Career and guidance counsellors provide practical information about how university students can prepare themselves for the move from education to employment. Students can book an appointment to discuss career related issues, such as resumé and cover letter writing and preparation for job interviews.
When looking for a job it is important to have good self-knowledge, know your skills, map your experience and to be aware of your strengths.
Make a realistic assessment of yourself and realize where one's education and personal skills can thrive. The following questions can be useful in the process of looking for a job:
- What do I want?
- How do I envision my future employment?
- What do I most value at work?
- What are my interests?
- What are my skills and strengths?
- What skill areas could I improve?
- In what kind of environment would I want to work in?
- What job would suit me?
Look at job advertisements online. Consider your skills, experience, strengths, and your studies.
Below you will find several links to companies or offices that advertise job vacancies and receive job applications from individuals looking for work. Some offer counselling or guidelines about writing a CV, cover letter and other important factors in the job-seeking process.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive.
- Tengslatorg (UI Career connection)
- Alfreð
- Directorate of Labour
- Mbl.is
- Reykjavik (vacancies)
- Starfatorg
- Storf.is
- Tvinna
Job recruitment agencies:
Explore a company you're interested in working for. You can apply for a job even if the company isn't advertising any open positions.
Networking – let your professional and personal network know you are searching for a job.
The purpose of a resume/CV is to advance you to the next stage in the job-seeking process: the interview. Your resume/CV should attract an employer/human resource to want to meet you in person. Essentially, a resume/CV is a marketing tool, an advertisement – and YOU are the product.
In Iceland, a resume/CV is 1 – 2 pages. It highlights relevant job experiences and your studies, detailing your relevant skills and competencies. It is tailored to the position you are applying for.
You can, for example, use Microsoft Word templates or canva.com to create a resume/CV.
A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your CV. It is one of the main tools to get the attention of employers/human resources. The cover letter is a tool to enhance your CV by emphasising your skills and knowledge, the reason why you are applying for this job and highlighting your qualifications. Write a cover letter for each job application.
The structure of a cover letter
- The opening paragraph gives you the chance to catch the attention to a potential employer so choose it carefully. Remember to introduce yourself.
- Use keywords from the job advert and match your skills to the requirements.
- Mention why you are interested in this job.
- The middle paragraph is used to discuss your relevant experience and highlight your skills, strengths and qualifications. Do not repeat the content of the resume/CV. The goal is to deepen the resume/CV.
- Have in mind: Why should they hire you? How can your experiences, skills and strengths benefit the company?
- The closing paragraph is used to thank the employer for the attention and time given to your application. You can show interest in continuing to the next step (interview) in the hiring process.
- Keep in mind: The last sentence is as important as the first one.
From researching the company to deciding what to wear good preparation is the key to a successful interview.
Research the company
- Look at the web, what information can you find there?
- Do they have social media?
- What is the company’s reputation? Can you find any news coverage?
- Do you know someone who works there or a former worker who could give you information?
As you do this, prepare questions to ask in the interview. You could ask about the culture, growth opportunities, expectations for the role or other relevant questions.
Self-knowledge
Write down your strengths and weaknesses. Emphasize your strengths. What strengths do you think are important in this job? Good to keep in mind maybe one weakness you are working on improving. Be familiar with your resume/CV and cover letter. Review the required skills and the company´s expectations.
Be prepared for questions, such as:
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why would you like to work for us?
- What are your strengths? Weakness?
- How can your education and experience benefit this job?
- Can you handle working under pressure? Give an example.
- Tell me about the recent situation in which you functioned well as a leader.
- Do you work well as a member of a group or team? Give an example.
- Practice your answers.
During the interview:
There are several things to keep in mind when going to a job interview, for example:
- Arrive on time.
- Bring the necessary documents with you.
- Be neat and dress appropriately.
- Pay attention to the questions you are asked and be honest.
- Be confident and energetic.
- Firm handshake.
- Remember to smile and be polite.
- Consider the lingua you are using.
- Turn off your phone.
- Ask questions at the end of your interview.
- Let them know of your interest.
Student Counselling Centre
Mon-Thurs. 9 am -3 pm. Fridays 10 am - 3 pm.
Social Media
