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Editors Letter
WELCOME It’s that time of year when many of you will be preparing for your final deadlines. On top of all of that I expect you’re experiencing the added pressure of what to do next. In this issue you can find out exactly what the professionals look for when interviewing and receive some expert advice on how to boss your interview. Ladder allows you to prepare properly for your interview and in this particular issue you can flick to page 4 for a light hearted read about what not to say in an interview. Are you lacking motivation? Do you feel like you have hit a brick wall? Discover this issue’s Real Life story and see that it is possible to achieve and get where you want to be. Maybe you’re looking to start your own business, check out businessman Luke Reed’s story for a guide on how to succeed in your chosen industry. From my own experience, the one key piece of advice I would like to share with you all is not to let rejection knock you back. It is highly unlikely that you will get the first job you apply for. Use the rejection as motivation to try again and keep going. Make sure you ask why you weren’t successful for the position to see if it’s something you can learn from for next time. Each interview you have is an invaluable experience that will noticeably improve your confidence. And confidence is key. EDITOR IN CHIEF
Rachael Davies
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Ladder.
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15 Things Not To Say In An Interview
What the professionals look for in an interview: That Interview Experience
Real Life: Julia Camwell
Luke Reed Starting Up a Business
Be Smart What to wear to your interview
What we’ve learnt from Alan Sugar How to correct your CV Get advice from the experts
Example interview questions The perfect job for you Turning your hobby into your career
Five signs that mean your boss likes you The UK’s top 10 entrepreneurs When you’re likely to get promoted
CONTENTS
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Inside . . .
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15
THINGS
not
TO SAY IN AN INTERVIEW
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Perhaps you’re wondering what went wrong, why you didn’t get the job? We asked 10 recruiters what the worst thing they’ve heard in an interview was . . .
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YOU SAID
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3
4
what?!
“I think I’m pretty perfect, I don’t have any weaknesses!”
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“How much longer is this interview going to last?” Don’t worry, they’ll probably wrap it up now.
“I didn’t understand the job description.” You didn’t need to tell them that.
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Q. Any questions? A. Yes, can you think of a reason you wouldn’t want to hire me? Yes, because you just asked that question.
“If I get the job, and wanted to leave, how much notice do I have to give?”
Have you got this confused with speed dating?
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It’s good to know you’re keen.
Well, you probably should know that.
“Now that the interview is over, can I get your number?” “Why is the salary so low? I am worth more than what you are offering!” Maybe they don’t think so.
Q. Why do you want this job? A. So I don’t die of boredom anytime soon. Oh, are you interested at all?
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Well we’d like to think you’d stay!
“Is 5pm the contracted time to finish, or can I leave early?”
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Arrogance may be your weakness.
“What does this company do again?”
Q. We’d like to offer you the international sales position, due to your bilingual ability. What do you think? A. Oh, I don’t actually speak another language. Awkward!
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“I’m thinking of booking a few holidays for the upcoming months. Will this be a problem?” You should probably get the job first.
Ruth Davies Permanent Consultant Reed Recruitment Agency
Ruth’s Interview Advice
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Know why you want to work for the company and who they are. Prepare to answer what your strengths and weaknesses are. Body language is key and always dress smarter than you think you should.
Never slate your previous employer when asked why you are looking for work.
Last but not least, ask a minimum of two questions. My personal favourite is, ‘are there opportunities to progress through the business?’ Goes down a treat!
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“I am not a fan of the uniform, is it compulsory?” It’s not a fashion show.
“I would be willing to do anything or anyone for this position!” A bit more enthusiastic than we would have hoped.
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“I have been offered another job, what can you offer me that they can’t?” You aren’t interviewing them!
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That interview
experience
Sat in a room full of strangers you can tell are all dressed way out of their comfort zone. Making polite nervous conversation with your newest rival, secretly praying they screw up their next few moments to let you in with a chance. Imagining what your interviewer is going to look like, what if their good looks put you off? Anxiously sat waiting for your name to be called, trying to figure out whether it’s all really worth it or not. And then for the aftermath. When will they call you back? Will they even call you back? Suddenly you’re questioning everything you did and said in the interview, wishing you could go back. And then the phone rings . . .
Sound familiar? 8
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nterviews can be one of the most daunting experiences. The worst part is that you will have to endure a fair few before someone picks you out from the crowd. It’s important not to dwell on being rejected or have any negative thoughts, although we all do!
We have interviewed three successful businesswomen, Emily Penisini, Rebecca Longley and Rosie Tolaini, to find out exactly what they look for when screening candidates. Emily Penisini is the Lead Resourcing Consultant at Telefónica UK Limited. She looks after a team who are responsible for managing the recruitment needs for key stakeholders in the business. They focus on retail stores and their early careers programme. Rebecca Longley is a Mail Relationship and Sales Support Manager at ShopperTrak. Rebecca is responsible for ensuring that customer service levels are consistent and all client related issues are dealt with. Rosie Tolaini is the Operations Manager for Europe and the Middle East at McLagan, a consultancy division within Aon. Rosie manages a team of seven permanent analysts and recruits up to 10 internships each summer.
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What is the first thing you look for when interviewing? Emily: Personality! I always look for passion and enthusiasm, I like to see whether I can see them fitting in culturally. Rebecca: How the candidates conduct themselves. I look at appearance, body language, confidence, energy and levels of interest during the interview. Intererst is vital. Rosie: Someone who turns up on time! I also like someone who takes time to understand the questions and answer with a relevant response. I would much rather someone tell me they need a minute to think, than ramble on about something irrelevant. How do you choose who to interview out of all the applications you receive? Emily: Firstly, they must meet all minimum requirements such as the right to work in the UK, no criminal convictions etc. Then they must
complete some online psychometric tests relevant to the role. After this there is usually video interview. Rebecca: The cover letter is key. I find it provides a good insight into the candidate’s character. I also look for good structure within a CV. Rosie: Depending on the role, I would look for what previous experience with software they had. We also use psychometric testing and numerical and verbal reasoning tests. These are not job specific tests as such, but they allow us to focus our attention on the higher performing applicants and help us to narrow down the selection pool. Previous experience is also important. Would you pick an applicant with a degree over one without? Emily: For our early careers programme candidates need to be on track for or have graduated with a 2:1 or higher. Rebecca: No, it would solely be dependent on the individual. I would take into account their relevant work
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experience and either feedback from the recruitment company or the cover letter received from the candidate. Rosie: It depends on the role. For an entry-level job where a degree or equivalent qualification has been determined as an essential qualification then I would focus on candidates with a relevant degree.
Can you offer any tips?
Describe your perfect candidate
How important is previous experience?
Emily: Know the business you are interviewing for. Be able to demonstrate your passion and enthusiasm for the opportunity. Rebecca: Make sure you are interested in well prepared. Your interviewer will be committing part of their day to interview you, so be respectful of that. You need to make a good impression, have lots of energy and ask lots of questions!
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Emily: Someone who is easy to talk to and conversational, confident but not arrogant, interested, warm, engaging. Someone you remember for all the right reasons after they have left the interview. Rebecca: Someone with lots of energy and enough confidence to speak up and voice an opinion! I like someone that asks a lot of questions. It is always great when a candidate, regardless of their work experience, demonstrates a capability or skill with an example either from a previous role or life experience. Rosie: There isn’t one! I have recruited some complete no-hopes in my time, at the end of the day an interview is a small snapshot in time where you have to determine if the person can work successfully in a role for years to come! However, I would say that confidence is key and someone who has researched the company well with lots of questions prepared. Questions catch my eye as it shows you are thoroughly interested.
Emily: Very dependent on the role and would be required for some of our head office roles and managerial roles. However, for entry level roles and internships it is not needed. Rebecca: If the candidate is willing and able, most office disciplines can be taught and general skills can be developed. A great example is our current intern, she possessed no previous comparable work experience but does have an excellent work ethic and approach to working practices that she is now as proficient as some of the longer standing members of the team. Rosie: Experience whilst at university shows that the applicant is committed to finding employment and gathering experience in different industries to make a more fully informed decision about the type of career they want.
Someone you
remember for all
the right reasons
”
after they have
left the interview.
Rosie: Research the company and the job role as much as possible. There isn’t anything wrong with taking a note pad with notes and questions into the interview. Being prepared and asking questions shows you are engaged and actually want the job.
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Real Life
JCamwell ulia
Successful graduate, Julia Camwell, shares her story on how she has found her place on the career ladder since leaving university.
“This time two years ago, I was right at the peak of my final year at university. I had numerous deadlines, and to be honest, I didn’t think it would ever end. Now 23-years-old, living in the crazy capital, I like to think I’m living the dream. Who’d have thought I’d have got here, so soon? My alarm sounds at 7am sharp, by 7.45am I am on the tube to work. The atmosphere and the buzz you get from everyone all suited up ready for their day in London is inspiring. At 8.30am, usually my morning kicks off with a meeting with senior management discussing tasks and targets for the day. I am due to finish work at 6pm, but depending on workload I often stay for an hour extra. However, the day is not over. Living in London you soon realise that it is fairly uncommon to go straight home after work. There are plenty of sociable attributes. I find myself going for drinks or dinner with my friends or work colleagues. Sometimes I go home to cook and go to the gym. I’m also partial to a spot of late night shopping at Westfield. What more could I ask for? I class myself as really lucky that I have even landed myself an opportunity at Mercedes Benz UK.
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Image Copyright: Julie Camwell
My job is not directly linked to my course, I studied Fashion Marketing at the University of Southampton. It sounds creative but it was market and business strategy based.
I was contacted by a HR manager, who offered me an opportunity with Mercedes Benz London Corporate. The role I am currently in is Corporate Support Executive.
Nevertheless, there were creative aspects too, such as the creation of promotional material to back any strategic reports we were doing. I often created appropriate layouts and designs for magazines and editorial style. My course involved a lot of reports, audits and conceptual rebranding strategies. I developed skills throughout university such as film making and editing, Photoshop, InDesign and styling shoots.
Currently, I lease companies and work alongside the key account manager and often attend meetings.
More than 1000 candidates applied for the position at Mercedes Benz UK, and after numerous stages and interviews I couldn’t believe that I found myself in the final 10. The only explanation I can think of is that I must have answered the questions to their liking. I also had relevant experience with marketing and business strategies, creating reports, and producing projects. At the final stage of the interview, there were quite a few Mercedes Benz managers marking us. I didn’t realise until then that they weren’t only interviewing for graduate positions, but permanent roles also.
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I like to think I’m living the
dream. Who’d have thought
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I’d have got
here, so soon?
Mainly I am responsible for building relationships as well as business and admin related tasks. I utilise my writing and communication skills on a daily basis, dealing directly with customers. The research aspect of university has helped as I now study the product updates and offerings to help me stay on the pulse of what is going on at Mercedes – which makes me better at my job.
Although I graduated university with a first class honours degree, I don’t think that was solely the reason I got the job. I think the additional and transferrable skills I entail had an impact. Experience is also vital. If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to do as much degreerelated work experience as possible it’s invaluable. Every interview I have undertaken since leaving university have all been interested in the work experience that I completed over the summer whilst at university. I worked for four months as a Press and Marketing Assistant on events. I also have experience of working in the hospitality industry. This gave me experience with customer facing, dealing with high-end clients, solving problems, dedication, thinking on my feet and team playing. I really do think that my CV had a huge contribution to me receiving my role. I have recently been promoted and I will be starting my new role once I have handed over my current accounts. My new role will be the trainee Diplomatic Sales Officer for Mercedes Benz UK. The new position will involve dealing with VIP clients and Embassies, as well as royalty and military personnel. It just goes to show that if you work hard and build your skills, you can get onto
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the ladder and start building a career, you never know what doors might open! It is important to apply for any positions that appeal to you, even if you feel your degree isn’t related. I originally applied for the position at Mercedes Benz because it is a global brand and I wanted stability in a role with opportunity to progress within the company long term. For me, an internationally renowned prestigious brand was a fantastic opportunity.
“” You are your own brand.
The great thing is, now I am working for such an amazing company I can listen out for new opportunities and apply for different positions. If I wanted a role more related to my degree I could apply for a marketing role in head office. Saying this, I am excited to start my role and I am very comfortable with being located in central London. You are your own brand – you have to market yourself. That’s why building yourself as a whole, not just academically but your skills too, is so essential. Also, present yourself well.
Dress appropriately for the company or brand you are going for. This allows you to turn up looking like you fit in. I also think it is vital to make sure you research the company before you go to your interview. This allows you to throw in knowledge or facts during the interview that makes you sound clued up, enthusiastic and on the ball. Most of all, be confident and smile no matter how daunting the situation. What’s the worst that could happen?! I applied for about 5 jobs at the same time. I got through to the final stage of Next’s Buying Graduate Scheme also, but turned it down after being offered the position at Mercedes. I made this decision partly based on location, I wanted to move away from home and Mercedes is based in London. The money was also better at Mercedes and I just had a gut feeling to go for it. Being rejected from job applications can be very unmotivating, but you just have to pick yourself back up and apply for the next one. And when applying, just do it! If you don’t try you’ll never know…!”
Julia’s Top 5
Image: Depositphotos
interview tips
1) Apply for you don’t haroles even if you think ask, you donve a shot - if you don’t nothing by ju ’t get! And you lose st applying. 2) Be confid and market ent in your own ability employers. yourself well to potentia l 3) Dress as th the role you ough you are already for in an inte want when you’re goingin brand/ comp rview. Get a feel for the and appropri any and dress smartly ately for the m. 4) Do your re interviewers search. Subtly impress knowledge a by dropping in facts an d bout their co mpany. 5) SMILE! W hat’s the wo happen? rst that can
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Luke
Reed
Starting up a
business
Blu Digital is a digital recruitment agency based in London. Luke Reed and his business partner founded the business in March 2013, since then it has expanded rapidly. Recently, he decided to maintain his shares in the company yet leave to start another business on his own. Luke Reed, 31, graduated from Lancaster University with a 2:2 in Applied Science Marketing. Since then, he has started three businesses. One of which now has £1million turnover and is growing. He reveals to Ladder his story and offers his expert advice for all you eager entrepreneurs. “I’ve always imagined myself owning my own business. When I was younger, I always supported myself with businesses. Even in the playground I would sell silly little things to make money, and then as I got older I supported myself through A-levels and university with
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businesses rather than jobs. I found out I could make money without working for other people. I’ve always been interested in businesses, maybe on a smaller scale than what I’m doing now. At university I ran a club events business, so for about three or four nights a week I would advertise the club nights in the university and sell tickets and then take the door money. After I finished university I went straight to working for a recruitment company. I worked for them for just under three years and then realized that I could just do it myself. So I
started my own business. It was really easy to start as there were no overheads. I thought to myself, I could work from home and do this on my kitchen table, rather than do it in an office on a day-to-day basis. This would allow me to take all the money rather than give them money, and that’s how it started. The most vital thing I would say you need to start your own business would be confidence. You also need a good understanding of how to keep your overheads really low, don’t spend money that you don’t need too. Do everything you can to spend as little as possible, but make
as much as possible. Start out really small, don’t try and start something big straight away because you’ll never succeed. If you’re going to start a business, start small and learn the ropes. As long as you’re prepared to put in the hours, it should all be worth it.
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Even in the
playground I
would sell silly
”
little things to
make money.
My main concern when starting my business was not being able to pay my rent. I saved up enough money to survive for six months. I thought to myself, ‘if I were still working in a job, and I didn’t make enough money for them in six months, then I would get sacked. Therefore, if my business didn’t make enough money in six months I would have to start work again.’ When I thought about it, it was less pressure to work for myself than it was to work for someone else. And I’d probably make more money. The main fear is spending so much time on something and then it going wrong and having to start again. It’s a lot of time and effort, to watch it all fall through would be devastating. The biggest problem I’ve come across would be when I had two companies at once. We exchanged one company for another by
transferring the money over, all legally obviously, but when I transferred the money over I left some money in a VAT account. The money went into the Inland Revenue by mistake when we closed the company. I didn’t realise that when you close a company, any bank accounts that are associated with it get closed as well and the money goes to the treasury. I had a couple of savings accounts that I didn’t realise were attached to the company. I had £12,000 in one of them and the money went straight to the Inland Revenue and I couldn’t get it back. It took eight months to get the money back and a legal case. I had to pay £3000 to get a really high solicitor to reopen the company in order to get the money back. It was a really complicated procedure and it isn’t something that happens often with businesses. There have been times when I’ve been close to giving it all up. It’s a lot of hard work and you don’t often see any rewards. You don’t always feel like you’re getting anywhere. When you’re young, you start to wonder whether you’re wasting your time and whether you’d rather be out socializing with friends. Instead, you’re working 13-hour days including weekends and not getting any holiday. But that’s the reality of starting a business, if you want to succeed that’s what you have to do. My confidence to start a business came from a young age, as I’ve always seemed to succeed in selling things. The reality is, and if you think about it logically, there’s less risk
when you’re working for your own business than if you’re working for someone else. Working for someone else has a risk of being sacked or being made redundant, whereas when you run a business you’re in control. Even if you have a couple of bad months, no one is going to sack you. As long as you’ve got enough money to survive, it’s fine. If I could change anything, I wouldn’t have gone into business with my business partner. He was my best friend, we lived together and we both made the decision to start up the company together and in retrospect, that was a big mistake. He tried to take over a bit too much and we had a lot of disagreements. It got to the point where we both felt the same about each other and therefore I chose to leave. We’re still friends now, however it was a bad decision to go into business together.
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If you’re going to start a
business, start
”
small and learn the ropes.
I have had three businesses, each with a business partner, and every single time there has always been huge disagreements. One person will always be better than the other at certain aspects. There will always be one of you that are not completely
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happy with the decisions that are made. If you’re on your own you can go at your own pace and make your own decisions. I think having a business partner always seems more appealing because you feel you have the companionship and the security of having someone with you, but the reality is that it makes everything a lot harder. It’s silly things such as how to decorate your office that end up in an argument. So I would always say to start your own business and employ people rather than have a business partner.
“” I wanted to
do something different.
I have recently decided to leave Blu Digital and go on to start an events company, called Innovate Events. Although I am still a shareholder in Blu Digital, my contract states that I am not allowed to work in recruitment. However, I wanted to do something different and felt now was the perfect time. Events have really low overheads, so you can make money from nothing if you have the right connections. There’s a lot of money to be made in events and very little risk – to me that’s the secret to success. I am about two weeks into the business, I have just made a provisional booking for 3000 people to go to an event over the summer which will make a lot of money. It’s looking really good straight away. I think in 10 years time Blu Digital will have been sold. The company currently has £1,000,000 turnover, I think in 5 years time it will have £6,000,000 turnover. I think it will be a very big company. I think Innovate Events, will also be successful and I hope it progresses at the same rate my previous businesses have.”
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Luke’s Advice
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Keep your overheads low For example, make your own website using a template and make it look professional. Don’t pay someone to do it for you.
Re-invest your money
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When you’ve started making money, then start spending it in re-investment. Start working at home and then go out and buy an office in a city.
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Be ambitious
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I would advise not to think about it too much and just do it. Don’t make excuses and put off starting it, just get out there and do it as soon as you feel you’ve got the money.
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Prepare for long hours and hard work
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You will lose your social life for a while, but it will all be worth it in the end.
Start up on your own Go it alone, don’t do it with a business partner.