You do not need me to point out that there is more competition for jobs: I had a meeting today with a high profile financial recruitment company. They said that clients are wanting to fill posts but paying a significant cut in 'normal' salary. Also, outstanding candidates are prepared to take a cut in 'normal' salary, in order to secure A job.
So what does that mean to people entering the job market - such as graduates, school leavers or job returners after a career break? If experienced and well qualified individuals are down sizing, how can less experienced candidates enter or progress within the job market?
The Government has is encouraging large businesses to provide graduates with internships - with the hope that a significant number will then be employed full time. But how much valuable experience do you really acquire at a multi-national, where the reality is that it is unlikely an intern will be trusted to do more than the coffee run?
Small businesses: my own included, are encouraged to provide work experience and internships by local universities, but it is often a struggle to entice a student to work for a small business - yet, the experience is invaluable. Our present intern has acquired so much experience from helping us at a trade show, setting up databases, checking our websites, managing our hard drive and hard copy filing systems and accompanying us on meetings. We are hoping that our next one will help create a media campaign for particular products and services. They wouldn't get this experience from working in a multi- national - and they have proven experience to put on a CV and discuss at an interview.
Likewise, I have a client who has been a mother for 17 years, and was a highly successful bilingual PA before her career break with a degree in Modern Languages. Personal circumstances and the fact that her sons are older, has meant that she needs to work, yet she has no confidence. However, throughout her career break she has always done voluntary work: everything from PTAs to the toddler group at church and meals on wheels delivery for Old People. After some practice, my client has been able to recognise - and record on her CV, valuable experience she has that would set her apart from other candidates. Not only does she have excellent organisational skills, but she has maintained a book keeping system for funds, liaised with different organisations, fund raised, chaired meetings, communicated with different groups...... The list goes on. If she lived closer to my offices - I would employ her!
My message today is to consider what experience you have - whether it is paid, voluntary or 'work experience'. All are valuable, and could mean the chance of getting a job when you need it. Spend some time writing down all of your experience and how you could relate this to the business world or a particular job you are interested in.
Executive Voice has a telephone and email service, where individuals wanting support with identifying experience - paid or unpaid - how to write it into a CV and also how to discuss it within an interview process. Contact Executive Voice on 0844 576 3015 or susan@executivevoice.co.uk for more information.
So what does that mean to people entering the job market - such as graduates, school leavers or job returners after a career break? If experienced and well qualified individuals are down sizing, how can less experienced candidates enter or progress within the job market?
The Government has is encouraging large businesses to provide graduates with internships - with the hope that a significant number will then be employed full time. But how much valuable experience do you really acquire at a multi-national, where the reality is that it is unlikely an intern will be trusted to do more than the coffee run?
Small businesses: my own included, are encouraged to provide work experience and internships by local universities, but it is often a struggle to entice a student to work for a small business - yet, the experience is invaluable. Our present intern has acquired so much experience from helping us at a trade show, setting up databases, checking our websites, managing our hard drive and hard copy filing systems and accompanying us on meetings. We are hoping that our next one will help create a media campaign for particular products and services. They wouldn't get this experience from working in a multi- national - and they have proven experience to put on a CV and discuss at an interview.
Likewise, I have a client who has been a mother for 17 years, and was a highly successful bilingual PA before her career break with a degree in Modern Languages. Personal circumstances and the fact that her sons are older, has meant that she needs to work, yet she has no confidence. However, throughout her career break she has always done voluntary work: everything from PTAs to the toddler group at church and meals on wheels delivery for Old People. After some practice, my client has been able to recognise - and record on her CV, valuable experience she has that would set her apart from other candidates. Not only does she have excellent organisational skills, but she has maintained a book keeping system for funds, liaised with different organisations, fund raised, chaired meetings, communicated with different groups...... The list goes on. If she lived closer to my offices - I would employ her!
My message today is to consider what experience you have - whether it is paid, voluntary or 'work experience'. All are valuable, and could mean the chance of getting a job when you need it. Spend some time writing down all of your experience and how you could relate this to the business world or a particular job you are interested in.
Executive Voice has a telephone and email service, where individuals wanting support with identifying experience - paid or unpaid - how to write it into a CV and also how to discuss it within an interview process. Contact Executive Voice on 0844 576 3015 or susan@executivevoice.co.uk for more information.
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