Number 1: make note of your summer work experience skills

Whether you’re finishing up a work experience placement, tying up the loose ends of an internship, unpacking after a trip overseas or temping, make sure you’ve kept track of all the skills you’ve amassed over this year’s vacation. A handy list of what you’ve done will make applying for jobs and work experience much easier.

• Download the work experience tracker tool
• Tips for keeping track of summer work experience

Number 2: find your university’s careers service online

With a busy study schedule and active social life, it’s easy to skip visiting your university’s careers service. Take a look at what advice is available online. You can also find out where the careers service is located and when it’s open ready for when you are back at university.

• How to make the most of your careers service

Number 3: explore some career ideas

If you are feeling career clueless you are not alone – very few students have a clear idea of what they want to do after university. Now is a good time to begin exploring your options. You can do it in the peace and quiet of your home, without the angst or overconfidence of your peers around you. Even deciding what you don’t want to do or making a list of questions to ask a careers adviser is a good start.

• Careers that match your degree
• Advice if you haven't got a clue what to do

Number 4: make an early start on planning if your career choice demands it

Career sectors such as management consulting, banking, law and journalism need early planning to find and apply for both work experience and graduate jobs. If you are considering a career in these competitive areas, put in some preparation now to make sure that you know what’s required and you don’t miss out.

• Careers that start now
• Find out more about City and finance careers
• Look into your legal career options
• Plan your career in management consulting
• Take a look at over 30 of the main graduate career sectors

Number 5: get ready for employers that are visiting your university

Many graduate employers will visit universities to attend recruitment fairs or give employer presentations in the new term. These events are excellent opportunities for you to meet representatives from leading organisations, but while they may seem informal you still need to prepare. Keep an eye on the events page of your careers service website so you know what’s happening when. Read up on recruitment fair etiquette. Brush up your CV so that you’ve got a fresh copy ready for any opportunities that may arise.

• Get ready for recruitment fairs

Number 6: talk about jobs and career plans

If you want to start voicing your career thoughts before term starts, why not share your ideas and concerns with other job-hunters in the Forum? The graduate job-hunting season gets under way properly from the beginning of October and Forum posters will ask questions about and contribute advice on application processes and interviews, so bookmark it now.

• Talk to other graduate job-hunters in the Forum

Number 7: dust down your CV for part-time jobs

Even if you won’t be applying for graduate jobs or attending recruitment fairs in the term ahead you might need a part-time job. Spruce up your CV ready for your return to university. Top it up with any new skills you’ve gained over the summer.

• Download CV examples
• Advice on part-time jobs
• City by city guide to employers looking for part-time workers

Number 8: find your university’s job shop

Locate your university’s job shop (aka student employment service) so you’re quick off the mark getting flexible term-time work. Job shops are usually part of a university’s careers service or students’ union. They aim to match up local employers with students looking for casual, ad hoc or regular work that can be fitted in around study.

• Guide to university job shops

Number 9: think about postgraduate study

If you are thinking about postgraduate study, look at the different types of courses available and places to study. Try investigating further study options at your current university first – find out about the different programmes and fields of study online. 

• Visit targetcourses.co.uk to find out about courses and to get advice on how to choose the right course and funding.

Number 10: get set up to find the jobs and work experience you want

Get everything set up ready for job-hunting or looking for work experience before you pack up your bags and head back to halls or your student house.

• Set up a favourites or bookmark folder for all career-related links you want to collect. If you’re a social bookmarker, Digg or do whatever you like to do.
• Put your up-to-date CV and covering letter, and a log of your work experience skills, on a USB drive ready to take back to university with you.
• Register with targetjobs.co.uk and tailor your profile so that you receive e-mail alerts about the jobs and work experience in career sectors that interest you.