If you’re unsure what you want to do next, or you’re thinking about a career change, you may require some additional support to help you consider your options. 

Our career planning can be a great starting point to get you thinking and platforms like Career Planner, operated by Prospects, could assist as it matches your skills, motivations, and desires to a career. This interactive careers guidance software can help you think through the skills you really want to use in a career and compiles a shortlist of possible career options. You can also explore over 400 job profiles and information about various job sectors for some career inspiration and in-depth research. You can also access a lot of the information on our applications and interviews webpages which could assist in preparing documentation and for selection activities.

Your initial research may spark a desire for more tailored and induvial advice and guidance, and a career coach could assist. The Career Development Institute (CDI) maintain a Register of Career Development Professionals that enables you to search and find a professional that best matches your needs and budget, whatever stage of your career. Similar services are provided by many organisations, such as CareerWorx who also offer advice on how to choose a career coach, so it’s worth doing some online research to get the best support for your specific needs.

The Careers Service remains open during vacations, so you can continue to use the services all year round. We tend to be very busy seeing students in the autumn and spring terms so we encourage alumni to use the Careers Service in vacations and the summer term. The Information Room is open from 10.00 to 17.00 from Monday to Friday during term time, see our opening hours for any variations.

Our application process pages give expert advice on every step of the recruitment process from CVs and cover letters, through to assessment tasks and interviews. While the information is written for current students and recent graduates a lot of the content is highly relevant at any stage of your career.

Many recruiters welcome applications from experienced graduates. Check the organisations websites for details of their recruitment procedures or make approaches to their recruitment teams to discuss your suitability. 

Recruitment agencies, recruitment consultants, and head-hunters can also be helpful in your job search. The Recruitment & Employment Confederation is the professional body representing the private recruitment industry in the UK, and has a searchable database of recruitment consultancies that can be filtered by geographic location and industry sector. 

Networking is often a useful tool in developing your career. Jobs are not always advertised, but instead offered to people known to the hiring manager or organisation and deemed suitable for the role. Networking can expose you to this hidden job market. Finding a contact with knowledge about an industry, company, or job can save valuable time and increase your understanding of the opportunities available. If it doesn’t lead directly to an offer of employment it can certainly give you great insights that can be used in a formal job application.
 
Alumni associations and groups are a great way to meet new people and provide their members with plenty of opportunities for networking. Imperial alumni associations exist all over the world and their members will be pleased to welcome you.

You can also network online using the Imperial Plexus platform to seek professional advice based on the personal experience of other Imperial alumni. Whether you're looking to get that dream job, make an international career move, or build professional connections, Plexus can help you take the next step.  

If you have any questions about alumni groups and associations or the Imperial Plexus platform, please contact the Alumni Office directly.