Every year (usually around this time) we have a few cases of students and graduates who have come to see us with details of job offers where either our or their suspicions have been raised. While most of us are now aware of email scams offering quick cash, scammers have taken to new methods to con people – and some of these are a lot more difficult to spot.

Financial website This is Money even reported recently that, some criminal gangs have been using fake job adverts to con people into money laundering!

We don’t want to put you off using online job searches – they can be invaluable and most people using vacancies sites and CV posting sites have no problems at all. We would however recommend taking a few sensible steps to protect yourself from scammers.

• Be wary in cases where you are offered what seems like a fantastic position without even being interviewed, where you are asked for passport or financial details before getting an interview or where you are told that you will be ‘guaranteed’ a job if you pay a fee for a recommendation letter or to have your CV ‘improved’.
• Always do your research. Do a Google search to find out who the company is and be aware that scammers sometimes use a bogus website or even a reputable company’s site for their scam. If you are suspicious, search by ‘company name’ and ‘scam’ to see if you can find information about reported scams.
•  If you are unsure come in and speak to us for advice, we may have come across a similar situation or heard of the company before.
• Don’t waste money on companies that offer to ‘improve’ your CV – for a price. Don’t forget the Careers Service can give our students and recent graduates CV and application form feedback for free.
• Remember to use your common sense – if an opportunity sounds too good to be true – then it probably is!

Are you interested in 1:1 work with students? Do you have excellent people skills and experience of giving 1:1 advice in a workplace or voluntary setting? Why not apply to become one of our CV advisers?

Reblogged from Careering Ahead:

I am an international student from Singapore who has come to study Marketing and Management degree here. As I approach the end of my course, I am faced with options just like every other person who’s going to graduate. Here are mine.

Finding a job vs Pursuing a Masters degree 

As a business student, I would imagine that these three years have given me the base to understand the dynamic business world.

Read more… 209 more words

Are you an undergraduate international student coming to the end of your final year? One of our Careering Ahead bloggers has written about her experiences and the choices she now faces...

Let’s Talk Africa is a free one-day event aimed at anyone interested in working in Africa, especially working professionals, graduates and final year students.

There will be keynote speeches by CEOs and representatives of several major corporations based in Africa.

The theme of the event is “Africa Rising”. This reflects the numerous opportunities created by the current economic climate in Africa. In spite of the global economic downturn, African countries are thriving – for example, seven of the top 12 fastest-grwing economies in 2013 are in Africa.

Date and time: Saturday 25th May 2013, 11am-5pm

Venue: University Arms Hotel, Regent Street, Cambridge, CB2 1AD

Deutschland-Alumnitag Event 7th June.

The Alumniportal Deutschland has organised an Alumnitag at the Goethe-Institut London on 7th June from 4pm to 9pm for all Germany alumni!

Come and meet others to share your Germany experiences, enjoy free German food and wine, listen to a live pianist, German fairy tales and to stories of Germany Alumni, tell your own story, and take part in our “Bring your German Ding” competition.

Whether you studied in Germany, carried out research, worked, did a language course or did an apprenticeship, we would like to invite you all to gather and bring your German ding or story to our get-together and share your Germany experience!

Click here for more information on German food and wine as well as our cultural programme.

RSVP by 31st May to Gaby Schneidereit:

g.schneidereit@alumniportal-deutschland.org

We look forward to meeting you there!

We’re running a series of sessions next week to help you find out more about part-time work opportunities in the North East…

..then look no further! The Careers Service is now recruiting for the on-campus jobs agency, JobsOC (Jobs on Campus). We are seeking to recruit students to undertake a variety of temporary assignments throughout the summer vacation period. Ares of work may include, but will not be limited to:

•  Cleaning
•  Clerical Assistance
•  Catering/Hospitality
•  Events Assistance
•  Data Entry

This is a great opportunity for International students who are staying in Newcastle over the summer to gain paid work experience and develop a wide range of skills, not to mention making some great friends too! The scheme provides a range of benefits for some of the international students who are currently involved:

 “By completing the shifts from JobsOC, not only did I gain valuable work experience and some money, I also made a lot of friends, I’m still in contact with some of my co-workers I cannot imagine how boring my summer holidays would have been if I did not join this programme. If you are a student of Newcastle Uni and you are looking for a part-time job, JobsOC is definitely worth considering.” Ke Wei, Stage 3 student.

“JobsOC offered roles with great flexibility, leaving me with sufficient time for other personal engagements. The experience is exceptionally rewarding in all aspects especially in learning to work with different people, meeting new people from different cultures, right attitude for work and earning money to support my studies”. Kenneth Okonkwo, Stage 2 student.

Successful students will also be offered the opportunity to be in the JobsOC pool for term time assignments in the 2013/14 academic year.

The application process is now open and will close on the 24^th March 2013. For more information, including details of how to apply, visit our website at www.ncl.ac.uk/careers/jobsoc

Newcastle Work Experience (NWE) summer placements have now launched!

The NWE summer scheme offers current and graduating Newcastle University students the opportunity to gain paid, valuable work experience in a professional environment, and best of all…it’s tax-free!

Where can I find NWE placements?

Placements will be advertised on Vacancies Online, with new placements added weekly. You must select the ‘work experience’ tab and tick the ‘Newcastle Work Experience’ box to search for opportunities. Then, simply complete the online application form for your chosen role and upload your CV.

Current roles available include:

Digital Marketing and Business Development Officer

IT Infrastructure Analyst 

Social Media Officer

Architectural Assistant

You can register your interest in Newcastle Work Experience by signing up to the NWE Interest Form. You will receive the latest placement information including opportunities matching your chosen interests.

Monica Molesag, an international Masters student has taken part in NWE during her time at Newcastle University. Here she shares her experience…

 “NWE is particularly well suited for international students, and makes a nice, lean transition to an unknown environment, the work environment, similar to coming to a new country and interacting with new situations. NWE has been a wonderful introduction to the professional world. It is perfect in that it offers 3 key advantages for any student: the opportunity of gaining skills, experience and professional contacts, the chance to work flexibly, and also earn money! For me, it has also brought a 4th invaluable element to the table: an immense confidence boost in my abilities, which is what any student trying to figure out his or her future needs more than anything! Thanks to NWE and the great contacts that I have made throughout my placement, I am more and more convinced that working in the North East is possibly the best move I can make in terms of building a successful career.”

Find out more

For further information, please visit the NWE web page or pop into the Careers Service to speak with an Information Officer.

The Business School will be hosting a free event for all Newcastle University students, featuring creative and inspiring people from the global business community on the afternoon of Wednesday 13th March.

Whatever you study, if you’re interested in developing your own networks, hearing what international employers want, or learning the latest thinking in social enterprise and digital business – this event is for you.

Best of all, it’s free and lunch will be provided!

A full timetable of events  lists each of the sessions and allows you to book a place. Find out more about the sessions and speakers. You need to book a place at each of the sessions that interests you!

 

 

Alumni UK Career Development Workshop and Recruitment Fairs: 9-16th March

Alumni UK are running Career Development Workshops and Recruitment Fairs in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu in March to help UK alumni understand the job market in China and support them in job hunting.

For event details and how to register, read on…