After a successful run in Semester 1, the Careers, Employability and Skills team at Queen’s are giving International students another chance to take part in their career development programme the International Student Employability Programme.

The programme comprises three online sessions for International Students, designed to help them build their personal brand, craft an effective CV and cover letter for the UK job market and learn all about the nuances and etiquette of the UK workplace – including how to ace that all-important interview.

Programme lead Emma Lennox said “The aim of this programme is to support International Students in navigating the UK job market and recruitment process.  We look at how companies recruit, what they look for and when, what processes they use and how International Students can compete and achieve.  There is a session dedicated to creating a UK CV and also how to prepare and approach the interview process.  These sessions are very interactive with the opportunity to ask questions and there were no shortage of queries in Semester 1!  It’s great to hear students experiences and feedback and how we can best support them.”

Over 70 students completed he programme in Semester 1, with key takeaways for students including the importance of career-planning early.

“Don’t leave building your skills and looking for work until the last minute,” says Emma, who adds these other top tips: “Get work experience, relevant if possible and show you have transferable skills. And tailor every application and CV, make sure you have given the employer what they have asked for!”

Feedback from students who completed the programme in Semester 1 was extremely positive, with one year 2 BSc Business and Management student saying: “My favourite part was the to-the-point information and the warm environment. I felt extremely comfortable to ask my question.”

While an Msc Business Analytics student commented, “I wanted such help from Queen’s for international students especially for employability. And I found it now.’

Another added: “I got to know that we need to change our CV every time we are applying in different companies.  I am the loving the way the information regarding the actual techniques in the preparation of getting the jobs have been providing through this employability programme.”

Other students commented on how “active and helpful” the Careers, Employability and Skills team are, while a PhD Music student noted: ‘My favourite aspect of the programme was learning what way to approach interviews including the application form, example questions, and etiquette.”

The International Student Employability Programme starts on 24 January at 2pm.

Find more details and register for ISEP