GradsKent

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FAQs

 

Q Where can I get work experience if no-one is willing to hire me?

A/ Many students and young people find it hard to get their first job because they are competing against candidates who have formal work experience. If this is something you can relate to, then follow these steps:

  • Try voluntary work. Kent County Council is a firm believer in supporting and encouraging volunteering within communities as it helps you to increase your life skills, increase your social life, improve your local community and much, much more. Volunteering can take you anywhere from hospices to the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Voluntary work also shows commitment and initiative and you may discover a new career path that you hadn’t thought of before. It also bulks out your CV
  • Be careful not to limit your experience by only looking for paid work experience. Employers look at any and all experience you may have accumulated to date whether full time, part time, paid or unpaid.
  • Take on the “sponge” perspective. Be ready and willing to soak up as much information around you as possible.
  • Consider temporary roles even if it’s doing a job which might be irrelevant to you now. Administration roles can help broaden your knowledge and increase your communication and interpersonal skills.

Q GradsKent doesn't have any jobs in my chosen sector. Why not?

A/ The GradsKent team is doing everything we can to promote our services to Kent-based employers in order to bring the jobs in. Please stay patient with us and remember to keep checking back on our progress.

We’d strongly recommend that you register even if we don’t have the perfect role for you at the moment. If we know what you’re looking for, we can get in touch with you when your dream job is added to GradsKent.

You might also wish to follow us on Facebook or Twitter  This is a quick way for you to stay up-to-date with the latest vacancies.

Q I would like to apply for a role in which I have no relevant work experience, how can I increase my chances?

A/ Interviews are about selling yourself effectively. If you don’t have the right work experience then you need to show the employer that you’re willing and capable to learn. In interviews employers will be looking to see where your strengths lie so it is important that you prepare in plenty of time for any interview. Try making a list of all your strengths and remember the important ones employers look for, such as communication skills, teamwork, reliability and confidence. Always make sure you can give evidence of these skills, and try to choose ones that appear in the job description.

Above all, remain positive, stay motivated and remember that enthusiasm shines through.

Q Now I have my degree, what next?

A/ Here at GradsKent we recognise the importance of personal development and a job may not be your first stop after graduating. Excellent transferable skills can be gained travelling or on a gap year so use the time to think clearly about what you want to do.

If you’re interested in working in Kent, we can help so please register your details; tailor your CV using our template and advice, and start applying!

Q How can I stay motivated with all my job applications?

A/ Job applications are a stepping stone process. It can take a while to find the ideal role and, even then, the whole application process can take its time. We’ve all gone through uncertainty: “Why haven’t I heard back yet?”, “I wish I’d tailored my CV better”, “I’ve sent off 10 applications – why haven’t I been invited to an interview?” and “Why have I been unsuccessful in my interviews?”

The important thing to remember is not to take it personally and remember you’re not alone in this process. Here are some great tips to help you stay motivated:

  • Believe in yourself – you know that you’d be a great asset to the workplace!
  • Take on some voluntary work to increase your skill set and abilities
  • Network – get advice and feedback from your friends and colleagues
  • Always ask for interview feedback
  • Take time out from the process to do something you enjoy

Q What do employers look for on my CV?

A/ Employers will ideally be looking for a range of transferable skills and abilities such as communication, written skills and customer focus. We recommend including a ‘skills’ section on your CV, which shows the key skills mentioned in the job description and how you can demonstrate them. Bullet points are best for this, because an employer will easily be able to scan your CV and recognise the buzz words that the role requires. Why not have a look at our CV advice for more help?

It is also important to highlight experiences such as volunteering and extra curricular training as it shows a rounded person who wants to get involved in the community. Many organisations encourage their staff to help the community, and this is known as corporate social responsibility. You can also use examples from your volunteering or extra-curricular activities within your skills section.

Finally, employers are looking to recruit graduates who have some knowledge of the world of work; work-related learning can be gained from a variety of opportunities such as shadowing, years in industry or internships. Keep an eye open for these opportunities on GradsKent, or get in touch with a member of the team.

Q I have caring responsibilities, how can I fit these around my career pathway?

A/ A lot of organisations recognise the skill set of people with caring responsibilities and offer flexible working patterns for people with caring responsibilities or young children.

Many employers understand the value of supporting working parents with initiatives such as flexible working and childcare. Within KCC the Kent Children and Families Information Service have been working with employers to make sure they have or are developing 'family friendly' working practices. As a result, many employers are now offering childcare vouchers.

You may want to browse an employer’s website to see if they promote flexible working or offer childcare vouchers – or speak to existing staff members if this is appropriate.

Q I would like a career change. Where do I go from here?

A/ Do you have a new career in mind, or are you stuck for inspiration? You can always use our career resource area for a breakdown of 14 different sectors.

Once you’ve decided where you want to go and ideally the role, then start creating a list of skills and abilities that are transferable to your new area of work. You can then use this in your CV or to sell yourself in interview.

Another resource which might be useful to you at this time would be to find a mentor within your current organisation or externally.

"Mentoring is to support and encourage people to manage their own learning in order that they may maximise their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be."  Eric Parsloe, The Oxford School of Coaching & Mentoring

Q There are no relevant vacancies being advertised for me, why should I register?

A/ Particularly within this current climate, you need to give yourself plenty of options with your job hunting. We recommend you register with GradsKent and other recruitment websites, as we will help support you on your career journey. From time to time, we may also be able to point you towards vacancies which match the skills listed on your CV, but which you might not have considered yourself.

GradsKent is open to anyone looking for employment within Kent. You do not need have to have previously studied or lived here, as long as you have a desire to work within the County. For information on what it’s like to live and work in Kent then please visit our Living in Kent section.

Q I'm finishing my A-Levels at the moment and planning to do a degree. Is there any point in me using GradsKent yet?

A/ If you've come to GradsKent then it sounds like you've already started thinking about the working world, and we can definitely help you. In particular, we offer summer work placements and years in industry - and you don't need to have a degree to apply for these roles. It's true that a lot of our vacancies are geared towards graduates, but we also want to help people like you so that you have a sparkling CV and lots of workplace experience under your belt when you do leave university - even if that feels like it's a long way off! 

Please do register with us on our graduate pages and let us know all about you. Tell us what stage of study you're at, what you are/will be studying, and the kind of opportunities you're looking for. If you want a summer internship, for example, let us know on the registration form and tell us what year you would like it. We'll try to email you with suitable opportunities nearer the time.