So what’s so specialabout YOU?

David Twiddle

YOUR JOB MARKET

RECENT GRADUATES…

50% are working in graduate roles

40% are working in non-graduate roles.

10% are unemployed

Almost 1 million 16 -24 years unemployed

WHY HAS THIS HAPPENED?

Dramatic increase in people leaving university

Recession has reduced graduate hiring

Average of 50 applicants for every graduate job

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

Entry requirements for jobs are now much tougher

but fortunately(!)….

“A” grades at A Level and a 2:1 or 1st Class degree are rapidly becoming the norm…not the exception.

AND FOR THE EMPLOYER?

They find it impossible to differentiate between one candidate and another on academics alone.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

1 job 50 applicants 5 disappear (leaving 45) 15 have ignored the requirements (leaving 30) 30 applications considered 10 interviewed (20 relevant CVs rejected) 2 job offers (one rejects the offer) 1 successful candidate

WHICH MEANS…

Your grades earn you the right to apply, but that’s it.

They do not earn you the right to an interview or a job!

So what does? Any ideas…..?

ACHIEVEMENTS & EXPERIENCES?

…maybe…or maybe not!

Take a look at this…

LOOK FAMILIAR?

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TAKE 3 THINGS AWAY FROM TODAY!

1. It is not your achievements or experiences in themselves that make you special.

2. But what you learn from them and how you deal with various situations makes you unique.

3. Being able to communicate this effectively is what really makes you special!

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IN A FEW MINUTES TIME YOU WILL KNOW…

How to translate your achievements and experiences into compelling stories that will convince any employer that you

are a STAR candidate!

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So let’s get started!

THE GOOD NEWS…

Your first proper job is the easiest one to get!

If you know how to…

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…fish!

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Research

GET YOUR WADERS ON!

1. Positive Attitude2. Self-Management3. Team Working4. Commercial Awareness5. Problem Solving6. Communication7. Numeracy8. IT Skills

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Your achievements

WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG?

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THINK LIKE A STAR!

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Take Starmix out…

…Put Achievement

In!

ACTIVITY + ACHIEVEMENTA

ctiv

ity • Studies

• Sport• Expeditions• Music• Drama• Outdoor Pursuits• Hobbies• Family & Friends A

chie

vem

e nt• Success achieved

• Challenges overcome• Problems solved• Leadership demonstrated• Influenced others• Awkward / difficult

situations• Commitment shown• Team effort

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NOW WE CAN TELL YOUR STORY AND MAKE YOUR STAR SHINE!

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Telling storiesusing S.T.A.R.

TELL A STORY…

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INTERVIEW QUESTION

“Give me an example of when you have faced a challenge”

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SITUATION & TASK

“We had lost a rugby match 15-0 to our biggest competitor in a tournament. It was my fault – I was the main jumper in the line out and we lost virtually every one. We were due to play

the same school again two weeks later ……

……I knew, if we where going to win, we had to perfect our line – out.”

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ACTION

“Even though I wasn’t the captain, I spoke with the other forwards and persuaded them to meet at 7 a.m. every

morning for two weeks leading up to the rematch. We worked hard as a team, perfecting our line-out and ensuring that my

performance improved.”

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RESULT

“We won the match 27 – 0 and we did not lose a single line-out. In fact we won 50% of their line-outs and were

commended by their coach for our outstanding line-out play!”

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YOU’VE JUST SHOWN THEM…

Positive AttitudeSelf-Management

Communication & LeadershipTeam Work

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Your CV

YOUR CV IS THE FLY!

Your achievementsare the hook.

Tempt the employer..

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MAKE YOUR CV SHOUT!

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EXAMPLE

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Member of 1st XV (bad)

Initiated a two-week performance improvement programme for the 1st XV which resulted in a dramatic increase in the amount of line-

outs won in future matches and subsequent victories. (good)

IS IT RELEVANT?

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Whenever you decide to include a certain achievement in your CV, ask yourself:

1. Is this achievement relevant to the job I am applying for?2. What does this achievement say about me? Is it something

positive?3. Have I got any other achievement which is more deserving of

being mentioned instead of this?

PLACING THE FLY!

Personal details

Career objective/summary

AchievementsEducation

Employment

Hobbies and interests

References

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Achievements

The interview

REEL‘EM IN!

Tell the interviewer what youwant them to ask you throughyour CV!

Blind them with your STAR…

…and net a job offer!

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And finally…

HOW TO BE SPECIAL!

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WADERSResearch employers and discover the skills they are looking for

BAGPull together all your achievements and experiences and match them to what employers want

FLYUse your CV as your fly and your achievements to hook them, make it relevant

ROD & REELWow the interviewer with your STAR stories

NETLand the job but make sure your net doesn’t have a hole!

THERE’S A HOLE IN YOUR NET!

Watch out …employers are looking at you !

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WHY DID I SHARE THAT?!

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TAKE 3 THINGS AWAY FROM TODAY!

1. It is not your achievements or experiences in themselves that make you special.

2. But what you learn from them and how you deal with various situations make you unique.

3. Being able to communicate this effectively (STAR) is what really makes you special!

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THANK YOU……AND GOOD LUCK!