Whether you are going to apply for a graduate job, scheme or postgraduate study you will need to submit a tailored application which showcases your knowledge, skills and experience.

The research you did as part of the plan stage now pays off as you can show your commitment to that profession, employer or course.

If you get shortlisted it is likely you will be further tested at an assessment centre and at interview.

Below are some useful tips to help you and key websites to find resources.

• Make sure you read all of the instructions carefully and do exactly what the employer requests. A popular method is an online application with a personal statement. The will score you against their person specification, so it is very important that you have this criteria and can address it point by point with your own personal examples.
• Use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to give your examples breadth and depth.
• Have an up-to-date CV as it gathers all your key dates and resources in one place ready to transfer on to the application forms. Unless specified otherwise, a skills based CV allows you to showcase your transferable skills from your degree but also your workplace experience, life journey etc.
• Once you get through to the interview/assessment centre, employers will be looking for you to demonstrate their key behaviours and will be interested in your strengths. Each employer is different, so do your research and find out what that specific organisation is looking for.
• Key resources for you will be on the Pathways and Careers Discovery on My Career, Prospects, Target Jobs and Bright Network. You will find information about applying for jobs, CV’s and cover letters, interviews, assessment centres and psychometric tests.

• Having visited the institution, spoken to lecturers and done your research in the plan stage, you are now in a good position to apply. Check the institution’s specific instructions, then write tailored applications/personal statements that show your passion for continued academic study and/or commitment to your chosen career pathway.
• Mention your education to date concentrating on the content of your degree. Pay particular attention to key modules that are relevant and your dissertation topic. If you give examples to show the relevance of your experience or to demonstrate your academic skills, use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to give them breadth and depth.
• Key resources for you will be on the Pathways and Careers Discovery on My Career, Prospects, Target Jobs and Bright Network. You will find information about applying for jobs, CV’s and cover letters, interviews, assessment centres and psychometric tests.
• For more information about postgraduate funding, look at this useful link to Prospects Postgraduate Funding Guide. Also, check out the Postgraduate Study Pathway on My Career, where you can have exclusive access to the Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Study.

• Whether it is a job or a course, it is highly likely that you will be interviewed so that the recruiter can assess your suitability. There will also be other tests, activities or an assessment centre that you may need to complete.
• Newman University also uses Shortlist.Me, our interview simulation platform, where you can practice interviews and other strengths based and employer activities. The aim is to build confidence in interviews and it is a great way to practice in a safe environment. Students can access Shortlist.Me via their My Career account through the resources tab, or they can click through to Shortlist.Me.

On completion of your course, you could decide to set up your own business or take time out to travel or gain additional experience. For resources look at Prospects Self Employment and Target Jobs – Gap Year Ideas.

If you are a current student or recent graduate from a level 5 course or above, please access your unique personalised careers experience on My Career account. You can log in by using your Newman username and password or register as a graduate if it is within 3 years of completing your course. You can:

• Book one-to-one guidance appointments and progression coaching appointments.
• Book on to a variety of workshops and careers events.
• Access information and resources through Pathways and Careers Discovery area.
• Link to Shortlist.Me, our practice interview simulation platform with other strengths based quizzes and employer activities.
• Complete a Newman Volunteering Award, offered at bronze, silver, gold and platinum level. It validates volunteering not accredited elsewhere on your programme of study.
• Access opportunities for part-time work, volunteering, workplace experience and graduate jobs.
• For more information, please email: careers@newman.ac.uk.