Graduate Prospects - 11 June, 2008 - (Page 4)

4 PROSPECTS GRADUATE Issue 69 · 11 June 2008 · Fortnightly www.prospects.ac.uk ASK THE EMPLOYERS THE EXPERIENCE GAP REBECCA JONES, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY, CHA SHOW ENTHUSIASM MATTHEW RUCK, DIRECTOR OF TALENT ACQUISITION UK, IRELAND, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA, MARRIOTT HOTELS INTERNATIONAL YOUR VOTE Is lack of experience holding you back? YES NO The PR industry is notoriously difficult to break into for just this reason, yet perversely a lot of employers don’t offer work experience. However, a number of PR agencies, such as CHA, do offer paid and unpaid placements, so do your homework – you may get lucky! If it’s really not possible to get a placement, then graduates can overcome lack of experience in a number of ways. Firstly, look for other opportunities to show your interest in your chosen field – read up on the latest industry trends and news and have an opinion on them; employers will be impressed by your enthusiasm and attitude. Secondly, if you cannot get direct PR experience, seek out opportunities to learn and develop the same skills in a related industry – such as journalism or events. Failing this, have you really explored all the experience options? Industry bodies are a great place to find out about events you can attend or even volunteer at. Finally, take another look at your qualifications. They can be added to easily and quickly. An evening class in creative writing or web-design, even if just for a term, might add some extra sparkle to your CV. Suitability for a role in hospitality is not always based on previous work experience but more a product of two key factors – can you perform within a very dynamic and ever changing guest-focused work place; and secondly, allied to that, do your innate talents and personality traits make you a naturally enthusiastic and committed individual who excels when giving great guest service? Where previous work experience is beneficial, in its absence a candidate can still demonstrate transferable skills from other life experiences. Any related internship or work experience undertaken, summer work and other part-time roles undertaken in term breaks gain you points. If this is limited, then look at hobbies, any voluntary work, and membership to associations that can support and demonstrate competencies aligned to career aspirations. There are many ways to utilise ‘life learning’ experiences to gauge potential performance. Look at a holistic approach to preparing your CV, balance academic and non-academic RESULTS NEXT TIME THE VOTE LAST TIME Most readers do more than an hour’s research for each job application. 62% prepared for at least 60 minutes. 38% put in less time. highlights – what does it say about you as an individual? Finally, if you are taking a year off after study, be focused on your career plans during your travels and what experiences you can amass that show your aptitudes towards your longer term careers goals. SEND QUESTIONS FOR EMPLOYERS TO editorial@prospects.ac.uk SEE THE BAD BUSINESS ARCHIVE http://www.prospects.ac.uk http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Feature_articles/Yes/p!edcbjiF http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Feature_articles/No/p!eaLeijF http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Feature_articles/Bad_Business/p!egimFbd

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Graduate Prospects - 11 June, 2008

Editorial: Job Blogs Editorial: One Year Later Propeller Training Editorial: The Experience Gap Aldi Stores Ltd Police Mutual Assurance Society Product Plus International Ltd British Engines Limited Manhattan Associates CFB Fidessa Plc Nebulas Security Abnormal Load Engineering Ltd The Derivatives Consulting Group Majestic Wine Warehouse NDS Ltd Simpson Tyrell Associates University of Northampton K2 Partnering Solutions Kerry Foods Innovex (UK) Ltd Steria Ltd Laser 2000 Editorial: Where's Teacher? Training and Development Agency Brunel University University of Warwick Loughborough University University of Surrey The University of Manchester University of London Careers Service

Graduate Prospects - 11 June, 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.