As a manager, you play a key role in helping student staff build confidence and prepare for life beyond their role. This page offers practical guidance to help you support students with their next steps - whether that’s refining their LinkedIn profile, preparing for interviews, or recognising transferable skills.
Explore tips and tools to help student staff showcase their experience and take the next step in their journey.
Preparing Students
Interview Skills
Whilst in the role, students may begin to explore potential careers. Students would benefit from any advice or guidance you can give, and you can also signpost them to Student Opportunity- Careers, who can offer 1:1 guidance and mock interviews.
Identify the type of interview you're preparing for and manage your expectations. Is it In person? If it is a video interview, is it live or pre-recorded?
Plan answers to your list of predicted questions, then review and edit
Use the STAR framework to write competency answers: Situation, Task, Action and Result. These are usually about teamwork, communication, conflict/challenge, problem solving, and project management
STAR Tips: spend 70% of your time on the action section, clearly explaining what YOU did. Don’t fall into the trap of saying ‘we’ all the time
When you’re asked to tell the interviewers about yourself, use the rule of three to introduce your education, experience and interest in the role
Education- your motivation/interest in your course, key skills or modules relevant to the role, your final year project/thesis
Work- you should place more emphasis on relevant positions. Highlight around 3 skills developed from experiences and explain reasons between transitions
Interest- can include what attracted you to the role, why you will be a good fit, and what your future goals are (if they’re in the same company/role)
Prepare some questions to ask the interviewer(s). Common questions include:
What does a typical day/week in the role look like?
What are the key priorities or challenges in this role over the next 6 months?
Can you tell me more about the structure of the team and how it fits into the wider organisational structure?
Practise: rehearse your answers
Have mock interviews with a careers advisor, friend or family member
Practise independently by recording yourself or in a mirror
Try using online free interview simulators
There is no need to commit to responses word-for-word, but the more you practise, the more you’ll remember, identify ways to improve, and feel confident
Psychology: the benefits of positive psychology
Be optimistic and positive throughout the process. Being nervous is normal, but learned optimism will help during preparation and the real thing!
In Shaun Achor’s Ted Talk, he notes: “Only 25% of job successes are predicted by IQ. 75% of job successes are predicted by your optimism levels, your social support and your ability to see stress as a challenge instead of as a threat”
Arrive 10-15 minutes early in person, or 5-10 minutes early online
Take a notebook in with you, with short bullet points on the questions you identified. This should not be used to read from, but to refresh your memory
Dress smartly, even if your interview is online
Don’t forget the importance of body language! Smile when you greet your interviewers, sit or stand tall and make eye contact
If you need a minute to think about an answer, ask the interviewer to repeat the question, have a drink of water or ask to come back to the question at the end
LinkedIn
Students are often new to the professional world, and may not know how to generate connections. For most, professional online networking starts with LinkedIn. If there are other ways in which people in your sector share information or make connections, please consider sharing this with your students.
This document can be sent directly to your students, or you can choose to discuss it with them in-person.
It advocates for them choosing the guidance which is most appropriate for them. The parts in RED are the areas where you can offer assistance - change and adapt these as you see fit.
The Student Opportunity team at the sometimes offer 'Using LinkedIn Effectively for your Career' sessions. Check the latest events to see if one is happening in this term:
Try to create a complete profile- use a clear photo, a strong headline and a summary that highlights things like goals, skills and your passions
Connect- start by connecting with classmates and professionals you know
Follow companies and influencers- this can help you stay up to date on industries you're interested in
Engage where you can- like, comment and share posts that interest you. This will help the algorithm pick up and recommend more relevant posts or topics
Share your own achievements and content- LinkedIn is a good place to keep track of your achievements and your qualifications, and some use it as a 'living CV'. It can be a useful place to keep a log of things for you to bring up in interviews!
