i * Self-defeating Job-Search Moves to Avoid * 10 Tips from College QAdmissions Officers * Six signs of career derailment * Thinking about getting married? - Things to consider * 19 signs you're in love * c.v. tips for graduates * College Entrance Exams begin + related info * New university year begins * Back to College...Starting Out * Per Ardua Ad Astra - through struggles to the stars * Too Many Graduates...Not Enough Jobs * Alternative Education: Earn As You Learn * Wake Up - Tomorrow Has Arrived * Don't worry about finding your first job * Job Seeking...The Approach...Starting Out... * Do Qualifications Count? * Making the Most of Job Fairs * C B Song *
Between studying for the SATs, crafting the perfect application
essay and, of course, figuring out how to pay for tuition, college
prep can be tough on both teens and their families. That’s why we
spoke to admissions officers across the country to get the inside
scoop on ways students can improve their odds during the
application process. From scheduling interviews to applying early
action, read on for 10 tips from the people who decide who's
in—and who's not.
1. Don't limit your school
options.
While it’s exciting to have a top school in mind, if your child
only wants to apply to one institution, encourage her to broaden
her perspective. “Ultimately, students are going to be successful
at a number of different types of colleges,” says Jay Murray, director of Admissions
at Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut. “Plenty of
schools will offer the kind of academic opportunities that each
student is looking for, as well as give her the chance to grow
socially and intellectually.” Instead of targeting one specific
school, find out what your child is looking for and research places
that will fit those needs: Does she want to be a big fish in a
small pond or attend a school with thousands of students? How far
does she want to be from home? Does she see herself in a
traditional campus environment? By identifying what she's truly
seeking, your teen will be more open to exploring a variety of
schools.
2. A so-so SAT score won’t necessarily hold your child
back.
While some undergraduate institutions do have minimum SAT score
requirements, many do not. For most schools, standardized test
scores are just one piece of the puzzle that college admissions
officers look at. “Four years’ worth of grades is a far better
predictor of how someone’s going to perform than a three-hour
Saturday test,” says Patrick Winter, senior associate director of
Admissions at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. “We’ve
admitted students who had average test scores but performed really
well in high school and took challenging classes; that tells us
that they’re performing above and beyond their abilities. It’s when
we see students with mediocre grades and strong test scores that
it’s a red flag.” He explains that these students may not be
working to their full potential, which makes them less desirable
candidates. Encourage high school students to challenge themselves
academically with their course load, and to prepare thoroughly for
the SATs—but not to lose hope if they aren’t pleased with their
results. Consistent participation in extracurricular activities and
school clubs also appeals to colleges; they are eager to admit
students who will bring curiosity, interest and leadership to their
campus.
3. Students should use their application essay as a
chance to show their personality.
“The essay is where students can distinguish themselves and enhance
all the other information that’s already on their application,”
says Winter. “They shouldn’t restate what’s already obvious based
on their grades or teacher recommendations, but rather use it as a
place to show who they really are.” According to Melanie Mickelson,
vice president of Enrollment Services at Wilkes
University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, students should aim
to focus on one thing that is important to them. “If you’ve had a
life changing event, that’s great, but most people haven’t.” She
recommends students write about a person who has inspired them,
like a family member or a teacher. Or write about a class they
love, an important Eagle Scout project they worked on or recently
adopting a pet. Colleges want to know who you are, so students
should write as if they are talking to a real person and avoid
laundry lists of achievements and accomplishments as well as making
excuses for less-than-stellar grades.
4. Think long and hard before applying early
decision.
If your teen has his heart set on one school in particular, be sure
it’s a good fit before he applies early decision, which will bind
him to that school. Though it may seem like accepting an offer
early on will make the process less stressful, if he's
committed to a specialized program, but decides later on to change
his major (which most students do, according to admissions
officers), he'll end up being tied down to a school that isn’t
such a great fit after all. “Early decision is for students who
absolutely, positively know where they want to go—and who, at 17 or
18, knows that?” asks Murray. He explains that applying early
decision also limits your child's ability to compare
financial
aid packages. “By targeting one particular school, families are
essentially taking away their option to shop around for different
financial assistance packages.” Students who have a favorite school
in mind and are eager to make their college plans should consider
applying early action, which still provides advance notification
but doesn’t lock them in. However, these students should have
strong grades and test scores, since the early action applicant
pools tend to be very competitive.
5. Make the most of your campus visits.
It’s important to make every effort to visit each school that your
child is interested in. Not only will you get a feel for campus
life, but you’ll be expressing your interest in the school as well
as have an opportunity to ask important questions. “Don’t go and
ask questions that you could easily find answers to in a university
brochure or on the Web,” advises Murray. “Ask questions that are
really going to provide solid information about the institution,
like: ‘What percentage of students who apply early action enroll?’
‘How many students study my major?’ ‘What types of resources are
available to students in my major?’” By delving deeper, you’ll get
much more out of your visit than if you just follow the masses on a
walking tour. Joyce Ritz, assistant director of Undergraduate
Admissions at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, also
recommends asking if there are opportunities to sit in on lectures
as well as spend time driving around the surrounding town or city.
“Oftentimes the outside of campus is a great extension of college
life and could help you make a decision.”
6. Set up an interview.
Aside from the essay, an interview is another way for a student to
convey his or her personality to admissions officers, which is why
Murray recommends actively seeking them out. “Even if the school
your child is considering doesn’t offer them, see if they conduct
alumni interviews. Students should take every opportunity to put
themselves in front of someone who might be in a position to give
them the thumbs up.” Because one-on-one talks can be a source of
anxiety for teens, Winter recommends setting up mock interviews to
help them prepare. (It's a good idea for students to practice
with adults who aren’t their parents, in order to get a true
outsider’s perspective and feedback.) “We look for authentic
answers from students, so we would discourage too much ‘coaching,’
but a parent or adult can help a student think about how to
elaborate on a certain topic or let them know that they tend to say
‘um’ a lot,” says Anna Follensbee, senior associate director of
Undergraduate Admissions at Loyola University Maryland. Some sample
questions she recommends adults ask students are: Why is this
school a good match for you? What's your favorite class in high
school? What activity has been most meaningful to you and why? And
when it’s the student's turn to ask questions, be sure that
your son or daughter has done ample research about the school.
Follensbee says that she’s always impressed with queries that begin
with, “I was reading about your…”
7. Don’t bank on getting off the waitlist.
If your child’s top school puts him on the waitlist, unfortunately
there isn’t much you or he can do to get off of it. According to
Murray, most schools don’t rank their waitlists, which means that
there isn’t a numbered queue of students waiting for a spot to free
up. Instead, “schools will typically go to the waitlist to fill a
specific need, like if they need more biology majors, for example.
As a student or parent, you can’t ever be ahead of the curve
because you don’t know what they’re looking for.” He explains that
whenever families call asking what their chances of getting off the
waitlist are, he tells them that it’s in their best interest to
apply elsewhere. “Don’t wait for us; make sure you’re covered.”
Because it's very rare to get off the waitlist, Murray
recommends moving on. Worst-case scenario? You get accepted and
lose your deposit at another school.
8. Don’t hesitate when it comes to asking for financial
aid.
Worried that checking the financial aid box will make admissions
officers think twice about considering your child? “When making a
decision, we focus on a student’s qualifications and ability to be
successful at the school—not on their financial need,” says Murray.
By checking the financial aid box on the application, you’ll open the
door to “many options to help pay for college through institutional
merit scholarships, need-based financial aid and outside
scholarships,” says Follensbee. But keep in mind that scholarships
and financial aid will first go to students who have strong grades
and test scores relative to the applicant pool, so consider
applying to schools where your child will rise above the other
applicants and therefore get the best aid packages.
9. Lose the silly email address!
“Very often we come across students with fantastic grades, test
scores and extracurricular activities, and then notice that they
have an email address that’s completely inappropriate,” says
Winter. “That tends to communicate a bit about who they are.” He
advises that students avoid this by registering for a very standard
email address—first name, last name, etc.—and using that for all
college-related correspondences. In the same vein, encourage your
teen to clean up her Facebook and Twitter accounts—colleges often
check them out to get a better sense of what each applicant is
like.
10. Show interest in a school early and
often.
Take advantage of college fairs and other opportunities to collect
information about different schools—many institutions will keep
track of the students who seek out information, updating their
files every time prospective students make a campus visit or take a
tour. According to Murray, “it definitely helps to know how
interested a student is in your school.” But keep in mind that your
son's or daughter’s demonstrated ability to be successful at
the university (their grades, test scores, extracurricular
activities, etc.) is paramount. “Aside from showing a genuine
interest in being a student at the school, the best thing a teen
can do is complete the admissions requirements within the stated
deadlines.”
The desperate post-interview phone call, the proclamation of
self-doubt, and more blundering ways to negate your chances of winning
the job
Despite the healing economy, employers are often slow to post
openings and make hiring decisions. It's a frustrating situation that
can cause eager job candidates to act in counterproductive ways,
scotching promising opportunities. Here's our list of 10 real-life
job-search misfires we hope will serve as cautionary tales for
job-hunters. Don't replicate these counterproductive deeds.
Inflicting Gratuitous Interrogation
I was reviewing résumés and found one that stood out in a positive
way. I e-mailed the sender and asked whether he had a minute to talk by
phone. "I might," he wrote back. "Where is the company located, what is
the starting salary, who is the CEO, and how long have you been in
business?" That was the end of the correspondence; our street address
was on our home page, the salary was listed in the job ad, and the
company story (including inception date and leadership bios) was in the
About Us section of our site. In his haste to make sure his time wasn't
wasted—a reasonable goal, in my opinion—the gentleman asked me to
answer four questions he'd have already had answers to if he'd done a
bit of homework. Lesson: It's perfectly fine to guard against
time-sucking or even bogus job ads, but do it in such a way that you
don't shoot yourself in the foot.
Forgetting Who You're Interviewing With
The executive director of a small not-for-profit shared this tale
with me. "I miraculously got enough money from my board to hire a
marketing director last year," she said. "I was over the moon. I had one
precious job opening to fill. I interviewed five people, three of them
from industry and two from the not-for-profit world. One of the
industry folks was super-smart and insightful. Sadly, she knocked
herself out of the running about halfway through the interview." "How?"
I wanted to know. "I asked her to tell me one story that illustrated
how she rolls. I told her to think about our five-person agency and
what we need in marketing, and tell me a story from her career that
would make it clear she belongs here. She told me a story about a
24-month intranet development project involving 60 people across
functions and six or seven levels of organizational sign-offs. I was
nearly asleep by the time she finished. I think this lady really needs a
big company atmosphere." The job-seeker's intranet story screamed "I
don't understand scrappy not-for-profits at all." Lesson: In your
written job-search communications and especially on an interview, keep
your stories and questions relevant to the hiring manager's issues.
Selling Yourself Short
A friend at a placement agency told me this story. Last summer she
had a candidate on the short list of two finalists for a plum sales
management job. She'd just gotten off the phone with the hiring manager,
who said, "I have to sleep on it, but I think your guy Frank is
getting the job tomorrow," when Frank himself called her. "Don't be mad
at me," Frank said. "Oh, no," said the agent. "What did you do,
Frank?" Frank had gotten fearful and had called the hiring manager to
say, "If you don't want me in the sales manager spot, I'll take a sales
territory assignment." The manager hired him into the territory job
and hired the other finalist for the sales management job. The
placement agency lady never told Frank how close he'd come to the
higher-paying, bigger job. Lesson: Stay the course. You'll never show
an employer what you're worth, or persuade them they need you, by
groveling.
Letting Minor Adversity Vanquish You
"I am so frustrated with my job search," said a man I met at the
library. "I had an interview last week, and when I got there at 20 after
5, the front door was locked," he said. "Did you go around to the
back?" I asked. "Did you call or text HR or the hiring manager?" "No, I
went home," said the gentleman. "When I got home, there was a message
telling me the front door would be locked and I should go around, but I
had left home before that message arrived." "Did you reschedule?" I
asked him. "No, I figured the opportunity was lost." "Call them!" I
said. He did, but they'd filled the job already. Lesson: Corporate
hiring types are no different from anyone else; they make mistakes. On
one job interview back in my 20s, I walked around the whole building
looking for an open door for a 5:30 interview, and I finally walked
across the loading dock to get in. Show your resourcefulness by rolling
with the interview punches.
Sending a Generic Thank-You
I interviewed a brilliant young man for a business development role.
"Look, Barry," I said. "I want to make sure we're on the same page.
Over the next couple of days, send me an e-mail message and tell me
what you heard today. It doesn't need to be long. Just write a couple
of paragraphs about what you see as our competitive situation and how
you'd approach the assignment so that I know we'd be in sync." Barry
happily agreed. An hour later, I got the generic post-interview
thank-you e-mail from Barry, saying, "Dear Ms. Ryan, Thank you so much
for chatting with me today. I'm excited about working for your company
and know I'll do a great job." Today we would call that an epic fail in
the showing-comprehension department. Lesson: Whether the hiring
manager asks you to, or not, make sure your post-interview thank-you
recaps the conversation in an intelligent way, pointing out what the
company is up against and how you're equipped to tackle those
challenges.
Offering a (Doubly) Misguided Information Packet
A reader called me for advice, saying, "I'm targeting a product
manager opening at Company X. I'm going to a trade show where they'll be
exhibiting." We talked about visiting the company's booth and chatting
up employees. A week later she called again. "I visited the booth but
everyone was busy, so I left a packet for the sales manager." "Hmm, for
the sales manager?" I asked. I thought about a sales manager's likely
level of interest in a non-sales employee's job-search packet dropped
off during a chaotic trade show. What was in the packet? "I left him a
note with an article I wrote for an industry journal several years ago,"
she said. "Was the article about Company X?" I asked. "No," she said,
"it was a story about software documentation." Unfortunately, Company X
is not a software company. Busy working people are deluged with
information. Job-search overtures need to be specific. My caller could
have gotten her hiring manager's name via a short conversation if she'd
stuck around that booth until the trade show crew had a minute to chat.
The unrelated article didn't help her case and was likely tossed in
the recycling bin. Lesson: Your target person is the hiring manager.
Other, random people in the organization typically don't make great
conduits unless they're friends of yours. And whatever materials you
send must make it clear what you want and why anyone should care.
Frantically Self-Doubting
The CEO of a tech startup called me. "What about this?" he said. "I
ran an ad, and a lady wrote right back to me with a great e-mail
message. I replied to say, 'I'd love to talk when you have time.' She
wrote back to tell me that she's not all that technical, and I replied
to her saying that we need more than just technical people. She wrote
again to make sure I knew that she's really not all that technical. By
this time I was trying to figure out why she responded to the ad at all,
but her résumé was great, so I said, 'Let's just get together and take
it from there.' Then she wrote back to ask me if there were going to
be technical tests during the interview. We don't use anything like
that, but I had lost faith at that point and gave up. Please tell your
readers to go with the flow. There's no point in acing yourself out of
job opportunities because you fear you might get tossed out at some
later point in the process." Lesson: Work the process. At a minimum,
you'll make valuable contacts, learn some new things, practice your
interviewing skills, and give yourself a reason to get dressed up.
Surrendering to Salary Worries
"I got a call for a job interview, but I didn't go," said Samantha, a
woman I chatted with at a networking event. "Oh, why's that?" I asked.
"They told me not to come in if I need to earn more than $75K, and I'm
really focusing on jobs that pay $80K and up," she said. "Seriously?" I
asked. "You skipped the interview over that $5K gap? Are you being
overwhelmed with interest from employers?" "Heck no," she said. "I
haven't had an interview in months, but I figured I'd hold out for the
number." If Samantha had gone to the interview and started a
conversation, she could have learned enough about the organization and
its issues to talk them into another $5K in base or bonus or some other
valuable exchange medium. Lesson: When you're invited to a reasonable
job interview, go! If it doesn't sound perfect at first hearing, that's
O.K. Life is long, and priorities and investment levels turn on a dime.
You'll never know if you don't show up.
Saying Yes to an Illogical Request
A client of mine, Maurice, wrote to me, dejected. "I should have
taken a stronger stance," he said. "What happened, Mo?" I asked him.
"This corporate recruiter called and talked to me for an hour, and I
guess I passed through that gate O.K.," he said. "She called me back and
asked me to write a marketing plan for the company. I haven't even met
those people yet. I went crazy and wrote a 20-page marketing plan and
sent it to her. Then, radio silence for three weeks." Maurice fell into
the trap called Give Them Exactly What They Ask For, No Questions
Asked. You'll never show your value that way. A generic marketing plan
is almost useless, and a thoughtful, customized one requires
collaboration with the client. Trying so hard to please, especially in
the early stages of the selection pipeline, is a bad strategy. Lesson:
When you're asked to deliver X, Y, or Z during a job search, remember
that you're an important part of the equation. Maurice could have said,
"It would be irresponsible of me to write a marketing plan with so
little information about the business, and apart from that it wouldn't
be fair to the people who have paid me for marketing plans in the past.
Let's set up a time for me to talk with the marketing VP and discuss
her marketing-plan needs then."
Utterly Failing to Prepare
I interviewed an editor candidate who said, "I think I could really
help you." "Marvelous!" I said. "How? Where could our publication
improve?" "You mean your publication specifically?" she said. "You got
me there. I didn't actually look at it. I'm not a reader." Lesson: Don't
apply for jobs that don't interest you.
Liz Ryan is an expert on the new-millennium workplace and a former Fortune 500 HR executive.
Getting
bumped off the track on your way to the top is every high achiever's
recurring nightmare. How can you be sure it doesn't happen to you?
Research by Michael Lombardo, principal of Lominger Limited, uncovered
six indicators of career derailment. If any of them describe you, you'll
know what areas you need to work on:
1. Disagreements with Higher Management
Obviously,
this is a no-no, even if your point of view is correct. Those who would
rather be right than promoted almost always get their wish.
2. Problems with Team Building
You need to be good at spotting talent. Building diversity, developing talent and helping your people work together effectively are also core capabilities that you can't do without for very long.
3. Problems Developing Working Relationships
If people don't want to be around you, your career is in trouble. Bullying, isolation and being out of the loop in various ways all torpedo corporate careers.
4. Lack of Follow-Through
When
you consistently forget to follow up on promises and don't attend to
important details, people notice and question the wisdom of handing you
anything else to forget.
5. Problems Moving from a Technical to a Strategic Level
Here's
where engineers and other highly technical people can stumble and find
themselves unable to go beyond what they know in order to formulate more
complex strategies. If you're on your way up the ladder from a highly technical role to a more managerial one, be sure to ask your boss for some feedback as to whether your strategic skills need honing.
6. Assuming Something Other Than Your Own Hard Work Will Take You Where You Want to Go
Being
overly dependent on a powerful boss or some other advocate, or even on
your natural talent, sometimes causes high-potential people to get a
little lazy. "I know I'll make VP this spring, because all the important
people are on my side," a rising young star once said. Wrong -- he was
passed on the inside lane by somebody who had just made a great
presentation to the senior VP. The only person who can get you noticed and promoted is you.
Anything
on that list sound familiar? If not, take a second look or consult a
friend. Psychologists tell us that self-evaluation is a terrible
indicator of performance. To be on the safe side, ask somebody who knows
you well (and will tell you the truth) to have a look at the list and
give you some objective feedback.
When it comes to keeping your career on track, what you don't know about yourself could definitely hurt you.
Thinking About Getting Married? - Things to consider
by Nick Colling of the Daily Telegraph This feature has created a wide range of reactions from nearly 500 readers. Some accept it as sound advice, whilst others consider it more or less nonsence, and suggest that people should be left to make up their own minds haow they approach a relationship.
Asking about one another's finances and secret addictions before getting married or moving in together is essential if a couple's relationship is to last the distance, according to Bross Bennett.
The list of straightforward and decidedly mundane questions was put together as a separate study by website unbiased.co.uk found that January is the busiest month for divorce lawyers.
Here are some of the questions lawyers say couples should ask before committing to one another:
Finances
Do you know the extent of each other's assets?
How does each of you view sharing these assets?
Do you have the same attitude to saving?
Family Ties
What sort of relationship do you have with your extended family?
Are they local? Over-involved?
Have you had any major fallings out? Children
Do you want children? How many?
How do you want to raise your children? What sort of values do you want to pass on?
Do you have opposing views about the benefits of state versus private education?
Work
Are your respective career paths compatible?
Will you want to give up work when you have children?
What does your partner think about this? Roles
Will you expect to live along traditional lines - woman as homemaker and man as bread-winner?
Who will organise the finances?
Will household responsibilities be shared equally? Leisure
Do you like the same things?
Do you have the same idea of a dream holiday?
Lifestyle
Do you have any secret addictions, such as handbags, shoes, chocolate or football? Honesty
Do you still hold feelings for old flames?
Religion
What religion - if any - will you bring the children into?
19 signs that you're in love
So you’ve met someone new, and you’ve fallen head over hook, line and sinker for them. You can’t finish “hello” before ripping their clothes off. Your cheeks are so pink they’re visible from space.
It must be love! Or is it? If you recognise more than a few of these signs, chances are it’s the real thing – and you may just be in it for the long haul.
1. You chuck out your old relationship souvenirs
For years, you hoarded ticket stubs from concerts and days out with your ex. Then you fall in love, and suddenly all these souvenirs are just tat that’s cluttering up your space. So, if nothing else, falling in love makes you more tidy.
2. Your ex announces their engagement, and you don’t care
What’s more, you fail to understand what you ever saw in them. And as for sleeping with them... what were you thinking?
3. You’re no longer shy around your former crush
You used to be a quivering wreck when your office’s payroll assistant entered the room. These days, you barely notice them.
When you’re in love, your partner becomes infinitely more attractive than any other person on the planet. Yes, even Cheryl Cole.
4. You aren’t put off by physical imperfections
Lust is far more fragile than love. Here’s an example. If your lust-object arrives for a date with a big green crusty lump sticking out of their nose, your attraction will disappear in an instant.
But if you’re falling in love, you won’t be put off. You’ll feel protective. You’ll rub your nose and hope that they mirror you… and hey presto, problem solved. Ain’t love grand?
5. You show them where you grew up
It may seem an odd choice of weekend adventure, but love means wanting to show them where you’re from. “That’s my old school, that’s where I had my paper round, that’s where I puked up my dad’s home-brew…”
6. You tell them your plans – big and small
Whether it’s babbling about your world-travel dreams or asking them to help make the shopping list, you include your lover in your plans because they’re part of your life.
7. You wonder where “we” should go on holiday
Even if it means compromising your idea of the perfect holiday or putting up with their mum’s brussels sprouts.
8. You’re thrilled by a joint invite to a family wedding
Partly because you’re happy that family and friends treat you two as a unit. And partly because you want your wingman beside you when the boredom sets in at 10pm in the church hall.
9. You show them off
When you’re falling for someone, you want to include them in your social life and show them off to your friends. However…
10. You’re happy doing nothing together
Ultimately it’s not about being a couple on a social stage, but just about being two people together. Just going for a walk together sounds like the perfect afternoon.
11. You join their photography class
You want to know what make your lover tick – and you want them to see that you’re showing an interest.
12. You ring them to moan about work
When they’re the first person you want to talk to about what a class-A berk the boss is today, it’s because you think they’re a keeper. (Your lover, not the boss.)
13. You take their kids out for lunch
If your other half has children from a previous partner, your relationship with the kids is a barometer of your future as a couple. And if you’re in love, you’ll try your hardest to get along with them.
Try not to let it stress you out. If you and the kids can be relaxed in each other’s company, you’re onto a long-term winner.
14. You aren’t afraid to argue
Couples don’t agree all the time. If you’re in lust, you don’t care about standing up for yourself – it’s more trouble than it’s worth.
But when you’re in love, you want to put your point across. Speaking up shows that you’re secure enough to question what your lover says or does.
However…
15. You feel terrible when you argue
You wouldn’t be half as upset about a row with anyone else. Here’s why…
16. You care more about their happiness than your own
You feel bad when your other half isn’t happy, so arguments are a double whammy of emotional trauma.
On the bright side, it shows that you’re really in love. You’re no longer looking after number one all the time. Instead, you want your partner to be OK.
17. You don’t mind saving if you're usually a spend-thrift
Our money habits are deeply entrenched, but love motivates you to make an exception.
For example, if you’ve spent your adult life being unwilling to save up for anything dearer than a haircut, love could suddenly make you want to save a deposit on a flat.
Likewise…
18. You don’t mind splashing out if you're usually frugal
If you’re suddenly willing to splash out on a luxury holiday together, it shows how important they are to you.
But it’s not about changing the real you. If you’re usually more comfortable being a saver, love won’t change that. It just means you’re less rigid about it. Which brings us to…
19. You risk being yourself
Of all the love-signs on this list, this is the big cheese.
When you’re infatuated or in lust with someone, you edit yourself to fit what you think they want. You might dress to suit them, or hide the fact that you don’t have much in common with their friends.
But when you’re in love with someone, you want your other half to know and like the person you really are.
It’s a risk, of course. Certain incompatibilities may come to the fore. But you know that you can’t be happy for long if you’re faking it.
This isn’t an excuse to be stubborn or tactless. “Being yourself” does not mean sticking rigidly to habits, or telling your lover that their CD collection is crap. A bit of flexibility works wonders.
CV tips for graduates
We asked our experts how graduates lacking in on-the-job experience should present their achievements around campus and during study to potential employers
Whether you were involved in the beer and wine society or the uni orchestra, employers will be interested in your achievements. Photograph: Graham Turner
Simon Reichwald, director of Bright Futures — a company that helps students make informed career choices, network with employers and develop employability skills
Don't waste space on a personal statement: Personal statements at the top of a CV — those three to four lines which use words to describe you such as energetic, enthusiastic and committed — add little or nothing, as everyone uses them. So, instead use the space to write a career summary — three or four lines outlining what you want to do as a career and why. This is both different to the norm and helps you show some focus on what you want to do. Focus is key for employers when recruiting graduates, as too many applicants have no idea what they want to do. Plus focus and direction are still a rarity in graduates, in my view.
A typical statement that adds little or no value would read: "I am a confident, enthusiastic and hard-working person. I am responsible with a mature outlook and have excellent interpersonal skills and enjoy meeting new people. I take pleasure in working as part of a strong team. I am highly motivated, creative and enjoy learning news skills." This is just a mass on adjectives for any role — so with no real focus
A better one would be: "Career objectives: I am focused on building a successful career in sales and marketing for [organisation name]. I have deliberately looked for and found work experience in this area so I know that the fast paced, results-orientated environment will give me the challenge I thrive on. I am a strong relationship builder, resilient and motivated by success."
Lucy Cheatham, marketing director of Grad Central — a recruitment specialist in the West Midlands
Is your CV keyword-search friendly? Graduates need to be mindful of how CVs are searched and screened by employers and recruitment specialists. With the growing popularity of searchable job board CV databases and sophisticated recruitment databases able to run multiple keyword searches to find the perfect matching CV, it's really important for job seekers to create search-friendly CVs that show case their skills and competencies to the full. Thinking about the key words and phrases that recruiters will be looking for should be part of your planning phase when you're writing your CV. Prospective employers will be looking for terms relating to specific personal qualities, key competencies and technical skills relevant to the role and the industry.
Key areas of expertise might include direct marketing, social media marketing, search engine optimisation and campaign management. Key competencies could include teamwork, communication and negotiation.
Give employers a reason to meet you: The most common problem I encounter with CVs at graduate level is that they are overlong and they don't give me a reason to want to meet you right up front. Think about the person who is scan-reading your CV in the midst of a pile of dozens, maybe hundreds, just like it. What are the three things that person needs to know about you that distinguish you as someone who is worth meeting out of that large pile? Give serious thought to your points of difference — in marketing terms, your unique selling point — and put those three things up front in a visually accessible way. Making the recruiter's life easier greatly increases your chances of being shortlisted.
So, include examples from your work experience/internships or from your extra curricular activities that demonstrate accomplishment, initiative, leadership potential, communication skills and the ability to work smoothly and effectively with others.
Focus on value, not tasks: Having read hundreds of graduate CVs, I find it amazing at how many people are still fixated on telling us what they've done, rather than what value they've delivered. In writing their CVs, what these people forget is that as an employer I have customers, shareholders and employees, and each of these parties expect something from the investment or effort they put in. And because of this, it's essential that anyone joining our company is focused on adding value. With this in mind, as you write your CV it's essential that you focus on proving that you're the type of person who can use your initiative to deliver real value. This means writing a compelling story about value you've delivered, not just the tasks you've done. For example, a person writing about tasks would state: "head waitress at local restaurant", whereas a person writing about value, would state: "increased nightly takings and customer satisfaction 20% by implementing new training programme as head waitress". When you read this second example you immediately take notice; you want to employ them because they make a difference, they add value. This is what will make me want to give you a job.
Richard Freeborn, national graduate recruitment manager at the bank, Santander
My top tip would be to spend a good amount of time on your applications. Every day I see applications that have been rushed, with some candidates just putting one word answers in boxes with a word limit of 100. It's important to develop your answers logically, stating the context, what you did and what the end result was. By following this loose structure, you should be able to outline your answer in an ordered, cohesive way.
Be relevant: Tailoring your CV to make it relevant for the job you are applying for is something students sometimes overlook. Most employers don't have long to read your CV, so don't include irrelevant information — the title of your dissertation, for example — unless it is relevant. Instead, describe some achievements and skills which you used when writing it. For example: "For my dissertation, I analysed and interpreted information from various sources including the internet and library." Also, be clever about presenting your experience. If your most relevant experience isn't the most recent, you can split your experience under two headings: relevant employment and additional experience.
Employers hire graduates who take responsibility and achieve things: It can be a useful exercise to write the body of your CV using these phrases "I was responsible for ..." and "my achievements included ...". Even if you don't use those exact words, it will help you avoid process descriptions — "I attended numerous meetings to plan the student ball" — and instead demonstrate what you were responsible for and what you achieved, however little. For example: "As music officer, I was responsible for arranging the four professional bands who played at the student ball". Don't worry about the activity you're describing; employers don't mind much whether it was the wine and beer society, the rugby club, the church or the orchestra, as long as you can demonstrate that you achieved something. And don't worry about the quantity involved; not everyone raises hundreds of pounds for orphanages in Africa, raising £50 from your friends for the local hospice is great too.
Tailor applications for every role: It is so important that when applying for a job that you tailor your whole application. Employers want you to apply for the job they have advertised not just any job. Before you start editing your CV or writing a cover letter or person specification, research the position and employer you are applying to. What skills and experience stand out that directly related to your own experience? It's important that you highlight this in your application.
Don't be afraid to shuffle things around on your CV with each job you apply for (if fact I would recommend it), have a relevant employment/experience section on the first page of your CV so the employer can see that you have really thought about the position you are applying for and how it directly relates to your previous experience. With the experience you've had that is not directly relevant to the role highlight the relevant skills and activities you've used and been involved in so you are still tailoring it in that sense.
Your education/training section can also be tailored to the employer, it doesn't just have to be as dry as listing the course/degree you studied and institution you attended. Think about your course work, major assignments, team projects or major research project like your dissertation. If it is directly relevant and you've performed well, list this concisely under the education section of your CV. Not only does it demonstrate you have studied something relevant but you have been successful at using transferable skills that are important to the employer.
It´s midday on Monday here in China - the big day for nearly ten million high school graduates who are taking university entrance exams. They´re also the first exams after curriculum reform was carried out in high schools.
More and more Chinese students have realized that taking the college entrance exam isn´t the only way to further their education. Studying overseas has become a very popular option for some third year high school students.
Preparations have been underway across the country to make sure the exams go as smoothly as possible. Precautions have also been taken to guard against cheating as Tom Fearon has been finding out.
In light of the recent school attacks, China has tightened security for the college entrance examinations. All relevant departments and local governments are fully prepared to respond to emergencies during the tests.
Police have arrested at least 64 people suspected of selling hi-tech devices to help students cheat in China´s annual make-or-break national college entrance exam to be held June 7-8, authorities said Sunday.
China´s annual college entrance examinations, also known gaokao, will begin in less than an hour. Nearly 10 million students have registered for the all-important exams at about 8,000 schools nationwide.
New university year begins.
The new students of Tsinghua University queue for registering on August 26, 2009. They will start their new life here. Tshinghua University has totally enrolled 3337 new students this year.(Xinhua Photo)
As students find themselves confronted with making choices at aged 19, or upon graduation, we have condensed, updated and presented new information to help you make those important decisions. Our dedicated team of advisers will treat enquiries as a matter of priority until the end of Octover, 2009. E-mail: eeenquiries@ymail.com through the above link, and write 'Careers' in the subject box.
Back to College...Starting Out. 2009.08.27.
Although this article was originally intended to offer information to students arriving at college or university for the first time, much of it applies equally to those who are embarking on their first job, embarking on the initial steps towards your future career.
There are 8 areas to consider.
1. Getting there. Arriving at a strange and unfamiliar city is often a daunting and bewildering experience. Trains, buses and roads are crowded. It is often wise to travel with a minimum of luggage, keeping to the essentials. Carry with you a minimum of cash, it is safer in a bank. Take care of bank cards, and check before you leave home that they operate in other regions and in ATM machines.
Parents often want to accompany their children to a new location, to be sure that they settle in, and that all is well. I'm not so sure that's a good idea. You will have to fend for yourself, perhaps for the first time. My feeling is, that it is best to say your 'Good-byes' at home, and plunge in at the deep end. After all, when you think about it, most other new-comers are in the same situation, and have the same anxieties.
2. Accommodation. Most accommodation for students is shared in one way or another, often in a dormitory with several other people of more or less the same age. That in itself causes its own problems; creating your own space with little privacy, getting along with your new room-mates, and being mindful and considerate of their situation. A common concern is that you may never have undressed in front of someone else before, or feel embarrassed in communal showers. You needn't worry. In a short time it will be as much of your routine as brushing your teeth.
In a city starting work, living on your own in a rented room or small apartment, can be very lonely. You have no one to share experiences with, or to talk to. Just you, and the television. Try to find a colleague in a similar situation. Even if you're not completely compatible, at least there is someone else around on a daily basis.
3. Orientation - getting to know the campus and city.
It's well worth the time and effort to find out as much as possible about your environment in advance. Search the Internet for information e.g. Google Earth. a local map and bus time-table is often helpful. Spend some time during your first week exploring the city to find facilities and local markets. In my experience, markets are great! Apart from the fact that they are cheaper, often they are a good place to meet with local people, who will usually be pleased to welcome you into their community, and show you the best places to go.
4. Eating. I don't think that there is anything more tedious than preparing food for yourself and eating it on your own. It is usually not practical to eat out every meal, although in China, there is a magnificent range of food available on the streets and in markets, from early morning to late at night.
Canteen food on campus is often bland, unappetizing and generally poor. Planning, shopping and eating together with friends is a pleasure. Indirectly,it has a beneficial effect on study and work. People who eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, perform better, look better and feel better. Developing basic cooking skills is, in my opinion, essential. Lunch or dinner provides an excellent opportunity for communication or companionship, providing a focal point for social or business interaction.
5. Your Schedule. Getting a practical, workable schedule is a priority. Make certain that you are on the correct courses for your chosen area of study and that you are at the level that suits you. If they are wrong, then change, or talk to someone who can help.
English courses in the First Grade are often mandatory, which means that you have to attend classes whether you want to or not. It doesn't follow that your skill level in a subject, necessary equates to your level of academic ability, for a number of reasons. Most commonly is that many students have not had an environment with suitably experienced teachers. There are many resources listed in World Wide Webs and on the Ed Webs pages that can help. In short... don't skip or miss lessons. If there is a problem, talk to your teacher or tutor.
6. Social Life is as important as study. Mutual support and friendships are earned or created through relationships, co-operation and attitude. They are made with your room-mates, class-mates and others that you 'hang-out' with on a day to day basis, through sports, activities and clubs. It is important to achieve a balance between study/work and play, for you to be able to develop into a 'rounded person'. Employers are usually looking for interests which you do on your own and in groups both in and out of doors. As the expression says, ' All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy!'
7. Finances. For most moving away from home, or starting work, handling personal finances is a first-time experience. Look after your money and keep it safe. Budget (plan) for the amount you have available, divided by the number of weeks it has to last.
In the beginning, it is worth keeping a notebook of everything you spend. It's very easy, especially when you have a lot of money for the first time, to lose track of what you have spent, and where you spent it.
First,make allowances for essentials such as; travel, rent, food, and books, making sure that you keep enough money in reserve to get home at the end of the semester / term. If you need to, or want to, find a part-time job that doesn't interfere with your study time or disrupt too much, the time you have for social activities.
Beware of wonderful...spend now...pay later offers of credit from banks, and don't borrow long-term from other students. They probably are facing similar problems to you. Above all else, remember... that loans have to be repaid.
8. And finally... moving to a new study or working environment is in the top 3 most stress factors, along with divorce/marriage break-up and a visit to the dentist.
Most students worry about 3 things. They are, in order of importance; money, their grades and their family at home. Many students keep worries to themselves, without realising that more than 90% of the people they are with, are experiencing exactly the same thing.
To draw these points together, one thing is certain. It is that whether you are continuing studies away from home, or looking forward to launching your career or moving jobs - your life, and that of your f amily and friends, will never be the same again. You will survive, because you have to. You will be successful, because it drives you. However old you are, life, like language, is constantly changing.
Get organised...get going! Smile...and be happy!
'Per Ardua Ad Astra...' ~ 'through struggles to the stars.'
is the motto of The Royal Air Force (RAF), the air-fighting section of British Military of De fence, with its origins in 1912. I joined as an RAF cadet at age 13, and remained a member until I went to college at 19. That was because after the second world war, as late as 1969, young people over the age of 16 could be 'called-up' into military service i the event of an outbreak of a third world war.
If boys were cadets in one of the armed forces, that would be where they had to go to fight. Rather heroically, I chose the RAF because I figured that it was a better option to be blown out of the sky, than be drowned in the icy Atlantic Ocean, eaten by sharks in the Pacific in the Navy, or shot to pieces in muddy wastelands or jungles as a soldier in the Army.
As kids from the countryside, we did loads of unimaginably exciting things like; survival courses, summer camps at RAF bases - where we learnt gliding and flying. I learnt to shoot, and won my 'wings' by firing 5 single high-calibre rifle shots in succession, through a 1.2cm disc target at 50 metres. It was character forming, and developed life-skills which I may otherwise have missed. I'm still a pretty mean shot at rifle ranges at funfairs!
The point is, that the RAF motto translates as... 'through struggles to the stars'. It's a thought that has always brought me back into focus when life has thrown obstacles and disappointments into my path.
I can understand student's frustration at not achieving the right exam results or an interview. It is one of the problems with systems which is so heavily based on exam results. It is not able to reflect a person's wider capabilities, talents, character or work ethics.
For me, as a student, examinations were absolute hell, as I panicked. From 1972 - 1997, I worked with the South-west Examinations Board and University of Oxford, first as a marker, and later as a full Examiner and Moderator (a Moderator is a member of a group of examiners who standardise the marking of different groups of markers, to establish fair standards at the same level). Students were continuously assessed on all areas of their work from ages 13 - 16.
It was the fore-runner of what is now 'Records of Achievement'. It enables students to keep a full record of all their achievements, interests and activities throughout their education. It is presented to employers and shows a good picture of the full person - their qualifications, achievements, aims and objectives.
If you feel a little let-down or deflated, or some kind of failure, sit back and think about what you have achieved over the past few years, and how your abilities and outlook have developed. Many young people in China, have achieved remarkable and significant progress, upon which to build their future.
I firmly believe in 'fate' and people being Masters of their Own Destiny - using their ability, talents, character. If 'Fate' has a hand, which I believe, set-backs and disappointments are for a reason - and the probability is that the situation will work out alright and for the best in the end. We sometimes need to reflect on circumstances and readjust our perspective as to what may be the best way forward over the coming months or years. Seizing opportunities to benefit our own objectives and for the benefit of others.
I still maintain a 100% commitment to my ideals; Enjoying English and The Red Dragon Initiatives - the people I would like to work with and students to whom I have a long-standing commitmentnt and obligation. It is often the case that we have to re-align our targets or time-line to safeguard our future. But I don't give in easily!
Some things are set in stone: circumstances often restrict our ambitions. This page has been inspired by questions from students, and should be read in conjunction with features on other Student pages, Viewpoint, Letters and Red Dragon.
We can never offer definitive answers which suit everyone, because everyone is different and their circumstances are not the same. Although the thoughts are of a general nature, they are based on considerable and varied experience.
When you have a problem, think it over, and try to come to a rational decision. If you have some ideas, send them to us at eehelpline@yahoo.com Every little helps!
Best wishes.
Alan.
August, 2009.
Too Many Graduates...Not Enough Jobs.
University and job places will be highly contested this Autumn as students prepare to start their first term.
As the economic position throughout the world deepens, more students are taking the option of deciding to improve their opportunities by entering or continuing their education.
However, an increasing number are graduating at 19, or at the end of their college / university education, and are finding there is increasing pressure in the job market.
A-level results are collected by pupils at Parrs Wood High School in Didsbury. Photograph: Christopher Thomond
Although student's situations are different; some are completing Higher Education at middle or comprehensive school level, whilst others have graduated college or university, the problems they face are similar. What is the next way forward, and what are the various options? Students in both the east and west face a similar dilemma, facing an uncertain future, with various choices and having to make decisions.
Gap Year - a year off your normal routine either before or after entering college or university. This is becoming increasingly a choice for students in western countries, but less so in China and the east, for financial reasons.
So, what's the truth about a Gap Year, and how beneficial is it? Is it likely to be a beach-hopping romp around the world, or planning a 6 - 12 month project to bulk up your c.v / resume to give you a career advantage over the next guy in the queue?
Richard Blooms, Administrations Officer for the City University, London, says that a Gap Year for some students can be a positive advantage. They tend to return to university more mature and well rounded having had a broader experience outside the comforts of an educational environment.
The important thing is, that whatever a student chooses, they should be able to explain why they want or wanted, to defer university entry. They need to be able to explain co-coherently what benefits they have or would, gain from their experience.
Simon Owen, a partner at the global professional advisory firm Deloitte, says that a Gap Year should be carefully considered. He wants to know that there was a process of serious planning involved. He looks for a series of well thought out projects of reasonable duration, with specific aims and objectives. That, he says, would make him sit up and take notice of a student's application for a job.
Six students are battling for every university place across the UK … students at Birmingham University. Photograph: Martin Argles
Charity / social or voluntary work, aiming to improve the quality of life for others, or to improve facilities in the community, is another option which is likely to get you ahead of the pack.
An Internship or work experience in your chosen career field is also helpful. Learning an additional foreign language is also time well spent.
Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive of Communications giant WPP, which employs 139,000 people in 106 countries worldwide, believes that the sooner you get on with it, the better. He emhasises that if you do something which shows initiative, it is of value to you and your future employer.
Another option, often favoured by students who are unsure of which way to turn, is to return to further extended education. In some ways, I think, this is prolonging the moment they have to face reality. There is a danger that some may become 'professional students', and there is the added danger that they may chose courses that are of little advantage to their future career. E.g. Philosophy or subjects which are already over-subscibed such as some IT subjects and Media Studies.
To sum up, the more experience you can gain, the better. One thing is certain, you won't experience anything useful to your career playing computer games on the Internet!
AC. August, 2009. Various sources including Agencies.
see also: other features on Student Life, Advice~line and Comment on this website. Contact us if you have specific enquiries.
Alternative Education: Earn As You Learn. 2009.02.28.
Students and their parents often think that College or University Education is the only route to a successful career. However, as the worldwide economic recession deepens, and the hunt for jobs becomes more competitive, it's worth considering alternatives. In the UK, this week is National Apprenticeship Week.
Don't let predjudice about apprenticeships or vocational study get in the way of clear thinking. Andy Powell of 'Edge', which champions practical and vocational learning, including apprenticeships, says that we all need to tackle educational snobbery.
'The tradional bias,' he says', against vocational qualifications results in too many people evaluating personal success by academic achievement.'
An Edge survey found that 35% of parents think that vocational learning is for those who don't do well at school - but, in reality, it's simply an alternative route to career qualifications. Infact, if you don't want to do any more college-related study, think about an apprenticeship.
As well as workplace training, they involve some study, either in college or your own time. So, you need to be prepared to put in extra time after work. see: www.edgecampaign.co.uk
Like most qualifications, apprenticeships are available at various levels. In the UK they usually begin at age 16 - 19, but there are no limits - at least one, is being taken by a man aged 60. Again, in the UK, they cover a range of 80 subjects from accountancy to football, business studies and vetinary (animal) nursing, so forget tht they are only for young boys or people with no academic ability.
An apprenticeship lasts for as long as it takes to gain competence in the job. That's usually 1 - 3 years, but there are no limits. They are usually 'paid employment', with the company or organisation paying tuition costs. I think that, although it may not be generally known, similar situations ocur in countries worldwide.
Case Studies. The following are examples of the way 3 young people in the UK have advanced their career opportunities through apprenticeships in different ways.
DT male, aged 25 completed an advanced apprenticeship in Business Administration, whilst working for a large Corporation in northern England. He is now doing similar studies in Customer Services working as a Customer & Information Addministrator. He says that his studies had been tailored around his job, and hopes to go on to do a degee. 'I like the mix of work and study,' he said.
EE female, aged 26 is a Weapons Technician with the Royal Air Force. She took an advanced apprenticeship in Aerosystems Engineering. Her studies hae taken 3 years, and she is now qualified to work on operations and abroad.
JN male, 19 was very well qualified at 16 when he left school. His school assumed that he would progress to university, but, 'I wanted to something more practical,' he said, 'and start earning money, without getting into student debt.' By next August, he will have compled a number of courses with an International Chemical Company. He says, 'Apprenticeships give you a real chance to show employers whaat you can do.'
In conclusion. There are clearly other roads to career success, other than through university. Large companies offer opportunities, although there may be an obligation to remain with the company for 2 or 3 years after graduation. Internationally, The Armed Forces of a country, offer ways of obtaining skills, whilst offering a salary, accommodation and comradeship.
Explore all your opportunities, and choose the one which best suits your circumstances.
Compiled from various sources including: Edge, Government & Education information, apprenticeships.org, Linda Whitney (Journalist) and agencies. AC. 2009.08.28.
WAKE UP - Tomorrow Has Arrived!
Back to college or university following a long summer break and settling into your study routine. However, November is approaching, an so begins the start of the new Job Fair Season. Check them out regularly; you'll find details in the local press, your school notice board and, of course, - the Internet - see Job Fair Maze.
Be prepared to be flexible. The job you want may not be available in the place you want to work. You may have to move away or change your perspective - the way you look at things or your career options. Similarly, be aware that an unexpected opportunity may appear. Weigh up the good and bad points, and make a decision. Opportunities come and go; they rarely come round a second time. Americans have an expression, 'WIGIG' - when it's gone, it's gone!
Even if you have one or two years study left, it's worthwhile attending the occasional Job Fair to keep an eye on the way the job market is moving. You may consider changing your major or, better still, take on a parallel 'bolt-on' course. This involves more work and requires a dicipline, but is probably worth the effort and sacrifices in the long run.
Such circumstances are nothing new. In my situation almost 40 years ago, teaching jobs in Geography had dried up throughout England & Wales, (Scotland and Northern Ireland have different educational administrative systems). I chose English for students with special needs as a parallel course. A decision I have never regretted.
In more recent times, Wang Bo found himself with an opportunity he never dreamed of, even though he was still studying full-time.
I am very reluctant to tell students, 'You ought to do this or that,' because I believe you should take some responsibility for your studies and activities to improve your future development. The only thing that they 'ought to do', is make sensible preparations to take advantage of forthcoming opportunities.
Whatever you do, good luck! Contact us if you need further help.
Alan.
August2009.Revised and updated from October.2007 & 2008.
Don’t worry about finding your first job
from Yue Xiaodong
From November onwards every year, university graduates are starting to look for their first job. So what is the most important element in a first job? Money? Promotion prospects?
Training opportunities?
Winston Churchill (1874-1963), the former British prime minister, once said: "Lucky are those whose interests and work are the same.” He is a good example. He once said that he had a gift for politics and a passion for it. He fulfilled all of his potential by being a politician and statesman for much of his life. Had he, however, followed his father’s advice to become a teacher, he would have achieved far less.
Finding the right job is a problem. Many students enter college or university not knowing what they want to do, and many leave with no clear direction of where they should be going. Too many, I think, rely on the notion that 'my parents will find me a good job'.
You need to match what you like with what you aspire in your life. I think that two points are particularly important;
- think about what you might like to do early on, certainly in the first grade, if not before
- match that with what you think your talents and interests are
- think carefully about the subjects you are studying. Ask yourself if they relate to the kind of job you might like to do
- keep an eye on the job-market. It is constantly changing. What may be neded today, may well be over-subscribed tomorrow.
Then, after you get a good job that meets your interests, what’s next?
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), the third American president, “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.”
In other words, good fortune favours the prepared. Working is like searching for luck, the harder you strive and prepare for it, the more likely you are to get it and enjoy it!
Yet in the increasingly competitive Chinese job market, there are some unlucky ones who cannot land a job even though they have really tried their best.
Don’t despair. Keep on trying and opportunities will present themselves to you.
About 80 years ago, a young American cartoonist was searching for a job in New York city for quite some time but kept failing. Feeling depressed, he sat on a bench in Central Park and thought about leaving the city. He got a job drawing cartoons for the New York Times and eventually got a full-time job for the newspaper.
Eventually he started his own company based on drawing. 'It’s fun to the do the impossible' said Walt Disney
Experience shows me, that coping with the broader aspects of student life; studying and enjoying life away from home - or not, as the case may be, three things are constantly at the fore-front of their thinking. They are; will my grades be good enough to secure a good job, are my family OK, and money - or lack of it.
Many students are pre-occupied with these matters and often leave matters relating to their future career until the last minute.
These things need to be put into perspective. Of course studying is important, your whole future depends on the final results, but it should not be at the expense of other things which make student life attractive and fun. Frequently, burning the midnight oil hs negative effects in terms of retaining information or progressing with your learning pattern. Student life needs to be organised and balanced.
To maintain that balance, one needs to enjoy a social life and relaxing persuits. Things which you like to do on your own, such as reading, and group activities with friends and class mates, such as sport. However, from the point of view of your future career, it is never too early to think about what you may like to do or where you would like to work and, of course, how much you would like to earn.
Most people have 'a dream'. It may or may not be related to your your family's ideas. You may have definite views on your chosen career path, or very frequently, you may have no idea of what you want to do in the future. Time spent during your first two years at college or university thinking about those issues, is time well spent.
If you are unsure of what you want to do, try to give it some serious thought. Do you want to work indoors or outdoors, for example. Are you happy working in a large city where salaries and living costs are likely to be higher, or would you prefer the intimacy of a smaller city or town. Do you want to work in a factory, or in an office. Are you interested in the prospects which may be offered by a large national or international company.
What do you want from life? It is sensible from time to time, to look at the Job market or keep an eye on the news from the press, television or the internet, to see the overall job situation. You can do this months, or even one or two years before you graduate. It is likely to improve your awareness of what is or is not on offer, and allow you to take steps to adjust your position when you come to look at job-hunting seriously.
The Job Market changes and fluctuates all the time. The number of graduates seeking employment increases from year to year. In 2006, 4.2 million students will graduate. The numbers for 2007 are likely to be 20% higher. That presents difficulties, but they are problems which have to be overcome.
An Internship or work experience in your final year or even post-final year, may be useful. Whether it is paid or not, is at the discression of the company you work for, but the experience is likely to be useful in two ways. It will help you decide whether you like the work you are doing - that includes relationships with colleagues. It is important to remember to treat an internship or part-time job as a real job. Don't be late for work and treat it seriously, whatever tasks you are asked to do. It is possible that it may lead to further employment upon graduation.
The second point is that it is a benificial addition on your c.v. or resume. Obtaining any experience in a work situation is an advantage.
For the moment, here are a few more thoughts. We are all aware that China's development rate is very high compared to the rest of the world - more than 9% year on year in China, compared with around 1.7% in Europe.
Despite the world's general economic turndown, multi-national companies continue to show strong interest in China's potential for investment. Many start their recruitment drives at the begining of the September semester, although the government preferes them not to approach graduating students until November.
Most companies, especially high-tech enterprises, are seeking well qualified talent, and it is possible that demand will outstrip supply. It is certainly worth considering looking for a job with a foreign company after graduating, as the prospects may be better, coupled with salaries and the range of benefits offered.
New graduates do not necessarily need practical working experience, but knowledge, ability and enthusiasm are essential. Prospective employees should also posess a spirit of teamwork, initiative and the ability to work under pressure. It is also an advantage to be able to ontain and assimilate information from a variety of sources, and be able to make rational decisions at the same time.
IT qualifications are also highly sought after and a good command of English is sometimes required*, though special courses are sometimes provided.
The section, ' Websites' may help you further.
Alan Cooper.
August 2006.
* Japanese companies have a strong eye on China as a source for future investment. Japanese would, I believe be a sensible 3rd language choice, if you have an interest in foreign languages. I think it has more potential in China than French, because most French businessmen will speak English anyway.
Do Qualifications Count?
Yes, I'm afraid they do, at least until you have experience of your new work situation under your belt, at which point experience 'click in'. Even then you may wish to continue with some kind of study or participation in extra courses to help your promtion prospects.
Qualifications rather than personal qualities tend to take precidence with Asian employers, according to recent surveys.
In the west, and this applies if you are seeking to work for an American or European company, attention is given to personal qualities and achievements other than educational qualifications.
Making the Most of Job Fairs.
A first visit to a Job Fair can be a daunting and confusing experience. Besides the exhibitors, there are usually hundreds of students looking for information and an opportunity. Remember that the exchange of information is two-way; not only are you looking for a break into the job market, but businesses, industry and other enterprises are seriously on the lookout for potential employees to fill their vacancies.
It is an expensive business for a company to prepare display material, publicity material, and pack a team off for a few days or a week to another city.
Employers have complained recently (CCTV - September, 2006), that frequently students come to job fairs unprepared. It is rarely simply a question of handing in a resume or c.v.* So, to do justice to yourself and to avoid wasting the time, and money, of a great number of people it is necessary to be prepared.
The Maze. Here is a tip that is worth considering, although I have to say that it doesn't always work. Many Job Fairs are very big, held in large public rooms and attended by hundreds of Job Seekers. Most go through the doors and immediately congregate around the exhibitors just inside the entrance.
This often leaves exhibitors at the back of the hall or on the second floor, with little or nothing to do. So, bypass the front of the queue, begin at the back, working your way towards the front. It is very likely that you will find prospective employers with more time to deal with your enquiry.
Remember, first impressions count. It may be that you are standing in front of someone whose company you are interested in. Certainly, your resume / c.v. is likely to either have a lasting impression or head straight for the bin, so it is well worth the time and effort to make sure that your presentation is clear and accurate - an example of a well appointed resume / c.v. can be found later in this section.
The resume / c.v. should be a simple design - no elaborate graphics, fonts or quaint little slogans. It should be on a plain sheet of good quality white paper. Paper with pictures of cuddly kittens and cute puppies are definately out! You are in the business of Job hunting - make sure that your approach is business like. It may be necessary to prepare different resumes to suit diffent types of work in which you may have an interest. Companies increasingly are asking for resumes / c.v's to be e-mailed. The same rules apply.
Your appearance. It's perfectly acceptable in college, to bum around in jeans and a 'T' shirt, or sports clothes, but it is not acceptable when confronting prospective employers at a Job Fair. On the other hand, it is not necessary to over dress.
Look smart, even casually dressed in clean jeans and a sweater, clean shoes, clean hair and finger nails, but be comfortable because inevitably you will be in crowds of people, and it is likely that you will be on your feet for several hours. Hot and bothered!
Do your homework. Be aware of which organisations or type of work you are interested in and prepare your resumes / c.v.'s accordingly. If possible, find out as much about the company as you can. Check their websites for background information, so that you know what you are talking about when it's your turn.
Be prepared. Make sure that you have the right kit for collecting literature from the company and presenting information about yourself. You need:
A bag for carring c.v's and collecting literature.
20 - 50 copies of your resume / c.v.
A note book - a journalist-style jotter, with tear-off pages, is ideal.
2 or 3 pencils / pens in case they break or run out
A mini-stapler to keep literature, notes and business name cards together.
Prepare an 'intro' and an 'outro', 30 seconds to 1 minute about yourself, your college, your interests and expectations. Make a note of the name of the person you are talking to, as it shows your professionalism and creats a good impression. Something like this...
'Hello Mr Li. My name is Alan Cooper. I am from the University of Economics and Trade in Shijiazhuang and my hometown is Tianjin. I am interested in a career in International Trade and have noticed on your website that you are looking for new recruits from August to work in Tianjin or Shanghai. Here is a copy of my resume. Could you please give me further information?'
It is likely that the response will be informal, with a more detailed enquiry of your interest, as well as offering information. Make any notes you feel may be useful. Use the opportunity to ask prepared questions. This gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your professional interest in the company, your intelligence and educational background and experience, if any. Make sure that you have either the representatives business card or name and use it in your 'outro'.
'Thank you Mr Li for taking the trouble to talk to me. It has been very useful. I look forward to hearing from you soon.'
This approach is useful and polite, even if you have realised that it is not what you are looking for.
Follow - up. When you get home, send a brief letter of thanks to the person you spoke to. Such as...
'Dear Mr Li
I was pleased to be able to meet you at the Job Fair in Shijiazhuang last Saturday ,where you oulined opportunities with Tianjin Shipping Import Export Co Ltd.
I enjoy using my written and oral English skills and would be particularly interested in any post connected with overseas exports.
I look forward to hearing from you
Yours sincerely...'
And finally... If you find your dream first time round, you are extremely lucky. Don't look upon failure as defeat. Turn it to a positive attitude, after all, if you hadn't attended the Fair in the first place, you would never know what you could have missed, and it might have been 'the one'!
Alan Cooper.
September, 2006.
C B Song
Chairman of Unison the world wide retailing giant, spoke to on CCTV’s 'Up Close' on 2007. 01.20/21. This is a summary of his thoughts and conclusions ; neither the order, content, nor the intention of his comments or views have been manipulated in any way.
In 1980 as China was opening up, he built the first 5* hotel in Beijing . He later sold it because he needed capital for other ventures, and established the Chain of no star hotels called 'Sun Shine Hotels', so called because they offered comfortable, clean accommodation in the capital . He commented that immense lavishness was a waste, he referred to them as 'e-hotels'. Standing for 'express, economy, electronics, excellence and well-lit'. ' Don’t hide dirt', he explained.
He said that Building a team with expenence gave a good froundation for the future.
Mr Song was asked by a member of the audience if he could give some suggestions for success in business and for the future development for young people.
He replied that his wife, who had always been behind ideas for his business success, was the real founder of Unison, had told him that he would be asked that question. There are 6 elements he said:
1.Be a good person
2.Hold a balanced view of life
3.Engage in and accept continuous barning experience
4.Identify and persue objectives
5.Be careful and prioritise timing
6.Guard against Murphy's law
In another country be bi-lingual and bi-cultural!
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The list of straightforward and decidedly mundane questions was put together as a separate study by website 
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