June 2007

JUNE 2007 FREE TO STUDENTS

CAREER ADVICE +INSPIRATION + JOBS + GRAD NEWS + YOUR FUTURE +

www.realworldmagazine.com

p04

50 TOP TIPS

FROMTHE BEST OF REAL WORLDp06

GREATCOMPANIESTO WORKFORp39

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It’s competition time again, and this month we’re giving one lucky student a chance to win the latest iPod. Upload your favourite tunes and videos with this 30GB portable music player and be the envy of all your friends.

To enter all you have to do is register online at www.realworldmagazine.com before 31st July 2007 and you will be entered into our free prize draw*. Already a member of Real World? Visit our website to fi nd out how you can enter.

Good Luck!

*Terms and conditions apply – see our website for details.

REALW.0706.COMPETITION.indd 2 25/5/07 16:38:34

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NO, IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT FREE MUGS AND PENS – CAREERS FAIRS CAN ACTUALLY PROVIDE ANSWERS TO A LOT OF IMPORTANT QUESTIONS – YOU COULD EVEN BAG YOURSELF A JOB, SAYS INGRID FRANCIS

Careers fairs are a way

for employers and

graduates to meet in

a fairly informal setting.

Typically, they are free

events, held in large venues, and

attract a diverse range of employers

from large companies to more

obscure businesses. They are all there

to raise awareness.

There are many different types

of careers fair, and although their aims

are similar, they do work in slightly

different ways, so it’s important to

know what you’re in for.

HERE’S THE LOW-DOWN:

• University Fairs are held on campuses and may last from several hours to several days. Most recruiters come to these fairs to advertise and recruit on campus.

• General/Regional Fairs happen less frequently than university ones and are publicised widely, making them very popular. It is best to arrive early and target specifi c employers. Due to the popularity of these events you will have to make an incredibly good impression if they are going to remember you and often it is best just to go to fi nd out more information which you can follow up after the fair.

• Professional Fairs are often more specialised and may have screening and mini-interviews to uncover the candidates who have real potential.

P32P18

WWW.REALWORLDMAGAZINE.COM RW 3

EDITOR’S LETTER

CELEBRATING THE BIG FIVE-O!

A s you’ve probably guessed from the big ‘50’ on the cover of the magazine, we

are proud to celebrate the 50th issue of Real World. Since we started, way back in

1999, we have always brought you advice on how to land a great graduate job.

And this issue is no exception.

To kick off, we’ve gone through the Real World archives to bring you a round-up of

great careers advice from leading graduate recruiters and careers advisers. We have also

compiled interesting statistics and found fantastic books to help you with your job search.

In the “Brainfood” section of the magazine you’ll fi nd top tips on how to land your

perfect job: from making the most of your summer, to how a temporary job can lead to

bigger and better things. All in all – we’ve got job-hunting and CV-perfecting covered!

At the back of the magazine you’ll fi nd an excellent directory of great companies

to work for and – best of all – many of them have vacancies right now. So, what are you

waiting for? Just turn to the back of the magazine to get the lowdown on some of the

country’s greatest organisations.

Good luck with job-hunting and, in the meantime, if you have any questions do not

hesitate to drop me a line at [email protected]

Catherine, Editor

Correction – we would like to apologise for an error which appeared in our feature “Little Britain”, in the May 2007 issue of Real World. We reported that David Greenwood works for Royal Bank of Scotland. He, in fact, works for Bank of Scotland. We apologise for any confusion caused.

Editor Catherine Watson • Art Director Jennifer van Schoor • Designer Yang Ou • Sales Paul Wade,Harmesh Sansoa • Marketing/Distribution Manager Mitul Patel • Managing Director Darius Norell Client Services Manager Marie Tasle • Real World is a publication of Cherry Publishing: 22-26 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ • Telephone: 020 7735 4900, Editorial – 020 7735 2111 Fax: 020 7840 0443 • E-mail: [email protected] • Copyright © 2007 Cherry Publishing

Website: www.realworldmagazine.com – for job vacancies, career advice and case studies.

RW

LEAD STORY06 Fifty tips on how to get a great

job. Fifty issues of Real World

have been scoured to bring

you our fi nest careers advice

UP FRONT02 Competition time Register with

realworldmagazine.com for the

chance to win a fantastic prize

05 Letter from the founder Darius

Norell, the man behind the UK’s

leading careers magazine

14 Why your friends could hold the key to your future

Networking can be an essential

part of job-hunting – we tell you

why and how to do it

15 How to have a sensational summer Three months back-

packing? Sadly, no. You’ve better

things to do, says Amy Harris

16 Temporary solutions Landing a

temporary job can be a great

springboard to your future career

RW FEATURES18 Do your own thing We meet

grads who have set up, and now

run, their own companies

22 Postgraduate study Yes or no?

We assess the pros and cons

32 Fair play Our guide to getting

the most out of careers fairs

39 Great companies to work for Some of these top companies

have vacancies right now!

52 Graduate of the Year Enter our

competition – it’s open to all

fi nal-year students. You could

win a share of a £10,000 prize

IN THE NEXT ISSUE>> Visit your careers centre in

September to get your hands on

our three brilliant sector-specifi c

titles – Law, Engineering &

Technology and City & Finance

ON THE COVER

CONTENTSJUNE 2007

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.

Become an entrepreneur

A guide tocareers fairs

REALW.0706.CONTENTS.indd 3 29/5/07 09:36:31

www.realworldmagazine.com

Aurora 12Bunac 20Cardiff Graduate Recruitment Fair 34Enterprise 09 & 40Ernst & Young 46Geoservices 45Institute Of Education 23Kpmg 51Lancaster University 23Liverpool Graduate Recruitment Fair 35London Graduate Recruitment Fair 09

Manchester Graduate Recruitment Fair 36Marks and Spencer 41Newcastle Graduate Recruitment Fair 37Nova Group 43OTIS 44Pricewaterhousecoopers 49RM 42Royal Mail 50Teach First 48Wesser 47Yorkshire Graduate Recruitment Fair 38

+ MORE JOBS + ADVICE + APPLY ONLINE

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REALW.0706.D_REALJOBS.indd 4 7/6/07 12:47:35


LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER

GRADUATING WITH A DEGREE OF UNCERTAINTY

D id you know that this summer a ¼

of a million people will be

graduating from universities in the

UK? Many of them have no idea what they

will be doing this summer, let alone come

September. Even for those people who

have a job, the uncertainty of what life will

really be like once they join their new

organisation can loom large.

GREAT EXPECTATIONSThe pressure from parents, peers (not to

mention from yourself) to get a job can be

huge. The competition for a ‘graduate’

job can be fi erce, with 150,000 students

expected to graduate with a 1st or 2:1 this

summer. Added to which, there is an

implied expectation that after 15 years of

formal education you should know exactly

what you want to do with your life.

This combination of uncertainty and

pressure that students face on leaving

university is one of the driving forces behind

why I set up Real World back in 1999.

I applied for a couple of jobs in my

fi nal year and didn’t get offered either of

them. I graduated with a vague plan to

start a business that in some way

‘serviced students’. Whilst working what

exactly the business would be, I was rung

up by a company I had worked for during

term time to run a six-month project in

Germany. Three and a half years and a

dozen countries later I set up Real World.

So much for making plans.

Eight years on we have distributed

literally millions of issues to hundreds of

thousands of students covering every

sector under the sun. Tens of thousands of

students receive job alerts from our

website and thousands have attended

our career workshops and seminars.

Three years ago we launched the Real

World Graduate of the Year competition

to celebrate those students who had truly

made the most of their time at university.

Thanks to PricewatehouseCoopers’

generous support we have been able to

give £50,000 back to students over the last

four years in the form of prize money.

For students who enter the competition,

it is a chance to refl ect on their time at

university and what they have learnt

outside of the lecture theatre. This year’s

competition closes in early July so there is

still time to enter – just visit our website

(www.realworldmagazine.com).

Real World is also behind an increasing

amount of graduate research. I was

recently asked to chair the Orange

Graduate Panel which is looking at the

disconnect between employers and

graduates from the student perspective.

The next session is looking at the

expectations versus reality of working for

a company. If you have any experiences

you would like to share please email

[email protected]

WHAT NEXT?I recently came across a set of principles*

that I think provide a pretty good guide

for starting out on life after university: Be

yourself. Do what matters. Start now.

Engage with others. Never stop asking

questions.

Thank you to all our clients, universities and

readers over the years who have supported

us. Without you we would not be here.

Darius Norell, Founder

*Pioneersofchange.net

RW

“ EVEN FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A JOB, THE UNCERTAINTY OF WHAT LIFE WILL REALLY BE LIKE ONCE THEY JOIN THEIR NEW ORGANISATION CAN LOOM LARGE.”

REALW.0706.CONTENTS.indd 5 25/5/07 16:37:18

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1October 2001 CV Clinic “Tailor your CV to the job for which you’re applying.”

JANUARY 2004

Assessment Centres: 10 Top Tips

“Ask for feedback.

Even if it’s not

offered. The further

down the recruitment

process you go;

the more valuable

the feedback.”

RWRWRWRWRWRWRW1

JANUARY 2004È

2 MAY 2003 Choosing the Right Employer It’s all in the detail. “Instead of looking at starting salaries, think long term: look at remuneration four or fi ve years down the road. Is the company a meritocracy? Is pay performance related?”

FEBRUARY 2007 Real World Great Read

All You Need To Know About Commercial Awareness What It

Is And Why You Need It To Become A Successful Professional,

2007/2008 Edition, Christopher Stoakes. Longtail Publishing,

£14.95. “This is a practical guide for anyone considering

a career with a corporate or commercial element.

It breaks down into simple terminology everything

from mergers and acquisitions, to how to make money.”

È

4 NOVEMBER 2001Checklist “It’s never too early to

plan summer work-experience placements for highly competitive areas like the media. First- and second-year students: beat the rush and write your letters now.”

5 FEBRUARY 2000All the Fun of the Fair “Employers generally wear

suits, or at least something

smart, so even though you

may look ridiculous to your

friends, don’t rule it out… be

“casually smart” and look

like you mean business.

A good fi rst impression and

you will feel more confi dent

and professional.”

MARCH 2005 Facts ’n’ fi gures

“81 per cent of students

are optimistic of fi nding

a job after university.”

9 OCTOBER 2003

Facts&Figs “Fact:

taking a gap-year or

a postgraduate degree is not

regarded as a cop-out by

employers, despite becoming

increasingly popular among

graduates. But students need

to ensure that what they’ve

done looks purposeful and

planned, so it helps them

to stand out.”

March 2000 Prove Yourself “Prove your initiative, creativity and ambition. Develop team management, presentation and time-management skills.”

8 JUNE 2000 How to Impress on the Telephone

“Make your call from a quiet

place. If you’re at home,

make sure that the TV, radio

and your mobile are all

switched off.”

81%7 È

Ó

October 2001 CV Clinic

a postgraduate degree is not

employers, despite becoming

increasingly popular among

graduates. But students need

to ensure that what they’ve

10

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REAL WORLD’S 50 GREATEST TIPS RW

OVER THE PAST 50 ISSUES, REAL WORLD HAS BROUGHT YOU UNSURPASSED CAREERS ADVICE

AND JOB-HUNTING TIPS FROM SOME OF THE COUNTRY’S LEADING AUTHORS AND CAREERS ADVISERS. NOW, TO HELP YOU SUCCEED IN YOUR

GRADUATE JOB SEARCH, WE HAVE PAINSTAKINGLY COLLATED THE BEST OF THOSE TOP TIPS…

REALW.0706.50TIPS.indd 7 25/5/07 16:40:30

16

11May 2000 Stamp Duty

“Find out as much as you can

about a company by ringing

them up for an information

pack or surfi ng its website.”

October 2000 21 Ways to a Better CV Consider the layout: it’s not enough to list qualifi cations, job titles, fi rms and dates and expect your audience to guess the rest. Use three or four bullet-pointed phrases to highlight your responsibilities and achievements. Remember to use succinct, sharp phrases.”

12

14 October 2006 Finding the hidden job market This is vital, because according to Warwick University careers service, “up to 80 per cent of jobs can go unadvertised.”

15 June 2003Wild Ideas“Starting a new job

is daunting, but if you’ve been allocated a mentor or personal adviser within your new fi rm, it can be a huge help in ironing out any initial problems, learning more about the company or development projects.”

March/April 2007Real World Great Read

Career, Aptitude and

Selection Tests, by Jim Barrett.

Publishers: Kogan Page, £8.99.

“Not only does this guide give

you advice on how to do well

at assessment centres, it also

includes an extensive range of

motivation and personality

questionnaires to assess your

strengths and weaknesses

and match them to your

ideal career.”

October 2003 Capitalise on Your Careers Service

“I don’t think students make

enough use of the employer

presentations – they should

keep themselves up to speed

with which presentations are

happening, and attend them,

then use the careers service

to develop the skills employers

talk about.”

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REAL WORLD’S 50 GREATEST TIPSRW

13 January 2003

Career Tip of the Month

“CVs should focus on skills

rather than duties, but make

sure you provide credible

evidence. So, whenever

possible, add relevant

numerical details to gain

that extra credibility.”

use succinct, sharp phrases.”

Selection Tests

you advice on how to do well

at assessment centres, it also

questionnaires to assess your

strengths and weaknesses

and match them to your

13 January 2003È

November 2002 The Golden Rules of Interviews

“Don’t slouch or avoid eye

contact. Also, practise the art

of the handshake with

someone you know – too limp

is yucky, and a bone-crusher is

offensive. When interviewing

with a panel of interviewers,

be sure to shake each

person’s hand.”17

May 2004 3 Steps to Success in Covering Letters “Your covering letter is the fi rst information employers read

about you, and therefore crucially important. Be careful to

avoid spelling mistakes and factual errors. Initially, it might help

to fi nd someone to check through the letter for you.”

18 May 2004 Tactics to Career Clarity

“Throwing yourself into some targeted work experience can defi ne your likes and dislikes and help to focus your career options.”

È

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REALW.0706.50TIPS.indd 8 25/5/07 16:41:09

We are an

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MANAGEMENT TRAINING SCHEMEWill most industry-leading companies really make the most of your talents? You’ve spent all those years at uni, so the last thingyou want is to end up as an expert in photocopying and making coffee. Better make sure that’s not your fate by joining the 1000plus graduates who enter the Enterprise Management Training Scheme each year. We’re an international car rental company withover 440 locations across the UK, Ireland and Germany and a multi-billion pound turnover. And we’ll teach you how to run yourown business in as little as two years. You’ll learn about everything from sales, marketing and customer service to operations andfinance, so you can make crucial business decisions and reap the rewards. You could be promoted twice in one year. And earn intwo years what could take you five elsewhere. We’re here to make the most of your potential, not let it wither and die. To apply, goto www.enterprisealive.co.uk/rwj07 or call 0870 850 1232.

YES, I WANT MY ONLY ROLEIN BUSINESS MEETINGS TOBE SERVING COFFEE, SOMY MIND BECOMES LOSTIN THE MIST OF THESTEAMING DRINKS I POUR.

NO, I’D RATHER JOINENTERPRISE, SO I CAN BETHE ONE LEADING THEMEETINGS AND RUNNINGMY OWN BUSINESS WITHINTWO YEARS.

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22

26 May 2001 5 Steps to get Productive Work Experience this Summer “If you have any

contacts working in the area

you are interested in, use

them, however tenuous they

may seem. Other people will.

Talk to family friends and peers

and interrogate people who

visit your university for

suggestions and advice.”

28 October 2004What Next? 10 Strategies for Success “Do not wait for

things to happen. Make the

most of your careers service

(guidance, information,

psychometric testing); look

at career opportunities in

small businesses; keep up to

date with developments in

your prospective career area;

view everybody you meet

as a potential client.”

29 June 2002 Career Matchmakers “Temping jobs

can lead to permanent

placements. Temping in a fi eld

you like could open doors and

it’s a good way to prove your

enthusiasm for the job.”

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REAL WORLD’S 50 GREATEST TIPSRW

May 2004 10 Greatest Hits – Careers Advisers

“In order to get the job you

want, you need competitive

advantage. I advise students to:

1. Clarify your objectives

2. Focus on your objectives

3. Try to fi nd a placement that

satisfi es your ambitions.”

21

May 2004 CV Clinic “Don’t send off a CV without a covering letter. Why miss out on another chance to sell yourself and reiterate your suitability for the job.”

November 2004 What’s In Store “You do need to do extra-

curricular activities while you’re at university to demonstrate

leadership and team-working qualities. Join sports teams and

societies, as it’s vital to enhance your skills and show that you

did more at university than just studying.” 23

September 2004 9 Reasons to Love your Careers Service “A mock interview gives you the chance to road-test your professional personality. You will also receive helpful feedback, preventing avoidable mistakes in the real thing.”

25

24 September 2004 Get nosy: The 7 secrets of Research. “The best way to get the low-down on a particular job or organisation is to speak to somebody already working there. Your university alumni offi ce can often put you in touch with graduates happy to share their experiences.”

September 2005 8 Reasons to Love your Careers Service “Careers services devote a great deal of time to encouraging employers to offer work placements and experience to students. They can provide guidance on applying for internships and can put you in touch with volunteering organisations.”

È

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June 2002 How to Survive your First Week at Work “In most jobs there will be a ‘grace’ period when you can ask straightforward or, seemingly obvious questions. Take notes. However, don’t just ask for the sake of it – use your initiative and start solving your own problems.”

30

REALW.0706.50TIPS.indd 10 25/5/07 16:42:19

33

È

May 2006 CV Clinic“Don’t spend so long

procrastinating about

your CV that you never

send out any applications.”

35 October 2005 Barometer “Research by the Institute for

Employment Studies and the

Council for Industry and

Higher Education confi rms

that the internet has made

graduate-recruitment

processes more effi cient.”

36È

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March 2005 Take the Lead

“Employers want to know if you will add value to their business.

Try to show evidence of commercial awareness from basic things

such as managing your debt, or working in a shop or bar.”

31

32 October 2006 Real World Great Read: How To Get A Job You’ll Love, by John Lees. Publishers: McGraw Hill, £12.99. “A practical guide to unlocking your talents and fi nding your ideal career.”

Í

November 2006 Building an Amazing Career “Although you might not like the word ‘networking’ it is an essential part of working life. If you are trying to get an internship or job, use your existing contacts to see if they can help you get a position.”

34

November 2006 4 Things You Should Know “Your future lies with people

you know, and the people

they know. Contacts, contacts

and more contacts are what

you need to climb the ladder.”

È

Í

37 March/April

2007 Real World Great Read

How To Succeed In

Psychometric Tests, by David

Cohen. Publishers: Sheldon

Press, £10.99. “This is a practical

guide to psychometric tests

which demonstrates how to

prepare for tests and perform

well in team exercises. The

latest edition, by experienced

author David Cohen, includes

sample tests and useful advice

on how to succeed in tests.”

38 March 2005 News Flash!! More Jobs“Blue-chip employers expect to pay a median starting salary of £22,000 – an increase of 4.8 per cent on last year.”

September 2005 Facts: Knowledge is Power “49 per cent of employers think

graduates are under-prepared

for employment. And 67 per

cent think they lack business-

awareness skills.”

40 February 2007 CV Booster “Knowledge of a foreign language is a considerable asset when entering the world of work. Not only are you likely to

be eligible to work abroad, but domestic employers – particularly multi-national organisations – hold foreign language ability in high esteem.”

39Í

REALW.0706.50TIPS.indd 11 25/5/07 16:42:56

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45 49

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March 2005 What do I Want to do with my Life? “Many graduates make

light of temporary or seasonal

jobs, but they provide a huge

source of evidence to

employers. Your work

experience is also a testing

ground for discovering your

likely career. Examine every

experience of work you have

achieved to date.” n

Compiled by Amy Harris

41 May 2006 Barometer “Employers are struggling to

fill vacancies because of the

poor social skills among

graduates. A survey of

employers found many

graduate positions will go

unfilled because of lack of

soft skills such as “team

working, cultural awareness,

leadership and

communication skills.”

June 2006 How to… Survive your First Week at Work “Before your first day in the office brush up on your employer’s business. Spend some time on the internet and look at relevant trade magazines. Read a variety of newspapers for at least a week before you start to get up-to-date.”

43 June 2006 Big Dos and Don’ts to Ensure you Maximise your Time at Careers Fairs “Get hold of a map of the careers fair so you know where to find the companies you’re interested in.”

46 March 2006 Take Control of your Future

“Work experience is highly valued by employers – 25 per cent say it’s almost a condition of employment.”

October 2003 Six Steps to your Dream Career. “The most successful job seekers hardly ever invent a new wheel – they learn from others. Part of the way forward is to identify successful career movers and find out how they did it, and how they have learned to ‘read’ the marketplace.”

44 November 2002

How to Milk the Milkround

“If the milkround doesn’t

deliver a certain company to

your university, don’t worry –

there are plenty of other ways

to get a head start on your

job search. Forget the

tradition, contact the

employer and develop the

relationship yourself.”

47 Nov 2004 CV Clinic “Do get someone – preferably a careers

adviser – to have a look over your CV before you send it out.”

48 June 2002 How to Become More Employable “Talk to

friends (how did they get

their job? Can you shadow

them?) family, lecturers, friends

of your parents, parents of

your friends. Don’t hold back.

Probe for industry and

company information,

names and contacts.”

March/April 2007CV Booster: Work Experience“More than 60 per cent of university students now leave with a 2:1. And with government policy aiming to get 50 per cent of over-18 year-olds into higher education, the graduate job market has never felt more crowded.”

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Why your friends could hold the key to your future

NEWS y VIEWS y ADVICE y STRATEGIESBRAINFOOD BF


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If you are a social butterfly, why not use your skills to your advantage? With a growing number of jobs not being officially advertised, it has become increasingly important to make professional contacts in order to find out about available opportunities, as Analiese Darninsuang reveals.

W hile some may think of

networking as only a slightly

more sophisticated way of

begging for a job, in essence it is simply

about connecting people.

Annie Kasmai, an account executive

at Prompt PR, says that it’s about making

social and professional contacts that

may, at some point, be useful for your

professional and personal development.

“All the people you meet have the

potential to get your name on someone’s

professional radar,” she says.

Using your initiative to make professional

contacts allows you to get first-hand

information about how you can get

involved in the industry, and puts you at a

career advantage.

Karen Barnard, head of the careers

service at University College, London, part

of the Careers Group of the University of

London, says: “Networking is beneficial,

if done in the right way. We advise

students on how to build up a

relationship with their contact so they

can find out as much information as

they can without seeming pushy.”

Networking has the power to help

you decide on a future career too. As

Karen points out: “Speaking to a

REALW.0706.BF.indd 14 25/5/07 16:49:55

Don’ts

1) …RUIN IT ALL WITH A POOR

LAYOUT

Don’t make your CV too long. This is

particularly true for a graduate or

junior candidate who hasn’t had

many jobs. At this stage, even if

you’ve done endless amounts of work

experience, volunteering or


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As graduation day approaches, you might still be wondering what you are going to do once you leave uni? Your friends might already have jobs lined up, but don’t worry if you haven’t. There are still plenty of opportunities out there. For those of you who fancy having a year out after you graduate, there are many organisations that accept applications with a deferred entry – one of those being Teach First.

The idea behind the Teach First scheme is simple enough. Its mission is: “to transform exceptional graduates into effective, inspirational teachers and leaders in all fi elds”.

Initially, it’s a two-year commitment to teach in a tough school. The schools that qualify for the Teach First programme have to be quite needy, with low results and lots of pupils on free school meals. After just six weeks’ training you go straight into the classroom, teaching pretty much full-time.

We caught up with Steve Adcock, who graduated from Warwick University with a 2.1 in History. He is now a history teacher and is also a director of learning (similar to an assistant head position). So how did he fi nd the training?

“It was good,” he reveals. “After six weeks we didn’t have all the knowledge, but we knew where the gaps were.”

Although he initially found it nerve-racking, he soon felt more confi dent. He tells us that his passion for the job stems from a number of things: “Working with so many different young people is very entertaining. Every day you’ll see such a range of characters; you’ll always laugh and smile at something. I enjoy the challenge too; after a tough day I feel more energised than after an ordinary day. The best times are when you make a breakthrough with a tough class.”

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, then take note. From 4 June, Teach First will be recruiting teachers from across the board to start in 2008. For more info, visit: www.teachfi rst.org.uk n

How about Teach First?

WANT A JOB WITH A DEFFERRED START DATE?

A n overseas placement in the summer is the perfect opportunity for work and play, to allow room for

a bit of work experience and employment, while having time to relax and travel. There is ample choice in placements too.

One option open to you is to teach English in an exotic foreign country. It is a good opportunity to boost your language skills and your CV, says Liz Taylor from Gap Activity Projects: “Gap does Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Tefl ) in 13 countries where there is a training course prior to departure and this time can be used to produce lesson plans.”

Tefl is not exclusively for those people who

Howtohaveasensationalsummer

want to go into teaching as a career, it can also be rewarding for those who want to work with a community.

Besides, after your placement, you may well have some time free to do some travelling. While you’re doing this, you could also try to make some money through freelance travel writing.

Besides Tefl , there are also volunteering opportunities at home and abroad that are immensely rewarding and can allow you to have a bit of work experience. There is defi nitely room for choice because you could opt for volunteering at a Kibbutz in Israel or help to build a school in Africa. The opportunities are endless.

The summer is a golden opportunity for work experience and to aid your résumé. It is perfect for those that want to work hard and play hard.

As Liz Taylor says: “We run placements to summer camps in Canada to a conservation project in Australia, so there’s plenty of choice out there.” n

Report by Amy Harris

CV BOOSTER

You are about to see the end of those dreaded exams and are free to embark on the summer of a lifetime, but do you know your plans? If so, do they give your career and CV a boost?

potential employer can help you decide

whether it is the right environment for you.”

The benefi ts of networking are vast. At

the very least, it is a good idea to contact

people who work in areas of your interest

to check if the reality of the job matches

your impressions. It can also help you

decide on what you want to do, broaden

your knowledge of a profession and act

as a springboard into opportunities within

an industry.

In some sectors, networking is essential

to success, especially in marketing, media

and academia. Annie Kasmai explains:

“To get a step on the ladder in media

and PR it is often a case of knowing the

right people.”

On working in PR she says that it is

“incredibly important” to make social

and professional contacts so that your

news is put in the public eye. But even

away from this creative sector there lies

a signifi cant role for networking as a

means of connecting industries so they

extend their sphere of infl uence.

Therefore, no matter what your career

interests are, it is important to keep

creating networks as they may be

valuable in the future and lead you to

new and exciting opportunities. n

“ THE BENEFITS OF NETWORKING ARE VAST… IN SOME SECTORS, ESPECIALLY IN MEDIA, MARKETING AND ACADEMIA, IT IS ESSENTIAL ”

NETWORKING TIPS:

1 Use all your resources. Attend careers fairs and check with friends and family to see if they have contacts you can speak to.

2 Do your research – then you can ask relevant questions.

3 Informational interviews. Write to specifi c members of a company and ask if you can speak to them about their work.

4 Use your initiative by taking every opportunity to meet as many people as you can to widen your knowledge of your preferred industries

REALW.0706.BF.indd 15 25/5/07 16:50:21

TemporarySolutions

It seems that many people are still applying for jobs some time after graduation – or worse, are still stumped when it comes to deciding on a future career. If you’re worried that might apply to you, then finding temporary work through an employment agency might be just what you need, as Ingrid Francis reports

T emping can be a great solution to a

recent graduate’s woes. For

example, it is a great way to earn

cash quickly and many temping

agencies provide graduate-specific roles

with excellent training on software

packages. But probably the most

valuable is the experience it offers.

Georgina Morley, 22, graduated from

Northampton University in July 2006; she

was advised to temp by a friend as she

found that general office experience is a

prerequisite for many jobs. She explains:

“It was a Catch 22 situation as I couldn’t

get any office experience as I didn’t

already have any. I just wish I had joined

the agency sooner as I felt a bit stranded

after graduating.”

Most temporary vacancies involve

covering a position that has come up or

for a short period, such as maternity

leave. But if you impress, a short-term post

may lead to a different job offer within

the company. Plus, making so many new

acquaintances will improve your

communications skills dramatically and

that is what employers are looking for.

Plus, by signing up with employment

agencies you cast your net across the

entire job market and can delve into

different things to see how they suit you.

It might also be appropriate for you if

you are looking for a flexible and varied

work schedule.

Georgina also adds: “The agency

is only a call away if you have any

problems and it gives a sense of security

as it will always help you find another job.

I also like how I can try different jobs and

constantly update my CV, the agents

listen to what I’m interested in and try to

build on that to find me a job.”

So why not give it a try, because your

communications and inter-personal skills

will soar as you make acquaintances.

Above all, it will be a step in the right

direction for finding your perfect job.

Just ask Tracey Turton. She graduated

in 2002 with a degree in marketing and

media from Lincoln University and found

temping a great help in her career as a

marketing executive: “Temping is a great

way to gain experience when you are

unable to get a job straight away. It gave

me a wider spectrum of skills which

helped me to get my current job.” n


BRAINFOOD BF

doN’t FoRget…> Being in a job makes it easier to find

another, so temping can be a quick solution to unemployment as you make applications for other jobs or take the time to explore what you want to do.

> Have your CV ready when you go in, and be ready to sell yourself, treat it as a practice interview. While it isn’t essential to be well-presented, it may reflect badly on you if you’re not.

> If you’ve signed up to an agency but haven’t heard back since, be proactive and ring them. don’t just sign up to one agency either, the more you make yourself known, the more opportunities will be available.

> don’t lose sight of your long-term goals. It’s easy to get used to being paid weekly and the routine of a sometimes fairly undemanding job.

> Seek out temp jobs that take you towards your goals or will give you higher levels of skills.

> don’t get conned, temping agencies shouldn’t have to charge you for any basic services or training.

> temping could be the ideal opportunity to get a foot in the door of your ideal job, as most places advertise permanent vacancies internally. So make sure you give the job everything.

REALW.0706.BF.indd 16 25/5/07 16:51:01

HowDoYouGetAGreatGraduateJob?

You

As graduation approaches there has never been a better time to visit our website - www.realworldmagazine.com

If you like the magazine, you’ll love our email alert. It’s a brilliant way to keep up-to-date with all the latest news and career advice from experts. Every fortnight, we will send you details of recent jobs and give you the low-down on getting the career of your dreams. To register log on to our websitewww.realworldmagazine.com

Have you seen our digital edition? In addition to all the features in the print edition, this month you’ll also get access to our superb CV clinic. The digital edition is fully searchable so you can fi nd previous features at the touch of a button. All you need to do to access it is to register atwww.realworldmagazine.com

To register log on to our websitewww.realworldmagazine.com

do to access it is to register atwww.realworldmagazine.com

1 Exclusive ContentBy registering with the Real World

website you’ll get access to our

digital edition. It includes all the

features in the print magazine, plus

exclusive content.

2 Sector FocusThe website also includes articles

centred around 18 different career

sectors – so no matter which career path

you are thinking of, there will be

something of interest for you. Each sector

is broken down into four divisions: case

studies, employers, advice and – most

important of all – jobs. Using the case-

study section, you can search through

the Real World archives to get honest

views on working life.

3 Job-SearchOne of the main features of the

website is the job-search function.

At the touch of a button you can fi nd out

which employers are recruiting in areas

you are interested in. All you need to do is

enter a location and sector type; then

voilà you will get a list of vacancies to

match your requirements.

4 Postgraduate StudyIf you are thinking of spending

another year as a student, then

turn to the postgraduate section of the

site. There you’ll fi nd case studies from a

host of recent graduates who chose to

study at postgraduate level. We’ll also

give you some pointers on how to fund

your extra study.

5 Email AlertWhen you register with us we’ll

keep you up-to-date with the

latest jobs through our regular email

alert. Not only that, we’ll also send you

details of our book giveaways and great

competitions, including our annual

Graduate of the Year competition. n

If you like the magazine, you’ll love our


REALWORLDONLINE BF

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REALW.0706.ENTREPRENEURS.indd 18 25/5/07 16:52:48

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EntrEPrEnEurS arE dEPictEd aS viSionariES, wEalth-crEatorS, EvEn aS ‘SuPErhuman’. But what iS thE rEality facing PEoPlE Starting out? doES a rEciPE ExiSt for SuccESSful BuSinESS EntErPriSE? Derry NairN findS out

when it comes to entrepreneurship, it’s generally

assumed that it takes a certain type of person to make

a success of it. But what are the essential attributes

that make it more likely for one individual to succeed

over another?

“tenacity! and lots of it!” exclaims laura thorp. She

left her degree course to run a food company making

biscuits, shortbreads, and other bakery products made

with spelt flour. “you don’t need a business degree.

Just do your research, plan it properly and remember

that cash-flow is everything!”

“faith is key,” claims tom minter. he set up

BuddaBag in manchester while studying. the furniture

company has now opened outlets in dublin and

london. “if you take the first step in faith, the next step

will unfold before you. you do not have to see the

entire journey, just take the first step.”

“Some entrepreneurs probably have a lot of

arrogance,” argues charlotte fraser. while studying

anthropology at St andrews university she established

and ran her own airport-transfer company, St andrews

direct. “But, at the end of the day, arrogance can

work against you. i’d argue that everybody’s got the

potential to run their own business.”

“Even if your idea seems silly,” she continues, “don’t

give up on it. a really good stimulus is to say to yourself:

‘if only this was true, if only that was true...’ then realise

that most things are achievable.”

the advice from these young entrepreneurs shows

that anyone can start a business if they believe in it.

craig murdoch couldn’t agree more. after working for

larger companies, he set up his own courier firm, rush

couriers, three years ago.

“have a vision,” he advises. “i started my business

knowing where i wanted to be in the end. my vans run

on gas, our office is carbon-neutral, and we use

sustainable partners as much as possible. driving profit

should not always be the priority.”

James Eder concurs: “it’s not about the money,”

he says. while still studying in Birmingham, Eder set up

studentbeans.com, a website offering half-price

restaurant and shopping vouchers. “i feel like

someone who writes a hit song and then hears

strangers humming it. what was a small idea has

become something bigger and touched people.

for me, it’s a creative process.”

“Basically, it comes down to wanting it enough,”

observes Kirill makharinksy, the 2006 real world

graduate of the year. with multiple projects to his

name, Kirill’s most prominent achievement has been

Enternships, a social enterprise organising internships

for students. “never give up,” he advises. “you need to

be able to finish and execute tasks. and be prepared

to always be thinking about the business.”

BuddaBag’s tom takes a more prosaic approach:

“Just start,” he says. “Just do something. Buy some

wholesale t-shirts. Sell them for a profit. in one week of

looking for suppliers, negotiating the deal, and

marketing your product, you will learn more about

business than a year at business school.”

But should potential business-starters really drop out

of education? “of course not,” says Kirill, “what my

education did was allow me to get to know other

people who were interested in the same things that

i was. it made a huge difference and really shaped

what i’m working on and who i’m working with now.”

the spare time that university allows can be helpful.

“Just let ideas come to you,” claims St andrews direct’s

charlotte. “Starting a business is all about the initial idea.”

So where did these business-starters receive their

inspiration? “i wanted to buy a big beanbag for my

front room and couldn’t find one,” remembers tom.

“i thought ‘it can’t be that difficult to make one’. So

i did. then i thought, ‘how can i make it better than a

beanbag?’ So i cut up an orthopaedic mattress and

stuffed it inside. Suddenly all my friends wanted one!”

it goes back even further for Studentbeans’ James:

“when i was 13, i was taking black and white photos of

dogs and selling them to the owners,” he explains.

“Studentbeans.com was a natural progression.”

Be under no illusions though, entrepreneurship is hard

work. it can be a lonely occupation: no water-

ENTREPRENEURS | ovErviEw RW

www.rEalworldmagaZinE.com RW 19


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UsefUl resoUrces for yoUng entrepreneUrs:

Advicestartups offers free – and very readable guides – to starting up all sorts of small businesses, from a fish & chip shop to a florists.www.startups.co.uk

small Business Advice is run by the national federation of enterprise Agencies and features lots of useful information.www.smallbusinessadvice.org.uk

start Business has more than 800 guides to starting a small business as well as links to related books on Amazon.www.startbusiness.co.uk

oxford entrepreneurs is a society aimed at young oxford University entrepreneurs. the advice and links section is useful. Why not set up a similar society at your university? www.oxfordentrepreneurs.co.uk

Business gateway is a scottish government agency designed to help out the young and intrepid business starter.www.bgateway.com

enterprise ireland is a similar venture in ireland.www.enterprise-ireland.com

the British library Business collections, near london’s King’s cross, holds a huge collection of market research, both online and in its business section. Best news? it’s free! www.bl.uk/collections/business/business.html

Helpthe small firms loan guarantee is a government-backed low-interest loan for small businesses.www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg

shell liveWire aims to help 16-30 year olds to develop their own business and hosts a national competition for new business start-ups. www.shell-livewire.org

the prince’s trust offers advice, support, low-interest loans and grants for young people who are full of ideas but perhaps low on resources.www.princes-trust.org.uk

cooler gossip; no secure monthly pay slip. Going

against others’ advice for an idea you believe in is a

tough choice too.

“The hardest thing for me was actually taking the

leap,” Charlotte remembers. “In the beginning, I went

to an insurance company. The man spent the whole

time laughing at my idea from behind his desk. But I

didn’t take it to heart because I had enough

confidence in both me and my idea.”

If you are keen to set up a business, support may be

closer than you think. “I’d set up a stall in a market,

selling biscuits, one summer during college,” recalls

Laura. “I did it because there was very little on offer for

those off-wheat who wanted a nice treat. Then the

local Enterprise Board gave me a grant towards

equipment and renovations. This gave me some extra

credibility with the banks who also gave me a loan. The

rest came from family and friends. It was such a success

that I gave up my degree.”

In the UK, the Prince’s Trust runs regular enterprise-

themed award schemes. The British Library’s Business

Collections has lots of advice on patents and

protection for the small start-up, too.

Starting a business can contribute to other areas of

your life too. “It’s the most holistic and broad education

you can get,” says Laura. “You are continually

becoming stronger mentally and emotionally, more

confident and much more knowledgeable than you

would in any PAYE job.”

Practical business experience looks very impressive

on a CV as well. “Most questions I’ve been asked in

interviews are about the business. It has definitely made

me stand out from the crowd,” asserts Charlotte.

“And on a personal level, I reckon my boyfriend was

impressed by it too,” she laughs. “I won his heart thanks

to St Andrews Direct!”

• For more information about becoming an

entrepreneur take a look at the resources box, right. n

“ it’s the most holistic and broad education you can get. you are continually becoming stronger mentally and emotionally…”

WWW.REALWORLDMAGAZINE.COM rW 21

entrepreneUrs | OVERVIEW rW


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A ccording to Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa),

18.4 per cent of graduates began a postgraduate course

last year, after they had completed their first degree.

But further study does require commitment, determination and

motivation. So, if you’re unsure where to go in terms of career

choice, it’s best to first cover all your options.

“I always ask students to make sure they’ve thought through

their reasons,” explains Karen Barnard, Head of University College

London’s careers service. “Some just think there’s no better

alternative, which is clearly not a good reason.”

It’s never a good idea to jump into postgraduate study

without doing any research. “The advice I would give is, ‘be clear

why you’re doing it’,” says Tim Reed, careers adviser at the

University of Kent. “It’s either to enhance your employability or

because you enjoy the subject. Ideally, it should be both.”

There are three key advantages to postgrad study says Reed.

“More time to consider the real range of career options available

to you; to enhance your qualifications; and, if you undertake a

vocational degree, you could enhance your employability.”

It’s also important to research different courses, says UCL’s

Barnard. If you do intend to study a vocational degree, it’s

important to know the difference between a PhD and a

Masters. “It’s crucial to understand the mechanics of the two

courses,” she explains. “Masters degrees normally involve teaching

and an aspect of self-sufficiency. Whereas a PhD is at the other

FoR SoME, THE THoUgHT oF FURTHER STUDy IS oUT oF THE qUESTIon, AnD SEEKIng EMPLoyMEnT IS THE RIgHT CHoICE. HoWEvER, FoR oTHERS, PoSTgRADUATE STUDy IS A vIABLE oPTIon. BUT HAvE yoU goT WHAT IT TAKES? Kathryn hills InvESTIgATES

end of the spectrum, it requires far more independence.”

Conversion courses – thereby altering your career area – may

also be worth consideration. For example, the MSc in Information

Technology is designed for non-IT graduates who intend to work

in computing. While, for non-law graduates, there is the graduate

Diploma in Law (gDL), a one-year programme that covers all the

key areas in a law degree.

It’s also crucial to consider costs. Postgraduate courses aren’t

cheap and, as a postgraduate student, the Student Loans

Company will not fund your study. However, other loans are

available, the most popular being Career Development Loans

(CDLs). But, as with all loans, it’s important to check your eligibility.

There are also institutional studentships, which involve companies

paying your student fees, if the job is related to the skills that they

require. In addition, says Reed, “private organisational funding,

scholarships from universities, government research organisations

and charities and trusts all provide possible sources of funding for

postgraduate students.”

So, you’ve considered all the options. you know that you want

to study the subject you enjoy further, you can finance it, you

have the time and you’re certain that you won’t be left high and

dry with no career prospects. With this in mind, postgraduate

study can be a really productive experience. Although the

amount of work can appear daunting, if it gets you closer to the

job that you really want, then it probably is the right choice. n

post-grAduAtestudy, Agood ideA?

AristeA Beni, 26, is PersonAl AssistAnt to the vice-President of A greek hotel chAin. she tAlks to Real woRld ABout her PostgrAduAte study

What was your first degree? it was a Bsc in tourism Management (a four-year course) from the technological educational institute of Athens, graduating in 2003.And your postgraduate degree? An Msc in tourism Management and Marketing in Bournemouth university (one year), graduating in november 2006 with Merit.Why embark on postgraduate study? i had a scholarship from the greek organisation of tourism education and training. it was a unique chance to improve my knowledge of the tourism business. how useful was postgraduate study in terms of finding of a job? the acquisition of an Msc was very important and helped me to find a very good job. in greece, it is considered extremely important to have a masters degree and, after gaining the Msc title, i had more interviews (during my job hunting) than i had anticipated. And it gave me important knowledge about the contemporary issues of the tourism business.

22 rW WWW.REALWoRLDMAgAZInE.CoM

PostgrAduAte | ovERvIEWrW

REALW.0706.POSTGRAD.indd 22 25/5/07 16:58:20

Availablefrom local

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Real World Guide to Work Experience, your guide to staying ahead of the competition.

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Q: Are you seeking an enjoyable and meaningful career inteaching Modern Foreign Languages?

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Application processthrough GTTR:http://www.gttr.ac.uk/

A: The Institute of Education is London's highest-rated multidisciplinaryteacher training provider (rated by Teacher Training Profiles, 2007).Through our PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages (MFL), we can provide you withunique opportunities to:

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To find out more, contact the Admissions Tutor for Modern Languages, Ana Redondo;e-mail: [email protected]

Much morethan a

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With rising global rankingsand a fast-growingreputation, LancasterUniversity ManagementSchool delivers muchmore than most business schools.

Calling ourselves a managementschool highlights our commitment to developing people and their skillsfor every sector: private, public andnot-for-profit.

Our exceptional faculty is drawnfrom all over the world and has beenat the top of UK research ratings fornearly twenty years. Yet these high-flying professors are very muchdown-to-earth. Their friendlinessand approachability is typical ofLancaster’s reputation for being asupportive and vibrant communityand will enable you to make rapidprogress in your studies.

Our programmes are innovative andinterdisciplinary, drawing on expertisefrom other faculties within theUniversity to fire your imagination tothink right outside the box.

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BREAKINGINTO NEW

JOURNALISMTRADITIONAL PRINT SALES MAY BE IN DECLINE,

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OPENING UP A WEALTH OF FRESH PROSPECTS FOR

TOMORROW’S JOURNALISTS, WHOSE SKILLS DO NOT

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IN THE INDUSTRY? ROBERT COLVILLE TALKS

TO THE EXPERTS.

JOURNALISM | OVERVIEW RW


Journalism is changing rapidly. The Internet has acted as a catalyst for change, providing the platform for newspaper and magazine titles, national

and regional, to plunge into the world of blogs, vods and podcasts – all in the name of telling a good story whilst keeping attuned to the new ways audiences now consume their news.

“Increasingly, journalism graduates are expected to have multimedia skills – to be at ease producing and editing a video item, creating a podcast, writing a story or blogging,” insists John Thompson, creator of Journalism.co.uk and Managing Director of Mouse Trap Media. “If you appear to know more about this ‘stuff’ than the middle-aged and panicking publisher, then you will already be halfway through the door. But don’t forget you still need basic journalism skills.” So popular the electronic mode of address has become, the New York Post is rumoured soon to be replacing print with an electronic format accessible online, whilst Sweden’s oldest newspaper title, Post-och Intrikes Tidningar has already done so after a 362 year-old print run.

While the future does not promise digital formats across the board, the majority of titles offer a sister website to accompany their shrinking print editions, accessible to a world audience, heralding no limits on how content is presented. Online, stories can now be told by video and audio

formats as opposed to the traditional static print. Trinity Mirror is no exception. With a combined circulation of 14m for their 230 regional titles, amounting to a fi fth of the total circulation in Britain, each title has a web and multimedia presence complete with video and audio applications. This technological shift has had a knock-on effect with what is expected from those eager to go into the news business.

MULTIMEDIA ADVANCES“The move towards multimedia has opened up great opportunities for aspiring journalists, and for journalists of any vintage. There is much more media available, in a wider variety of channels, than ever before. They all need quality content, and that spells opportunity for journalists,” reports Neil Benson, Editorial Director of Trinity Mirror. Multimedia innovation appears to be taking over but, according to Neil, print has not lost any of its raison d’être – nor has a traditional grounding of experience accompanied with a genuine zest for a career in the news business.

“We haven’t redefi ned fundamentally what we want from our new recruits - we’re still looking for bright, inquiring, enthusiastic, committed people,” Neil advises. “We insist that candidates sit a series of papers which we have designed to test their general knowledge, English skills and news sense.” But in a thriving industry where competition is fi erce, he

recommends that a portfolio of work which demonstrates the candidate has gone the extra mile can pay dividends. “If a candidate passes the tests and can produce a portfolio of work that includes multimedia as well as print, that would certainly help to set them apart in a very crowded market,” recommends Neil. This could include keeping an online blog – many of sites allow you to do this for free (www.blogger.com), experimenting with recording a podcast or even homing in on the latest technology to make a web-based documentary.

GRADUATE SCHEMESPlaces for the prestigious Mirror Group Journalist Graduate training scheme are highly sought after. Regarded to be the “gold standard” for the industry the scheme runs for two years and four places are offered for the best applicants. However, with hundreds of applicants per place, the selection process is rigorous. For the privilege, selected candidates who make the grade are asked to give it their best. The scheme, usually undertaken by graduates hungry and fresh from university, offers a 16-week stint in Newcastle where trainees receive multimedia training in addition to the more conventional tools of the trade, including journalism law, and bringing the dreaded shorthand to 110 words per minute. Upon completion, trainees will be then sent on three month

“

IF YOU APPEAR TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS ‘STUFF’ THAN THE MIDDLE-AGED AND PANICKING PUBLISHER, THEN YOU WILL ALREADY BE HALFWAY THROUGH THE DOOR ”


JOURNALISM | OVERVIEWRW


“attachments” to Belfast, Glasgow and London, enabling them to work on a multitude of Trinity Mirror titles.

MAGAZINES MATTERWith over 8,500 established specialist and consumer titles available, Britain is still something of a magazine powerhouse in Europe, signalling that print is still going strong. The recently launched lads’ publication, Monkey Magazine is hot but not off the press. Breaking convention, the title is only available in digital form, and is sent by email to subscribers. Stories told by video and audio have taken centre stage over text, striking a popular chord with its readers. Receiving in excess of 200,000 hits a week from an international audience, it is outperforming its print competition - receiving more hits in a week than the subscribers rivals attract in a month. But despite Monkey’s digital ambitions, the editor, Eoin Mc Sorley insists that for candidates keen on entering the industry knowing the technical side is a bonus, but the most attractive qualities are willingness to learn, fuelled by a keen attitude. “You’d have to be passionate about what you’re doing and display and aptitude for the Internet because it’s a place where you can get found out very easily,” he says.

For the Monkey team, writing stories for each issue is merely the beginning. From week one, the prospect of adding sound to their fi lms was beyond them.

Currently in week 21, a wealth of on-the-job learning has given them the skills to make and edit their own fi lms, music and getting creative with voice-overs – something they did not foresee from the outset. “With something like Monkey, nobody knows where the parameters are because you’re constantly inventing them and they’re constantly evolving,” explains Eoin. Despite its success, Eoin admits that in a rapidly changing and increasingly digitalised world, there will always be a place for print. “Things can exist hand in hand – TV didn’t kill radio and DVDs didn’t kill the cinema. We are just another form of media.”

ARE YOU EXPERIENCED?While Monkey Magazine represents one of a handful of online examples, the abundant selection of print and electronic titles strongly positioned both on the magazine stand and in cyberspace gives as much choice to writers as the consumer. Whether it’s a fanzine showcasing the latest up and coming musical talent or a needlework and embroidery weekly, someone has to fi ll all of those glossy pages, even if pay is not promised. For those yearning for a career in the magazine industry, a serious commitment will have to be demonstrated by undertaking work experience and maintaining the portfolio of published words – even if you are not paid, according to Kerry Thomas, co-editor of Fused Magazine: “Without a portfolio of published work, you’ve got

no chance of getting in anywhere. Get as much experience as you can – even if it’s free experience, do it.”

With so many titles available covering subjects ranging from the serious, the bizarre and sublime, fi nding your specifi c interests and sticking to them will soon equip you with specialist knowledge and a reputation. The rest will soon follow. “People who have succeeded the most from the people we know are those who have specialised in a certain area. So they fi nd something they’re really good and knowledgeable about, and stick to it,” believes Kerry. Fused, like many small independent titles, cannot afford to pay their writers, designers or photographers. But Kerry insists that writing for free is essential, acting as the stepping stone from leaving college and getting larger, paid commissions in addition to increasing their potential for possible employers. “Our contributors have gone onto some really exciting work with some really big international magazines and newspapers,” said Kerry. We’ve had people who have gone onto write for Art Review, to edit Flash Art in Milan, to work with the Guardian Group – lots of different things really”.

Whether you fancy yourself as a hard nosed newshound or more of a full-time feature writing fanatic, knowledge of multi media will give you the advantage in a competitive marketplace, but beware not to overlook the importance of the more basic journalism skills. n

“ YOU’D HAVE TO BE PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE DOING AND DISPLAY AND APTITUDE FOR THE INTERNET BECAUSE IT’S A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN GET FOUND OUT VERY EASILY”


JOURNALISM | OVERVIEW RW



*

* Edwin’s details have been changed

CV CLINICTHERE IS NO SINGLE RIGHT WAY TO WRITE A CV BUT THERE ARE MANY, MANY THINGS YOU CAN DO WRONG.

THE CANDIDATEEdwin Broni-Mensah is a computer science and mathematics graduate from the University of Manchester. His academic record is great but it’s been a while since he’s updated his CV. At present he’s considering a few alternatives for his future, including applying for jobs in fi nancial risk management or continuing his education with a maths PhD. One option, because of his experience and background, is to apply for IT-based jobs in fi nance, and it’s for this purpose Edwin has worked on his current CV.

THE CAREERS ADVISERBrian Reeve is a careers consultant at the careers and employability division at the University of Manchester. Of Edwin’s fi nished CV he says, “If only more students could achieve such a good standard as this, which many cannot even after several tries.”

BEFORE...

Proof read your CV very carefully and then get someone else to read it very carefully. It’s amazing what details can be missed (did you spot GSCE instead of GCSE). Was this paid? What exactly did

Edwin do and how is it relevant to his ambitions to break into the world of fi nance? Descriptions of work experiences, interests and achievements lack evidence to support assertions, says Brian.

Passive. Note the start of each statement, such as : ‘Ability to’. It’s a very common mistake that students use passive language to describe their achievements. ‘Responsible for’ and ‘involved’ are other typical passive phrases that students overuse. Go for action phrases like ‘Took responsibility for’.

Sloppy layout doesn’t make a good impression

REALW.0706.CVCLINIC.indd 28 25/5/07 16:59:34


FEATURE | CV CLINIC RW

Edwin’s address and contact details take up much too much space, says Brian. The same goes for his A-level results.

The overall impression of the CV is that it’s rather empty. While an overly busy CV can be just as off-putting for recruiters you want to impress them with your experience not highlight the lack of it.

Layout is inconsistent. See the use of capital letters for ‘Manual Labour’ but lower case for ‘junior graphics’. Plus, there is an inconsistent use of bold throughout the CV. Do spend time on the layout as it can let a great CV down or give a recruiter the impression that you don’t pay attention to detail – not a good selling point.

Listing your modules can be useful but don’t just include a shopping list – it doesn’t say anything about you and your abilities. Whittle it down to show courses that are relevant to the job that you are applying to. If, like Edwin, you are doing well academically, let it shine through!

Another opportunity to demonstrate commercial skills, but what exactly did Edwin do? Ability to negotiate what?! How big was the company and does he have any fi gures to demonstrate that he was successful in the role?

Every single point on your CV should be focused on trying to sell yourself to the employer. Look at everything through the eyes of a recruiter. Ask: ‘How is this relevant to the company I’m applying to?’. For example, here the fact that Edwin has gained a deeper appreciation of the fi lm and media industry is of very limited interest to a fi nancial recruiter.

This sounds interesting but what does it actually involve? Don’t miss the chance to list an achievement. How many people are in the team? What deadlines?

Does playing in a amateur football team really constitute working under ‘immense pressure’ compared to working in the fi nancial markets? Be wary of exaggeration.

You don’t always need to list your referees as the employer will usually ask for them further along in the recruitment process.

Too much white space!



FEATURE | CV CLINICRW

Edwin’s personal details take up much less space and the layout is neat and clear. “The overall impression is attractive and professional,” says Brian. “Sections are clearly separated, headings are in a distinct format and separated from the remaining text, and sub-headings are avoided when they would unnecessarily add to clutter (e.g. address). The use of bullet points generally adds to clarity.”

Note the use of active verbs: “Good use of language, particularly verbs and phrases such as: designed and implemented; led a team; was promoted; took the initiative,” comments Brian.

Edwin’s impressive academic achievements at university immediately stand out. Rather than listing every module Edwin has taken he’s focused on subjects and projects which will emphasise her suitability for a job in marketing.

It’s only usual to include GCSE grades for maths and English but Edwin has also included computing as it’s relevant to his career aspirations.

A fantastic piece of work experience. Edwin has really made the most out of showing what skills he gained from it by using plenty of fi gures and numbers as evidence.

An excellent piece of impressive voluntary work, which was not mentioned on his original CV. Voluntary work is very popular with employers. Although it’s not paid employment it shows that you are proactive and self-motivated. Again Edwin has emphasised not only what he’s done but what skills he’s developed while doing it. “Like many of the entries it includes detailed factual material used to illustrate many competencies and skills exercised, developed or gained - this is the major strength of the CV,” says Brian.

Edwin has focused on what he achieved in his previous jobs, which makes them look much more impressive, as well as demonstrating a range of skills, such as good commercial ability and innovation.

AFTER...



FEATURE | CV CLINIC RW

DO…make sure the overall look is clean and professional. On average your CV will be scanned for 20 seconds before a decision is made so you need to make a good fi rst impression.…type and laser print your CV. If you are sending out hard copies then go for a heavy, high quality paper.

DON’T ….spend so long procrastinating about your CV that you never send out any applications.…send the same CV to everyone. Tailor the CV to the role you are applying for.…play hard to get. Put all your contact details in and make sure you are contactable. Also, change any funky email addresses such as [email protected] as they won’t impress anyone….send off the CV without a covering letter or email. Why miss the chance to sell yourself and reiterate your suitability for the job?

A mission statement listing some key achievements or attributes can give a CV a sense of direction and tailor it to a specifi c job role. However Edwin’s CV is already very focused so he’s decided not to give space to such a statement.

Edwin could include some fi gures on the savings made or the cost of the project that he worked on. For example, ‘Promoted to work on the ‘Hell Raiser...’ This £10,000 project was successfully delivered on time…’

By including the open days and employer events he has attended Edwin has shown that he is focused on a career in fi nance and has taken steps to get to know the industry.

Edwin is able to demonstrate that he has strong programming skills by listing his achievements under one heading.

“This makes very clear his interest in fi nance, a quality looked for by potential City employers,” says Brian.


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CAREERS FAIRS 2007 | OVERVIEWRW

FAIRPLAY

NO, IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT FREE MUGS AND PENS – CAREERS FAIRS CAN ACTUALLY PROVIDE ANSWERS TO A LOT OF IMPORTANT QUESTIONS – YOU COULD EVEN BAG YOURSELF A JOB, SAYS INGRID FRANCIS

REALW.0706.GRADFAIR.indd 32 25/5/07 17:04:24

PREPARATION, PREPARATION!


CAREERS FAIRS 2007 | OVERVIEW RW

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR CAREERS FAIR OPPORTUNITIES:

• Research the employers that will be at the careers fair and which ones to target fi rst; this way you will know the basics about them and be able to form good questions and opinions on topics. You can also tailor your CV to the needs of the individual company.

• Arrive early. While there are fewer people there, you have a much better chance of a longer chat with the recruiters and more of an opportunity to get used to the layout at the venue.

• Get a map! This way you won’t waste time on fi nding elusive stalls of the companies you want to visit.

• Take time to decide what you are going to wear. Smartness may not be absolutely crucial but it does refl ect a professional attitude and suggests you take yourself seriously.

• Ensure you prepare answers to questions that might crop up about your CV.

• Always accept and request business cards, you might need them later on.

• Keep an open mind!

Careers fairs are a way

for employers and

graduates to meet in

a fairly informal setting.

Typically, they are free

events, held in large venues, and

attract a diverse range of employers

from large companies to more

obscure businesses. They are all there

to raise awareness.

There are many different types

of careers fair, and although their aims

are similar, they do work in slightly

different ways, so it’s important to

know what you’re in for.

HERE’S THE LOW-DOWN:

• University Fairs are held on campuses and may last from several hours to several days. Most recruiters come to these fairs to advertise and recruit on campus.

• General/Regional Fairs happen less frequently than university ones and are publicised widely, making them very popular. It is best to arrive early and target specifi c employers. Due to the popularity of these events you will have to make an incredibly good impression if they are going to remember you and often it is best just to go to fi nd out more information which you can follow up after the fair.

• Professional Fairs are often more specialised and may have screening and mini-interviews to uncover the candidates who have real potential.

At busy careers fairs, the

most popular stands

are likely to have

queues of interested

people. So, if you are

queuing, make sure it’s not time

wasted. Speak to the other

candidates and fi nd out about their

strategies for fi nding employment.

Also, try to think of a good

question, often students waste time

queuing and then ask a silly question

which shows little initiative. The

likelihood of actually being recruited

at a fair is low, but you do have the

opportunity to introduce yourself and

say what your interests and aims are –

assuming they are relevant to the job.

Companies screen everyone they

see and – if they are impressed with

your communication skills – then you

may be remembered for the right

reasons. However, be proactive, they

see so many people at careers fairs

that sending them another copy of

your CV with a covering letter

explaining how you met them at the

careers event is usually a good idea.

Events like these also give you the

opportunity to fi ll out application

forms with guidance, get an overview

of occupations and employment

opportunities and get advice on how

to improve the look of your CV.


CARDIFFUNIVERSITYGRADUATERECRUITMENTDAY

DATE: THURSDAY 14TH JUNE 2007OPENING TIMES: 11:00AM–3:00 PM VENUE: CITY HALL, CATHAYS PARK, CARDIFF CF10 3ND

EXHIBITORS: Exhibitors confi rmed as of 30/04/07 (for an up-to-date list, visit the event website www.careers.cardiff.ac.uk/graduate_fair) include: ACCA, Aerosystems International, Aldi Stores Ltd, The Army, Aviza Technology Ltd, BAE Systems, Bloomberg, British Nuclear Group, Cardiff University Careers Service, CIMA, CIPFA, Corus, Costain Group Ltd, EDS (UK) Ltd, Enterprise Managed Services Limited, Ernst & Young, GDS International, GO Wales, Graduate Prospects, ICAEW, Jobcentre Plus/European Employment Services (EURES), Lidl UK Gmbh, London & Country Mortgages Ltd, Lonza Biologics plc, L’Oreal Manufacturing UK, Majestic Wine Warehouse, Open University in Wales, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, OSTC, Pareto Law, PKF (UK) LLP, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Real World, Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Navy & Royal Marines, Teacher Training Wales, Thomson Financial, Thresher, Training & Development Agency for Schools, University of Bath School of Management, University of Glamorgan, Voluntary Community Service (VCS) & White Young Green

The Cardiff Graduate Recruitment Day is one event you can’t afford to miss this summer. A great opportunity for graduates to meet representatives from a broad range of organisations exhibiting a whole host of opportunities including graduate training programmes, full-time work, travelling abroad, setting up your own business and short-term work placements. Furthermore, as well as the main exhibition, the following workshops will be taking place: Employment Regs for International Students 12noon-1.00pmWorking in Wales 12noon-1.00pmWhat Can I do With a Career in Humanities 2.00pm-3.00pmCV & Careers Advice Drop-in 1.00pm-3.00pm Open all new graduates, free entry. For full details of the event, visit the event website www.careers.cardiff.ac.uk/graduate_fair

TRANSPORT: City Hall is at the heart of the University and Cardiff’s civic centre, a short walk from the Students’ Union. For full details of how to get there, visit the event website: www.careers.cardiff.ac.uk/graduate_fair

CONTACT DETAILS: Employer Liaison & Marketing Team, Cardiff University Careers Service. Tel: 029 2087 4712. Email: [email protected]

SPECIAL EVENTS: Cardiff Graduate Recruitment Day is part of the “New Grad” programme (Friday 1 June – Friday 22 June), three weeks of workshops and talks for new graduates.

FACILITIES: Wheelchair access, disabled parking available in the City Hall car park. If you have any specifi c needs, please contact us at [email protected] in advance so we can ensure that we have adequately catered for them.


CAREERS FAIRS 2007 | CARDIFFRW

WALES


DATE:TUESDAY 12TH JUNE 2007OPENING TIMES: 10:30AM – 3:30PMVENUE: ST GEORGE’S HALL, LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE

LIVERPOOLGRADUATERECRUITMENTFAIR

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS! If you’re still job seeking after graduation, you can’t afford to miss the Liverpool Graduate Recruitment Fair. Hundreds of jobs from a wide variety of employment sectors will be on offer for talented graduates. With over 60% of graduate jobs open to students of any degree discipline, there’ll be opportunities for everyone. There will be jobs available throughout the UK and even further afi eld, but if you’re looking to work in the North West, the fair will feature the Graduate to Merseyside Arena – a must for graduates looking for work locally.

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

As well as being able to meet representatives from the exhibiting organisations, the fair will also provide you with an opportunity to get expert advice from a team of careers advisers at the Careers Advice Stand. Furthermore, a series of free seminars on CVs, application forms and interview skills will take place alongside the exhibition to assist you with the application process.

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

To get the most out of this event, it is vital that you prepare. Visit www.liverpoolfairs.org.uk for our top-tips and an opportunity to download our “Prepare for the Fair” podcast.

This event will have real jobs for the right candidate. Somebody’s got to get them… so why not you?

THE ORGANISERS This event is organised by the University of Liverpool Careers & Employability Service in partnership with the Careers Services of Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Hope University.

CONTACT US Tel: 0151 794 4647

Email: [email protected] Web: www.liverpoolfairs.org.uk

EXHIBITORS: Exhibitors include ACCA, Army, Amaze, Baker Hughes, Chase Medical Sales, CIMA, Civil Service Fast Stream, Co-Operative Group, Deloitte, DLA Piper, Duncan Sheard Glass, Edge Hill University, EF English First, Enterprise Rent A Car, EURES Jobcentreplus, Graduate-Jobs.com, Graduate Prospects, HSBC, Littlewoods Shop Direct Group, TeamIT, Liverpool John Moores University, Matchtech Group Plc, McDonalds, Merseyside Police, Pareto, Parsons Brickerhoff Ltd, PKF, Real World, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy & Royal Marines, Training & Development Agency for Schools, Scantec Personnel, SRG, University of Central Lancashire, University of Liverpool. Visit www.liverpoolfairs.org.uk for full details.


CAREERS FAIRS 2007 | LIVERPOOL RW


24508_Graduate_Fair_BookNL Page1 21.12.2006 11:46:09 NL

FAIRRECRUITMENT

THEGRADUATE


CAREERS FAIRS 2007 | MANCHESTERRW

MANCHESTERGRADUATERECRUITMENTFAIR

ANY FINAL YEAR, GRADUATE OR POSTGRADUATE WELCOMEIf 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 specifi c qualifi cations, others will have vacancies where your degree subject is irrelevant.

THE BIGGEST GRADUATE RECRUITMENT FAIR IN THE UKCome along and meet over 180 different exhibitors from all over the UK with hundreds of vacancies for Autumn 2007 – 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 Fairfi eld 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 over 180 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 Piccadilly Train Station.

CONTACT DETAILS:www.manchester.ac.uk/careers/graduatefairTel 0161 275 [email protected]

DATE:WEDNESDAY 13TH AND THURSDAY 14TH JUNE 2007DIFFERENT EXHIBITORS EACH DAYOPENING TIMES:10:30AM – 4:00PM EACH DAYVENUE: THE ARMITAGE CENTRE, MOSELEY ROAD, FALLOWFIELD, MANCHESTER M14 6HE

EXHIBITORS: 180 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)


EXHIBITORS (CORRECT AT 16/04/07): ACCA, Aggregate Industries UK Ltd, Amey, Areva T&D UK Ltd, Chase Medical Sales, CIMA, CIPFA, Control Techniques, CTC Marine Projects Ltd. Deloitte, Douglas & Gordon, Duco Ltd, Durham University Graduate School, Edge Hill University EDS (Electronic Data Systems), Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Entrust, EURES, Explore Learning, expw: consulting, Frontier Agriculture Ltd, Gardline Marine Sciences Limited, Graduate Prospects, Graduate-Jobs.com, Grant Thornton, HM Government Communications Centre, ICAEW, International Paint, Invista, Kelly Scientifi c Resources, Majestic Wine Warehouses, Management Development Services (MDS), Matchtech Group, MCS, Milkround Online, Mott MacDonald, Newcastle University, Nexia Solutions Ltd, Nigel Wright, Northern Rock, Northumbria University, Northumbria University - School of Law, Nova Group, Pareto Law, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Perfect Image Ltd, PricewaterhouseCoopers, QGS Recruitment, Real World, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy & Royal Marines, Schlumberger Oilfi eld, Select Education, Solutions Recruitment, SRG, Tarmac, The Army, The Logic Group, Training & Development Agency for Schools, University of Central Lancashire, Waitrose

Newcastle Graduate Recruitment Fair is the largest event of its kind taking place in the North East. Open to new and recently qualifi ed graduates, fi nalists and postgraduate students from any institution. The event attracts over 70 local and national organisations from a variety of sectors with immediate graduate jobs on offer.

See website for more details about the fair and who will be there…www.careers.ncl.ac.uk/ngrf.

TRANSPORT: St James’ Park boasts an easily accessible City Centre location with excellent public transport links. For further detailed travel instructions, please see the ‘how to get there’ section on the event website.

FACILITIES: On-site parking; fully accessible venue; refreshments available.

CONTACT DETAILS:Angela Smee, Events Co-ordinatorEmail: [email protected]: 0191 222 7768

SPONSOR


CAREERS FAIRS 2007 | NEWCASTLE RW

NEWCASTLEGRADUATERECRUITMENTFAIR

DATE:MONDAY11TH JUNE 2007OPENING TIMES: 11:00AM – 3:00PMVENUE: NEWCASTLE UNITEDST JAMES’ PARK


Come along to the Yorkshire Graduate Recruitment Fair, the biggest event of its kind in Yorkshire, for an opportunity to:• Access immediate and future vacancies with local, national and

international organisations• Visit the ‘Local Employment Zone’ sponsored by GraduatesYorkshire• Find out about postgraduate courses and research• Investigate a range of voluntary work in the UK and overseas• Research enterprise and self-employment resources• Learn about career-planning help available in the region

The Fair is open to new and recent graduates from any UK university and is free to attend.

TRANSPORT: There are excellent public transport links to Leeds and the Fair is centrally located within easy reach of bus and train stations. See the website for more details.

SPECIAL EVENTS: Come along to our Prepare for the Fair day to get your CV checked, try your hand at ‘speed interviewing’ with recruiters, and get advice and help on how to make the most of the event.• Wednesday 6th June, 11.30am-3.30pm, at the University of Leeds

Sports and Exhibition Centre

FACILITIES: The Fair venue is fully accessible and refreshments are available. If you have any specifi c needs please contact [email protected] or call 01274 234991 and we will make appropriate arrangements for you.

EXHIBITORS: There will be around 100 organisations at this year’s event. For an up to date list of bookings and information on their opportunities, see www.graduatesyorkshire.info/recruitmentfair.

CONTACT DETAILS: Web: www.graduatesyorkshire.info/recruitmentfairEmail: [email protected] Tel: 01274 234991

YORKSHIREGRADUATERECRUITMENTFAIR

DATE:THURSDAY 7 JUNE 2007OPENING TIME: 11:00AM-3.30PMVENUE: SPORTS AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS


CAREERS FAIRS 2007 | YORKSHIRERW


W hen it comes to choosing which companies to apply to for a job, it can be a daunting experience. There are so many different organisations out there – how do you know which one will be right

for you? Well, to make life a little easier we have a compiled a directory of great organisations to work for.

Each company offers great opportunities for graduates; so why not have a leaf through their profi les to see which ones you would be best suited to. The directory covers organisations from across the board: so whether you are looking for a role in marketing or a career in teaching there is something for everyone!

When you start to make the applications to your chosen companies make sure you’ve read our advice given both in this issue’s lead story (50 tips to get you a great job), as well as those archived on our website

www.realworldmagazine.com. One of the most important things to remember when job-hunting is to make sure you tailor your applications to the companies in question, rather than making one generic application that you use for all organisations.

Above all, make sure you are passionate about the position you are applying for. Companies want to see a genuine interest and enthusiasm for the work they do. What’s more if you have work experience that is relevant to the role then you will already be head and shoulders above other applicants vying for the same position. Good luck with your job-hunt – and don’t forget to mention Real World when you are asked how you heard about the vacancy.

And fi nally, we’d like to say a big thank you to all the companies who have contributed to this issue – and the previous 49 issues. Without your support Real World wouldn’t exist!

GREATCOMPANIESTO WORKFORWONDERING WHERE TO START WITH YOUR APPLICATIONS FOR A GRADUATE JOB? REAL WORLD BRINGS YOU A SELECTION OF SOME OF THE HOTTEST RECRUITERS AROUND. THEY ARE HIRING NOW – SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? APPLY NOW!


REALW.0706.50GREAT.indd 39 25/5/07 17:13:01

www.enterprisealive.co.uk/rw50

YES, I’D LIKE TO SPEND AN ETERNITYMASTERING ONLY THE BASIC BUSINESSSKILLS, UNTIL MY ENTHUSIASM IS ASFALSE AS MY TEETH.

NO, I’D RATHER JOIN ENTERPRISE, SO ICAN RUN MY OWN BUSINESS WITHINTWO YEARS.

We are an

equ

al op

po

rtun

ities emp

loyer

MANAGEMENT TRAINING SCHEME

Will most industry-leading companies really make the most of your talents? You’ve spent all those years atuni, so the last thing you want is to end up as an expert in photocopying and making coffee. Better makesure that’s not your fate by joining the 1000 plus graduates who enter the Enterprise Management TrainingScheme each year. We’re an international car rental company with over 440 locations across the UK, Irelandand Germany and a multi-billion pound turnover. And we’ll teach you how to run your own business in as littleas two years. You’ll learn about everything from sales, marketing and customer service to operations andfinance, so you can make crucial business decisions and reap the rewards. You could be promoted twice inone year. And earn in two years what could take you five elsewhere. We’re here to make the most of yourpotential, not let it wither and die. To apply, go to www.enterprisealive.co.uk/rw50 or call 0870 850 1232.

Enterprise


gReat companies TO WORK FORRW

REALW.0706.50GREAT.indd 40 25/5/07 17:13:25

www.marksandspencer.com/careers

People will do almost anything to get on our graduate scheme. And it’s hardly surprising when you look at what we have on offer – and the handful of available places. Choose our retail programme in the UK or Ireland, and you’ll spend twelve monthslearning everything you need to know about store operations. Or, join our head office where you’ll spend up to twenty four months covering all the ins-and-outs either in food, technology, buying, or IT.

You’re probably wondering exactly what it takes to secure a place with us. For starters, we’re looking for the future leaders of ourcompany, so the ability to motivate and inspire will be key. But most of all, we want people with new ideas and the drive to implement them. We’ve built our business on innovation – and we have every intention of keeping it that way.

For more advice on the qualities you’ll need (and they don’t include blending in with our cheese ravioli) and all the vacanciesavailable, go to www.marksandspencer.com/careers Closing date: 18th June 2007.

The Graduate Scheme everyone wants to get onto.

Improve your chances for a place…while you still can.

Marks and Spencer plc is an equal opportunities employer.

Marks and Spencer


gReat companies TO WORK FOR RW

REALW.0706.50GREAT.indd 41 25/5/07 17:13:38

www.rmgraduates.com

Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Not so much a job, more an education

We’re the UK’s leading provider of IT foreducation, and are well known for ourfriendly and supportive culture that allowsgraduates to thrive from the outset. We’renot all talk either.

Join us as a graduate and on top of thechance to get stuck into some real projectsas soon as you arrive, you’ll benefit from a starting salary of £22-£25k and excellentrewards, including a laptop andperformance-related bonus scheme.

Whatever your role, you’ll need to combine a broad blend of skills. While those taking on IT-specific roles should be able to

demonstrate technical ability, our commercialroles require excellent problem-solvingabilities. All our graduates will need fantasticcommunication skills and a strong customerfocus, along with the energy, enthusiasmand determination to succeed. Our trainingand progression opportunities are first-ratetoo. In fact our CEO, Tim Pearson, wasonce taking his intrepid first steps as agraduate himself.

So if you have a 2:1 or above, at least 240 UCAS points and would like to find out more, visit

www.rmgraduates.com

RM



REALW.0706.50GREAT.indd 42 25/5/07 17:13:54

www.teachinjapan.com

Nova Group



REALW.0706.50GREAT.indd 43 25/5/07 17:14:11

www.otis.com

Otis seeks highly motivated, customer focused and enthusiastic graduates to join its dynamic team in nationwide locations.

As well as holding or expecting a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Business, Engineering or IT, you must possess proven organisational capabilities with a strong customer focus, be a team player with excellent communication skills and have a good level of commercial awareness. You must have the drive and ambition to succeed in all situations.

Successful applicants will be involved in challenging projects to support a variety of key business activities across the organisation.

Together with exciting development opportunities, we offer the competitive remuneration & benefits package you would expect from a leading organisation.

Interested?

If you are interested, please email your CV and a covering letter, stating how you meet the criteria to [email protected]. Alternatively please write to Sandip Mistry, Learning and Development Co-ordinator, HR Department, Otis Limited, 123 Abbey Lane, Leicester, LE4 5QX

OTIS



REALW.0706.50GREAT.indd 44 25/5/07 17:14:23

[email protected]

Geoservices is one of the most respected namesin the oil and gas industry.

Think about joining the team

[email protected]

Go Further... Look Closer

We provide a range of wellsite services tooil companies in both exploration and pro-duction. With operations in more than 60countries, we can offer you the opportunityto start a challenging international careerthat will see you advance through a largevariety of roles within our differentbusiness areas.

We are looking for motivated and energeticgraduates with a good degree in earthscience or engineering disciplines (mecha-nical, electronic, electrical, petroleum,mining, chemical or computing).

Pub_RealWorld-180x196_FINAL-justifiØ:Pub_ENSPM190x135.qxd 15/05/2007 18:37 Page 1Geoservices



REALW.0706.50GREAT.indd 45 25/5/07 17:14:42

www.ey.com/uk/graduate

Ernst & Young

GetinsidebusinessGraduate and Undergraduate Programmes 2007

Ernst & Young is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.The UK firm Ernst & Young LLP is a limited liability partnership and a member practice of Ernst & Young Global.

As a graduate at Ernst & Young you'llhave the opportunity to work right at the heart of business, advising our clients on their most challengingissues. This may seem daunting, but we’ll be sure to give you lots of supportas you seek to fulfil your ambitions.

www.ey.com/uk/graduate

Think about the Opportunity.Yours. And ours.

XXXX_EY_G_196x180_2_C 25/5/07 5:56 pm Page 1



REALW.0706.50GREAT.indd 46 29/5/07 10:25:07

www.wesser.co.uk

Wesser

www.wesser.co.uk

Wesser is Europe’s leading charity fundraising and promotion organisation working on behalf of some of the most

important relief organisations and ecology groups.

Every year we provide hundreds of summer jobs, student jobs and gap year jobs to young people all wanting to

work for a good cause, earn well, gain work experience and simply have an enjoyable time. The skills that you

can learn and gain working with Wesser are valued and respected by all other graduate employers.

Wesser provides live-in accommodation for all of our fundraisers making this a home from home for most

students in the UK. We also offer a fantastic package for ambitious individuals who are looking for long-term

opportunities in charity fundraising and those who want to have a great professional future.

Wesser is a totally unique organisation offering a truly unique working experience.

Welcome to a Career in Charity Fundraising…

Welcome to Wesser UK

We invite you to discover more…

Wesser_RealWorldMag_(180x196mm)Final.indd 2 26/05/2007 15:23:06



REALW.0706.50GREAT.indd 47 29/5/07 09:52:32

www.teachfirst.org.uk

I taught firstwww.teachfirst.org.uk

Teach First’s graduate programme is a unique opportunity to be different and to make a difference. It’s an innovativecombination of teaching with management skills training andleadership development, plus unparalleled internship,networking and coaching opportunities.

Whatever you aim to do with your career, Teach First.

INTERESTED?Recruitment for 2008starts in June!

TF1038 Real World 50th ad 21/5/07 10:50 Page 1 Teach First



REALW.0706.50GREAT.indd 48 25/5/07 17:15:11

www.pwc.com/uk/careers

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Everyone dreams of something different from their career. AtPricewaterhouseCoopers, that’s fine by us. With our scale and scope,we’ve room for all sorts of ambitions. And all sorts of educationalbackgrounds. You see, whilst we look for at least 280 UCAS points orequivalent and a 2.1, your degree needn’t be finance or businessrelated. More important is that you possess the drive to make the mostof all we have to offer. We’re the one firm for all aspirational graduates.

www.pwc.com/uk/careers/

GraduateOpportunitiesNationwide 2007

AssuranceTaxAdvisoryActuarialStrategy

We are an equalopportunities employer.

© 2007 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (a limited liability partnership in the United Kingdom)or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

W SHFUL

30308-196x180-Realworld 25/5/07 4:40 pm Page 1



REALW.0706.50GREAT.indd 49 25/5/07 17:16:32

www.royalmailgroup.com/graduates

Royal Mail

Now there’s competition,we need you to keep us in front.

Graduate Opportunities£22,000 - £23,000 plus bonusesHow will you give Royal Mail the edge? Now that our market has been fully deregulated, we need to make our entire business more commercially competitive. So it doesn’t matter what area you join us in. Operations,HR or Sales and Marketing. You’ll help bring about big changes. You’ll be responsible for keeping us in front. To find out how, visit www.royalmailgroup.com/graduates

At Royal Mail we take equality and inclusion seriously and are proud to employ a rich and diverse mix of people.This is why we encourage and welcome applications from all parts of the community, particularly women whoare currently underrepresented. We are positive about Disability.



REALW.0706.50GREAT.indd 50 25/5/07 17:16:56

www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/summerevents

It’s too late for some things.But not too late to start a brilliant career.

KPMG is holding a number of SummerEvents across the country, where you canfind out more about us – and our careers.You’ll be able to speak to us in personabout our graduate offering and currentvacancies at one of our 21 UK offices.

To find out more and to register for KPMG’s summer events please visit

© 2007 KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG networkof independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a Swiss cooperative.

KPMG’s Summer Events All degree disciplines

www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/summerevents

KPMG



REALW.0706.50GREAT.indd 51 25/5/07 17:17:12

GUIDE TO WORK EXPERIENCE

Real World Guide to Work Experience, your guide to staying ahead of the competition.

Welcome to the Real World Guide to everything you need to know about work experience and internships.

The articles here are for anyone looking to stand out from the crowd, whether it’s through volunteering, fi nding a holiday placement or getting some top-notch work experience.

Available from local careers services.

WORK EXPERIENCE

GET REALHOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF AN INTERNSHIP

WHAT DO EMPLOYERS WANT? OUR NO-STRESS GUIDE

OVERSEAS WORK HOW TO fINDA GREAT jOb

THE LOWDOWNON fINDING OPPORTUNITIES

YOUR DEGREE IS NOT ENOUGHYOU NEED EXPERIENCE!(WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW TO USE IT TO kICk-STaRT YOUR CaREER)

guide to WORK EXPERIENCE

GET*a*HED

2007 | FRee to StudeNtSWWW.ReALWoRLdMAgAZiNe.CoM

iNSid

e

FREE TO STUDENTS

Are you wondering what engineers and scientists might be doing at

GSK? For starters, applying brilliant thinking to the design,

development, process and manufacturing technologies that deliver

lifesaving drugs to people around the world. With operations in 119

countries and a manufacturing capital investment budget of over

£500 million, we produce medicines that ensure we’re in a position

to change the lives and prospects of millions.

Our 3 year technical development programme will offer broad-based,

structured development for technically skilled individuals who wish

to develop their careers in an organisation where you can see not

only your impact on the world, but also your whole future ahead of

you. And whatever your career goals may be, if you’re capable and

have personal ambition and drive, we’ll support you every step of

the way with all the learning and development opportunities you

need to enable you to flourish. The programme involves placements

in at least two of our business areas, at different sites so full mobility

is essential.

Disciplines sought for Global Manufacturing & Supply:

• Process Engineers/Chemical Engineers & Pharmaceutical Engineers

• Chemists – Analytical, Physical, Physical Properties, Organic and

Bio-Chemistry

• Mechanical Engineers

• Electronic/Electrical Engineers

• Automation Engineers

If your expertise at either a graduate or post-graduate level is in any of

the disciplines above, you can take the first step toward a career that’s

challenging, exciting and incredibly rewarding by going to

www.gsk.com/uk-students

GSK is proud to promote an open culture, encouraging people to be themselves and giving their ideas a chance to flourish. GSK is an equal opportunity employer.

gsk.com/careers

OUR MOST IMPORTANT ACCOMPLISHMENT

IS SAVING PEOPLE’S LIVES.

Ads.indd 4 11/6/07 12:33:44

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SPONSORED BY

We’re looking for

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to pre-register ornominate someone visitWWW.realWorldmagaZine.com

have you got What it takes?

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GOY A4 POSTER.indd 2 23/2/07 13:26:08

Documents

June 2007