate, racing thoughts, and the inability to focus are common symptoms of interview stress and anxiety. For those who have limited or no interviewing experience, preparing for and doing an interview may be nerve-racking. Interviews are uncomfortable and one of the most difficult …

Knowing and Using Your Strengths: The Secret to Success and Happiness!

By Cyrielle Mevel, Employability Education Projects Officer People often talk about skills and strengths as if they were interchangeable when, in reality, they are not to be confused. Yes, we do them both well, but they don’t always support our wellbeing in the same way. So, what are strengths exactly and how can they support …

I Don’t Have a Grad Job: What Now?

By Anna McConachie, English student blogger It can be daunting leaving university without a spot on a graduate scheme. However, it’s important to remember that having a grad scheme is not the be all and end all for leaving uni. Taking a break after university before you launch into a career can be very beneficial. …

How Not to Be the Perfect Intern

By Anna White, Placement Projects Officer A couple of years after I graduated, I was looking to change direction so took a short-term internship with an IT start-up. I was 23, newly back from having a baby and trying to escape a job I hated. I felt the stakes were sky high, so I put …

My Advice for Coping with Rejection From Grad Schemes

By Anna McConachie, English Student Blogger Facing rejection is demoralising, demotivating and down-right difficult. Unfortunately, as graduates we are likely to face a lot of it. Here is how I have been dealing with rejection from grad schemes recently.  Process your emotions Being rejected hurts. After spending hours on an application, agonising over assessment questions, …