Erasmus Work Abroad: Next Steps

Transcription

1 Erasmus Work Abroad: Next Steps Dominic Prosser Global Employability Consultant CareerZone University Forum 18/10/2012

2 EU work placements: Erasmus The Erasmus programme is a European Commission funded programme designed to support the European activities of Higher Education institutions, including the mobility and exchange of students. This includes work abroad & study abroad.

3 What is an Erasmus work placement? An Erasmus Work Placement must be: full time min. 12 weeks max 12 months In EU member countries + Switzerland, Liechtenstein (Turkey, Norway, Iceland) approved and recognised by the University and contribute to your qualification and graduate employability skills/competencies with an eligible organisation i.e. an organisation of any size that is involved in economic activities in the public, privateor third (voluntary) sector. The following types of organisations are not eligible: European institutions such as the European Commission and European Parliament Organisations managing EU programmes (such as National Agencies) National diplomatic representation (embassy/consulate) of the student in the host country

4 What is an Erasmus work placement? Typical placement start dates are July, September, January, March Placements must be completed by 30 th September 2014 The module requires you to do 28 weeks in placement i.e. 7 months You can do more than 1 placement There should be minimal gap between placements

5 What is the Erasmus grant? An Erasmus Work Placement must be supported by a series of paperwork proving entitlement. This will secure you the Erasmus Grant. 1 st grant in 2012/13 is 225 euros/month 2 nd grant in 2012/13 paid in May: 147 euros/month (Band 3 countries e.g. France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Italy) More on this in briefing session in May 2013

6 Why do a work placement? 65% of employers think that candidates with international work experience are more employable The value of international experience goes beyond purely the acquisition of language it lies in the ability to see business and personal issues from other than your own cultural perspective. (Charles Macleod, Head of Global Resourcing, PwC)

7 Why do a work placement? Work placements : enhance your employability potential and your CV with stand out international employment experience may lead directly to future employment offer opportunities for personal, academic, cultural and linguistic development Erasmus grant and possibly additional payment or other benefits from the employer develop transferable skills, including

8 Develop a rich mix of highly desirable employability skills higher degree of flexibility and adaptability initiative and the ability to plan assertiveness and independence improved use of information motivation & greater confidence better listening ability commercial awareness in global context cultural dexterity more tolerance, patience and better understanding of people greater diplomacy global outlook and mindset confidence to work in global business and seize opportunities working effectively in multicultural teams willingness to learn and adapt to a different culture foreign language skills internationalised local professional

9 Why do a work placement? I believe the Work Placement scheme is a challenging choice. I am proud I took on the challenge and feel that my employability skills improved immensely my organisational skills have improved and the amount of experience I have behind me makes me feel relatively calm in the face of job hunting. (Laura, BA French and Italian)

10 Why do a work placement? I believe that I have enhanced myemployability as I have had an experience that not many people will have had, while also proving that I am adaptable to new environments, and am comfortable living in foreign countries. (Chris, BA Business Economics with European Study)

11 How to find them? Ultimately it is your responsibility to find a work placement recognise that there may be competition for work placements so you should start the process early i.e. now! be willing to put effort into it and consider a range of countries. Erasmus students find placements in a variety of ways: independently by direct contact with an employer in another country via University sglobal Employability Team who manage Erasmus work abroad. job ads from employers via web or other media

12 How to find them : online sources e.g. Eures the EU jobs portal Entrypark International Career Book LEO-NET: a dedicated internships site Search for local newspapers using online directories e.g Local versions of monster e.g. The University s jobs portal, my career zone :

13 How to find them: EU job alert pages get access to Exeter-friendly EU employers from our EU Employer Database: get fast track updates on other employers advertising EU placements on my career zone

14 Employers offering placements for 2013/14 include:

15 How to use the EU employer database Autumn term Regularly check the University s new erasmus job alert pages we re adding new opportunities daily Apply by CV and covering letter in Englishand Target Language via the ERASMUS Work Abroad Office to up to 3 employers Deadlines specified on each advert : mid/late Nov 2012 Applications checked to ensure quality of application and fit to employer needs. Poor applications will not be submitted to employers but returned to you for corrections Where necessary applications will be screened/shortlisted to meet quota of applications (typically 10) to prevent employers being swamped. Attend a careerzone CV/Applications session to sharpen your draft application We will help prevent potentially faux pas such as

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17 How to find placements: networking An estimated 60-80% of jobs are now found informally through networking with direct or indirect contacts such as friends, relatives, and alumni. Networking is the process of discovering and exploiting connections between people. It requires moving beyond your immediate network and tapping into other people s networks Use physical and virtual networking Start by networking with people you already know and speak with them about what you want to do. Ask whether they know of any employers doing the type of work that interests you.

18 How to find them: social media Use linked in, twitter and facebookto find jobs Link to corporate facebooks, twitter feeds etc. Linked in: Start a profile being clear about career aims Keep it clear and professional Link in with people you can trust who can help you Join relevant groups: For more tips on linked in /social media go:

19 How to find them: creative personal branding Cole fined for Twitter outburst Avoid Ashley Cole outburst and compromising photos

20 Application support & guidance Standard tips for CVs and covering letters, and country specific guides: jobs > applying for... > CV and covering letter checking service Career Zone offers a CV and covering letter checking service. Before you book an appointment please ensure you have: Read our guides to creating CVs and Covering letters Prepared a CV and/or covering letter for a specific Erasmus placement to bring to the appointment CV and Application appointments in incl. for Autumn 2012 only Spanish CV and letter check

21 Tips from students I spent a fair bit of timeresearching the company before submitting my CV and a covering letter. (Chris, BA Business Economics with European Study)

22 Tips from students I found both the placements through the University but was required to apply for them as you would any job: I submitted CVs and attendedinterviews this process was demanding but built my confidence. (Laura, BA French and Italian)

23 Success: what todo when you ve got a placement offer As soon as you have a firm offer of a placement from an employer, send the placement details form (EWA002_A) available via: tinyurl.com/ewa1314 The University will then: assess the placement and if approved liaise with the employer to complete, sign and return a placement agreement between Employer/Higher Education Institution/Student and: sets out mutual obligations, rights and responsibilities e.g. insurance, health and safety, training programme and intended learning outcomes Once contract is ready you will be asked to make an appointment with the Global Employability Team to sign the contract and complete a Risk Assessment

24 Timeline Deadline October 2012 November 2012 Requirement Start looking for placements Book to get a draft CV and application letter reviewed in the career zone Mid/Late November Submit completed applications for ExeterEU placements 2012 on mycareeerzone as per deadline supplied in job ad 1 st May :00 BST Early May th June :00 BST Deadline: to submit EWA002_A Placement Proposal Form Erasmus Grant application at Erasmus Work Abroad Grant briefing talk Deadline by which all employer placement agreements mustbe signed by all 3 parties and Risk Assessments signed and completed by student and University (me).

25 Erasmus Work Abroad: Next Steps Dominic Prosser Global Employability Consultant