Ask the Careers Service

If you are a University of Manchester student or recent graduate you can book a careers guidance appointment to discuss your career options or job search strategy. Find out how to book here 

Please note that MBA And Masters students and graduates studying in the Alliance Manchester Business School need to use the Postgraduate AMBS Careers Service for appointments. Book an appointment with the Postgraduate AMBS Careers Service on their Careers Platform: https://mbs-csm.symplicity.com/student. Email: postgraduate.careers.service@manchester.ac.uk

There are different options for work experience available to students at different times of year and in different academic years.

Research the different options availabvle to you below:

Some may be a part of your course; often called a placement or year in industry: https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/findjobs/placement/

Others may be something you do in your vacation time; often called an internship:  https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/findjobs/internships/

University of Manchester students and recent graduates can get help with applications and CVs for jobs or courses. This includes workshops, drop-ins, guides and 1-1 appointments

Find out how to get advice on your CV 

The answers to most careers questions are on our website,
If you have a question you would like to ask in person come to the careers enquiry desk in The Atrium University Place, or look for our drop-in times on CareerConnect under events. Drop-in sessions are normally on campus during semester time. ( during vacation time Zoom drop-ins are normally available) select a time and location that works for you and simply turn up.

Alternatively if you need a longer discussion around your career planning book a careers meeting via CareerConnect.

Find out more about how to access support

Don’t worry if you don’t have your career mapped out let’s start with the first step.

Start by assessing what is important to you and what your skills are: https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/whichcareer/idontknow/

Explore different career areas  to help you understand what different jobs are like and what skills they need. https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/whichcareer/

You can find out about how to access our advice and guidance services, drop-ins and appointments here: https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/services/

There are lots of types of graduate jobs. Graduate training schemes that take on lots of new graduates in one intake are just a small proportion of the jobs available. Find out more about finding graduate jobs here: https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/findjobs/graduatejobs/

If your course is due to end / has ended recently, continue to use the 'Student sign in' option up until the point where you receive a 'permission denied' error message after entering your details.

At this point you'll be able to register a new password for your account using the 'Graduate sign in' option as explained below. (You cannot apply for a graduate account while your student account is active.) There are 2 options below:

1. Active your graduate account by selecting forgot password on the graduate registration page and following the instructions (when using forgotten password to activate your account please use the email that you receive correspondence from us on to do this).
2. If you find this does not work please register for a Graduate account, making sure to include your Student/Alumni ID. Simply click the 'graduate sign in' button and fill in the short registration form. You will need a non-student email address and your Student/Alumni ID number.

Your Alumni and Student ID is the same number. If you don’t have your Student/Alumni ID card, check emails from Development and Alumni Relations as your Alumni ID is recorded there. If you are unable to locate your Alumni/Student ID please request it here

For student account issues or if you have left your course without completing please see: https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/services/aboutcareerconnect/ 

Depending on your circumstances and the purpose of the application, an employer or postgraduate course provider may ask for a number of references. These may come from your current employer or academic school, or past employment or study depending on what you have done most recently and, or what is relevant. Find out more https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/applicationsinterviews/faqs/references/

Yes, University of Manchester students can get help with covering letters.

First see our advice here

Find out how to get advice on cover letters and applications

Yes, University of Manchester students and recent graduates can get help with applications for postgraduate study.

First see our tips and advice for personal statements and applications for PG study

Find out how to access advice on Applications

The time date and location of your careers appointment are in the confirmation and reminder emails we sent you. ( check your spam folder too)

Many of our online events and webinars are recorded.  Check back after a week to see if it’s made it onto our YouTube channel  https://www.youtube.com/c/manchestercareers

The Careers Service does not have access to your transcripts: 

You can find out about accessing transcripts and interim transcripts here https://www.studentsupport.manchester.ac.uk/student-services/officialdocumentsandverifications

If you are thinking of changing or leaving your course at The University of Manchester check the practical steps you need to take and issues you need to consider: https://www.studentsupport.manchester.ac.uk/study-support/course-or-university-change/

If you are unsure about what course to change to, or career directions with a different degree, or options without a degree talk to us in confidence. https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/services/

If you are unable to make your careers appointment you can cancel it by clicking on cancel in the appointment email we sent you . This will take to to your  CareerConnect account where you can cancel the appointment.

You can only cancel before the start time of your appointment.

There are a number of options for international students to stay and work in the UK after study.  Find out more here: https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/international/ukworkafterstudy/

Most international students can work:

• Up to 20 hours per week during term time.
• Full-time during official university vacation periods.

Postgraduate students:

• You may work full-time during Christmas and Easter breaks.
• You cannot work full-time over summer, as you are expected to work on your dissertation.

Always check your visa conditions and be aware there may be restrictions on the type of work you can do.

Find out more here:

https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/international/workduringstudy/ 

Some international employers require an internship or placement to be part of your course or take place while you are a student.  Find out more about if your placement or internship is eligible https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/findjobs/placement/internationalplacements/placementagreements/

We have information and advice to help you prepare and practice for an interview.  This includes workshops, online guides and resources plus guidance/coaching to help you prepare or simulations to improve your technique.

https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/applicationsinterviews/interviews/

There is a lot of information about different employer tests on our website. 

University of Manchester students and recent graduates can also access Graduates First and Profiling for Success tests for free. https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/applicationsinterviews/psychometric/