Looking for work, advice, information or a career change?

Congratulations to all of our alumni.

As an alumnus of the University of Hull, you are welcome to use the University Careers Service for as long as you want to. The University of Hull is one of the few universities which do not place a time limit after which support is withdrawn.

Much of this website will be of relevance, and, in particular the Student Pages, but this page has specific information, resources and events for alumni.

Careers events for alumni

Check the events page of our website for forthcoming workshops and presentations specifically for alumni.

You are also welcome to attend the Graduate Recruitment Fair and other employer presentations and workshops.

What next?

• Don't think you have to have your entire future mapped out. Think about your first few steps towards achieving the next step or two in your career - and make sure that the goals you set for yourself are realistic and achievable.  
• It is common to have several changes in career direction, and a number of different jobs - some short-term and some longer term in the course of a career, so don't try to map out your entire future. 
• Keep positive and don't give up. It may take a number of applications before you succeed. Make every application count. Spend time to ensure that you meet the selection criteria.  Ask for feedback from unsuccessful applications and learn from them, but don't let them affect your self-confidence.
• Try not to be overwhelmed by the wide range of career pathways. If certain occupations interest you, test them out. Talk to people in occupations about what they do, take an internship, gain some voluntary work experience and network. If then you realise something is not for you, don't think of it as a failure as it could have helped you to be clearer about what is right for you.
• Research well and gain as much impartial information and advice as you can. Don't make a decision based on something someone told you, unless you are certain that what they said was completely accurate and impartial. Avoid making generalisations about careers, based on influences, such as  'I don't want to be a teacher because my mum is a teacher.' 

Options with your subject

• Over half of vacancies advertised are for graduates of any discipline, so there is plenty of choice when it comes to career directions. What matters is what is important to you, what interests and motivates you. 
• It is also important to demonstrate to an employer the transferable skills you have developed, such as verbal and written communication skills, team-working and problem-solving - whether you developed these skills as part of your degree course, or via work experience, volunteering or extra-curricular activities.
• For more information about transferable skills, go to the 'Employability Skills' page. For more information about career options related directly to your subject, go to the ' Resources relating to your Subject' pages via the link below.

Internships/Placements

• You might be 'holding on' for a continuing job rather than consider a placement or internship. However, many employers are recruiting graduates to internships and placements as an alternative to recruiting to longer-term jobs. 
• Employers can sometimes obtain funding to help pay an intern's salary - an important consideration in a recession - and it gives them the opportunity to try someone out. For graduates, a graduate internship provides invaluable work experience and skills development, and may lead to a more permanent job. What is more, it helps you to get used to a workplace and the discipline of getting up in the morning to go to work each day.
• For details of graduate internships and internship schemes, go to the 'Work experience' section of this website.

Researching jobs

• Find out as much as you can about opportunities.  Unless you do this, it will be difficult to demonstrate your motivation for a particular job or employer, and you may struggle at each stage of the selection process.  Use the 'Researching jobs' and 'Researching Employers'  sections of this website as a starting point.

Resources and information relating to  your subject

What did other graduates do?

Considering further study?

Volunteering

• If you are waiting to hear the outcome of your application, and are not working, or working part-time, why not consider volunteering in the interim?  Even if you can only spare a few hours a week, you are putting your skills into practice and developing further skills.

Volunteering

What next?:

Go to Students page

Thinking about setting up in business? Does working for yourself appeal? Go to our Enterprise page

Career Planning in a recession tips for success

Watch video clips of employers explaining what skills and experience they are looking for. Find out more.>

View our Career Planning guide

Don't give up! There are still plenty of vacancies out there.

Read Martin Birchall's article in The Times entitled

'There are still 10,000 reasons for graduates to get out of bed.'