Are you entrepreneurial and proactive?

The CBI and Universities UK have recently published a report on graduate employability called ‘Future Fit’.

The survey of 581 employers identified entrepreneurship and enterprise as being particularly important attributes that they looked for in their prospective employees. The report defines these skills as:

“An ability to demonstrate an innovative approach, creativity, collaboration and risk taking. An individual with these attributes can make a huge difference to any business.”

The benefits of successful employer-university partnerships are also highlighted in ‘Future Fit’ as the route to jointly improving employability in graduates. Many employers value work placements, while universities are keen to encourage more input from companies on campus. But ultimately, of course, the responsibility for driving your career rests with one key person – yourself.

78% of employers responding to the Future Fit survey cited an entrepreneurial mindset as important, and 72% said a “positive attitude” mattered. The University attended was given consideration by just 8% of employers, and a graduate’s degree results by just 28%. For those of you who are shortly to graduate, there is a clear message here that simply acquiring the qualification is only the start of the journey. What else have you done in order to stand out from the crowd? What does your online footprint look like to a potential employer? See my earlier posts on the use of LinkedIn here and managing your online brand here.

Job opportunity

AlphaTutors urgently require management tutors online and in the Southampton area. They are therefore able to offer opportunities for part-time earnings to suitably qualified postgraduates, associates and lecturers. We also consider exceptional undergraduates.

Pay is up to £40 per hour and they provide comprehensive support to the tuition team.

It is only possible to become an AlphaTutor by invitation.

Prospective applicants should log on to the website via the link below.

http://www.alphatutors.co.uk/private_tuition_create_account.php?attutref=64535434

In case of enquiry or need for additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Martin Norris,
Account Manager
email: martin_norris@alphatutors.co.uk
website: www.alphatutors.co.uk

Don’t forget the old ways…

Shannon Paul delivers a timely reminder not to ditch the old world yet in your quest for the 21^st century CV J

As with all marketing communications, it is important to tailor the style and content to the needs of your audience. So make sure you do your research before firing off your ‘new world’ CV…make sure you can answer this question –  will it impress the recruiter, or scare him/her off???

Some good advice from Shannon:

“The bottom line is that while all of this stuff is extremely cool and does indeed have the ability to change business for the better, we’re not there yet.”

She goes on to note several ways in which you can use social media in a non-threatening way to enhance your traditional CV:

“Start with a Word document version of your resume since that’s what most people are familiar with, but don’t stop there…

Hyperlink all of the information in your resume that makes sense. Your name can link to your blog, and your contact information can include links to your LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Flickr etc. profiles. Make sure that the information on the selected profiles is something you wouldn’t mind sharing with a potential employer.

Create an HTML version of your resume and embed it into the body of your email to HR.

Write an introduction explaining what you’ve done as if you’re explaining it to your Mom. Let them know why you think this is important. Explain your interest in sharing information about yourself as it exists online and invite them to explore these links to research who you are. Phrase it in such a way that suggests you’re trying to make their job easier.

Attach the Word document version of your resume to your message and let them know in the introduction that a Word version of your resume is also attached. A lot of times people just want to save resumes in a predictable way or print them out. (Yes, people still print things out and make notes on them with a pen).

Don’t expect them to click on anything. If you’re called in for an interview, don’t start asking whether they read your latest blog post or saw the pictures from your week in Yosemite posted to Facebook. Remember, you sent them an invitation, but that doesn’t mean you should make them feel obligated to check you out on your terms. Just keep inviting people to check out your work and your life online.”

 

Don’t forget to read the many comments on Shannon’s post, which are also very informative.

 

Volunteering Roles with Barnardo’s

 

Barnardo’s are looking to recruit two different campus-based volunteering roles for the next academic year. The roles are unpaid and the applicants must be students for 2008/09. Not only will both roles look fantastic when applying for jobs, they are also endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and you will have the opportunity to work towards a Career Development Award from CIM.

Barnardo’s are looking for creative, energetic and organised students from universities and colleges around the UK to work in groups as Student Event Fundraisers. As a group they would like you to run at least 2 events over the academic year with the aim of raising £700 to help continue their work with children and young people. http://www.barnardos.org.uk/get_involved/students/studenteventfundraisers.htm

They are also looking for inventive, determined and socially aware students from universities and colleges around the UK to volunteer as Student Brand Managers to help raise the profile of Barnardo’s amongst the students at their Institute. Working on your own, or part of a group, you will have the chance to get involved in campaigning and awareness raising activities, marketing, market research and much more! http://www.barnardos.org.uk/get_involved/students/studentbrandmanagers.htm

For more information on either of these roles or how to apply, get in touch with Sian Fraser, Student Programme Officer, on 0208 498 7523 or by email to sian.fraser@barnardos.org.uk 

The closing date for the applications is 31^st October and the positions will start in November 2008.

 

Work Experience Opportunities

Campus Group are an experiential marketing agency whose campaigns primarily focus on the UK student market. Each year they run marketing campaigns for many graduate recruitment clients such as Linklaters and RBS, and other brands such as Jack Daniel’s, 3 Mobile and The Foreign and Commonwealth Office to name but a few.

The company offers students the ability to get their foot on the career ladder with great experience working on marketing campaigns in a flexible working environment with payments ranging from £7-8 per hour.

They also offer those students working on their campaigns the opportunity to work towards the Chartered Institute of Marketing Career Development Award. This accreditation is a great opportunity and is very well received amongst employers post-university; giving those who participate a competitive edge over their peers.

Campus Group are currently looking to recruit students for the next academic year’s campaigns. All that you need to do is to send your CV to recruitment@campusgroup.co.uk

Further information is available here: campus_group_student_presentation or contact  Molly on 0207 688 8976 or molly.burrows@campusgroup.co.uk

 

Career Opportunity for Marketing Graduate at Ultra Electronics

Ultra Electronics is a group of specialist businesses designing, manufacturing and supporting electronic and electromechanical systems, sub-systems and products for defence, security and aerospace applications worldwide.

www.ultra-electronics.com

The successful applicant will be a graduate who has recently completed their studies in Marketing, Business Administration or similar and is now looking for the opportunity to start their career in the exciting defence sector. The role requires a dynamic and personable person who is confident, organised, an excellent communicator and a focused self starter. The intention is to develop the successful applicant into a Marketing Manager within three years. Full training will be provided; some knowledge of the defence sector would be an advantage.

• Support the Marketing and Public Relations teams in their activities.
• Provide administrative support to the Marketing Team; planning, developing strategy, policy and processes and securing new opportunities.
• Ensure all reports and marketing material are provided to internal and external customers in a timely manner.
• To respond directly to customers for routine enquiries.
• Ensure that all information is current and provided in a timely manner to meet all deadlines and act as a progress chaser on behalf of the team.
• To assist in the preparation of bids, presentation material and data sheets.
• To undertake research, market assessments, project and technology tracking under own initiative and provide briefing material.
• To make appointments and co-ordinate the Marketing Team’s Diaries.

Due to the requirement to obtain security clearance, only candidates from European/NATO nations will be considered.

Salary £21,000

Please send CV to Will.Gimson@ultra-scs.com

Career Opportunity for MSc Graduates

Career Opportunity with Twinings International Marketing

If you are interested please email your CV to Rowen Douglas, rd@futureboardconsulting.com

This team looks at global marketing strategy for key markets – UK, US, Australia, Italy, France, Switzerland and Asia (Thailand, Philippines and China):

• Provide brand guidance and support to the local marketing teams
• Manage brand innovation and NPD
• Manage marketing projects which involve more than one market
• Encourage and promote best-practice marketing methods
• Develop international marketing strategic plans
• Share local country marketing initiatives
• Provide the business with market and competitive intelligence

The department can be seen as consultants/service department to the rest of the business and are responsible for brand strategy, sharing information between markets and guiding the direction of the brand.

Role

• Frequently supporting and liaising with teams across Ovo markets covering various aspects of the marketing mix (especially with the R&D team in Switzerland – Neuenegg)

• Communicating between markets ensuring that relevant information is shared, putting people in contact with the relevant teams

• Variety of projects:
  • Launching new products
  • Supporting projects that look at opportunities in new markets
  • Research-based projects
  • Collating information from across the markets

• Innovations and NPD projects – looking at how innovation is right for the brand, consistency.
• Ad-hoc marketing projects (e.g. fair trade, goodness claims, packaging re-designs, market research, repositioning)

. 

You will also need:

–          Practical intelligence

–          Demonstrable interest in customer development or marketing

–          Strong academic background

–          Proven leadership potential

–          Drive for results, and confidence to ‘own’ projects

–          The right to live and work in the EU

If you are passionate about the ‘customer experience’, have the desire to be an expert in either customer development or marketing then we encourage you to apply to this programme.

Opportunities and locations, starting September 2008

–          Ryvita (Poole, Dorset)  http://www.ryvita.com/uk/

–          AB World Foods, formerly GCosta (Maidstone, Kent) http://www.gcosta.co.uk/

–          Twinings (Andover, Hampshire) http://www.twinings.co.uk/home_flash.asp

–          Allied Bakeries (Maidenhead, Berks) http://www.alliedbakeries.co.uk/index.htm

Salary and package

£24,500 base salary plus benefits

 

Amazon are recruiting in Second Life on 29th May

Full details of how to join this online recruitment fair are available from:

http://www.jeff-barr.com/?p=1377

Thanks

Lisa