Preparation for.... Assessment Centres

Some of you may be asked to attend an ‘assessment centre’. What is it? Basically it’s an extended interview that could involve a number of tasks... from group work to psychometric tests. Don’t be put off by it, they can generally be a good experience and a good opportunity to impress your peers as well as the interviewers!

More on what to expect is laid out below...

Why have I been invited to an assessment centre?
Congratulations! The fact that you have been invited to an assessment centre indicates that you have been successful in meeting the screening criteria for the position that you have applied for, which is the next step in the recruitment process. Employers value this method of interviewing as it gives them a broad indication of you ability and suitability to the role.

What is an assessment centre?
An assessment centre typically consists of a range of tests and exercises that are designed to assess those characteristics and behaviours (competency areas) that are essential to job success. A centre usually lasts between ½ and 2 days, depending upon the level of the role you have applied for.

How do I prepare?
Here are some good starting points:

• Take the time to research the organisation
• Prepare any questions that you might have (if you get stuck, refer to page 19 of the GradGuide for some ideas...)
• Ask the organisation for a more detailed view of what they are looking for. It may help you determine you fit. I.e. person specification, key competency requirements and any practice tests available. Do this well in advance and don’t be afraid to ask.
• Think carefully about your own strengths and development areas in relation to the role. Use the STAR model as a guide.
• Always get a good night’s sleep the night before!
• Find out where you need to be exactly and give yourself plenty of time to get there. (Maybe even do a test run to measure the time).
• Think about your journey home. If you have a long way to travel, consider public transport – assessment centres can be tiring!
• If you have any disabilities or special requirements, contact the organiser in advance

For further information about preparing for an interview, check out this article.

Ok, so they are some of the basics. Now we’d like to share with you some examples of the types of activities you could expect to encounter at an assessment centre. It is not likely that you will face all of these exercises, rather a mix that will be planned to suit the role you are applying for:

A. Psychometric tests
These are used to measure inherent characteristics with regards to ability//aptitude and personality.

1. Ability and aptitude tests

• These tests will look to asses various areas including:

- Verbal communication skills
- Reasoning and spatial awareness

• The tests contain problems or tasks that have right or wrong answers
• You will be set a time limit.

Use your time effectively and take advantage of any practice tests available.

Try not to be nervous. This all sounds a little scary but they will not put you under as much pressure as your finals did!

If you wish to explore this topic further; there are a number of paperbacks available which may help. Search for Kogan Page series, as these can be particularly useful.

2. Personality questionnaires
These focus on an individual’s style of working. Typically you might have to answer questions about the extent to which you like to plan ahead, how outgoing you are etc.

• They measure preference and not ability
• There is no set time limit
• There are no right or wrong answers.

Just answer the questions honestly, and not in a way you believe the organisation wants you to be.

Relax, and be yourself with this one.


B. Group exercises
These are used to assess how well you work with others, building relationships, negotiation and communication.

• As a group you might be presented with a topic and given a short period to prepare for a discussion. 
• Topics can vary and might focus on a particular scenario that you might encounter in the role you are applying for.
• Individual briefs may indicate that you will need to take on a particular role within a team.

Hint: Do not assume i.e. the organisation is not necessarily looking for someone to be a dominant leader.
Tip: Participate as fully as possible and focus on the objective or task that the group as a whole has been set.


C. Presentations
Something many of you will be familiar with from uni... In these exercises, you will be given a particular issue or problem to analyse and then be asked to present your views to a panel. (Even this is not likely to be as intimidating as a lecture theatre full of other students!)

Two examples of how this might be given to you:

• The presentation title is given in advance of the centre so that you can rely on your own resources and research the topic.
• You might have a limited amount of time, on the day, to analyse an issue and prepare a presentation.

Hint: Your communication skills, ability to structure, analyse and recommend solutions are typically assessed.


D. Interviews
There are different types of assessment interview. You will most likely be able to find out before the assessment centre exactly what type of interview you are going to take part in.
Typically these are 1:1 and the person interviewing you will probably be taking notes to help them revisit your answers. Try not to let this put you off! It is quite common.

Hint: Telephone interviews may happen before the assessment centre.
Tip: Prepare equally for these, and keep all your notes of examples in front of you.

1. Competency based interviews
Competency-based interviews are the most commonly used interview formats as assessment centres. They need you to be able to provide real-life examples to match the criteria they are looking for in the role and behaviours.

You are likely to be asked follow-up questions; focussing on whom, why, what, when and how.

2. Structured biographical interviews
The interviewer asks questions around education and work history of the candidate, focussing on key achievements.

3. Situational interviews
These are interviews in which the interviewer proposes a hypothetical situation to the candidate and asks them what they would do in the circumstances. These sorts of questions might also appear as part of a competency based interview.


E. In-tray or In-box exercises
Here you will be assessed on how well you can; prioritise, spot links between and deal with items that have been presented to you.

The most common scenario is that you are either covering for or taking over from a colleague who has had to leave their role in a hurry and left a number of things unfinished. The items vary from important and.

Hint: There are no right or wrong answer, but it’s important to think logically about what might be more appropriate.


F. Written exercises // case study
Generally centred around one topic the written exercises or case studies contain a number of source documents that you are then asked (as a candidate) to use in order to play a role.

These are a test of your reasoning ability and how well you are able to argue a case.


G. Role play
Role plays are most often 1:1 simulations of a real-life situation that might arise in the role. For example; customer complaints.

They typically assess the candidate’s ability to follow procedure, build relationships and gain agreement on solutions.

These exercises are deemed the most ‘artificial’ of all the assessment centre exercises. Just try your best to embrace the character you are playing and behave as you would in a similar situation in the workplace.


Is there anything I should do during the assessment centre?

• Listen carefully.
• If one exercise does not go well – don’t worry, you will be assessed on how well you do over all exercises.
• Use planning time well. Think through your ideas, and don’t panic!
• Be aware of non-verbal body language such as eye contact and facial expressions.
• Try not to make assumptions and second guess what the assessors are looking for.
• Ask questions as you go along. Ask for clarity when you need it.

Phew! I’ve completed the last exercise, is it all over now?
The simple answer is... ‘No’! There are still some things you can do...

• Ask for feedback. This will enable you to identify any problems or particular successes that can help your development for future performance.
• Take some time to reflect on the exercises that you have just completed. Have you learnt anything about yourself and that that you work you might be able to use in another situation?
• The assessment centre is a two-way process. It is an opportunity to sell yourself, find out as much about the company as possible as much as it is them finding more about your abilities. Do you really want this job!

Finally, good luck!

Impression management - matters!

Giving the right first impression at an interview can be a make or break situation. With the competition rife in the graduate job market this year, it's important to get ahead and understand what employers will be looking for in you.

The latest post from our corporate team at Right Management discusses some simple do's and don'ts...

Your non-verbal communication can make all the difference between securing a new job – or not. Knowing how to manage body language for your first face-to-face interview is as crucial as perfecting your CV(written, visual, or video).

Employers look for certain cues relating to
1) status: authority, confidence, and competence
2) warmth: empathy, approachability, and likeability.

If you learn how to balance and unconsciously display these traits, you will have mastered the ability to have a positive influence on others’ business decisions.

As important, don’t forget about managing your image in the virtual world of social media. Best advice: do not post hostile or politically incorrect comments on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media sites. Smart phones are privacy-invasion culprits as well. Apparently, iPhones and iPads 3Gs continuously collect information about their users’ whereabouts. Do you want your boss – or mom – to know that last evening you visited an after-hours gentlemen’s club?

These days, when it comes to privacy, all bets are off.

For more information on how best to present yourself at an interview, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010. Additionally we are now collating information to make our 2011 guide bigger and better, have you some experiences you would care to share? Get in touch with Beth who'd love to talk more to you.

Improving your market value

We interviewed two of our consultants recently to see what advice they could give on improving your market value. And what we mean by market value? Well, how to sell your best skills and qualities of course! The information here provides you with an insight into some of the tricks of the trade...

What key advice would you offer in terms of how an individual can improve their market value?


Be clear about the target market you are aiming to improve your value in. Identify what that market is looking for by researching the industry, competitors and then ensure they are in a position to offer both technical skills and experience accordingly

Think of yourself as a product that needs to be continually upgraded. Ensure you are equipped with industry recognised qualifications and or certifications which are currently being sought by the market (your customer).

Is it important to have a structured approach to improving your market value?

Absolutely, anyone who is considering a career move or searching for a potential candidate will adopt a proactive structured approach. A clear understanding of your key strengths and potential development needs will help to improve the planning of the approach, show a potential employer self awareness as well as demonstrate what “you bring to the party!”

What aspects are often overlooked by individuals when assessing their value in the market?

Often individuals overlook their transferable skills and focus on their current role in their current organisation. Worth considering the last 5 years and previous experiences which have similarities to a role in a different market. For example graduates forget the huge amount of planning, organisational and team working skills they bring with them from their time at university when applying for their first role.

Individuals overlook the huge amount of information available through research as explained above and rely mainly on narrow sources of information such as job websites.

What are the essential dos and don’ts of improving your market value?

Essentially it is important to not only focus on developing your technical skills and look for opportunities to apply these as employers will be interested in specific experiences you have had applying these skills and these build your credibility. Don’t rely on just having the theory or knowledge – experiences are a more reliable indicator of what you bring to the market.

Interpersonal and other non-technical skills and competences are just as important. There is little point being a technical genius in your field if you are unable to work with others, communicate effectively, plan and make effective decisions for example. Make sure you are developing yourself in these areas and can demonstrate these with examples at interview.

Make yourself known in the industry –network with those who have a good reputation and get introduced to the those who have influence in the industry.

Ensure you are aligning yourself with the needs of the wider job market and not just the requirements of your organisation. Speak up at appraisal/development meetings to ensure you are getting the development you need to keep you current.

Finally use online networking to expand your knowledge, improve your research and increase your reputation through recommendations from those in the know

What methods or tools would you use to benchmark your remuneration package?

Use salary comparison websites, speak to colleagues in the industry/similar role, network with HR contacts and ask for input via online networking sites such as LinkedIn to assist you when moving sectors/position to benchmark your remuneration package,


For more information on creating the perfect CV and preparing for interview, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

A crucial job search strategy

We've said it before... And we'll say it again... Network, network, network!!!

Do you want to work for a certain company? One approach – what most employers expect these days – is to submit your CV online. But, no surprise, it will fall into an applicant pool of thousands. You also can try contacting the hiring manager. However, if you do not already have a personal connection, this dramatically reduces the odds of actually speaking with him or her. “Who you know is as important as what you know” is a particularly powerful truism in our current market. Building – and leveraging – your network can mean all the difference between finding your next job and becoming a perpetual candidate.


For more information on building a CV and being professional, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

24 hours with...

We'd like to introduce you to Rachel Phillips. Rachel is a PR Executive for CHA...

Job title: Account Executive
Sector: Public Relations
Company: CHA

How long have you worked in this role?
CHA is my first job in public relations; I have been with the company officially for 18 months. I started on a three-month work experience programme and was then offered a junior account executive position after the second month in the placement. I was then promoted into an Account Executive role.

Describe your typical day...
My day in the office usually starts at just before 9am. Our team spends the first 15 minutes to half an hour of the day reading the national newspapers and monitoring the day’s big news. As a B2B PR consultancy we are most interested in the big business stories of the day. The rest of the day is spent working on different campaigns for my clients, both corporate and consultancy. In my role this means a lot of communication with journalists in the HR, business and sector trade press (such as retail, marketing and even pharmacy), as well as the business correspondents working for national media outlets. I also draft press releases, case studies about work that my clients have done and quotes on behalf of my clients’ expert spokespeople.

What's your company culture like?
We are a small and industrious team and we all get on really well. We pride ourselves on really strong relationships with our clients and key journalists, because providing extra value for both is a key goal for us. Our company values are Intuitive, Smart and Tenacious. These mean spotting opportunities and problems before they happen, being thoughtful and clear about what will get our clients the best, most consistent results and then always outperforming against our targets.

What is your favourite part of the job?
I really enjoy the excitement of securing a great media opportunity and hearing or seeing my client perform well. The other big buzz for me comes from hearing that a particular piece of media coverage, live interview or speaking opportunity I helped to create and set-up, has led to a sales lead, or job, for my client. That’s the ultimate, tangible result of profile building and reputation management.

Is there anything you would like to change?
If I could work standing up or on a treadmill that would be great. I don’t like being sat down for so much of my day.

What is your favourite way to wind down?
Though it’s a big part of my job, I still love to read. This also means the tube journeys to and from work are far more enjoyable.

What has been your career path to date and how does it look going forward?
This is my first job after University, I studied English Literature at Cardiff. When I left I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do but I was aiming for jobs where I could write and hoped to be working with lots of different people. Since I’ve started working I’ve completed a CIPR foundation course in Public Relations and additional training on the use of social media in PR. As for the future I wouldn’t say I have a strict five year plan, instead I know what things interest me and am open minded about the route I’d like my career to take. Though the job market is a tough place right now I think opportunities are there for the people who are savvy about playing to their strengths and for those who will keep trying despite rejection.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
Be yourself in your writing. As a graduate you don’t have a big list of career achievements yet so companies aren’t hiring you for your experience but more for your perceived potential. This can be intimidating and as a safety net you can begin to write in corporate jargon in an attempt to sound professional. Instead be honest and show your personality, it will help them decide if you will fit in with their team and you will stand out from all the other ‘team players’ they are bound to read about.

If you were not doing this, what would be your plan B?
Oh, so many things: film maker, social worker, poet, dancer, puppeteer… the list goes on and on!


If you are trying to break into your first professional role and need some guidance on creating a knock-out CV and preparing for interview, please contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

In the spotlight: Mashable

Ok, so there are a wealth of websites to trawl across while you are job searching, some are good, some not so good. So here I want to share with you some of our favourites. Website's we keep going back to again and again and what the benefits of using each site can be.

First up, we have Mashable

What is it?
A resource for all things tech, social, mobile and design

Why use it?
Simply, because;

• It is full of up to the minute articles with ideas and best practices covering a range of topics including business and marketing.
• Their style is easy to read, even if you are not tech savvy!
• Research industry trends and company developments across the globe.

Who is it for?
Well, in your job searching stage most definitely all of you! But as you get into a career it will be useful for those responsible for marketing research, technology based roles and/or designers. It has a creative angle but filled with technical insight.

Fave find?
There is a great article about How to Optimise your LinkedIn profile. The article advocates the power of keeping your social profiles up to date and some key development areas for you to consider.  If you are not already using LinkedIn then why not give it a trial run...

We'd love to hear how you get on with each of these sites and of course why not share with us your favourites too!

For more advice on developing your CV and preparing for an interview, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

Unleash the extrovert

It struck me over the last week that we have written a lot about networking on this blog (be it online or face to face) and whilst yes, indeed, it is a great way to build your connections and impress people, along with it a certain amount of confidence is required.

So if the the idea of networking fills you with dread then you are not alone! I consider myself relatively confident but the thought of talking to a complete stranger in a (somewhat forced) 'social' environment sometimes overwhelms me.

However, knowing that a great deal of opportunity can come from the most casual of conversation got me thinking... So, here are a couple of simple and easy tips could get you started and help ease some of those initial fears:

• Start small - go along to a casual lunchtime of after work drink event where the scene is relaxed, informal and intimate.  Getting a conversation going under these circumstances will feel much more natural.
• Role play - practice conversational pieces with friends and family
• Prepare - look into the event details you are due to attend and plan who you may want to talk to and about what. If you have prepared some basic questions/talking points your confidence will get an immediate boost.
• Not everyone is an extrovert - most people in the room probably feel the same as you! You will always meet people more confident than yourself, but with time will you will be able to develop your own style and create that expert approach.

Finally, you've only got to search on Google "Networking for Introverts" to get a whole host of other ideas too... plus the odd funny story! Why not give it a try, and of course, good luck!


Contact us for a FREE copy of our GradGuide2010, with more advice on preparing your professional self following graduation...

Avoiding the dole queue

With January almost a distant memory I am sure many of you still looking for that all important next-move will be thinking of ways to either avoid the dole queue or jump out of it!

In order to make that transition, you need to be fully prepared. Prepared. Prepared. We can't stress it enough... 

Some bright ideas are discussed by Venetia Reiney in this Guardian article, as Venetia writes on her own experience with the Job Centre and life since graduating.

Another great article we found this week actually comes in the form of Executive job search, but the principles are the same. Here's our take:

1. Shout about your strengths, and use this time to develop your weaknesses
2. Think positive. Act positively.
3. Be persistent - as the old saying goes "Rome was not built in a day"...
4. Get your 30 second commercial in order so you are prepared for that all important interview.

For more information on getting yourself and your CV prepared for tackling the job market, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

Thinking off the page

We have reported on this blog a few times about the value of using tools like LinkedIn and Twitter to help get a virtual step up in the job hunting world but there are still so many people who use a paper based CV to approach a prospective employer...

A BBC report from 16th January explores Virtual Job Hunting and highlights one individual who successfully took his CV off the page and onto screen!

Not all of you will be too comfortable in front of a camera so here are some other ideas on how to get yourself noticed...

Not only can you use social networking (we can't stress this enough! 5% of all jobs are now found in this way), but there are such places you can host your CV online too.

First lets look at the basics: Get your CV right, fill it with the information you need to tell an employer about. Write it down. Then put it online (Monster and LinkedIn are still great ways to get the attention of head hunters and recruiters).

Next think about developing your CV from the conventional and consider more design based or interactive CV's.  Think of your CV like a fashionista's outfit! You don't need to be in uniform...

Now, here comes the exciting bit. Promote yourself. Web pages like About.me can help provide you a platform to create an online business card. Add links at the end of your emails to drive traffic to it. The more forward looking you are, the more chance you have of being in the right place at the right time!

Some ideas on the perfect CV:
Create a dynamic online CV with Innovate CV
Examples of the standard CV in many different designs spotted on JobMog blog.

So, if all of this seems too easy, or maybe you are doing it already, maybe today is the day you take the plunge and make a video too!

Have you had a recent success? How did you do it? Share all of your stories, good and bad with us here.

In the meantime, if you would like more advice on getting your CV in order and how to prepare for an interview contact us for a FREE copy of our GradGuide2010.

Top career Tweets: 12/01/11

If you have been busy applying for jobs all day (well done) and not come up for air, then fear not! We have been scouring Twitter to provide you with a review of the best from the rest across the web....

@Interview_Best  Tell Me About a Time When (Behavioral) Interviews – How to prepare http://bit.ly/hvAAXG #jobinterview

@GradJobsUK_vmg Not too late to visit all the recruiters at the National Graduate #Recruitment Exhibition at the NEC visit us tomorrow- http://bit.ly/cKk9cM

@GradFutures_UK Do you know what preparation you should be doing to apply for a graduate job? Part 1 - Deciding Who To Apply To http://ow.ly/3B18V

@creativeconomy Independent: CIPD calls for interns to be paid minimum wage of £2.50 per hour for internships lasting 3 mths or longer http://ind.pn/hAUems

@gradulthood @GuardianCareers Q&A on using social media for a job hunt tomorrow at 1pm http://bit.ly/f0yek4


Articles of interest:
Job interview preparation is not about memorising interview questions and answers.
How to prepare for an interview
Essential resources for job seeking graduates

For more information on preparing yourself for interview, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

Building your resources

As we steam ahead into 2011 some headlines go unchanged... It can be off-putting to hear the bad news, so we are here to share some good!

Whilst you are sifting job sites, writing cover letters and refining your CV it would be wise to consider some of the ways you can build further on the resources you have at hand...

People
Simply put: People, buy from people! Not only do you have to position yourself properly, but you should make use of your contacts to help them position you too.

Have you created a blog recently? Put your CV online? Share it with those people you consider valuable contacts, even if it is your group of mates you spend a Friday night with, your neighbour or your relatives... Get yourself and your CV out there.

Websites/blogs
To help you keep up to date on movements within the job market; keep a log of all the websites you have found most useful, inspiring, motivational over the last few months (we hope this is one of them!). Visit them regularly and get involved in topics and conversations.

Importantly it is wise to engage yourself with your target industry blogs, and websites. Who are the key commentators? What can you add to the conversation? Start connecting!

Companies
Who do you want to work for? Which companies offer a grad scheme (if this is of course what you are looking for)? Is location important to you? Research the company culture, is it what you imagined?

Knowing what your ideals are, and matching them against the reality of the workplace, will enable you to determine whether you would be a good fit in that particular organisation, help target your application more specifically, and stop you potentially wasting time on places and roles that aren't that suited to you... or you to them.

Don't let the competition stand in your way... Whilst job availability is increasing, and David Cameron encourages small and medium sized businesses to open more vacancies, you will still find yourself up against other graduates plus the experience of those who have lost their jobs through redundancy. How do you stand out from the crowd?

By building on these resources you have you give yourself a competitive edge; stay up-to-date on current trends, get creative, share what you know...

For more information on preparing you CV and for an for an interview, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

Selling your value

With a new year we may have hoped for some new news... unfortunately the plight of young job searchers is still very much a hot topic.  So, new year, new approach as we discussed in the last two posts but what exactly can you be doing to help sell your value? We believe it goes further than the perfect CV and interview techniques... So, read our top tips on increasing your market value and how to get the best out of the jobs market this 2011.

• Identify what that market is looking for by researching the industry, competitors and then ensure they are in a position to offer both technical skills and experience accordingly.
• Think of yourself as a product that needs to be continually upgraded. Get equipped and stay equipped, if you are in a position to, consider studying for professional qualifications or taking a short course.
• Use STAR to help you get a clear understanding of your key strengths and potential development needs. This will help to improve the planning of your approach.
• Transferable skills are important to highlight, you may have only your degree under your belt at the moment but don't forget about the huge amount of planning, organisational and team working skills you bring with you - these are invaluable for your first role.
• Interpersonal and other non-technical skills and competences are just as important. Sell yourself succinctly with a pre-prepared 30 second commercial.
• Make yourself known in the industry – network with those who have a good reputation and get introduced to those who have influence in the industry.
• Ensure you are aligning yourself with the needs of the wider job market and not just the requirements of the company you are applying to.
• Finally use online networking to expand your knowledge, improve your research and increase your reputation through recommendations from those in the know...

For more information on how to prepare your CV and yourself for interview, contact us for a FREE copy of our GradGuide2010.

2011: New job, new approach

Image found via Google search courtesy of vol25 on Flickr

The smart social networker...

For those of you about to embark on a new career post graduation you might want to consider some of these useful tips about using social media professionally...

Social media has become an increasingly important career management tool. It has fully crossed over from just the personal into professional lives. But, for many, there is a lot of anxiety and reluctance to embrace this technology and engage. So by not, what do you miss? Becoming smarter, faster, better. Social media provides us with an incredible gateway to experts, research, innovative ideas, best practices, trends, competitive information, etc. But it isn't simply a repository for data. By engaging - and that means sharing your ideas, your insights, your expertise, your questions, your favorites - you have a tremendous opportunity to learn, collaborate and elevate your own performance. Here are a few tips to help raise your comfort level if you're still feeling some angst:

• DO be aware that content you post will remain in the public domain indefinitely
• Carefully consider whether you should mention the company you work for at all in your profile
• DO be mindful that you are a representative of your company and your conduct on social media sites should be consistent with your organisation's code of conduct.
• DO NOT provide information that is proprietary, confidential or commercial sensitive to your organisation.
• DO NOT reference clients or vendors without seeking prior approval.
• DO NOT make discriminatory remarks, threats of violence, use personal insults, obscenity, instigate fights or engage in any conduct that would be unacceptable in the workplace.
• DO NOT attempt to degrade any dissenting opinion.
• Apply common sense. Are your comments something you'd feel comfortable with your boss reading? Will your post reflect positively on your organisation? When in doubt, don't say it.
• And manage your privacy settings so that any information you want private isn't public!

Remember, your online reputation is just as important as your personal and professional reputation so take care to manage it well. With that in mind, you will no doubt shine in front of your new employer and retain your personal perspectives...

Good luck and welcome to the new year!

For more on preparing for a new job and behaving professionally contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

The turning of a decade - Happy New Year!

This time of year inevitably brings the sombre words of bloggers from across the world wide web to talk about the months gone by and reflect on pros and cons of the last year... Now we are about to enter a whole new decade so those reflections start to wash over you in bulk! That's certainly how we have been feeling anyway... Both personally and professionally, now is a good time to take a moment and reflect but most importantly set some new goals for the year/s ahead...

Over the last ten years you will have changed significantly; school, teenage angst, uni, relationships, jobs... It will most likely all change again, which puts you in prime position to really start to craft your future. There is no limit!

For us, right here on this blog, we are taking the opportunity to introduce a new perspective. Lifestyle plays a big part in how people now measure the careers they opt into.... Work-life balance has been increasingly promoted and new job seekers are actively looking to maintain that balance. So, with that in mind we will write a series of posts about lifestyle, for no matter what stage you are at. From money issues, to weekend's away, from cooking V eating out, to time with friends and family.  We'll aim to cover it all.  Plus, and this is an exciting one, we will run "A day in the life" for several different occupations across all sectors and industries... These will give you an insight into what you can really expect from a variety of job roles and a point of reference as you assess your own career path.

Whatever the next decade holds - let's hope it is one of hope, prosperity and challenge...

Wishing you a very happy new year, from the team at Right Management.


In the meantime if you would like a FREE copy of our GradGuide2010, feel free to get in touch with us for more info. 

Don't be affraid to lose

Image found via Google search, courtesy of http://www.stdmfg.com/neon.html

Ok, so losing has a bad reputation. But any of you who have been watching The Apprentice over the last few weeks will know that many key lessons can be learned from not getting to the top straight away.

The con is that having been through an interview process and not been successful can highlight a weakness, but the pro to this is that it actually gives you time to re-assess, and go away and work on them.

When you come to the next interview you are likely to be asked what your key strengths and weaknesses are, but the trick is to turn it around...

For example:

A weakness may be "poor presentation skills". It may be a matter of confidence, or simply not giving yourself enough time to prepare... BUT if you can successfully show willing to take steps to correct this (or discuss clearly how you are doing this already), then you quickly turn your weakness into a development area. Do your personal SWOT analysis, and think SMART!

If you are feeling depleted at the end of this year, after no doubt some highs and lows in the job-search market, then try looking at where you may have lost in a different way and start turning those weaknesses, into opportunities.

For more practical advice on preparing for an interview, please contact us for a FREE copy of our GradGuide2010.

Double the applicants. Double the competition.

PWC reported last week that they have seen a vast increase in the number of graduate applicants.. There are huge opportunities still available and with the 2011 graduate scheme applications now open there is seemingly a race for first place!

You have to think differently about how you sell yourself and how you might be approaching the job market.

Our world is changing: with an ever increased digital world a lot of job seekers are moving towards online trends to and land that perfect role.

If you are one of the many young people hoping to get onto a grad scheme (with any employer of choice) then why not take some advice from the grads we interviewed (as part of a focus group to help build the GradGuide**) earlier this year: "When you are applying to work for large organisations, think about where you might like to work that is not London, or another large city... This may increase your chances as placements are available around the UK, and there is a huge number of people all hoping to get a placement in London. I actually picked Reading and started on an accountancy scheme this year!".

We are not saying it is a sure thing of course, but could be just another angle for you to consider. Moving away from your home town (or even staying in it) can seem like a big challenge, so look for alternatives. This thought process may indeed help you decide what is more important to you... the job itself, or is it more of a case of location, location, location?

Finally, make sure to get in and apply as early as possible... There will be set time frames for each company when their graduate scheme enrolment opens and closes. It pays to do your research.


**For more information on what your options are post graduation and practical advice on preparing your CV and for an interview, contact us for a FREE copy of our GradGuide2010. 

C is for...

Image found via Google. From Flickr, courtesy of Jeremy Stockwell

We stumbled across this article today, which talks about the success of a networking event at Lambeth college. It's designed for students studying at varying levels and seems to have given them a boost in the right direction; i.e. landing work experience and internships at very prestigious companies, gaining valuable experience and ultimately landing a job.

The key message here rings most true in the words spoken by David McQueen: "The three main things to remember when you have ambitions to be successful is 1) be Confident, 2) be Connected, and 3) be Committed.”

No matter what industry you are pursuing a career in, take every opportunity to network you can and approach your goals with an air of professionalism and dedication.


For more information on networking for job search success please contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

A jobseeker's guide to advertising

You may have already read about the 30second commercial; a short sharp pitch which tells your prospective employer all about how great you are!

We Brits tend to have a slightly more modest approach and tend not to do this so well, or at least without some encouragement in the right direction... For a flash of inspiration check out what this recent applicant did in order to grab the attention of a company she wished to work for, by clicking here.

We are not suggesting you bombard all applications with something like this but it certainly is a spark of creative 'advertising' that we could all employ when trying to get what we really, really want...


For more ideas and advice on preparing your CV and for an interview, contact us for a copy of our FREE GradGuide2010.

Creative Christmas: the travelling laptop!

As advent is now well and truly upon us be careful not to relax (too much) but instead get creative in how and where you spend your time...

Pick up your laptop and park yourself in a cool place you feel you can work from... Whilst some of us may not have the fab surroundings of a quirky office space (like lucky Bangkok students have at their fingertips, seen on Cool Hunter last month) to get our creative juices flowing, you can certainly think further afield and break the monotony of your student house or parents spare room! Maybe it is your local coffee shop or bar (of course the one with free WiFi), or maybe there is a library or art gallery you would feel more at home in...  A small snapshot of ideas from across the UK, just to give you a jump start, think about:

• Brindleyplace, Birmingham - a host of bars and cafes and restaurants next to the river, which tends to be quieter during the day.
• Leeds Library - quiet and peaceful, they have study rooms and stunning architecture!
• London South Bank - an artistic workspace and coffee shop, the open arena gives you a buzz without taking away from the job in hand.

It is also the perfect time to re-assess your skills and attributes. Stock take on what has and hasn't been working so well over the last few months and see how you could improve on your interview technique.
Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, try and enjoy the next few weeks, and set yourself up to hit 2011 running!


For more practical career advice, contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.

Plagued by choices

A short but perfectly formed post today...  I have been contemplating 'choices'.  As a fellow Gen Y'er I know that we have grown up in an age of instant gratification... We want it all, and now! And, for the most part whatever we have chosen has been available to us on a plate. Our personal life choices are met, which ultimately creates our future expectations as the ideas we have continue to elevate our thinking/desires/needs.

When it comes to jobs however, we need to have more of a considered plan. Focus and direction would not go-a-miss. Planning ahead as early as you can, will help refine what the future looks like for you. Use this time to consider the choices you have; tailor your applications, analyse the offers and choose the direction you wish to take.

It may not be entirely in your own hands but you still have overall control over the final choice... Go forth, and most of all, enjoy!


If you would prefer more practical advice on preparing for your next career move, why not contact us for a FREE copy of the GradGuide2010.