It's been an employers' market for the past few years.  So many graduates have had to settle for roles that pay pretty well minimum wage while effectively exploiting their skills.  Others are performing duties that underuse their skills, abilities and intelligence.

No more...  the prediction for 2014 is that graduate recruitment will reach a 7 year high.  I hope that's true.

I read an article this morning which has left me feeling a little incensed.  The article in The Telegraph (Education Section) discussed whether:

1) Employers should ignore internship experience because it may indicate that the candidate has been privileged, and

2) Employers should ignore graduates' degree classifications - again because it may suggest privilege or better educational opportunities. 

So, where does that leave the graduates who've worked really hard to gain a place at a good university and achieve a first-class degree?

Where does that leave work ethic? 

Where does it leave the fact that some people are - in reality - more intelligent and more employable than others?

The fact is, the world isn't, and never will be, a level playing field; it's a jungle.  But the same opportunities are out there for anyone who wants to get off their backsides and go after them.  I know people who've attended state schools and gone on to become lawyers.  And I know people who've had a private, aka 'privileged', education and gone on to achieve very little.

Success is a mindset.  It's about parents encouraging and supporting their kids.  It's about kids getting off backsides to seek out and make the most of every opportunity.  There's plenty of help out there for the under privileged.  Educational establishments should focus on referring kids to those resources and, if necessary, running classes for parents to educate them on the importance of supporting, stimulating and motivating their kids; leading by example. 

In terms of level playing fields, we need to be very careful about the message we send out and we should avoid at all costs undervaluing or resenting those who have worked hard to create a brighter future for themselves.

For those who'd like to read the article, here it is: Telegraph Article

by Barbara Patrick
Professional CV Writer and Career Coach
Compelling CVs
Reading Berkshire

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In today's madly competitive job market, it's a great achievement to secure an interview, but sadly you've only just cleared the first hurdle.  Now you have to shine at the interview and perhaps at 2nd and 3rd stage interviews, depending on the role and how thorough the recruitment process is.

If you asked for our 3 top tips for interview success the answer would be very simple...  Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!

Interviews are a two-way process.  Not only is the employer assessing you, but you are assessing them too!  So use the interview to glean as much information as possible.

• Read the company's website and their annual report.
• Read up on their marketplace and competition.
• Read the job description thoroughly.
• Use this information to generate informed conversation and to prepare some interesting questions to ask at interview.
• Stay off the alcohol the night before, and have a good night's sleep.
• Make sure you know EXACTLY where you are going for the interview.  Allow plenty of time.  Don't arrive late, but don't arrive too early either.
• Take a copy of your CV with you and don't be afraid to refer to it if you need to check dates, etc. It's worth taking a spare for the interviewer too.
• Take the job description and any other information with you. Read it en route and make a note of any questions you would like to ask.
• You may be asked to produce ID - passport or driver's licence.
  
• If you've been asked for any other documentation (qualification certificates, etc), remember to take them with you in a clean folder.
  
• Don't be afraid to take notes during the interview.
• Don't be negative about your present or past employers.
  
• If you are a smoker, don't smoke before-hand, however nervous you may feel. All business premises are non-smoking nowadays, and you will carry the smell of cigarettes into the interview with you - not attractive.
• Make sure you are presentable.  That includes hair, teeth, shoes, fingernails.  People notice the smallest things and you don't want to be remembered as the candidate with dirty fingernails.
• Turn off your mobile phone before you enter the business premises, and don't turn it back on again until you are well out of earshot.
• Stand up when you greet the interviewer and give a firm hand shake - not too limp and not too bone-crunching either.
• If you're offered a drink, stick to water.  Avoid coffee and biscuits - less potential for making a mess.
  
• Position yourself comfortably on the chair, not on the edge. Sit up straight and stay focussed.  Make lots of eye contact, but not so much that you freak out the interviewer! 
  
• Make sure you answer the actual questions.  Listen carefully, consider the question and then answer it directly and concisely.  Try not to answer "yes" or "no".  Expand a little, but don't waffle.  If you don't know the answer, don't lie; perhaps admit that you haven't come across that before but you'd be interested in learning more about it.
• Try to establish a rapport with the interviewer but don't be over-familiar; keep it professional.
• Be nice to the receptionist and/or secretary. They play a very important role within the company and could become your greatest ally.

We could give you many more interview tips but at the end of the day, the interview is a sales pitch.  You are selling yourself.  If the interviewer doesn't like what they see and hear, they won't buy.  It's as simple as that.

Interview preparation is key so remember our three top tips...  Prepare, Prepare, Prepare.

Good luck!

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If you've read through our site you'll already know the importance of making an instant impression with your CV.  Recruiters spend very little time reading your CV (if they read it at all).  They need to pick up key points - fast - and that means scanning for keywords.

The Ladders recently undertook an eye tracking survey to see just how much time recruiters spent looking at your CV, and also detecting "hot" areas on the CVs.

After you've read it, you might want to get in touch with us for help with your CV and/or LinkedIn profile.  Our CV writing service includes the incorporation of key words to match the job description and person specification, together with clear formatting to make your CV attractive and easy to read.

If you didn't read Part 1 of my blog on Video Interviews, you might want to read that article first...

• You must remember to talk directly into the webcam - maintaining eye contact as if you were talking directly to the interviewer.  It's often tempting to look at the screen or refer to notes... don't!
• When you are answering questions, try to inject some enthusiasm into your voice.  This can be difficult when you're talking to a camera, so you may need to practice this in a mirror.
• Maintain a good posture - don't slouch and don't wriggle - but don't be rigid either.  If your chair is a swivel type, lock it into the upright, static position.

It's a good idea to practice video interviewing with a friend - possibly recording the interview over Skype.  Enlist the help of someone you trust to give you positive, constructive feedback, and who will help you to identify problems and to improve your performance.

• Pay attention to body language, enthusiasm and eye contact (with the webcam), and then make adjustments to your performance, until it becomes more refined yet natural.
• During practice interviews, get into the mindset by dressing appropriately and creating the correct room-setting - so that you are in true interview mode, even though you're just rehearsing.

All recruiters will set different interview questions, so we cannot provide details of what you will be asked.  However, since video interviews are not interactive, questions will be static - totally

We recently conducted some video-interview skills training for a client, in preparation for a video-interview for a graduate training programme in London.

Video interviews are becoming increasing common as recruiters and hirers begin to recognise their value and convenience - especially during the early stages of the selection process.  They are especially useful where distance is a problem, for example where candidates are overseas.

Basically, video interviews are conducted via the candidate's own computer and webcam. Recruiters use specialised software into which any range of interview questions can be programmed, together with with variable timings for questions and answers. Each candidate is sent a link to the video interview with a specific time window during which they can log in and complete the video interview. 

When the interview starts, the candidate will see the first question on the screen.  The video recording commences and the candidate gives their response into the webcam.  Response time permitted for each question may vary and will be limited by the software programming.  Some questions might allow just 1 minute to answer, others 90 seconds or 2 minutes.  The recruiter decides.

The process repeats for each question.

Candidates should treat video interviews as they would any other formal interview, and should consider the following:

• The video interview should take place in private - away from interruptions from family, friends, pets or any other noise or disturbances.