Career planning is integral to building a successful career. But you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. There are plenty of free career resources available for students in the UK. In this guest blog from Student Circus, we list these resources so you can use them to create a career plan.
Career planning is a big part of your future. As students, you have the opportunity to explore different options to find out what really interests you. The field or job you choose should fulfil varying goals — it should be well-paid, creatively fulfilling, and align with your aptitude… we could go on and on about this. Before you set out in pursuit of such opportunities, you first need to become “job-ready”.
Simply put, job readiness is about how prepared you are to start working, and reflects your ability to land that job. Job readiness starts with awareness of your strengths and development areas, so you are ready to start working in a professional environment.
But how can you develop these skills? Who should you seek help from? How will you know if your CV is up to scratch? Thankfully, there are a plethora of resources available for students in the UK. Below, we have listed some of the free resources.
Student career resources to help you find a job
Career services at university
In the UK, most universities have a career services department with career advisers who can help you with different aspects of your career planning. You will usually find them under a similar name: Careers Hub, Careers Services, Careers and Placements Cell, Careers & Employability Department, Careers Support, or Employability Hub.
As a registered student, you can book one-to-one appointments with a career adviser or counsellor and get your questions answered. This can range from CV advice and insights into the UK job market to mock interviews, job search support, or general advice on soft skills like communication.
The careers service at most universities also has a dedicated portal for registered students, giving access to a variety of resources such as internships, campus jobs, exclusive events, networking activities, guides, and more. Be sure to check out what they have on offer.
Skill assessment
If you are only just starting out in your career and are still assessing your aptitude or skills, you should try a skills assessment to gain more insight into the kinds of roles you are suited for, which fields match your interests, and what employability prospects are available.
One such free resource is Barclays Life Skills. You will need to register and log in, and then you can explore the different sections depending on your career needs. For example, if you are looking for jobs, they will share job-search-specific activities. If you want to develop confidence in your skills, you will be signposted to another set of activities and ratings. It is a great way to learn more about yourself in practical settings.
CV tools
Your CV is an integral part of your career, whether you are actively job hunting or not. It is a concise summary of your qualifications and achievements that you can share with potential hiring managers, so it is important to get it right.
There are some free tools available to help you. First, your careers service will usually offer a CV clinic or CV review appointment. We recommend getting your CV reviewed by an adviser at least once. Second, careers advisers will often share templates with you, which can help you write your own CV. These templates follow the accepted norms of CV writing in the UK, so they can provide useful guidelines. Third, some universities will also offer an online CV checker tool like CV360. This gives you instant, tailored feedback on your CV, including tips on how it can be improved and suggestions for alternative phrases.
Vita Student events and workshops
If you live at Vita Student, you’ll know about our daily events. But did you know that we also host regular careers-focused events and workshops to help set you on the path to success? Our mission is to help you thrive, and our carefully curated programme of events is just one of the ways we do that. From CV crafting workshops and productivity mindset seminars to Big Talks with industry-leading professionals, living at Vita Student allows you to grow your skillset and network with some of the best minds in business.
All you need to do is log into your online account to sign up and get the very most out of your stay at Vita Student.
University career fairs and employer events
Career fairs are an excellent opportunity to network with recruiters, employers and hiring managers from various fields and sectors. You can introduce yourself to businesses and organisations that could be your future employers. Other events include employer presentations, alumni chats, workshops, or webinars.
In fact, the career fairs and events organised on your campus are free to attend. Do not miss out on these opportunities to interact with industry professionals.
LinkedIn and other social media platforms
Creating a LinkedIn profile allows you to showcase your skills, connect with professionals in your field of interest, and even find job postings. Make sure your profile is complete and professional; add your skills, experience, and a professional profile picture. Engage with industry-related posts and join groups related to your field.
In addition to LinkedIn, you can use other social media platforms like X (previously Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, which can be valuable resources for job hunting. Many companies post job openings on their social media pages, so following them can keep you updated on job opportunities.
Vita Student alumni network
Living at Vita Student is an experience you can benefit from for life. When you graduate from university and move out of a Vita Student building, you will be invited to join our Vita Student Alumni Network. This is a powerful global network of former Vita Student residents, who share their career experiences, meet at exclusive events, and can access benefits and discounts with some of our brand partners. It’s the perfect place to stay in touch with your former neighbours and make new connections that could potentially help you on the path to your dream career.
Read the career story of our Barcelona alumnus, Juan, and how he landed a CFO role after graduating.
Upskilling platforms
There are several online platforms where you can learn new skills for free or at a low cost. Websites like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, edX, and Khan Academy offer a wide range of courses in various fields. Sometimes they also partner with universities, so ask your institution if they have a partnership with any of them. Many universities will also have their own modules to help you acquire employability skills.
University alumni network
Your university’s alumni network can be a goldmine of networking opportunities. Alumni often come back to their alma mater to offer mentorship, conduct workshops, or even recruit students for internships and jobs. Reach out to alumni through social media platforms or alumni events organised by your university. They can provide valuable insights into the industry, offer career advice, and even help you secure internships or job referrals.
Online test prep
As part of the hiring process, most UK employers use psychometric tests at the initial stage. These include logical reasoning, situational judgement, numerical reasoning, and similar assessments. You can use online resources like Assessment Day, 123test.com, jobtestprep.com, and others.
Proper preparation is key to scoring well in these tests, and these resources can significantly enhance your chances of success.
Recruiters and recruitment agencies
Recruiters and recruitment agencies specialise in matching candidates with suitable job opportunities. They often have access to exclusive roles that may not be advertised elsewhere.
Building a relationship with a recruiter can open doors to various job opportunities tailored to your skills and preferences. Reach out to recruitment agencies specialising in your field of interest and enquire about their services.
Job boards
Once you begin your job search, you need to find relevant opportunities to apply for. On job boards like Indeed, Student Circus, Reed, and others, you can create an account, upload your CV, and apply for jobs. They often have advanced filters that allow you to narrow down job listings based on your preferences. Additionally, many job boards offer resources like interview tips, CV writing guides, and career advice articles to support your search.
Careers content creators
Your career journey doesn’t have to be boring. You can learn a lot by following the right people on social media, many of whom have been in the same position you are in now. Below are a few career coaches and creators who share valuable information about the job market.
Valeria – Mind The Grad – YouTube
To build a successful career path, these resources are available to you, so make sure you use them wisely. Take advantage of your university’s career services, where advisers can help refine your CV, provide job market insights, and offer interview tips. Use online resources to navigate the job search with confidence.
