May 2009

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GRADUATE JOBS + CAREERS ADVICE + SECTOR NEWS + CASE STUDIES + EMPLOYER PROFILES +

2009

» Retail Special: FMCG Sales & Marketing » Real World Awards 2009

MAY

Get a great graduate

» Social Work

job

Exclusive Interview:

TOPMAN

Top advice from Sir Philip Green

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We’ve got all the pieces for you to put together your perfect graduate job www.realworldmagazine.com

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EDITOR’S LETTER

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CONTENTS MAY 2009

ON THE COVER



UP FRONT 06 Reality Bytes Could you run your career from a suitcase?

Plus two great book giveaways.

08 Real World Awards Could you win a paid summer placement with Enterprise Rent-A-Car? 

REAL WORLD FEATURES 10 Top Man! Sir Philip Green tells us the secrets of his success.  12 The Big Sell What is the world of retail really like?  14 Marketing & FMCG Discover the story behind some of the world’s biggest selling brands.  16 Sales Case Studies Recent graduates describe working for High Street companies.

22 The Caring Profession Being a Social Worker is very demanding, but offers real rewards.

25 Social Work Case Studies 28 Make The Most Of Careers Fairs What you need to do to maximise visits to careers fairs.

30 Careers Fairs What’s

Spring into action!

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he sun may be shining but considering the constant bad news about the economy and job market, your mood may not be so bright. We here at Real World are not going to tell you to ‘cheer up, it may never happen!’, instead we can point you in the direction of certain sectors which are holding up in the recession. The Government has just announced a £58 million plan to transform the UK’s social services and our article on Social Work focuses in on a sector crying out for committed, enthusiastic graduates. Social Work is a career where you really do feel you are making a difference for the better in people’s lives. Meanwhile, although some sides of Retail sales are feeling the pinch, others are riding high and we explore jobs directly related to the sector including Marketing and FMCG. We’ve also got an exclusive interview with Sir Philip Green, whose family owns Arcadia Group, the fashion retailer behind Topshop, Topman, and Miss Selfridge. He gives us the lowdown on his own success and tells us how you can emulate it. If you’ve got the talent, enthusiasm and positive mental attitude to succeed, then the perfect job for you is out there.

Elsewhere in this issue you’ll find a section on careers fairs and how – by following a few simple steps – you can get the most out of them and show recruiters what you are made of. Finally, congratulations to Amy Gackowska and Tom Webster who have won the first two paid summer placements with Enterprise Rent-A-Car in the Real World Awards 2009. There are still three places left and all you have to do to enter is tell us what you’ve done at university that demonstrates your entrepreneurial potential. The deadline is June 30th and the details are on page eight so start selling yourself!

Dee Pilgrim, Editor dee@realworldmagazine.com

happening across the country.

Careers are calling: How to get the most from career fairs

COMING UP THIS AUTUMN >> Everything you need to know to get that perfect job in our issues: City & Finance, Engineering & IT, Law, Real World Europe, Diversity, and Work Experience

P12

M

addie Smith is the Careers Consultant at Manchester

University and she offers the following tips to getting the most out of

P28 meeting companies who are doing just that – recruiting! Those at the summer

some employeRs Will accept cvs at RecRuitment faiRs so it’s WoRth

fairs have jobs available for a 2009 start so what better way to find out about

taking a few with you. Just make sure there are no mistakes on them. Get it

Editorial: Editor Dee Pilgrim • Senior Reporter Catherine Watson Outo speak • to someone? Use checked out by someone at your careers career fairs: • Designer Yang them than fairs to glean as much information as service before giving it out to employers.

RemembeR, beJames positive. if you Advertising: Sales Paul Wade, Harmesh Sansoa • Head of Online Hasler you • can about the company culture don’t tRy you don’t get. and the roles available. if you then the saying goes that a positive Yes the downturn has made theZoe Bowthorpe decide to apply you • can use these impRession is a lasting impRession Client Services Manager Marie Tasle • Marketing/Distributioin Manager graduate job market more competitive insights and face-to-face contact in and there are a number of ways you can but thereWorld are still jobs out your application give yourself a do this. People wear all sorts of things to Website Brett Singer • Managing Director Darius Norell • Real isthere a and publication ofto help Cherry recruitment fairs are a great way of competitive edge. careers fairs and dress code will depend Publishing: 22-26 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ • Tel: 020 7735 4900, Editorial – 020 7735 2111 Fax: 020 7840 0443 • E-mail: info@realworldmagazine.com • Website: www.realworldmagazine.com Copyright © 2009 Cherry Publishing No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher.

We cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs or for material lost or damaged in the post.

The views in this publication or on our website are not necessarily those held by the publisher.

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Careers Service where opportunities begin

Newcastle Graduate Recruitment Fair (NGRF) Monday 8 June 2009 10.30am - 2.30pm, St James’ Park

A range of local and national employers with immediate graduate jobs on offer. The fair is open to students and graduates from any university and all degree disciplines.

Visit: www.ncl.ac.uk/careers/ngrf for more information Supported by:

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Get yourself noticed by potential employers BraveNewTalent.com has launched its graduate recruitment social network – a free and easy way to connect with your target employers.

Simply set up a Talent Profile, search the employers you want to engage with and start taking control of your career.

Now integrated with Facebook, Bebo and MySpace, we let you have a second profile, a professional profile in your favourite social network.

You can use this profile to present yourself in the right light in front of employers.

It’s never been a more important time to make your career search more social.

Start revealing your talent today.

Join BraveNewTalent.com

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7/5/09 13:35:30

realitybytes news*views*advice*strategies

Have career will travel When things are tough at home, it’s always tempting to think of packing your bags and heading off to start a new life elsewhere. But working abroad doesn’t have to remain a dream; if you’ve got the right character traits and skills then you can work anywhere.

Jo Parfitt is an expert on living, writing and working abroad (she currently resides in The Hague), and is the author of the best-selling book Career in Your Suitcase. Below she gives advice on how you could make a success of a career overseas.

‘I have done some research and the people who make a success of working out of their suitcase have the same qualities as people who want to be entrepreneurs. Those people who are flexible, broad-minded and adaptable are very likely to find life abroad suits them very well. Life overseas is constantly changing – it gives you a lot of variety and a lot of challenges, as does running your own business. You have to be all things to all people and it’s the same when you move overseas. You have to keep growing new networks, you have to find new social groups, and so constantly you have to sell and market yourself.

Getting Started ‘In fact, you need to be a networker and network before you go. You have to be pretty confident; you have to be brave enough to start conversations with strangers all the time. So get involved with the international clubs at your university. Have an awareness of different cultures. There is a series of books by Culturesmart which tell you all about the cultural anomalies in any given country. There are so many forums and places on the internet where you can get a real feel for another country. Start making friends (in your new destination) before you actually travel because it makes a massive difference. Facebook has

made a big difference because it means you can keep in touch with people everywhere.

What Careers Are Portable?

‘We all need to develop an awareness of what we love to do and what motivates us. Career In A Suitcase is all about finding what you love and turning that into a career that is flexible enough to move when you do, whether you move from country to country, or from London to Scotland. Teaching is the most wonderful portable career. I

always recommend people get a teaching qualification or a TEFL qualification because you can do it anywhere. There are many opportunities to work from a language school or work from your own home.

Wherever you go in the world there will be international schools where they will be teaching in English.

‘Fitness is another career that works anywhere so think about being a personal fitness instructor, or leisure centre manager. By their very nature, website design and anything in IT are

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jobs you can do anywhere, and the same goes for The Arts, graphic design or portrait photography.

‘Working abroad has made me a global citizen. It has given me a much better picture of how the world fits together and that makes me more employable.’

Find out more about Jo Parfitt and how you could have a portable career go to www.joparfitt.com

Get Your Mojo Working If you’re feeling down in the mouth, deflated, depressed or otherwise out of sorts, you may be in need of a boost to your mojo.

We all have off days for all sorts of reasons and sometimes it can simply be a case of losing our mojo – that certain spark that puts us in the groove and at the top of our game. Now author and motivational speaker Gary Bertwistle has written Who Stole Your Mojo? (Capstone, £8.99) a book dedicated to helping you get your magic sparkle back. Gary’s succeeded in more careers (marketing, promotion, innovation, creative thinking) than most of us will have in one lifetime, and in the book he uses his experiences to set out clear strategies on how to recognise your mojo and how to get it back when it fades. It’s all about accentuating the positive and letting go of the negative, and to give you a push in the right direction we have five copies to

giveaway. All you have to do is send us an email entitled Who Stole My Mojo?

With your name and postal address to editor@realworldmagazine.com

When Tanya de Grunwald graduated from Durham University in 2000, she found herself with a degree in Psychology and absolutely no idea what she was going to do with her life.

‘I was back living with my parents and hanging around the house wondering

doing the de-stapling!’ It was at this point Tanya realised she was going to have to buck her ideas up and she has now used her job hunting experiences as the basis for Dude, Where’s my career? (Summersdale, £8.99) that she describes as ‘the book I wish I had had when I graduated’. This “guide for

– it is perfectly OK to move sideways, in fact it’s normal.

• Tanya advises people to think about having less structured careers and to stay open to opportunities.

Graduates should have a much

what I was going to do next,’ she explains. ‘I had zero direction so I took

baffled graduates” is full of really helpful hints and strategies such as:

more organic approach – try things and if they are not for you, learn the

an office job where I was tasked with

• Don’t believe all careers are linear

lessons of what you were good at and what you never want to do ever

10 possible portable careers Graphic design Website writing Virtual assistance Teaching Consulting Event management Artistic pursuits Life, business, career, sport or other coaching Network marketing Writing and publishing

Nab A Job

BOOKGIVE !

AWAY

again (remember, jobs for life are a thing of the past).

•D on’t get bogged down into thinking you have to stay in a job you don’t like. You can leave! You are in charge of your career.

•D o work experience, do short contracts, and keep your contacts and networks up to date.

This advice has certainly proved successful for Tanya who now has a thriving career as a features writer for magazines, as well as doing career pieces for the Guardian. We have five copies of Dude, Where’s my career? to giveaway. For a copy send us an email with your name and postal address, entitled Dude! To editor@ realworldmagazine.com

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real world awards 2009 | new winners

Sponsored By

This year’s fantastic competition gives Real World readers the chance to win a cash prize of up to £5,000. There are also five paid summer placements with Enterprise RentA-Car up for grabs.

E

ntry could not be easier – we want you to tell us what you’ve done at university that demonstrates your entrepreneurial potential. We’ve already had some extremely high quality entrants, two of which were so impressive that we’ve already got our first two winners!

And the winners are…

Liverpool university student Amy Gackowska is thrilled to have secured a paid summer placement with Enterprise.

She says: ‘I decided to enter the competition because I think it is important to get as much work experience as possible whilst at university, especially at the moment with it being so competitive for graduate positions. It was actually a bit surprising to read about such a great opportunity; I had never heard of anything similar before.’

The 22-year-old is undertaking a Combined Honours (Arts) degree. In the future she hopes to have her own business, and she believes she will acquire a lot of knowledge useful for setting up and running a company while on the placement with Enterprise. ‘I am particularly interested in finding out how the company works on an international level to discover opportunities to use my German in the future. Basically I am just going to start the placement with an open mind to learning as much as possible, both about working practices and about what I personally enjoy most.

Hopefully I will be successful enough to impress my employers!’

Tom Webster

‘

i'm going to start the placement with an open mind and learn as much as possible.

’

In order for fellow students to stand out from the crowd, Amy suggests getting paid work experience, doing voluntary work, or even something like running a sports club to learn new skills. She says: ‘Personally, I took qualifications in dance teaching whilst at school and university, which helped me to find work and encourage other students to get involved with activities outside studying, and I know others who have enjoyed doing the same through gaining first aid and coaching qualifications.’

Amy Gackowska

Amy wishes all the best to other entrants and advises students not to be put off by how competitive it might seem.

‘So many people have done something, such as running a society, which allows them to develop important skills. I’d recommend students think of everything possible that shows why they would be good for the position before applying.’

Breaking news…

Just before we went to press a second winner in our competition was chosen.

Tom Webster of Manchester University was selected by Enterprise Rent-A-Car for one of their prestigious internships this summer. The judges were impressed with Tom’s application which detailed his involvement in the university’s rugby club, the management society, and the trading and investment society. Outside

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real world awards 2009 | past winners

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of university he has also taken part in training the students of Manchester Grammar School at rugby.

Tom is delighted to have been picked as a winner. He says: ‘It’s a great opportunity and I look forward to working in that environment.’ Unfortunately for Tom, when Real World broke the good news to him he was nursing a dislocated shoulder, an injury sustained while playing rugby. We hope it heals quickly!

If you want to be in with a chance of winning a prize and would like more information about the competition visit: www.realworldmagazine.com/ realworldawards. Entries close 30 June 2009. Good luck! n

Five minutes with Kirill Makharinksy: Real World Award Winner 2006 While at Oxford University Kirill was a founding member of the Oxford Entrepreneurs society.

In addition, he represented the university in tennis, water polo and skiing, and he played the first ever solo piano concert in the Oxford Union, raising money for a foundation for disabled Russian orphans. Three years on, Real World caught up with him in California to find out what he’s up to these days: What are you doing now? I am the cofounder of YouNoodle; the startup network and data company, funded by Peter Thiel and Founders Fund, who were also early investors in Facebook. After our first year we have 200,000 members and the world’s richest stream of startup data.

Of what achievements are you most proud?

Building the platform for the entrepreneur club at Oxford to establish itself as the biggest of its kind in the UK.

Five minutes with Jonathan Francis: Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 Jonathan studied Management with French at Nottingham University. A natural entrepreneur; he started up his first business when he was just 14. He’s now had experience of running several enterprises, the main one being a site selling collectable Dinky and Corgi toys manufactured between 1929 and 1939.

What are you doing now? Right now I’m launching a student consultancy at www. cubitgroup.co.uk, operating from the University of Nottingham. It’s a move away from larger projects, but should take some short-term financial strain off my other businesses.

What were your aims when you first started university? To get enough investor funding to leave university early and concentrate on one project. It’s ambitious, but I’ve had good fun pursuing this goal.

What were your aims when you first started university? 1. Get a degree; 2. Learn about the real world, before committing to it full-time.

What achievements are you most proud?

I’m not sure that I’m ‘most’ proud of anything: I’m proud whenever I (or we) overcome a serious hurdle - generally the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

What did you do with the prize money? I bought new stock - it’s not hugely exciting, but cash-flow is vital to keep a business growing, so the cash injection was a big help.

What advice do you have for other students about how to make the most of their time at university? I don’t think there’s a catch-all answer to that question, but perhaps I can offer some advice regarding work/employment: if you know what you want to do when you leave uni - why wait until you leave? Our web-designer, for example, is only a student, but takes on paid projects to get a step ahead of the hundreds of people who he will be competing with when he leaves.

What advice do you have for other students at university? Be open-minded about what you’ll do afterwards and try everything while you still can.

What did you do with the prize money?

I invested it in my current company.

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top man!

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hen Real World caught up with him, Arcadia had just scooped the top spot in the retail category of the Times Graduate Recruitment Awards 2009, and Sir Philip was also celebrating the successful launch of the New York branch of Topshop, so no wonder he was in expansive mood. Having left school at just 15, he started his first retail company at the tender age of 23, and taught himself everything he needed to know to grow a successful business. Now, he really is master of all he surveys from his office high above London’s bustling Oxford Street, and often refers to himself and his empire using the royal ‘we’. After the excitement of New York, he is keen to oversee the continued expansion of the Group. ‘We already operate in 30 countries,’ he explains, ‘but we need to do China –

Photography: © Yang Ou, Arcadia Group

Self-made billionaire Sir Philip Green is top cat in the British fashion industry, building up his Arcadia Group empire to boast such wellknown names as Topshop, Topman, Wallis and Miss Selfridge.

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Photography: © Yang Ou, Arcadia Group

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW | PHILIP GREEN

Beijing and Shanghai. We’ve already been in discussion with India and we’ve got requests from Australia and South Africa. But I want to do all these places for the right reasons; if we can’t deliver at a very high level I don’t want to do it.

Everything has to have the same “wow” factor as New York.’

So what it is that has made this autodidact the success that he is today?

‘I think I’m lucky because I’m a

businessman who just happens to sell clothes, as opposed to a rag trader trying to be a businessman,’ he says. ‘I never worked for a retailer, I never worked in the clothing business for anybody; I taught myself from the beginning. Do I think that’s the best way? I don’t think there’s a specific formula. I was hungry and keen and wanted to learn and wanted to make money, so I went and broke a lot of doors down and developed my career.

In the perfect world I think if you can get practical experience, then having the opportunity to work in different businesses in all sorts of jobs is the way to go.’ So what is it that makes him so very good at what he does? ‘I’m focused on what I do; I’m an educated risk taker; I understand how all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle go together; I have an educated opinion on what needs to happen, and I have the

As the interview draws to a close Sir Philip also mentions lady luck as a key to success, but it is something else he says in passing that is far more telling. He is explaining how he has no computer in his office and does not own a Blackberry because he prefers to deal with people face-to-face. ‘I like seeing people, I like looking at them and getting them engaged. I think it’s nice to see people and to talk to people. You can’t underestimate people’s emotions and the politics that go on in a big

people who can make it happen. These are the intrinsic parts that make the

organisation. I think 25 per cent of my time is spent being a psychiatrist.’

business tick; the relationships you have to forge; the things you need to do; the

It is this ability to engage with people and to get their measure almost

trust people must have in you.’ Then there’s the added X factor – instinct.

instantaneously that really stands out in Sir Philip. It also helps that he loves what he

‘Instinct is something you can’t learn or buy,’ he says, ‘that gut feeling and nothing better has ever been invented.’

does – and when you control a workforce of over 44,000 and one of your designers is Kate Moss, then what’s not to love? 

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PG TIPS: • 'When you set up a meeting, establish what you want to get out of it. What is your destination?'

• 'Challenge yourself to move out of your comfort zone (because we can all get too comfortable.)’

• 'Be consistent. I’m massively consistent and I don’t go away.’

• 'Trust your instincts – invariably you will be right.’

• 'Think about using your time well and do several things at the same time if you can.’

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the big sell At its most basic level retailing is the process of selling goods to customers, but this bald explanation doesn’t begin to cover the immense variety of roles within the sector, or how vast its stretch is.

Y

ou could be a sales manager, or you could be a buyer, a marketer, a brand manager, or someone who works in the customer relations department. Just as varied is the range of products you can sell. You could be selling books, or clothes, or food in anything from a small boutique to a huge hypermarket. Even though the news on the High Street may be gloomy with such well-known names as Woolworth, Zavvi and Adams going to the wall, other areas within retail are still doing well. Budget food retailers such as Aldi and Lidl have seen sales increase during the credit crunch as shoppers swap premium brands for cheaper alternatives. Also growing rapidly is E-commerce, or E-tailing, with people buying goods over the internet.

According to the Office Of National Statistics the UK retail sector employs over three million people in 291,000 retail businesses, which is about 11 per cent of the entire UK workforce. According to Kerry Burgess of Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for retail, job availability within retail is actually pretty static. ‘The number of jobs being created is almost comparable to job losses,’ she explains. ‘Only recently Debenhams created 1,200 new jobs and as more people switch to shopping on the internet so new roles in IT will also arise. The thing is, shopping is the nation’s favourite pastime – people want to go out and buy things and treat themselves.’

Apparently, 30 per cent of retail workers now hold a degree or postgraduate qualification and the sector offers graduates real opportunities. Ian Parsons has over 30 years experience in senior roles in retailing. He recently created a task force called Retail Performance Improvement (RPI), to help retailers survive the current economic downturn. He says: ‘Anybody going into retail has to do so for the right reasons. It really does help to have some empathy with the product (you are selling) and you have to pick the right retailer to work for. The people who succeed very quickly are those who have a passion for what they do. What one learns in retail is a broad range of skills. However, if you really want to get on in retail sales you have to make a commitment to start on the shop floor and then work your way up. Because of this you must be willing to put in long hours of hard work. For those who show eagerness and ability the opportunities are there to get on very quickly.

Retailers don’t tend to constrain people because they want them to progress quickly and you find quite young people in senior positions (some store managers will earn £60,000 before they reach 30).

RETAIL – THE FIGURES – SALES JAN 2009 Underlying growth in retail sales volume remains steady but the picture is mixed across sectors. Sales volume in the three months November to January rose by 1.5 per cent compared with the previous three months. Sales volume for household goods stores increased by 4.2 per cent, the biggest rise since August 2007 and largely reflects heavy discounting. Sales volume in the non-store retailing and repair sector rose by 8.3 per cent, the largest increase since records began in 1986. A significant driver within this sector is the increase in Internet retail sales.

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Photography: © iStockphoto.com

retail | overview

Internet Retail Sales Jan 2009 The Office of National Statistics (ONS) includes Internet data in its retail sales figures, but now also separately identifies the numbers for Internet-only stores, as well as high street and other stores with an Internet element to their business.

Internet sales as a percentage of total retail sales have been steadily growing since mid-2008, and as of January 2009 represent 3.7 per cent of total retail sales.

This 3.7 per cent share compares with 3.1 per cent in January 2008, and 3.5 per cent in December 2008. The average weekly value of Internet retail sales during January was approximately £178 million. The figures represent an estimate of the specific contribution of Internet sales to overall retail sales in Great Britain and includes sales of goods to consumers for personal and household use. It does not include services bought over the Internet.

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‘What always impress are good personal attributes such as social skills and personal presentation. It also impresses when you get candidates who have done their homework and actually know something about the retail company they are applying to. So be sure you can demonstrate a decent amount of knowledge about the company. Find things out and there’s nothing like actually visiting shops to do that.

Bright young candidates are still keen to get into retail and so will present themselves for two or three weeks just to get experience and knowledge.

‘Most retailers have great training programmes (including household names such as Sainsbury’s, Boots and M&S) that give you a proper management background as well as enhanced personal and professional skills. You have to love the pressure and also have to be a team player. It also helps if you love shopping. I still love going into shops and looking at products to see what is innovative and exciting!’ n

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fmcg/marketing | overview

you'd better be fast...

The Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector is big business and along with Marketing it is well placed to weather even the most turbulent economic storms. So, if you are looking for fast-paced careers, then FMCG and Marketing could be the ones for you.

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fmcg/marketing | overview

Digital age If you think that FMCG is limited to toiletries and packaged food, think again. There is now an expanding market within the electronics sector.

A rapidly-growing division of FMCG is Fast Moving Consumer Electronics. It might seem a bit crazy to think of electronics as being something you can dispose of after only a short amount of time, but think about it: how many mobile phones have you owned and how soon do you think you will be replacing your current model? In addition to mobile phones, GPS systems, MP3 players and digital cameras are all examples of items which need to be replaced more often than other electronic items because of rapid changes in technology.

FMCG sector, but it is by no means limited to FMCG companies. The work you do will depend on the type of company you are with, but at the heart of it all, marketing is, according to the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), ‘the management process responsible for identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer requirements profitably’. According to the CIM, marketing is one of the most popular careers today with an estimated one in seven of all UK students hoping to become a successful marketer.

On its website the CIM describes the ‘seven Ps’ in the marketing process. They are as follows:

were used more frequently, whereas the milder summers since then seem to have

1. Develop your Product 2. Place or position it in the marketplace

impeded sales.’ According to Mintel, value sales were worth £459m in 2008, a rise of

3. P romote it at the right Price with the right People, Processes and Physical

eight per cent over the past five years.

But an item on the Talking Retail website

Evidence As a junior marketing manager or

highlighted the fact that some other FMCG areas are not fairing so well in this economic downturn. The website reports: ‘Almost half of shoppers are buying more own label products than they were three months ago, according to new exclusive figures. The survey was conducted by Empathy Research for TalkingRetail.com and found 41 per cent of shoppers have switched to own labels during this time period.’ So the challenge for graduates starting an FMCG career in these difficult times is to make their branded products ‘must-haves’; and one way they can do that is through marketing.

Make your mark Marketing plays a huge role within the

marketing assistant you could be doing a very varied role, being involved in all or some of the ‘seven Ps’ above. If you start your career in a large company it may be that the role mostly consists of shadowing senior colleagues and helping with project management. On the other hand, at a smaller company you could hit the ground running and be asked to do the whole gamut of marketing tasks, from writing promotional literature to managing customer databases.

The average starting salary for graduates in FMCG in 2008 was £24,000.

Meanwhile, for those in senior marketing roles salaries of £50,000 and beyond are not unknown, so if you like life in the fast lane, this could be just the job for you.

»

Photography: © iStockphoto.com

H

ere’s a quick fact for you: in the UK, over 200 million Creme Eggs are sold annually, that’s three for every person in the UK. Welcome to the world of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). It’s a multi-billion pound industry – and one that could offer a great graduate career.

Typically an item is described as ‘fast moving’ if it is sold quickly and at a relatively low cost and will include products such as toothpaste, deodorant, detergent, and (increasingly) packaged food and drinks. Think about your average weekly shop. You may not have ever realised it before, but no doubt you are buying FMCGs on a regularly basis. Unilever, Nestlé, Danone, Colgate-Palmolive and HJ Heinz are just some of the big names in the business. Companies such as these invest vast amounts of money to ensure consumers remain loyal to their brands. One of the main reasons for the success of FMCG companies is their marketing strategies, but more on that later.

In addition to marketing, positions for graduates within FMCG include selling, developing, or managing a range of products. Graduates often enter via training schemes and complete a number of placements in different business sectors.

It is one of the most competitive areas for graduate schemes with many applications received for each graduate position.

So how is the FMCG sector holding up in these turbulent times? According to Marketing magazine deodorants are one area in FMCG that sells well, even in times of recession. The magazine says: ‘In total, 95 per cent of women in the UK use a deodorant every day. As you might expect from a product designed to reduce or mask the effects of sweating, sales can be dependent on the weather.

This means that the scorching summer of 2003 boosted sales because the products

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retail | case studies

‘

you need the enthusiasm to get involved in everything, and an eagerness to learn.

’

Alice Stanley Age: 23 Degree and university: Reading University, Food Science with Business – 1 year in Industry Job Title: Graduate Product Technologist, Sainsbury’s What do you actually do? I work closely with suppliers and buyers to ensure that we offer fresh, safe and healthy food. As a technologist you take ownership of a product area, in which you are responsible for ensuring all packaging and artwork is correct, making any necessary nutritional amends, regular sampling, benchmarking against the rest of the market, and ensuring the overall quality of the product is of the standard the customer expects.

Why did you decide to go into retail? Having done a placement working with suppliers, retail seemed like the next step for my development. Being a complete food fanatic retail seemed like the best opportunity to experience as many areas of the industry as possible – this has proved true, I’ve spent three months in Dairy and have so far worked with a range of products including chilled desserts, creams, butters and pastry.

What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? Working in close relationships with suppliers to develop products of such a high standard.

Knowing that products I have worked on from packaging to process are consumed and enjoyed by Sainsbury’s customers all over the country.

Product Technology is continually evolving and fast moving so staying on the ball can sometimes become quite tiring.

What skills do you think you need to succeed?

Passion and drive for food, relationship skills to build relationships internally and externally and attention to detail is essential in all responsibilities of the role. Juggling skills are definitely crucial!

What advice would you give graduates wanting to come into the sector? Be prepared to drive your own development in a highly competitive, fast moving industry. Any work experience that you can gain in retail will be invaluable, you will gain an insight into who our customers are and what they expect from us on a quality level and a business level.

How did you find out about your course? The Sainsbury’s Product Technology Graduate scheme is well known in the food industry and I first heard about it through my university, there are also 16 other schemes on offer here at Sainsbury’s offering just as exciting opportunities, from buying to H.R., all giving great experience in the retail world.

Would you undertake further training to progress in your career? Sainsbury’s Product Technology Graduate Scheme itself gives you a comprehensive training programme that I am in the process of completing. They supply you with any training that you may need to progress in your role as a Technologist as well as to further your career and development. I would strongly recommend a sandwich course, I did one with two, six month placements and it proved to be my stepping stones into the food and retail industry.

James Wall Age: 27.

Degree and university: Retail Management, University of Surrey then M&S Graduate Scheme.

Job Title: Commercial Manager at Marks & Spencer’s flagship store at Marble Arch in London.

What do you actually do? I am responsible for the day-to-day running of the Home

department, as well as the Customer Service Desk, and the Bureau de Change.

I manage a team of six section managers and look after a combined team of roughly 100 sales assistants. This involves driving sales, service and costs, and motivating the whole team.

Why did you decide to go into this sector? I chose it for the fast pace and the fact that every day can be different. I love working with people – staff and customers – as they make my job so interesting and exciting. I also enjoy having a hands-on job – I couldn’t sit behind a desk for 40 hours a week.

How did you find out about your particular course? I worked in Next as a suit sales advisor when I was 16 so I’ve always been interested in retail. I also did a Business Studies A Level at school so when it came to choosing my university course I knew that I wanted to do a degree which combined both retail and business. I did my research and found out which universities offered the most suitable courses before visiting them and then deciding on the Retail Management course at the University of Surrey.

Would you undertake further training to further your career? Absolutely. Retail is a fast-paced industry and it’s important to be ahead of the game. Since completing the M&S Graduate Scheme, I have attended numerous in-house training sessions on all aspects of the business, from sales to costs and would be keen to undertake additional sessions in order to further develop and expand my skill set.

What do you like most about what you do?

Are there any downsides? I thrive in the busy environment and love working with the team.

In this job, I am a trader for the best retailer on the high street. I really don’t dislike anything about it.

What do you think are the most important skills/strengths that you need to make a success of what you do? Being able to communicate well, not just with customers and store staff, but with Head Office and Senior Directors. You also need to be able to influence decision-making within store and for the business. You have to have a resilient character, as the priorities can change day-to-day, and you have to manage your time effectively.

You also have to stay focused on the job at hand. Being in the flagship store, there is always loads going on. For example, at any time Sir Stuart Rose, the Chairman of Marks & Spencer, could visit and want a detailed walk around the store.

What would be your best piece of advice for graduates wishing to come into this sector?

You have to be prepared to be on your feet all day and be very self-motivated. As well as being passionate about retail, you should love working with people.

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retail | case studies

Natasha Howden Age: 25 years old Degree and university: Trinity College, University of Cambridge Modern and Medieval Languages (German and Russian) Work Title: Tesco Graduate Trainee (Corporate Affairs department) What do you actually do? I am in my second year of the Tesco Corporate Affairs graduate scheme. The scheme comprises four functional placements and two store placements. So far I have spent time in the Press Office, in store, and the Corporate Responsibility (CR) team. I am currently working in the International Corporate Affairs team.

Working on lots of projects simultaneously keeps each day interesting and varied. I have researched and written award submissions, responded to questions and challenges to our CR policies, helped to write and produce the CR Review, and even been cajoled into appearing on Russian television!

graduate you are given the opportunity to work with different teams to gain exposure to all of these. I have been given the opportunity to work on important projects with real responsibility and I am constantly learning and trying new things. It is really rewarding to see the tangible results of your work, whether that be a statement in a newspaper, being short-listed for an industry award, or receiving a thank you for a letter you wrote.

Tesco is the largest private sector employer in the UK and has businesses in twelve other countries around the world, so it can be a bit overwhelming at first getting used to the sheer scale of our operation. However, everyone is so friendly and graduates are paired with a buddy so it’s easy to settle in. The benefits of working for a large company far outweigh those early challenges!

What skills do you think you need to succeed? Creativity and excellent communication skills partnered with an enthusiasm for new and exciting challenges is key to making a success of working in Corporate Affairs. As is also true of many other sectors, an ability to work well with others, energy and drive are all important to having a successful career at Tesco.

What advice would you give graduates coming into this sector? Having relevant work experience shows your enthusiasm for the job and gives you lots of good things to talk about in an interview.

It is also important to research the company and role you are applying for and think about how you can demonstrate your strengths through practical examples.

What do you most like about what you do and are there any downsides? There’s a fantastic buzz about the office in the Corporate Affairs department. Our team interacts with a variety of stakeholders, such as investors, NGOs, customers, MPs, and journalists, and as a

‘

at 23-years-old i'm looking forward to having sole accountability for my own boots' store.

’

organised made me feel so relaxed, not like the other assessment centres I had been to where I felt so under pressure! Without being unprofessional, it felt like it was a university workshop and I felt I could demonstrate all of the personal aspects I wanted to show! It wasn’t all numbers and exam questions; it was interactive, challenging, and fun. The people genuinely seemed happy to be there and I was delighted when I got the call to say I’d got the job.

What happened on the training course? Once the programme began there were regular weekly interventions at Head Office in Nottingham to check and monitor our progress as a group. Line managers have also held consistency forums to monitor us and draw together ideas. I was given opportunities to create an invaluable network of contacts and had access to internet help sites, phone contacts, and in-store help from team members and team managers. To date Boots have kept to the itinerary set at the beginning of the course and my expectations have been more than met. The company have also kept their promise to support me during the course.

What did you most like about the course? It allowed me to meet senior figures in the company and have social outings with them, which made me feel extremely privileged and really made me feel special!

As well as having a good time I really felt part of the company after two days. The training has equipped me to do my job and has allowed me to probe further and deeper into areas of the business that I have previously not been comfortable with. For example healthcare training has allowed me to be in a position to challenge staff and understand their concerns/problems.

Were you always interested in this sector as a career? Approaching graduation I knew I wanted to work in a people-facing environment and in a communications role, but was unsure about which jobs to apply for.

I hadn’t considered working in retail until I saw the Tesco graduate scheme and realised that it offered the fast-paced, challenging environment I was looking for.

Would you undertake further study to gain promotion? The Corporate Affairs department has been really active in supporting my personal development. In the short time I have been with Tesco I have attended several IT training courses and a course on how to be a good leader. I would definitely consider further study in order to progress my career.

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Lee Sham Age: 23 Degree and university: Retail Management Job Title: Grade Four store position having successfully completed the Boots’ Graduate Trainee Programme Why did you pick Boots? My experience during the assessment centre was one that easily convinced me that this was a company that I wanted to work for. The way it was

What happened at the end of your course? I was delighted when I was offered a 'grade 4' store position and am looking forward to starting in mid September! I will have sole accountability for that store, and be able to apply all my training to how I want to do things. I firmly believe that all of the training has put me in a position to be able to independently run it and have the confidence and ability to make it successful. Sitting here at 23 years of age I feel so empowered and privileged to be given the responsibility of a business that potentially could be the first official step to my Boots career.

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marketing | case studies

what you are doing, because sometimes you can run away with an idea and you need to be able to appraise whether it is the best plan for your objectives, and if it will achieve the best result for your client.

Another important factor is attention to detail – plans get updated so many times that it’s really important that you can keep the records up--to-date as clients need to be billed and media owners paid correctly as you are dealing with real money and real accounts.

Anna Palmer Age: 24 Degree and university: Lancaster University Management School, BA (Hons) Advertising and Marketing Theory and Practice (2003-2006).

Job Title: Senior Planner Buyer at Walker Media, a top 10 Media agency in central London.

What do you actually do? Day-to-day I plan and buy across press, radio and outdoor on various clients, as well as having a greater involvement in the overall planning and development of the media strategies for each client. The role involves dealing with both the client and media owners, negotiating rates, creating plans and managing deadlines, finances and to a certain extent other colleagues in the team.

What are your career aspirations? Along with everyone else I’d like to reach the next stage on the ladder and a few more rungs to boot but eventually I think the agency might run out of Managing Partner roles. At present I’m really enjoying what I do and am really interested in developing into the planning side of things, that said research is becoming more and more interesting to me so time will tell. My job is so varied that there are several directions that it could take me in, not just within my own industry, but whatever route I choose.

What would be the best piece of advice for graduates wishing to come into this sector?

Be outgoing and know what you want to achieve. Once you get to where you want to be, don’t sit back on your laurels. You can move far in this industry. but you do need to put the work in.

Why did you decide to go into this sector?

Entering the media world seemed like the most natural progression from my degree and the work experience I had undertaken.

I was really keen on the idea of reaching the right people, with the right message, at the right time.

What do you like most about what you do and are there any downsides? My job is very sociable, I get to deal with a lot of people and work on a wide variety of different projects, so it never gets boring! One day I’m planning a mono press campaign with a simple retail message and the next I’m in a meeting about sponsoring the World Free Run championships! I really enjoy the planning side where you have to research your audience and how best to reach them, but equally love the rush of a good buying negotiation as it’s often fast paced and work which keeps you on your toes!

What do you think are the most important skills/strengths you need to make a success of what you do? People skills are essential, everyday I speak to both strangers and more regular contacts on the phone, face-to-face and via email and if you can’t get on with that then you’ll never enjoy this job. You also need to have the ability to step back and look at

Nick Welsh

‘

my job is so varied there are several directions i could choose, and not just in my own industry.

’

had the added benefit of being set in acres of beautiful parkland and had tennis courts, a cricket pitch, gym, and even a clubhouse on site. My year was spent working in our worldwide marketing team, so many of my colleagues worked in the U.S. I was responsible for our internal intranet page and was lucky enough to be involved in the organisation of two high profile customer and business partner events.

Why did you decide to go into this sector? It might seem like quite an unusual career option for someone interested in a career in marketing but that’s really not the case!

Someone once told me, there are only so many different ways you can market a chocolate bar or shampoo – whereas technology is always changing. IBM’s goal is fundamentally to ‘help the world work better’ – I couldn’t think of a more exciting and innovative place to work.

What do you like most about what you do and are there any downsides? Definitely the flexible working environment that IBM provides. In one week I could be working in five different locations! I frequently get to interact with our other marketing and advertising agencies and therefore two days are never alike – it’s great!

Working in a large organisation like IBM is sometimes a bit overwhelming. At first I found it quite hard to find the right people in the company to help me to implement all the things that I needed to do, however there is lots of support and tools available to help you navigate your way through. We even have an internal version of Facebook to help us communicate with each other!

Age: 23 Degree and university: Geography with Marketing as a minor at Lancaster. However, I realised that Geography wasn’t for me. Due to Lancaster’s great flexibility, I studied a BSc in Marketing Management, Lancaster University Management School.

Work Title: I’m currently working in the IBM Brand Marketing team and have the exciting mission of helping connect the IBM brand with the British culture, environment, and people.

What do you think are the most important skills and strengths you need to make a success of what you do? You need to be very well organised and be able to juggle various different projects successfully at any one time. Because of this, you also need to be able to prioritise that are important, and those that are not! For any successful career in marketing, I think you need to have a good balance between your creative talent and analytical skills.

How did you start at IBM? I spent my placement year working for IBM UK Ltd as a Marketing Specialist. The role was based at IBM’s Hursley site near Winchester, which

What are your career aspirations? I would love to be a people manager at some point in my future career, and work managing a team of marketing professionals.

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fmcg | case studies

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company. This is a great way to network within a company, and employers will frequently offer employment at the end of your degree, primarily through a graduate scheme.

‘

i find it really interesting working with products and brands people buy and interact with on a daily basis.

’

Vicky Lacaille

Diane Du Pasquier

Age: 23 Degree and university: BSc in Marketing at Lancaster University Management School (Oct 2003 – June 2006).

Work Title: Customer Activation Manager, Nestlé Food and Beverages Department.

Age: 27 Degree and university: Economics and Management at Dauphine University, Paris (1999-2003) majoring in Finance in my fourth year. MSc Marketing and Communication at ESCP-EAP European School of Management (Paris campus). I also undertook a year long internship in the UK and Paris.

Work Title: Assistant Brand Manager at Johnson & Johnson Consumer in the UK, working on the Benylin brand.

What do you actually do? When I first graduated, I started working in the Nestlé Confectionery Division as a Business Development Executive (Sept 2006 - Jan 2007). This was a field-based sales role, and I was responsible for building relationships with store managers, and then working with them to maximise sales of Nestlé confectionery. In February 2007, I moved into the Nestlé Head Office at Croydon in my new role. This role is within the Food and Beverages Department. I work within a Customer Business Team (Morrisons), and I am the store specific marketing specialist, working with brands such as Nescafé, Herta, Carnation and Nesquik. The brand team communicates their brand plans, and then I ‘activate’ these in-store, ensuring that they are compelling for the Morrisons shoppers.

Tools that I can use include advertising in the retailer magazine, coupons, sampling, in-store radio, and running competitions.

Why did you decide to go into this sector? I enjoy working in marketing, particularly within FMCG, as I find it really interesting working with products and brands that people buy and interact with on a daily basis.

What do you think are the most important skills/strengths you need to make a success of what you do? You need to be creative, very ambitious, and a great team worker.

Additionally, there is quite a strong analytical element to marketing and a strong grasp of numeracy is required when budgeting.

What would be the best piece of advice for graduates wishing to come into this sector?

This sector is very popular amongst graduates, and therefore there is a lot of competition. A great way to stand out is to complete an internship between your second and third year of university with a large

How did you find out about the course? I heard about the course through word of mouth and at a career fair at my undergraduate university. The internet also gave me access to a lot of information about course content and I read testimonials from other students online.

What interested you about taking a postgraduate marketing course? After taking my major in Finance, I decided I did not want to work in that area and needed more specialised training in marketing.

Why did you decide to go into this sector? I always wanted to work in FMCG in a challenging, international setting. When the opportunity to work in the healthcare sector arose, I jumped at the chance.

see the tangible impact of something I’ve implemented and put into motion.

Are there any downsides? At times it can be extremely stressful, particularly when deadlines are looming.

What do you think are the most important skills/strengths you need to make a success of what you do? Strategic and analytical thinking, leadership, creativity, and the ability to work in a team with an open mind.

What are your career aspirations? I aim to continue growing in brand management roles.

In the future I would like to diversify my workload away from just one brand and across different types of products.

Would you undertake further training to further your career? Not at the moment, because after my Marketing and Communication MSc, I think I have done enough for now!

What would be the best piece of advice for graduates wishing to come into this sector?

Be aware that it is a competitive job market which requires you to fight to get yourself noticed. The locations of many FMCG companies are not often central to major cities, which can be an inconvenience and something you should take into account.

What do you like most about what you do? It’s very hands-on and I love the scope for creativity which it permits me. The work is challenging, but good fun. It’s always great to

Tell me one interesting fact about yourself. I am part of Friskis & Svettis non-profit organisation in London, which promotes a fun way to exercise with music and people! n

‘

a great way to stand out is to complete an internship with a large fmcg between your second and third year at university as employers frequently offer employment at the end of your degree.

’

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Postgraduate Study

MMU Business School

Postgraduate Open Days As a major centre for postgraduate management and business education, our ever-expanding portfolio attracts achievers from across the world. With full and part-time options available, our flexible programmes reflect the latest thinking in management and business.

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We are holding Postgraduate Open Days on the following dates in 2009: Wednesday 27th May, 4-7pm Wednesday 9th September, 4-7pm Meet academic staff and current postgraduate students and tour the Business School.

Book your place online

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KTP Ad Pharm.ai 01/05/2009 14:32:13

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A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a partnership between a company, the university and a graduate (associate). As an associate, you will work as part of a company on a fixed-term contract, and will help to bring a strategic change to the business.

Graduate opportunity

Postgraduate Study

Are you looking for a well paid job with good career prospects, a dedicated training allowance and the opportunity to register for a funded higher degree such as an MSc, MA or MPhil/PhD linked closely to your work?

The company works with a highly qualified graduate (you will need a first or 2:1 degree) plus a team of specialist experts from the university, who transfer their technical expertise, research and innovation to the company via you, the associate.

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24/4/09 10:19:11 7/5/09 14:32:34

social work | overview

Photography: Š iStockphoto.com

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the caring profession Social work can be an extremely rewarding area of work to go into. However, because of a number of high profile cases it doesn’t always get good press.

Real World looks at the changes in the profession following the recent scandals.

S

ocial care is a broad umbrella term for the profession which includes social workers, counsellors, probation workers, special needs support in schools, and occupational therapy. One of the first questions you will probably be asking is what is the difference between social work and social care work? According to the website: www.socialworkcareers.co.uk, it can be defined as follows: ‘Social workers have to obtain a qualification, which from April 2003 has been an honours

extremely diverse. For example, it can cover child protection, mental health, elder abuse or safeguarding adults. At present the degree is a general one, involving practical skills including a minimum requirement of 200 days’ on-the-job placement.

Working with children can be one of the most satisfying areas of social work, but because of recent scandals, this area is being scrutinised to ensure the same errors aren’t made in the future. In March 2009, Lord Laming presented his review of child protection services in England calling for the creation of a

degree, and are required to register with the General Social Care Council (GSCC). They will be involved at a

specialist children’s social work degree. His recommendations were not welcomed by all,

high level with people who use social care services, working with them to assess their care requirements and

however. Ray Jones, professor of social work at Kingston University, told Community Care magazine

working alongside other professionals such as doctors to make sure that every individual receives the particular

that in his view specialisation at undergraduate level would be a ‘mistake’.

type of support that he or she needs.’

Now, in the wake of the Baby P scandal, the Government has announced a £58 million plan to transform social services, investing in more training and support for frontline services. Rosie Varley is the Chair of the GSCC, the body that registers and regulates social workers. In an interview with the Guardian in February 2009 she said she had clear ideas about the role the GSCC could play in rebuilding the image of social work in the aftermath of the Baby P affair. 'The theme that has run through all my professional work has been a commitment to raising standards in the services that are provided to vulnerable people, and particularly to improving the access to those services and promoting informed choice.’ She added: ‘[R]egulation of social care is new and has made a good start, but […] as it matures it needs to raise its profile.’

The individual role of social workers can be

At postgraduate level some universities offer short courses leading to a Masters award, which will enable you to practise as a social worker. Some favour a degree in a relevant subject and most require at least a 2:2. Because of the short length of the course you will be going on your first placement very early on, and you will need a certain amount of relevant experience before you start. Remember: employers look favourably on mature candidates. Students need to be fully prepared and suitable for their practice placements, and universities may ask you to supply a reference from a social worker to confirm that you already meet the requirements concerning preparation for assessed practice. it is clear the only way for the reputation of social work to be restored in the UK is by the best possible candidates being attracted to the profession – and that could mean you!

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9837 AC RealWorld ad 190x140:Layout 1

7/5/09

13:18

Page 1

Lambeth, in the heart of London, is a vibrant and exciting place to work. Last year we were voted London’s most improved Council. With the introduction of personalised care, increased integration with health colleagues and greater investment in our safeguarding infrastructure, there has never been a more exciting time to start a social work career in Lambeth.

Why become a social worker at Lambeth?

• We have a graduate training scheme.

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If you are: ● Passionate about social work. ● Prepared and have a sound basic understanding of the role. ● Professional in your approach, with talent and ambition.

If your degree isn’t social work related but you are interested in a career in social work, why not find out about our graduate scheme – open to those who hold a degree in any subject. In 2010, we will be advertising for graduates to apply for the trainee social work scheme.

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Get into social work in Lambeth’s Adults’ and Community Services

You could be part of our team and make a difference to Lambeth communities through a social work career, visit www.lambeth.gov.uk/ACSJobs.

Wendy Chioza, social worker said, “Lambeth provided a great opportunity for me to return to study for my Masters Degree in social work and further my career.

Without their funding, it would have been difficult to fund this myself. I was in the voluntary sector but I now work on a new project for young adults involved in crime and using class A drugs. This is an exciting, although sometimes challenging client group to work with but it’s a valuable and rewarding area.”

Then you won’t find a better place to learn than the London Borough of Bexley. Bexley is one of the best performing Councils in the country and it is our exceptional organisational culture that is the basis for our having achieved a four star rating in our Comprehensive Performance Assessment. The Council was one of only two authorities in England to achieve the top rating on both Children’s and Young People’s Services and Social Care for Adults.

This is an outstanding opportunity for someone who is about to qualify and is about to apply for a post. We’ll support you every step of the way, helping you achieve the necessary levels of competence.

At the same time, you’ll also make a real contribution to our service, with your level of responsibility increasing at each stage of your development.

You must be able to demonstrate your ability to meet the required social work standard and will have had significant practical experience of helping people.

Apply online at www.bexley.gov.uk/jobs or to: HR Business Centre, Room 200, Hill View, Hill View Drive, Welling, Kent DA16 3RY, telephone: 020 8836 8324 (24 hr answerphone) or email: recruitment@bexley.gov.uk

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Listening to you, working for you

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www.bexley.gov.uk

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social work | case studies

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experience difficult situations that can make you wonder why you are doing it, but if you are passionate about the job then you always remember why you are there. You need to be able to interact with people of any age, communicate and work with other agencies respecting that you may have differing priorities but that you all want the best outcome for the child.

Amy Petch University: London South Bank University, BA social work Degree Job title: Senior social work practitioner, Essex County Council What is it that you do? I am a senior practitioner in an Assessment and Family Support Team and I work with the initial enquiries that come into the team regarding child protection issues and also family support referrals.

Why did you decide to go into this sector? I am passionate about the welfare of children and from an early age I knew that my career would involve working with children in some way. During work experience I decided that social care was the area that I was drawn towards and I went on to study for my social work degree. During studying for the degree I was able to explore all aspects of social work and it confirmed for me that my career path was to work with children.

Would you undertake further training to further your career? Yes it is very important to me to continue my professional development and I am focused on completing additional training that specialises in all aspects of working with children and families. This will enable me to develop my knowledge, enhancing my understanding of issues affecting children and young people at different stages of their lives and my skills as a social worker.

What do you like most about what you do? I get the most satisfaction from working and interacting with the young people, understanding and empathising with how they feel and view their situation. To be able to work with them and help them to fulfil their potential is a key aspect for me.

Are there any downsides? I know that everyone says this but it would be great if we did not have so much paperwork to complete.

What do you think are the most important skills/strengths you need to make a success of what you do? Overall you have to be passionate about the job because you will

What would be your best piece of advice for graduates wishing to come into this sector?

Come in with a realistic expectation of the job. Remember that you have successfully completed the social work degree and have the confidence that you can do this, you might not know everything but as you work within your role you develop the skills, and will be supported in your development by your manager and team colleagues.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Social work often gets bad press, however, it is a career that I love and I would not change the opportunities that I get to have a positive impact on the lives of children, young people and their families. I do recommend it.

‘

to be able to work with young people and to help fulfill their potential is a key aspect of the job for me.

Richa Grover

’

Age: 27 Degrees and universities: Undergraduate Degree in Sociology, University of Delhi, India; Masters in Social Work, University of Delhi, India; Post Graduate Diploma in International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and Refugee Studies, India. Post Qualifying Module 1 in Social Work, Bournemouth University, and currently pursuing Specialist Award in Social Work (Child Care), Royal Holloway, University of London, UK. Job Title: Social Worker, Enfield Social Services What it is you actually do? I work in the Looked After Children’s Team, Enfield Social Services as a Social Worker with children and families. I work with children from different backgrounds who are already in the care system and are being looked after by the local authority and not by their birth parents.

The reasons for this can be various and include neglect, abuse, abandonment, and parents’ inability to provide safe care.

I act on behalf of the local authority in a corporate parental role and work towards ensuring that the ‘looked-after’ child’s needs are met, and their safety and stability is ensured. This happens at various stages in

different case scenarios in a multi-disciplinary framework. As a social worker for a child in the care of the local authority I liaise with various professionals and agencies involved ensuring that the child’s needs are met. My work is underpinned by the principle that the ‘welfare of the child is of paramount importance’ (CA1989).

Why did you decide to go into this sector?

Towards the end of my undergraduate degree in sociology in 2002 I was at a crossroads in deciding what I wanted to do with my life and career. The challenges, problems, conflicts that I saw at every level in society, both in India at that time and globally constantly, provided me with the impetus to do something to change the world. I wanted to address these problems and make a difference in alleviating them rather than just studying them ‘for what they were’.

I came to understand after some research and career counselling that a degree in social work would equip me with skills, tools, techniques and approaches of working with people in different set ups, thereby contributing to society by being directly involved in enhancing their social functioning.

I went on to do a Masters in social work and worked in a few different settings after that. I wanted to work in the UK so that I could experience working in a global, multicultural environment so here I am in this sector!

What do you like most about what you do and are there any downsides? I love doing activities and spending time with the children I work with. They are a lot of fun! But sometimes I can get too emotionally involved, internalise stress, and find it hard to switch off.

What do you think are the most important skills/strengths you need to make a success of what you do? You need respect for people’s lives and their circumstances, patience, flexibilty, and good communication skills.

What would be your best piece of advice for graduates wishing to come into this sector?

Do join this sector as I can assure you it feels great to know that your work really does make a difference!

»

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7/5/09 12:49:33

Have you thought about a career in Higher Education?

A career in Higher Education isn’t just about teaching.

Here at jobs.ac.uk we advertise a huge range of University jobs in support, technical, administrative, management and professional roles. In fact, over a third of all the jobs on our site are nonacademic.

If you think that working in a University means teaching then think again!

So, have you ever fancied working in Marketing, Finance, Communications & PR, Human Resources, IT, Recruitment & Development, Library Services, Events Administration or Hospitality and Retail, to name but a few?

If so then why not work at a University?

Your first step to a career in Higher Education is just a click away!

Visit www.jobs.ac.uk/hecareers to start your job search today

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27/4/09 12:38:50

“Hackney are committed to supporting Social Workers to do social work. It’s as simple as that!”

Risthardh Hare – Consultant Social Worker We have an exciting new model of service delivery in Hackney. We aim to reduce the number of children in care by providing intensive and high quality therapeutic and practical support for families.

We have implemented our approach through small networks of professionals (Social Work Units) who work together under the leadership of the Consultant Social Worker. Each unit consists of a consultant social worker, a qualified social worker, a children’s practitioner, a therapist and a unit co-ordinator who together have the resources, support and time to meet the needs of Hackney’s families. Our newly-qualified Social Workers benefit from the full support of the professionals within the unit and our commitment to ongoing professional development.

We’ve already recruited many talented professionals, however we need more qualified, skilled and energised people to join us! We specify the methodological approach our social care staff will take when working with children and families.

Our social workers adopt a systemic approach to their practice and use social learning theory techniques when working with children and families.

If you are interested in joining Hackney’s Children and Young People’s Service and want to find out how you can be part of Reclaiming Social Work, apply online at www.hackney.gov.uk/reclaimingsocialwork or call 020 8356 3798 for more information.

These posts will be subject to an enhanced disclosure check by the Criminal Records Bureau.

www.hackney.gov.uk/reclaimingsocialwork

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social work | case studies

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framework which actively encourages qualified workers to continue their studies.

What do you like most about you do? I love working with children and getting out and about and meeting families, rather than being behind a desk all day. I also like the flexibility a career in social work offers – there are loads of opportunities to work in different service areas, with different client groups. Also the salary is good, which was an important factor when I was considering investing in re-training in my mid-20s.

Are there any downsides? There’s no getting away from the fact that the job can be challenging – I come into daily contact with families who are struggling, many of whom are facing very distressing circumstances.

However, I have not come across a hopeless case yet. What keeps me going is the fact that I have the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives.

What do you think are the most important skills/strengths you need to make a success of what you did? Good communication skills are vital. Being able to relate well to people – other professionals as well as children and families – is key, not only in face-to-face meetings, but in terms of being reliable and transparent. Keeping up-to-date case notes and writing clear reports is an essential part of the job so good writing skills are also important.

‘

i always knew i wanted to work with children and to help make a positive difference in people's lives, so social work seemed the perfect option.

Laura Bleaney Age: 28 Degree and university: BA History, Cambridge University, MA in Social Work, University of East London and the Tavistock Clinic Work Title: Social Worker, Hackney Borough Council What do you actually do? I work in an Access and Assessment Unit for Hackney Children’s Social Care. We take referrals from all sorts of people with concerns about children, including professionals, parents, grandparents, and other members of the public. My job is to then meet with children and families and talk with professionals, such as teachers, health visitors, GPs and the police, to try and get a better picture of what

is going on and work out a plan of action to help improve things.

Why did you decide to go into this sector?

I always knew I wanted to work with children and to help make a positive difference in people’s lives, but I did not want to be a teacher, so social work seemed the perfect option.

Would you undertake further training to further your career? Yes, in fact, I’m in my first year since qualifying and already my employers are sponsoring me to complete a diploma in parenting studies, and I hope to achieve another qualification in family therapy next year. Social work has a post-qualifying

’

What would be your best piece of advice for graduates wishing to come into this sector?

There is generally a requirement for people applying to social work courses to have some previous experience in the social care field, so why not try it out and see if you like it. There are loads of voluntary organisations out there working with children and families, adults with learning or mental health difficulties, or elderly people that you could approach to find out more.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I know social work often gets a bad press, but my experience is if you find a supportive employer and a service area that suits you, it can be a very rewarding career. n

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7/5/09 12:49:48

Careers are calling: How to get the most from career fairs

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Some employers will accept CVs at recruitment fairs so it’s worth taking a few with you. Just make sure there are no mistakes on them. Get it checked out by someone at your careers service before giving it out to employers.

Remember, be positive. If you don’t try you don’t get.

Yes the downturn has made the graduate job market more competitive but there are still jobs out there and

meeting companies who are doing just that – recruiting! Those at the summer fairs have jobs available for a 2009 start so what better way to find out about them than to speak to someone? Use fairs to glean as much information as you can about the company culture and the roles available. If you then decide to apply you can use these insights and face-to-face contact in your application to help give yourself a

recruitment fairs are a great way of

competitive edge.

careers fairs and dress code will depend

addie Smith is a Careers Consultant at Manchester University and she offers the following tips to getting the most out of career fairs:

The saying goes that a positive impression is a lasting impression and there are a number of ways you can do this. People wear all sorts of things to

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careers fairs 2009 | overview

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If you are really serious about getting a job you need to learn how to maximise your visits to career fairs. Real World looks at strategies to make you stand out from the crowd.

on whether it’s an information or recruitment fair. Either way you don’t have to wear a full business suit. However, if you are a serious job hunter then a hoody is probably not the best choice of outfit! You want to look presentable and professional. Having good questions to ask, and being able to talk confidently about your skills and experiences and where they might fit within the company, will help you to stand out. If you’re

name of the person you were speaking to, or ask them for a business card. You can then follow up with a thank you later.

and explore what particular roles involve, or where your skills set can be used. All this will help you create a positive impression.

Prepare before you go and have a polished way of introducinG YOURSELF. It’s important you research the companies you’re interested in. Don’t waste time asking employers basic information. Have some intelligent questions ready to ask which demonstrate

some employers ‘talent spot’ at recruitment fairs, taking your contact details and then fast-tracking your application. Others will use the fair to do a ‘mini-interview’ before taking things further. So, if you are a serious job hunter my advice would be look professional, be

interested in a company remember the

your motivation to work for the company

prepared, and be positive!

»

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careers fairs 2009 | cardiff

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Cardiff university Graduate recruitment day

The Cardiff Graduate Recruitment Day gives you the opportunity to meet representatives from a range of employers, postgraduate course providers, and other organisations.

Open to all new graduates, entry is free. For full details of the event, visit the event website http://www.careers.cardiff.ac.uk/events/ graduate_fair

Date: Thursday 11th June 2009 Opening Times: 11:00am–3:00pm Venue: City Hall, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3ND

Contact Details: The Employer Liaison and Marketing Team, Cardiff University Careers Service. Tel: (029) 2087 4712 E-mail: employerservices@cardiff.ac.uk

Exhibitors: Exhibitors confirmed as of May 1st 2009 (for an up-to-date list, visit the event website http://www.careers.cardiff.ac.uk/ events/graduate_fair/exhibitors_az.php) include: Abbey Resourcing, ACCA, Cardiff University Careers Service, Cardiff University Postgraduate Office, Cardiff University School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, CIMA, CIPFA, Devon County Council, European Employment Services, FDM Group, GDS International, Grant Thornton UK LLP, HM Treasury, ICAEW, Intertradeireland Fusion, Lidl UK GmbH, Lonza Biologics Plc, Majestic Wine Warehouses Ltd, Mitsubishi Motors, National Instruments, Open University in Wales, OSTC Wales, peterevans, Prospects, Real World, Royal Air Force, Training and Development Agency for Schools, UK National Europass Centre, University of Bath School of Management, Voluntary Community Service, Welsh Assembly Government

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8/5/09 11:51:43

careers fairs 2009| scotland

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the summer graduate fair in scotland

This FREE event, organised by the University of Glasgow, will feature around 90 employers representing all UK job sectors. Open to all graduates, students, postgraduates, pre-final students and job changers looking for permanent jobs, internships, voluntary, gap year work or postgraduate study…..or simply to gather information.

There will also be the opportunity to get careers advice as Careers Advisers will be on site ready to meet you.

Other FREE features include: • Complimentary fair guide with all the exhibitors credentials and vacancy details • Seminars hosted by a selection of fair exhibitors. Topics include ‘Interview skills’ and ‘preparing your CV’ Registration is on arrival.

Exhibitors: ACCA, AGCAS, Army, British Gas, CIMA - Chartered Institute of Management, Accountants, CIPFA, Contact Singapore, Covance Laboratories, Cumbria Primary Teacher Training, Doosan Babcock Energy Ltd, Ernst & Young, Explore Learning, FDM Group, Gist, Glasgow Caledonian University, Gradcracker, Graduate Prospects, HM Treasury, Hymans Robertson LLP, ICAEW, LIDL UK Gmbh, Milkround.com, Morgan Stanley, NHS Scotland - Graduate Management Training Scheme, Philips Lighting, Proctor & Gamble, QinetiQ, Real World, Redspire Ltd, Robert Gordon University, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Scottish Enterprise: Graduates for Business, Scottish Government, Standard Life plc, Strathclyde Police, Teach in Scotland, Thales, University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde, University of the West of Scotland

Date: Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th May 2009 Opening Times: 27th: 12:00pm–7:00pm 28th: 10:00am–3:00pm Venue: SECC, Glasgow

For more information and full exhibitor list please visit www.glasgow.ac.uk/careers

Contact Details: jo.macdonald@admin.gla. ac.uk, Website: www.glasgow.ac.uk/careers Tel: 0141 330 8459

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careers fairs 2009 | liverpool

liverpool graduate recruitment festival 2009

Date: Tuesday 2nd June 2009 Opening Times: 10:30am – 3:30pm Venue: St George’s Hall, Liverpool

The Liverpool Graduate Recruitment Festival is a national recruitment event organised by the Liverpool Fairs Partnership led by the Careers & Employability Service at the University of Liverpool. The event provides students and graduates with an opportunity to make contact with prospective employers who will be showcasing immediate start graduate vacancies for 2009. Over 70 exhibitors usually attend from a wide range of sectors so the event should provide something of interest to students and graduates from any degree discipline.

One of the main attractions of this event is the ‘Graduate to Merseyside Arena’ showcasing graduate opportunities from local employers. Each year Merseyside’s main graduate recruiters take stands in the Arena to meet those visitors who are looking to find work locally.

As well as being able to meet representatives from the exhibiting organisations, the event will also provide you with an opportunity to get expert advice from a team of careers advisers at the Careers Advice Stand.

Students and graduates from any university or college are welcome to attend.

We hope that you will be able to join us and we look forward to meeting you there. No tents required! Enthusiasm essential.

Exhibitors: Exhibitors will include Abercrombie & Fitch, Aldi Stores Ltd, Baker Hughes, Baker Tilly Services Limited, Enterprise Plc, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Ernst & Young LLP, HM Treasury, Lidl UK GmbH, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Merseyside Police, Serco Assurance. A full list of exhibitors can be viewed on our website: www.liverpoolfairs.org.uk

Organisations offering further study and training opportunities will also be exhibiting.

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7/5/09 15:00:17

careers fairs 2009 | Manchester

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GRADUATE RECRUITMENT FAIR at MANCHESTER

THE

24508_Graduate_Fair_BookNL Page1

Any final year graduate or postgraduate welcome: If you’re a new graduate/ postgraduate or a graduate/postgraduate from a previous year, regardless of where you studied, you are very welcome at the Graduate fair in Manchester. Some exhibitors will be looking for applicants with specific qualifications, others will have vacancies where your degree subject is irrelevant.

The biggest graduate recruitment fair in the UK: Come along and meet around 150 different exhibitors from all over the UK with hundreds of vacancies for 2009 – mostly full-time graduate jobs, but also some postgraduate course places, and some volunteer positions.

Different exhibitors will be present each day: Large and small companies, recruiting for both national and local vacancies in a wide variety of sectors. ATTEND ON BOTH DAYS TO SEE EVERYONE. Transport: The Armitage Centre is just south of the city centre, within easy reach of the motorway network and railway stations. There is free parking around the Centre. It is also on a bus route from Manchester city centre and a free bus to the Fair leaves Piccadilly Train Station every 20 minutes from 9.30am until 3pm, picking up at the bus stop next to the taxi rank on Fairfield Street, beside the Station.

For detailed information, please see the website www.manchester.ac.uk/careers/ graduatefair Click on “How to Get There” for a map and travel directions.

Special Events: In addition to meeting with around 150 exhibitors, you can also: • Get free expert advice from a team of professional Career Consultants who will be providing individual one-to-one help.

• Attend the free seminars on applications, interviews and assessment centres to help you succeed in your job search.

Remember there are different exhibitors each day Facilities: Adjacent free car parking, Disabled access, Refreshments on sale at the Firs Pavilion (adjacent to the Armitage Centre), Free entry and free Fair Catalogue for all visitors on arrival, Free transport from Manchester Piccadilly Train Station.

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GR

RECRAUDUATE ITMEN T

FAIR

Date: Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th June 2009. Different exhibitors each day Opening Times: 10:30am – 4:00pm each day Venue: The Armitage Centre, Moseley Road, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6HE

Contact Details: www.manchester.ac.uk/ careers/graduatefair Tel 0161 275 2828 jan.hewitt@manchester.ac.uk Exhibitors: Around 150 exhibitors – different ones each day so you need to attend on both days. Click on the A-Z list of exhibitors for each day at www.manchester.ac.uk/careers/ graduatefair (updated daily up to the event)

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CAREERS FAIRS 2008 | YORKSHIRE

YORKSHIRE GRADUATE RECRUITMENT FAIR

Date: Wednesday 10th June 2009 Opening Times: 11:00am – 3:30pm Venue: University of Leeds Sports and Exhibition Centre

Here is a golden opportunity not to be missed! You can meet over 75 organisations offering local and national vacancies, voluntary opportunities, further study and more. The Fair will feature a Local Employment Zone which is perfect for those looking for work in the Yorkshire region.

Contact details: careers@bradford.ac.uk Telephone: 01274 234991 Website: www.leeds.ac.uk/yorkshirefair For directions to the fair, see: www.leeds.ac.uk/yorkshirefair

It is free to attend and open to new and recent graduates from any UK University. You can get the latest list of those attending (see below for some of these) from our website: www.leeds.ac.uk/yorkshirefair

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7/5/09 12:57:11

BPP mr2 copy

1/5/09

12:39

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