With the academic year almost in the books, it's time to begin planning how you'll spend your time over the summer. If you're in your final year, it's important you begin to plan where you'll go post-graduation, but even for first and second year students it's important you spend your summer wisely. From permanent graduate jobs to part time internships, there will be plenty of competition if you're going for a job this summer. Bearing that in mind, we give you some pointers on finding student jobs in Leeds. Career Service The Career Service at your university is always a great source of information, and can play a huge part in helping you to discover the career path you want to explore. If you already have a clear vision of which sector you are going into, the Career service will help you pinpoint the essential skills and abilities to highlight on your CV. Make sure to also talk to any of your tutors that specialise in the area you're are interested in, as they might able to provide you with valuable contacts you wouldn't otherwise have access to. List of experience for CV and interview When contacting an organisation for any job, be it permanent or just a work placement, the first thing the potential employer will judge you on is the quality of your application. Although it’s always the best to tailor your CV to the specific company you applying for, there is no harm in preparing a list of all the experience and skills you have built up throughout education, to ensure you show yourself off in the best possible light. Make sure you start off thoroughly and try to include every single detail in your first CV and cover letter draft; you can always cut it down later if it's too long. Career Fairs Many universities will run a variety of career fairs throughout the year, providing you with the opportunity to meet different employers and organisations. It might seem simple, however it’s one of the best ways to build your personal connection and contact list ahead of jumping into the job market. Even when there are career fair opportunities not related to a sector you're interested in, getting experience in talking to networking and establishing contacts is a good way to make sure you get it right when it really does matter. Get as much practice as possible to ensure that, when the pressure's on and you want to make a good impression, you get it spot on. Graduate Schemes A lot of large organisations offer great graduate opportunities through specifically established grad schemes. Throwing you into work at some of the biggest organisations in the UK, the specifically set up schemes are tailored to the need of a modern graduate, often including initial training periods before gently easing you into work across a number of fields until you find the area you're best suited to. Make sure you scour the internet for the best opportunities, and ensure you get your applications in early to impress; these schemes are well known to be viciously competitive. Work Experience If you are still not sure which path to take post-graduation, it’s always a good option to get more job experience. If the experience is related to what career path you end up settling for, then it will look great on your CV. Don’t shy away from different, more diverse opportunities however, as you may find yourself in a field you really enjoy, and can see yourself carving a career for yourself in. Learning the ways of the professional office is an important step, and conversing with industry professionals will only aid you when it comes to interviews further down the line. Photo Credit: swisscan via Compfight cc