Make the most of the summer with these top tips…

1. Research your Interests

Finding the right career requires research and there are many online platforms which give great advice, knowledge and insights into different careers. Careers Network has some great information on getting started and different career sectors. There is also information and advice on finding internships and work experience.

Target Jobs, Bright Network and Prospects also give good overviews on different sectors, how to job search and practical advice for securing your dream job.

2. Work on your CV

Your CV is your database of all the skills, achievements and experience you have accrued over the years. This summer why not give it a makeover? Utilise Careers Network’s CV advice to ensure your CV is impactful.

Also, by spending some time on your CV you might notice some areas in which you would like to get more experience or improve a skill. Part-time work or volunteering roles over the summer are a great way to improve your skills and your CV.

• Check Careers Network’s Careers Connect portal for internships and work experience vacancies
• Why not see if your local Citizens Advice centre needs volunteers?
• You could volunteer for the NHS!
• Looking for volunteering within Engineering?
• Why not look for a part-time role? You’ll find some great temporary and flexible roles on Indeed, E4S and Reed
• Don’t forget there is also Worklink for a range of part-time and flexible roles at the University. Some of these roles will give you valuable office experience!

3. Improve or learn a skill

• LinkedIn Learning offers a range of skills-based courses in Excel, Data Analysis, Microsoft Office and much more. University of Birmingham students have unlimited access to this resource.
• Why not spare a few hours and complete a Forage online course? Forage offer a range of courses from marketing, personal development, tech and social impact. Forage work with international companies to produce hands-on and free courses in all sectors.
• Coursera also offer a range of free and paid courses.

4: Utilise social media

Companies, industry professionals and trainees all use LinkedIn. By following companies on LinkedIn you will get insights into their practice areas, business developments and accomplishments. Following companies on a range of social media platforms is a great way to understand a sector even if you are not interested in joining that specific company. Make sure you’re also following Careers Network’s social channels!

If you wish to gain more in-depth knowledge of a firm or a practice area, sign up for the firm’s newsletter; they are often advertised at the bottom of the home page. These newsletters tend to be aimed at professionals, however, they are a great way to improve your understanding of a firm, practice areas and commercial awareness.

5: Keep up to date with sector news

Keeping up to date with the news is a great way to prepare for upcoming interviews and enhance your understanding of a sector and of what is going on globally.

These are a selection of some websites which provide weekly newsletters: Financial Times, ScienceDaily, Medical News Today and Social Work News, to name just a few.