Frequently asked questions
I have been asked to circulate a job advertisement by an employer/a business, what should I do?
For graduate and work experience placements, please contact our Events and Vacancies team with the details.
For part-time and temporary work jobs, please contact Unitemps our recruitment agency with the details.
They can then make the necessary checks and make contact with the employer. Not all employment opportunities are as they seem and some are simply ‘phishing’.
What is the Careers and Employability's position in relation to recruitment agencies/intermediaries?
We do not post advertisements for students/graduates to register with a recruitment intermediary as they are tasked with raising the profile of specific employers and can do a great job. However, they aren’t focused on the student but the profit from the company. Their offer is usually limited to only a few companies whereas we work with all.
However, we do advertise specific vacancies where they can be advertised under the name of the client company, where employers choose to act through a recruitment intermediary for communications.
The agencies increasingly use student brand managers to raise the profile. In many cases this is an excellent way for them to raise awareness but again it focuses on only a few companies. More importantly, it can encourage students to spam email their cohort and we encourage student brand mangers to make contact with us so we can help them avoid falling foul of University regulations ─ as well as annoying their fellow students.
If you are contacted by a recruitment agency, or are unsure as to the status of a business, do get in touch with the Events and Vacancies team.
I have been approached by an employer/a business who wishes to hold a presentation in the school/on campus, how do I go about doing this?
The Events and Vacancies team can provide advice and guidance about presentations and other related events that employers can access. They can liaise with the employer and make the necessary arrangements.
How do I find out about recruitment related events that are going on around campus?
There is a large and diverse programme of careers events available for employers who wish to raise their profile on campus. This includes Careers in..., recruitment presentations, drop-in sessions and focus groups. More information can be found:
Does the Service work with small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs)?
Yes. The Service is continuously developing ways in which it can build on relationships with SMEs on a local and national level. Further information on working with SMEs.
Along with other employers, SMEs are able to advertise their vacancies with us, free of charge. The University offers services to businesses through its Business Engagement team.
How can I find out who the careers adviser is for my school?
An employer/a business wishes to get involved in the curriculum, how do they go about doing this?
This will depend on what sort involvement the employer/business wishes to develop and which curriculum/subject they want to get involved in. We are aware that some involvement is degree/subject specific, and that some Schools have placement officers working with employers/businesses on a regular basis.
Contact your careers adviser for an initial discussion to determine the best way to proceed ─ we can either advise directly or suggest colleagues in other Schools who have had recent experiences with (often the same) employer(s).
What is the best way for me to contact employers/businesses in relation to getting them involved in employability activities in Schools?
Your careers adviser 
is the best contact. You may also wish to contact the Events and Vacancies team, with details of what involvement you are hoping to achieve. We can check to see if the activities are organised and arranged centrally or put you in touch with the relevant employers. You might also wish to consider using your alumni.
Why should we work with the Service in relation to dealing with aspects of graduate recruitment?
We understand the key challenges that face all businesses, particularly in relation to today’s highly competitive graduate job market. By working together and sharing information, we can provide our students and graduates with the best opportunities available to access recruitment and career-related information and events taking place around campus. We are an award winning centre that is dedicated to supporting our students and graduates and have the expertise and knowledge to support your strategies.
What is the best way of finding out whether organisations are reputable or not?
If you are unsure as to the status and or reputation of an employer that makes contact with you, our Events and Vacancies team can find out more on your behalf both locally and through our national networks.
Why does the Service charge for the services it offers?
We do not charge for all the services we offers. Careers in.. sessions and skills workshops are held on campus, with no charge to the employer/business involved. Employers/businesses are able to advertise their vacancies through our website, free of charge.
In addition, discounts on prices for recruitment fairs are available to charities and SMEs with vacancies on our website.
Charges have to be made for some services in order to fund the provision of other services, for example our online system which allows students to register for events, to search vacancies and share their CV with employers is not funded by Information Services but by the income the Service generates.
How can I refer a student for advice?
If you feel that one of your students would benefit from talking to a careers adviser, then please suggest that they speak to one of our staff or book an appointment through the student site.
What about advice on leaving or changing their course?
Students are often very distressed and confused when they feel that they have made the wrong choice of course and they need help to make the decision. Sometimes it helps for them to talk to someone outside of their department about options at Nottingham or elsewhere. We will always try to see such students as soon as possible, so you may want to suggest that they phone us or call in and you may also want to stress that the discussion with a careers adviser is strictly confidential.
For practical help about transferring or leaving their course, students can also visit the Student Advice and Representation Centre.
Can I get help with developing an employability module?
Your first point of contact is the
careers adviser who links with your School. You can also check whether there is someone within your own School who has some responsibility for careers and employability.
We can consult with you about what you are hoping to achieve and give you some examples of good practice from other Schools. We’ll also be able to discuss with you how we can support your module by delivering sessions for your students. If you are also interested in the Nottingham Advantage Award, then we’ll link you with the Award staff.
Can you offer information and advice for my international students about jobs?
We have information for international students on our website, and our information officers and careers advisers can give general advice. However, we are not able to give individual guidance to students about their right to work in the UK after graduation, so you should refer them to the International Office .
Can you advise students about funding for postgraduate study?
Yes, we have a range of information and resources about postgraduate study. Students can use the further study section of our website, or they can ask one of our information officers for advice.