tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74439660830466869792024-03-21T02:23:10.660+00:00Tales from the Placement OfficeWith this blog, I will be commenting on issues related to placements, internships and student employability. I welcome feedback on my postings from all placement stakeholders - students, employers and my colleagues working in Higher Education.
I work in a British university and have daily interactions with students and placement providers. This blog represents purely my own views which at times may be at odds with those of my employer.The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-42974779991103902732020-04-21T09:46:00.000+01:002020-04-21T09:46:27.120+01:00Upskill in Lockdown<br />
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With the recent announcement that the UK Lockdown is running
for at least another three weeks, it is likely that disruption to student
recruitment will continue for a while longer. That said, the proposed stages
for coming out of Lockdown which were briefed in the media on Sunday, suggests
a phased approach which could see things starting to get back to normal. I’m
sure that like me you very much hope that is the case.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The question then is what to do in the meantime? Once you
are done with online tests or assessments, what next? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Picture this – it is summer 2021. You’re at an interview for
a graduate role, and you’re asked very candidly, what did you do to improve
yourself during the COVID-19 outbreak?<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is an important question. One that can demonstrate how
you adapt to adversity. One that displays how you take responsibility for your
personal development. One that you really don’t want to answer by saying you
played games on Twitch for weeks on end!<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you’re currently employed as a key worker, in retail or
elsewhere, thank you. Keep safe and your work is appreciated.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Perhaps you have signed up to volunteer, either to support
the NHS or local community groups to help protect others during these difficult
times. Again, thank you for what you are doing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you are at home and looking for things to do, now is the
ideal time to be developing new or enhancing existing skills. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Head over to the Open
University website, where there are over 900 free online courses to access,
which includes some language courses in French and German <a href="https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue"><span style="color: red;">https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue</span></a></div>
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When this summer is out, do you want to have a hole in your
CV, or a bunch of shiny new skills and certifications to flaunt in future
applications?<o:p></o:p></div>
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The choice is yours.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-67988553343200252112020-04-03T15:05:00.000+01:002020-04-03T15:05:01.168+01:00We're All In This TogetherWhen I wrote my last blog article in 2016 I hadn't planned to park this site. It just kind of happened that way. My youngest was barely a month old, I was trying to impress the powers that be while acting up with a colleague on maternity leave, and I'd stood down as Trustee for PlaceNet in lieu of increased professional and personal responsibility.<br />
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In the intervening years, I haven't really felt compelled to write. The eagle eyed amongst you who have followed my Twitter account over the years, will have seen a cryptic pinned message, which followed an incident with the thought police, who considered my social media presence at odds with my employer. Talk about taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut.<br />
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But here I am in April 2020 and for the first time in years I'm writing. And what strange times we find ourselves in. It is bizarre to think that as recently as two weeks ago the schools were still open, placements were still being advertised in good number, and the lockdown had yet to be implemented. Two weeks. Seems like an awful lot longer don't you think?<br />
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Like you, I've been going through a period of adjustment. Working from home full time completely at odds with the norm in which WFH was largely frowned upon within my team. Appointments fully switched online/telephone, losing that daily face to face interaction with my colleagues and that unexpected meeting when someone you weren't expecting walks into the office needing my help. Office phone calls diverted to mobile via Jabber. Departmental meetings over Teams. Zoom meetings and webinars. It is only a matter of time before I'll be asked to do Compliance training via Houseparty.<br />
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Within the first three hours of homeschooling my kids, I came to realise that failing to get offered a PGCE Primary place in 2002 was the single best thing to ever happen to my career. I'm not a teacher, I don't have the patience or inclination to make exaggerated phonics noises for the letter N. But we are at the end of week 2, and come through relatively unscathed, balancing the demands of the day job with trying to maintain a relatively structured school day for three primary age kids in different key stages. Joe Wicks is a national hero. The world is on its head.<br />
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What has struck me most over the past fortnight is the power of community. I've never been the most sociable person in my department. In fact, during an ill-thought through team development session, my personality was publicly shamed as one of the most introverted in a department of 40 people. Big thumbs up to whoever thought that idea was a good way to bring people together.<br />
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But after well over a decade of going to the same office five days a week, it is a very strange experience moving to remote working. True I don't have put up with office politics, gossip and the endless supply of birthday cakes in the kitchen, but the loss of community is stark. Sure, you can check in with emails, messages, the occasional phone call, but it is a very different experience from a career of conventional office structure.<br />
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It was with great pleasure then that I took up the opportunity to join the ASET Regional Hub South East meeting yesterday morning. I've not been to a physical meeting with them before, in part due to scheduling conflict with school runs, in part due to my previous association with PlaceNet and not wanting to cross the fence. The silliness of tribalism! But as I logged into Zoom yesterday morning, for the first time in two weeks, aside from a few moments of clapping in doorways on a Thursday evening, I felt a tremendous sense of community.<br />
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Thanks to everyone who participated in our South East Regional Hub today. Great to see you all and hear how our members are responding to the current situation. Tomorrow, over to the Midlands! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASETGoesOnline?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASETGoesOnline</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASETTopTips?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASETTopTips</a> <a href="https://t.co/A4Ilb8tClT">pic.twitter.com/A4Ilb8tClT</a></div>
— ASET (@ASETOnline) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASETOnline/status/1245779682408247316?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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We had 75 industry colleagues joining together to bring a sense of normality to the prevailing madness. Shared issues of adjusting to remote working, concerns about dwindling placement opportunities, how to assist our students currently facing furlough or dismissal, not to mention juggling work with children. I couldn't help but raise a smile watching other attendees have their kids appear in shot every once in a while or try to gatecrash the meeting.<br />
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While the meeting progressed I listened in as attentively as I could, while managing Maths and English classes for my boys, catheterising and even managing a game or two of Uno. There is a myth than men can't multitask, but I'd like to think that I'm going some way to destroy it.<br />
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What I took away from the meeting was a feeling of pride. That despite the immediate difficulties we face individually, collectively and within student recruitment as a whole, we are a resolute bunch who have seen economic downturn before and come through the other side, who will run through walls to help our students to make the best of a bad situation.<br />
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We don't know what the full effect of this global pandemic will be, but I can say with certainty that placement professionals will tackle this issue head on, doing their absolute best for their students.<br />
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I was so proud of my industry colleagues. I am proud to be a Placement Adviser. We are all in this together and we will prevail.<br />
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<br />The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-48851646046586778672016-07-22T15:45:00.000+01:002019-02-07T09:27:47.386+00:00In praise of Campus Brand ManagersI recently had the pleasure of attending the inaugural Campus Brand Manager of the Year competition at Enterprise Rent A Car's European HQ. The event was a celebration of the great work undertaken by Campus Brand Managers across the UK, promoting internships, placements and graduate opportunities, to their fellow students. Four regional finalists delivered outstanding presentations highlighting their achievements, successful referrals to Enterprise recruitment programmes and pitched for why they deserved to be named Campus Brand Manager of the Year. Chelsea Gannon from Liverpool John Moores University was undoubtedly a worthy winner.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The four finalists of #CBMOTY 2016, with winner Chelsea Gannon pictured on the far left</td></tr>
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There were a number of things that stood out to me from this event. Firstly, the finalists themselves. The quality of their presentations was superb and I was rather blown away at the level of responsibility they had taken on to promote Enterprise on campus. My recollection of being a brand ambassador many moons ago to a long since disbanded online book retailer was of occasional flyering of libraries and computer labs. These guys mean serious business. The Ambassadors very much provide the eyes and ears on campus for talent acquisition, meeting prospective candidates, holding advice sessions, networking events and even running their own assessment centres. And what made them so effective in their role is having already undertaken a placement or internship with Enterprise, so they could talk first hand about the management schemes, responsibilities and opportunities for career progression. I've long been an advocate of peer mentoring, inviting final year students to speak with second years about their experience. Enterprise ambassadors take things to a whole new level, and I was highly impressed at their commitment to the company and success in sourcing new hires.<br />
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Proactivity towards student engagement - <a href="https://twitter.com/Katie_ERAC_KBSM">@Katie_ERAC_KBSM</a> totally gets this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBMOTY?src=hash">#CBMOTY</a> <a href="https://t.co/zrPIHeGYRE">pic.twitter.com/zrPIHeGYRE</a></div>
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— ThePlacementOfficer (@PlacementBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/PlacementBlog/status/753207199527305216">July 13, 2016</a></div>
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Of course there is no point having outstanding Campus Brand Managers if there is not a quality brand to promote. For most of my decade of working in placements, I've had to follow the work of Enterprise from a distance, as the students I was working with required roles in line with their course criteria. However, there is much to admire, not least the quality and quantity of <a href="https://www.enterprisealive.co.uk/working-at-enterprise/awards/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">accolades</span></a> picked up in recent years. There is clearly a positive ethos and strong set of values ingrained into company which was evident not just in the ambassadors but also with the members of the talent acquisition team who were present. Many of the recruiters have been working in the company for quite some time, which has allowed them to build sustained relationships with placement and careers teams across their regions. As somebody who has recently starting working with Business students, I am already developing strong links with Enterprise for both Management Trainee and Corporate HQ opportunities which should bear fruit in the next placement cycle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9P8-kTlVegH6dMXsiYFwfGPUEViVQ1Ifio4Gaq_0AKqSXUBNVFWVkaOaEfHUiXLLbeWATWZtXRgDtZVQj9e_IPUcGYoGEYo_2pGWi7eM7dAD3qehR7_yFT_qgSsuXQUC75paOfPoJm5c/s1600/Enterprise+Careers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9P8-kTlVegH6dMXsiYFwfGPUEViVQ1Ifio4Gaq_0AKqSXUBNVFWVkaOaEfHUiXLLbeWATWZtXRgDtZVQj9e_IPUcGYoGEYo_2pGWi7eM7dAD3qehR7_yFT_qgSsuXQUC75paOfPoJm5c/s640/Enterprise+Careers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior design at Enterprise HQ - all about Careers</td></tr>
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It is not just the people at Enterprise that impresses me, but also their digital profile. The<span style="color: red;"> <a href="https://careers.enterprise.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Enterprise Careers</span></a> </span>website is a textbook example of getting things right. Content is rich, including blog articles, video profiles, details of the recruitment process and most importantly for me, access to the recruitment team. On many careers websites, you are lucky to find a generic email address, let alone a named contact. Enterprise recruiters are among the most accessible in student recruitment, with contact details and social media accounts listed to encourage engagement; something I would like to see as standard across the industry.<br />
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What do you need to become a great campus ambassador? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBMOTY?src=hash">#CBMOTY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/VEE_ERAC">@VEE_ERAC</a> tells us <a href="https://t.co/nT0K2L0X2G">pic.twitter.com/nT0K2L0X2G</a></div>
— ThePlacementOfficer (@PlacementBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/PlacementBlog/status/753175167598223361">July 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Back to Campus Brand Managers, and having seen for myself just how effective they can be for Enterprise, I won't be at all surprised to see more companies adopt similar schemes to promote their brand. Sure, you sometimes get one off events where free cups of coffee are given out adorned with a company logo, but for a truly effective sustained campaign, the model of employing former placement students to provide a regular campus presence, working in tandem with talent acquisition specialists to identify future hires, present a powerful option for employers seeking emerging talent in the crowded market of graduate recruitment.<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><b br="">
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</b>The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-69262876956141473872016-06-29T16:05:00.000+01:002016-06-29T16:05:49.693+01:00The Will to SucceedIf you're a student who has not yet managed to secure a placement, the chances are by now you are starting to feel a little despondent. You may have friends who are starting work next week or perhaps have already had their placements commence, and yet you find yourself still making applications, still hoping for that positive email to come through after an interview. It has been a long slog since the Autumn and you've not yet been rewarded for your efforts.<br />
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While there are still placements to apply for, never give up. You've come this far and it would be a shame for all those painstaking hours making applications and preparing for interviews to go to waste. I'm working with many students like you right now and their shared attribute is resilience; the will to succeed and achieve their goal. Between now and September many of them will get the placement offers their dedication deserves.</div>
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It doesn't matter when you secure your placement, it is seeing through the task and getting to the finish line line which is most important. It takes guts and determination to keep going when others have already finished <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.theplacementofficer.co.uk/2013_10_01_archive.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">The Great Placement Race</span></a> </span>but keep going and your Placement Officers will be cheering you from the sidelines.</div>
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The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-52175824974652124972016-04-12T15:25:00.000+01:002016-04-12T15:25:16.737+01:00PlaceNet: Thanks for the memories<div class="MsoNormal">
Next month I will be standing down from my role as Trustee
for<a href="http://www.placenet.org.uk/" target="_blank"> <span style="color: red;">PlaceNet</span></a>. It isn’t as a result of a messy divorce or disagreement with my
colleagues, who I have thoroughly enjoyed working with over the course of the
last three years. It is more a question of family commitments taking priority
and not being able to give the same amount of time that I have volunteered after joining in 2013. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Since I first had contact with PlaceNet, after meeting the Chair at the National Placement and Internship Awards, I’ve had a great time attending conferences, both as a delegate
and presenter. I gained experience in handling communications for an
organisation, and helped with promoting Master Class events. Most importantly, I have had the pleasure of meeting a large number of extremely diligent placement
professionals, who share my passion for helping students with their fledgling careers
and promoting the virtues of work-based learning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When Graham met Matthias</td></tr>
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A big thank you to Matthias, Ginny, Mike, Sarah, Alex,
Christine, Vanetta and Jan for letting me be part of the gang over the past
three years. I wish you all well and am sure the upcoming <a href="http://www.placenet.org.uk/2016/04/placenet16-conference-heading-to.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">#PlaceNet16 Conference</span></a> in Birmingham will be a roaring success. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-11430147869851153002016-02-01T10:55:00.000+00:002016-02-01T10:55:58.410+00:00Transfer Deadline Day - Time for a New ChallengeIt seems somewhat appropriate that on Transfer Deadline Day, I can announce that I am on the move. After ten years at Brunel University London, during which time I've supported students from Computer Science, Mathematics, Digital Media, Biomedical Science, Politics and History I am making a giant leap to take up a new challenge.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confirmed signing!</td></tr>
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Well, when I say giant leap, I am probably moving no more than six feet away, as I'm swapping one desk for another within the Professional Development Centre. From the end of this week, I will be Placement and Internship Adviser for students in Brunel Business School, supporting undergraduates from Business and Management courses to secure yearlong sandwich placements. I can't wait to get started!<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/PlacementBlog">@PlacementBlog</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeadlineDay?src=hash">#DeadlineDay</a> Faxes whirring in the Brunel Business School. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rednapp?src=hash">#Rednapp</a> quoted as "gutted at missing out on the lad"</div>
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— Dan Everson (@dan_everson) <a href="https://twitter.com/dan_everson/status/694095379894267904">February 1, 2016</a></div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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If you are an employer looking to recruit students for roles such business, management, human resources, marketing or accounting, please drop me a message on <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/grahamkayetaylor" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">LinkedIn</span></a> to discuss your requirements and how I can help you access emerging talent from Brunel.<br />
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<br />The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-56814803446305615252016-01-27T09:58:00.001+00:002016-01-27T10:00:41.574+00:00Introducing The Ascent Placement Programme<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>I'm a big fan of peer mentoring. When it comes to spreading the message about placements, in my experience students are most receptive when hearing it directly from their fellow students, rather than from a guy in a suit. This is a theme that a number of employers have picked up on and involve their current interns when promoting their schemes. Here is a great example of this, with a guest blog from Will, promoting the Ascent Placement Programme. If this sounds good, get applying as the deadline is this weekend!</b></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Hi, I'm Will and I'm currently working as the Advertising & Communications Marketing Intern at Amaya Gaming as part of the Ascent Placement Programme.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I
would hope by now that you are aware that the Ascent Placement gives you the
opportunity to take a fully paid internship at PokerStars and have either
finished or are making the finishing touches to your application. I thought I’d
take this opportunity to tell you a little bit more about the market-leading
poker brand, what we actually do here and what you could be doing next year.
Sound OK? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
PokerStars, along with its sister site Full Tilt, are Amaya
Inc. brands which collectively form the largest poker business in the world,
comprising online poker games and tournaments, live poker competitions, branded
live poker rooms and poker programming created for television and online
audiences.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you don’t know much about poker don’t worry, you’ll pick up
everything you need to know quickly. Just be sure to do a bit of research into
us before you write that cover letter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You may be thinking, what would I actually be doing? Well,
we have six fantastic roles that you can apply for. There are opportunities to
work in in Brand, Advertising & Campaign Marketing, Social Media,
SEO/Content Marketing, Digital Marketing, TV & Online Programming, and
Corporate Communications. For full information about the programme, the roles
and the application process, please head over to our dedicated website
(designed by us, ‘The Ascenders’) <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.theascentplacement.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">theascentplacement.com</span> </a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKAC6duhtaM6Pud7rEFRMD8YFMB7F6Gy6qyAf-R-BPk43_Vs2E7WiwNpYTcs84MbF18B0_uAR2KFJvOBdLjZYdxbxd82Kc6KGk8IYNalRC093szHlwoCodDP1hbFu84hDLviRdRPQSD8/s1600/20150911_145013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKAC6duhtaM6Pud7rEFRMD8YFMB7F6Gy6qyAf-R-BPk43_Vs2E7WiwNpYTcs84MbF18B0_uAR2KFJvOBdLjZYdxbxd82Kc6KGk8IYNalRC093szHlwoCodDP1hbFu84hDLviRdRPQSD8/s400/20150911_145013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">‘The Ascent Placement’
brand presentation – selling it into the business</span></i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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All departments within PokerStars work very closely together
so no matter which you find yourself in you’ll all be working together on world-class
advertising and marketing campaigns that bring the fun and excitement of poker
(and sometimes other verticals) to players around the world. That’s what I find
most exciting about working here: introducing people who don’t play poker to
such an amazing game. Just to put the scale of the business into perspective,
we have a combined total of over 97 million registered players and it’s
continuing to rise. I’m hoping we hit 100 million before I go back to uni.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since I’ve been here I’ve worked on global ad campaigns
featuring some of the world’s best footballers, developed a sub-brand of
PokerStars, managed social media campaigns and proactively building a business
case for some ideas of my own. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4Mu5qLzQTwRZoC7lJKKQuwqMD5bXZUlYkTVMNOQJl8PvY15bgvW9hvC1_zOMPhKQKExuLfZXTst5RRpapIpg4JwpWpjOxdoH82rrP1MhlIIlTxCsN19UPJJA0SPsCYToQ0GpM6CICU4/s1600/IMG_8108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4Mu5qLzQTwRZoC7lJKKQuwqMD5bXZUlYkTVMNOQJl8PvY15bgvW9hvC1_zOMPhKQKExuLfZXTst5RRpapIpg4JwpWpjOxdoH82rrP1MhlIIlTxCsN19UPJJA0SPsCYToQ0GpM6CICU4/s400/IMG_8108.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Ad shoot in Madrid</span></i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Day-to-day it’s pretty great here I must admit. The office
is right next to Piccadilly Circus station and it boasts free fruit, vending
machines, table football, a pool table, a chill out room and there’s even a
Dalek downstairs (cheers Twitter). There have been tons of social events which
all of us here have taken full advantage of. Check out our social pages (links
below) for the full run down on these, but highlights include the summer and Christmas
parties, poker tourneys and recently a talk by NASA’s chief scientist about the
mission to Mars.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvylhntzjsA2k2tzzUp05LWicYVK1D87TwvrKsLMBGB06zXr11EFYwejMNvF_xMWIH5v1mFztTs3D19X7iFnna4hzrU6S_IuND_85Zjl2BRJB3WRayuZYh9BTIbLTiZglcFY63QUroxBQ/s1600/brainstorm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvylhntzjsA2k2tzzUp05LWicYVK1D87TwvrKsLMBGB06zXr11EFYwejMNvF_xMWIH5v1mFztTs3D19X7iFnna4hzrU6S_IuND_85Zjl2BRJB3WRayuZYh9BTIbLTiZglcFY63QUroxBQ/s400/brainstorm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">The Ascenders class of
2015</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had better go now as I need to prepare for my trip to
Dublin in a few weeks for the <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.europeanpokertour.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">EuropeanPoker Tour</span></a> </span>(a huge live poker festival) where I will be gathering as much
content as I can get my hands on. Just before I go I’d like to remind you all
that the deadline for applications in 23:59 on the 31<sup>st</sup> January 2016
so get to it! </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Thanks for reading and good luck with your placement search! Why not connect with us on the following platforms</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/placementascent" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Facebook</span></a> <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/placementascent" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Twitter</span></a> </span> <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://instagram.com/ascent_placement" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Instagram</span></a> </span> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/10233812?trk=tyah&trkInfo=clickedVertical%3Ashowcase%2CclickedEntityId%3A10233812%2Cidx%3A2-1-2%2CtarId%3A1453888821814%2Ctas%3Athe%20ascent%20placement" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">LinkedIn</span></a> <a href="http://theascentplacementblog.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Tumblr</span></a></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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By the way, if you’re a grad and fancy seeing where in
PokerStars you could fit be sure to visit our opportunities page here: <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.pokerstars.com/about/careers/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">https://www.pokerstars.com/about/careers/</span></a> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-55831019659279255792015-10-05T16:34:00.000+01:002015-10-05T16:34:10.907+01:00Be Your Future!If you've just started looking for placement opportunities, you may find yourself a little bit lost right now. You'll have had an introductory lecture or two where people like me at your university are spouting the virtues of doing a placement, and sign-posting you to a directory of opportunities for you to plough your way through. Perhaps you've met my friends at <a href="http://www.ratemyplacement.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">RateMyPlacement</span></a> during their campus campaigns, and found yourself armed with the <a href="http://www.ratemyplacement.co.uk/top-employers" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Top Undergraduate Employers Guide</span></a>. It is a fantastic little resource, but on first inspection you'll stare at a page of 100 different companies. How are you supposed to know where to start?<br />
<br />
In the years I have been doing my job, it has been noticeable that employers are spending more time and resources on talent attraction than when I first started out. Last week I received a job poster through the post, with no additional online material to access. Once upon a time this would have been the norm. In 2015 this not only felt retro but rather inadequate for the digital age where young people hold expectations of having information at their fingertips.<br />
<br />
With so many recruiters fighting to attract the same students to their placement and graduate schemes, employers have upped their game on talent acquisition and recognised that they need to distinguish themselves from the competition. Once organisation that I think has done this particularly well is Microsoft, who aside from their corporate careers pages have enlisted their current interns to produce engaging content for the standalone <a href="http://www.beyourfuture.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Be Your Future website</span></a>. It is a great resource for interested candidates to find out straight from the horses mouth what it is like to be an Intern at Microsoft, gain insights into the different roles and opportunities, pick up application advice and provide a platform for engagement between the company and the student market.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhcjAXgrOaYYvfq5IZPCwDF8Xc08FZUaAyXGudmVEiI08iUiYxbdoprCugkji7zMCcJBrKMfmZopBIuRw6A1h4g-HFNHVhRs04Q6D-DW7zAImb38RgLkVMgpUnc8QuxXRyo_3kz29NNY/s1600/site-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhcjAXgrOaYYvfq5IZPCwDF8Xc08FZUaAyXGudmVEiI08iUiYxbdoprCugkji7zMCcJBrKMfmZopBIuRw6A1h4g-HFNHVhRs04Q6D-DW7zAImb38RgLkVMgpUnc8QuxXRyo_3kz29NNY/s400/site-logo.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Who better than you to promote your business to future undergraduate employees than the incumbents?<br />
<br />
Applications for student and graduate opportunities at Microsoft are now open. <a href="http://www.microsoftstudentsuk.net/home/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Apply here</span></a><br />
<br />
Do not apply until you have checked out the excellent advice and insights on the<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://www.beyourfuture.net/category/application-advice/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Be Your Future</span></a></span> blog, and be sure to save it down in your favourites.<br />
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<br />The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-28897261412968982692015-09-08T14:24:00.000+01:002015-09-08T14:24:45.278+01:00Periscope - A Guide for Placements and CareersOver the past few months, I've been very enthusiastically talking up Periscope and how it could be used by Placements and Careers services to engage with our students.<br />
<br />
I've now put together a little presentation on this which you can view below or click on<span style="color: red;"> <a href="https://www.emaze.com/@AIRLWILL/periscope-for-placements-and-careers?autoplay" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">this link</span></a></span> if your browser does not support the iframe format.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="540px" mozallowfullscreen="" seamless="" src="https://app.emaze.com/@AIRLWILL/periscope-for-placements-and-careers" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="675px"></iframe><a href="https://app.emaze.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Powered by emaze" src="//resources.emaze.com/mypres/css/images/embed.png" style="border: none; margin: 5px;" /></a><br />
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<br />The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-61204954177378864812015-07-27T13:40:00.000+01:002015-07-27T13:48:00.064+01:00My day with #CentricaGradsLast week I had the pleasure of attending a Careers Services Open Day at the UK Headquarters of <a href="http://www.centrica.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Centrica</span></a>. If you're not too familiar with the name, you most certainly will be aware of at least one of their subsidiaries, British Gas, which is a major player in the utilities market.<br />
<br />
The focus of the event was to showcase the range of student and graduate opportunities that are offered by Centrica, and providing the opportunity to network with a range of employees including recruiters, managers and current interns. On a quick headcount, I estimate there were about 50 careers/placement staff from different universities in attendance.<br />
<br />
During the course of the day, we were given an insight into how Centrica recruit and the sort of profile they are looking for in successful candidates. The slide below highlights Centrica's Leadership behaviours, and if anybody is looking to apply for one of their streams, I would recommend tailoring applications in such a way that you demonstrate these qualities.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUd5n8d12CxGxtY7mhoQhpcciuXaImHSu5TlPP-EE8TzkwIIGz9Dygm64tjpwoD5dR5NQLwwU2BwV9K_Hi1pWPcClM5ugVVRDZ0VYvxvqiy9oaW7-pjdIgSMyR7Llg0EB3-vTb2BP6-Ew/s1600/Centrica+Leadership+Behaviours.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUd5n8d12CxGxtY7mhoQhpcciuXaImHSu5TlPP-EE8TzkwIIGz9Dygm64tjpwoD5dR5NQLwwU2BwV9K_Hi1pWPcClM5ugVVRDZ0VYvxvqiy9oaW7-pjdIgSMyR7Llg0EB3-vTb2BP6-Ew/s400/Centrica+Leadership+Behaviours.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Aside from making some great contacts from the Centrica Year in Industry scheme, the biggest thing I took home from the event was the passion exhibited for the company by some of the graduates I met during the networking lunch. I'm quite a cynic by nature, and while I would expect there to be a certain amount of positive spin exhibited at an event like this, I was actually blown away by their enthusiasm for the company and their roles within it. It was self-evident that they love what they do, and are being supported to become future leaders within the organisation.<br />
<br />
Centrica will be launching a new on-campus campaign in the autumn. My lips are sealed with regard to the content having been sworn to secrecy, but it looks like it will be a lot of fun and should deliver a new level of brand awareness to undergraduates looking for future opportunities.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDTDsJLydlOm8E3Gi7cBzEF_AAkJPIIYb01B5jwPwjyIbR8cXKvYvLVnGFBHVIAw3yS9pLY3MyP_iJloX_h5h6jq8lT3OSSNFxkHNOWL77daK3KsqFZpi9MMDmEWm050cc3jIjewqbjY/s1600/Centrica+Pigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDTDsJLydlOm8E3Gi7cBzEF_AAkJPIIYb01B5jwPwjyIbR8cXKvYvLVnGFBHVIAw3yS9pLY3MyP_iJloX_h5h6jq8lT3OSSNFxkHNOWL77daK3KsqFZpi9MMDmEWm050cc3jIjewqbjY/s400/Centrica+Pigs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love my Centrica pigs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Details of graduate and summer internships at Centrica for a Summer 2016 start should go live in September. In the meantime, you can find out more about the company and the employment streams their offer at <a href="https://www.centrica.com/careers/grads-undergrads" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Centrica Grads</span></a>. You can also engage with the recruitment team via <a href="https://twitter.com/CentricaGrads" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Twitter</span></a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CentricaGraduateRecruitment" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Facebook</span></a><br />
<br />
Thanks very much for inviting me to the event, and I look forward to promoting Centrica opportunities to my students in the coming year.<br />
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<br />The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-7944413083161608972015-06-16T12:56:00.000+01:002015-06-16T16:12:40.439+01:00From Student to Prudent - The 12 Month Transformation<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a guest
article written by </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/pub/sawsan-hamawandy/87/9ab/82" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Sawsan Hamawandy</span></a></span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">, who has spent the past year
working as Channel Communications Intern for NetApp, as part of her sandwich
placement course. I think there is some really fantastic advice here for
students about to embark on their placement year, to ensure they maximise the experience.
The article was originally posted on LinkedIn and republished here with
permission of the author.</span></i></b></span><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">With my amazingly fabulous time at</span><span style="color: #4d4f51; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.netapp.com/uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">NetApp</span></a></span><span style="color: #4d4f51; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">drawing its final
week, I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on my experience. Twelve
months ago, I walked into my internship with a smile on my face and an open
mind. Though I had been told, I would be doing “real-work”, I had no idea what
that would entail and what would lie ahead. How can someone distinguish what is
real-work and what isn’t? A year on I completely understand!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have learnt that an internship is not just about achieving your
personal or business targets. In fact, that is only the bare minimum, a student
should seek to accomplish. A placement has so many untapped opportunities which
I see students overlook time and time again and to me this is ludicrous. How
many opportunities do we get throughout our careers to experiment, practice
what we love, discover our weaknesses, develop our strengths and challenge our
limits?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Currently, second year university students are about to start their
placement years, some may have already started while others are still
searching; whether you are in sales or marketing, HR or finance take the time
to consider the following to maximize your potential.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 30pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0cm;">Sixty
second summary</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> - you should be able to
communicate the organisation's purpose, offerings and values in a short
elevator style pitch. If you don’t understand a week into your role, then you
should really question how you can support the organisation to reach their
goals.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 30pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0cm;">Ask
before the task, don’t just bask </span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt;">- you’re
not expected to know everything. You were hired because they saw the potential
in you which they didn’t see in other applicants. You are there to learn and so
it is really key you absorb as much knowledge as you can.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 30pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0cm;">Mingle
like a Pringle</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt;">- there is no better way to build your
network, than with those around you. You do not need to limit yourself to those
in your team. I found that you learn just as much from those who aren’t in your
department to those that are.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 30pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0cm;">Don’t
fright to take a bite</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> – although your utmost priority
should be completing your assigned duties, it is really good if you can get
involved with things out side of your role. Not only will this get you exposure
into different parts of the organisation, you gain experience in additional
tasks. In other words, don’t be afraid to create doors to open. You will find
most companies will actually benefit from the additional support.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 30pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding: 0cm;">Sometimes
backwards is forwards</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt;">- when being trained to do things in
the early days, it is easy to complete tasks in the way shown and expected.
Whether you are writing a report for your manager, communicating to a partner
or targeting a customer, sometimes step back and put yourself in their shoes.
To take a step back allows you to see the bigger picture and if what you are
doing is actually the most effective. The methods of yesterday won’t always
achieve tomorrow's goals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18pt;">I would also like to take this opportunity to say a HUGE thank you too </span><a href="http://www.netapp.com/uk/" style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18pt;" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">NetApp</span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18pt;"> (particularly
my managers and brilliant team) who have supported me form the moment I skipped
through the front doors of our lovely office. It truly is a great place to work
and a brilliant company! </span></span></div>
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<br />The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-28963856615598176442015-06-15T14:41:00.000+01:002015-06-15T14:44:21.142+01:00Up Periscope!Regular readers of this blog will have become accustomed to me getting excited by technology and how it relates to employability issues. I've championed the use of Twitter for student/employer engagement through <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://sandwichplacement.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">#PlacementChat</span></a>,</span> tried my hand at a <a href="http://sandwichplacement.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/6-seconds-to-secure-placement.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">6 second CV</span></a> on Vine, and proved there is more to <a href="https://uk.pinterest.com/placementblog/graham-kaye-taylor/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Pinterest</span></a> than cats and crochet. However, in this technological age, nothing lasts forever and it is important to keep a close eye on what may be the next big thing.<br />
<br />
The new kid on the block which is giving me goosebumps is <a href="https://www.periscope.tv/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Periscope</span></a>, a live streaming app which allow users to broadcast from their mobile/tablet to a worldwide audience. Built by Twitter, Periscope is user friendly and ties in with your existing network of followers. Quite simply, press record and whatever you see on your camera goes live to whoever wants to watch. This includes turning the camera on yourself and speaking about whatever topic comes to mind. Viewers can ask questions to the presenter, making the broadcast interactive.<br />
<br />
Given the recent rise of video interviewing technology like <a href="http://www.sonru.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Sonru</span></a>, Periscope seems like a logical extension for how students can put themselves in the eye of employers, or vice versa. For example, rather than utilise expensive webinar software, a recruiter could use Periscope to talk about placement opportunities at their company to interested candidates, with the viewers able to type questions about the scheme live as it happens.<br />
<br />
I'm personally excited about using Periscope for my placement activities. This week there is a #PlacementChat scheduled from 4-5pm on Thursday (18 June) and I plan to use Periscope throughout to answer questions that are posed, breaking the shackles of the 140 character limit to provide insightful responses. I hope that my face for radio won't scare people off!<br />
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Find me on Periscope and Twitter using @PlacementBlog and we'll see how it works on Thursday!<br />
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The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-87547397979935044292015-04-13T16:12:00.000+01:002015-04-13T16:12:01.176+01:00Moving Without Shaking - Book Review<div class="MsoNormal">
I must admit I was a little intrigued when I was asked if I
wanted to review Yelena Parker’s excellent book, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moving-Without-Shaking-Guide-Success/dp/1632959151/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428936478&sr=8-1&keywords=moving+without+shaking" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Moving Without Shaking: TheGuide to Expat Life Success</span></a> (from women to women). It wasn’t that I have no
interest in the area (I do!), or didn’t think that it would be of interest to
readers of this blog (it most certainly should be), but as a 34 year old man
who is well rooted in the UK and no realistic aspirations of taking my family
overseas, I couldn’t feel any further from the target audience of the author.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To ensure I was reading Parker’s book with an open mind, I
decided to take it with me on short trip abroad over the Easter period, so that
I would approach it without the shackles of the daily routine and with that
little bit of overseas adventure in my blood. While my kids napped between
morning and afternoon sessions at <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.disneylandparis.co.uk/" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Disneyland Paris"><span style="color: red;">Disneyland Paris</span></a>, I tucked into the pages of
Moving Without Shaking to see what I could learn. I needn't have worried though, as it became abundantly
clear from the early pages that this book is accessible for all and while its
goal is to provide peer support from women to women, I didn’t at any point feel
detached on the basis of my y chromosome.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkN-7ZXEL4scuEJDEf3XPAEJhqcQHvce9sz-N72SKhGoQcEjJgUYEH1euvbfEMphZZqqxBnggWU7W_-tTLsOqVjFn7dOeHacpyelzCl6BjNcj6w95EaEzHM7hQgKcXwAUrcmQcXElkWc/s1600/moving+without+shakingpng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkN-7ZXEL4scuEJDEf3XPAEJhqcQHvce9sz-N72SKhGoQcEjJgUYEH1euvbfEMphZZqqxBnggWU7W_-tTLsOqVjFn7dOeHacpyelzCl6BjNcj6w95EaEzHM7hQgKcXwAUrcmQcXElkWc/s1600/moving+without+shakingpng.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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What Parker provides in a little over 250 pages is pearls of
wisdom based on her own experiences, and those of other women who have been
successful in working overseas. In 10 concise chapters, we learn about the
factors that have gone into helping the author and her friends in their journey
across the globe. A lot of this isn’t rocket science. If you want to work at a
high level, a strong educational background is vital. If you want to live in
another country, you may get by with speaking English in the workplace, but
becoming proficient to conversational level in the local language is going to
be important when you need to speak to local tradesman or have to ask for
directions in a strange city. There are chapters dedicated to Networking,
Attitude and even Relationships. Whatever your reasons for wanting to work
abroad, or whichever factors are holding you back from taking that leap right
now, they more than likely have been covered by Parker and her associates, and
documented in the pages of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moving-Without-Shaking-Guide-Success/dp/1632959151/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428936478&sr=8-1&keywords=moving+without+shaking" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Moving Without Shaking</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of particular interest to students for whom working internationally may seem a long way off, are the pages dedicated to studying abroad. If it is an option for part of an existing course or something that you may wish to consider for future study, there is some really useful information contained within the pages of this book which you can adapt from the idea of working overseas. </div>
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As somebody who works with a lot of female students, I will
be encouraging them to put this book on their reading list. In recent years I
have seen a surge in events aimed at encouraging women into business, from the
likes of the ITs Not Just For The Boys, to the PWC Aspire to Lead series. While
I have been keen to promote these opportunities, I have often been taken aback
at the relatively small uptake of the students on my courses who want to get
involved. I can’t quite put my finger on why that may be the case. There could
be cultural factors at play, or maybe a lack in confidence to attend such an
event. Whatever the reason may be, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moving-Without-Shaking-Guide-Success/dp/1632959151/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428936478&sr=8-1&keywords=moving+without+shaking" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Moving Without Shaking</span></a> provides the reader
with strong role models to see what can be achieved by women who wish to pursue
an international career. If a young
Yelena Parker can make her way from a small town in Soviet era Ukraine to work
in over 20 countries, why can’t a Sonya from Slough or Hamila from Hemel
Hempstead follow a similar career path?</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moving-Without-Shaking-Guide-Success/dp/1632959151/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428936478&sr=8-1&keywords=moving+without+shaking" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Moving Without Shaking</span></a> is available to buy from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moving-Without-Shaking-Guide-Success/dp/1632959151/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428936478&sr=8-1&keywords=moving+without+shaking" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Amazon</span></a> and other online retailers.</div>
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Yelena Parker is on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/yelenaparker" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">@yelenaparker</span></a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/MovingWtShaking" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">@movingwtshaking</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.movingwithoutshaking.com/"><span style="color: red;">www.movingwithoutshaking.com</span></a> </div>
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</b>The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-48110769002885067402015-03-05T16:19:00.000+00:002015-03-05T16:19:05.279+00:006 Seconds To Secure A PlacementAs regular readers of this blog will know, I'm a big fan of social media and an even bigger advocate of using it to support job searches. A few years ago, I was very excited to see a <a href="http://sandwichplacement.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/twitter-modern-day-application-form.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">student securing a placement</span></a> with <a href="http://www.ratemyplacement.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">RateMyPlacement</span></a>, having gained a spot at their assessment centre through a single tweet. This week, I couldn't help but notice an opportunity for students to gain a summer internship, through submitting a <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%236secondCV&src=tyah" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">#6SecondCV</span></a>.</span><br />
<br />
The role in question is a 10 week joint internship programme between Nestle and Twitter. Any budding marketing students or social media whizz should check it out, as the focus <span style="background-color: black;">'<span style="line-height: 20px;"><i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">is to understand how Twitter and social listening can be used within Nestlé to help support and drive key business priorities. You'll also work with Twitter to develop a better understanding of user behaviours and other audience metrics.'</span></b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: GothamRndBook, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">That all sounds pretty cool to me, but not only is the role catching my eye, the application process is something very different from your typical online form. Interested candidates are being asked to pitch themselves for the role using <a href="https://vine.co/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Vine</span></a>, a social media platform that has grown in popularity in recent times, which allows users to upload short video content and share with friends via Twitter and Facebook.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">So rather than spend hours slaving over a CV, checking cover letters for grammatical errors or tapping away at endless competency based questions, one lucky applicant will find themselves at an assessment centre next month, on the strength of a single 6 second video clip. The big question is, how does one go about scaling back all the words and detail from a traditional CV, and manage to sell themselves in a such a limited timeframe?</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 20px;">I'd love to be able to answer that, but as my feeble attempt at a #6SecondCV below demonstrates, I'm clearly not going to be the creative marketing guru that Nestle will be looking for!</span></span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://vine.co/v/O09m1K9bWrd/embed/postcard" width="480"></iframe><script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script><br />
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So my future does not lie in creative marketing, but perhaps yours does. If you want to find out more about the role, check out the <a href="https://www.jobmi.com/Jobs/View/164" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">job description</span></a>. You need to apply by 24 March and when posting your Vine on Twitter make sure to include the hashtag #6SecondCV<br />
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Here is a little bit more info<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Applicants
have the opportunity to impress and demonstrate their digital skills by
creating a six second video through the Twitter platform Vine outlining why
they are the best person for the position. The Vine entries, which will be
judged on their level of creativity, will be considered when the applicants
tweet their creations using the hashtag #6secondCV. </b></span></i><i style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The best Vine entry
will secure a spot at the assessment centre, which will take place on 14<sup>th</sup>
April.</b></span></i></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Time to get creative and who knows, this could be the most productive 6 seconds of your life.</span></span></div>
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</b>The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-54559498789619680772015-02-26T10:37:00.001+00:002015-02-26T10:39:08.938+00:00I Get Knocked Down, But I Get Up AgainGod bless the BRIT Awards. Something memorable always seems to happen at them and usually not for which artists have won. Last night we had Kanye West putting in a potty-mouthed performance entirely at odds with the TV audience for the event, which was then almost entirely overshadowed by what can be politely described as a costume change fail for Madonna. If you've missed it, see here for yourself.<br />
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Even with all the best preparation in the world, things can go wrong. Here we have a global superstar who has been performing for over 30 years and in the midst of a high profile gig experienced what it is like when things go wrong. Being the pro that she is, Madge picked herself up, dusted herself down and the show went on. Full credit to her for doing so, but this performance will only be remembered for the cape and tumble.<br />
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There is something to be learned here for students in their approach for interviews and assessment centres. Even with the most meticulous planning and attention to detail, things may happen which can throw you off course. It could be a broken down train on the journey, a sickness bug, an overbearing candidate determined to have the last word during a group exercise. To share a personal anecdote, once upon a time in the days before my involvement with placements, I was on my way to a conference to deliver a presentation to a group of science teachers. Getting into a taxi my trousers split in a pretty catastrophic manner. A quick diversion to Marks and Spencer and finding a pair that vaguely matched my suit jacket later, I delivered my presentation, albeit slightly red faced from the shame of walking into a shop with my underwear on display for all to see.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeO4ktRoJuE6JX4qVvIoJmXv_dndocO25YHyhY7m0A0cR-HshJeFhGgY7n0t6DJWPzOycsc-u_7uS-7XTJs26HKNAYocjaRzXV0_j9q-CPMDkVFHOGa3xnv62qLWO5EWhyphenhyphenuQ0ZPOk8LY/s1600/Trouser+Split.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeO4ktRoJuE6JX4qVvIoJmXv_dndocO25YHyhY7m0A0cR-HshJeFhGgY7n0t6DJWPzOycsc-u_7uS-7XTJs26HKNAYocjaRzXV0_j9q-CPMDkVFHOGa3xnv62qLWO5EWhyphenhyphenuQ0ZPOk8LY/s1600/Trouser+Split.png" height="317" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly I'm not AC Slater from Saved by the Bell but this is a pretty good representation of the wardrobe malfunction</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The point is careful planning is all well and good, but adaptability in the face of the adversity is a valuable skill to hone. If you can regain composure and show to an employer that you will not be tripped up by a stumbling block, that can work to your advantage. And if things don't result in a happy ending, there is a lesson to be learned for the next time. I very much doubt Madonna will opt for the stairs/cape combo in the live performances any time soon. I learned that in a 50/50 decision, the wiser choice is to opt for the looser pair of trousers! Learn from negative experience to minimize risk for the future.<br />
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The next time you go for an interview, all the pieces could fall into place and you nail it. However, with so many variables, many of which are outside your control, things don't always go according to plan. Take things in your stride and you can still achieve the positive outcome you are looking for.<br />
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In the immortal words of the band Chumbawamba, who caused another <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/from-the-archive-blog/2014/sep/24/john-prescott-brit-awards-chumbawamba-1988" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">infamous BRIT Awards moment</span></a></span>, <b style="font-style: italic;">I get knocked down but I get up again, you're never going to keep me down. </b>Motivational words that students would do well to keep in mind when encountering hard knocks in their search for a placement.<br />
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</b>The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-65767948430055511462015-01-29T08:00:00.000+00:002015-01-29T08:00:09.683+00:00Three is the magic number<div dir="ltr">
This week marks the third anniversary of Tales from the Placement Office and the creation of<a href="https://twitter.com/PlacementBlog" target="_blank"> <span style="color: red;">'The Placement Officer'</span></a>. What started out as an idle thought on a train journey home from the National Placement & Internship Awards has spawned the best part of 100 blog articles, built a Twitter following that many graduate recruitment teams would envy, and launched the<span style="color: red;"> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23placementchat&src=typd" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">#PlacementChat </span></a></span>platform which has helped a huge number of students to engage with employers during their search for work experience.</div>
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I'd like to think that the time I've put into my activities over the past three years have been useful for others, whether they be students looking for some impartial advice or another university service on the hunt for good practice. Along the way I've had the pleasure of meeting some really great people who in all likelihood I would never have known without donning the mask of The Placement Officer.</div>
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Personally speaking it has been a pretty rewarding experience too. I've found social media to be the perfect tool to display my passion for placements and share that energy with a wider audience. The blog had drawn the attention of my peers working in Higher Education, and I received recognition from the broader industry in being awarded Outstanding Contribution to Work Experience at the <a href="http://nueawards.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">National Undergraduate Employability Awards</span></a>. As professional development projects go, I'm not sure it'll be topped any time soon.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bAFwpBRfr_b8ZZHOXRnKhr7TK3r7fIyN8EAFRw4BDky8lIo00iFfQtuy8yC0gTGiETVyNiBEgjHtI6Ebuwcr0c-1AyssyVLMLPylRwCp1hH0mo3E00-wJhQx8wBGUKBmGNnHRNuHKTw/s1600/third-birthday-cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bAFwpBRfr_b8ZZHOXRnKhr7TK3r7fIyN8EAFRw4BDky8lIo00iFfQtuy8yC0gTGiETVyNiBEgjHtI6Ebuwcr0c-1AyssyVLMLPylRwCp1hH0mo3E00-wJhQx8wBGUKBmGNnHRNuHKTw/s1600/third-birthday-cake.jpg" height="251" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J'ai trois ans</td></tr>
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However, while things blossomed via an online persona, my career trajectory has failed to reach new heights. Three years down the line and I find myself in more or less the same role as I did when I penned that <a href="http://sandwichplacement.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/time-to-get-busy.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">first article</span></a> and typed the<span style="color: red;"> <a href="https://twitter.com/PlacementBlog/status/164245363056852992" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">first tweet</span></a>.</span> I'll be honest and admit from the outset I had hoped the blog and all that went with it could open up opportunities for progression. Alas, two days after I <a href="http://sandwichplacement.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/introducing-placement-officer.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">unmasked to reveal the author behind the blog</span>,</a> at the precise moment I was hoping to seize upon my momentum and look to cash-in any credit I had acquired, personal events kicked ambition into touch. One minute I was riding high on the crest of a wave, the next I was confronted by a life altering moment courtesy of <a href="http://www.shinecharity.org.uk/spinabifida" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">two short Latin words</span></a> that were translated for me by a sonographer. </div>
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Life is too short for regret. I certainly wouldn't change what happened that day and every morning I wake up to a little miracle who brings unimaginable joy that eclipses any shiny new job title. I could talk what ifs until I was blue in the face, but the fact of the matter is my priority since then has not been to push onwards and upwards. That said it has been a little frustrating at times and there have been the occasional moment where I've contemplated the nuclear option by publishing an 'I'm The Placement Officer, Get Me Out Of Here' article or something to that effect. Much as I like a good rant, it probably would not have been the wisest professional move.</div>
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So what happens now in 2015? Well, first and foremost the blog continues and The Placement Officer will keep doing his thing on Twitter for as long as there is an audience that wants to engage. Three years is a lifetime on social media but I still think there is some mileage to travel yet, not to mention placement opportunities to promote. What happens offline is perhaps a more interesting discussion point.</div>
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I am looking to be challenged. In a couple of weeks time I'll be starting a short online course I have enrolled in via <a href="https://www.futurelearn.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Future Learn</span></a> with a view to increasing my own personal knowledge which I hope will aid in my ability to help students with their search for employment. My blogging provided a creative avenue for skills development; I'm optimistic that this proactive approach to learning will generate new opportunities to do the same. Exploration can bring fresh impetus to the cyclical nature of placements.</div>
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I've spent a lot of time over the last three years channelling energy into helping others. That is engrained into my DNA and unlikely to change any time soon. But over the coming months, I think it is time to redirect some resource into where I want to be in three years time. This starts with my course. Where it ends we will have to see.</div>
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Bon anniversaire le placement blog</div>
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</b>The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-7579147672543853322014-12-19T11:19:00.000+00:002014-12-19T11:19:32.218+00:00Get That Job! Nine Ways To Interview With Confidence<i>Following my <a href="http://sandwichplacement.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/how-to-find-job-career-and-life-you-love.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">review</span></a> of Louis Efron's excellent book How to Find a Job, Career and Life You Love, the author has very kindly provided this article to help you to interview with confidence.</i><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Originally published on Forbes.com January 23, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Get That Job! Nine Ways
To Interview With Confidence <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">by Louis Efron<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">We are born with complete confidence. My best proof is my 10-month-old
daughter. Her walk is shaky, she constantly falls down and she can’t really
communicate. Still, she never thinks twice about getting up again to try and
navigate across a room and interact with others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">She is not special in these behaviors. All healthy babies do the same
thing. They have not learned to lack confidence in their abilities, be nervous
when addressing others, or be anxious when all the attention is on them. Most
of us adults are not this lucky. We can remember past failures. We second-guess
ourselves. And, unfortunately, our learned lack of self-confidence is harmful
at the most important times in life, like interviewing for a job you want and
need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">To make matters worse, </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.timothy-judge.com/Judge,%20Higgins,%20&%20Cable%20interview%20review%20JOB.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: red;">research</span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> shows that,
on average, interviewers reach final decisions about applicants in only four
minutes after meeting them. In this time there is little more to evaluate than
how you look and speak, how you carry yourself, and how you greeted the
interviewer, all clear clues of your level of self-confidence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Being confident
from the moment you walk through the door will always give you a better chance
of landing the job. The good news is that self-confidence can be generated and
regained. Here’s how:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Power Posing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">In Amy Cuddy’s video,<i> </i></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: red;">Your BodyLanguage Shapes Who You Are</span></span></i></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: red;">,</span> she asserts that not
only does body language affect how others see you, but how we see ourselves.
Her studies show that “power posing” – standing in a posture of confidence,
even when you don’t feel confident – affects your brain’s testosterone and
cortisol levels, and makes you feel more confident. Her research concludes that
changing your body positions does influence how others see you and even alters
your body chemistry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Power Posing
before an interview – or before any event where you are in need of a confidence
boost – will greatly improve how you feel and appear to others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Confidence Mirror<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">In a Radford University
publication, </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.radford.edu/~astanton/interview_help.pdf" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: red;">Behavioral Interviews: It’s Not What YouKnow, It’s What You Did</span></span></i></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">, confidence is strongly correlated to attractiveness. Multiple studies
also conclude that “attractive” job candidates get </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2010/05/18/pretty-girls-get-all-the-jobs/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: red;">more offers</span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> and make </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.viewzone.com/faces.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: red;">more money</span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">. </span>Making yourself attractive during an interview with a comfortably
firm handshake, direct eye contact, good posture, relaxed but passionate
communication style, and a genuine smile will give you an edge over other
candidates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Body
Positioning</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You can
naturally adjust your body for confidence by asking, “If I was really
interested in what my interviewer was saying, how would I sit?” You will be
surprised how often you need to readjust your body and how much more confident
you feel afterwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Affective
Memory</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">As a theatre
director, I used a technique called </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affective_memory" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: red;">Affective Memory</span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> to help my actors connect with their characters and
generate a consistent, real and confident performance. This process is a
central part of<span style="color: red;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_acting" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: red;">Method Acting</span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">,</span> a system pioneered by the late Russian theatre
director and actor, </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantin_Stanislavski" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: red;">Constantin Stanislavski</span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">, which requires actors to call on personal
memory details from a similar situation to those of their characters. Used with
positive personal experiences, this same technique can be effectively applied
to rehearsals for job interviews, especially when rehearsing for the critical
first four minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Close your
eyes. Recall and experience a time you gave a firm and confident handshake. See
the eyes and face of a friendly and kind person you know or interviewed with
before. Hear their reassuring words. Feel the energy of a positive and
successful interview, meeting, or exchange you had in the past. Pay attention
to what your posture, breathing, and heartbeat were like. Rehearse and
experience this interview in your head, heart, and hands – live it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Done
completely, this exercise will give you confidence for your upcoming interview
by connecting it to positive and successful experiences you have already had in
your life. You will no longer be walking into an unknown and perhaps scary
circumstance, but one you have successfully already experienced. In fact, if
done correctly, your mind will not be able to distinguish the difference
between the two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Mastery<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">As you grow in
your career, knowledge, and expertise and have more successes in life, you will
naturally become more confident when interviewing. Experience and confidence
usually go hand in hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">If you are
early in your career or short on the experience, knowledge, or successes you
need to feel fully confident for the job you are interviewing for, seek
assistance from relevant books, the web, training courses, and a mentor. Good
resources and a commitment to study will give you all the confidence you need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Exercise
& Dress</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Staying fit and
dressing appropriately for interviews are helpful practices. Both will give you
more confidence and regular exercise always provides you more energy and makes
you feel better about yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Focus On The
Positives</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We tend to
focus our energies on the negative things that happen to us. Despite buckets
full of positive experiences, it only takes one or two nasty comments to knock
someone off their horse. In fact, meanness is at the root of all confidence
issues. Being laughed at when you make a mistake, being harshly rejected by
someone you like, or being taunted on a schoolyard all play a part in a
person’s self-confidence. To overcome negative experiences in life, focus on
positive ones. Most people can count only a few really bad experiences in life,
while positive ones are abundant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Even better,
extend this positivity to others.<span style="color: red;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://mayaangelou.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: red;">Dr.Maya Angelou</span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> once
said, “At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they
will remember how you made them feel.” We have the ability to give the gift of
confidence to everyone we meet by being constructive and kind in all our
interactions. I encourage you to be a champion of confidence for others. It not
only feels good and helps others, but gives you greater confidence as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Rewrite Your Self Talk</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What are your
low confidence triggers when interviewing (e.g., entering the building, shaking
hands with your interviewer, sitting down to start the interview, starting to
speak, answering questions)? Write them down now. Then write down what you say
to yourself when these events occur and how it makes you feel. Cross out any
negative “self-talk” and re-write the statements in a positive and assertive
manner – a way that makes you feel confident and good about yourself when you
read and say them. Turn, “I will never get this job” into “I am the best person
for this job. This company needs me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.drwaynedyer.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Dr. Wayne Dyer</span></a>, the renowned self-help guru advises, “If
you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” And
there lies the secret to how you reverse the impact of low confidence triggers
in your life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">By re-writing
your self-talk, you will change the way you feel and how you behave. Negative
self-talk will generate low self-confidence and self-esteem issues while
positive self-talk produces the opposite effect. Practice positive self-talk
throughout your life and your confidence levels will soar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Be Present</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The key to
confidence when interviewing is coming prepared and staying present, connected
and fully engaged in the process and what you need to convey about yourself.
Connect with your interviewer by providing helpful answers to questions and
being actively interested in what they have to say. The more focused you are on
what you trying to accomplish; the less room insecurities, nervousness, and
self-doubt will have to creep in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">For additional help and guidance, my new book</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Find-Career-Life-Love-Edition/dp/0996082824/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><span lang="EN-US"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How to Find a Job, Career and Life You Love</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Second Edition) <span style="color: white;">now available
on</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Find-Career-Life-Love-Edition/dp/0996082824/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">Amazon.com</span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: white;">and other major on-line retailers. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: white;">Also, check out my companion
recording</span>, </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Surrender-Your-Purpose-Louis-Efron/dp/B00PGAE9QU/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1416915673&sr=1-1&keywords=surrender+to+your+purpose" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">Surrender to Your Purpose</span></span></i></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background-color: black; color: red;"> </span><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;">– a
30-minute guided audio journey of deep relaxation
to help unleash life’s purpose and build confidence - available now on</span></span> </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Surrender-Your-Purpose-Louis-Efron/dp/B00PGAE9QU/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1416915673&sr=1-1&keywords=surrender+to+your+purpose" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">Amazon.com</span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="color: white;">and</span>
</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/surrender-to-your-purpose/id945570963" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">iTunes</span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> </span><span style="color: white;">This recording will help further
your journey towards a life of purpose, fulfillment and more happiness than you
ever imagined possible. For more information
about me, please visit my website at </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://louisefron.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">LouisEfron.com</span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: red;">.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-70544085498423684442014-12-12T11:52:00.000+00:002014-12-12T11:52:09.304+00:00Guest Article from TheCVMan<h2>
<i><b style="background-color: black;">I am pleased to welcome to this blog an article from Alfred Ajani (<a href="https://twitter.com/Fr3dSantana" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">@fr3dsantana</span></a>). He came to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/09/10/graduate-handed-cvs-waterloo-station-dream-job_n_5795724.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">notoriety</span></a> a few months ago after adopting a creative approach for seeking graduate employment which landed him a job with <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.asoriagroup.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Asoria</span></a> </span><span style="color: white;"> Take it away Fred.....</span></b></i></h2>
<i><b style="background-color: black;"><br /></b></i>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14pt;">After unsuccessfully applying for over 300 jobs I decided to take matters into my own hands and get myself the role I wanted, which is what Asoria offered. I am now Marketing, PR and Project manager for four recruitment brands; Green, Energy, Digital and Property.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14pt;">“What pushed me to go to Waterloo station?” many asked, “I was desperate” many say. I tell them I was ready to work and take my ideas to market. My main idea is self-promotion, what are you doing to stand out? With traditional methods of applying I would be waiting for a response for at least two weeks, sometimes even no response or and automated message stating unfortunately I do not have enough experience.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14pt;">Similar to my situation the directors at the Asoria Group shared an identical struggle to land the dream job after three tough years at university, which is noticeable in their internal recruitment process, of hiring young hungry graduates ready to take the first step. Way back when getting a degree and a role in your desired industry went hand in hand, I could ramble on but we know those days are over, as it was way before the time my company directors graduated. Hopefully those days will make a swift return, with the help of a middle man. So I will tell you why I took on a marketing role at a recruitment agency.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14pt;">I have the freedom to give advice to many who seek it, I will be giving guest lectures at Universities on topics such as social media and how to go viral, perseverance and how to get your foot on the career ladder without sending your CV (A video CV might do the trick though). It’s not your top 10 interviews tips but advice that will really make you stand out, I will call it ‘Guerrilla Interviewing’. I have had my fair share of interviews and know how daunting of a process it can be. It is also tempting to throw down a million CV’s from the tallest building and hope someone catches it and gives you a call after endless rejections. But I had good people around me giving positive advice and I knew the right role will come along for me soon enough where I can have a real impact on an industry. Change won’t come over night, but it is something I am working towards. Many may not see it now but when I look back, I’ll know.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14pt;">It took me all day to find some inspiration, so I took a tour around the seventh floor and thought back to the times where my imagination was at is most creative point. It was at school when it was drilled into us that only going to University would land us a career, and we were constantly quizzed on what we want to be when we grow up. “Alive!!!” was the response most of my friends made. Should they have been putting so much pressure on us to be the next Tony Blair or Angelina Jolie? But if you do go down the marketing route like me do not limit yourself to social media marketing activities as they are easily ignored by others. The Asoria Group will be engaging in unexpected and noteworthy campaigns and our ideas will spread. ‘Safe is risky.’ I am very equipped and willing to do what it takes to see The Asoria Group move forward in the right direction, starting out at a new company is not a problem; you can grow with them.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 14pt;">Remember it’s a new day, employers are on Social Media too and use it as a point of reference, use it wisely.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #222222;">See more about Fred's story, via </span><a href="https://twitter.com/aimee_bateman" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Aimee Bateman</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/CareercakeTV" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">CareerCakeTV</span></a></span></div>
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<br />The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-37342837041440205092014-12-09T09:40:00.000+00:002014-12-09T09:40:10.331+00:00How to Find a Job, Career and Life You Love<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was first asked to review Louis Efron’s new book, <i><b>How to Find a Job, Career and Life You Love</b></i>,
I must admit to feeling a touch reticent. I’ve always been a little bit
suspicious about self-help books, much as I’m sceptical about the next great
dieting fad; it will probably be too good to be true and you’ll get nowhere
fast. However, upon receipt of the book my opinion quickly changed within the
first few pages.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Once you get past the inevitable ‘I've had a great career,
you can too’ introduction (and for the record, Louis has had a very interesting
career which has taken him in a variety of different directions), what you are
presented with is 35 concise chapters each with their own thought provoking
exercises which help the reader to deliberate on where they’re at, where they
want to be and how to get there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is not a book designed to produce a quick fix. Indeed
Efron invites the reader to take the book one chapter at a time, think about
their responses from the questions posed in each chapter and then sleep on it.
I had envisaged delivering a very authentic review based on my own personal
responses to each chapter, but if I’d stuck to that original intention I would
probably have talked myself out of my current employment after just the first
three chapters. Probably not the wisest move to make on a public blog!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
"There is nothing more fulfilling or emotionally charging for me than watching others win" - Amen to thaT <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LouisEfron?src=hash">#LouisEfron</a><br />
— ThePlacementOfficer (@PlacementBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/PlacementBlog/status/536987346592628737">November 24, 2014</a></blockquote>
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The strength of this book lies in its simplicity. The reader
is challenged to think for themselves in bite-sized chunks. You are not
expected to find resolution within a couple of hours, but over a considered
period of time. It doesn't pretend to make decisions for you, but provides the
sort of questions and pointers that anybody serious about career change, or
seeking greater fulfillment needs to consider before taking action, not least
the issue of money; there may be idealistic jobs out there, but if you’re left
out of pocket how will that affect your work/life balance?<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
"Don't postpone your life waiting for the right time to live. That time may never come." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LouisEfron?src=hash">#LouisEfron</a><br />
— ThePlacementOfficer (@PlacementBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/PlacementBlog/status/536989971857805312">November 24, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Efron’s writing style is easy to digest, alluding to aspects
of his own experience. For less than a tenner, this book is a sound investment,
either for yourself or as a stocking-filler for a friend or loved one who you
know could do with a little support with their career path.<br />
<br /></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Get yours today from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Find-Career-Life-Love/dp/0996082824/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418053916&sr=8-1&keywords=louis+efron" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Amazon</span></a>
or other good book retailers. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Students can sign up for a free 6 month trial of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/student/signup/info?ie=UTF8&refcust=GOTCJVZHGPHF2AIEF64LYIQZN4&ref_type=generic&ref=amzn_st_gb_ref_generic" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Amazon Student here</span></a></div>
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The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-427155369887623742014-11-06T15:49:00.000+00:002014-11-06T15:49:01.274+00:00Professionalism starts with a spellcheck<div>
When you spend days on end looking at CVs, after a while there is very little shock value in what you read. I've encountered the students who have managed to spell the name of their university incorrectly. That mind-numbing sensation when browsing another 'hard working individual' is a constant. And yet this afternoon I encountered a CV which perfectly illustrates how a candidate shoots themselves in the foot and would see their application discarded before a recruiter has even got beyond the first paragraph. Frankly it is a bit of a shocker.</div>
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I'll ignore the fact that this person has left an e off the word 'severe', and gloss over the upper case A in Active, and address the bigger problem. If you choose to begin your engagement with an employer by offering a professional profile, you better be damned sure that you can spell the word 'professional'</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hire me please, I'm a Peroffional</td></tr>
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Professionalism starts with a spellcheck, Then read through your applications to check for spelling or grammatical issues that a spellchecker has not picked up upon, As an extra safety measure, ask somebody you trust to cast their eye over your documents. There is nothing professional about sending a CV that begins this badly to an employer, or in this case to a Placement Office.</div>
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First impressions are king. Candidates with a Peroffional Profile will not find their applications progressing very far. </div>
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The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-53173897623578168722014-11-04T14:54:00.002+00:002019-02-07T09:28:09.397+00:00Land of Opportunity?Have you ever noticed on job descriptions how employers take a proactive stance towards equal opportunities? That short sentence that says something along the lines of 'We welcome applications from disabled candidates' and even go as far as guaranteeing an interview for candidates with a disability who meet the minimum requirements for the role. While this push towards equality is well intentioned, you have to wonder if it is a tick-box exercise rather than a meaningful attempt to to recruit disabled candidates.<br />
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Employment statistics paint the stark reality. The following paragraph is taken from <a href="http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/documents/barriers_and_unfair_treatment_final.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">report 88</span></a> of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, based on data from the Labour Force Survey, Q3 2012<br />
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<i>On all key employment measures examined in this study, <b>disabled people of working </b></i></div>
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<i><b>age in Great Britain are at a disadvantage compared with non-disabled people. They </b></i></div>
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<i><b>are less likely to be in work (47 per cent compared with 77 per cent)</b>; less likely to be </i></div>
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<i>economically active (47 percent are economically inactive compared with 16 per cent </i></div>
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<i>of non-disabled people); and those who are economically active are more likely to be </i></div>
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<i>unemployed (12 per cent compared with eight per cent) and unemployed for longer </i></div>
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<i>(47 per cent of unemployed disabled people have been unemployed for a year or </i></div>
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<i>more, compared with 31 per cent of unemployed non-disabled people). </i></div>
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This makes for grim reading, and as somebody who works with disabled students who wish to undertake a placement year, it presents another barrier to entry for work based learning. This year I'm working closely with a student who has a severe mobility impairment. On paper the student has an excellent CV with relevant work experience, strong grades and heavy involvement in student committees and extra-curricular activities. The student is personable, articulate and somebody that any company worth their salt should want to hire. Time will tell if the student will be successful in their placement search. I will feel as though I have failed if they do not.</div>
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I take a very personal interest on this issue. After graduating many moons ago and while trying to decide on a career path, I undertook a period of voluntary service and was sent to a university in Wales where I was a carer for a student with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. I came to learn very quickly how different the world looks from a wheelchair and the daily challenges that someone with mobility issues encounters. I couldn't understand the logic of putting a Disability Service on the third floor of a building, making it that little bit more difficult for users to access. If a lift goes out of service, what are you to do? Unfortunately we found out on a number of occasions. When above the ground floor, the only lift in the building broke and we had to wait for hours for an engineer to come to fix it before being able to leave the building. Then there were taxi companies sending inaccessible vehicles despite clear requests for a specific type of cab. Don't even get me started on able bodied people making use of disabled toilets and leaving them in an unpleasant condition. My friend had enough difficulties in life without employment statistics being stacked against him too. </div>
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I'm also a parent of a child with mobility issues, and as such worry what the future may hold for my son. I'd like to think that in twenty years time he will be entering a workforce that is much more embracing of disabled employees, and the disparity of the employment statistics listed above are a thing of the past. I have my doubts, but hope to be proven wrong. Having had the opportunity to attend the <a href="http://nueawards.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">National Undergraduate Awards</span></a> in recent years, it has been pleasing to see companies like <a href="https://careers.enterprise.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Enterprise Rent-a-Car</span></a> recognised for Best Diversity Initiative for Work Experience. That said, one hopes that in the future such award categories are no longer required and that it become the norm for employers to pursue a diverse recruitment strategy.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTZgF7ZcMb_ItHseyHQxLl2i1h1pgFi8P6QE5FcOdecZwcV2VN_OvtBspYCmn_-cfQLxuyLfeJCQEst-3UzL5sHLZgGAJKGQpZ0kJF6sqdOCHmvCd8YHr-FD_vF3JC1FigyfWwwFSfpc/s1600/Can't%2BWalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTZgF7ZcMb_ItHseyHQxLl2i1h1pgFi8P6QE5FcOdecZwcV2VN_OvtBspYCmn_-cfQLxuyLfeJCQEst-3UzL5sHLZgGAJKGQpZ0kJF6sqdOCHmvCd8YHr-FD_vF3JC1FigyfWwwFSfpc/s1600/Can't%2BWalk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take out the word Play and insert the word Work</td></tr>
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I read this <a href="http://hatsbranch.wordpress.com/2014/09/02/the-perils-of-destiny-and-the-job-hunt/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">blog</span></a> recently written by a graduate I know well, highlighting his difficulties in accessing employment, in part due to his disability. To borrow the turn of phrase at the end of the article, 'come on employers, take a risk'. </div>
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The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-74639742943733949532014-10-24T10:06:00.001+01:002014-10-24T10:10:02.232+01:00Introducing myInternSwap<i><b>I recently had a meeting with the founder of </b><a href="https://www.myinternswap.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">myInternSwap</span></a>, <b>a website that launched in September which allows users to find and exchange work experience opportunities. As somebody who enjoys innovation and new ways of helping people to source placements, I was most intrigued and so invited the company to write a guest article. Please let me introduce to you </b><a href="https://www.myinternswap.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">myInternSwap</span></a></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">With three children in their late-teens,
Nick, founder of myInternSwap, realised that there had to be an easier and
fairer way for them to access work experience and internships.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">A few years ago his daughter, Isabel was
doing her A-Levels, and one of her school friends requested a placement at
Nick’s London-based design agency. When, as a gesture of thanks and
reciprocity, the friend’s father gave Isabel a placement at the think tank
where he worked, an idea was born: <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://myinternswap.com/"><span style="color: red;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">myInternSwap
– a website to find internships and work experience place</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">s</span></span></a> </span>offered
in exchange by others.<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">The website was launched in September
2014 and you can get a <b>FREE 6-months subscription</b> by signing-up with <b>promo
code TP2543</b>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Asking those who want to secure a placement to offer one in exchange, adds more internships to a market where many more are looking for places than are available, and the website offers an easy way for people who are interested in each others offers to get in touch with each other. Internships can be offered through a parent, another relative or even a family friend – so, perhaps surprisingly, most people who are looking for work experience would be able to come up with an internship offer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">While many larger companies have formal internship programmes, they are often difficult or impossible to access for younger and less qualified students. In contrast, myInternSwap operates as an social network where members are empowered to communicate directly with one another in order to agree the details of mutually beneficial work placements. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYb2cvL5IIx7TcEkNCiKGpRKoNbTSFe9D0WVa94h_jLOaDoAfTtI_luKjfmMqKfp5oRSO7uCovz3vATcPkvRuY6L-HqXC8I-Q1gD8NBOb2yIuH4hAsxv_h1-COlauKIp5ZJJNYAeiqO2A/s1600/myInternSwap.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYb2cvL5IIx7TcEkNCiKGpRKoNbTSFe9D0WVa94h_jLOaDoAfTtI_luKjfmMqKfp5oRSO7uCovz3vATcPkvRuY6L-HqXC8I-Q1gD8NBOb2yIuH4hAsxv_h1-COlauKIp5ZJJNYAeiqO2A/s1600/myInternSwap.png" height="195" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Its rapidly growing membership base
already reflects the diverse and international nature of work in the UK, with
hundreds of internships being offered in London, around the UK and already in
over 30 countries around the world. Furthermore, the site offers work
experience in anything from law, engineering and finance to farming, yoga and
catering. The opportunities are as endless as there are young people looking
for internships and work placements. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Ultimately,
its founder believes that myInternSwap’s take on networking is now a reputable
way to circumvent outdated systems‚ and replace the old boy’s network with one
that evens the playing field, provides a more inclusive marketplace, and above
all, reflects the networking style of the young.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>So there you have it. Check out the myInternSwap website, and feel free to leave your thoughts and comments in the box below</i></b></span><br />
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The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-40103557095273764802014-10-21T14:56:00.000+01:002014-10-21T14:56:52.281+01:00Knuckle-Rapping TimeIn the three years I've been writing this blog, I've spent quite a lot of time encouraging students to be professional in their communications. Whether it be through <a href="http://sandwichplacement.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/communication-breakdown.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">email</span></a>, <a href="http://sandwichplacement.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/how-to-kill-your-career-in-140.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">social media</span></a> or indeed <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://sandwichplacement.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/the-keano-test.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">voicemail</span></a>,</span> it is important to be courteous, and also self-aware that the profile you create for yourself is how recruitment professionals will make initial judgement. I've also tried to deliver a website and twitter account that is both informative and light-hearted and for the most part I think I've managed to achieve that. However it is a fine line to tread and it is quite easy to overstep the mark, which is what I did yesterday.<br />
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I won't go into full detail, but a couple of tweets sent with good intentions resulted in a spot of bother for a well-known internship provider. What might be considered banter on a one to one level, takes on a different dimension in the corporate world. A couple of my off-the-cuff remarks were not taken too kindly by the wider organisation and the net result has been that a recruiter who I have nothing but admiration for has had to extinguish metaphorical fires. Needless to say the offending tweets and associated messages have been deleted to alleviate further embarrassment.<br />
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So this is a lesson for me as much as my readership. As well as ensuring that you maintain a positive professional profile, take a moment to think before you tweet as your words could bear consequences for others.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZv7ARkzYBoulXzuK6Kr6lh4syHy-TK4iD9wJ02iPxMpAa7BI6B22gXy94abuq3QJmY4Xtz5KxLyP44z-zS_mcQloG4hlXEmGcN2GRajJyXVgFlr4JZStEJUXJDmT6c372KetsX3m1QA/s1600/Sorry-apology-my-bad-373x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZv7ARkzYBoulXzuK6Kr6lh4syHy-TK4iD9wJ02iPxMpAa7BI6B22gXy94abuq3QJmY4Xtz5KxLyP44z-zS_mcQloG4hlXEmGcN2GRajJyXVgFlr4JZStEJUXJDmT6c372KetsX3m1QA/s1600/Sorry-apology-my-bad-373x600.jpg" height="400" width="247" /></a></div>
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The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-37984789976766752662014-10-08T11:34:00.000+01:002014-10-08T11:34:45.143+01:00The Keano TestWhen applying for jobs, we invariably provide employers with our telephone numbers. I put my contact details on a CV, and my students do likewise when they are hunting for placements. The important thing to remember that once you have given that information to an employer, a recruiter could at any time attempt to speak to you. The question is are you ready for that call?<br />
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There is a story circulating in the media today, of a footballer whose answerphone message essentially lost him the chance of a transfer. Around the time that Budweiser ran their infamous 'Wassup' campaign (see the video below if you're not familiar - be warned, it is infectious!) the then Sunderland manager Roy Keane was looking to sign Robbie Savage from Blackburn Rovers. Savage, known for his flamboyance, had recorded an answerphone message based upon the catchphrase from the ad, and it is safe to say it did not endear him to his prospective employer.<br />
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Here is an extract from Keane's book<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtg0abjRo0O7jt19U6EJSdHZY7YNfJ621z769O8ocCBdJlLDnIxXhyphenhyphenA5Mb1Pui-LW_VYlFdm_l8m8KfAo3rbNB7u1eeGI1hOW4PEuUHQmXkNd5Hl6mNRdNqcyIe5eR8kD-U3Ir_IZtUQ/s1600/Savage+Wassup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtg0abjRo0O7jt19U6EJSdHZY7YNfJ621z769O8ocCBdJlLDnIxXhyphenhyphenA5Mb1Pui-LW_VYlFdm_l8m8KfAo3rbNB7u1eeGI1hOW4PEuUHQmXkNd5Hl6mNRdNqcyIe5eR8kD-U3Ir_IZtUQ/s1600/Savage+Wassup.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a></div>
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Like it or not, first impressions count. Before you submit applications, make sure that your contact details lead a recruiter to the professional person they want to hire, rather than the person who wants to amuse their friends and acquaintances with a gimmicky answerphone message. Why waste your time crafting a strong application if on the first point of contact, you give a recruiter reason to throw you onto the rejection pile? An employer might not use Keane's choice language, but as they live and die on their ability to hire the right sort of people for their organisation, it wouldn't be hard for them to think 'I can't be hiring that person' if greeted by an unprofessional message.</div>
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If you plan to be successful in your placement search in the coming year, you'll need to adapt to the requirements of the professional world. Excellent communications is one aspect of that. Now go check your voice message to ensure you would not fail The Keano Test.<br />
<br />The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7443966083046686979.post-22230265180225143262014-08-20T13:38:00.000+01:002014-08-20T13:38:23.890+01:00Ice Ice BabyHave you ever wondered what goes on in the The Placement Office during the summer time? It often makes me laugh when I'm told on the last day of exams 'enjoy your summer holiday' as if they believe we close for business the minute our students leave campus. As good as that sounds, there is a mortgage to pay and placements to be secured, so during June, July and August I've very much been here, plodding away with the job in much the same way as I do during term time.<br />
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This morning I was minding my own business, conducting a number of risk assessments, when my phone buzzed and the tweet I received rather caught my eye. You may have been aware of the #IceBucketChallenge that has been doing the rounds on social media in recent days. Essentially a gimmick to raise awareness of ALS, celebrities having been lining up to get themselves on tape being drowned - The Guardian have kindly pieced together <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/19/celebrities-ice-bucket-challenge-charity-donations-als" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">10 of the best</span></a> (Love the Oprah effort!)<br />
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Anyway, this morning, I received this.<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
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RMP's Ice Bucket Challenge in aid of ALS. We nominate .<a href="https://twitter.com/milkroundonline">@milkroundonline</a> and .<a href="https://twitter.com/PlacementBlog">@PlacementBlog</a>. <a href="http://t.co/OX74MrgSbU">http://t.co/OX74MrgSbU</a> <a href="http://t.co/SdTgnwLK7I">pic.twitter.com/SdTgnwLK7I</a></div>
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— RateMyPlacement (@RateMyPlacement) <a href="https://twitter.com/RateMyPlacement/statuses/502029165542277120">August 20, 2014</a></div>
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<a href="http://t.co/OX74MrgSbU" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">To see the clip of RMP in action, click here </span></a></div>
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Now never one to duck a challenge, or indeed someone who needs an excuse to cast aside joyful bureaucratic paperwork, I contrived a plan to get myself under an ice cold bucket. Firstly, I asked around The Placement Office to see if there were was anybody willing to help me out with the task. I was rather taken aback at how quickly my colleagues were lining up to soak me. Clearly I'm not as popular in these parts as I thought! Next, I had to overcome the logistical issue of only having the clothes I was wearing to hand. One short trip to the local Tesco later and I was adorned in some rather fetching £4 flamingo shorts</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4Jd2LNbFuuJG8h0OBvcFS91RM2lyI6NVO5NmmlaWj5z0dkdhuymTvXsKDEGP0zBEw6UnG3mJ67HXbai-uOXCqtviP6ulWb2IbEC_4kpZwvnz0U4DbGocun4L3z7p3o2tUL2JHVq0D-g/s1600/IceBucketChallenge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4Jd2LNbFuuJG8h0OBvcFS91RM2lyI6NVO5NmmlaWj5z0dkdhuymTvXsKDEGP0zBEw6UnG3mJ67HXbai-uOXCqtviP6ulWb2IbEC_4kpZwvnz0U4DbGocun4L3z7p3o2tUL2JHVq0D-g/s1600/IceBucketChallenge.JPG" height="400" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Properly tasteful and in no way look like boxers</td></tr>
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All that was needed then was some ice, buckets and some willing volunteers to capture the moment for the world to see. Here you go!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AfL4TsdY5Uk?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />
To my friends at <a href="http://www.careerplayer.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">CareerPlayer</span></a>, <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.careersbox.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">CareersBox</span></a> </span>and <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://ecfutures.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">EC Futures</span></a> </span>, consider yourselves nominated.<br />
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Back to the day job then.................<br />
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<div>
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The Placement Officerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00666541921918045212noreply@blogger.com0