HAVE YOUR SPREAD SAY YOUR WORD ALL FOR FREE THE FUTURE FOR WORK: THE STUDENT VOICE THURSDAY 18TH APRIL ASTON VILLA FOOTBALL CLUB BIRMINGHAM A conference like no other, we are helping shape the future with one key thing in mind – the Student Voice. Bright Futures is renowned for empowering students to develop their own employability through a unique platform of student-led societies in schools and universities. Now we want to empower you to play your part in shaping how you can become more employable. The conference is FREE for you to attend, we will keep you nourished and watered, PLUS the added incentive of a whole host of employers to network with throughout the day! So reserve your place now (and tell your mates!).
THIS EVENT IS FREE FOR YOU TO ATTEND BOOK ONLINE NOW WWW.BRIGHTFUTURES.CO.UK
contents p3 Contents p4 Editor’s Letter p5 The Review Room p6-7 Dealing with your Dissertation p8-9 Top Personality Traits an Employer Looks for p10-11 Planning your summer p12-13 What’s your biggest weakness? p14-15 The Future for Work p16-17 Job of the Month Company Profiles p18 p19: Teachfirst p20: KPMG p21: Linklaters p22 & 23: BPP Law School p24: Thales p25: Softcat p26: Tesco p27: Rolls-Royce p28: Accenture p29: TJX p30: Bechtel p31: Kantar Worldpanel p32: Domestic & General p33: PwC
African proverb
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For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today 3
editor's letter Procrastination is what students do best. I know my flat was the cleanest it had ever been during dissertation and exam time! This is why it is important to take regular breaks and incentivise yourself for your efforts. Our very own placement student, Danielle Chapman, gives some great tips on how to get through your dissertation on pages 6 & 7. But your revision timetable and your dissertation schedule aren’t the only thing you will be planning. Preparing for interviews as well as longing for the summer months are other things that are likely to have your attention. When it comes to your career, you need to get through a hefty ream of processes before you can confidently sit down in the knowledge you have a job lined up when you graduate, you’ve sorted your placement year, or you have some experience during the summer. But what exactly are employers looking for? We have outlined the top traits employers want to see from their candidates so check them out on pages 8 & 9 and adjust your applications accordingly. We’ve also looked at the gruelling question many employers ask at interview, “What’s your biggest weakness?” We help you to understand what the question actually means and how you can prepare yourself with the greatest answer. As for the summer, there are countless options open for you, and we have listed just a few on pages 10 & 11, but the one thing we can’t stress enough is that whatever you do, do it with purpose. Don’t forget all of the content delivered by our employers from page18. And find out on page 14 how you can meet with employers, share insight into the challenges facing students, and make an impact on the future of employability by attending our National Conference at Aston Villa Football Club on Thursday 18th March, 2013. I hope you enjoy the read!
*If you don’t have a society at your university then set up your own! Contact us at society@brightfutures.co.uk and we can get you started right away!
Jackie HirEd Editor www.brightfutures.co.uk
e-zine 4
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This is the time of year that many students are considering or compiling their dissertations, not to mention dealing with exams and essays from other modules. As a result, it can be quite a stressful time in any students life, but you can minimise this stress by following our 10 simple tips!
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‘Too many thoughts with your dissertation’ First things first... Choose a topic you are passionate about it. This is to prevent procrastination and drifting off to things that aren’t relevant. It’s so easy to go off track when reading literature. I would recommend sticking to the simple rule if it’s interesting but not relevant put the book down! Then ask yourself, “What would I like my readers to know and understand by the end of the dissertation?”.
Make the most of your dissertation Supervisor/Lecturer Every student is allocated a dissertation supervisor who is there to give advice, help and support you throughout the process. The overall time each student should have 1-2-1s with their dissertation supervisor is 10 hours! By seeing your dissertation supervisor you will feel more active, confident and driven, also any mistakes can be picked up on and rectified. So drop them and email and plan to see them at least every 2 weeks!
Try and get a “Dissertation Buddy” 3
A dissertation buddy can really help relieve stress and motivate you to get stuff done. They can be someone on the same or a different course to you, but you need to be able to work effectively together and it helps if your dissertations are different, so you don’t risk copywriting one another! Make time to meet at least on a weekly basis, either in the library, coffee shop or at your home. Scheduling it so it’s the same time and same place each week means you don’t need to think about it, or stress about squeezing it in. This doesn’t just need to be about churning out 2000 words in one hit either; it could be for a breather to discuss positive things, new techniques for studying and writing, or share tips to support one another.
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“You’re allowed to panic!” Everyone at some point will panic, you just need to remember it’s normal and it’s allowed. However, you just need to remember that when you are panicking not to do anything irrational such as try and start you dissertation again or change your dissertation question. The best advice I can give is that when you are panicking have a chat with your dissertation supervisor as they will be able to offer help and guidance and calm you down.
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“What motivates you? Use it” Motivation is a key element to completing your dissertation. Whether it is chocolate, that bottle of champagne, a long awaited holiday or that gradation cap. So give up chocolate until you write that final chapter, or treat yourself after every thousand words, and work hard enough to ensure that whilst on that sunny beach you know you did the most you could.
Time Management – something may have to give 6
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When writing a dissertation it can be hard to manage your time with all your other modules, deadlines, social life and work commitments. The most important thing is that you find a balance. It is essential to make sure you eat healthy food and have the correct amount of meals a day, drink enough water and get enough sleep.
Just for a short period during your most stressful months, look at cutting down your part time job hours, limit socialising or use it as a treat (see point 5.), and cook some hearty bulk meals like lasagne, chilli or bolognaise that you take for lunch the next day, stick in the freezer for really busy days and bung in the microwave to save time on cooking.
Print like you have never printed before 7
You will print like never before, I can promise you that! You will print copies to proof read, to edit, to show your supervisor, for your draft and final copies which will then need to be reprinted due to silly errors. With this in mind, don’t be one of those students in the library 20 minutes before a deadline with no credit on their printing card! Remember printing can be expensive, use black and white, front & back settings for draft versions, keep a look out for printing offers, and always take some change with you to top up your uni print card. You could look at treating yourself to a new printer if yours is looking a bit worse for wear, but be wary of the cost of printer cartridges.
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Plan plenty of time for proof reading and binding Proof reading is a hard skill to pick up on and I personally still haven’t mastered it. I recommend either a) reading out loud, as you are more likely to pick up on minor mistakes or grammatical errors, b) meeting up with a friend and proof read each other’s work so you can give honest feedback, and c) making sure you check with your supervisor before you commit to binding the final version. Be wary that binding can take a day to be done, especially when there are so many students with the same deadline. Remember not to pay a fortune for binding, your university will do it for a very reasonable price, but if you are in a rush then the high street could certainly offer a quick fix for a premium price!
Managing stress 9
From the beginning to the end of your dissertation you’re likely to be stressed, if you’re not, are you working hard enough?! It’s important that you focus on being healthy and try not to drink to much coffee and eat fast food as these can cause greater anxiety. The healthier you eat the more active your brain will be. When stressed, the gym can be a great release, sending happy endorphins around the body to make you feel energetic and healthy. If the gym isn’t your thing then consider going for a walk or a bike ride, or just go and sit outside in a peaceful place where you can fully relax. **WARNING** there is a big difference between stress and depression or anxiety, if you are feeling extremely low on a regular basis it is important that you speak to someone or visit your doctor and explore the reasons behind it and the possible extent. For more information on depression visit the NHS website: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Depression/ Pages/Introduction.aspx
Feel proud 10
Finishing your dissertation may be one of the best feelings and senses of achievement in your life so far. Typically 10,000 words, this is no easy feat, so you should be able to end on a high and be confident that you have done everything in your power to get a good grade and make it a damn good read! If it isn’t something you would be proud to take into an interview or show your family, then you might want to work a little harder to get it up to scratch so when you do drop it in to that box you aren’t even considering your possible grade.
by Danielle Chapman 7
When going for a job it isn’t just about selling your skills and achievements, you’re selling your personality, your approachability, your energy. It is increasingly important to employers to have a “cultural fit” when hiring new people into the company, but what are the top traits that employers actually find valuable? And how can you get these across in interview and application? We take the top five according to research from Universum, a global leader in employer branding:
The top 3 of the top 5 indicate key first-impression traits and can usually be determined within 30 seconds of meeting you. Are you wearing the right clothing that fits with the culture of the company you are applying to? It may sound silly, but do you know how to shake hands effectively? What is your body posture like and are you making eye contact? These will determine a lot about your professionalism, your inner
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confidence and if you are a high-energy individual very quickly. But what is “self-monitoring” all about? This is focusing on your ability to work independently or excelling without the need for direct leadership or guidance. Employers want to know how you have achieved this in previous positions and how self-motivation was a critical factor to your success.
Intellectual curiosity may also make you curious about how you can relay this on paper and in interview... well, it’s about your ability to problem solve, your eagerness to learn about new things, new solutions, new technologies, new markets or products, all with the aim to advance in the ever changing workplace.
So much of this is ascertained at interview, so do put the effort in to ensuring your first impression is a lasting one – for all the right reasons! But there are a few tweaks you can make to get those key traits across on paper too so you can make it to interview and get the best of you across.
www.universumglobal.com
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Ok, so you may think we are a little premature with the summer chat, especially given the recent weather, but I guarantee the time will fly between now and the day your pen goes down after your last exam. Having something to look forward to will only help the time go by much quicker and motivate you through the hard months of essay and exam hell! There are LOADS of different things you can do over the summer months, from simply monging out on your parent’s sofa, to working in the local pub, or embarking on a fun filled volunteering excursion to the Galapagos Islands. The only thing we recommend is whatever you decided to do, do it with purpose, and do it with your future in mind.
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Why not try… • Securing an Internship can be one of the most valuable moves for your career. It can set you up with a whole host of transferable skills and give you the experience of working in structured and formal setting. Many companies run internships, which can be a few weeks to a few months. Plus, the intern to hire rate is very high, so it’s likely they’ll offer you a job after graduation if you prove yourself enough. • Getting a part-time job will help you raise some well deserved cash to splash on doing the things you love or even taking a life-changing holiday! But this isn’t the most important thing, a part-time job will help you build key skills needed for the real world of work and explore different opportunities which you can display on your CV and talk about in interviews. • Travelling is a popular choice for many students. The call of summer sun, sea and sand can be too good to pass up on. Travelling can be a fantastic way to gain valuable life skills and personal development. It can be pricey though so do your research and make sure you are getting value for money, if it’s a package trip check that they are an approved provider and that you have adequate travel insurance. • Working abroad is all the great stuff travelling can offer and more! With the chance to earn money and develop key skills, build a great professional network (as well as a social one), and experience different cultures from within rather that
from an outsiders perspective. Check out Visa requirements first before you book your trip! • Voluntary work, such as a local community project, can help demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment towards trying something new and challenging. It is also a great way to build your network and prove that you are motivated by more than just money. • Take up a new interest such as playing a new sport, learning a language or joining a club which shows you are a positive and outgoing person who seeks out new experiences and opportunities to learn. • Work shadowing for a couple of days so you can observe different roles within an organisation and ask questions about the different entry routes into a job • Summer schools are typically high quality and intensive academic programmes open to students from around the world. Most courses do not require previous knowledge of the subject which provides the opportunity to study out of personal interest or to develop academic knowledge of a new subject.
Whatever you decide to do this summer... do it with purpose. 11
If you’ve got an interview in the pipeline, you k in the long dreaded list – What’s your biggest w where they actually want to know your streng with your weaknesses and adapt accordingly it like a pro – just a little b
Step 1: Know your weaknesses
It can be tough to answer this, but let’s turn it around and ask – Do you know your strengths? Ummm... equally as challenging right? A really easy way to find out both your strengths and your weaknesses is by taking a personality type quiz. You can find these all over the web, do a few a see what they tend to be coming back with – but be honest! Otherwise the whole exercise is pretty pointless. In a nutshell; strengths are considered as talents, innate abilities and desires that barely take any consideration or effort. They shouldn’t be confused with skills that you have learnt or you need to constantly improve on. Weaknesses are personal things you actually have the power to improve through life lessons and avoiding the repetition of mistakes.
Step 2: Check the job spec & keep it professional
Honesty is the best policy on this occasion. However, it is essential you check the job
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specification before you crush your chances by mentioning a weakness that is an essential requirement for the role. Ensure you keep it professional too; no one needs to hear about any personal dramas that aren’t relevant to your career.
Step 3: Turn it on its head
So you’ve been honest, we’ve all got weaknesses, but what you now need to do is turn it on its head and talk about how you deal with this weakness, how you are successfully striving to overcome it and now using it to your advantage. If a weakness is your grammar and spelling for example, it may have resulted in you using special software to pick up on typical mistakes teaching you to pay particular focus to them and ensuring that you proof read rigorously, significantly enhancing your attention to detail.
Step 4: Un-practiced authenticity
Everyone wants to be prepared for their interview and avoid stumbling over tricky questions, but over-preparation can make you come
know one question that’s very likely to crop up weakness? This is can feel like a trick question gths, but they don’t. It’s about how you cope y. It doesn’t take much to be able to answer bit of self investigation...
across as unauthentic and rigid. You need to be relaxed and adapt your answers according to the company and the job role, so understanding your whole scope of weaknesses and your efforts to minimise them is important to be able to choose the right example for the right job role.
Step 5: Think outside the box
Ultimately, this question is to find out your weakness, how you have overcome the professional challenge and are now better because of it. Using typical answers like “I’m a perfectionist” or “I struggle to find work/life balance because I work too hard” are weakness that regardless of how you show you have overcome them, they could do more damage than good.
Step 6: Thought exercises
If you are still struggling to think of examples, have a look through these questions that should help you to identify a few strengths as well as weaknesses.
1. Consider a challenging situation where something bad happened. How did you react? Did you clam up and completely retreat or did you face the challenge head on with resources to tackle it? 2. Think of a time you have been put on the spot and had to react instantly. How quickly were you able to adapt or respond? Did you panic or have a clear head? 3. Have you ever had to make a decision without all the facts? Did you take action or wait for the facts? 4. What kind of activities do you find appealing or satisfying? Make a list. 5. What are you doing when you feel energised and motivated? What brings you down and frustrates you? List them both. 6. Get feedback on your strengths and weaknesses from friends and family. Get them to go through your list of strengths and weaknesses and potentially confirm or challenge them.
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Bright Futures Employability Conference At Bright Futures we never do anything by halves. We have a strong work ethic and a huge passion for developing the potential of young people and boosting employability in schools and universities. We aren’t strangers to stretching our capabilities to come up with new and exciting events for our committees and investors alike. The thought process behind running an employability conference was to offer more to our membership and beyond. We have a network of almost 30,000 registered students and graduates, all of which connect with their local society to attend events and activities hosted on campus. We work with over 30 top employers and have societies in over 50 universities spanning across England, Scotland and Wales.
If this is enough of an explanation for you and you are ready to register to attend, then
book now Or click here to read the agenda and find out a little more.
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We wanted to host a conference like no other and to help shape the future with one key thing in mind – the Student Voice. Bright Futures is renowned for empowering students to develop their own employability through a unique platform of student-led societies in schools and universities. The conference is our chance to empower them to play their part in shaping how they can become more employable. While students are our top priority, it doesn’t work without the decision makers & industry leaders, which include employers, school and university leaders, careers services, service providers and policy makers. We hope to help employers gain valuable insight into the minds and thoughts of their prospective candidates, contribute to what the future holds for today’s talent, where their employability skills lie, and how to ensure they get the right talent at the right time. We hope to boost the profile of schools and universities, provide insight in to the future of work, support idea generation, innovation, networking and shaping policy
HAVE YOUR SPREAD SAY YOUR WORD ALL FOR FREE THE FUTURE FOR WORK: THE STUDENT VOICE THURSDAY 18TH APRIL ASTON VILLA FOOTBALL CLUB BIRMINGHAM A conference like no other, we are helping shape the future with one key thing in mind – the Student Voice. Bright Futures is renowned for empowering students to develop their own employability through a unique platform of student-led societies in schools and universities. Now we want to empower you to play your part in shaping how you can become more employable. The conference is FREE for you to attend, we will keep you nourished and watered, PLUS the added incentive of a whole host of employers to network with throughout the day! So reserve your place now (and tell your mates!).
THIS EVENT IS FREE FOR YOU TO ATTEND BOOK ONLINE NOW WWW.BRIGHTFUTURES.CO.UK 15
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Fenmarc was established as a farming co-operative over 40 years ago by growers across East Anglia. The business is now privately owned, with sales in excess of £80 million. We are established as one of the leading fresh produce suppliers in the UK, employing over 400 colleagues. We supply our products to leading supermarkets and wholesalers. We are a dynamic and innovative company who have a history of progressing high calibre graduates into senior positions, within a fast paced environment. Whilst on our 2 year scheme, you will spend time working across our departments, ranging from sales and marketing to manufacturing and production. You will be actively involved in practical work activities, under the support of a mentor. This will include research projects, leadership training and presentation skills. You will go on to specialise in an area of your choice.
To succeed in the Fenmarc Graduate Talent Development Programme you must be able to demonstrate the following: • Educated to degree level – preferably in an agriculture, food, engineering or business related discipline • A knowledge of the FMCG industry • A proactive approach and a strong work ethic • A confident and friendly manner and the ability to work as part of a team • Experience within a commercial setting with a “hands on” approach • Full UK Driving Licence From growing, preparing and packing, right through to the support services we provide, we work hard to exceed our customers’ expectations in all areas of the business. We are looking for likeminded people to join our team. Please forward your CV to: jobs@brightfutures.co.uk
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The Teach First journey begins with a unique two-year Leadership Development Programme – featuring a range of high-quality training opportunities and supportive coaching – that focuses on graduates’ ability to positively influence the achievements and aspirations of pupils and their access to further opportunities, both in education and beyond. How the journey develops will be down to the individual, but Teach First will provide the support and the opportunities to progress rapidly, while always staying focused on engaging with our vision.
Deadline: We recruit on a rolling basis and will fill our vacancies as we find those candidates that meet our competency and academic requirements. We still have vacancies for STEM students.
Number of graduate vacancies: 1260 vacancies across 9 regions in the UK and in Wales. Vacancies still available for STEM students.
company profile
What is Teach First? How much you achieve in life should not be determined by how much your parents earn. Yet in the UK, it usually is. We believe in the power of education to change this. We are an independent charity working with others to give every child the right to a decent education. We train people with leadership potential to be inspirational teachers in schools in low-income communities across the country. These leaders go onto work in different sectors of society towards a future where no child’s educational success is limited by their socio-economic background.
Teach First
Take up the challenge, get involved, Teach First
We place participants in to primary and secondary schools. If you are Selection criteria: successful at your assessment centre • 2.1 degree or above, 300 UCAS points you will be made a conditional offer (or equivalent, excluding General for the Leadership Development Studies) Programme. The subject you teach will • Have a degree or A-levels that satisfy be based on the needs of our schools our Teaching subject requirements and your eligibility. • Grade C (or equivalent) in GCSE Maths and English (Grade C in one Salary: Science GCSE is also required for Competitive Primary teaching eligibility) Teach First participants are employed, • Flexibility to work anywhere within and paid by their primary or secondary our regions school throughout the two years on the Leadership Development After these minimum requirements, Programme. Salary is dependent on selection is based on your ability region you are placed in. to demonstrate relevant subject knowledge and eight competencies. How to apply: To apply for Teach First you will need to register interest and fill in an online application form
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A hot option (whatever the weather)
KPMG
company profile
It’s no secret that KPMG offers some of the hottest career opportunities for ambitious graduates
And places are in high demand, we should know we’ve been receiving more applications then ever, filled faster than previous years and our 2013 programmes are nearly full. But if you are still looking – check out here what’s still available, as
you may be just the person we are still looking for. To get yourself ahead of the curve for next year, we think it’s a good idea to start thinking about your application sooner rather than later.
It might not feel like it now, but applications will be open before you know it. All you need to do is sign up to our Smart Network, and we’ll be in touch when applications open this July.
www.KPMG.com/smartnetwork Go on. Make this summer the start of something big.
To find out more, go to www2.kpmgcareers.co.uk/graduates/
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Linklaters
Making your aspirations a reality
Our Aspire Competition ran for a third successful year and closed at the end of February. We have been announcing winners on Facebook throughout February and March and are extremely grateful to everyone who entered. We were delighted to receive our highest ever number of applications from students,
letting us know about their aspirations for themselves and their communities. In this competition, students were given the opportunity to select their own prizes. We asked you to tell us, in 250 words or fewer, what you aspired to do or to achieve, and to convince us to
company profile
Our Aspire Competition has now closed – thank you to everyone who entered. We were delighted to receive numerous fantastic applications from students, letting us know about their aspirations for themselves and their communities.
award you the chosen prize. The prizes we awarded ranged from digital cameras to document year-abroad programmes to language tuition, contributions to fundraising activities and sponsorship of day trips for children in the community.
For details of winners of the Aspire competition, visit our Facebook page and see our website.
For more information on graduate opportunities with Linklaters, please visit:
www.linklatersgraduates.co.uk 21
BPP Law School
Your ambition realised At BPP, we offer our GDL, LPC and MA (LPC with Business) students more ways to study. Whether you attend classes with your dedicated personal tutor face-to-face, participate live online, or watch pre-recorded sessions, you can study whenever and wherever you want.
company profile
Whatever stage you are at, the focus remains consistent: to get you ready for life in practice, with the relevant training and academic knowledge you need to be successful in the next step of your legal career. Our tutors are a dynamic mix of legal practitioners and academics. They will impart the knowledge and skills to not only help you pass your exams, but will help you to prepare for work and stay competitive. Whether you study at one of our law
schools or online you’ll receive the same professional learning experience, with links to top law firms and teaching of the highest standard. Furthermore, if you need funding, we offer exclusive Law Loans, Scholarships and interest free payment plans. (Investec Bank’s Law Loan of up to £25,000 is available exclusively to BPP’s GDL and LPC students.)
your first legal position, you’ll also benefit from our specialist careers advice, offering everything from a vacancies database to intensive interview coaching. If you are looking to start your GDL or LPC this September, why not guarantee your place with us today.
From the moment you accept your place, until you secure
For more information please call us on 020 3131 2692. You can email us on bpplawschool@bpp.com or visit our website at www.bpp.com/law
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YOUR AMBITION REALISED
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We love analysing amazing applications Thales
We love cracking the confusingly complex at Thales*. We love investigating the impossibly intractable. We love deciphering the dazzlingly difficult. And we love unravelling the unrelentingly unknowable. Why? Quite simply, creating the most ingenious technological systems and innovations is in our business DNA.
company profile
As a major engineering and technology company, our work touches all of our lives – every single day. From BACS, the secure network communications system behind 3.7 billion secure electronic transactions every year, to in-flight entertainment systems for passenger planes and state-of-the-art equipment for military aircraft, the scope and scale of our problem-solving abilities knows no bounds. Talented people are the key to our success. So from the outset we’ll encourage you to become professionally qualified and give you the training to realise your potential.
Our comprehensive Graduate Development Programme (GDP) runs parallel with your Engineering role. It offers everything from an introduction to our organisation, culture and processes to formal training in the form of seminars, specialist courses and visits. We will also pay your annual membership fees for a relevant professional institution.
We recruit on a rolling basis. Our application system is opened for a period of approximately one month and then closed to reassess recruitment needs. If additional applications are required the system will reopen and will subsequently be closed approximately one month later. This process is repeated until our recruitment needs are met.
The Thales UK graduate Development Programme is accredited by the following Engineering Institutions: IET, IMechE, Royal Aeronautical Society and Institute of Physics.
So, in order to allow us analyse your amazing application, we recommend submitting it as soon as possible. * That’s Thales as in ‘Alice’ by the way.
To find out more and apply visit: www.ukgrads.thalesgroup.com 24
Turn the tables: you be the interviewer!
2. What are the incentives like? At Softcat we don’t cap commission – this ensures that you get back what you put in. The harder you work, the more you earn, and that’s how it should be.
3. What other benefits can I expect? Softcat likes to reward its employees, so we send them on trips abroad, pay for nights out and generally treat them like gold. It’s a key belief at Softcat that happy employees lead to happy customers. 4. Will I have any say in the team I’m put in? You choose what team you go in! We want our new-starts to feel as happy and comfortable as possible, so you will spend time with various teams then choose the one you feel most at home in.
company profile
1. Will I be given the opportunity to progress? There are so many different roles at Softcat, and we’re growing so quickly, that progression is there for the taking for those who want more responsibility. Work hard, and your managers will notice; it’s as simple as that.
Softcat
When it comes to CVs and job interviews, the focus always seems to be on the applicant; what can you bring to the company? How will you fit in? Well it’s just as important to consider what the employer has to offer you. Here are a few things to ask a potential employer – and how Softcat would answer.
5. What is the company culture like? Softcat’s company culture is truly unique – we’re a friendly bunch and we’re very focused on working hard and having fun. Our workplaces are bright and funky - one office has a wall-to-wall X-box experience for employees! If this sounds like a company you’d like to work for then please send your CV to: careers@softcat.com when it comes to our employees we’re a company that likes to give as much as it gets.
Careers in London, Manchester and Marlow Softcat is a fast-growing company with a passion for customer service and a commitment to employee satisfaction. If you’re interested in IT sales, you can find out about our graduate programs and upcoming assessment days on our Facebook page, or on Twitter. Alternatively call 01628 403 408, email: careers@softcat.com or visit our website to apply. 25
Don’t be ‘a fool’ when it comes to applications Tesco
Whether it’s an application for your future career or for an exciting internship opportunity, it’s important that you stand out from the crowd and spark the interest of the recruiter.
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The Tesco Graduate Team have come up with some top tips to help to differentiate yourself in your future applications:
we want to see… then they turn out to be completely the opposite! No skill set is right or wrong! Decide what your “angle” is, and be true to it.
Tip 1: Experience Think about the experience that you have and how this is relevant to the employer. Tell the employer what you did during your time in that experience, and why that makes you the best candidate for their role.
Tip 3: Personality Where possible try to inject your personality to your applications. Keep it professional, but your personality is individual to you and can be your strongest selling point.
Tip 2: Be True To Yourself Too many a time we see candidates come through the process claiming to be “analytical” or “innovative” because they think that’s what
Tip 4: Think of Yourself as a Brand Start to think of yourself as a brand and think about the impact that your words and actions have on this. Think of the top 5 things you would want people to say
about you and look at how you can adapt what you say and how you act to compliment this. The main message is… just be yourself! Be true to you, and inject your personality into your applications. Really put the recruiter in a position where they can’t say no to you! And the best news… Tesco is still looking for Interns and Graduates for this year, so why not try your new found application knowledge on us!
To find out more visit www.tesco-graduates.com 2262
Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce sponsor the TARGETjobs National Recruitment Awards 2013
The awards will take place on 3rd April at the Grosvenor House, London with over 1,000 distinguished guests present on the night. There are 27 trophies to be handed out and the organisers have received over 100,000 individual votes from undergraduates and school leavers. We would like to congratulate all the nominees, especially the outstanding graduates and apprentices who have been nominated for the Rising Star award and Apprentice of the year. We commend you for your achievements to date and wish you all the best for your future careers.
Rolls-Royce have currently been nominated for a number awards; The most popular graduate recruiter (engineering, design and manufacture); The innovation on campus award; Best School-Leaver Programme; and we also have two nominees - James Gyves and Sarah Hunt - in the running for The Rising star award and Charlotte Chetwyn has been shortlisted for the Apprentice of the Year. We will also be entering the Graduate recruiter of the Year and will be keeping our fingers crossed for a successful evening!
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Rolls-Royce is proud to be headline sponsor of the TARGETjobs National Graduate Recruitment awards 2013 – the largest graduate recruitment awards in Europe. Rolls-Royce is sponsoring the awards as we recognise the importance of inspiring and attracting the next generation of talented engineers and business professionals. This year, Rolls-Royce will recruit in excess of 1100 students globally on our graduate programmes, internships, apprenticeships and school leaver placements. They will be the lifeblood of Rolls-Royce, creating a skilled and sustainable workforce supporting future business growth.
If you’d like to help us achieve our aspirations of innovation, growth and excellence you can find out more at:
www.rolls-royce.com/careers 27
Accenture
David joined us as an Analyst on our Consulting Graduate Programme- here he describes the realities of his role and what to expect from a career with Accenture.
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When applying to jobs I knew that I wanted to work in consulting, using my technical skills whilst also having access to a broad range of clients and industries. I was eager to work hard and, after experiencing Accenture during my three-week Teach First Internship, I realised that a career with them could offer me all of this and more. I also felt that Accenture promotes a better work-life balance and feeling of community than many consulting firms. Soaring sales To date, I have worked with Retail and Consumer Goods companies. In both areas, analytics and insight are vital to enabling precise decision making and spotting opportunities. A recent client, a mobile phone retailer, wanted to use insight to
optimise their pricing so asked us to make a strategic review of their market and position in it. Analysing vast collections of data for trends, gaps and opportunities, our team suggested a range of strategies to both substantially reduce costs and put our client in the best position to grow. All in a day’s work Day to day, my hours are filled with designing and building numerical analyses or creating the story into which they fit. There is a lot of PowerPoint work and it takes a large number of iterations to create a tight, powerful presentation.
an original idea to two Managing Directors and my client’s Global Head of Analytics, with just five minutes’ notice! Luckily, things went great and my presentation was well received. My managers really supported me and I think that when you find people who want to invest their time in you - and peers who you enjoy spending time with – there’s no better job in the world.
Don’t panic During my first three months, I was thrown into a meeting to present
To find out more about careers at Accenture visit accenture.com/ukgraduates 2282
T.K.Maxx
Merchandising & Buying Graduate Programme with TK Maxx – German speakers! Start our Programme in Düsseldorf in July 2013 and by 2015
The Merchandising & Buying Graduate Programme, like our Off-Price business model, is unconventional and unlike most other retailers. Our programme takes place in the two areas which are at the heart of making our concept work: Merchandising and Buying. Why so different? We source, plan and buy every day of the year and according to the market. So we must use every ounce of flexibility and fresh thinking we have. Our people are empowered to make their own decisions, even when it comes to spending the Company’s money to get the best deals.
talented Associates to become successful buyers of the future, especially considering the growth potential of our business. Spending time in our Merchandising function initially affords an understanding of the fundamentals of our business enabling Associates to be well equipped for future roles in both Merchandising and Buying. It is a structured career path with continuous training and progression opportunities into Merchandising or Buying. At TJX Europe we invest in our graduates, their development and careers. This will lead for some to careers in Merchandising, some in Buying and, ultimately, a potential future in Executive Management.
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you could be spending our money on designer brands…
The opportunities in our German business are growing all the time, just like our store base. With just over 50 stores today, and plans for up to 300 in Germany, this is a great place for ambitious graduates with both German and English language skills to develop their careers.
With over 700 people in the broader TJX Buying organisation and over 15,000 vendors globally it is essential that we identify and develop
Applications are on-going with intakes in July and September 2013. Find out more and apply at : www.tjxeurope.com/careers 29
Bechtel
Social media tools are a fantastic way to network, search jobs and discover the career paths of professionals in your desired sector. When Bechtel searches for you, how will you make sure you stand out? Find out what makes us stand out at www.bechtel.com/university
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Create a professional Twitter profile and connect it to LinkedIn A professional Twitter account connected to LinkedIn provides another platform to showcase your employability. The twitter account avoids opinion and allows you to follow all your desired companies and professionals. Tweet about lectures, seminars and projects you have been involved in. Show you are focused, driven and current. Look your best in your profile picture When choosing your profile picture, don’t select your Facebook picture! The picture represents you as a professional. If you don’t have a suitable photo, get a friend to take a head and shoulders shot of you against a white wall in business attire. Simple but effective.
Utilise LinkedIn Labs LinkedIn Labs are built by the employees of LinkedIn and provide instructive tips on how to improve your profile. In particular the Resume Builder shows how to maximize your CV on your profile. Add volunteer work If you don’t have extensive work experience to draw upon, volunteer work is a fantastic addition to your profile. It illustrates you are proactive and practical. Make the most of your headline & summary Make sure the headline & summary talks about what you do and not who you are. This is your first impression. Make it count, show us how your work & volunteer experiences make you a good employee & be positive.
Discover more at: www.bechtel.com 2302
Make use of LinkedIn Applications Get up to date on which applications can best serve you. Amazon Reader is a good way to show visitors that you are aware of relevant material and up to date textbooks. If you have a blog detailing a project or a volunteer program, Blog link can allow your connections to view your experiences in more detail.
Remember every time you change your profile, your network gets notified!
Because we have access to the buying and usage habits of 25,000 households in the UK (and some of the biggest consumer panels overseas) we’re the people who provide valuable knowledge to major retailers, manufacturers and city clients. They already know how valuable our knowledge can be – because we’ve helped hundreds of them to better understand their shoppers’ needs and grow their business.
So we’ll be the first to know the outcome of the ongoing olive, peanut battle, just like we could already tell you in early march that Android is dominating the smartphone market over Apple’s iOS…
Kantar Worldpanel
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Join the company who knows: The olive could soon overtake the peanut
Visit: www.highlydefinedcareers.com to find out more about our world and apply.
We will soon be recruiting our next intake of Graduates for September 2013 (with a selection event in July). So, if you want to be the one to tell our clients about the next big thing, watch this space!!
www.highlydefinedcareers.com www.kantarworldpanel.com 31
Domestic & General
“Hi, I’m Mel... Over the next few months I’ll be sharing my experiences as I work through my placements on Domestic & General’s Management Graduate Scheme - giving you a true feel for what it’s really like here”.
The assessment day had a few surprises but we were quickly put at ease. The day offered a fun twist on the usual boring and nerve-racking assessment experience (but I won’t give too much away). The last stage of the assessment was a one-to-one interview with the CEO! It was a challenging but rewarding experience that gave me a taste of what working for Domestic & General is actually like. The big day soon arrived along with those
first-day nerves. We were paired up with ‘buddies’ and taken out for lunch with several of the previous grads and other new starters for a relaxed and informal introduction to the company. The perfect opportunity to ask those obvious questions - like how ‘casual’ is casual Friday, and what social events are on the agenda… My first placement was in International Marketing. This was a great opportunity for me to get my grounding in the company and develop my business and commercial awareness. I was involved in a number of initiatives, such as developing our marketing opportunities internationally and working with our local offices in Madrid, Milan, Wiesbaden and Paris – so have your passports at the ready! I’ve just started my second rotation in IT as a Business Analyst. I have mainly been involved in International and Marketing IT projects, which has allowed me to apply my business skills and knowledge from
my Marketing placement, which meant I was able to get stuck in from day one. It is interesting that although I am working in IT, most of the projects I am involved in are across functions, so again I feel that I am being given full exposure and insight into the business. As well as a chance to get together with the other graduates, training has been a regular feature over the 5 months since I started. Training is tailored specifically for the grads and we had a detailed induction to the business. I have also been on a number of bite-sized courses including effective communication and assertiveness, effective meetings etc, and more are planned in the next few months.
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I joined Domestic & General’s Graduate Scheme last November after gaining a 1st in BSC Business Management at the University of Surrey. Before entering the real world of working life, I was your typical graduate; fresh-faced out of uni and unsure what career to pursue. Domestic & General’s Management Trainee Scheme really appealed to me, as you get the opportunity to move departments about every 4 months on rotation. The result - hands-on experience across a range of departments before I have to think about a long term career choice.
Next time – I will talk about an average day as a Domestic & General graduate and get down to the detail of what I am getting up to….
How to get in touch with us If you’re interested in working with Domestic & General (the UK’s leading specialist warranty provider), you can register now on our graduate website careers website. We’ll be recruiting for the Management Trainee scheme which Mel is on, and also directly into a number of departments through our Business Stream scheme. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter 2322
PwC
Discover the range of undergraduate and graduate opportunities at PwC - UK wide for 2013
Technology transforms businesses. But only if they know how to harness it. That’s why technology expertise is so in demand. It covers everything from IT strategy, architecture and design to enterprise applications, sourcing, project management and IT operations. That, in a nutshell, is what Technology at PwC is all about. Discover the range of opportunities to join us in a graduate role, summer internship or work placement in Technology in 2013. There’s an opportunity for you whether you’re in your penultimate year of study, final year or looking for a great work placement opportunity. And with our specialist areas to choose from, you’re bound to find something that fits you perfectly.
We have opportunities to join us in our offices UK-wide, in one of our specialist areas; Forensic Technology Solutions (FTS) The application of information technology to uncover fraud, solve complex investigations, or respond to incidents of cybercrime. Typically this involves applying technological, analytical and statistical skills to very large datasets to uncover evidence, derive insights, and to help our clients through crisis events – many of which have front-page impact.
Technology Assurance - Helps clients manage the risks they face. Adopting a hands-on approach, you’ll concentrate on IT & Project Assurance including Data Assurance, and areas such as Information Security and IT Governance. Management Consulting - As part of the two-year structured Management Consulting programme, you’ll work in a range of different teams including our specialist Technology group. Here you’ll develop expertise in business technology and support clients across a range of industry sectors. You’ll help transform the way IT works for our clients, reducing costs, increasing efficiency and making sure the IT function meets business needs. Northern Ireland, Management Consulting – based in our Belfast office, you’ll get to join a dedicated team in the Technology Centre of Excellence. Here you’ll develop core consulting and technical skills, putting these into practice by working alongside experienced professionals, and getting valuable work experience.
What you need to bring to us • To be on course for a 2:1 or above in any degree discipline (although a Computer Science or technical degree is required for FTS) • A UCAS tariff of at least 260 (or equivalent)
Our other opportunities We’ve a range of opportunities for undergraduates and graduates, not just in Technology, but across other areas of our business: Actuarial, Assurance, Consulting, Financial Advisory, Legal and Tax. Some of the locations where we’re currently recruiting include: • Graduate Assurance, Aberdeen • Graduate Assurance, Swansea • Graduate Assurance, Hull • Graduate, PwC Legal Company Secretarial, London • Summer Internship in Assurance, Hull • Summer Internship in Assurance, Plymouth • Work Placement in Human Resources, London • Work Placement in Human Resources, Birmingham • Legal – Company Secretarial - London
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Technology at PwC
How to apply We’re proud, based on the opportunity we offer, that students have voted us the number one Graduate Employer in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers survey for the last nine years. And we know that the skills and experiences you develop with us, will stay with you throughout your career. So join us, and we’ll help you reach your full potential. Take the opportunity of a lifetime
Apply online: www.pwc.com/uk/work-in-technology Connect with us: www.facebook.com/PwCCareersUK Follow us: www.twitter.com/PwC_UK_Careers Watch us: 33