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Returning to STEM
Returning to STEM

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Week 2: Presenting yourself

Introduction

One of the most important aspects of getting back to work is thinking about how you will present yourself to potential employers – or customers and clients if you plan to be self-employed.

Last week, you had an opportunity to look back at your career and working life, and to reflect on what you have done so far. In this week’s activities, you will work on re-emerging into the world of work and presenting yourself to potential employers or collaborators. This will involve reflecting on who you are and how you want others to see you.

Watch Sue in the following video as she talks about your ‘back to work toolkit’:

Download this video clip.Video player: 38058_stem_week2_512x256.mp4
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During this week, you will create a profile on the online professional networking site LinkedIn, and do some of the identity work needed as a first step back into employment. Please note that you can also develop your profile via My OpenLearn (this can be found in the menu running across the top of the screen) and that the Open University badge from this Returning to STEM course (and any other OpenLearn badges) can be exported to LinkedIn.

By the end of this week you should:

  • have created a working LinkedIn profile
  • know how to use online networks effectively to make yourself visible
  • be able to find opportunities and potential employers.