1. The Graduate Jobs Market: Some personal thoughts
Cheltenham College
Vince Pizzoni, Preng & Associates
March 24th 2017

2. Getting a job today
Leading employers value work experience (58% most popular attribute) among graduates more than the grades (16%) or the university (15%) they have been to (The Independent)
Today, the average person changes jobs ten to fifteen times (with an average of 12 job changes) during his or her career (thebalance.com)
Hiring managers are having trouble finding employees with the right soft skills for 59% of their open jobs (Business News Daily)
The graduate hiring process can take several months longer today and will involve multiple steps compared to years ago
An updated and relevant CV is as critical today as it has been over many years
Early interaction with specific recruitment agencies is important
Degree Apprenticeships may suit some people
Networking is critical; studies show that 70-80% of jobs are not advertised (theladders.com)

3. Getting a Placement Identifying opportunities CV Application Interview
Follow up

4. CV The purpose of a CV is to get an interview
Your chance to sell yourself
Needs to show name, contact details, academic performance, work shadowing, work experience, internships, interests and achievements
Keep to one page
Neatly laid out
No spelling errors/typos
Check font type and size

5. Interviews Research and preparation
Several types (phone, Skype, digital, psychometrics, face to face)
Dress code
Be on time
Be clear and concise
Positive body language
Use STAR to respond
Be prepared to ask questions
Follow up

6. Interview-Types of Questions
1. Competency Based/Behavioural: Give me an example of when you motivated a sports team to achieve a win? 2. Fact Based: Why did you leave your last school? 3. CV Based: Talk me through your CV. 4. Motivation/Drive Based: What do you know about our company? 5. Strengths Based: What motivates you? What is something you are really proud of and why? 6. Situational / judgemental: If someone disagrees with you, what do you do?

7. Face-to-face Interview
Research: Have you researched for the interview?
Presentation: Are you dressed for an interview?
Body Language: Be aware of your body language
Read the body language of the interviewer
Non-verbal behaviour
(visual) %
Face-to-face Interview
Tones %
Words
5 - 15%

8. The importance of body language

10. STAR technique for competency based interviews

11. The Work Placement First day-get there early
Be polite to everyone you meet
Dress code-wear appropriate clothes
Time keeping-always be on-time
Communication-listening, positive, open, honest
Networking-get their business cards
Social media-don’t use it
Daily log-summarise who you met/what you did/what you achieved
Work hard-don’t leave early and show willing to get involved
Thank the manager and key staff-they will remember the ones who didn’t

12. Key Employability Skills
Verbal and Written Communication
Teamwork
Business understanding
Analysing and investigating
Initiative and self motivation
Planning and organising
Flexibility
Time management

13. Follow Up Write up a report and present at school
Identify what you learnt, did well and could have done better
Maintain contacts with key people you met to let them know how you are doing
Think through what the placement means in terms of your future career and academic choices at school
Talk this through with your parents and school staff
Keep researching careers and look for your next placement

14. How to land a job within 6 months of graduation
Get the best degree classification you can (blue chip employers)
Do as much relevant work experience as possible
Don’t forget non academic/extra-curricular interests can be important
Get your CV started early and keep it “humming”
Don’t forget a cover letter if needed
Make full use of the Careers Centres at School and University
Finding a job is like a military campaign so research and plan accordingly
Network, network, network
Sell yourself on social media (eg LinkedIn) and mind your manners

15. Acknowledgements Marchesschool.co.uk Carmelharrisonpr.com
Internchina.com
Mylastdart.com
Proresumecenter.com
Transmosis.com
Hashtagcv.com
Jantoo.com
Fareedsiddiqui.com
Leedstrinity.ac.uk
GVI Service Learning
Shutterstock.com
Cheltenhamcollege.org