Making Applications

Finding Vacancies

Many graduate recruitment schemes in the public and private sectors open for applications in the autumn of the year before graduation. Many have deadlines as early as November. During this period Careers hosts graduate recruitment fairs and advertises recruitment events and presentations by employers – see the website for information www.york.ac.uk/careers/events  

Applications to advertised job vacancies ie not part of graduate schemes, are normally made later in your final year, closer to your completion date. 

See the Careers website for more information www.york.ac.uk/careers/work.

The following information sheets also have advice about finding jobs:

Finding graduate job vacancies: www.york.ac.uk/media/studenthome/workandvolunteering/infosheets/Graduate%20job%20vacancies%2012.pdf

Working outside the UK: www.york.ac.uk/media/studenthome/workandvolunteering/infosheets/Working%20outside%20the%20UK%2012.pdf

Making the most of careers and recruitment fairs: www.york.ac.uk/media/studenthome/workandvolunteering/infosheets/Recruitment%20fairs%2012.pdf

Using recruitment agencies: www.york.ac.uk/media/studenthome/workandvolunteering/infosheets/Recruitment%20agencies%2012.pdf

In addition to the talks that Janice Simpson gives in 3^rd year, Careers run several workshops each term, on topics such as CVs, applications, interviews and assessment centre activities. Many of these are led by employers.

Individual support is also offered by Careers in the form of feedback on CVs and applications and support to prepare for interviews and assessment centres. Information and appointment booking is available at www.york.ac.uk/careers/advice  

There is also a range of information sheets on these topics to help you begin your preparation:

Completing job application forms: www.york.ac.uk/media/studenthome/workandvolunteering/infosheets/application%20forms%2012.pdf

CVs and covering letters: www.york.ac.uk/media/studenthome/workandvolunteering/infosheets/CV%20and%20covering%20letter.pdf

How to prepare for interviews: www.york.ac.uk/media/studenthome/workandvolunteering/infosheets/interviews%2012.pdf

How to practise aptitude tests:  www.york.ac.uk/media/studenthome/workandvolunteering/infosheets/Aptitude%20tests%2012.pdf

Preparing for an assessment centre: www.york.ac.uk/media/studenthome/workandvolunteering/infosheets/assessment%20centres%2012.pdf

Applications for Further Study

Some applications for further study need to be submitted early, in particular Teaching (Primary deadline is 1st Dec), Medicine (UCAS deadline 15th Oct) and Social Work (UCAS deadline 15th Jan). See the Further Study section for more information.

You should always check whether there are any deadlines for specific courses at particular universities (deadlines sometimes apply for Oxford and for courses such as health professions and journalism), but for many postgraduate courses there isn’t a formal deadline and courses will accept applications until all places are filled.  However, some popular courses can fill quickly so early application is advised.  

Careers is happy to provide feedback on applications but for psychology specific courses you are also advised to seek feedback from your supervisor.