This is the third video in a series of videos that offers information and top tips applying for an Employ.ed on Campus internship. All videos included in this series can be found on the Careers Service website: Employ.ed on Campus | The University of Edinburgh.​

0:02
Hello, my name is Claire and I'm based in the Internships and Work Experience Team at the Careers Service I support with the running of the Employ.ed on Campus programme.

0:10
And in this video I'm going to provide you with some top tips around planning before you start to build your internship application.

0:18
This video is part of the Top Tips Applying for an Employ.ed on Campus Internship series.

0:23
All videos included in the series can be found on the Career Service website, which you can access by scanning the QR code on the screen.

0:32
Before you start to build your application, there are a couple of items to take into consideration.

0:37
It's important for you to take note of the internship closing date so that you can give yourself plenty of time to plan all the tasks you need to do related to your application before the deadline.

0:48
If you take the time to plan, you are going to be more likely to create a successful application.

0:54
I have pulled together some top items to consider at planning stage.

0:58
These are listed on the screen and I'm going to run through each of them in the next couple of slides.

1:05
At the planning stage, you need to decide how many roles you're going to apply for so that you can plan the time into your schedule.

1:12
To build an application for each role, we recommend you apply for a maximum of three Employ.ed on Campus internships.

1:19
This is because it takes time to do a good application.

1:23
You're more likely to be offered an interview for a role when the person who's reviewing your application can clearly see that you've taken the time to research the job opportunity and you've personalized your application.

1:37
When selecting the internships you want to apply for, you should take the time to consider the following, which can be found in the job advert and the job description.

1:46
Firstly, check the criteria.

1:48
In the job description, there will be a list of essential and desirable criteria.

1:53
Think about if you have the skills they are asking for and where you've demonstrated these skills in the past.

2:00
A common mistake is to quickly dismiss yourself because of the criteria.

2:04
However, please remember you do not need to be an expert in all of the criteria.

2:09
You just need to be able to demonstrate that you have experience of this.

2:14
Secondly, check the working pattern.

2:17
Sometimes the working pattern can be on campus and sometimes it can be hybrid.

2:22
You need to ensure that you will be able to meet this requirement.

2:27
The next tip is once you have read the job description and advert, think about what has attracted your attention to the role and keep a note of this.

2:35
You will want to refer to this in your cover letter as the employer will want to find out a bit more about you and your interests.

2:43
Also, spend time researching the opportunity and the department and in your application highlight why you would like to work for them.

2:51
This will really make you stand out to the employer as they will see that you've taken the time to understand what you're applying for and understand who you will be working with too.

3:04
The next item to take into consideration at the planning stage is whether you have a National Insurance Number.

3:10
All employees in the UK are required to have a National Insurance Number, and when you're submitting your application, you'll be asked to include your National Insurance number.

3:20
If you don't have one, I have linked information about how to apply for one on the screen.

3:25
You can still apply for jobs while you're in the process of applying for a National Insurance Number.

3:33
The Career Service offers lots of resources to help you build your application, and I'm making aware of a few of these resources today so you can plan time to take advantage of them.

3:44
So the first is CV360.

3:46
This is an online tool that gives you instant feedback on your CV.

3:51
You upload your CV to the system and it will give you a mark out of 100.

3:55
The system will tell you where and why you've lost marks, it will help you to identify and fix grammar and spelling errors and it will suggest formatting and structure changes too.

4:07
You can also come in and do a drop-in session at the Careers Service.

4:11
Bring along your CV and we will give you some quick feedback on your application.

4:16
These sessions are run online and in person to suit your needs.

4:20
Please do use CV360 before attending one of these sessions as it does save time as it means that you can fix the small errors.

4:27
Before talking to us, please also take the time to familiarise yourself with the Career Service website.

4:35
Here you will find support and guidance on writing CVs, cover letters, examples of CVs, information on selecting your referees, and lots more.

4:46
Finally, at the planning stage, it's important that you take the time to consider the application closing date, which is the 13th of March this year.

4:55
Applications submitted after the closing date are likely not to be taken into consideration just due to the popularity of the internships.

5:04
We recommend that you aim to get your application submitted a couple of days prior to the deadline.

5:09
We all know that technical problems can sometimes occur, so just ensure you give yourself time to deal with any unexpected errors.

5:19
Thank you for listening to this video on planning.

5:21
Before you apply for an Employ.ed on Campus Internship, here is a list of the videos and the top tips applying for Employ.ed on Campus internship series.

5:30
Please scan the QR code which will take you to our website where you can find all of the videos.

5:35
We recommend watching the Building Your Application cover letter and CV top tips next.

5:41
If you have any questions about the information covered in this video then please contact the Internships and Work Experience Team using the email address at the bottom of the screen.

Transcript:

0:02
Hello, my name is Claire and I'm based in the Internships and Work Experience Team at the Careers Service I support with the running of the Employ.ed on Campus programme.

0:10
And in this video I'm going to provide you with some top tips around planning before you start to build your internship application.

0:18
This video is part of the Top Tips Applying for an Employ.ed on Campus Internship series.

0:23
All videos included in the series can be found on the Career Service website, which you can access by scanning the QR code on the screen.

0:32
Before you start to build your application, there are a couple of items to take into consideration.

0:37
It's important for you to take note of the internship closing date so that you can give yourself plenty of time to plan all the tasks you need to do related to your application before the deadline.

0:48
If you take the time to plan, you are going to be more likely to create a successful application.

0:54
I have pulled together some top items to consider at planning stage.

0:58
These are listed on the screen and I'm going to run through each of them in the next couple of slides.

1:05
At the planning stage, you need to decide how many roles you're going to apply for so that you can plan the time into your schedule.

1:12
To build an application for each role, we recommend you apply for a maximum of three Employ.ed on Campus internships.

1:19
This is because it takes time to do a good application.

1:23
You're more likely to be offered an interview for a role when the person who's reviewing your application can clearly see that you've taken the time to research the job opportunity and you've personalized your application.

1:37
When selecting the internships you want to apply for, you should take the time to consider the following, which can be found in the job advert and the job description.

1:46
Firstly, check the criteria.

1:48
In the job description, there will be a list of essential and desirable criteria.

1:53
Think about if you have the skills they are asking for and where you've demonstrated these skills in the past.

2:00
A common mistake is to quickly dismiss yourself because of the criteria.

2:04
However, please remember you do not need to be an expert in all of the criteria.

2:09
You just need to be able to demonstrate that you have experience of this.

2:14
Secondly, check the working pattern.

2:17
Sometimes the working pattern can be on campus and sometimes it can be hybrid.

2:22
You need to ensure that you will be able to meet this requirement.

2:27
The next tip is once you have read the job description and advert, think about what has attracted your attention to the role and keep a note of this.

2:35
You will want to refer to this in your cover letter as the employer will want to find out a bit more about you and your interests.

2:43
Also, spend time researching the opportunity and the department and in your application highlight why you would like to work for them.

2:51
This will really make you stand out to the employer as they will see that you've taken the time to understand what you're applying for and understand who you will be working with too.

3:04
The next item to take into consideration at the planning stage is whether you have a National Insurance Number.

3:10
All employees in the UK are required to have a National Insurance Number, and when you're submitting your application, you'll be asked to include your National Insurance number.

3:20
If you don't have one, I have linked information about how to apply for one on the screen.

3:25
You can still apply for jobs while you're in the process of applying for a National Insurance Number.

3:33
The Career Service offers lots of resources to help you build your application, and I'm making aware of a few of these resources today so you can plan time to take advantage of them.

3:44
So the first is CV360.

3:46
This is an online tool that gives you instant feedback on your CV.

3:51
You upload your CV to the system and it will give you a mark out of 100.

3:55
The system will tell you where and why you've lost marks, it will help you to identify and fix grammar and spelling errors and it will suggest formatting and structure changes too.

4:07
You can also come in and do a drop-in session at the Careers Service.

4:11
Bring along your CV and we will give you some quick feedback on your application.

4:16
These sessions are run online and in person to suit your needs.

4:20
Please do use CV360 before attending one of these sessions as it does save time as it means that you can fix the small errors.

4:27
Before talking to us, please also take the time to familiarise yourself with the Career Service website.

4:35
Here you will find support and guidance on writing CVs, cover letters, examples of CVs, information on selecting your referees, and lots more.

4:46
Finally, at the planning stage, it's important that you take the time to consider the application closing date, which is the 13th of March this year.

4:55
Applications submitted after the closing date are likely not to be taken into consideration just due to the popularity of the internships.

5:04
We recommend that you aim to get your application submitted a couple of days prior to the deadline.

5:09
We all know that technical problems can sometimes occur, so just ensure you give yourself time to deal with any unexpected errors.

5:19
Thank you for listening to this video on planning.

5:21
Before you apply for an Employ.ed on Campus Internship, here is a list of the videos and the top tips applying for Employ.ed on Campus internship series.

5:30
Please scan the QR code which will take you to our website where you can find all of the videos.

5:35
We recommend watching the Building Your Application cover letter and CV top tips next.

5:41
If you have any questions about the information covered in this video then please contact the Internships and Work Experience Team using the email address at the bottom of the screen.

5:51
Thank you very much for listening and good luck with your application.