Hot Prospects

HOW DO I MAKE THE MOST OF ‘NON-GRADUATE’ JOBS AND WORK EXPERIENCE ON MY CV?

POSTED: 02/09/2012

SO IT’S A CATCH 22 PEOPLE TELL YOU THAT YOU NEED EXPERIENCE, BUT NO-ONE WILL GIVE YOU EXPERIENCE TO GET THAT DREAM JOB. HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO WIN RIGHT?

One way you can over come this as an undergrad, or even as a graduate who hasn’t managed to secure their first step on the ladder yet, is to big up your non-graduate level experience.

When I first came to work at HotProspects I’d been graduated six months, I was working in an underwear shop, and had no relevant graduate level work experience to speak of. Not ideal as you can imagine. So how did I finally get around this? 

I thought about the skills my degree, volunteering, hobbies and previous work in retail had provided me with, and how these linked in with the skills HotProspects were looking for. 

For example, the role needed me to be pretty organised, so the fact I had managed the rotas and delegated the tasks to be done that day to my shop floor team came in pretty handy. Not only that but I could back this up with further examples in my personal life in the interview. When asked how my friends would describe me the fact that I was the one who organised all the nights out and trips was direct evidence of these skills in action.

In any job, work or volunteering that you do – before, during or after university – you will develop a whole host of valuable skills which can be transferred to other jobs including ‘graduate’ roles.

For example, during your degree will probably have:

• worked well under many different pressures- particularly at exam time!
• developed some top notch interpersonal skills- just think of all the different people you met and adapted to in freshers week.
• developed how to deal tactfully and diplomatically with difficult people- be in working in a shop or simply sorting out the chores rota in halls.
• worked as part of a team, supporting others, maybe even leading- remember that group project which affected your final grade.

Whilst you may be tempted to simply sit there and list everything you did, from cleaning the floors to putting things through the till and process refunds, don’t! You can be pretty sure a potential employer will know what a shop assistant or waiter does. So don’t bore them by listing all the tasks you undertook. Instead focus on your achievements and direct examples where you have skills listed in the job advert or description.

If you don’t think it’s very clear why not give HotProspects a call, one of our lovely team, who see endless amounts of CVs all day have a pretty good idea about how to make the best of your CV, and will be more than happy to help you pull out those transferable skills.

Until next time

Laura

HotProspects Marketing

JUMP START YOUR TIRED GRADUATE JOB SEARCH

POSTED: 01/06/2012

WE ALL KNOW FINDING A GRADUATE JOB CAN BE A FULL TIME JOB IN ITSELF, AND IT ISN’T EASY, AS STAYING MOTIVATED CAN BE HARD. HOWEVER, IT IS VITAL THAT YOU DO, AS GRADUATE RECRUITERS CAN SPOT THIS A MILE OFF, AND IT’LL TURN THEM OFF STRAIGHT AWAY. SO OUR RECRUITERS HAVE PULLED TOGETHER SOME TOP TIPS TO HELP YOU KEEP YOUR SPIRITS UP.

Visualise Success

As cheesy as it sounds the number one way to increase your motivation is through visualisation of success. Always have your desired job position in mind, and imagine a successful outcome. This positive outlook will shine through in your application.

Socialise

In the social world we live in today the saying it’s not what you know, but who you know has never been more true, and as we have covered before networking, either online or in person can be great for job hunting. However, it is also important to keep you motivated, vary your approach, and keep you reminded that jobs do exist, and where they are and how to get them.

Create a Job Search Time Table

Much like revision job searching requires a timetable, as it can be easy to burn out. Not only this but it allows you to set yourself goals to work towards and achieve. 

Ensure your Time Table is realistic

Don’t set days aside to search for jobs. In previous posts we’ve highlighted the variety of places to track that graduate scheme down. However, you will have more success spending a couple of targeted hours a day doing this, rather than days on end trawling through all the options in one go when your attention span can wander and won’t be at its best.

Follow Up

I cannot emphasise the importance of this one enough! One of the worst parts of job hunting is when you just don’t get any feedback. That’s why HotProspects always ensure you get a response to applications. However, not all companies work like this, and often have more than one job with multiple applicants, so if after five days you haven’t heard anything just drop them an e-mail, or even better give them a call. This way you are showing you are proactive, interested in the job, and can be sure to get constructive feedback on your application either way, which even if negative can help to motivate you to improve on your next application.

Don’t Take Rejection Personally

In addition to ensuring you get feedback on why if your application isn’t successful, don’t take it to heart. Recruiters and employers have a very specific picture in their head about the person they want to hire. It may be something small that deters a recruiter from short listing or hiring you. While that may not be great to hear, there is one out there with your name on it. That’s why even when the going gets tough it’s important to remember maybe this one just wasn’t for you, but there is one out there! You just have to find it. 

Live

No I don’t just mean go out and do something crazy, but hobbies, volunteering and spending time with others all remind us there is more to life. You need to have a break sometimes, and all these opportunities will allow you to add more to your CV.

Call us: 0845 450 5460

The HotProspects team are all recruitment pros who have been through the testing time of graduate job hunting before, with some fairly recently, so don’t ever worry about dropping us a line. We’ll be able to talk you through the good, the bad and the ugly, and hopefully steer you in the right direction.

Just in case you’re a bit phone shy the next few blog posts will cover off some of the  frequently asked questions we get from graduates, so if you have a burning question you’d like answered either e-mail us: info@hotprospects.org.uk or post it on one of social media pages.

http://www.facebook.com/HotProspectsJobs

https://twitter.com/#!/Hotprospectsjob

Till Next Time

Laura

HotProspects Marketing

Help- How do I get experience when no-one will give me the chance

POSTED: 20/02/2012

Does it feel like you are stuck in a vicious circle? You need experience to gain a job, but you need a job to gain experience! It can be an extremely frustrating time but fear not, the HotProspects guide is here to help.

You can gain experience in non-graduate roles, volunteering or even through your studies. However, you may not have considered doing something completely different. HotProspects will outlines some alternate ways both before and after university you can secure a role without experience.

So the first big test is out of the way, you’ve made it to University, Mum and Dad are proud and you are living the life, but it’s only a matter of time before people start asking “What are you going to do once you’ve graduated?” 

Well, the earlier you think about it the better, and there is no better way to gain experience than an industrial placement year. There are a wealth of benefits associated with undertaking a placement year, such as standing out against other graduates, an opportunity to test run your career choice and above all, enhancing your employability post graduation. 

Applications for industrial placements typically close early in the New Year, so you will need to start thinking about applications during the beginning of your second year. Many Blue Chip organisations offer placement years, with applications typically taking place via their websites. A number of smaller companies offer placement years, your University careers service should be in contact with a number of local and national businesses who offer placements. If you still struggle to find a role, think outside the box. First things first, decide what sort of industry you are interested in, and the sort of role you would like to undertake. 

Make a list of the companies you would like to work for and apply directly to them either by email of by posting your CV and a covering letter, showing some initiative will get you a long way.

If you have already graduated and you are struggling to find work there are a number of options open to you to build your experience and improve your employability. 

Internships (paid and unpaid)

Internships are an ideal way to transition yourself and your skills from University into full time employment. Often, after being given the opportunity to shine internships develop into permanent positions, that's how most HotProspects recruits start out.  If you can’t find a full time position or you are getting knocked back, try and think outside the box. Contact local businesses and let them know that you are willing to work on an unpaid basis to build your experience. 

Future employers will like the fact that you’ve not sat on the sofa watching Jeremy Kyle, you’ve got up and got on, this will improve your chances of securing the role you are seeking no end. 

Build a portfolio

“Portfolios are only for design graduates” Does that have to be the case though? You don’t have to be artistic or creative to have a portfolio. Your portfolio can house your certificates, your references, any project work you’ve undertaken, supporting information from University, anything which an employer would like to see, let them see it. 

Flexibility

Above all, the biggest tip that we can give is to be flexible. Your early career is the best time to learn, the old saying ‘be a sponge’ sounds like something your parents would tell you but it is so true. 

Once you’ve got experience, then you can pick and choose your next role, not before. Were not telling you to do something you’ll hate, but if its not 100% right, why not go for it and learn. Your career is about development, both long and short term and the most important thing now is getting a foot on the ladder.

Don't forget to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for more relevant news and tips which may give you even more inspiration to get over the experience hurdle.

Good luck guys

Jonny

Recruiter/Internship Extraordinaire

The Secret to Getting That Graduate Job

POSTED: 17/02/2012

IN A RECENT STUDY OF EMPLOYERS 82% STATED EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS AND A STRONG WORK ETHIC (73%) ARE KEY ATTRIBUTES THEY ARE LOOKING FOR WHEN EMPLOYING GRADUATES. THAT’S GREAT, WELL WHY DIDN’T THEY SAY SO EARLIER. NOW YOU CAN GO AMEND YOUR CV, AND ALL YOUR GRADUATE JOB HUNTING WORRIES ARE SOLVED RIGHT? HMM YEAH THOUGHT NOT. WHAT DO THEY MEAN WHEN THEY SAY EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS? WE THOUGHT WE’D SPELL IT OUT IN PLAN ENGLISH, SO THAT YOU CAN TOO.