Careers journey

Everyone is at a different stage of their career thinking, so we have curated resources to help you, no matter which stage you’re in.

Are you just starting to think about your career, or unsure where to begin?

Many university students have no clear idea about what they want to do for a future career – and that’s okay! Career planning is a process that helps you clarify where you are now, where you want to be, how to get there, and we have targeted resources to help you.

“I did not expect this level of support and genuineness from the service but have been greatly surprised by the amount of support that has been provided and to the standard it has been delivered.” Former student

Resources to help you get started with your career thinking
Career routes linked to your degree subject, careers ideas and job sectors
Thinking about further study?
Would you like to develop more self-awareness to help you find a fulfilling career?

Self Awareness resource

Preparing a CV, cover letter and LinkedIn profile
Getting work experience

You can develop transferable skills by getting some part-time work, internship or volunteering experience.

Professional Skills Award

Our Professional Skills Award will enhance your employability and build your confidence as you enter the world of work.

Attend an event

You can book onto our employer-led events through Semesters one and two for insight into companies, sectors and the recruitment process. Our careers consultants also run events about the different stages of the job application process.

Attend an event

Book an appointment

A one-to-one with one of our friendly careers consultants is tailored to your needs and is suitable for whatever stage of your career journey you are at.

Book an appointment

Are you looking for work experience or a placement?

Work experience of all kinds (including part-time, vacation work, and volunteering) is a valuable foundation for your future plans. Do you want to explore some different career options with an internship, or are you going to do a placement as part of your education? Then these resources are made with you in mind.

“I feel more confident applying for internships as a first-year student now that I know we have such great support from the University!” Former student

Finding work experience
Professional Skills Award

Our Professional Skills Award will enhance your employability and build your confidence as you enter the world of work.

Placement specific resources

Find out about all the support we offer including how to apply, practical advice, funding and support on the Professional Training Placement website.

A short programme to help you identify your values and strengths; research employers to get an idea of what type of organisation you want to work for; and get started with your CV and LinkedIn profile.

This helpful package includes resources and tools to help you at every stage of your Professional Training Journey. Find our interview simulator, videos from employers  

Hear the experiences of Surrey placement students to get an insight into life on placement.

Placement posters designed by Professional Training Students to showcase their placements.

CVs, covering letters and applications

You will usually apply to jobs with a CV and cover letter, or an application form. These resources will help you prepare your job applications.

CVs

Cover letters

Application forms

Useful resources

LinkedIn

The largest professional network in the world; it has over 46 million recent graduate or student members. Find out here how to get started with your profile.

Work and Study Abroad

Are you looking to work or study abroad? Find country guides, information on how the University can support you, funding and mobility grants, and jobs search engines for working overseas.

Find information about Surrey Abroad.

International student resources

If you are an international student, these resources can help you navigate applying for jobs and placements.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion careers resources

A set of resources curated to support students from diverse background and neurodiverse students.

Job interviews, assessment centres and psychometric tests

If you have been invited for an assessment centre or job interview, congratulations! These resources will help with this stage of the application process.

Preparing for a job interview

Getting ready for an assessment centre

Psychometric tests

Recruiters use these as a way to assess your suitability for their placements and graduate positions.

Dealing with nerves during the application process

Many students, graduates and professionals feel anxious before and during interviews, and this is completely normal. We have some techniques to help you deal with your nerves and improve your emotional resilience.

Self-Awareness and your job search

Knowing yourself well can help you understand the types of work you would enjoy. It will also improve your ability to confidently articulate what you have to offer an employer.

Go to our Self-Awareness content to find personality, values, strengths and skills assessments.

Attend an event

You can book onto our employer-led events through semesters one and two for insight into companies, sectors and the recruitment process. Our careers consultants also run events about the different stages of the job application process.

Attend an event

Book an appointment

A one-to-one with one of our friendly careers team is led by your needs and is suitable for whatever stage of your career journey you are at.

Book an appointment

Careers and Employability reading list

You can borrow careers-related books from the University library. Many of these publications are also available to read online.

Subjects include:

  • Assessment centres
  • Psychometric tests
  • Careers research
  • Personal development.

Go to the Careers and Employability reading list

Are you deciding on a career plan?

Are you looking to explore different career sectors or postgraduate study? If you are deciding between some options, these resources are for you.

“Andrew was very helpful when discussing a wide array of topics such as CVs, graduate scheme application processes and career paths. Andrew went above and beyond to provide me with all the relevant websites and even sourced additional resources relating to opportunities I had not considered.” Former student

Career routes linked to your degree subject, careers ideas and job sectors
Are you thinking about your further study?
Would you like to be more self-aware?

Knowing yourself well can help you understand the types of work you would enjoy. It will also improve your ability to confidently articulate what you have to offer an employer.

Go to our Self-Awareness content to find personality, values, strengths and skills assessments.

International student resources

If you are an international student these resources have been written to help you navigate applying for jobs and placements.

Equality, diversity and inclusion careers resources

A set of resources curated to support students from diverse backgrounds and neurodiverse students.

Find a career mentor

We know that kickstarting career can be a daunting process. Surrey Connects is a Surrey-specific networking site, and is your place to connect with Surrey alumni and find a career mentor.

Are you considering changing or leaving your course?
Attend an event

You can book onto our employer-led events through semesters one and two for insight into companies, sectors and the recruitment process. Our careers consultants also run events about the different stages of the job application process.

Attend an event

Book an appointment

A one-to-one with one of our friendly careers consultants is led by your needs and is suitable for whatever stage of your career journey you are at.

Book an appointment

Jobs search engine

You can search for graduate roles, placements, internships, part-time and vacation roles and insight experiences on Surrey Pathfinder. 

Careers and employability reading list

You can borrow careers-related books from the University library. Many of these publications are also available to read online.

Subjects include:

  • Assessment centres
  • Psychometric tests
  • Careers research
  • Personal development.

Go to the Careers and Employability reading list

Do you have a clear career plan?

If you have decided on your career plan you may already be applying and interviewing for roles. If you’re feeling nervous about the process, not seeing the results you want, or want to enhance your application competitiveness, these are the resources for you.

“I have been successful in my placement search and have accepted an offer working as a Mechanical Engineer. I would like to thank you for all your help and support within my placement search and interview preparation. My talk with you before my interview really helped settle my nerves and keep my confidence.” Former student

Career routes linked to your degree subject, careers ideas and job sectors
Resources for postgraduate applications
CVs, covering letters and applications

You will usually apply to jobs with a CV and cover letter, or an application form. These resources will help you prepare your job applications.

CVs

Cover letters

Application forms

Useful resources

LinkedIn

The largest professional network in the world; it has over 46 million recent graduate or student members. Find out here how to get started with your profile.

Searching for opportunities

Information and resources to help you research job and work experience opportunities

Work and study abroad

Are you looking to work or study abroad? Find country guides, information on how the University can support you, funding and mobility grants, and jobs search engines for working overseas.

Further information from surrey abroad.

Job interviews, assessment centres and psychometric tests

Preparing for a job interview

Getting ready for an assessment centre

Psychometric tests

Recruiters use these as a way to assess your suitability for their placements and graduate positions.

Dealing with nerves during the application process

Many students, graduates and professional feel anxious before and during interviews, and this is completely normal. We have some techniques to help you deal with your nerves and improve your emotional resilience.

Self-awareness and your job search

Knowing yourself well will improve your ability to confidently articulate what you have to offer an employer. It can help you understand the types of work you would enjoy.

Go to our Self-Awareness content to find personality, values, strengths and skills assessments.

International student resources

If you are an international student these resources have been written to help you navigate applying for jobs and placements.

Equality, diversity and inclusion careers resources

A set of resources curated to support students from diverse background and neurodiverse students.

Find a career mentor

We know that kickstarting career can be a daunting process. Surrey Connects is a Surrey-specific networking site, and is your place to connect with Surrey alumni and find a career mentor.

Attend an event

You can book onto our employer-led events through semesters one and two for insight into companies, sectors and the recruitment process. Our careers consultants also run events about the different stages of the job application process.

Attend an event

Book an appointment

A one-to-one with one of our friendly careers consultants is led by your needs and is suitable for whatever stage of your career journey you are at. 

Book an appointment

Jobs search engine

You can search for graduate roles, placements, internships, part-time and vacation roles and insight experiences on Surrey Pathfinder.

Careers and employability reading list

You can borrow careers-related books from the University library. Many of these publications are also available to read online.

Subjects include:

  • Assessment centres
  • Psychometric tests
  • Careers research
  • Personal development.

Go to the Careers and Employability reading list.

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