Beating the Competition

When a recruiter is looking at a pile of CVs or Applications as tall as the day is long a certain amount of fatigue sets in, and all the wonderfully constructed sentences about your academic achievements tend to merge into one. Something that really cuts through is the external achievements.

One of the obvious ways to demonstrate your wider experience is of course being an active member of a student society, but another interesting way of demonstrating your creativity, drive, team working, problem solving and all that other good stuff is through taking part in competitions.

Below is an example of one that has just been launched, and I’ll keep an eye out for any interesting ones and post them here.

Next Generation Award

Autocar, the SMMT and Courland Automotive practice are on the hunt for the automotive industry’s brightest future stars. Answer a brief set by editor-in-chief, Steve Cropley and win industry placements at Honda, Peugeot, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and the Marshall Motor Group – as well as a £7500 cash prize. Find out more about the Next Generation Award on their micro-site. http://nextgen.autocar.co.uk

Thought About Working in a Small Organisation?

Many finalists and recent graduates are no doubt thinking of those next steps into the workplace. While the structured graduate schemes of the big well-known companies can be a great option, you should also consider the opportunities available at small and medium-sized organisations, known as SME’s. While many SME’s won’t run graduate schemes, they will have graduate positions available.

What can an SME offer?

• Although SME’s by definition employ fewer than 250 staff members, they make up a massive 99.9% of all enterprises in the UK- making them a great place to find graduate opportunities.
• Their selection processes tend to focus less on grades and more on the skills and work experience of their candidates.
• Their selection processes are often simpler and less time consuming than larger corporations and vacancies become available throughout the year compared to the set dates of recruitment schemes.
• You are more likely to be a part of a wide range of projects- making your job more flexible as well as giving you an opportunity to build different skills.
• Opportunities for you to take on more responsibility and advance can often come available earlier on.
• You will have more direct personal contact with senior management and a higher profile- not just another face in the crowd.

How to locate opportunities at SME’s

• Unlike large organisations, SME’s often advertise in local, regional or specialist publications. Many employers also use recruitment agencies or their own industry’s professional body.
• Approximately a third of SME’s rely on speculative applications from individuals who have researched the company and expressed their interest in working with them in spite of there being no advertised vacancy. Proactively seeking an employer can lead to a job.

For more information about SME’s and assistance with locating relevant employers and vacancies, please visit QM Careers or download our ‘Working in Small Organisations’ handout.

Want Work Experience with the BBC?

BBC is currently advertising a range of work placements in radio, television and film. Placements are unpaid and can last from a few days to four weeks. Gaining industry work experience is a great way to build your CV, network and see if a career in the media is right for you. Relevant work experience will also give you an edge when applying to future jobs.

Use the BBC Jobs websites’ FAQ  section to find more information about their work experience placements and to get tips on completing a successful application.

You can search all available placements on the Work Experience section of the BBC Jobs website.

For feedback on your application or interview preparation, visit Queen Mary Careers.

Creative CV Guide – CVs for Film, Theatre, Media, Graphic Design

Are you looking to write a CV that is targeted towards the creative indsustires or for freelancing?

QM Careers have just bought a new book – The Creative CV Guide. It is full of example CVs for jobs in film, theatre, the arts, media and more! It also has a CV checklist,  covering letter examples for internships & work placements, as well as tips for making an impression.

To take a look at this, or any of our other resources relating to Creative Careers, come and see us!

Graduates look abroad to find work

Did you know that QM JobOnline also has a section for jobs abroad? QM International JobOnline not only has job listings, but also advice on working in different countries.

This weekend the Guardian published an article about how an increasing number of UK graduates are looking at working overseas as an additional option when jobhunting.  They give 5 tips for finding work abroad:

1. Be focused. It might sound obvious, but having a specific goal in mind will help focus you. “Either look for particular sectors, companies, or countries,” suggests international careers expert Nannette Ripmeester.

2. Consider work permits/visas. This may not be a problem if you’re heading to the EU, but for other countries it’s essential to check with the relevant embassy or consulate. Agencies can help with this process – expect to pay for the service, though.

3. Brush up on your languages. Obviously a grasp of local languages is a big advantage in mainland Europe, “but UK graduates are lucky in that English is still the lingua franca of business,” says Ripmeester. Chinese employers might want you to take a crash course in Mandardin – but they may even sponsor you if they like what they see.

4. Be culturally sensitive. “Almost more important than not speaking the language is the way British workers often forget jobs markets differ in other countries,” says Ripmeester. “For example, employers may not place such value on things like your hobbies as they might in the UK.” So do your homework and show you understand the locals before you apply.

5. Think tactically. Do you know people who already live where you’re heading? If so, ask them to put the feelers out on your behalf, and if possible take advantage of their hospitality (but don’t overdo it). And network as much as possible, both before you go and while you’re there. A personal recommendation can be invaluable in any culture.

Click here to read the full article.

Updates from the Legal Sector

At a recent College of Law conference legal experts and recruiters shared industry updates and top tips on securing a training contract.

Industry Updates

• There have been an increase in applications and a decrease in training contracts offered in the past couple of years. However, overall recruitment is currently growing for the first time since the start of the recession.
• The top 10 law firms have been hit hardest by the financial climate. Many small and medium sized firms are still recruiting, so do not rule them out!
• An increasing number of entry-level solicitors are from non-law degree backgrounds. More firms are seeing these non-law graduates as being able to offer a different perspective to law and a more varied skill-set.
• Law firms look at more than just academic qualifications. Transferable skills gained from involvement in clubs, organisations, and relevant work experience can make an application stand out.
• The number of paralegals has doubled in the last decade and is predicted to increase further. In the future paralegals will need broader skills to succeed. Legal work experience as well as industry and commercial awareness give candidates an edge when applying.

Top Tips:

A panel of recruiters from Eversheds, Linklaters, Bond Pearce and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP shared their top tips for success when applying to law firms.

• Attention to detail on applications is crucial. Avoid any grammar or spelling mistakes.
• Don’t just research the firm- be aware of the industry and try to understand the strategy of the firm to which you are applying. One example of a common interview question is: ‘If we opened a new office, where would it be and why?’
• Show that you have people skills! Firms want to know that you can successfully manage client relationships. Be sure to provide examples on your CV of times you’ve worked in a team and built relationships with others.
• Try your best to impress at career fairs and recruitment days. Research the firm beforehand and ask educated questions. Many recruiters record names of potential high calibre candidates and take notice when their applications come through.
• Informal language (both written and verbal) can hurt your chances of success. Always be professional when communicating with a firm. While you are not expected to know legal jargon, you should be straightforward, clear and practical. They want to know you can communicate effectively with clients.

Getting Creative – opportunities for film, media & creative arts

QM Careers went to Futurising – the  fair for the creative industries.  See below for some opportunities we found out about available for you to network, gain experience and build your CV:

Film

• Four Corners www.fourcornersfilm.co.uk – practical training for film production and photography including work placements
• No.w.here www.no-w-here.org.uk – film labs and resources for wannabee film makers

Visual Art/Design/Illustration

• Jotta www.jotta.com – group exhibitions and collaboration across art and design
• Creative Match www.creativematch.com/students – publish your portfolio and enter competitions
• Florence Trust Studios www.florencetrust.org – visual artists’ studios, mentoring and bursaries

Freelancing

• Skillsonline – www.skillsonlinegroup.com/courses/gofreelance – 60 min online training course about going freelance

All art forms

• Ideas Tap www.ideastap.com – funding, resources, competitions and a community of other creatives for you to tap into
• Live UnLtd www.LiveUnLtd.com – apply for £2000 of project funding to set up your own project to help others, from a Martial Arts project to FoodCycling.
• Creative Careers www.careers-creative-living-co.uk – web tool designed to help you plan your creative career, from writing a CV to figuring out what to do next
• Creative Talent www.arts.ac.uk/student/careers – internships, job opportunities