Toolkits and Student Guide
Use our Toolkits to explore the five different segments of the Careers Compass.
We've created some online toolkits covering different segments of the Careers Compass. You can access these in Careers Service Plus. Dip in and out of them at your leisure, as an easy way to explore career ideas, build your experience and make confident applications.
Watch this short video to find out why you should use them:
Why use the Careers Service Toolkits? (EASE login required)
Access the toolkits on Careers Service Plus (UoE login required)
To get a quick idea of what each segment covers, see the panels below.
Understand yourself: skills, values, strengths
Understanding yourself helps you identify what’s important to you, what you enjoy and why. It also helps work out what you are good at and what suits you. You’ll make much better applications as a result & you are more likely to find career fulfilment and satisfaction.
Early years students
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Quick start: Create a folder (or porfolio or log) to record and reflect on your skills and strengths
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Ask three people for feedback on what you do well. Keep a record as this will give you good evidence for applications
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Think of something that motivates and energises you. What keeps you interested? Make a note of this
Penultimate year students
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Quick start: Complete the Careers Assessment on personal resilience:
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Pick a module from your course. How is this enhancing your knowledge and skills? Review the course description on DRPS:
Final year students:
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Quick start: Complete the Careers Assessment on strengths:
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Think about your values and what’s important to you. This can inform your career choices. Use the decision making resources on Mind Tools:
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Ask colleagues or peers you have worked with to give feedback on your input. Keep a record and revisit. Also check the giving feedback section on Careers Assessments:
Discover what’s out there: jobs, courses, sectors
Being curious and exploring different sectors, finding out about different roles, courses, employers and ways of working will help you work out what’s a good fit for you. This will help you narrow down the options and make decisions.
Early years students
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Quick start: Explore TargetJobs or Prospects to learn more about different sectors and job types:
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Looking for ideas? Watch our quick video “Don’t know what you want to do”?
Video: Don't know what you want to do?
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Want to know where your degree can take you? Find out more with “What can you do with your degree?”:
What can you do with your degree?
Penultimate year students
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Quick start: Want to know which employers are on campus this year? Check the events tab on MyCareerHub:
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Looking for inspiration from Edinburgh graduates? Connect to them on Platform One:
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Feeling overwhelmed by careers information? Start with our website as we’ve collated the best sites:
Find out about jobs and sectors
Final year students
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Quick start: What graduate jobs are being advertised now? Search MyCareerHub:
Search graduate jobs on MyCareerHub
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Where are graduates with your degree now? Search the LinkedIn alumni tool to find out:
University of Edinburgh alumni on LinkedIn
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Thinking about postgraduate study? Start with our website where you’ll find useful links and resources:
Build experience: participate, volunteer, intern
Building experience can be everything from being a student rep to part-time work, volunteering in the community to being a School ambassador, informal summer work to doing an internship. Previous experience in an unrelated role, family commitments, course placements, employer visits, workshadowing, virtual internships….it all counts.
Early years students
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Quick start: What societies can you join? Check the Students’ Association website to see what’s there:
Students' Association: activities
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What can you get involved with at Edinburgh? Search MyDevelopmentHub for ideas.:
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What counts as work experience? You can find out on our build experience webpages and see where the opportunities:
Penultimate year students
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Quick start: What virtual internships could you benefit from? Try Forage and Bright Network for ideas:
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Want to make the most of your extra-curricular activities? Complete an Edinburgh Award and get official recognition for your achievements:
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Interested in volunteering? Have a look at the Students’ Association website to find opportunities:
Students' Association volunteering website
Final year students
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Quick start: Check what’s coming up on the Events tab on MyCareerHub:
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What have you done so far and where are the gaps? Take time to review using the Reflection Toolkit:
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Want to develop some of your skills? Use LinkedIn Learning for resources, tips and training - go to MyEd > Studies > Study Tools > LinkedIn Learning
Become professional: confident, adaptable, independent
Becoming professional is a gradual process -it includes being confident about email etiquette, building or extending networks and business awareness or being aware of your digital presence. Whatever stage you’re at in your career – brand new graduate or years of experience, there are always ways you can develop…
Early years students:
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Try something new as it shows you’re adaptable and independent. Start with clubs and societies:
Students' Association: Activities
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Have you thought about your online presence? Update your social media channels and privacy settings:
Using social media to find out and stand out
Penultimate year students:
- Quick start: Looking for networking tips? Search TED Talks for inspiration.
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Want to build confidence and expand your network? Join a professional association. You’ll find links on our exploring jobs and sectors pages:
Final year students:
- Quick start: Develop your elevator pitch to help you stand out:
More suggestions
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Want to prepare yourself for life at work? Get to grips with workplace etiquette:
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Make connections with people who can help. Use Platform One for mentoring and career insights:
Make it happen: plan, apply, succeed
You need a strategy to maximise your chances of success. All the work you have done across the different aspects of the Careers Compass aspects will help everything come together. Making effective applications and positive impressions at interviews depends a lot on how well you understand yourself and what you can offer, how well you know what you have applied for and how much you have used the resources to help you. This is something you have a lot of control over.
Early years students
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Quick start: Start developing your CV now. Watch our quick guide to get you started:
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Want to learn about LinkedIn? See our advice and example student profile:
Using social media to find out and stand out
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How will you make the most of university life? Plan what you want to achieve using our Student Toolkits. Find them in the self-enrol channel on Learn.
Penultimate year students
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Quick start: Get help with application and selection processes:
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Is your CV up to date? Review your CV and make changes:
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Who is in your network and how can they help? Check our webpages for hints and tips:
Develop your network and build your profile
Final year students
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Quick start: Keep potential referees up to date with your plans.
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Need to refine your interview skills? Use the Interview Trainer resource for practice questions:
Interviews and assessment centres
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Working on applications for postgraduate courses? Tailor your applications and personal statement
Use the Careers Compass notebook to record what you have done already, plan what you could do next and capture your notes or comments. Save the notebook in a folder or portfolio e.g. PebblePad
