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Find Work or Placements
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Top tips for finding work

Advice on finding job opportunities during
your studies

Lots of courses offer the opportunity to go on placements or relevant work experience. This can be useful to gain knowledge of your chosen field, connect with potential employers and securing a job after graduation.

We have a great Careers and Employability Team who can support and assist you with your job search.

Why should I do work experience or a placement?

  • Placements can hugely increase your career prospects. They can strengthen your CV and help you gain experience in a professional workplace.
  • Some courses offer a paid placement in the third year of study, this is a great way to earn a salary and apply your university learning.
  • It’s also a great way to make contacts in your chosen area after you graduate. You’re able to have a foot in the door and make it easier for yourself when job searching after you graduate.
  • You can develop your existing skills and create new skills that are adaptable to a workplace environment.
  • Visit the Careers and Employability Team at the Careers Centre in Chichester, at the Careers Desk in Bognor, or email Careers@chi.ac.uk to find out more.

Here are some top tips and information to help you on your search:

  • Update your CV with information about your degree, work experience and skills to find a job that fits your unique skillset and qualifications. A professional CV or application form is key when applying for work. Many students and graduates are head-hunted via LinkedIn, so spend some time creating a profile for networking and job alerts.
  • Look to build your skills by joining societies and sports clubs either as a member or stand for a committee role; you can also become a Course Rep or University Ambassador. This all looks great on your CV.
  • Hand out your CV to employers.
  • Watch out for on-campus opportunities. The Student’s Union, canteen, open day teams, library and accommodation office employ students for casual roles.
  • Check out some of the biggest employers in the area: West Sussex County Council, Goodwood Estate, Butlins, etc.
  • Look for on-campus work. Many parts of the university employ students for casual roles such as the SU, library and the canteen.
  • Companies in the local towns are usually looking for staff. Take your CV and ask around if there are any positions available.
  • Think about your options. When it comes to work placements, you can experience the real world of work.
  • Book a meeting with our Work Placements Coordinator and explore your options.
  • Get your CV ready and prepare an introductory e-mail; detail work experience and past work placements including dates, projects, reason why you are applying, etc.
  • Keep track of your applications.
  • Decide what area of your study interests you the most and look for careers in that area.
  • Look at websites such as LinkedIn and RateMyPlacement for opportunities.

You are now qualified to search and apply for graduate level roles and graduate schemes.

  • Our service is open to graduates.
  • Visit our Careers and Jobs Board for the latest job vacancies.
  • Book an appointment with one of our Careers Consultants; they can help you explore your options. Don’t leave it to the last minute. Some graduate employers set application deadlines as early as October.
  • Use LinkedIn to search for alumni from your degree and others working in a career you are interested in.