5 January 2024
Ins and Outs for 2024: Careers Edition
2024 is here! And just like the rest of the world, we’ve been scribbling down our Ins and Outs for the year ahead (careers edition)…
In: Researching
The most important thing in your career search should be finding an employer who’s right for you. And by that we mean one who matches your values and goals. So how do you go about finding your match?
Firstly, check out the reviews section on our website. Each one has been written by a student who was previously on a scheme, either on placement or as an intern. You’ll be able to understand their experience at a company – the good and the bad.
Secondly, familiarize yourself with our Best Student Employers tables – you’ll be able to see who came out top for their stand out schemes, as well as for development, inclusion and CSR.
Need more guidance on how to find a company that’s right for you?
Check out How To Spot The Green Flags In A Company.
In: Upskilling
This is your sign to register for free career courses this year. They’ll help build your application and interview skills, plus you can meet some key employers too.
If you missed our new Career Coaching Course this year, don’t worry. You can catch up on all our 10-minute Insight Sessions now for free. Learn all about utilising Linkedin, building an effective CV, smashing interviews and mastering assessment centres.
In: Networking
If you aren’t already, definitely head to more Careers Fairs at your university this year. Not only will you meet some top employers in your chosen industry, but you’ll also get to understand all of your options.
Also, don’t be afraid to speak to your university Careers Advisor. It’s a completely free service, and they’re on hand to support you with all your CV, application and interview needs.
In: apply, apply, apply!
Deadlines are fast approaching, and you don’t want to miss out on landing your dream role this year. There are tonnes of handy services when you’re logged into your RateMyPlacement account, such as saving your favourite roles and getting notifications for when they’re closing. This will help you organise your upcoming deadlines.
Not sure where to start with your applications? Discover the top six application tips from industry experts.
Out: Putting too much pressure on yourself
It’s easy to tell yourself you could be doing more, and feeling guilty for not ticking everything off your to-do-list. Well, we’re here to tell you, you can’t do it all. Always just try your best. Perhaps you could try some prioritisation activities to help you categorise your list into what’s a must-do and a nice-to-do.
Out: Using Chat GPT for applications
We’ve all heard of AI by now. Maybe it’s helped you write a birthday poem for a friend or edit an old photo? It’s also a great platform to brainstorm ideas. That said, we’d never recommend using it solely to write answers for you. Recruiters and hiring managers can tell when you’ve used Chat GPT or AI to generate your application answers for you, and you definitely don’t want to have the same or similar responses to other candidates.
Out: Self-doubt
It’s got no place here! Start your new year with a healthy dose of self-love. Perhaps you could write down a few realistic goals or affirmations you’d like to follow this year. Say them out loud each morning in the mirror to kick-start your day.
So there you have it – our list of ins and outs for 2024. Feel free to borrow ours if you like, or have a go at writing some down yourself. Good luck for this year!
Written by Ella
Ella is a content powerhouse who has an eye for all things creative. Having been in the game for over 7 years, she’s had the pleasure of writing for a huge range of businesses. Now she enjoys creating content that will help students land their dream placement roles. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she’s hanging out with her furry-friend Marshall.