Here are our top tips for young players to the career game;
1. Have a brief and succinct CV of no more than 3 pages, Ensure it has 3 or more personal attributes listed that you feel are your strongest. The average amount of time employers spend reviewing a CV is 10 minutes.
2. Don’t overstate your skills and abilities. Sure, sell yourself, but you are not the most amazing person in the world. Keep it clear, short and honest.
3. Network with those who might be connected to companies you want to work for or other well-connected individuals in your industry. It amazes me how few young people in my industry approach me asking if there are any opportunities in my business. You can also use LinkedIn to facilitate professional connections, or attend social gatherings run by the governing bodies in your industry.
4. Practice your interview skills with a friend or family member by answering typical interview questions. Work on maintaining good eye contact, but not holding it for too long. Looking away every now and then can break the intensity.
5. Dress for the part you want, rather than dress in your own personal style.
6. Be confident and honest in your responses at interview. You can practice confidence-boosting exercises in the lead-up to the interview. If you try to lie about your experiences, the interviewer will sense this. Additionally, keep your answers detailed, but not too elaborate. Try to convey the relevant information in a succinct and clear way.
7. Master the handshake – a good handshake sets a great impression. Ensure that your hand is not sweaty and that your grip is firm, but not excessively so. Don’t forget to include eye contact and a smile as you shake their hand. If your interview involves multiple staff members or panelists, be sure to greet and address them all, rather than focusing on one staff member or panellist.
8. Apply for unpaid positions such as internships and volunteering: This will allow you to create opportunities to network, to develop your professional skills and to boost your CV. You never know what kind of opportunities could come of it. At the very least, you might make some new friends and have some valuable learning experiences from this work.
9. Any kind of work experience you can get will show potential employers that you have what it takes to deal with the real world of employment, that you are responsible and that you can commit to work. And make sure you check out our thrive learning program on https://www.petercharleston.com/courses for expert help with all aspects of personal development.