How to see what others see in you

How to see what others see in you

Chatting to my sister before I went to a job interview a few years ago, she gave me some advice. “Tell them you’re really good at putting other people at ease,” she said. “Am I?” I asked, surprised. Sometimes, we don’t realise that what we’re naturally good at is something other people wish they could […]

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You could be what employers need

When planning your future, make informed decisions by keeping up with labour market news and information. The OU’s Business Barometer surveyed 1289 organisations about the UK skills landscape. The Barometer reports on the impact of issues like Brexit, inflation, and lack of infrastructure. Remember that with the right tools and knowledge of the labour market, […]

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Ensure your CV sizzles this summer

Summer is finally here! With long evenings, garden days and BBQs aplenty, what better time to “hot-up” on CV writing and move forward in your career goals. We’ve got everything you need to get your CV sizzling. Try our CV360 tool which uses Artificial Intelligence to score your CV against common checks and Applicant Tracking […]

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Ikigai – St. James’s Place Academy shares learnings

St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy is one of the inclusive employers working with the OU who welcomes applications from OU students and alumni. Marketing specialist Hannah Steiner from St. James’s Place shares her thoughts about Ikigai, the Japanese secret to a long and happy career. The Japanese believe everyone has an Ikigai, or a […]

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Brand yourself and achieve your goals

“Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon. If you’re ready to apply for jobs, internships or further study, you’re at the ‘Achieve’ career readiness stage. ‘Selling yourself’, or convincingly matching your unique skills and qualities to the needs of the outside world, is […]

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Georgina Hawkins, Employer Engagement Manager

Age is no barrier for employers

Do you feel you’ve left it too late to change career? Or perhaps you worry your youth and lack of experience might be an issue. I’m Georgina, an Employer Engagement Manager here at the OU, and students highlight ‘age’ at nearly every employer event we host, especially those who feel too old to change career […]

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Discover your future – caterpillar your career

Finding the right career path can make you feel a bit like a caterpillar – slow and small in a world much bigger than you where everything seems a bit hairy and scary. Don’t worry, you’re not alone, this is often the case for students at the ‘Discover’ career readiness stage. We should also not […]

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Progress your life – find your ikigai

At the OU’s Careers and Employability Services we help many students along their path to employment, but thinking about your future is more than work and could include further study, volunteering, or community initiatives. There are many other ways than paid employment to use your skills and try out different things. You can navigate your […]

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4 Lego figures imagining themselves in different jobs.

Getting to know and love the new ‘you’

Our role at work is often a huge part of who we are. We spend a lot of time at work and often feel our jobs are part of our identity. That’s why changing career can seem like changing the ‘you’ you present to the world. If you feel the prospect of such a psychological […]

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TikTok Logo

TikTok your career

More than ever, there is a wealth of careers advice online that OU students may use to help steer their career. We hope our on-demand webinars on social media networking and LinkedIn guide will help you navigate your cyber-presence, as well as our recent LinkedIn: standing out from the crowd session which was hosted by […]

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Take control and futureproof your career

Take control and futureproof your career

The world of work has always been subject to change, but in recent years it feels as though the pace of change has snowballed and this can make the future feel uncertain for many of us. The pandemic dramatically transformed the way a lot of people work. Remote and hybrid working is now part of […]

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OU Careers Consultant Leigh

Dealing with a disappointing classification

What to do if you don’t get the degree result you need? We know waiting to receive your degree result can be both an anxious and exciting time. If you receive a lower classification than you expected, you may be worried about the impact on your future career. If you haven’t yet finished your qualification […]

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Fiona and Polly

Career contacts and conversations: how to reach out to people and start networking

Getting inside knowledge by talking to people working in the sector you’re aiming for and connecting with employers – we call it ‘networking’ for short. It’s something everyone is apprehensive about, but most people can find a way that works for them once they give it a go. It can help you achieve your goals […]

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OU careers consultant Jackie

Carer, student or career changer? – Who are you today?

We all have different roles – some days I can be a carer, mum, careers consultant, friend, finance manager, admin worker, first aider, grown up daughter, cook, cleaner, event organiser… The list is endless.” Jackie Pickles, OU Careers and Employability Consultant I bet some of you recognise this, especially if you’re juggling caring responsibilities with […]

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Shortcuts to success: career planning for busy people

Shortcuts to success: career planning for busy people

Struggling to find time to plan your career? Don’t put it off any longer – fulfil your ambitions with the OU’s quick and easy careers guides, exercises, templates, and links. I’m Catrin, and I’m an OU Careers and Employability Consultant who supports students and graduates like you to work towards their goals. My 6 quick […]

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