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WELCOME TO THE SCHOOL EDITION OF CAREERS UK MAGAZINE JUNE 2019 Hello everybody! It gives us great pleasure to welcome you to the June Issue of the Careers UK Magazine. Our goal is to be your go-to place for career-related advice. Our aim is to guide you through each step of your career development and job-hunting journey, from choosing a career to interview preparation. We intend to be the best career information hub with a great job-hunting platform and a great easy-to-read magazine that is freely available to everyone.
EDITORIAL Shareen Akhter Ellie Smith MARKETING Sham Tizora Aiden Brocklehurst DESIGN Joe Page Jess Griffiths CIRCULATION Kirti Patel Sian Humphreys
IN THIS ISSUE 2. Special Features Tip Top Teamwork Universities Reaching out to Disadvantaged Pupils 15 Gadgets for Millennials 10. Exams Managing Exam Stress 12. Wellbeing Secrets to Good Health Why Take Breaks Motivation Anxiety Balancing Education and
Extracurricular Activity 20. Gaining Experience How to Apply for an Apprenticeship 22. Job Market Tips 10 Ways to Build Confidence How to Maximise your Potential Becoming the Best Leader How to Effectively Delegate Tasks 20 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions 10 Out of the Box Questions Don’t Let Social Media Stop you From Getting Interviews
Assessment Centres Interview Dress Code 42. Next Steps Transitioning from School to College or Sixth Form Transitioning from Sixth Form/ College to University 44. Success Stories Professional Insights Consultant Interview 60. Brain Teasers, Riddles and Illusions
EDITORIAL POLICY The views, comments statements and opinions are not necessarily those of Careers UK. Careers UK will accept no responsibility for any loss incurred by any person or organisation as a result of using any material from this publication. Average circulation:
www.careersuk.org
Print: 30,150 Online/digital : 1.4 million Tel: 0800 567 7759
JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 1
SPECIAL FEATURES
TIP TOP
TEAMWORK CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE TEAM To remain competitive, employees must work closely together and collaborate effectively across the company to accomplish tasks. The key to having a successful team is having an effective and productive team structure. When organisations have well-rounded teams, they tend to do very well which makes them effective and well known amongst other organisations.
Communication
when team members are happy to
Respect
The foundation of an effective team
assist others. Teams are often more
An effective team respects one
is good communication. Teams that
productive when offered support.
another. When colleagues show
communicate well complete tasks
respect towards one another in the
and projects in a quicker and more
Diverse Team Members
workplace, a sense of fairness is
efficient amount of time. Effective
Individuals from diverse
established.
communication is one of the vital
backgrounds can offer a
keys to success.
selection of different talents,
Leadership
skills and experience that benefit
Effective teams have a strong
Support
the company and their work
leader, who has the ability to
It is important that each individual
performance. Effective teams
inspire and motivate the team. A
in a team supports one another, so
consist of individuals with a wide
strong leader earns the respect of
that the team are successful when
range of qualities and assets.
fellow team members.
reaching a goal. A team is effective Teamwork Teamwork creates synergywhere the combined effect of the team is greater than the input of individual efforts. Operative teamwork enables your workforce to split difficult tasks into simpler ones, then work together to complete them faster and develop specialised skills.
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MAKING THE BEST OF YOUR TEAM Working as a team is significant for the success of a business. When incorporating teamwork strategies, you become more efficient and productive. A teamwork environment promotes an atmosphere that fosters friendship and loyalty. This motivates employees to work harder, co-operate and be supportive of one another.
Communicate Effectively
Clarify Purpose
In order to be able to function
Ensure each individual in the team
as an efficient team, you need
understands the overall goal and
to develop effective team
achievement of the business.
communication. Effective
Involve each team member in
communication will help a
making decisions.
business maintain a positive work environment.
Recognize your Team’s Value Acknowledge good work and
Establish Trust
recognise resulting achievements;
A team strongly relies on trust in
consider rewarding employees for
the skills of one another to guide
accomplishing goals, contributing
them to success and trust in the
to innovation and helping recruit
processes and systems. Being
new talent.
able to rely on other people builds confidence and establishes strong
Train and develop your team
relationships with co-workers.
Training and developing your team makes them more productive and
Support
engaged.
A strong team environment is essential for the success of any
Evaluate Team Performance
business. During challenging
Asses the progress that is being
times, rely on each other for
made and provide feedback to help
support and guidance. Everyone
individuals improve and grow.
has different strengths and knowing you can count on your team members to fill in your missing gaps helps reduce stress and improve productivity. JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 3
SPECIAL FEATURES
HAVING AN EFFECTIVE IMPACT ON YOUR TEAM The ability to simultaneously perform as an individual and within a team is key to attaining growth and success. Having an effective impact on your team is important for positive, highly motivated teams. Clearly define team goals
Communicate
Support Network
An effective team is one
Communication is a good way to
To make an effective impact
which knows exactly what the
demonstrate value between team
on your team, build an
goals are, so that key steps
members. Effective communication
effective support team by ensuring
towards achieving these are
also allows team members to
that all team members have the
followed. Taking the lead in
understand their roles and the
skills and knowledge to perform
defining these goals and helping
roles of everyone else in the
well. It is important to support
the team to understand their role
team. Teams that communicate
each other in a team so that the
in achieving the right outcomes
effectively complete projects in a
team will be successful whenever it
reinforces effective leadership and
quicker and more efficient amount
comes to reaching its goals.
management.
of time than others. Offer Feedback
Build Trust
Incorporate Team Building
Feedback helps your team avoid
Trust is the foundation to success.
Exercises
major mistakes by creating a clear
Fostering trust establishes strong
Team building exercises improve
and honest communication flow
relationships between individuals,
workplace performance and
during any kind of teamwork.
provides teams with the ability
help individuals become aware
You should value the feedback
to work together effectively and
of each other ’s strengths and
provided as it helps adopt new
improves work performance.
weaknesses. Team building
knowledge and avoid repetitive
exercises boost team productivity
mistakes. Constructive feedback
and communication.
motivates people and boosts their performance.
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UNIVERSITIES ARE REACHING OUT TO DISADVANTAGED PUPILS Across the country,
Universities will comprise
disrupted education. The
universities are reaching out
structured study at home
scheme aims to open places to
to support disadvantaged
plus two weeks of residential
students with high academic
students. Universities are
study just before the start of
potential. The full-year
planning to launch a free
the undergraduate term. The
programme will be made
programme that will give
course will introduce students
based on lower contextual
students who struggle to meet
to lectures, tutorials, group
A-level grades. Successful
the final requirements or need
and individual work, building
students will undertake a
help making the transition into
their subject knowledge,
year-long, bespoke, subject-
a university.
academic abilities and self-
specific programme, building
Universities will be introducing
reliance. Students will then
their capacity for independent
a residential study programme
begin undergraduate study
study.
for up to 200 students who
with greater confidence.
apply to universities in the
Universities are also
normal way and are on course
developing a full-year
to gain the required grades
programme to be offered
but need additional support
to students who have
to transition successfully from
experienced personal
school to university.
disadvantage or severely
JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 5
SPECIAL FEATURES
TOP
15
GADGETS FOR MILLENNIALS
With the ever-increasing options of new technology, it can be difficult to keep on top of the latest tech trends. We have found some of the most useful and entertaining gadgets on the market. These are 15 new gadgets that could make your life easier.
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1
APPLE AIRPODS The latest Apple Air Pods are better than ever with flawless ergonomics, improved battery life and better connectivity. You can also buy a wireless charging case for maximum convenience. £159 www.amazon.co.uk
2
NINTENDO SWITCH The Nintendo switch can be used both as a portable gaming device and a home gaming console incredibly easily, just by docking the controllers into a station. Nintendo have a reputation for having the best family games, as well as a whole host of titles. £259.99 www.amazon.co.uk
3
POLAROID ONESTEP 2 Simple and easy to use, the new and improved One-step Polaroid camera is the perfect device to take great photos and instantly have a physical picture. £119.99 uk.polaroidoriginals.com
4
FITBIT CHARGE 3 Wanting to keep track of useful information about your body? The Fitbit Charge 3 comes packed with features to help you be the healthiest you can be. £119 www.johnlewis.com
5
ANKER POWERCORE 20100 In an age where most people have a smart phone, a high quality portable power pack can be incredibly useful, especially on long journeys. The Anker PowerCore 20100 is one of the best you can get for the price. £32.99 www.amazon.co.uk
JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 7
SPECIAL FEATURES
6
CHIPOLO Constantly losing your keys or belongings, adding unwanted stress just before you leave the house? Chipolo has you covered. By clipping on one of these fantastic gadgets to your belongings, you can track your lost items with your phone. £23 www.chipolo.net
7
NUTRIBULLET Not just a blender, the Nutribullet breaks down fruit’s vegetables, nuts and seeds into their most absorbable and nutritional state, great for those who want to be as healthy as can be. £52.72 www.amazon.co.uk
8
IPAD PRO The new iPad Pro has a 12.9-inch edge to edge retina display and up to 10 hours of battery life. Perfect for professionals, creatives and those who want to browse in style. £1,069 www.amazon.co.uk
9
GOPRO HERO 7 The Gopro HERO 7 is a discrete and sleek camera that captures 4k video at 60 frames per second. What sets it apart from competitors is its excellent stabilization making it perfect for adventurers. £318.99 www.amazon.co.uk
10
UE BOOM 3 The UE Boom 3 is the best wireless speaker in its class and has an amazing 360-degree sound. It is also waterproof which makes it perfect for travelling and any adventures you go on. £99 www.amazon.co.uk
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11
POLAROID MINT POCKET PRINTER The Polaroid Mint Pocket printer lets you print straight from your smart phone. Controlled by an app, the Pocket printer comes with editing tools and is very easy to operate. £79.99 www.amazon.co.uk
12
GOOGLE HOME Google Home is a great gadget the allows the user to ask it questions and get instant replies. You can also control lights and heating in your house just by talking to the Google Home. It is also excellent addition for music lovers as it has amazing sound quality and can be paired up with Spotify and other music apps. £89 store.google.com
13
HYPER X CLOUD II If you are an avid gamer, a quality gaming headset is vital. The Hyper X cloud 2 comes with 7.1 Virtual surround sound, memory foam ear pads for maximum comfort and is specially optimized for gaming. £78.91 www.amazon.co.uk
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APPLE WATCH SERIES 4 The latest line of Apple Watches has a refreshed design with much better specs than previous models. It comes packed with features, with its own fitness tracker and cellular connectivity. £498.99 www.amazon.co.uk
15
DJI MAVERIC AIR This drone is designed to be foldable and portable, yet still shoot in crisp 4k. It has a 21-minute flight time and 3 directional environment sensing. It even has slow motion capture allowing for the best shots of all your adventures. £579 www.dronesdirect.co.uk
JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 9
EXAMS
S S E R T S M A NAGING EX
MA
EAT WELL EXERCISE
CUT OUT CAFFINE
SLEEP
Z DON’T MISS BREAKFAST!
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Z
Z
HERE ARE 10 TIPS PREPARE AND ORGANISE
THINK POSITIVE
TAKE REG U
LAR BREA
KS
DON’T DOUBT YOURSELF
TALK TO SOMEONE
JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 11
WELLBEING
SECRETS TO GOOD HEALTH Most secrets to avoid getting sick aren’t secrets at all, but common sense. For example, you should know to avoid contact with bacteria and viruses at school and work. Luckily, a whole host of other feel-good solutions can help you feel and live healthier.
OUR TOP 5 SECRETS PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE Keeping your hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick. Washing your hands regularly and thoroughly with clean water and soap is an effective way to protect yourself against bacteria and viruses. Washing and bathing are the most important ways of maintaining good health and protecting ourselves from infections and illnesses. Maintaining cleanliness is also important for our self-confidence, physical and emotional well-being. EXERCISE Being active has been shown to have many benefits, both physically and mentally.
Exercise reduces stress and the release of stress-related hormones such as cortisol. Keeping fit plays a vital role in building and maintaining strong muscles and bones. Exercise can be a real energy booster for healthy people, as well as those suffering from various medical conditions. BALANCED DIET Fruit and vegetables are part of a healthy, balanced diet and it’s important you eat enough of them. They provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body. Most fruits are naturally low in fat, sodium, and calories. Green, leafy vegetables are rich in vitamins that help you maintain a balanced diet and support a healthy immune system.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. Getting enough quality sleep is important as it helps protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety. During sleep, your body is working to support healthy brain function and maintain your physical health. In children and teens, sleep helps support growth and development. HAVING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health. Positive thinking lowers levels of depression and increases your psychological and physical well-being.
WHY TAKE BREAKS
Something as easy as a 5-minute walkabout break every hour can improve your concentration, health and well-being.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONFUSED BY A PROBLEM, DECIDED TO TAKE A BREAK, AND THEN LATER FOUND THAT THE ANSWER CAME TO YOU IN A BURST OF INSPIRATION? If so, you know the power of strategic breaks to refresh your brain and help you see situations in better ways. Breaks reduce mental fatigue and help us stay concentrated. Taking a break boosts productivity and creativity. Working for a long period of time without breaks leads to stress and exhaustion. Going for a break refreshes the mind, replenishes your mental resources, and helps you become more creative.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BREAKS Breaks restore motivation, especially for long term goals. By briefly taking your mind off the goal, this helps renew and strengthen motivation. They are an opportunity to develop social skills and are a great way to switch tasks and do something for your personal growth. “Movement breaks� are essential for your physical and emotional health: Physical movement boosts health. Getting up from your chair to walk, stretch, do yoga, or whatever activity you prefer can reduce the negative health effects from too much sitting. Just a 5-minute walkabout break every hour can improve your health and well-being. Breaks prevent employee burnout: Taking regular breaks is an effective way to keep tabs on your own wellbeing and maintain a steady flow of efficiency.
WHAT TO DO Change your scenery Go for a walk or have a stretch. Focus on healthy eating Eat food that is healthy and will give you an energy boost. Have a nap Taking a short 20-minute increases your alertness improves your performance.
nap and
Socialise Using your breaks to interact is great for collaboration and engagement. Talking to other people also helps clear things on your mind. Encourage positive energy During your break, do something to generate positive feelings, since these emotions are energising and improve efficiency. Relax Sometimes to use your break effectively, all you need to do is relax.
JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 13
MOTIVATION
Motivation is a process that involves individuals acting towards their goals. It leads a person to putting in effort and having the desire to maintain their goals. A motive is an impulse that causes a person to act. Motivation initiates, guides and maintains goal-oriented behaviour. It is an important life skill and key to achieving goals. Without motivation in life, it’s hard to strive for success.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MOTIVATION •
Motivation enhances your performance. When an individual is motivated, it leads to an increase in their productivity and work performance.
•
It helps you manage your time more effectively. For example, highly motivated people are organised, and they assign set times in their schedules to different tasks, setting themselves a deadline to complete each one.
•
Motivation inspires others. It is an attractive trait that encourages others to make things happen in their own life.
•
Motivation builds your confidence. Lack of motivation leads to lack of confidence. People that lack confidence are generally scared to move out of their comfort zone and try something new. If you don’t take risks, you’ll have a limited chance of success.
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•
Motivation helps you to become committed. When you are driven, you are more committed to achieving your goals.
•
It increases your energy levels. When you are motivated, your entire body is pumped with adrenaline to help you complete the goals that you have set for yourself.
•
Motivation enhances self-development. As you set yourself personal goals and you reach them, you’ll feel more inspired to push yourself further and achieve greater things. It helps you grow as a person and strive through setbacks and fears.
WELLBEING
TIPS ON BECOMING AND STAYING MOTIVATED Establish goals that will motivate you. When you set goals, it’s important they motivate you and there is value in achieving them. Set goals that relate to the high priorities in your life. Goal achievement requires commitment, so to maximie the likelihood of success, you need to put in effort and have a “can do” attitude.
Maintain passion about your goals. Being passionate about your goals keeps you energised and inspired. Passion about your goals will also help you persevere when times get tough and when you feel like giving up.
Fight against fear. Refrain from worrying too much about failure. Think of your catastrophes as an opportunity to learn and grow. Success often requires many failed attempts. Don’t dwell on failure; continue working towards your goals.
Give yourself breaks. Sometimes even the most determined people get overwhelmed. You may be burning yourself out, and a muchneeded break might be just what you need.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. If you fail to meet your goals for the week, take it as a lesson. Try to complete your next target before time, so that you can use the saved time to complete the pending work.
Eliminate your distractions. Identify and avoid anything that is causing you to procrastinate. You can’t become motivated if you’re careless with your time.
Track your progress. If you want to stay motivated, track your progress. If you see that you are on track or even excelling every time you check your development, you will be motivated and pleased that you are getting there. If you see you’re lacking on accomplishing your goals, it may be the kick start you need to help get you back on track.
JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 15
ANXIETY
Lots of people can get anxious every now and then. If there is a big exam coming up, a medical test or even a job interview, many people tend to get nervous and anxious during or before the event. However, there are some people that have a more severe kind of anxiety. Some people struggle to control the apprehension they feel so much so, that it starts to affect their daily lives. For some, anxiety can make a person really struggle to do basic things that people without anxiety would consider being a normal part of life.
WHAT CAUSES ANXIETY? The exact root cause for anxiety isn’t fully understood yet. Medical professionals believe that there are several factors that could contribute to a person having anxiety. One of these being high activity in certain areas of the brain that are involved with behaviour and emotion. When your brain is running overtime, it can cause you to change the way you behave or feel. Thus, spurring feelings of anxiety. If a person has gone through a traumatic experience such as abuse, then they would be more likely to develop anxiety. Abuse sticks in the brain as a painful memory, it can cause overthinking, chronic stress, poor self-esteem, poor confidence and nervousness. These symptoms all relate back to anxiety. However, anxiety can also be inherited through genes from your parents. It’s estimated that you are 5 times more likely to develop anxiety if a relative has anxiety.
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SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY Feeling nervous and/or tense a lot of the time Difficult to control breathing and/or hyperventilating Feeling tired Trouble thinking about anything else Trouble sleeping Tremors Racing or pounding heart Cannot control the worrying Sweating
WELLBEING
TIPS ON MANAGING ANXIETY M E D I T AT E
Meditation helps to slow racing thoughts, making it easier to manage anxiety.
WRITE
Finding a way to express anxiety can make it feel more manageable. Writing down your thoughts and feelings helps you cope better.
EXERCISE
Regular exercise burns off anxious energy.
TA L K
Talking to someone you trust about what’s making you anxious could be a relief. It may be that just having someone listen to you and show they care can help.
SLEEP
Sleep can give you the energy to cope with difficult feelings and experiences.
E AT
Eating regularly and keeping your blood sugar stable can make a difference in your mood and energy levels.
Anxiety is a vicious mental illness that can affect anyone. If you think that you might have anxiety, then seek support from family and friends or go to your GP. Your GP will be able to give you more advice on how to treat it – either through professional therapy, medication or they’ll give you information on how to relieve the symptoms yourself. No one should face anxiety alone. Whether you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one, these helplines and support groups can offer expert advice:
CHILDLINE
PAPYRUS
CALM
Counselling ser vice for
Young suicide
Campaign Against Living
children and young people
prevention societ y
Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35
0800 1111
0800 068 4141
0800 58 58 58
www.childline.org.uk
www.papyrus-uk .org
www.thecalmzone.net
JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 17
WELLBEING
BALANCING EDUCATION AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES It’s tricky being a superstar athlete, an extraordinary painter, an up and coming musician or a future scientist whilst balancing academics. That’s why we’re going to give you 8 top tips on how to keep up with your hobbies whilst getting stellar grades in your studies. Manage your time! Everyone struggles to put their hobbies aside for a second and focus on school work. We have all been there. As fun as hobbies are, school work is extremely important as well and it’s vital that you manage your time effectively to make room for both academics and extracurriculars. Start by making a timetable of when you are going to do some school work and when you will be doing your hobbies. Having a schedule will help you put into perspective what you need to be doing.
Be picky about your extracurriculars! You don’t have to be good at every single hobby your school may offer you or one of your friends wants you to try. If you think it isn’t for you, then don’t carry on with it. It’s as simple as that. By sticking to a few extracurricular activities that you truly enjoy, you will be able to dedicate more of your time to your studies.
Try studying with your friends! Studying by yourself can become quite tedious after a while. Instead,
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you could organize for your friends and yourself to start a study group. That way, you can support each other whilst studying and socialize as well. It’s also a good way of gaining more knowledge that your friends might know which you do not.
Have the right attitude! If you have a big Maths exam coming up but you haven’t done any revision yet, then it’s time to put the football or guitar away and start focusing more on your studies. Having the right attitude can work wonders when you need to be strict with yourself over how much time you spend doing hobbies versus
academics. If you have noticed that you are studying too much for that big test and are getting too stressed and tired, then take a break and chill out by focusing on a hobby. It works both ways.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Whether you’re struggling to keep up with your studies in class or you’re just feeling overwhelmed in general, ask for help! Approach a mentor that you know in your school or from your extracurricular activities and ask them to give you some advice. When you’re struggling and getting overwhelmed with everything, it’s going to be hard to do well in both your hobbies and academics. It’s better to talk it through with someone you trust than to worry about it.
Take a break every now and then! Studying and practicing your extracurricular activities every day can lead you to burn out. You should take breaks during the day for a little while to help you keep your head in the
game. Hard work and no play leads to stress and tension. Read a book, watch a movie, listen to your favourite playlist or spend time with friends. Remember that you have weekends and you should use this time to do something that you want to do.
Limit your distractions! Are you a fan of listening to music? Playing video games? Binge watching TV shows? Well, then it’s time to put those things on the backbench for now and start focusing more on your academics. Obviously, you can still do all those things during your free time or breaks but doing them when you’re supposed to be studying is a big distraction and will not help you to get good grades. Instead, why don’t you move yourself into another room away from them. Maybe even try studying in a library, a café or even a park for a change of scenery. You never know, it may help you.
Studying vs extra-curriculars! As boring as it may be, studying should always take precedence over extracurricular activities. It’s vital that you get good grades and even though both may be important to you, education trumps extracurriculars. If it looks like you may be double booked in your schedule between your studies and extracurriculars, then it may be wise to be more biased towards your studies. One band rehearsal can be missed for an after school lesson on a subject you’re not so good at. After reading through these tips, you should have a good idea on how to balance both your studies and your hobbies. It will benefit you greatly if you take a few pointers from this article and adapt the way you would usually balance academics and your extracurricular activities.
JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 19
GETTING EXPERIENCE
HOW TO APPLY FOR AN APPRENTICESHIP Competition to secure an apprenticeship place is becoming increasingly fierce. Apprenticeships are a great opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience while studying for a qualification and earning a wage. Discover how to pitch yourself to prospective employers and produce the most ideal apprenticeship application. Do your research Before you apply for apprenticeships, it’s important to know what employers in your chosen field will expect of you. As apprenticeships are open to a broader range of applicants, with some requiring no more than being over the age of 16 and not in full-time education as entry requirements, employers aren’t necessarily looking to hire candidates with the most prior work experience or highest level of qualification. Your ability to demonstrate hard skills will be highly valued.
Search for apprenticeships on individual employers’ websites. Some may not display their opportunities, so by making speculative applications to specific companies you’d like to work for, you’ll prove that you’re driven, confident and have fully researched the company. By doing your research you’ll have a clearer picture of how to make a good impression. Tailor your CV and cover letter A strong CV is the backbone of any job application. It needs to look and sound professional, demonstrating clearly and concisely your suitability for the position. Divide sections clearly and use bullet points for ease of reading. Your CV will need to include:
Profile A punchy opening paragraph displaying your most relevant qualities, skills and experience to the role you’re applying for. Education Many apprenticeship applicants have limited prior-work experience. If the apprenticeship you’re applying for will be your first position outside of fulltime education, take the opportunity to list your academic achievements, highlighting the transferable skills you’ve developed through group work, coursework and end-of-year exams. Work experience List all previous paid employment and any relevant non-paid experience you may have. This includes voluntary work and placements. Interests/hobbies Include a particularly impressive achievement. A cover letter is a document sent alongside your CV when applying for jobs. It acts as a personal introduction and helps to sell your application. It is necessary as it gives you the chance to explain to an employer why you’re the best candidate for the job. You do this by highlighting relevant skills and experience; therefore, you should always write your cover letter with the position you’re applying for in mind.. Keep it short and sharp - your employer will likely have hundreds of applications to read through.
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JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 21
JOB MARKET
Confidence is feeling assured about yourself and your abilities. It’s important for positive social interactions, performing well in school,
Engage in positive self-talk
Positive daily affirmations help you to be more confident: turn your “can’ts” into “cans”. Take a few moments before you go to work or school to look at yourself in the mirror and say something encouraging to yourself. You can either say something that you believe about yourself or something that you would like to believe about yourself.
and advancing your career. Being confident helps us prepare for life’s experiences. When somebody is confident, they are more likely to move forward with people and opportunities. Individuals
Maintain a positive support network
Connect with those close to you, whether they are family or friends, to keep your perspective uplifted. Take some time to think about which people in your life really make you feel great. Make a goal to spend more time with people who are supportive and uplifting.
with low confidence are less likely to reach out to people and try new things. A lack of confidence can hold people back from reaching their full potential.
Achieve your goals
Confidence is built on accomplishment. If you achieve small and big goals, you’re going to feel much better about yourself. Begin with your day-to-day goals, what do you need to accomplish today?
EVERYONE IS GOOD AT SOMETHING
Monitor your progress
The best way to reach your goals, big or small, is break them into smaller goals and to monitor your progress. Monitoring your progress helps you stay focused and boosts your confidence as you see your performance improving.
Acknowledge and challenge your negative thoughts
Negative thoughts are common in all people, but they may be even more common if you lack confidence. It is important to acknowledge and challenge any negative thoughts that you have in order to be confident.
Visualise yourself as you want to be
Visualisation is the technique of seeing an image of yourself that you are proud of, in your own mind. When we struggle with low self-confidence, we have a poor perception of ourselves that is often inaccurate. Practice visualising a positive version of yourself, accomplishing your goals.
Identify your talents
Everyone is good at something: discover the things you excel and focus on your talents. Find something you enjoy and cultivate a talent to go with your interest. When you’re following your passion, you feel unique and accomplished, which builds your confidence.
Identify situations that affect your confidence
Many people have triggers that affect their confidence in negative ways. Try to identify the situations and places that seem to have a negative effect on how you feel about yourself. Being aware of these situations may help you to better address the way that they make you feel.
Don’t compare yourself to others
Everyone has their own qualities and talents that make them unique. Focus on yourself and establish your own identity: you will always know who you are. Spend some time to reflect on your values.
Take care of yourself
Exercise, healthy food, rest, and relaxation are all important components in boosting confidence. By taking good care of yourself, you are sending your mind signals that you deserve to be taken care of. Make sure that you are devoting enough time to meeting your basic needs for exercise, food, sleep, and relaxation. When you look good, you feel good.
JOB MARKET
HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR POTENTIAL Constantly wondering how you can improve and maximise your potential? Everybody has dreams, goals and aspirations. Each person has a diverse range of strengths, weaknesses, and personality traits. It’s often difficult for people to know their true potential because they haven’t yet uncovered their purpose. There is always room for growth and improvement and there are many ways to accomplish your goals. Have a competitive spirit To maximise your full potential, you need to have a competitive spirit. This means challenging your best-self each and every day. Your objective should always be the pursuit of excellence in everything you do. Set Goals Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking about your ideal future, and for motivating yourself to turn your vision of this future into reality. It is a process that starts with careful consideration of what you want to achieve. If you want to succeed, you need to set goals. Without goals you lack focus and direction. Identify your strengths You need to figure out what you are
best at, as these are things where you have the most potential to excel. We perform better in doing things we are interested in and enjoy. Commit To maximise your potential, you must be committed. In order to be truly committed, you must find a purpose in what you’re doing. If it’s something that you are truly passionate about, it is easier to maintain a high level of dedication. Learn from your mistakes Learning how to grow from your mistakes every day is an important factor in maximising your potential as you are able to use those downfalls to do better and succeed further. Adjust your perception.
Here are 7 tips on how to maximise your potential: Don’t think of your mistakes as failures: accept failures as learning experiences. Failure should be thought of as an opportunity for learning. Take valuable insights from every error you make and apply it to your future endeavours. Build Confidence To maximise your potential, be confident about your ability. Look at what you have achieved so far and believe in yourself that you have the capacity to do more. Having a positive mindset is a useful way to improve or boost your confidence levels.
When considering maximising your potential, ask yourself the following questions: What have I managed to achieve so far? What goals would I like to achieve? How do I feel about where I am at right now?
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BECOMING THE BEST LEADER Leaders constantly wonder how they can improve their leadership and management skills. Having effective guidance and organisation skills results in better results.
HERE IS OUR ADVICE ON BECOMING THE BEST LEADER Communicate Strong leaders and managers communicate effectively, as it is an essential tool in achieving productivity and maintaining strong, lasting work relationships at all levels of an organisation. Courageous Leaders are bold and take on challenges. They build their organisation and contribute their role by developing managers. Motivate Leaders encourage and engage their team to work hard. Managers motivate and maintain performance. Get to know your employees It’s important that you get to know your employees on both a professional and personal level, as you can learn something from them which can help you become a better leader.
Lead by example Your actions should be portrayed as the expectations of your employees. Demonstrate behaviour that you want people to follow. Leaders inspire They inspire themselves and others to achieve their best, whilst stretching beyond what is comfortable. A leader creates a path forward with people using curiosity to hear ideas from their perspective. Managers are tactical They run the day-to-day operations of the company. Leaders are visionary They’re strategic and set the forward direction of the company.
Key notes: • Leaders and managers acknowledge when work of high standard has been produced and praise staff by telling them they’ve done a great job. • Managers train their employees on what to do and how to do it, building competency and specific skills for a particular role or profession. • Leaders develop their people personally and professionally, through continued learning and expanding knowledge for long-term growth and progression.
JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 25
JOB MARKET
HOW TO EFFECTIVELY DELEGATE TASKS The term ‘delegate’ means assigning the responsibility to do something, such as a task or project, to an individual. Normally a manager delegates to an employee or individuals.
Delegating tasks is a common practice among business owners and managers as it allows them to focus on more impactful tasks that require their full attention. Delegation keeps your team challenged, helps them to build new skills and feel like they’re having a greater impact on the business as a whole. Learning how to delegate effectively is the key to leveraging yourself. There are 3 elements to consider and assimilate when deciding to delegate.
B.A.L.M. METHOD BREAK Break the goal down to specific tasks.
1. AUTHORITY
Make a list, in order of importance, of
When work is assigned to individuals, authority has to be delegated in order for the task to be completed. The authority must be equal to the responsibility.
all the tasks to be completed.
2. RESPONSIBILITY
abilities required to perform the tasks
Managers should be clear and specific when delegating tasks as it helps individuals to understand why they have been given this responsibility. Managers must retain control and authority as they are still responsible.
LIST
3. ACCOUNTABILITY This is the process of checking whether individuals perform their responsibilities in the correct manner and to the expected standards. The manager in the company must accept the consequences of actions and decisions.
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ANALYSE Analyse and make a list of the various you have listed.
List the members of the team and identify each individuals capabilities and specific individual skills. MATCH Match the individuals to the tasks that need to be done and assign the right person to the right task.
JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 27
JOB MARKET
20 MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Wouldn’t it be great if you knew exactly what questions a hiring manager would be asking in your job interview? While we unfortunately can’t read minds, we’ll give you the next best thing: a list of the 20 most frequently asked interview questions.
1 CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF? This question seems simple yet so many individuals fail to answer it correctly. This question is not an invitation to recite your entire life story: It’s your chance to pitch to the hiring manager on why you’re the right candidate for the job. Start off talking about 2-3 accomplishments you are proud of and the skills and experience you have gained.
4 WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS? This question is an open invitation for you to talk about your skills and accomplishments and to show how you match the employer’s values and requirements. Demonstrate your unique value as a candidate by identifying key strengths and then match them to the requirements and skills that are needed to carry out the job.
2 HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE POSITION? Your response to this question should be kept short: something along the lines of “I found it on (wherever you found the job), and since I’ve been hoping to work for the company for a long time, I was excited to see the opening had become available.
5 WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES? This is the interview question that nobody likes, but you should still be prepared for a well-thought-out answer. When answering this question, think about something that isn’t a strong skill, but think about it back in the past. Talk about how you’ve taken steps to overcome it or worked hard on performing well and mention that you still are working to improve.
3 WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE COMPANY? Any candidate can read and repeat a company’s ‘About’ page. So, when interviewers ask this question they aren’t trying to observe whether you understand their goals- they want to know if you care. Start with one line that shows you understand the company’s goals, using a couple key words and phrases from the website, but then go on to make it personal. Say, “I’m personally drawn to this mission because…” or “I really believe in this approach because…” and share a personal example or two.
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6 WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK FOR US? When interviewers ask this question, they want to learn about your career goals and how the position you are applying for fits into your plan. Make sure you are interested in the job and will be motivated to perform well if hired. Your answer should demonstrate your knowledge of the company and the skills, talents, experience and strength you have.
10 WHY SHOULD WE HIRE YOU?
7 WHAT SKILLS CAN YOU BRING TO THE ROLE? This interview question is one likely to make you think about the skills and experience you already have. Think about what skills you could contribute to the new role. These might consist of the standard required skillset for the position. To ensure you stand out from other job seekers attending the interview, make sure the examples you choose are relevant to the role and reflect you in a positive and professional light.
8 WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT? When the interviewer asks you this question, this is your opportunity to talk about your proudest achievement. They want to know what sets you apart from other candidates to get a better sense of what you’ve done and what you value. Make sure you are comfortable talking about yourself and your work in a positive, natural way that conveys confidence.
9 WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS? Interviewers ask this question as they want to understand more about your career goals. They are interested in your career goals as they want to hire someone who is motivated and proactive. This question should get you thinking about where the position you’re applying for could realistically take you and think about how that aligns with some of your broader professional goals.
Don’t just talk about why the company would be great to work for; talk about how the position is a perfect fit for what you hope to accomplish, both short-term and long-term. Quote the aspects of the job that you like and explain why it matches with your career path and your expectations.
11 TELL US ABOUT A CHALLENGING SITUATION AND HOW YOU OVERCAME IT For this question, the interviewer is testing your ability to be resilient and cope under pressure. Your answer should focus on a work-related issue, explain clearly the measures you took to overcome the problem. This question gives you the opportunity to demonstrate how you can use your initiative and act with integrity. Don’t fall into the trap of criticising your company or colleagues and trying to present yourself in a superior light. This will come across as unprofessional and arrogant.
12 DO YOU ENJOY WORKING AS PART OF A TEAM? You should answer that you do enjoy working as part of a team, but also that you aren’t afraid of taking on individual tasks, either. You want to show that you can indeed be a great team member and collaborate well with others to produce results. However, you also want to emphasise that you value the opportunity to share your own input.
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JOB MARKET
15 CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN THE GAPS IN YOUR RESUME? Having a gap on your resume won’t necessarily prevent you from being successful through the interview process. But potential employers will expect an explanation. Take the time beforehand to work out how you can address the gap in a way that projects confidence and positivity. You want to be truthful without going into unnecessary detail. A basic template for your answer could be: “I [reason you were not employed]. During that time, [what you did during the gap]. Returning to work was one of my priorities during the period and I’m ready to do that now.”
13 WHAT ARE YOUR SALARY EXPECTATIONS? Employers ask about your salary expectations to get a sense of whether they can afford you. They might also ask you this to see how much you value yourself and the work that you do. By doing some research and preparing an answer ahead of time, you can demonstrate to the employer that you are flexible with your salary, but that you also know what you are worth. Your answer can be something along the lines of: “My salary expectations are in line with my experience and qualifications.” Or, “If this is the right job for me, I am sure we can come to an agreement on salary.”
14 HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH CONFLICT? In asking this question, the interviewer wants to get a sense of how you would respond to conflict. Focus on talking about how you would handle the situation professionally and productively, and wrap up with a happy ending, like how you would come to a resolution or compromise.
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16 WHY DID YOU LEAVE YOUR PREVIOUS POSITION? This can be a challenging question to answer. Keep things positive — you have nothing to gain by being negative about your past employers. Show the interviewer that you are eager to take on new opportunities and that the role you’re interviewing for is a better fit for you than your last or current position.
17 HOW DO YOU HANDLE CRITICISM? Mention the positive aspects of criticism and think of an experience you had where it was useful to get criticism. Your answer should be along the following lines: “I always think that it is important to get feedback on how I am performing so that I can improve my work.
18 WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES? Interviewers ask this question to see if you are a well-rounded person who will fit in with the company culture. Employers want to know if you are passionate about certain things. Your response should be honest and brief. You could mention your hobbies include: Exercise and Health-related activities, Volunteering and Community participation and Professional Development.
20 DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
19 WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE MAKES A GOOD TEAM LEADER? This is a difficult question as most people will have different ideas about what makes a good manager. If you’re applying for a managerial role, or if you might progress into one, you’ll need to show a good understanding of the most important qualities to manage people effectively. Setting realistic goals, giving constructive feedback and providing support to team members to help them build their skillset are all good examples of excellent management qualities.
Always answer “Yes” to this question. You’re there to find out information about your employer as much as they are to find out about you – and the more details you know, the better you’ll be able to ascertain your suitability for the job. You’ll need to be just as prepared once the tables turn. Here are some questions you could ask at an interview: • • • • •
What are the skills and experiences you’re looking for in an ideal candidate? What training programs are available to your employees? Are there opportunities for advancement or professional development? What are the company’s plans for the future? When can I expect to hear from you?
SHOW THE INTERVIEWER THAT YOU ARE EAGER TO TAKE ON NEW OPPORTUNITIES. JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 31
JOB MARKET
10 OUT OF THE BOX QUESTIONS INTERVIEWERS MAY ASK YOU Sometimes, interviewers like to ask questions that are not your typical, everyday interview question. It can be puzzling as to why they do this, but worry not, we’re here to explain to you why that is and what kind of “outside the box” questions you could be asked. The simple answer as to why interviewers ask them is because they’re trying to see what sets you apart from the rest of the crowd. Anyone can answer a “why do you want this job?” question as it is probably the one everyone rehearses the most. However, questions that must make you think creatively shows the interviewer that you have personality and, in some cases, shows the way you think. Here are 10 out-of-the-box questions interviewers are likely to ask 1. What weighs more; 100
3. If you were alone in
If the person that was responsible for
tons of feathers or 100
a dark cabin, with only
the failure was you, then own up to it
tons of cement?
one match and a lamp, a
and talk about it. Owning up to failures
fireplace, and a candle to
shows responsibility and proves that
Answer: They weigh the same. Most
choose from, which would
you are courageous and have integrity.
people would say cement because
you light first?
The answer you have to this question will show a lot about your personality.
obviously cement weighs more than a feather. But as they both weigh
Answer: The match to light the
100 tons, neither one is heavier. This
fireplace, candle or lamp you would
6. 10 years into the future
question is used to determine whether
need a match to light them first. This
and your name in plastered
you listened to the full question and
question is supposed to induce critical
on the front page of every
how good your listening abilities are.
thinking and shows the employer that
newspaper.
you are not just giving your opinion of
the story be about?
What
would
2. If a movie were made
what should be lit first but that you have
about your life so far, what
genuinely given thought and analysed
The key to answering this is to be
would it be called?
the question before answering.
creative. It could be because you flew over the world in a hot air balloon or
This is used for the interviewer to find
4. What has been your
you have climbed every mountain the
out more on your accomplishments and
biggest failure and who
world. Make sure your answer sounds
merits. It also determines what kind of
was responsible for it?
creative, ambitious and interesting.
can separate your personal life from
Interviewers will be looking for open
7. What’s one of the biggest
your work life.
and genuine answers rather than
risks you’ve taken?
work ethic you have and whether you
something that sounds like it is being
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made up on the spot. Take your time
Try not to tell them about anything
and think of something that you know
illegal or danger related. It doesn’t
you failed at and it explain it honestly.
make you sound like a good candidate
to hire and will most likely jeopardize
with the egg. This question challenges
10. What would you change
your chances of getting the job.Instead,
you to break the regular pattern of
about our office?
talk about any leadership roles that
thinking by making you think outside
you might have had to play in the past
the concept that has already been
This question allows the interviewer to
where as a leader, you had to take
given to you. Employers want to be
see if you’re not worried about giving
calculated risks. Or point out any work
able to see people that can challenge
opinions on things you wouldn’t usually
experience you may have done that
themselves to break outside of patterns
be asked for by an employer. The trick
was out of your comfort zone. This
they’re so used to.
is to stay confident and believe in
will show the interviewer that you are
what you say. Stick to your guns if they
proactive in your roles and willing to
9.
try things that you may not feel overly
yellow
comfortable doing.
can’t see.
8. There are a dozen eggs
It is incredibly tricky to describe
in a carton. Twelve people
colours; especially when we use
each take a single egg, but there is one egg left in the carton. How? Answer: The twelfth person to take an egg did not take the egg out of the carton. Instead, they took the carton
Describe to
the
colour
someone
who
question you about why you chose something in the office to change.
colours to describe other things. This question is supposed to test how big your vocabulary is whilst seeing how well you can communicate. To answer this question, you need to use very rich and creative descriptors. Tune into the five senses – touch, taste, smell, sight and sound.
JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 33
JOB MARKET
DON’T LET YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA STOP YOU FROM GETTING INTERVIEWS
Social media is great for posting pictures, sharing things with friends, looking at memes and watching funny videos. However, social media is also where embarrassing pictures from Saturday nights drunken fun at the bar get shared by your friends which YOU get tagged in. That’s not great when it just so happens that the day before you just sent off loads of job applications. It’s no secret that employers tend to rout out your social media profiles to see if you are as professional as you seem on your CV. In fact, over a third of job applications get denied because employers don’t like what they see on the potential candidates’ profiles. So, do you need help re-organizing your social media profiles? Then read on to find out how! Be Thorough
settings. Go to all your social media
Go through your Facebook,
accounts, access the settings section
Instagram, Twitter and any other
and change them so that friends are
social media accounts you may have
not allowed to post or share anything
and check through every single post.
onto your profile.
If you have any photos that may be considered as vulgar, sexually explicit,
Google Yourself
rude or just downright inappropriate,
By googling yourself, you’re able to
then you must delete them. That also
see any stray posts or old accounts
goes for likes, comments, shares or
that you don’t want potential
retweets.
employers to see. Remember that blog you used to have? It may be old
Change Your Settings
and forgotten about by you, but the
If you know your friends are prone
internet remembers. Other people
to posting embarrassing pictures
can still access it and read everything
that could jeopardize your chances
on there. Deactivate any old accounts
of getting an interview, change your
that you find whilst on your search.
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Update your LinkedIn
dinners. Use it to communicate
Now that you have cleaned up your
with other professionals and share
social media accounts, it’s time to
appropriate business content. Keep it
update them. LinkedIn is extremely
professional.
useful to show potential employers that you are professional and worth
Exhibit Your Skills
the time for them to interview you.
As your social media may not be as
If you don’t already have a LinkedIn
full as it once was, now is as good a
account, make one.
time as any to showcase any special
LinkedIn will usually be the first-
skills or talents you may have. If
place employers look at to find out
the vacancies you are applying for
what you’re like in a professional
are in the art field, post pictures of
manner. Make sure that your career
your paintings, drawings or graphic
history is completely up to date with
designs. You want to convey to any
your last job being the most recent.
potential employers looking at your
Look at your CV and check that the
social media that you have the skills
job titles, dates and job descriptions
to do the job or are willing to learn
match what is on your profile. You
and trying hard at it.
don’t want employers having a copy of your excellent CV only to find your
The option of just making all your
LinkedIn profile says that you were
social media accounts private is
working for a different company at
viable. However, some employers
the last job you had.
prefer to see that you actively use
Lastly, remember that LinkedIn
social media as it shows that you are
is not a regular social media
in tune with the modern world and all
platform for you to share pictures
the technology that is in it.
of family outings and Christmas
JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 35
JOB MARKET
PREPARING FOR
ASSESSMENT CENTRES What is an assessment centre? An assessment centre is a combination of tasks and activities that test your suitability for the job. It gives you the chance to demonstrate a wider range of skills. Assessment centres generally last from an afternoon to two days. However, some assessment centres require overnight stay: this is usually arranged by the employer.
What happens at an assessment centre?
Assessment days can be held anywhere from the employer’s offices to a hotel or training facility. You work both individually and as part of a group on a variety of exercises including: • Group discussions • Presentations • Case studies • Written tests • Social events • Role play • Psychometric tests • In-tray exercises
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Example of an Assessment Day Assessment centres vary in length and style. An example of a day at an assessment centre is: 09.00 - Arrival and introduction 09.15 - Employer presentation and group exercise 10.00 - Psychometric tests 11.30 - Individual task: In-tray exercise 12.45 - Lunch 13.45 - Group exercise: Case study 14.45 - Assessment interviews 16.15 - Individual presentations 17.15 - Evaluation 17.30 - Finish
How you are assessed Employers don’t just assess you against job competencies; they also aim to ensure that you’re the right fit. Key skills that employers look for include: Analytical thinking Communication Teamwork Time management Adaptability Creativity Organisation Negotiation Leadership
Assessment centre tips • • • • • •
On the day, eat a good, healthy breakfast Maintain a friendly and polite manner Join in on group discussions Ensure that you understand the requirements of each task Don’t dwell on any mistakes, instead concentrate on performing well in the next task Put your talents and skills into practice
How to prepare
As with interviews, good preparation is essential. Before the assessment day, it's important that you: • • • • • • •
Identify which skills, interests and experiences the employer is looking for by revisiting the job description Research the company/organisation Review your CV and application form Give yourself time to complete and practise any material that you've been asked to prepare Practise potential exercises with a friend or family member Choose your outfit the night before and get plenty of sleep Plan your journey and aim to arrive at least 15 minutes early
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JOB MARKET
INTERVIEW DRESS CODE How you dress for an interview makes a difference. First impressions matter and dressing up shows that you put some effort. The first judgment potential employers will make, is based on how you look and what you are wearing. Therefore, it’s important to dress professionally for a job interview. Hint: Dress in a manner that is professionally appropriate to the position for which you are applying. Follow our tips to look your best!
Try shopping around for a not-so-standard formal blazer. Forget the stuffy same old two-button black blazer and find something more unique. Consider a lapel-less version, or a blazer in a bright block colour and pair it with an interesting patterned blouse underneath.
B l a z er s A simple, chic dress can look smart, understated and can also mean you only have to worry about the dress and the shoes. Tip: don’t overdo it with the perfume, you don’t know what your interviewer will make of it.
Less Is Mo re There are plenty of wonderful colours out there, so potentially stray away from your go-to navies and black’s. This will lighten up your outfit, and the mood you emanate.
M i x It U p Update your interview attire with items of clothing that have something slightly different about them, and pair them with other pieces that have different textures or colours. Mixing it up adds dimension to your outfit.
Text u re If you’re applying for a job with a more relaxed dress code, such as a new or creative company, don’t feel obliged to don the pencil skirt and polo shirt. Show off your personality, by focusing on feeling comfortable as well as looking presentable.
B e Yo u
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Don’t want to put too much thought into your office attire? Then this one is for you. Invest in a collection of high-quality, interesting blouses and shirts that will easily go with a pair of cigarette trousers, midi skirts or suits.
Grab -a n d- Go
If you’re feeling ready to make the leap to a suit, commit to it. Try out a suit in a bold print or colour, that is both fashion-forward as well as dapper. Accessorise with a pair of statement earrings and slip-on leather loafers.
St a n d O u t
The brilliant thing about jumpsuits is that they can be dressed up or down, depending on what you wear them with. For example, you can’t get more office luxe than with a black collared jumpsuit worn with a pair of black leather backless heels and some elegant embellished earrings.
On e- Pi e ce
If the job you’re going for is on the creative side, it might be a good idea to opt for a more casual look. Achieve this by swapping the suit trousers for a pair of smart, dark jeans. Avoid the just-out-of-bed look by choosing well-tailored pieces that aren’t distressed or sloppy. You can’t go wrong with an oversized, stripy top, high-rise jeans and smart trainers.
Fre n c h C hi c
Stay away from anything that shouts you’re trying too hard because this can be distracting. You want to look like you’ve made an effort with clean, crisp clothes that fit well and are impactful and powerful. Show your personal style without being too loud.
Cl ea n & Cr i s p
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JOB MARKET
INTERVIEW DRESS CODE When going to an interview, making a good impression is very important- not only by how you present yourself but by how you look as well. Clothing plays a big part in the interview process. So, follow our tips on how to dress for a job interview and get ready to play dress up. A FORMAL SUIT AND TIE Where to Wear It: Bank, investment institution or law office. These working environments are for the most part on the more moderate side, so a classic suit is the best way to go.
A BLAZER, OXFORD SHIRT AND DRESS SLACKS Where to Wear It: Corporate office, sales organisation or in an educational institution. This go-to suit is an appropriate outfit option for a business casual workplace. Business casual workwear is varied, so you can stick with the workwear essentials like dress slacks or dress shirts. Ties are optional.
A BUTTON-DOWN AND CHINOS Where to Wear It: Creative ad agency, a tech start-up. Lose the tie and pick a jacket, printed conservative shirt and chinos. Not feeling a second layer? Include enthusiasm with a conversational print in your shirt or pair impartial catch ups with a chino in a cool shading.
POLO AND TWILL PANTS Where to Wear It: Restaurant interview, non-fashion retail, service or repair company. At even the most casual environment, leave the jeans and gym sneakers at home. A button-down or polo and chinos for an interview at a more laid-back office, while still casual, is a sign of respect and shows that you put some thought into preparing for your interview.
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JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 41
NEXT STEPS
TRANSITIONING TO COLLEGE OR SIXTH FORM Transitioning from secondary school to college or sixth form can be a daunting yet an exciting experience. For some, it can be an incredibly stressful change to move away from secondary school into a whole different environment. You’re no longer doing over nine subjects and you’re starting to be treated less like a child and more like an adult. We know what it’s like transitioning between the two: we’ve all been there. But don’t worry because here is a list of tips to help you. Make friends! It can be tricky to put yourself out there and introduce yourself to other people; especially if you are quite an introverted person. But just remember that everyone is most likely in the same boat that you’re in, so they will also be looking to make more friends. If you have gone to a college or sixth form that none of your friends from your previous school has joined, then start chatting to people in your classes. Ask them questions about why they chose their subjects or what they like most about the subject. You could see if there are any clubs to join that you have interests in. That way, you will be able to meet people that share the same interests as you. Stay focused! You’ve finished GCSE exams and you don’t have anymore important exams to do until the end of the year. Time to kick back and enjoy the next two years.
try not to get into the mindset of thinking they are a time to be used for socialising. You can socialise a little bit but make sure that it does not affect your studying as that is what free periods are there for. Ask for help! Everyone struggles every now and then; especially when going through something completely new. It’s stressful trying to find your way around new buildings and it can be even more daunting having to ask for help. But try not to worry, most people that have been there longer than you have will be willing to help. If you don’t feel comfortable asking another student, approach a teacher and ask them. The same goes for if you’re struggling to reach your targets in your courses. The courses you take are going to be more difficult than what you experienced with your GCSEs so ask your teachers for help: that’s what they are there for.
Only it’s not that easy. You can still enjoy your time at college, but you must focus on your studies. College/sixth form work is entirely different to your GCSEs. They’re a lot harder and more time consuming. If you have free periods use them wisely; 42 w w w.careersuk .org
Changing courses! This won’t apply to everyone but once you start your new college/sixth form, you may decide that the subjects you chose were not what you thought
they would be, or you just simply are not enjoying them. If this is the case, then visit your head of year or head of college and talk about switching courses. Most colleges/sixth forms will offer this option, but you do need to be quick about it as after the first term it will be difficult for you to catch up with the work. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes. Just remember that you won’t be the only one in the world to feel this way. There are going to be plenty of people that are in the same position as you. Two years may seem like a long time, but they are going to fly by. Keep your chin up, work hard and if you feel like you are struggling to adapt, talk about it with someone that you trust.
NEXT STEPS
TRANSITIONING FROM COLLEGE/SIXTH FORM TO UNIVERSITY Moving from school to university is a life changing experience. For many, it’s going to be a case of upheaving their entire lives, moving across the country and living on their own for the first time. No more being spoon-fed by teachers, you are going to have to work hard and do it independently. So, here is a list of tips to help you adapt to university life. Organise your time! No one is going to organise your time for you so it’s crucial that you do it yourself. Look at your timetable for any classes or lectures you may have and organise your social life and any part time work around it. Remember that you can still have fun in university and live the whole university experience, but your studies must come first. Don’t organise any classes around your social life because studying should always be your top priority. Embrace being nervous! It’s okay to be apprehensive about starting university: it would seem strange if you weren’t. Your friends have more than likely gone to different universities or gone into employment, so you will have to make new friends. Start by trying to make a couple of friends the first few weeks you are there. Having people that you can talk to will make you less apprehensive and you will end up feeling more confident about being there. If you’re in shared accommodation, then try to find out more about your room-mates. Maybe introduce yourself to the people that are on your course. You’ll soon find that the nervousness you once had will wash away after a few weeks of being at university. It’s okay to make mistakes! Everyone makes mistakes, it is only
human. Now that you are in university and being independent for probably the first time in your life, you are bound to make many mistakes. But that’s okay: you’re allowed to. You may forget the deadline for an essay you have been set or you’ve forgotten to ring your parents to tell them you’ve settled in okay. Don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world and everyone must be new to something in their lives.
The first chance is the second chance! Unless you have a scholarship to help you with paying for your time at university, you are going to be paying upwards of £30,000. If you don’t do well, then you do not get a second chance of redoing it all for free. You’re obviously allowed to have a social life, work and generally just live the ultimate student life but you need to make sure you focus on your studies. Doing a degree is hard work. You’re no longer going to be spoon-fed like you was in school; you must be able to work independently.
feels like you’re heading nowhere with your work but finding motivation and applying discipline are vital. Take a minute to sit down and come up with a schedule for yourself. The more you stick with it, the easier it will be to have the motivation to study and do work. A change as big as going to university is hard for anyone. For some, it can take a matter of days to settle in and for others, it can take months. Just remember that you’re not alone going into this and if you find yourself struggling to adjust, talk to someone.
Motivation and Discipline! If you’re not one that is easily motivated, then it is going to be hard to change that. You need to come up with a routine and stick to it otherwise your motivation levels are going to drop. University is stressful and there are going to be hard times where it JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 43
PROFESSIONAL INSIGHTS INTO 13 DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES
READ ON FOR INSIGHTS INTO... • • • • •
The professional qualifications required for each industry Relevant example job roles A day in the life of each profession Salary information Career prospects
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PURCHASING & SUPPLY CHAIN
WHAT PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED TO WORK IN THE PURCHASING AND SUPPLY CHAIN INDUSTRY? Vacancies in the Purchasing and Supply Chain industry are open to all, but it’s common to hold a degree, an HND (Higher National Degree), or a foundation degree in a relevant subject such as: Supply Chain Management Business Management Computing Information Systems Transport, Distribution or Logistics
There are postgraduate degrees available in transport planning, supply chain management and logistics. Qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) or the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT UK) might be necessary to advance your career. CIPS run qualification and training programmes equipping new students with the knowledge and skills needed to practice proficiently, successfully and confidently.
SALARY Starting salaries for supply chain managers are between £20,000 and £25,000. With increased responsibility and managerial duties, salaries can increase to between £25,000 and £45,000. Larger companies may pay more and advancing will depend on experience. Middle to senior managers can earn up to £60,000. Top executives and directors, at the most senior level, can earn more than £100,000 annually.
CAREER PROSPECTS As a supply chain manager, you can enter the industry in a variety of career pathways. There are entry opportunities at age 16-18, as well as a wide range of graduate trainee roles. From here, you can progress across all sectors to senior management and to board level. The sector is characterised by career pathways that lead directly to senior management roles for those who have the right skills and determination.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Level 2 Qualification: GCSEs (5 C-A*) Level 3-4: A-Level, BTEC, Diploma, Apprenticeship Level 5-6: Degree Apprenticeship, University Degree, Foundation Degree, HND, Intermediate Professional Qualifications Level 7: Masters Degree, Institute Membership - CIPS, CILT.
BECOME A PURCHASING AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGER A purchasing and supply manager, a business service buyer, or procurement professional purchase goods and services and take a strategic approach to business goals. Whatever the organisation needs – whether it’s raw materials for manufacture, obtaining marketing services or getting more profitable agreements in place, it is their responsibility to get the best goods, at the best price, while maintaining good relationships with suppliers in a sustainable and ethical way.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PURCHASING & SUPPLY CHAIN PROFESSIONAL Your tasks will vary depending on which sector you work in, but typically include: • Deciding what goods, services and equipment is needed • Monitoring and forecasting stock levels • Researching and identifying new products and suppliers • Assessing tenders from potential suppliers • Negotiating prices and agreeing contracts • Making sure that suppliers deliver on time • Processing payments and invoices • Keeping up with market trends • Managing and motivating a team of supply chain staff • Improving the overall supply chain performance and look for any possible innovations to the process • Implementing new technologies and staying alert to new trends in the sector. JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 45
HUMAN RESOURCES
WHAT PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED TO WORK IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES INDUSTRY? The Human Resources Industry is open to all graduates and those with a HND, the following subjects may be particularly relevant: • Business with Languages • Business or Management • Human Resources Management • Psychology Social Administration
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Level 2 Qualification: GCSE (5 C-A*) Level 3-4 Qualification: A-Level, BTEC, Diploma, Apprenticeship Level 5-6 Qualification: University Degree, Degree Apprenticeship, HND, Intermediate Professional Qualification Level 7 Qualifications: Masters Degree, Institute Membership - CIPD, CIPP.
BECOME A HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER
Human Resources (HR) officers are responsible for hiring, developing and looking after employees. This involves functions such as training and monitoring performance. HR Officers develop, advise and implement policies relating to the effective use of staff in an organisation. The aim of their role is to ensure the organisation they work for employs the right balance of staff in terms of skill and experience, and that training and development opportunities are available to colleagues to enhance their performance and achieve the company’s business aims. HR officers are involved in a range of activities whatever the size or type of business. These cover areas such as: • Conditions of Employment • Equality and Diversity • Negotiation with External Work-Related Agencies • Pay • Recruitment • Working Practices.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER HR Officers add value to the organisation they support and perform a broad range of duties. The exact nature of the work varies according to the organisation, but their day-to-day responsibilities include: • Recruiting, training and developing staff • Looking after the health, safety and welfare of all employees • Organising staff training sessions and activities • Monitoring staff performance and attendance • Negotiating salaries, contracts and working hours with staff and representatives • Assisting line managers to understand and implement policies and procedures • Undertaking regular salary reviews • Administering payroll and maintaining employee records • Preparing staff handbooks • Analysing training needs in conjunction with departmental managers. 46 w w w.careersuk .org
SALARY HR officers, or those working toward CIPD Level 5 Intermediate or above, earn in the region of £22,000 to £25,000. There are opportunities for progression and salary increases as you gain experience, particularly if you have a CIPD qualification. HR officers with experience can expect to earn above £25,000.
CAREER PROSPECTS Individuals are likely to begin their career in human resources by working in a general HR role. Many enjoy the breadth of this work and choose to remain in this environment or move into a more senior position with responsibility for several HR officers. In the longer term, HR managers may move into more senior roles within an organisation and be promoted to a HR director role, possibly as far as board level. Promotion depends on ability and career prospects are enhanced by completing the highest level of CIPD qualifications.
ENGINEERING
WHAT PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED TO WORK IN THE ENGINEERING INDUSTRY? To get into engineering you’ll usually be required to have a degree. Relevant subjects include: Aeronautical engineering Agricultural engineering Computer-aided engineering Engineering science Manufacturing engineering Mechanical engineering Nuclear engineering
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Level 2: GCSE (5 C-A*) Level 3 - 4: A-Level, BTEC, Diploma, Apprenticeship Level 5-6: Degree Apprenticeship, University Degree, HND, BSc (Bachelor of Science Engineering), Intermediate Professional Qualifications Level 7: Master Degree.
SALARY Starting salaries for mechanical engineers, and for those on graduate training schemes, are in the range of £20,000 to £28,000. With experience this can increase to between £25,000 and £35,000. At a mid-level for lead or principle engineers, salaries are around £35-£50,000. Senior positions, such as chief engineer, can earn £45,000 to £60,000+.
BECOME A MECHANICAL ENGINEER Mechanical engineers create solutions and solve problems, playing a central role in the design and implementation of moving parts in a range of industries. They provide efficient solutions to the development of processes and products, ranging from small component designs to extremely large plants, machinery or vehicles. Mechanical engineers need to be technically minded, able to demonstrate numerical and scientific ability and have problem-solving skills.
CAREER PROSPECTS Most careers in engineering lead to a senior position with responsibility for other staff or larger projects and budgets. If you’re required to lead teams or manage projects, developing people management skills will be helpful. Gaining chartered status (CEng) is a significant help in career progression this is proof that you’ve met a standard of experience and knowledge in the engineering profession. Once you have developed your technical skills, you can move into senior engineering posts, such as engineering director.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MECHANICAL ENGINEER The day-to-day responsibilities of a mechanical engineer they perform are the following: • Analyse problems to see how mechanical and thermal devices might help solve the problem • Design or redesign mechanical and thermal devices using analysis and computer-aided design • Develop and test prototypes of devices they design • Analyse the test results and change the design as needed • Oversee the manufacturing process for the device • Monitor and commission plant and systems • Work with other professionals, within and outside the engineering sector • Manage projects using engineering principles and techniques • Research and develop products • Make sure a product can be made reliably and will perform consistently in specified operating environments. JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 47
ARCHITECTURE
WHAT PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED TO WORK IN THE HUMANITIES AND ART INDUSTRY? There’s a wide range of positions in the Humanities and Art industry. This creative industry provides you with an adaptable set of skills that can give you entry to a vast range of occupations leading in many career directions. It offers employment opportunities for Humanities and Art graduates who can particularly utilise their creative problem-solving abilities and expertise in connecting different ideas and concepts.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Level 2 Qualification: GCSE (5 C-A*) Level 3-4 Qualification: A-level, BTEC, Diploma, Apprenticeship Level 5-6 Apprenticeship: Degree Apprenticeship, University Degree, HND Level 7: Masters Degree.
BECOME AN ARCHITECT Architecture offers an inspiring and innovative career for those with the right technical and creative aptitude. An architect designs new buildings, extensions or alterations to existing structures, and advises on the restoration and conservation of old properties. Architecture offers an inspiring and innovative career for those with the right technical and creative aptitude. Architects work closely with clients and users, making sure that projected designs match requirements and are functional, safe and economical. Architects control a project from start to finish and work with several construction professionals, including surveyors and engineers. In addition to the professional experience required, any pre-entry work experience in an architectural, design or construction environment is desirable and highly regarded by recruiters. Architects should regularly practice drawing to enhance skills. Model-making skills are also an advantage. It’s important to take an interest in publications or TV programmes about buildings, and to keep up to date with the current trends in architecture and design.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ARCHITECT • Discussing ideas, objectives, requirements and the budget of a project • Consulting with other professionals about design • Assessing the needs of a building and its users, advising the client on the practicality of their project • Keeping with financial budgets and deadlines • Producing detailed workings, drawings and specifications • Specifying the nature and quality of materials required • Preparing presentations • Negotiating with contractors and other professionals • Carrying out regular site visits to check on progress and ensure that the project is running on time and to budget • Resolving problems and issues that arise during construction • Ensuring that the environmental impact of a project is managed.
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SALARY The starting salary for an architect ranges from £1822,000. Individuals with experience can expect a salary rising to £25,000. A fully qualified architect, depending on experience, could earn between £32-45,000. At senior associate, partner or director level, an architect can expect to earn from £45,000 to £70,000.
CAREER PROSPECTS Gaining chartered membership of RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architect Studio) and undertaking agreed levels of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) are key parts of career development and will enable your progression into more senior posts. Architects who have demonstrated distinguished achievement in architecture with more than 5 years of chartered membership, may be awarded Fellow of RIBA status.
MEDICINE
YOU CAN MAKE A REAL POSITIVE DIFFERENCE TO PEOPLE’S LIVES BY PURSUING A CAREER IN THE HEALTH INDUSTRY.
In the Health industry, there are several specialities to choose to work in. Some of the common areas include: Anaesthetics Obstetrics and Gynaecology Paediatrics Psychiatry Trauma and Orthopaedics
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Medical degrees are available at undergraduate level (taking five years to complete) and graduate level, which typically takes four years. Entry into medicine is very competitive and your motivation and commitment are rigorously assessed. You may be required to complete the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) or Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT). The BMAT has two test dates, which fall in September and October. Level 2: GCSE (5 C-A*) Level 3-4: A-Level, BTEC, Diploma, Apprenticeship Level 5-6: University Degree, Degree Apprenticeships, HND Level 7: Masters Degree
SALARY Junior doctors in Foundation Year 1 (F1) earn a basic starting salary of £26,614. In Foundation Year 2 (F2) this rises to £30,805. A hospital doctor in specialist training starts on a basic salary of £36,461 and can progress up to £46,208. Once training is finished, speciality doctors can earn from £35-£70,000. Consultants earn a basic salary of £76,761 to £103,490 depending on length of service.
BECOME A HOSPITAL DOCTOR Hospital doctors work in many areas. They work at different levels from trainees to specialists to consultants. Being a hospital doctor is a rewarding but demanding role that will suit you if you enjoy caring for others, have good stamina and can work under pressure. To become a hospital doctor, you must complete: A degree in medicine, recognised by the general medical council (GMC) A two-year foundation programme of general training Specialist training in your chosen area of medicine
CAREER PROSPECTS Most hospital doctors aspire to become a consultant. As a consultant, you’ll be responsible for your own work and for supervising the work and training of all doctors on your team. You can apply for consultancy roles six months before you achieve your Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) at the end of your specialist training. You may need to wait longer than this though as extra experience and research is often needed for competitive posts.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A HOSPITAL DOCTOR Hospital doctors examine, diagnose and treat patients who’ve been referred to hospital by GPs and other health professionals. They apply their medical knowledge and skills to the diagnosis, prevention and management of disease. As well as treating patients, hospital doctors refer them to a range of other healthcare professionals. The day-to-day duties of a Hospital Doctor consist of the following: • • • • • • • • •
Monitoring and providing general care to patients on hospital wards and in outpatients clinics Admitting patients requiring special care, followed by investigations and treatment Examining and talking to patients to diagnose their medical condition Carrying out specific procedures, for example, performing operations and specialist investigations Making notes and preparing paperwork, both as a legal record of treatment and for the benefit of other healthcare professionals Communicating with other medical and non-medical staff in the workplace to ensure quality treatment Promoting health education Undertaking managerial responsibilities, such as planning the workload Carrying out auditing and research.
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A DAY IN THE LIFE AS A HOSPITAL CONSULTANT At Careers UK, we recently had the privilege of interviewing Dr Gurmit Singh, Consultant at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, who delivers passionate care from the two hospitals: Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
What inspired you to get to where you are today? I am originally from India where I did my primary and secondary school education; and went to medical school there. I was inspired by science, particularly biology, which has been my favourite subject and I was fascinated when studying the human body which is a marvel.
What were your key stepping stones? The first stepping stone was getting into the medical school. It was a big test of self-belief and academia as it is fiercely competitive in India to get into a medical school. It was immensely pleasing when I came to know that I was successful as it reinforces that self-belief in yourself which becomes a foundation to perform well. The next stepping stone was the process of coming to the UK and starting my Post-Graduate Medical Training. It was a long process of taking a pre-requisite theory examination in India and doing an OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) in the UK. The following key stepping stone for me was doing an unpaid Observer ship at an NHS hospital in the UK: this meant you should able to sustain yourself financially in the UK for at least a few months before one can secure a job. Another key stepping-stone for me was getting the desired MRCP (Member of Royal College of Physicians) degree following a series of theory and practical examination. This entitled you to progress to sub-specialty level training.
What’s your biggest achievement? The biggest achievement so far has been the getting Consultant post in my current specialty, which is Gastroenterology (study of diseases of the digestive system and liver).
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SUCCESS STORIES be a doctor. I had 2 very close friends
treating patients yourself after the
who chose a different career path, so I
training. The work is not gloomy
decided to follow them as I thought it
at all and there always will be
will be great for all friends to be together,
challenges that make your work
even though my heart was saying I
interesting. At the end of the day
should be applying for medicine.
you will go home feeling you have helped make a difference.
I did not get selected for the profession I
one should follow their inner instincts
What’s your most eccentric hobby or strangest quirk?
rather than do what others are doing.
I still like to watch cartoon shows
had applied for, and in the process, lost a valuable year. This made me realise that
What career advice would you give someone who wants to move into your profession?
and read comics that I used to during childhood e.g. still love to watch Tom & Jerry, love reading Asterix and Archie comics.
important to stay focused and do the
Did you always want to end up where you are now?
required hard work. The training can
Absolutely!
The entry requirements can be tough and competitive; hence it is
be demanding, but once completed you feel accomplished when you start
Why is this achievement important to you? It signifies the hard work that I had put in paid off and this fulfilled my lifelong ambition of becoming a specialist in the field that I have always enjoyed.
What life advice would you give young people? Follow your gut feeling/instincts. Stay focused on what you want to do. Clarity is extremely important. Have self-belief.
What was the hardest lesson you had to learn? The hardest lesson for me was prior to starting medical school. I had various options in front of me, but I wanted to
JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 51
INFORMATION & TECH
The IT industry covers many information technology-oriented organisations. It is currently an important industry for the creation of technology that will shape humanities future. It has become of the most robust industries in the world. IT has an increased productivity and is a key driver of global economic growth. A technology career provides you with long-term job security in today’s world. Experience and education in the information technology field, as well as keeping current on changes in the industry, makes you sought-after by employers.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS You can get into the IT industry without a degree: through an Apprenticeship Programme, and work your way up through Technician, Engineer and Manager levels. To get onto an Apprenticeship Programme you will need to have 5 GCSEs (A-C), including Maths and Science. Level 2: GCSE (5 C-A*) Level 3-4: A-Level, BTEC, Diploma, Apprenticeship Level 5-6: University Degree, Degree Apprenticeship, HND Level 7: Masters Degree, Institute Membership: Institute of Analysts and Programmers, Microsoft Certificate.
BECOME A SOFTWARE ENGINEER Architecture offers an inspiring and innovative career for those with the right technical Software engineer jobs combine highly complex, technical work with computer science and mathematics. Software Engineers work in a constantly evolving environment, due to technological advances and the strategic direction of organisations. They create, maintain, audit and improve systems to meet needs, often as advised by a systems analyst or architect, testing both hard and software systems to diagnose and resolve system faults. The role also covers writing diagnostic programs and designing and writing code for operating systems and software to ensure efficiency.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SOFTWARE ENGINEER Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing and maintaining software systems including operating systems, business applications, mobile and web applications, games, connected hardware devices, networking systems and more. The day-to-day duties of a Software Engineer are of the following: • • • • • • • •
Analysing user requirements Researching, designing and writing new software programs Evaluating the software and systems that make computers and hardware work Developing existing programs by analysing and identifying areas for modification Creating technical specifications Maintaining systems by monitoring and correcting software defects Consulting clients and colleagues concerning the maintenance and performance of software systems with a view to writing or modifying current operating systems Investigating new technologies
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SALARY Typical graduate software engineer salaries start from £18,000 a year. The average annual salary for a software engineer is between £25,000 and £50,000. At senior or management level, software engineers can earn £45,000 to £70,000 or more per annum. The exact salary you’ll receive is dependent upon the company, location and nature of your employer’s business.
CAREER PROSPECTS There are different levels of software engineering and promotion is usually dependent upon both your ability and experience. An entry-level post typically involves working under supervision, formulating the scope of, and objectives, for systems and designing code. Progression is mainly into management via team leadership roles, or to consultant via technical specialisation. Transfer between organisations for advancement is often possible.
LAW
Throughout history, societies have established systems of law to govern people. The Law industry directs what we can and cannot do. Laws play a central role in social, political and economic life and provides inspiring, intellectual challenges. Law firms have many employees besides attorneys. They employ legal secretaries, paralegals, interns, junior associates and partners, as well as employees responsible for maintaining the firm’s records, assembling legal documents and transporting files to courthouses and clients. Skills essential for law firm employees are as varied as their jobs. However, some basic qualifications are necessary to work in a law firm, regardless of the firm’s size,
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
SALARY Salaries for those undertaking pupillage (final stage of qualification for the Bar) must be no less than £12,000 per year, set by the Bar Standards Board (BSB). However, some chambers offer substantially more than this. Qualified barristers with five years’ experience can earn anything from around £50,000 to £200,000. For those with over ten years’ experience, earnings can range from £65,000 to £1,000,000.
Law firms have many employees besides attorneys. They employ legal secretaries, paralegals, interns, junior associates and partners, as well as employees responsible for maintaining the firm’s records, assembling legal documents and transporting files to courthouses and clients. Skills essential for law firm employees are as varied as their jobs. However, some basic qualifications are necessary to work in a law firm, regardless of the firm’s size, location or practice areas. Level 2: GCSE (5 C-A*) Level 3-4: A-Level, BTEC, Diploma Level 5-6: University Degree, Degree Apprenticeship, HND Level 7: Masters Degree, Institute Membership: LLM (Master of Law), LPC (Legal Practice Course).
BECOME A SOLICITOR This demanding, highly rewarding field requires an analytic mind, a logical approach and excellent attention to detail to succeed. Barristers are specialists in advocacy and representing individuals or organisations in court. They are generally hired by solicitors to represent a case in court and only become involved once advocacy before a court is needed. Barristers specialise in different areas of the law, such as commercial law, chancery law and environmental law.
CAREER PROSPECTS Challenges to career development for self-employed barristers may include long hours required to cover cases and hefty workloads. Because of this, career development is very much dependent on your cases, your approach to work and your ability to successfully build up a reputation. Getting involved with professional bodies such as the Young Barristers’ Committee (YBC), from an early stage can help to raise your profile and develop your professional skills.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SOLICITOR Many barristers work on a self-employed basis, while others work in government departments or agencies such as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Government Legal Profession. • • • • • • • • • • • •
Following instructions from clients and their solicitors Understanding and interpreting the law Managing legal briefs (cases) Undertaking legal research into relevant points of law Writing opinions and advising solicitors and other professionals Preparing cases for court, including holding client conferences and preparing legal arguments Representing clients in court Presenting arguments in court Examining and cross-examining witnesses Drafting legal documents Negotiating settlements Carrying out auditing and research.
JUNE | STUDENT EDITION 53
MANAGEMENT
The Management industry is a great profession for individuals good at building strong connections. This industry provides you with the opportunity to implement the goals of a business and help build other individuals strengths and talents. An important institute for qualifications is the CMI (Chartered Management Institute). CMI qualifications provide a progressive framework that enables you to develop and broaden your management skills.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS • • • • • •
CMI offers qualifications from Level 2 [ideal for aspiring managers], to Level 8 [suited to C-level senior managers]. Levels 2-3: Designed for aspiring, supervisory or first line managers, Levels 2 and 3 offer a broad range of knowledge ranging from team leading to project and resource management. Levels 4-5: For mid managers, Levels 4 and 5 are more appropriate as they focus on developing core management skills such as managing resources, recruitment and information management. Levels 6-7: Levels 6 and 7 are developed for Directors and Senior Managers who have the responsibility to translate organisational strategy into effective performance. Level 8: CMI is the only organisation that offers Level 8 which is suited to C-level senior managers. More than 80% of managers say that a CMI Qualification is a key part of becoming a professional manager, and that transferring their new skills also improves the performance of the team.
BECOME A MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT Management consultants help organisations to solve issues, create value, maximise growth and improve business performance. They use their business skills to provide objective advice and expertise and help an organisation to develop any specialist skills that it may be lacking. The role of a Management Consultant is to identify options for the organisation and suggest recommendations for change, as well as advising on additional resources to implement solutions.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT Management consultants help businesses grow and improve their performance. Consultancy firms offer services across all areas of business – from HR and marketing, to IT and finance. The broad span of consulting work makes it an attractive career, offering a variety of projects, challenges and opportunities for personal development. The day-to-day responsibilities of a Management Consultant are the following: • • • • • • • • • • •
Carrying out research and data collection to understand the organisation Conduct analysis Interview the client’s employees, management team and other stakeholders. Run focus groups and facilitate workshops Prepare business proposals and presentations Identify issues and form hypotheses and solutions Present findings and recommendations to clients Implement recommendations or solutions and ensure the client receives the necessary assistance to carry it out Manage projects and programmes Lead and manage a team Liaise with clients to keep them informed of progress and to make relevant decisions.
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SALARY Starting salaries for junior consultants can be in the region of £25,000 to £30,000 with large firms. However, smaller consultancies may offer lower levels of pay and salaries do vary depending on the location, type and size of consultancy. With around three to five years’ experience, it’s possible for management consultants to earn up to £50,000. At senior level, with significant experience, it’s possible to above £80,000.
CAREER PROSPECTS As a new graduate you’ll usually begin your career in an analyst role. Once you’ve gained some experience, you’ll move on to the full consultancy role. From here you’ll typically progress to senior consultant or manager level, and this is usually achieved within about three years. Once you reach senior consultant or manager level, you can go on to become a partner or director of a firm where you’ll have responsibility for generating new business, developing client relationships and overseeing the strategic growth of the firm.
MARKETING
Elements of marketing exist in most businesses and across all sectors. Employees help clients to connect with their audiences, promoting brands, products and sending messages using a range of techniques. The Marketing industry covers fields such as: Management, Analytics, Product Design, Social Media Management, Advertising and many more. The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) supports, presents and develops marketers, teams, leaders and the profession. Whether you’re starting out or you’ve worked in the industry for over twenty years, the Chartered Institute of Marketing helps support and inspire you at every stage of your marketing career.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Achieving Chartered Marketer Status recognises your experience, knowledge and commitment to your career and the Marketing profession. It is the highest certificate you can be awarded.
SALARY Marketing assistants start on salaries of around £18,000 to £22,000. As a marketing executive, you can expect to earn in the region of £20,000 to £30,000. Senior marketing executives (with around five years’ experience) can earn between £30,000 and £45,000, with marketing managers earning up to £60,000. Marketing directors can earn from £60,000 to more than £80,000.
CAREER PROSPECTS Taking relevant professional qualifications can help your career prospects and is becoming essential for senior marketing roles. After 3 to 10 years you can expect a promotion to marketing manager, with a move to marketing director after 10 to 15 years. Gaining chartered status with the CIM can help provide evidence of your skills and experience. To increase your experience, you could move between inhouse departments or work in a marketing agency or consultancy for several different clients. There are also opportunities to become a freelance marketing consultant.
Level 2: GCSE (5 C-A*) Level 3-4: A-Level, BTEC, Diploma, Foundation Degree Level 5-6: University Degree, Degree Apprenticeship, HND Level 7: Masters Degree
BECOME A MARKETING EXECUTIVE Marketing Executives contribute and develop integrated marketing campaigns to promote a product, service or idea. The exact nature of your role will vary depending on the size of the organisation and sector and whether the focus is on selling a product or service, or on raising awareness of an issue that affects the public. Marketing executives may also be known as marketing officers or coordinators. It’s a varied role that includes: Planning Advertising Public relations Event organisation Product development Distribution Sponsorship Research
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MARKETING EXECUTIVE Create awareness of and develop the brand your marketing • Communicate with target audiences and build and develop customer relationships • Help with marketing plans. Advertising, direct marketing and campaigns • Support the marketing manager in delivering agreed activities • Work closely with in-house or external creative agencies to design marketing materials such as brochures and adverts • Write and proofread marketing copy for both online and print campaigns • Produce creative content • Organise and attend events such as conferences, seminars, receptions and exhibitions • Liaise with designers and printers and organise photo shoots • Maintain and update customer databases • Conduct market research • Develop relationships with key stakeholders.
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ACCOUNTING
Accounting is a fulfilling industry- whether you choose to work in the private or public sector. The skills of analysis, interpretation and adaptability are required to communicate accurate financial information, put forward realistic targets and drive business growth. A variety of finance qualifications are available to those interested in accounting careers.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS • • • •
AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) accounting courses - made up of three qualifications across three levels, they combine industry knowledge and practical work skills. ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualifications - comprise of two levels; Fundamentals and Professionals. Modules cover a variety of topics from corporate and business law to audit and assurance. ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) chartered accountant status - also referred to as the ACA, this qualification consists of three to five years of practical work experience and the completion of 13 modules. CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) business finance award - oversees the widely-recognised CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant), which requires you to have already gained the postgraduate-level Certificate in Business Accounting.
Many accountancy firms will accept qualifications from any board, but if you have a definite career path in mind it’s worth looking into the preferred qualifications of that specialism. Other qualifications: Level 2: GCSE (5 C-A*) Level 3-4: A-Level, BTEC, Diploma, AAT Level 5-6: Degree Apprenticeship, University Degree, HND, AAT Level 3 Level 7: Masters Degree, Institute Membership - AAT, ACCA, ICAEW, CIMA.
BECOME A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT A Chartered Accountant gives advice, audits accounts and provides reliable information about financial records. This sometimes involves: financial reporting, taxation, auditing, forensic accounting, corporate finance, business recovery and insolvency, or accounting systems and processes. You’ll have the choice of many different settings to work in, including public practice firms and industry and commerce, as well as in the not-for-profit and public sectors. Working strategically, your aim will be to maximise profitability on behalf of your client or employer.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ACCOUNTANT • • • • • • • • • • •
Managing financial systems and budgets Undertaking financial audits (an independent check of the financial position of an organisation) Providing financial advice Liaising with clients, businesses or individuals and providing financial information Reviewing the company’s systems and analyse risk Performing tests to check financial information and systems Advising clients on tax planning Detect and prevent fraud Prepare financial statements Advise on tax and treasury issues Negotiate terms with suppliers.
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SALARY Starting salaries for accountants vary depending on the location, sector, size and type of firm. Graduates entering the career can expect to earn salaries of up to £25,000. The average earning potential (salary + bonus) of chartered accountants with two to four post-qualification years of experience is around £56,000. After 5 or more years, the average annual salary for a chartered accountant in business rises to £90,200, with an average yearly bonus of £20,600.
CAREER PROSPECTS Progression is often structured and opportunities for development and promotion are plentiful. You may become a manager two years after qualification and a senior manager three years after that. Progress to partnership is competitive but is achievable between eight and 15 years after qualification. In small firms, progression may be more rapid. It’s possible to attain the position of finance director of a major company within 10 to 15 years of qualification.
FINANCE
The financial industry covers many types of businesses involved in managing money and plays a vital role in the world’s economy. The industry is vast and includes companies engaged in activities such as investing, lending, insuring, securities trading and issuance, asset management, advising, accounting, foreign exchange, and more. Many people study while working - many part-time and distance learning options are available in accounting, banking, investment management, insurance and risk management, and financial management and tax. For this industry, a Bachelors degree in finance or business is usually
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Professional qualifications in finance - for example, CFA, ACT, CFP, CII - can open employment opportunities, while guiding you down a clearly mapped-out career path. Level 2: GCSE (5 C-A*) Level 3-4: A-Level, BTEC, Diploma, Apprenticeship Level 5-6: University Degree, Degree Apprenticeship, HND Level 7: Masters Degree
SALARY Typical starting salaries for entrylevel graduates range from £15,000 to £28,000. After five to eight years, salaries rise above £30,000. Salaries vary significantly according to the nature and size of the company and the location.
CAREER PROSPECTS Within the investment banking sector new graduates tend to spend their first three years as analysts, after which the bank considers you for promotion to associate level. General career development routes include: • Continuing your career as an investment analyst with the aim of becoming a lead analyst in a sector, perhaps starting with some of the smaller listed companies • Progressing into management, supervising others and taking on responsibility for an investment area or type of fund • Becoming a manager in charge of investment in a specific organisation, e.G. An insurance company or inhouse pension fund • Moving into investor relations.
BECOME AN INVESTMENT ANALYST An investment analyst provides research and information to help traders, fund managers and stock brokers make decisions about investments. The information provided ensures investment portfolios are well managed and that potential investment opportunities are highlighted. Some analysts work for investment management companies, providing information to in-house fund managers: others work for stockbrokers and investment banks, where research is needed by portfolio managers or by clients who make their own investment decisions. Some Investment Analysts are likely to research investments globally. Principle types of investors include: Banks and large corporations Charitable organisations Life insurance companies Pension funds Wealthy individuals
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN INVESTMENT ANALYST Investment Analysts become involved in a broad range of activities and disciplines, which vary according to the nature of the employer. They should have a developed understanding of financial information, such as financial statements, company accounts and sector data. A day in the life of a Investment Analyst consists of the following: • Analysing financial information relating to specific companies, e.g. company results, profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow statements to determine how an organisation is positioned to deliver for investors • Keeping up to date with market developments, new investment products and other areas that can affect the market • Drafting and writing research reports for fund manager or client use • Meeting with and providing information to fund managers- summary of research, investment ideas and key events • Making recommendations for fund managers • Ensuring that all compliance regulations are met.
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SCIENCE
The Science industry makes a huge difference to the world by solving the problems of today and developing the technology of tomorrow. Working in this industry, you develop skills such as time management, patience , teamwork and communication. Although the Science industry is demanding, individuals are surrounded by others who are open-minded and want to make a difference.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS MSc- Master of Science A Master of Science degree (MSc) is a degree awarded at universities around the world for completion of graduate-level study in a science- or technology-related field. Enrolling in an MSc degree programme translates to making a significant investment in one’s professional career. In addition to the enhanced career prospects that can be gained by taking a Master of Science, valuable personal skills are developed. Biological and Life Sciences, Business, Engineering and Technology, and the Natural Sciences are the key academic fields of study that offer Master of Science degree programmes. Master of Science candidates normally must do independent research and present a thesis as a requirement for graduation. Other Qualifications: Level 2: GCSE (5 C-A*) Level 3-4: A-Level, BTEC, Diploma Level 5-6: Degree, University Degree, HND Level 7: Masters Degree - MSc, MEng, MChem
BECOME A BIOMEDICAL SCIENTIST A Biomedical Scientist carries out a range of laboratory and scientific tests on tissue samples and fluids to help clinicians diagnose and treat diseases and evaluate the effectiveness of treatments. The Biomedical Scientist profession requires strong analytic skills and practical laboratory experience. Biomedical scientists usually specialise in 1 of 4 areas: • Infection sciences • Blood sciences • Cellular sciences or genetics • Molecular pathology For example, some Infection Sciences include Medical Microbiology - identification of microorganisms causing disease and their antibiotic treatment and Virology - identification of viruses, associated diseases and monitoring the effectiveness of vaccines.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BIOMEDICAL SCIENTIST • • • • • • • • •
Perform routine and specialist analytic test on a range of biological samples Give test results to medical staff, who use the information to diagnose and treat the patient’s illness Process patient samples Prioritise workload and perform urgent analytic testing when required Maintain and run specialist lab equipment Maintain and order stocks of materials Answer telephone enquiries about test results and other general lab issues Support, mentor and supervise trainee biomedical scientists and other staff Keep professional knowledge up to date.
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SALARY Starting salaries range from £22,000 to £28,000. With experience or specialist knowledge, a salary of £26,000 to £35,000 can be earned. The starting salary for a senior biomedical scientist salary ranges £31,000 to £48,000. Salaries for consultant biomedical scientists, who have reached the top of their profession, are higher.
CAREER PROSPECTS Opportunities for career development are generally good. Upon qualification, many biomedical scientists choose to specialise in an area of biomedical science and progress to senior and specialist roles. With further experience and qualifications, for example an MSc or PhD, it’s possible to reach the top of the profession by becoming a consultant biomedical scientist. Senior roles often involve managing a team or department within a laboratory or managing an area of service provision such as health and safety, quality management or service delivery. You may also become involved in advanced specialist scientific work, clinical research or training and education.
SOCIAL SCIENCES
The Social Science industry covers fields such as sociology, psychology, criminology, politics and many more. A career in the Social Science industry ensures you have plenty of learning opportunities and develops transferable skills such as communication, organisation, networking and team building.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS British Psychological Society (BPS) The British Psychological Society is a representative body for psychologists and psychology and is responsible for the promotion of excellence and ethical practice in the social science industry. The BPS support and enhance the development and application of psychology for the greater public good, setting high standards for research, education and knowledge. Level 2: GCSE (5 C-A*) Level 3-4: A-Level, BTEC, Diploma Level 5-6: University Degree, Degree Apprenticeship, HND Level 7: Masters Degree, Bachelors Degree, Institute Membership:
SALARY Trainee clinical psychologists start at £26,000. After qualification, salaries progress up to £31,000. More experienced clinical psychologists can earn between £48,000 and £55,000. Consultant clinical psychologist roles typically range from £56,000 to £79,000. Heads of psychology services can earn above £80,000.
BECOME A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST A clinical psychologist is a mental health professional with highly specialized training in the diagnosis and psychological treatment of mental, behavioural and emotional illnesses. The aim of a clinical psychologist is to reduce the distress and improve the psychological wellbeing of clients, using physical methods and research. They work in partnership with clients to diagnose, assess and manage their condition. The patients may have a variety of mental or physical health issues, such as: Anxiety Depression Mental illness Adjustment to physical illness Neurological disorders Addictive behaviours
CAREER PROSPECTS You may choose to specialise in an area of clinical psychology such as: • Clinical health psychology • Forensic clinical psychology • Oncology and palliative care • Psychosis and complex mental health.
You must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to work as a clinical psychologist. This involves completing three years of postgraduate training leading to a Doctorate in clinical psychology, or equivalent, approved by the HCPC.
You’ll usually need a minimum of six years’ experience to be eligible to apply for consultant-level positions.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
With experience, you may choose to move into clinical academic research and teaching. There are also opportunities to train as a high intensity therapist, providing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to patients with complex issues related to anxiety and depression.
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Assessing client’s needs, abilities or behaviour using various methods, including psychometric tests, interviews and direct observation Monitoring appropriate treatment programmes, including therapy and counselling Working as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside doctors, nurses, social workers, health visitors, psychiatrists, occupational therapists and education professionals Offering therapy and treatment for issues relating to a range of mental health conditions Developing and evaluating service provision for clients Providing consultation to other professionals: encouraging a psychological approach in their work Counselling and supporting carers Carrying out applied research.
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BRAIN TEASERS
BRAIN TEASERS, RIDDLES & ILLUSIONS
1. Johnny’s mother had three children. The first child was named April. The second child was named May. What was the third child’s name? 2. Before Mt. Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world? 3. What word in the English language is always spelled incorrectly? 4. What has a head and a tail, but no body?
9
10
How many squares are there?
How many triangles are there?
ZOOM IN FOR ANSWERS 1. Johnny
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2. Mt. Everest
3. Incorrectly
4. A Coin
5. An Onion
6. A Palm Tree
7. A towel
8. Tuesday, Thursday, Today and Tomorrow
9. 40
10. 0
5. Take off my skin - I won’t cry, but you will! What am I? 6. What kind of tree can you carry in your hand? 7. What gets wetter and wetter the more it dries? 8. Name four days of the week that start with the letter “T”?
Can you find the hidden baby?
Can see two animals?
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