The sun is shining, exams are nearly over and for all those third years like myself, the big, wide world is suddenly closer than ever before. Whilst the idea of landing your dream job from the get go sounds ideal, in reality, the job hunting experience is not as simple as it first appears. Yes, a degree from a top university like Exeter, filled to the brim with extra-curricular activities and work experience might be the perfect formula for success, but if the enthusiasm that is found on paper cannot be translated into real life, you might be in for a great deal of disappointment. In fact, in Debrett’s recent Business Leader Survey, when asked about key skills that professionals look for when selecting candidates for jobs, several commented that in today’s environment with ‘less than 5 per cent of internships and work experience advertised –networking is the real way into employment.’ With this in mind, it is essential that us undergraduates take full advantage of every networking opportunity that comes our way to ensure that we stand out from the masses.
Moreover, whilst we are all indebted to modern technology such as social media and the Internet, the survey highlighted that a huge 72 percent of employers feel that graduates have become over attached to technology, which has had a negative impact on their social skills. Yes, e-mailing is an essential way to interact with people in the work place, but this should not be the only way. If you are unable to converse with colleagues and clients face-to-face, this will be detrimental to your career progression and may result in you being rejected from your dream job. Astonishingly, over 22 percent of the leaders Debrett’s interviewed noted that the lack of social skills from young employees caused them embarrassment in front of their clients, resulting in them losing business. At a time in which undergraduates are gaining more 2:1s and firsts than ever before, this is not a statistic that Her Campus likes to hear. Young people should be showing prospective employers exactly how brilliant they are, yet judging by this recent survey, this is not entirely the case.
As we move from paper to screen, it is very easy to abandon fundamental business skills essential for any career, such as the composition of a letter. Skills such as these may appear basic, but once again failure to adequately fulfil these tasks will not stand you in good stead with an employer and with graduation just around the corner, now is the time to learn.
If like myself, the prospect of being a ‘proper’ grown up, with a non-interest free overdraft and no student loan is terrifying, then why not invest some time in honing those skills that you have gained at Exeter, so that when it comes to applying for jobs, you are not guilty of committing any employment faux pas’. There are plenty of courses that you might find helpful but one that has particularly caught both Her Campus’s and recent Exeter graduates eye is Debrett’s Youth Programme. What distinguishes Debrett’s from several other courses is the fact that the programmes combine an introduction into a business environment with that of important networking and social skills. And where better to learn such skills than Debrett’s, experts on etiquette, manners and social intelligence since 1769.
As a recent politics graduate from Exeter has commented: “Having participated in a Debrett’s Youth Programme, I received two job offers from the first two interviews I had following the course. Debrett’s teaches the subtleties of interaction that give you the edge in the professional world.” Indeed this is a view that one of the business leaders interviewed by Debrett’s would agree with arguing: “The better candidates are those who differentiate themselves and bring things to life through their personality.” With this in mind, Her Campus would recommend thinking of job hunting like a salad. You can have all the lettuce in it in the world but it will still never taste as good without a punch of personality, some avocado, a tomato, and perhaps even some home-made dressing. In true Masterchef fashion, the salad will not be complete without perfect presentation and this is something that students needs to take into account when applying for jobs.
The next available Debrett’s Youth Programme will be running 9-11 July 2014, and will include a one day’s intensive CV and Cover Letter workshop. To find out more information about the courses that Debrett’s have available, please click here.
Source Credits: Debrett’s Business Leaders Survey, 2013.
Picture Credits: www.debretts.com