WUR Career Week: Events, Tips, and Workshops
By Zlatoslava
We are talking about jobs – a topic often sparking a mix of emotions.
Taking a turn to adulthood, we’ll touch upon a big question that every student faces sooner or later: “What am I going to do after my studies?” While I can’t give you a clear answer to that, I can do something just as valuable. I will share practical insights on how to increase your chances of getting selected for a job and feel more confident in your abilities.
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is the place of opportunities. Alongside providing high-quality education, there is strong attention to supporting students preparing for life after graduation. The Student Service Centre organises events all year-round to help students explore career paths and understand work culture.
However, one event is awaited the most every year – the WUR Career Week.
Usually held in February, this year, it took place from the 23rd to the 26th of the month, in Forum, bringing together students and career professionals for workshops, trainings, and networking events, essential for building a career.
The tips in this blog are deeply inspired by the events organised during the Career Week. In this way, you get a real sense of what it’s like!
Round One: Application
Most of the job applications happen online. You submit your CV, motivation letter, and often link your LinkedIn profile as well. This is where first impressions matter the most, as they determine whether you move on to the next round.
Standing out is key!
Start with a professional and representative photo on your CV or LinkedIn. It’s one of the first things recruiters see, and it should reflect confidence and professionalism. Getting a good photo might be a hard task (speaking from experience with many self-attempts, haha). Luckily, the Student Service Centre has thought of that! During the Career, photoshoots for CV and LinkedIn photos were done. Getting a professional photo right at your university. How nice is that?
Next comes showcasing your skills and experience. Knowing how to be objective or what you should highlight about yourself is sometimes challenging. But do you know that you can use help from professionals for that? On the first day of the Career Week, students could have their CVs reviewed and receive valuable personalised feedback. Sometimes, small adjustments can make a big difference.
Round Two: Interview
Congratulations! You have passed the first selection round, and you now have to go to an interview.
What do you wear, though? Do you have any suitable and formal clothing?
What we wear has a strong psychological impact. The way you present yourself visually influences not only how others perceive you, but also how confident you feel. Choosing the right clothing that fits both the company vision and your personality is crucial.
A particularly interesting initiative this year was the “Dress for Success: Clothing Swap”. Bring one, take one – that was the concept! Students could donate a clothing piece they no longer wear and exchange it for something new. Alternatively, if you were just passing by and something caught your eye, items were available at a symbolic price. In this way, Wageningen is once again balancing sustainability and fashion!
After we have figured out the outfit, it’s time to check on how you’re going to present yourself. That matters just as much!
During the Career Week, the two events that intrigued me were “Discover and Pitch Your Qualities” and “Practice a Job Interview with Recruiters”. These workshops navigated students through identifying their strengths and confidently communicating and applying them in an interview. Practising with actual recruiters and professionals from the field made the experience valuable and far less intimidating.
Beyond a Career Event
The opportunity to participate in and experience the WUR Career Week is great! Attending such events not only builds confidence but also simplifies the recruitment process. It reminds you that interviews are simply normal conversations and that recruiters are people doing their jobs, just as you hope to do yours one day.
So, let’s leave the worries aside and tackle this!
Don’t forget to watch the WUR Career Week recap! Want more insights and practical tips? Keep an eye on the Student Career Service Instagram page and platforms like JobTeaser for more updates and opportunities.
Also, take a quick read through the super useful blogs about Improving Your Career Prospects, After-Graduation Tips, and Transitioning from University to Career. And for the current students, we’ve got you covered! Check out part-time student jobs, and hear a first-hand experience. Doing an internship is another possibility!
Are you joining the WUR Career Week events next year?;)
See you around,
Zlatoslava
