Discover Your Future
THE BIG STORY
Think you know everything about careers? Well, Smarty Pants, take a look at these 12 things we bet you didn’t know about careers and then we’ll see if you’re as great as you think you are.
There are over 250 types of apprenticeship in over 1,400 job roles.
Barbie has had over 130 different jobs since her creation in 1959. She has been a firefighter, a computer engineer, astronaut, ballerina and news anchor.
Vidal Sassoon wanted to be a footballer when he was a teenager, but his mother made him do a hairdressing apprenticeship, as it was a ‘more secure’ career.
J.K. Rowling came up with the idea for Harry Potter when she was 25 years old during a delayed train ride.
The Beatles performed over 1,200 times from 1960 to 1964 in Germany. That’s more than 10,000 hours of playing time. They weren’t exactly an overnight success!
Floristry and gardening is regularly voted as one of the happiest sectors in the UK.
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People working in I.T. get to travel around the world.
In his first year at Harrow, Winston Churchill was bottom of the whole school.
Richard Branson had already started two businesses by the time he was 15 – one selling Christmas trees and the other selling Australian birds. At least 170 civil servants in the UK are paid more than the Prime Minister.
James Dyson created 5,126 prototype vacuum cleaners before he was successful.
You don’t need a law degree to become a lawyer.
Want to discover more about the world of careers? Plotr has over 500 careers to explore and hundreds of articles on everything from unusual job roles to curveball interview questions.
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CAREER SPARKS
WHAT EXACTLY *IS* eCOMMERCE? IT’S RETAIL 2.0 – AND COULD BE THE ANSWER TO YOUR ELECTRIC DREAMS Discover an amazing new world of digital retail. eCommerce could be the career you’ve been waiting for!
Have you heard about eCommerce yet? You probably come across it every day… and it could be about to change your life! eCommerce is all about the art of buying online. Online shops have to be safe and easy to use, and they have to sell the right stuff which gets delivered to the right home in one piece and on time (no smashed vases being delivered a month late to the house next door for Grandma’s birthday, please!). The selling experience has to be on the online channels that people use (‘channels’ means the places and ways you can promote products, from websites and social media to email promotions and commercial apps). Any online shop needs to tap into Twitter, YouTube and everything else to reach its customers in a convenient way!
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS eCOMMERCE? Calling something e-anything means it’s online (for example, email’s like mail you get through the post except it doesn’t get lost and the dog doesn’t chew it to shreds). eCommerce simply means… buying and selling over the web! It’s bigger than big and it’s changed everything about the way we live.
Would a career in eCommerce suit me? Just ask yourself this: Which personality type are you? (Or maybe you’re a bit of everything):
• Smart with technology, or passionate to build your skills in this area • Business savvy, and keen to learn more – the idea of knowing how to sell stuff at the right price to the right people really appeals to you • Creative, artistic and full of new ideas • Sociable, and great at talking to people • Smart with psychology, and wanting to learn more about how people think – in eCommerce, this is all about exploring online shopper behaviour.
All these personality types are absolutely essential to eCommerce. To be honest, whatever kind of person you are, there’s probably an eCommerce role at quality food retailer Waitrose that’s right for you.
• Freemium games on your phone? eCommerce. • Selling your home-made stuff on Etsy? eCommerce. • Buying stuff online – anything from box-fresh imported trainers to farm-fresh kiwis? eCommerce.
What kind of jobs exist in Waitrose eCommerce? ONLINE MERCHANDISER Online merchandisers help to make shopping online at the Waitrose website super-convenient and easy. If you love online shopping and you’re interested in the science behind what makes a great website and why people buy the things they do, this could be your dream job! Being an online merchandiser combines the art of presenting products attractively with the science of sales figures and customer behaviour patterns. You’ll be creative, full of ideas, business-minded and good with numbers (the numbers help when you’re looking at website traffic, for example, to see how many people click for more product information or hit the buy button).
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CONTENT PRODUCER
Waitrose Food is one of life’s great pleasures, something we should all enjoy, every day. At Waitrose we like to do things differently. We care about our products, our Partners (Waitrose employees own the company), our suppliers and our customers. And we’re committed to great quality. We encourage our Partners to share our love for food, from how it’s grown and cared for, to how it’s packaged, presented and the entire in-store experience for our customers. Food is right at the heart of our brand and it’s what we’re famous for. Waitrose Employer Profile Waitrose Careers World
Waitrose have lots of online channels, from the main groceries website to the online Waitrose Cellar. All these channels need top quality content that inspires customers to celebrate food and enjoy the ease of shopping online at Waitrose. Your writing skills could involve anything from presenting customers with jaw-droppingly delicious recipes (chocolate salami, anyone?) to describing products in a way that’s accurate, enjoyable to read and creates a smooth ride for the customer doing their online shopping. As an online content producer you’ll also get to grips with SEO (search engine optimisation). You’ll optimise your written copy to make sure Waitrose website pages attract visitors and turn them into satisfied repeat customers.
DIGITAL MARKETER Digital marketers connect with UK shoppers so they’ll know about the high quality food and service offered by Waitrose, a brand that prides itself on being different. How is it different? Well, to market the brand successfully, that’s something you’ll need to know! Waitrose is different because it combines the convenience of a supermarket with the expertise and luxury of a specialist food shop. And it’s also a UK food retailer where the staff are actually Partners, too. The online marketing (or promotion) you’ll do can cover anything from a new branch opening up to carrying out all kinds of Waitrose social media campaigns – like the time Waitrose created a giant Mother’s Day card entirely out of flowers! Whatever your skills and interests are, you have a strong chance of finding an eCommerce career path that’s right for you.
Visit the Waitrose Careers World to discover more about working in eCommerce or many of the other great career routes.
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CAREER SPARKS
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MIND-BLOWING HACKS TO HELP YOU IN YOUR FIRST JOB Your first job can be daunting but what if you had an ace up your sleeve? What if you could use scientifically magical hacks to make your life easier as a newbie? Let us introduce you to some amazing job hacks that will make the office your kingdom.
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UNLEASH THE POWER OF POST-IT NOTES
Social scientists have found that a post-it note is twice as effective as a typed message at getting someone to complete a task for you. Got a report your need your boss’ help with? Pop a post-it on the front and watch them submit to the power of PIs.
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NEVER HEAD INTO A MEETING WITHOUT YOUR NOTEPAD
It can be difficult to stay focused in meetings, especially if you’re a newbie and you’re stressed. A notepad means you always look engaged (even if you’re doodling) and you can make visual notes, record questions – so you don’t have to interrupt someone important – and reflect on what was said afterwards in your own good time.
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BECAUSE
Need to get that file photocopied now but someone is in the way? Use the Power of Because. If you explain why you need it now i.e. I need it BECAUSE I’m heading into a meeting people are more likely to let you do what you want, even if the reason isn’t that great. Studies have shown that even saying ‘…because I need to make copies’ increases your chances of success. Waiting in line could become a thing of the past.
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KEEP EMAIL SHORT AND SWEET
Make sure that all of your emails are below 300 words. The average reader’s attention drops dramatically after this point so anything longer than this won’t be read all the way through. It’s likely than any important details at the end won’t be seen, plus 300+ words is a lot of typing – no, thank you!
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ASK YOUR ENEMY FOR A FAVOUR
Having difficulties with a co-worker? Ask to borrow a pen or for help on a project. When someone does you a favour it makes them think, ‘Why would I help this person if they weren’t nice?” and voila, you’re taking your first step to becoming best friends. The Benjamin Franklin effect was used by one Benjamin Franklin to make friends with a rival legislator.
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GET SUPPORT BY ASKING
Got an idea you want to pitch to your boss? First ask him if managers are open to new ideas. When he says yes, tell him about your amazing idea. Now he’s described himself as a helpful manager he’ll now feels like he has to be helpful to avoid being a hypocrite. They use this tactic in politics all the time. Now it’s your turn.
INTRODUCE ALL THE PEOPLE
It’s your first day, there are lots of new people starting – how do you remember everyone’s name? Easy – introduce all the other newbies to each other. It’s polite, makes you like the master of networking and will make sure their name sticks in your mind. Works great at networking events (and parties) too. Boom!
Need more advice on the world of work? Plotr’s advice archive is full of useful tips on everything from impressing your boss to nailing your interviews.
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TACTICAL INFO
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SNEAKY SURPRISES TO WATCH OUT FOR IN A JOB INTERVIEW
Can you ever really plan for the unexpected? Sure you can! Avoid those awkward uh-ohs at job interviews with our tips to increase your X-factor, not your stress factor!
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You walk into a job interview and shake someone’s hand – but you didn’t catch their name when you got introduced, so whose hand are you shaking? The boss? The apprentice who joined last week? The doughnut delivery guy? The simple approach is… it doesn’t matter! Always be your polite, respectful best when you walk into a new place of work, whoever you’re talking to, even if you’re not sure who they are. First impressions count, and if you’re nice and respectful to everyone, your first impression is solid gold!
Changing the date of an interview is pretty common but it can come as a shock. Your interviewer might need to move the date of your job interview for all kinds of reasons, from being off sick to the dog eating their paperwork (hey, it’s a serious nationwide problem and it happens to bosses too). A good way to keep on top of sneaky scheduling surprises is to start researching the company the minute you hear you’ve got an interview. That way, if they move your interview to an earlier date – or even do something REALLY awkward like phone up and say “oh, hello there, actually let’s do a surprise phone interview RIGHT NOW”, you’ll be prepped and ready.
The ‘apprentice’ at the desk turns out to be the company boss
HOT TIP
Moving the goalposts (and interview dates)
Interviewers will sometimes ask the receptionist and person that brought you up to the interview what they thought of you, e.g. were you polite and friendly. So it really does pay to be polite to everyone!
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Three interviewers is a party. Ten is a crowd! Sometimes, when you get an interview you’re told you’ll meet person X, but actually you meet persons X, Y and Z because it turns out everyone wants to see how you’ll fit in with the company! Having three or so people interview you is pretty standard. Don’t think of it as three people testing you – think of it as three people who are keen to meet you and whose names you’ll already know once you get the job! P.S. you’ll never get ten interviewers, so don’t worry.
HOT TIP Don’t worry if your interview time gets moved, or if you turn up on time to be told the interview will start a bit later, or be cut short because of hectic work schedules. This sort of thing is really common, and it’s not reflection on you. You’re still a great candidate, it just means the office is a busy place!
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Tell me about a time when you…? Whatever job you go for, at some point in the interview you’ll be asked “tell me about a time when you…” An example question might be “tell me about a time when you… knew your boss/parent/teacher was wrong. How did you handle it?” This question is kind of sneaky because it’s asking you to reveal personal stuff about your skills and qualities. That means the interviewer gets a sneak preview of what you’re really like and how you might handle work situations! There is a special name for this kind of question. It’s called a ‘behavioural question’. The best way to handle this type of question is to use the S.T.A.R.R.S. approach. It helps you discover – and talk about – times in your life where you achieved success. The S.T.A.R.R.S. approach helps you give employers lots of examples of why you’re great and why they should hire you! (Because they should, obviously.)
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UK weather? Let it rain Channel your inner Rihanna when it comes to job interviews and show the UK weather who’s boss! You’ll bring on the maximum ‘hire me’ sass if you arrive looking and feeling as interview-ready as you did when you left home: • Have a wind-proof hairstyle • Check the weather report to see if you need an umbrella (ella ella) • Winter? Check your travel plans in advance and leave early to impress employers by arriving on time • Hot day? Make sure you’re showered, fresh and hydrated • Also, remember new clothes can surprise you – so if you’ve got a brand-new set of shoes for the occasion, make sure they’re padded where they might rub. You want to be thinking about the job interview, not foot-blisters.
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Is the job you got hired for the same as the one you applied for? There are times when you’ll be offered a job that’s different to what you thought it would be when applying. This won’t happen with big national companies that have a really clear hiring structure, of course, but it might happen with smaller companies and start-ups! It’s also more likely to happen to younger people, too. Why? Because e.g. an office junior role is more likely to involve lots of different tasks that change according to what the office managers most need. You could apply for that ‘rockstar PR’ role only to discover it’s mostly data entry and putting leaflets in envelopes (which isn’t a problem, but it’s good to know in advance!) If you’ve got a feeling the job being offered isn’t really the job you applied for, you can politely find out more in the job interview. Useful questions to ask include: • How would you describe the company culture? • Can you describe a typical workday for a person in this role?
You want more interview advice? With Plotr, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got LOADS of interview advice!
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TACTICAL INFO
INTERSERVE APPRENTICESHIPS – WHAT COULD YOU DO?
Three different apprentices (engineering, business and construction) share their story of working for Interserve, a global company that’s pledged to offer 500 apprenticeships by 2020...
ALEX FOLLOWS THE FAMILY FOOTSTEPS HOW IT ALL HAPPENED: 20-year-old Alex Follows, a technical design apprentice at Interserve’s construction business, followed his parents into a construction career. He’s now on his second Interserve apprenticeship, having already completed one in business administration.
“My line manager recommended I continue training to become technical, so I could work towards becoming a design manager”
ACHIEVEMENTS UNLOCKED: Producing his own building manuals, collecting info from contractors, hooking up with different design teams, completing daily audits on all kinds of collaborative software (don’t worry, it’s just software that helps a bunch of people achieve the same goal).
MAJOR SUCCESS: He put his new skills to use when he successfully completed a manual which was affecting the final handover of an important project, which gave him a huge amount of satisfaction.
USEFUL STUFF LEARNED: “Speaking freely without doubting myself in meetings and on the phone.”
FUTURE PLANS: Becoming a fully-fledged design manager.
LOUIS EARNS IDEAL ‘HANDS ON’ ROLE HOW IT ALL HAPPENED: After three years with Interserve, 19-year-old Louis Atherton completed his apprenticeship and is now working as a pipe-fitter and studying for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Mechanical Engineering. Louis started at a college EICB training scheme where he was encouraged to apply for relevant roles in the engineering industry.
“A highlight has been finishing the apprenticeship and starting my HNC as well as working on the Evap D, which was special as it was a one of a kind project”
“I interviewed with Interserve who agreed to sponsor me to complete my apprenticeship, which was fantastic and I was very lucky to receive the support from the company,” says Louis. “I decided to become an apprentice because practical work suits my personality more than theory – I prefer to work in a role that is hands on.” ACHIEVEMENTS UNLOCKED: Helping to lay around 55,000 metres of pipework at the Tees Valley Gas Plant in Middlesborough, fabricating and installing pipework daily, working on the Evaporator D decommissioning project. PS if you’re in the know it’s called “Evap D” which is obviously the best name ever! USEFUL STUFF LEARNED: “The engineering industry is one of the strongest and biggest industries you can work in.” MAJOR SUCCESS: Louis won the national award for ECITB Apprentice of the Year 2014! FUTURE PLANS: Becoming a pipefitting supervisor with Interserve and developing his engineering career. Having completed the NVQ level three apprenticeship training scheme, which involves nine months in a training school, two months in a fabrication workshop and six to twelve months onsite, Louis’ next step will be to study for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Mechanical Engineering.
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“Being an apprentice for a company as big as Interserve has opened up further opportunities, as I’ve been offered the chance to study a construction related course at college”
Interserve We’ve seen pirates on the Thames, two World Wars, expansion across the globe and today we’re one of the top 20 employers across the UK. Interserve is now a worldwide construction and support services company and we’ve pledged to recruit 500 apprentices by 2020 as part of our ‘SustainAbilities’ plan. Our people are passionate, inquisitive and like a challenge. If that sounds like you, find out more, on our employer page! Interserve Employer Profile Facilities Management Careers World
JAMES: BUILDING THE CONFIDENCE TO SUCCEED HOW IT ALL HAPPENED: Despite having offers of places at two universities, 20-year-old James went for the “hands on experience and financial security” offered by a two year business development apprenticeship with Interserve. ACHIEVEMENTS UNLOCKED: Producing professional quality documents, working under pressure to tight deadlines, being positive and assertive. USEFUL STUFF LEARNED: “The most useful skill I have gained is self-confidence. At times I can be shy, but over time I have become more confident, which not only benefits my work but life outside work as well.” MAJOR SUCCESS: Playing a big role in helping the company secure the rights to tender for major works on the multi-million pound East Midlands Property Alliance/ SCAPE minor project. FUTURE PLANS: Building a bigger and better future!
See what other young people working at Interserve say about their career journey… and check out the world of facilities management too!
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(YOU)TH VOICE
LEARNING TO TEACH HAS MADE ME READY FOR MY FUTURE By Luke Mayo, YEUK Youth Ambassador
Luke is learning to be a teacher. Getting work experience in a classroom wasn’t what he expected, but has been one of the most rewarding learning processes of all…
I’m 19, in my second year of university, and ‘employability’ (which is another way of saying ‘being ready and skilled for work’) is something that’s being drummed into me. Many possible roads lie before me, and all kinds of possible career paths… but which one should I take? And when? When it comes to the world of work, nothing’s predictable and surprises await at every turn. If I’d known what awaited me, I would have been more enthusiastic! My first experience of employment was part of my secondary school’s work experience scheme. I found a place in my old primary school, where I assisted the classroom teachers (mostly by running errands and helping the children with computer skills). This was my first time in any form of employment. My first time being treated like an employee. From my very first day, I thought it would be best to take each day as it came and learn as much as I could. The time I spent in the school was brilliant. I learnt many valuable skills from building positive relationships with the staff and pupils. The atmosphere and way of doing things in a working
“I learnt many valuable skills from building positive relationships with the staff and pupils”
environment was different to any I had experienced before. As first experiences of employment go, I’d say this one went really well! I now have a better understanding of my career starting point. Teaching, or passing wisdom onto others, is something I now know I can do well. The added value for me and my future career is the time that I spent at the primary school. It’s proven experience that will increase my chance of success in getting into the teaching profession. I’m currently halfway through learning about the subject I’ll end up teaching (English). That gives me another year and a half before I graduate. Then I’ll re-apply and start my next level of study, the Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE). Right now, that seems like a long time away! At the same time, I know time passes quickly in the world of careers. Each level of study I take on will have a definite effect on my future and needs lots of careful thinking about, so I can try to nip any nasty surprises in the bud! I know my career path will begin with me teaching. I know my current route to a career is right for me, the way things are right now… but what comes next will still be a surprise!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Luke Mayo is 19 years old and currently studying English at University Campus Suffolk, Ipswich. He joined YEUK to get a better understanding of youth employability, and also to build up his journalism experience by writing for the website and e-magazine. By working with YEUK, he hopes to share his own employment experience with other young people. Sharing experiences is a great way to build a sense of community where young people feel like they can work together to find the jobs they want. Find out more about becoming a YEUK Ambassador for YEUK!
Teamwork, time management and even swimming in the waters of office politics are all examples of soft skills. Discover how to boost your soft skills in a way that employers will love!
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CAREER SPARKS
5 REASONS WHY CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING JOBS AREN’T WHAT YOU MIGHT THINK
No, it’s not all building sites and hard hats! The construction industry needs all kinds of people, from artists and writers to engineers. Here are 5 reasons why jobs in construction and engineering might not be what you’d expect.
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YOU DON’T HAVE BE A BUILDER
That’s right – it’s not only builders, architects and engineers who are needed in the construction and engineering industry! They also need people with lots of different skills, such as electricians to wire up buildings, writers to craft dazzling proposals, and designers to sketch plans. Then there are the civil engineers, site managers, planners, project managers and safety and health advisors who make people stay safe and keep the environment protected.
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YOU’LL TRAVEL
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YOU’LL SEE THE IMPACT
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YOU’LL TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE
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YOU’LL GET PEOPLE TALKING
Did you know the Mexican population is booming? That’s why the construction and engineering company Costain is building a pipeline for natural gas to reach the country (si señor!). And it’s not just Mexico, countries all over the world employ UK construction companies to build and engineer projects – because we’re known to be so good at it…
The sheer scale of some of the big projects that construction companies work on means they will impact millions of people – so if you’re involved you’ll be able to see the results of your work with your own eyes, for years to come! For example, since 2009 the engineering firm Crossrail has been busy building a new high-frequency train line to connect London with the counties to the west (Berkshire and Buckinghamshire) and the east (Essex). When this massive project is finished it will impact thousands of people’s journeys into and out of the capital every day.
Costain You may not have heard of Costain until now, but you’ll certainly have benefitted from the work we do! We’re a very large engineering and construction company that designs, builds and manages infrastructure all over the UK. We invest in young people because they’re our team of tomorrow. Costain Employer Profile Costain Careers World
Passionate about the environment? Wind farms, water treatment plants and solar stations are all designed and built by people working in engineering and construction. So whether it’s working on a construction site as a civil engineer, or processing important documents back at the construction office – you’ll be making a difference.
The Shard, the Gherkin, the Olympic Stadium… Just imagine being part of a team that made those buildings like these possible! Working in construction means designing, engineering and building amazing structures that get everyone talking. Just imagine being able to say: “What do you think of London’s new skyline? I built that...”
Maybe you’d be great in engineering and construction but you never knew it! Play the Plotr Game to find out.
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GET UP STAND UP
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UNBELIEVABLE WAYS YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE LANDED A JOB
How far would YOU go to get a job? These 5 successful jobseekers took creativity to the next level...
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Spend your last £500 on a billboard
Adam Pacitti graduated in 2012 with a first class degree in media production. After 250 job applications, he was still unemployed. Then he rented a billboard and did a viral social media campaign around it. Success at last! He got 60 job offers after launching his Employ Adam campaign. What better way to show you can do a marketing job than by showing you can successfully market yourself?
THINK YOU COULD DO THIS? HOT TIP Look at all the ways advertisers spread their message, and see if you can use those methods to advertise… yourself!
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Make a video CV that really talks to your dream employer
Young digital strategist Matt Epstein badly wanted to work at Google. To stand out from the crowd, he made a video CV and invited the “Googs team” to his 14th century Parisian palace. OK, so he didn’t get a job with Google… but he still got 1 million YouTube views and 80 job offers as a result!
THINK YOU COULD DO THIS? You might enjoy: performance arts You might make a great: Youtuber, actor, digital executive, sales person, business person Read next: What’s it really like working in sales?
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You might enjoy: advertising, marketing and PR You might make a great: social media executive Check out these roles from specific employers: • Marketing executive (BBC) • Marketing officer (Barclays) • Social media senior executive (EDF Energy) Read next: Can social media get you a job?
WATCH THE VIDEO HOT TIP A video CV is a great way to show your communication skills and individuality, helping you to stand out in a world where all graduate and apprentice CVs look the same. You should updated your standard CV, though... they never go out of style.
Turn your video CV into a pointand-click adventure game!
PR and social media consultant Graeme Anthony did a perfectly normal video CV... but showed his fresh thinking by making it interactive! Even though he’s a PR and media agency person, working with spreading a message, it was the technical approach he took to his video CV that made him stand out. Employers loved it, and he got so many job offers through his clever CV idea that he decided to go freelance and work for himself instead...
THINK YOU COULD DO THIS? You might enjoy: PR and advertising, software, games and the internet You might make a great: PR officer, PR manager Read next: The 10 advertising blogs you need to read
WATCH THE VIDEO HOT TIP YouTube isn’t just about content – it’s about technical know-how and finding new ways to deliver and promote that content. That includes your CV – especially if you’re interested in a digital or sales type of job.
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Working in a bar? Get chatting
Lots of uni students work on the side to pay their way, but waiting tables or serving drinks isn’t just about making money. Graduate Reed Daw was working in a bar and asked to take the weekday lunch shifts. He got to know the regular business people having lunch and let them know he’d be graduating soon. He got lots of business cards and CV requests that way and ended up getting a marketing internship at start-up company Volusion, leading to an SEO executive role. He’s now an SEO manager. Networking with a difference!
THINK YOU COULD DO THIS? You might enjoy: catering and hospitality, business You might make a great: marketing executive You could eventually become a: marketing manager Check out these roles from specific employers: • Marketing executive (BBC) • Marketing officer (Barclays) • Digital executive (Universal Music) Read next: 9 jobs for night owls
HOT TIP If you work in the food and drinks industry, you could be well-placed to make work connections. Life offers all kinds of opportunities for networking, so always keep your eyes open.
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Wear a customised T-shirt CV
Unemployed business management graduate Joe Busby got a T-shirt printed up with his CV and wore it around the city centre. He said about 90% of people passing him by took a good glance or a second look. Once his story was picked up by local news, emails from reputable companies like Asda and Toyota started flooding in... and what did Joe Busby do in the end? He used his business management skills to go self-employed, and set up his own sandwich delivery service!
THINK YOU COULD DO THIS? You might enjoy: business, retail and customer services You might make a great: entrepreneur, CEO (of your own company) Check out these roles from specific employers: • Trainee business manager (McDonald’s) • Retail graduate scheme (ASDA) Read next: Beginner’s guide to self-employment (and setting up your own business!)
HOT TIP Whatever your qualifications, keep your thinking flexible and never give up. If you’re unemployed and thinking of starting your own business, see how Jobcentre Plus can help.
For more job hunting inspiration, visit the Plotr careers advice zone.
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CAREER SPARKS
SURPRISE! HOW SCIENCE CAN GET YOU A DREAM JOB IN SPORT Getting your science skills in order might be the best way to plot yourself a pathway to a job in the exciting world of sport.
Fix broken wings
Super sports stats
Getting injured is part of being a professional athlete. Only the best make the cut and you can’t be the best without pushing your limits. Sports people need lots of science people around to sort them out when things go wrong. These people include physios, doctors and loads more. Want to be the one who makes sure your star is ready for their big event? Get yourself some tip-top science skills.
It’s 2015 and the way we analyse sports performance is exploding. We know more about the aerodynamics of footballs, the technique of sprinters and the hydrodynamics of diving than ever before. There are lots of ways statistics can help you break into sports. You can work on a coach or sports scientist team, using your analysis to improve performance. Don’t forget that sports television shows, apps and websites love data analysis as well. You could be providing the insights that help a sports commentator look so smart.
Explore being a: physiotherapist
Scientific training
Explore being a: sports scientist
Maybe you ARE the star player! With a science background you’ll know so much more about how to train, what to eat and how to run faster. Yep, science just made you a better athlete. Boom.
Fitness stats: this time it’s personal
Explore being an: athlete
The best way to an athlete’s heart is through the stomach… ... or something like that. Sports stars need help and advice with nutrition – you think Wayne Rooney eats chocolate Wheetos for breakfast? Well, bad example, but generally speaking you need to understand how diet and nutrition affect your body to perform at your best so dietitians are so hot right now. Explore being a: dietitian
Usain Bolt isn’t the only one who’s curious about his speed and fitness. Now everyone and their mum has fitness bands, apps and all kinds of equipment to tone up the smart way. It’s a great time to be in tech if you love your sports, because app developers, product engineers and chemical engineers are getting gobbled up by the sports industry faster than the latest metabolismboosting energy bars. Explore being a: design engineer
Coach your atoms All the sciences work out your most important muscle – your mind. Studying science improves your analytical skills and reasoning. Want to be a super coach? Studying science will enhance the same part of your mind that you use to build strategies and identify weaknesses in your opponents. Explore being a: sports coach
You can explore more surprising science and maths related careers in the Your Life careers world on Plotr. Check out the sports careers world, too!
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CAREER SPARKS
4 TOP LEADERSHIP QUALITIES A WAITER AND RICHARD BRANSON HAVE IN COMMON
Think Richard Branson and a young person waiting restaurant tables have nothing in common? Think again!
Entrepreneur Richard Branson founded Virgin at the age of 20 (which worked out quite well for him). What’s an entrepreneur, you ask? Well, it’s someone who sets up their own business. They’re quite often a fairly adventurous type which means they might start off setting up one kind of business (like Virgin planes) and end up starting all kinds of businesses, just like Branson did with his Virgin trains, mobile network and even cola!) The qualities which helped Richard rise to the top can be used by you too! What’s more, you can use them in ANY career situation! To prove it, let’s use waiting tables in a restaurant as a tasty example…
Love being part of a team WAITER: There aren’t many jobs where you work alone. Having a great team helps you to do your best and shine professionally, whether you’re in a restaurant or an office. Seek out the company of team members who teach you new things and make your day fun and rewarding! As a waiter, you can also make yourself get noticed by helping to train up new team members and reduce your boss’s workload. Or you can keep your cool when the restaurant’s getting busy and hectic, making life easier for your team mates and for customers. As a team, you can all recognise your different strengths and work together to support each other.
RICHARD BRANSON: Surrounds himself with workers who share the same goals, values and interests (but maybe they’re strong in areas where Mr. Virgin knows himself to be weaker). He also surrounds himself with supportive family and friends who believe in him, his mission and vision. As an entrepreneur, he knows that businesses are generally made up of a group of people. If you’re running the show they’re your greatest assets. If you’re part of the team, you want to make the most of the people you’re working with, and be someone who makes the team’s life easier.
Listen WAITER: You’ll listen closely to what the customer wants, repeating back their order back to them to show you heard it correctly, and you won’t forget who ordered what. Your care and attention makes customers want to come back to your restaurant
– and that’s what makes a business thrive! (There could be more tips in it for you, too.) You’ll pass on any compliments about the great food or service to the manager, and you’ll listen to any customer gripes and work with the restaurant team and manager to improve things.
RICHARD BRANSON: “Listening is one of the most important skills that anyone can have. Listening enables us to learn from each other and from the marketplace. As a leader you have to be a really good listener. You need to know your own mind but there is no point in imposing your views on others without some debate. No one has a monopoly on good ideas or good advice.”
Never stop learning WAITER: You’ll always pay attention to tips from experienced staff, because they have so much to teach you about the best ways to do your job – even if their job is completely different! If a chef wants to teach you about how the kitchen works, that’s great – you may be waiting tables now but hey, you could end up running your own restaurant one day! RICHARD BRANSON: “Learning and leadership go together. Too much credit goes to me for Virgin but the successes happen from working and learning with some of the world’s most inspiring and inspired people.” Plotr note: Good old Richard! Just because he’s a boss now, he still sees himself as someone who keeps on learning!
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Meet new people (and show them your best side)
Visit the Food and Drink Careers World
WAITER: Like meeting new people? That’s great, because customers will appreciate your service with a smile… and so will your manager. Plus any wannabe L.A. actor knows, there’s more to networking than just being friendly! Waiting tables is a great way to meet people who can help you in your career. Want proof? Just check out the story of uni student Reed Daw who got a marketing internship by collecting business cards and CV requests in the bar where he worked. RICHARD BRANSON: Sees every new person
Visit the Business World
as a chance to create a new business opportunity, create a business friendship or improve your service. When he’s on a Virgin Atlantic plane, Richard always makes sure he meets the staff (and many of the passengers). He says that chatting to them always gives him ideas for improving the service for everybody else! Of course, it takes confidence to meet new people and talk to them, but this is one of the key skills that helped Richard expand his business beyond planes and trains and into… everything, really!
Everyone has great qualities they can build up at work. Wow your future employer just by being you! Read next: “What are soft skills and do I have any?”
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CAREER SPARKS
IS YOUR DREAM JOB ONE YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF? Think you’ve seen it all when it comes to careers? Plotr cherry-picks a few of its favourite unusual jobs available in the UK.
Cool hunter A cool hunter, also known as a trend spotter, is paid to find out what’s cool! Are you the first person in your group to notice lifestyle trends? If so, you could spot trends as a cool hunter and present your insights to employers and brands.
Skills and qualifications: • A real passion for niche interests • A good network of contacts • A strong social media presence. Find out more: Become a cool hunter
Green marketer Did you know ‘green marketer’ is Skills and qualifications: a special name for someone who • A marketing degree or similar promotes products that are good for qualification like an HND/HNC in the planet? When food packaging marketing will impress employers. in supermarkets has logos saying A degree in business, psychology, the product is eco-friendly, they’re advertising or communications often created with the help of green would be good, too marketing! It’s down to you to inspire • Studying a science or the public to think differently about environmental subject related at recycling rubbish or using electric cars. A-level will help, though it’s not essential. Your insights make a product or the • You’ll have a good knowledge of way it’s produced more eco-friendly, the environment and green issues. or you might be involved in a national You could show this on your CV by ‘go green’ campaign to create logos and volunteering, for example. messages! You have a LOT of influence over the way a company’s product is made. Green marketing is a growing business sector and great to get into Find out more: Become a green if you’re interested in green issues. marketer
Biscuit buyer High-quality UK retailers Waitrose have buyers who focus on very specific products… like biscuits! Yes, there are official biscuit buyers who meet with suppliers, try new products and negotiate deals. The retail industry in general has buyers that have their own area of expertise, from greeting cards to trainers and gadgets…
Find out more: Become a biscuit buyer (or a supermarket buyer)
Skills and qualifications: • Retail experience is essential (a retail apprenticeship or graduate scheme could be a good way in) • Friendly – you’ll need to keep in touch with supplier and have good relationships with them • Good business sense – you’ll be negotiating good deals for Waitrose whilst making sure that suppliers feel happy with the arrangement too • Organised – there are a lot of different products and suppliers to keep track of.
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Queen’s Messenger If you enjoy travelling, can work on your own and want a job where no two days are the same, then a career as a Queen’s Messenger might be ideal. You’ll travel all over the UK and overseas, carrying secret items and making sure they don’t fall into the wrong hands. There are only about 15 Queen’s Messengers in the world, but someone’s got to be chosen – maybe it could be you!
Skills and qualifications: • You must be trustworthy and able to keep calm under pressure • You have to take special psychological tests to prove you’re right for the job • Logistics training (e.g. a level 3 diploma in driving goods vehicles) will be a plus. Find out more: Become a Queen’s Messenger
Secret agent Secret agents aren’t just in films – in real life, they’re trained by the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS, also known as MI6) to keep Britain safe. They’re given the name ‘intelligence officers’, but they do everything you’d expect a secret agent to do. Their work is secret but involves gathering useful information that could protect Britain.
Find out more: Become a secret agent
Skills and qualifications: • Discretion, courage, common sense and being able to think on your feet are all very important • IT skills are useful, because these days a lot of security threats can come via the internet • Fluency in a second language really helps, as you’ll travel often • You’ll be expected to have a degree (in any subject – secret agents are hired from a wide variety of career backgrounds) • You’ll need to be over 21 and have a clear background.
Embalmer When you say ‘embalmer’ most people think of mummies in museums, but embalmers still work in the UK today! Your job is to preserve bodies until they’re ready for cremation or burial, and to help restore bodies so the person looks more like they did when they were alive.
Find out more: Become an embalmer
Skills and qualifications: • GCSEs are enough to get an entrylevel job (you don’t need A-levels or a degree) • Previous experience in a funeral home is useful, even if it’s mainly cleaning or helping with paperwork • Once you start working, you can apply for tutorship from the British Institute of Embalmers and work towards a qualification.
Did you know Plotr has over 500 careers? To see which careers would be a good match for you, play the Plotr Game and discover your future!
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TACTICAL INFO
ASK A CAREERS ADVISOR ANYTHING Get your careers advice questions answered every month by a friendly careers advisor. See this month’s crop of answers below.
MEET SUSAN BURKE, THIS MONTH’S ADVISOR! Susan says: “I love helping people. I am a qualified careers advisor, featured in the Telegraph and The Guardian. Think of me as a best friend but with a bit of tough love thrown in, helping you get to where you want to be by giving you frank, honest and uncomplicated advice.” www.susanburkecareers.co.uk
EMPLOYMENT I really like learning languages (I’m studying French and Spanish at GCSE) but I don’t want to live outside the UK. Do employers care if you’ve got language A-levels if the job doesn’t involve languages? What kinds of jobs would languages be good for? My advice would be to call the college You don’t need to live outside the UK for languages to be useful (they’re useful for work and leisure careers, for example). I know you said you don’t plan to work outside the UK but never say never! You just don’t know what the future may bring, like me in London (and my partner is German so languages for me would have been useful!) To answer your question, languages are useful and employers do value them. Remember, we are part of the EU and we are also part of the global marketplace, which means that many UK businesses have customers all over the world. You have an added advantage in all kinds of companies if you can speak an extra language or two.
A-LEVELS I passed maths GCSE and but maths A-level is much harder. Is there any way to get extra help? Have you spoken to your teacher? This should be your first port of call. Let your teacher know your concerns. Remember, they want to help you and make sure you get the best grades. Another way could be to use maths revisions websites like MathsRevision.net.
APPRENTICESHIPS I’m 24, I’ve got a degree and I’m sick of being turned down by employers because of lack of experience. Is it too late for me to do an apprenticeship?
If you have already done a degree and want to do an apprenticeship you can, but you won’t be eligible for funding. This means your employer would have to pay for your training costs. Why not discuss your options with a careers adviser? Depending on when you left uni, most university careers departments will support you for two to three years after you have left. Maybe you could contact the National Career Service so you can discuss this further? If you’re looking to gain experience, look at volunteering as a possible way of boosting your CV and job application. This could be a better option for you – but do talk to someone who can help you fully explore all your options.
SELF-EMPLOYMENT I want to start my own baking business while at school (I’m 17). Is there anything I need to know about money or anything like that? I’m impressed with your desire to boost your business knowledge; why not check out Shell Live Wire? They offer free online business advice and funding to young entrepreneurs. You can also see all the articles Plotr has to do with funding and next steps for your budding entrepreneurial career.
GRADUATE I’m in my second year of a journalism degree and I don’t know what to specialise in. I feel like I should have a clearer picture of what kind of journalist I want to be in order to build up a strong portfolio. Is it a problem if I can’t decide? A careers advisor can really help you, as they can start to help you focus and narrow down on possible options. My advice would be to seek out a careers adviser. Every university offers this, so book in a free session. Alternatively you can also book me! In your question you don’t mention if you have obtained work experience in those different areas. Trying out work experience in various fields of journalism is obviously a way you can test out your career ideas and see what you most enjoy (while building up your portfolio).
Got a question for us? It’s really easy – just email info@plotr.co.uk in complete confidence with your question (please put CAREERS ADVICE in the subject header). No question is too big or small. What’s more, you will be really helping out other readers who are dying to know the same thing!
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(YOU)TH VOICE
“NO ONE GIVES YOU POWER, YOU JUST TAKE IT”
12 young people share what they’ve learned about themselves through work…
You can learn a LOT about yourself you enter the world of work. Say, wouldn’t it be great to time travel and learn those things right now? We asked some young chaps and chapettes (including Youth Ambassadors from our friends YEUK) to share their self-discoveries.
“I’ve been told that I come across as ‘very confident’ when it comes to my work, which I find hilarious because I’m normally thinking, ‘help’!” Rachelle Harry, editorial assistant “I’ve learned that even when it seems that there’s no way I can do more, I can still push and do more!” “It turns out I’m surprisingly good at time management!”
Baiba Antonovica, YEUK Ambassador
Emily Sexton-Brown, commissioning editor
“In the workplace, things become less about you and more about the team. I’ve learnt the importance of teamwork and working not only to get the job done but also to make everyone’s job easier by helping out when you can.”
“The thing women are yet to learn is no one gives you power, you just take it”
Michelle Ezeuko, YEUK Ambassador
Georgia Stimpson, junior account manager
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“There’s a big distinction between friendships inside and outside the workplace. This ensures everything gets done and enables you to be a critical friend.” Jack Welch, YEUK Ambassador “I started my career working in finance, then I discovered my love for creativity, social media and writing. I’m now an online editor & blogger... I discovered you should always follow your dreams, and enjoy the journey!” Sarah Clark, mega-blogger
“You’ll learn more about office politics in an office than you ever will in a book!” Juned Quadir, YEUK Ambassador
“Experience beats education at all times…” Karam Filifan, online editor
“Never be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand what’s required in a task you’re given. Everyone you meet in work has reached their position through overcoming obstacles (or confusion!) in the workplace.” Indy Sira, YEUK Ambassador
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Youth Employment UK YEUK (Youth Employment UK) is the leading campaigning and membership organisation dedicated to tackling youth unemployment in the UK. The YEUK Ambassadors are young volunteers working together all around the country to secure a better careers future for UK youth. They network together, support each other and do it for the sheer love of it. They’re working with MPs and local businesses to improve employment prospects for young people in the UK. YOU CAN JOIN THEM.
“You’ll have to follow protocol that you may not agree with for the greater good…” Alexa-Jane Moore, YEUK Ambassador
Find out how to become a YEUK Youth Ambassador “Being an ambassador allows you to share your passion with others, it provides fantastic training and networking opportunities. Being a YEUK ambassador has opened up many opportunities for me to grow, learn and develop and it’s a privilege to represent such a passionate devoted youth organisation.”
“The more you commit yourself to a job, the more you will get out of it.” Luke Mayo, YEUK Ambassador
Teamwork, time management and even swimming in the waters of office politics are all examples of soft skills. Discover how to boost your soft skills in a way that employers will love!
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