Careers Support Network <ARCHIVE>

Who is the Careers Support Network for?

The network can help anyone who is a member of administrative or support staff in the University (including academic-related staff and colleges) and who is looking for confidential, impartial advice about an internal job application or a job interview. The network offers access to a number of managers who are also experienced recruiters and who have volunteered to meet colleagues from across the University and mentor and guide on how to write effective job applications and prepare for/learn from interviews. Our mentors are experienced recruiters rather than careers consultants and so the help they can offer will be focussed on applications and interviews within the University.

How does the network operate?

Typically network mentors are able to help colleagues who haven’t applied for a post for some time, or who are finding a particular application or interview preparation challenging, or who want to learn from an unsuccessful experience.

People and Organisational Development operates the scheme. The scheme makes use of an online platform, MentorNet, to facilitate and coordinate mentoring. Mentors are volunteers and so we may not always be able to match you with a mentor. We will, however, always be able to point you towards some Careers self-help resources on job applications.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please email pod@admin.ox.ac.uk.

How do I ask for a mentor?

People and Organisational Development organises the network. To ask to be matched with a careers support network mentor, please email us at pod@admin.ox.ac.uk

Are there any good practice guidelines?

Here are some guidelines to observe to ensure that you get the best out of the relationship.

  • The content of all network mentoring conversations is confidential to the individuals in the room.
  • Mentoring is non-judgemental and objective and seeks to enable individuals to take responsibility for their future actions and decisions.
  • Explain to your mentor what you are looking for and check that they are able to support that particular need. If you need support that is outside the remit of the network, then we suggest that you look at the Careers self-help resources.
  • Sometimes you may wish to ask to be matched with another mentor. We will try to avoid matching you with someone who is in your unit or team, but there may be occasions when, for example, we unwittingly match you with a mentor that you know or have worked with. On some occasions, a mentoring relationship will not prosper. If any of these things happen, then you should email the POD administrative team and ask to matched with another mentor.
  • Agree with your network mentor when you will meet and where. If you have to change or cancel, please let your mentor know in good time. Mentors are volunteers and have a role elsewhere in the University that they need to fulfil.
  • If you feel you need more than one meeting, then your network mentor will agree with you how often he/she can meet you.
  • Mentoring relationships should operate for a maximum of three meetings.
  • Participation – of both parties – is voluntary. Either party may break off the relationship if they feel it is not working. Both parties share responsibility for the smooth winding down and proper ending of their relationship.
  • If your mentor believes that the situation you present is beyond their capability or experience to support, they will advise you of this and suggest that you contact POD for advice.
  • Mentors will be offering advice and guidance based on their experience as manager and recruiters. They can help a mentee to review an application or a CV and they will expect the mentee to do the writing/rewriting/correction of an application or a CV.

Mentee enquiries


Please email POD for further details

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Contact us


Email: pod@admin.ox.ac.uk

Tel: 01865 286808