Graduate weapons for attacking the job hunt – human resources

Tackling industries head-on in a bid to breakdown and identify the star characteristics that will help you graduates on the prosperous path to career success; this weekthe graduate weapons takes on human resources. With greater importance being laid on the implementation of correct and effective HR protocol in businesses worldwide, it’s an element increasingly recognised as integral part of any organisation; a department that is firmly seated around the boardroom table, contributing to the development of a company’s strategy. It doesn’t stop there; HR touches every industry bringing endless career opportunities for graduates to seize. Now let’s take a look at how best to do it…

The essentials
The overall focus of the human resource industry revolves around creating, implementing and managing efficient processes to create and maintain a happy workforce. Therefore a desire to work with people should exist as the foundation for a career in this sector. Strong problem solving, communication and team work skills are attributes which will lend you to a role in HR. In terms of qualifications, the degree requirements are broad. HR management or business-related credentials are natural precursors to a position in this industry but this doesn’t mean that your science or arts related degrees do not translate. Assess your degree modules; identify the skills you’ve gained that can be applied and compliment them with the suitable characteristics that you possess. You’re able to communicate complex concepts in easy to understand terms. You’re a multitasker, confident in juggling the different elements of a role. You’re a hands-on character able to identify and resolve issues seamlessly. You have strong persuasive abilities and a hunger to learn.

The should-haves
Aside from your degree, any previous work experience you may have no matter how small will be of benefit to you. Experience in customer service and relations or administration roles should be highlighted – these will do a lot to support your application. It is worth nothing that employers have become increasingly interested in CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) courses and other HR qualifications, so exploring your options in this area is advisable. Many juniors in the industry have started with a Certificate in Personnel Practise (CPP) which demonstrates their interest in the field and then go on to a CIPD qualification, allowing for further progression. These aren’t pre-requisites but they do help, particularly when looking at the increasingly competitive nature of the HR industry.

Targeting your application
There’s a wealth of options when it comes to human resources. Each business is different, with their HR function operating in line with their company’s values and ethos. Roles in HR can range from more broad positions affecting a number activities through to more specific areas, with the format HR takes in a company depending on its size and structure. Larger organisations are by nature more structured, with their HR functions divided into specialist areas such as learning and development, resourcing, recruitment and selection, employee relations and engagement, rewards and remuneration. In a smaller company, meanwhile, you will have more of a generalist role. The key here is to have an understanding of the impact of HR in the company you are applying for.

Get an idea of the possible career opportunities by heading to our vacancies page to check out our latest HR internships and jobs. You may notice that we have fewer vacancies advertised in comparison to other sectors. This only demonstrates the high levels of competition in this industry, with most companies taking direct applications and SMEs outsourcing their HR departments. It is therefore worth considering all the alternative roads in. Entry-level HR positions are generally very administration-heavy, if you think your skills and qualities lend yourself to a more people focussed vocation, then consider recruitment as a starting point. You can always cross into HR after you’ve built a strong portfolio of experience.

Types of interview questions
The interview. A step in the process that may well intimidate you. Don’t worry! You’ve got this. Do yourself a favour and ensure you’ve researched and prepped for various angles of questioning. Your interview is your chance to shine. If you’re pursuing a career in HR you will be expected to know how to interview. Practice makes perfect and perfect is what they will be looking for. One key thing they’ll be interested in is your understanding of the industry. Consider how you would answer the following: What attracts you to HR? How can HR support a business? Give an example of a time you explained a complex concept in simple terms? You’ll no doubt be aware of the growing tendencies for interviewers to throw in random, unrelated questions. These aren’t tests as such, so don’t panic. It’s more a bit of fun and a great way for employers to see how you react to unforeseen circumstances that you will face in the day-to-day handling of people. Your answer isn’t the focus; it’s your approach and reasoning to your answer that will interest them.

Hannah is a Digital Marketing Intern at Inspiring. She tweets about all things golden here: @hlcroberts and pins all things pretty here: gildthelilly.

Graduate weapons for attacking the job hunt – mobile

The mobile industry. A vibrant and evolving sector that sits at the heart of everyday life for a growing proportion of the global population. It’s dynamic in its existence, spanning across thousands of companies, from small to large, from service providers, software and application developers to handset manufacturers. With one billion new subscribers in the past four years, the total number of mobile users now stands at approximately 3.2 billion. That’s almost half of world’s population using mobile communications. At a time when the state of the economy is, at best, stagnant, this industry is bucking the trend to deliver fast growth and (most importantly) lots of new jobs. There’s no denying that this is an attractive industry for you grads still looking for the right career path to travel down. So, for this next instalment of graduate weapons, I attempt to breakdown the desirable characteristics of candidates pursuing these exciting opportunities in the mobile industry.

Careers
First stop: what careers are available to you in this industry? Given how fresh mobile is as a sector, I thought it best to identify what opportunities lie within your grasp. The number of mobile related internships that Inspiring receive is unsurprisingly on the rise, from mobile network operators, mobile advertising and marketing to mobile solutions, the spectrum is a broad one. Key opportunities include account executives, advertising operations, analytics and technical roles.

Qualifications
The Lewis Hamilton-esque speed at which this sector is developing has allowed for a margin of discrepancy in terms of suitable qualification requirements. As it stands, university degree offerings do not cater specifically to the mobile industry, and given the vast nature of the industry, this is an open opportunity for candidates to tailor the knowledge gained from their degrees in different fields and demonstrate how they can apply this to positions in the mobile industry. As this field grows we have noted companies growing desire for candidates with analytical degrees, as well as qualifications in marketing, science and numerical subjects.

The should-haves
An interest in mobile should be your basic weapon. This can be strengthened by an active awareness and understanding of industry elements and developments. Tech-savvy candidates that articulate a keen interest in new technologies will be favoured. With ever-more companies striving to get a piece of the mobile pie and become dominant forces before the market is saturated there are plenty of organisations out there looking for the fresh young talent to support their competitive vision. Demonstrating a passion for developing a successful career in one of the world’s fastest growing industries is something that you should focus on. Given many of these organisations are young and innovative, applications should focus on illustrating flexibility and hands-on characteristics that lend you to those newer, dynamic companies. Candidates need to be able to thrive in a fast changing environment.

Winning characteristics: The mobile sector operates on a global scale, spreading worldwide with a disease like effect. Highlighting any language capabilities will automatically strengthen your application. Bring these to the forefront of your abilities!

Hannah is a Digital Marketing Intern at Inspiring. She tweets about all things golden here: @hlcroberts and pins all things pretty here: gildthelilly.

Graduate weapons for attacking the job hunt – analytics

It has arrived! The second in a series of industry specific blogs aimed to equip you with some insider tips on what we look for in top dollar candidates. This week I dissect the desirable characteristics of a budding analyst. But before I do that, I’d like to draw attention to all you readers whose eyes have already glazed over… An internship in analytics may not be something you’ve considered, hell it might be your worst nightmare! But, I urge you to read on. Whilst the industry context may not be relevant to you, there will undoubtedly be some food for thought within the next few hundred words, maybe even skill that you haven’t considered highlighting. Lots of industries require analytics – not just finance! Don’t limit yourself to a whole job market that is crying out for your numerical abilities. After all, you graduates are faced with entering one of the toughest job markets of today – take all the help you can get!

The essentials
Your degree will be your foundation for success in this industry. A qualification that is relevant to your role is key. We at Inspiring will naturally look for any subject with a high level of mathematical content, with appropriate degrees including: mathematics, actuarial science, physics, statistics, economics, business/management, finance and engineering. But it doesn’t stop there – we place candidates into analytical roles with science degrees and particularly numerical/stats-focused psychology courses.

Computer competency is another necessity; proficiency with appropriate computer software and strong Excel aptitude are basic candidate requirements. More advanced requirements include the ability to program or perform statistical analysis in SQL, SAS or similar data mining language; if you’re capable of this, state it. Why not make a note of relevant modules or achievements where you used the skills – such as Excel Pivot Tables for your dissertation research or stats modules in your psychology or economics degrees.

Naturally, success in your chosen degree is an important factor, in fact an overall history of academic achievement is desirable. Many employers will require you to have a grade A or above in A-Level maths, and as with all cases, strong GCSE and A- Level results will only help to highlight you as an intelligent and consistent individual.

The should-haves
Your skills should complement your degree, pairing together to form a candidate that is not only armed with the knowledge but the capability to apply that knowledge to a working environment. Ask yourselves these questions: are you a problem solver? Do you enjoy challenging your mind with puzzles and games that require logical thinking? Are you driven towards making an impact through your work? Do you enjoy working with others, helping them to solve their problems? Would you describe yourself as curious? If you see yourself ticking these boxes then this is the industry for you. Whilst a mathematical mind and problem solving abilities are desirable, we are always on the lookout for candidates that demonstrate strong communication skills. The ability to translate complex data to an audience that are often not as technically minded as you will be undoubtedly be something that is required in this role.

Targeting your application
Most data analysts often prefer to move on to a specific field soon after beginning work. Ensure you demonstrate an interest in the business/sector you’re applying to. For example, if you’re looking to enter into politics, banking or insurance (which all require lots of analysts!), arm yourself with a good knowledge of that industry, and make sure it’s something the interests you. As with any career, a keen knowledge of what you’re dealing with will be part and parcel of your work.

Why are you different?
In this profession the initial focus is less on what makes you unique and more purely on whether you have the solid qualifications and skills that are necessary to successfully grasp these roles. However, combining this background with evidence of being an all rounded candidate will help your cause greatly. Highlight your favourite sport or a creative hobby, for example, and show that you’re more than just a numerical brainbox. This will reinforce a feeling of faith from employers strengthening your chances against the competition.

Types of questions
Start thinking about analytical problems you might be asked at interview – the answer isn’t important, it’s your reasoning and problem solving skills that you use to tackle the problem that count. Some real-life examples include: how many bottles of hair shampoo were made last year? Or how many cars can you park around the M25? Being prepared for these sorts of challenges will significantly boost your chances of success!

Winning characteristics: Demonstrating a passion, drive and an exceptional willingness to learn will go a long way in this industry. Show that you’re keen to succeed, have a healthy dose of curiosity and a great attitude!

Hannah is a Digital Marketing Intern at Inspiring. She tweets about all things golden here: @hlcroberts and pins all things pretty here: gildthelilly.

SEO internships – part 2: how to write great content

Welcome back to this short series of blogs by Ed Hallinan, former Inspiring Intern and now web-editor for digital consultancy InterGreater. As we hinted on last time, there are many aspects to the role of an SEO, one of which is to write great content.

Are you considering a career in web marketing? This article should give you a bit of insider know-how to prep you for your applications and interviews – good luck!

Why is Content Creation Important?

If you want to get your website seen, you are going to have to work to get it there. In the past, people have taken short-cuts to propel their pages to the promised land: page 1 of Google. Such techniques include filling meaningless articles with hidden keywords, much like the small print on the back of a scratch card. It stands to reason that the more you mention a certain term in your article, the more relevant Google will view your site for that keyword, right?

Wrong. While this used to bring home the bacon, Google’s army of whizz-kids have been cracking down on such malpractice. They create highly intelligent ‘algorithms’ to track whether content is being used genuinely and, more importantly, fairly. While SEOers do conduct extensive research to see what search engines like, it is not pure guesswork. Google is a very transparent enterprise working to help both websites and browsers, and offers extensive ‘best practice’ guidelines.

The cost of disregarding these guidelines can prove costly – we’ve seen sites with excessive ‘keyword stuffing’ penalised by being pushed to the back pages of Google. In some cases, sites have even been taken off the search engine entirely. Conversely, there are a number of ‘white hat’ techniques that are perfectly acceptable to use, and we’ll cover those later. But the main gist of it is this: don’t take shortcuts – just aim to write great content.

Writing to Please.

When writing web-content you should take a moment to consider:

1. Your audience
2. Google

I’m aiming to write this article to give useful insight to inspiring interns like you, who are seriously considering a career in SEO (P.S., it’s good here – you’ll like it). Do you see how I gave you a little side-comment there? Hopefully it will entice you to read further and perhaps even put a smile to your face. It might just irritate you. Either way, I’m reaching out to you, my audience – point 1 satisfied.

Google tries to reward this type of content, but it has its limitations. It may be a ridiculously intelligent machine, but it isn’t capable of recognising my feeble attempt at a quip. This is why using the most appropriate words and phrases (keywords) is so important.

Satisfying Search Engines.

We know that Google hates keyword stuffing and other spammy practice. But we also know what Google likes, and we can accommodate that. You’ll notice that every listing on the search engine has a blue underlined heading (the title tag), a description (metadata) and a web address (URL) – see below. This is the most important starting block for helping your website be seen – the key is to fill these in with content which is not only relevant to your site, but that suffices what browsers are actually looking for.

As a case in point, let’s enter ‘Inspiring Interns’ into Google’s search bar. First off, the title tag. Notice that it has three separate phrases, one of which is ‘Graduate Internships’ – not only the subject of the site, but a crucial keyword. Are you a graduate? Have you been looking for an internship? Chances are you may well have typed this very phrase in yourself. Go ahead and type that phrase into Google.

At the time of writing, the results for that phrase show Inspiring Interns coming up as 2nd on the 1st page of Google. This does not just happen by chance. Someone at Inspiring Interns has taken the time to research what you are actually searching, and linking it in with their site. Google sees this phrase, can see lots of relevant mentions of that keyword throughout the content on a page (in a natural, non-spammy way), as well as in the title tag, and judges it as a site that you would like to find.

Market Research.

Just as when a new business is set up, extensive market research needs to be done, the same can be said for SEO. You don’t just set up a restaurant in a few days and make up a menu on the spot. You plan the style and the clientele you will cater for. You think of a name which will entice customers.

Websites are no different. You need to think of a website name which people will understand at just a moment’s glance. Therefore working a keyword into a URL is hugely important. For instance, you might have a restaurant called ‘Spice’. That’s all very well for passing public who see it written on a sign. But when you’re scrolling through the web, which of these will help Google categorise your website more effectively:

www.spice.com
or
www.spice-restaurant.com

The second, while still concise, gives a lot more detailed information. Similarly with the title tag, you can use more than one keyword to describe a business. For this example, ours might be:

Spice | Indian Restaurant | London eating

Here you have the brand name, a category, and a broader search keyword, helping both Google and potential clients better understand what it is you offer. Reflecting these terms in your content should see your website begin to rank well, in a totally natural and understandable way.

Good Content.

It’s now time to focus on the on-page content. As we briefly mentioned above, using keywords in the main body of the text is a good idea, as long as it is done naturally. A good rule of thumb is not to use a given phrase more than 3 times on a page. Going back to what Google prioritises, not only does it view the title tag, but the headings in an article. Getting keywords into your various titles and sub-titles is therefore a good plan.

Turning this full-circle, the offshoot of this is that not only Google is happy, but the audience is too. Going back to the Inspiring Interns website, you’ll find that the body content of the homepage does help graduates find internships, and therefore you might even share this page with your peers (this is not a hint…)! Google then sees this ‘linked’ content and understands it must be relevant and appropriate for people to be recommending it to others, in turn bolstering that page’s ranking.

This is why generating good content is so important. Are you analytical? Can you write well?

If so, SEO could be the career for you…

I Like the Sound of this SEO Lark! How Do I Learn More?

We hope this blog has given you food for thought. Why don’t you have a little browse through Google yourself – see which sites are ranking well and try to work out why that might be? At InterGreater, we understand the importance of extensive research, which forms a cornerstone of our day-to-day SEO consulting.

For a bit of further reading, Distilled.net have written a great article on why content marketing is such an important job for the future.

Our next article will give you a handy introduction to link-building. See you then!

Why not browse our latest SEO internship here!

Graduate weapons for attacking the job hunt: marketing

As my first month at Inspiring Interns draws to a close, I am becoming increasingly familiar with the desirable characteristics that we look for in super-duper graduates. Characteristics that create sparklingly successful candidates. Of course, it goes without saying that we’re looking for the cream of the crop, the crème de la crème of graduates to match with our magnificent graduate internships and job opportunities. But what exactly makes someone the cream of the crop? Now that I’ve got a good idea myself, I’m going to put together a weekly series for you readers, industry by industry, that will help you understand what makes someone a good candidate and provide you with the weapons you need to stand-out from the crowd. This week I take on marketing…

The essentials
Inevitably, the first thing we look for in any application is your degree. It’s a common misconception among many graduates that, in order to start out in one industry, you must have a corresponding degree. Wrong. It is not the degree you possess but the skills you’ve gained from your degree that are the foundations of success. So what sort of people do companies look for when hiring marketing candidates? Strategic thinkers, problem solvers, idea generators, people with the ability to identify the bigger picture, creative minds, people-focused personalities. And none of these traits are exclusive to graduates with a degree in marketing. Many of our top candidates have degrees in completely different subject areas; it’s their ability to apply their knowledge and expertise to the marketing industry (and convey this on their application) that leads to their success.

The should-haves
Once we have checked out your degree, we’ll have a look for relevant skills. So when you are applying for a marketing internship, assess the experience you’ve gained so far and how it can be used to demonstrate marketer qualities. Did you develop strong organisation skills in your extra-curricular activities? Did your volunteer work stimulate a love for communicating with people? Did your involvement with university societies provide you with events and promotional experience? Remember that these are the qualities that will resonate with employers. Make these the focus. Give them pride of place on your CV over your part-time waitressing job from four years ago: they are the transferable skills that will sell you.

Targeting your application
The next step is to take these key strengths and desires and match them with a role that suits you. This is where your understanding of the industry and its opportunities come in. Be aware of what’s out there. Explore your options in the field, whether it’s working agency or client side. Access the pros and cons of each, to identify the direction that best suits you. Then look at job roles, make sure you have an understanding of the different profiles. Do your organisational skills and confidence fit an account management role, will your love for writing and interest in social media suit a digital marketing position, or does your ability to see and rationalise the bigger picture lend you to a career in strategy and planning?

Why are you different?
Proudly stating on your CV that you are punctual, hard-working and a team-player is all well and good but does that make you any better than your competition? We take it as given that our candidates will possess these qualities. You need to be the candidate that ticks all the basic boxes AND brings that little extra special something to the table. In marketing terms think of it as a competitive edge, your unique selling point. Communicate those desirable characteristics, whether you’re a digital guru, customer driven, brand champion, relationship focused, strategic thinker, or a visionary mind. Keeping up to date with trade press such as Marketing Weekly will also demonstrate your interest in the industry, adding another string to your bow. Help us to understand why you are different from the rest.

Let’s get digital
There’s no escaping it: this is the age of digital and it couldn’t be more relevant to the marketing industry. Having a digital awareness is fundamental for budding marketers. And the good news is developing digital skills is quick, easy, can be done from your own home, and is free. Got an interest in anything? Write about it. Start your own blog and set free all those wonderful thoughts and ideas you have selfishly stored in your head. You’d be surprised how satisfying it can be. Plus it gives employers a great opportunity to see your writing style. Get active on Twitter, and use other social media platforms to promote what you’re doing. If there’s a visual element to your words, link them to Pinterest or Instagram. Use your undoubtedly extensive knowledge of Facebook and set up a page for your blog or website. Interlinking your platforms demonstrates your awareness of best practice in social media but also exhibits confidence through self-promotion. Illustrate this activity on your CV, put a link to your blog and/or your website, give employers your Twitter handle and draw attention to your achievements in these areas. Make note of how you’ve grown your followers from zero to army-sized in a matter of months; be as achievement orientated as possible. Stats and numbers stand-out on a CV, so use them!

Also, don’t down play your IT capabilities, whether its basic photo editing or Excel experience. These are all foundations which employers can build on. But do not stop there. Arm yourself with as many skills as possible; the free time you have whilst internship hunting is the perfect opportunity to do so. Free courses on the web are an underrated source. Check out what Google has to offer to develop your analytics and PPC skills; use Codecademy to develop basic coding; experiment with Microsoft Office; try photo and video editing if you can get your hands on some relevant software.

And finally…
Show a willingness to get stuck in. Marketing has the ability to reach so many areas of a business; you need to be able to demonstrate that you are the best candidate to handle this so exude flexibility, openness and an eagerness for the role!

Winning characteristics: Whether you’re interests lie in the strategic planning side of marketing, account handling or creative; one thing you can guarantee you’ll need is the ability to communicate. Networking is key part of the marketing industry. Strong communication skills will be an invaluable weapon to you when partaking a career in such a field where your work and social life often overlap, be it virtually at events or online through social media platforms.

Hannah is a Digital Marketing Intern at Inspiring. She tweets about all things golden here: @hlcroberts and pins all things pretty here: gildthelilly.