how to get a great graduate job with your history degree - simon reichwald

How to get a great graduate job with your

history degree

Simon ReichwaldBright Futures

What we will cover:The graduate job market today

Why is it so competitive, who is recruiting youWhat do employers want & Some Top Tips

Graduates hit as

companies scrap

training schemes

[The Times 25/08/2010]

Many graduates 'earn less than school leavers'

People Management Magazine Online

Graduate unemployment at highest for over a decade [BBC News – 26/11/2010]

Graduate

unemployment

up 25 per cent

Times Higher

Education

04/07/2010Nearly 20000 of last year's graduates - one in ten - were unemployed six months after leaving university - up

from eight per cent in 2008.People Management Magazine

[02/07/2010]

Graduate

unemployment

increases 44% in

one year [The

Guardian 02/11/2010]

Value of holding a degree shrinks for 21st-century graduates - The Guardian

Work experience and networking key to graduate jobseekers [Chartered Management Institute]

New internships for graduate job

hunters [DirectGov]

Pay gap between graduates and those

without degrees widens with age

[The Guardian 07/09/2011]

Networking and work

experience are best ways into

graduate jobs[HRmagazine.co.uk]

Degree seen as vital for social mobility [Financial Times 07/09/2011]

1,800 : 8

>60%

c18-25k

83

100%

400,000Average

graduate salary as c18-25k

1,800:8Applications:roles for

major FMCG

Average number of applications per vacancy

400,000 new graduates each

year

100% more applications in 2010 than 2008

>60% graduates receive a

2:1 or better

85.6%% of placement or

internship candidates offered graduate jobs

• It will be tough

• You will need to be resilient

• “The more I practice the luckier I get”

• Take action now and everyday

Who recruits History grads from this list?

Where do they want to hire from?

So what do employers want?

The Fundamentals –First Impression

Academic Results? Work Experience? Skills? Competencies? Commercial Awareness? Communication / Influence? Positive Attitude?

What makes you different?

So what are they looking for?

Adapting & Coping

Leading & Deciding

Delivering results

Innovation &

creativity

Interacting with others &

presenting ideas

Organising &

delivering

Analysing & Interpreting Information

What Competencies do I need?

Make sure you prepare examples for these!

Focus on -◦Achievements◦Measurable results

Build your network◦Meet and talk to employers◦Be inquisitive, find out

It won’t happen by itself!◦ Not all your ideal employers come on campus◦Go find the employers

What else can you do…

Differentiate yourself Take Action

You cannot rely on your degree Build your knowledge & your contacts

Go that extra mile

What can I do now?

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and

learning from failure” Colin L Powell

Your Attitude ◦ You become what you think about

Your actions

“You’re on the ride you might as well open your eyes”

Get involved with the Bright Futures Society

On leaving today...

sam.harland@brightfutures.co.ukwww. brightfutures.co.uk

01242 236415