Careers advice

SOAS Careers actively seeks to support all students and tailor our services to your needs.

If you would like to disclose a specific learning difficulty (SPLD), disability, impairment or medical issue to one of our staff you do can do this verbally or download the disclosure form hand it in to our staff.

We recommend that you check out the resources available on MySOAS Student before you request an appointment.

Application Advice (15mins)

Found your dream job and keen to have someone check over your CV or application? Dedicated Application Advisors are available during term time to give you guidance. If you are a current SOAS student, we strongly recommend first having a look at our new 'Apply & Succeed - Fast track your CV' careers pathway via CareersZONE​. This is a step by step guide to creating a CV through online activities and guides. 

Appointments can be booked on the day either by phoning +44 (0)20 7898 4115, via the Student Information Desk, or in person by dropping into SL62. Bookings open at 10:00am; appointments will be in person or virtual.

Please remember to provide us with a printed copy of your CV, cover letter and/or application form.

Guidance (15mins)

These sessions are ideal for helping you to decide about your career direction once you leave SOAS or if you've got an idea of what you want to do but need help from a careers practitioner to develop it further.

These sessions are available every day during term-time and will take place in person or virtually. In order to book, you must contact us either by phoning +44 (0)20 7898 4115, via the Student Information Desk, or in person by dropping into SL62 on the day you'd like to be seen. Bookings open at 10am.

Practice Interview (45 mins)

Practice interviews offer you the opportunity to discuss interviews in more depth and receive feedback and tips on your interview performance. They are available by appointment only and should be booked two working days in advance so that the careers practitioner has time to prepare questions for you. Before an appointment can be booked, you must have a job interview lined up.

To book an appointment, please contact us by either by phoning +44 (0)20 7898 4115, via the Student Information Desk, or by dropping into SL62. You will then receive a referral to select and book yourself onto an appointment via CareersZONE; you will need to upload your CV/application form and job description details. Appointments will be held either in person or virtually.

Careers Discussion (45 mins)

A longer careers discussion is by referral from a guidance session. If the careers practitioner thinks, after having a 15 minute appointment, that a longer discussion is the best way to help you, he or she will refer you. You will be sent a link to book your appointment via CareersZONE and to complete a confidential Careers Discussion online form. 

Filling in the form is part of the guidance process, so please think carefully about your answers. Appointments will be held either in person or virtually.

For further details on our appointments, please contact us via the Student Information Desk, by telephone on +44 (0)20 7898 4115 or in person in SL62.​​ During vacation, times​ may vary.​ 

Please note: In order for as many SOAS students as possible to access support from SOAS Careers we would ask that you book no more than three appointments of the same type (i.e. three applications advice sessions, three practice interviews etc). with us per term. 

We have found that important learning takes place between appointments, for example by exploring our resources, reflecting, action planning or networking, and so it can sometimes be beneficial for you to allow a gap between the times you see us. 

If this causes a difficulty for you or you wish to discuss it with us please do let us know.  We aim to support your career development learning as best we can and are always happy to receive constructive feedback on our services and resources. 

If you are thinking about changing or leaving your course, you can make a guidance appointment with a careers practitioner who can help you to think through the implications for your career of such a change.

However, if you have any academic issues, you will need to talk to your Academic Advisor or other departmental representative. You can also contact Student Advice and Wellbeing for further guidance.

The Careers Service can offer you:

• a chance to talk over any career-related issues
• information on alternative options, including other courses, gap year options and work experience and placement vacancies