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Graduate jobs and revision – how to strike the right balance

By Lee Clarke on May 17, 2012 in

Hi,

It is that time of year again. Time to lock yourselves away to revise for those all important final term exams! We (Team Gradplus) miss our university years but we really don’t envy you right now!

For those of you that have been unlucky in the job hunt and are still looking for your graduate job or that vital placement the pressure can be even greater than most. It can be so difficult to find the time to look for jobs and it can feel like you can’t take your foot of the revision pedal to eat let alone to look for jobs!

You aren’t alone in feeling like this. Thousands and thousands of students are in the same boat. There are only so many people who get snapped up early and just because you are still looking doesn’t necessarily mean that you are a weak candidate. Not at all. In fact, most of the time this situation has been caused by a combination of fierce competition and a bit of bad luck. So how do you turn it around and manage to get the job and the grades at the same time?

Firstly you need to prioritise… and by prioritise I mean put your degree and your exams first. If you have any second thoughts as to why this should be your number one priority then I would encourage you to think about it from an employers perspective. It’s important for them and so it should be important for you too. It’s not necessarily just your grades or the knowledge you’ve gained that is valued; it’s also about your ability to commit to a goal and see it through to the end.

Continue reading →

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“Can you call it a graduate job if you need experience?”

By Lee Clarke on April 18, 2012 in

Businesses have had a tough time over the last few years and it is no surprise that with an increase of austerity we have seen a growing feeling from students that work experience is becoming a priority for recruiters.

The common question we get asked is: “Can you call it a graduate job if you need experience?” 

I think the answer is yes, but to answer this we need a little exploration of what a “graduate job” is and why companies are recruiting graduates in the first place if they want experience. Continue reading →

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Careers Fairs: Making a great impression

By Lee Clarke on March 27, 2012 in

Hi everyone,

Firstly we would like to say a big thank you to Faizan for the great topic suggestion last week.

The suggestion was that it would be great to read a more detailed guide for students to help them make the most out of careers fairs.

Team Gradplus have put our heads together and after a few days pondering have the following tips to offer students with upcoming fairs to attend:

1. To suit or not to suit? That is the question.

Think about what the employers are expecting. I can’t speak for everyone but I don’t expect students to turn up with suits, ties and briefcases, but likewise, I do expect them to have made an effort to look smart and presentable. Keep this in mind. Dress appropriately.

From my experience many of the exhibitors will be slightly dressed down for the event, so mirror their style.

- Wear a smart matching suit and smart shoes.

- For guys a tie is optional, but I would take it with you. You never know when you might need a tie and if everyone looks smarter than you then you can quickly pop it on. Avoid skinny ties and fashion suits as some employers can be put off by these.

- For girls the general rule is the same as it is for interviews. No short skirts and keep your outfits modest.

- For everyone remember you can still express yourself through colour choices and accessories.

The golden rule for your dress code at fair should be: if you go smart you can dress down by simply removing your tie or jacket; but if you go scruffy you have no options but to continue looking scruffy. So it’s a safe bet to go smart.

Remember why you are there! Employers would like to imagine how you will look in their business, so make that easy for them. At this point they don’t need to know who your favourite band is from your t shirt.

Continue reading →

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Spring Graduate Fair in Scotland 2012

By Lee Clarke on March 19, 2012 in

Last week I attended the Spring Graduate Fair in Scotland. Gradplus has always had a fantastic experience at the event and this year was no exception. The venue was great, this year being held at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in the centre of the city with some gorgeous artwork on display.

Spring Glasgow Careers Fair

I had the great pleasure of meeting with a wide range of both current students and graduates and it was great to see so many talented people keen and interested in their career.

The most common question I was asked was about CV advice, and so in response we will be writing a blog soon about CVs but in the meantime check out the Gradplus site for some great tips.

We will be at the Birmingham City University careers fair on Thursday this week (22/03/12).

Let us know what topics you would like us to write about when we see you on campus, but in the meantime we would love to hear your ideas. What are your concerns? What are you struggling with? Is anything in particular about your job hunt confusing you? Let us know by writing a comment below and we will schedule a blog post to cover that area.

Cheers

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The Apprentice is great for assessment centre tips

By Lee Clarke on March 19, 2012 in

Excitement has been building at Gradplus HQ for the return of The Apprentice on BBC 1 this Wednesday and I for one can’t wait.

I am a big fan and have worked in graduate recruitment for about the same amount of time that the show has been running. Not only do I think its a great piece of entertainment but it can be a really useful guide for anyone looking for work or planning  to attend assessment centres in the near future.

I loved the show when it launced back in 2005 (yes…it’s been going for that long) and I watched for quite a few seasons before my enthusiasm waned.  After several years I felt that the show needed a refresh and that the contestants seemed to be getting more and more extreme, like a business version of Big Brother. Recently the show has hooked me once again, and I am now firmly back on the Apprentice bandwagon.

They have changed the prize in recent seasons from winning a highly paid job in Lord Sugar’s group of companies to a £250,000 investment to set up your own business. This change of reward meant that last years winner (Tom Pellereau) was a mild mannered inventor rather than the larger than life salesperson of some of the previous seasons.

However, the best entertainment still comes from the personality clashes, the arguments, shouting matches, and quite frankly bullying behaviour that makes for great television but a terrible group of employees. The key to success on the show seems to be balance. Those that are self aware and in control on the show have an impact. It’s about having a balance between your self interested ambition and team work;  between focusing on the functional tasks and showing creativity and innovation; and between planning to the nth degree and jumping in head first.

Getting this perfect balance is easier said than done, but I would highly recommend watching the show as a good place to start in improving your own self awareness and performance at interview.

Team Gradplus would like to wish this years candidates the best of luck and we will be watching every week with eagle eyes for hints and tips we can pass on.

Who has been your favourite candidate over the years and what made them so memorable to you?

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The Gradplus Blog – Welcome

By Lee Clarke on March 12, 2012 in
Hello and welcome to the Gradplus blog.
It’s no secret that getting a graduate job is tough at the moment. Whether you are  in your  first year, second year, third year, or even if you have already graduated getting that dream job can be quite the challenge.
Through our merry travels to campuses across the UK we have met many students that are  in the same boat as you.  There is some comfort in knowing that you are not alone but of course more in the relief of getting your dream job.
Gradplus sees both sides of the job hunting equation. We speak with both students and employers about their needs, their success stories, and about how they are adapting to the economic challenges.
It is our hope that we can use this space to help you be successful and to choose the right path. We are here to answer your questions, to share with you hints and tips, and pass on our expertise about the graduate marketplace.
Follow this space where we will be regularly posting and keeping you up to date about our adventures at campuses around the UK so you can come and visit us when we are near you.
Finally, the most important part of our site is you. So be sure to have your voice heard! Post a comment below to let us know what topics you want discussed on this blog. Even let us know if you’re interested in writing a post yourself.

First real post coming soon!

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