Careers Resources

Careers Resources

The resources listed below are mostly hosted on external websites. The Careers and Employability Service website also has information on Making Applications. Find out more.

Making applications

Resources on CV writing

The link below will take you to a list of resources offering advice on writing your CV.

Resources on Covering Letters

The link below will take you to a list of recommended resources for writing covering letters.

Resources on Resilience

Developing your resilience is important for succeeding in a competitive job market. The link below will take you to a list of recommended resources for assessing your resilience level and developing it further.

Job Application Advice including Power Words (AGCAS)

This document contains useful information on how to complete application forms effectively. There is advice on: demonstrating evidence of the skills employers are looking for, answering common questions, writing personal statements, analysing adverts to match your skills to the job specification and using power words to emphasise your suitability for the job.

Guide to creating STARR examples

Employers often assess evidence of applicants demonstrating their required competencies (or skills) in their selection process. Evidence of these competencies is assessed in application forms and during interviews and assessment centres. You can use this guide to the STARR structure to ensure you articulate your competencies in enough depth for employers to assess you.

  • Author: University of Aberdeen Careers Service
  • Download PDF 464.8 KB
Pathways (free online learning) - TargetJobs

Get the insights and skills you need to shape your career journey. Learn directly from industry experts and young professionals with videos, quizzes and real-world activities.

Employer Insights - TargetJobs

Profiles of graduate employers. Profiles include current vacancies, events and videos, as well as articles with tips on making successful applications.

Mini Career Course: Finding Graduate Vacancies

In this mini career course you will find out about the types of graduate opportunities available to you, where to find advertised opportunities and access the "hidden job market".

Mini Career Course: Successful applications

In this mini online career course you will learn how to complete employer applications successfully and avoid the pitfalls of online applications. We will also highlight key resources to help you.

Mini Career Course: Effective CVs and covering letters

This mini online career course is designed to prepare you for writing targeted CVs and covering letters, highlighting key resources to help you.

How to stop your application form going in the shredder (Enterprise Rent-A-Car)

Advice and tips on how to write effective application forms.

Developing commercial awareness

Resources to help you understand what commercial awareness is and how you can demonstrate on your applications that you have developed this skill.

Personal statements for postgraduate applications (Prospects)

Advice on what to include in a personal statement for a postgraduate course application. There are tips on how to structure the statement and how to start and end it well.

Employment application fraud leaflet - guidance for students

Advice from CIFAS (UK Fraud Prevention Service) on the importance of being truthful in your job applications and the consequences of being untruthful.

The Graduate Career Guidebook

This book divides the career journey into manageable steps and helps you navigate each stage, from deciding what you want to do, to gaining work experience, networking effectively, conducting a job hunt, writing a knock-out CV, impressing at interview and getting the job. It is available to borrow from the Careers Service library. There is also a companion website with extra activities and videos (follow link below).

This book is available to borrow from the Sir Duncan Rice Library. Please check the library catalogue for details.

Words: A User's Guide

A useful reference guide which explains the usage and meaning of words in the English language.

  • Author: Stewart Clark and Graham Pointon
  • Published: 2009

You will find this book in the Careers Service library on the second floor of the Hub.

Presentation Skills for Students

This guide offers valuable advice on speaking effectively in a number of different situations: job interviews, delivering presentations and participating in meetings.

  • Author: Joan van Emden and Lucinda Becker

This book is available to borrow from the Sir Duncan Rice Library. Please check the library catalogue for details.

Write it Right

A practical guide to the basic skills of effective writing. As well as providing advice on writing job applications, there are also useful tips on sentence structure, grammar and punctuation.

  • Author: John Peck and Martin Coyle

This book is available to borrow from the Sir Duncan Rice Library. Please check the library catalogue for details.

Reflective Writing

To make effective job applications you will be required to write concise reflective statements about the skills and attributes you have gained from your experiences (part-time jobs, volunteering, involvement in student societies, sporting activities etc.). This book offers advice on what reflective writing is and how to put it into practice. The book is available to borrow from the Careers Service library.

  • Author: Kate Williams, Maru Wooliams and Jane Spiro
  • Published: 2012

This book is available to borrow from the Sir Duncan Rice Library. Please check the library catalogue for details.