Posts Tagged ‘advice for interns’

Slave labour graduates? Try ambitious young professionals

March 5th, 2010

On the 04/02/2010 the Daily Mail ran an article entitled ‘The slave labour graduates: Cynical firms are forcing thousands of high flyers to work for nothing – or even making them pay for the privilege’. In his report Tom Rawstorne suggested that the ‘cream of a generation’ were being taken for a ride by the system of internships that is becoming increasingly prevalent in our job market.

Inspiring Interns were left rather bemused by the entirely negative picture the Mail painted. Sadly there are companies willing to take advantage of unemployed graduates – with the media sector particularly guilty – but by and large the rise in internships has been a very positive development for both businesses and job seekers.

At Inspiring Interns we rigorously check our clients before we send them candidates to ensure the placement will benefit the graduate and that the company is not using interns as a rolling staff solution.

This means that, having been trading for just over a year, we now have a plethora of grateful graduates who are now in paid employment as a result of having done an Inspiring Interns internship.

Ben Tatton-Brown, CEO of Ring Ring Mobile, has hired eight interns from Inspiring, all of whom have secured permanent positions as a direct result of doing a placement. Tatton-Brown commented: “Inspiring Interns’ service has been invaluable to our company. We have found eight superb staff members that have developed and grown within their roles, and who would not have become part of this company had they not initially completed internships.”

Inspiring Interns are always thrilled to hear when our work has helped candidates gain invaluable experience, particularly when they have gone on to secure full-time positions. We believe it is this mix of developing skills and creating careers that make our company such an attractive proposition to graduates.

Inspiring Interns – specialising in finding meaningful internships for students and graduates –http://www.inspiringinterns.com

Exciting Internship Funding News

March 1st, 2010
Earn money while you intern

Earn money while you intern

Back in December we reported that the Government was planning to provide £8 million of funding to those from disadvantaged backgrounds who would have otherwise been unable to undertake unpaid internships.

We are pleased to say that this scheme now encompasses any graduate from a participating university who is looking for an internship. If your old uni is taking part you could be entitled to around £6 an hour while you complete a placement.

Working in tandem with the government’s priority areas for future industries, the scheme is particularly keen to provide grants to graduates working in one of the following seven sectors:

  • low-carbon products and services
  • digital industry
  • life sciences and pharmaceuticals
  • advanced manufacturing
  • professional and financial services
  • engineering construction
  • industrial opportunities presented by the ageing society.

Alongside the obvious financial benefits this scheme offers, graduates will also get structured support before, during and after their placement – including mentoring, pre-employment and interview training, and CV workshops.

This is a wonderful opportunity for graduates to gain fantastic experience for their CV without having to make major fiscal sacrifices. And of course Inspiring Interns can help you on the way to finding that dream placement – so why not get in touch?

Inspiring Interns – specialising in finding meaningful internships for students and graduates –http://www.inspiringinterns.com

Internship success in 2009

December 15th, 2009

Since getting underway in February this yealogor, Inspiring Interns have been striving to match student and graduates with SMEs in mutually beneficial partnerships. Solving the twin crises of mass youth unemployment and the effect of the recession on small businesses has been our mission plan, and we like to think we’ve done pretty well. Coming soon: Inspiring Interns end poverty and bring about world peace.

In all seriousness 2009 has been a difficult year for many people, as the economic downturn proved to be one of the longest of recent times. Young people (students and graduates in particular) were badly hit by the lack of jobs available. Many have resorted to menial work, for which they are wildly overqualified, in order to make ends meet. Inspiring are working to resolve this situation.

By matching high calibre candidates with smaller enterprises and start-ups we provide outstanding opportunities for young people to boost their CVs with meaningful placements, while new businesses can benefit from the candidates’ many abilities as they look to grow, but without major overheads.

When she came to us Jo was really struggling to find a position relevant to her education, despite having successfully completed a Masters in marketing. She bemoaned the fact that “as there were so many candidates applying to every role, I was not even considered for interviews. I began to feel that all the years I had spent studying were for nothing because I was looking at accepting menial retail jobs in order to pay the bills. I was disheartened, depressed, disillusioned, and very skint!”

Sadly Jo’s story is all too typical of the current job market. Happily, the resolution is very typical of Inspiring’s work (this stuff writes itself sometimes):

“Inspiring totally sorted me out! They helped lift me out of despondency and set me on the right path to eventually securing a permanent, paid position. I am now working for a viral seeding agency in East London, and I am learning loads. I really get stuck in with the daily operations of the agency and my input is valued and respected. I feel that I am on to a good thing now, and I owe a lot of my excitement about the future to Inspiring Interns.” We didn’t even have to pay her to say that or nuffink. How nice.

George was in a very similar position when he came to us a few months ago: “After searching for an internship for almost a year with no luck, Inspiring Interns turned the situation round for me. They found me a position in the exact area I was looking to work in. My time there was so beneficial – with the projects and promotions I was able to take part in or oversee I gained so much.“ Cue a collective ‘ahh’ around the office and an outbreak of feeling warm and fuzzy.

So in a year characterised by much economic negativity, Inspiring Interns have gone some way to helping students and graduates turn the corner in the job market. In fact Gordon Brown has just named us British Company of the Decade*. So why not give us a go?
*He hasn’t. But he should.

Inspiring Interns- specializing in internships and work experience in London – visit http://www.inspiringinterns.com/

Internship now equals employment later

December 8th, 2009

Work experience can unlock opportunities

Work experience can unlock opportunities

Inspiring Interns, who specialise in providing meaningful and mutually beneficial work experience, examine how important doing an internship is for students in the current graduate job market, and how it can impact on your future employment chances. For more see http://www.inspiringinterns.com.

It’s grim out there. Do excuse the cliché but beyond lectures, students loans and Monday nights out there is sadly a real world to deal with. And with the ‘current financial climate’, to use the in-vogue economic leitmotif, it can be very tough for graduates.

I appreciate that you don’t need yet another article lecturing on the pitfalls of being a university leaver looking for work. You only need to switch on the telly or open a paper to have demoralising predictions rammed down your throat.

However…it is perhaps worth thinking about your next steps after leaving the bosom of higher education, and whether you have the requisite skills and experience to secure meaningful employment.

It is all well and good saying you were treasurer of the Lads Night Out Association at university, but increasingly employers are looking for real world work experience, and if the best you can muster is serving pints in the halls bar once a week then perhaps it’s time to start thinking about doing an internship.

As you may well be aware, the larger companies that have a ubiquitous presence on campus do offer perfectly good internship programs. However these are heavily over-subscribed and only suit candidates desperate to break into highly competitive corporate fields.

For many people it is a struggle to write truthful 250 word snippets on why they dreamed of being an accountant from the day they started counting. The hugely time-consuming process of applying for the damn things, filling in mountains of tedious forms with repetitive ‘When did you overcome an obstacle’ type questions just isn’t worth it if you are unsure about your future as a management consultant in a large, soulless organisation.

The trend in the student and graduate job market is now towards gathering experience with smaller businesses and start-ups. Such positions offer flexibility, serious responsibility, and the prospect of a full-time position that offers the variety a strictly structured graduate program does not.

‘How does one get such wonderful experience?’ I hear you cry. Well you could do a lot worse than googling local firms in your field of choice and contacting them to see if they could offer you anything.

Alternatively there exist a number of companies who specialise in matching students and graduates with placements in growing businesses and start-ups, working with candidates to ensure that they get the perfect position for their needs.

Some charge students a fee for their services but others, such as Inspiring Interns (http://www.inspiringinterns.com), are completely free. Inspiring founder Ben Rosen promises meaningful work experience ‘free from coffee-making and photocopying’, in companies where the intern can make a genuine impact on their employer’s fortunes. Whilst many of their candidates go on to be offered a full-time position, all come away with a serious boost to their CV.

So when the spectre of post-uni life next rears its ugly head, give a thought to completing an internship. You’ll thank yourself three years down the line.

Inspiring Interns- specializing in internships and work experience in London - visit http://www.inspiringinterns.com/

Internship / Graduate Scheme Interview Advice

December 7th, 2009

There’s more to life than clothes, but it’s a good place to start…

What to wear to an interview is a potential minefield. Though recruiters should be judging students on their sparkling CVs, not their dress sense, reports state that a staggering 37% of employers have decided against hiring a graduate due to the way they were dressed. Even something as minor as a girl not wearing tights or a guy not wearing a tie can impact on your success.

To suit or not to suit? For most jobs it’s fairly safe to assume suiting up is the way to go (law, finance, management, etc). However, in notoriously image conscious industries such as fashion, advertising, marketing and PR things are not so clear cut.

Tips:

  • Research the agency. If it’s a long established place like JWT or Weber Shandwick, chances are they’re going to approve of the smarter side of dressing with a hint of personality (e.g. colour, statement jewelry, and other interesting accessories). If it’s a younger agency, like VCCP or Mischief it’s better to go with something more casual, yet still professional (e.g. smart jeans but no low cut tops or scruffy t-shirts).
  • Do not go overboard on accessories. Keep it to one interesting piece.
  • There’s usually a recruitment video by current grads. Check to see what they’re wearing in the video and dress similarly.
  • Receptionists know everything. Call the front desk and ask for some inside info. They’re generally very helpful to graduates looking for internships or work experience.
  • Never wear a suit to UK ad agency Mother or you will be called an idiot…or worse (see clip ‘my first day at mother’).
  • If going for a fashion placement then make sure you show your personal style but try and make it fit to the design aesthetic of the company you’re applying to.
  • Before entering the interview for your dream work experience, pop into a local café and check your appearance in the mirror. Check there’s nothing on / in your teeth; clothes are straight; make-up isn’t smudged; and hair is brushed to avoid embarrassment.
  • Carry gum or mints with you for fresh breath – no one wants to know you had the tuna for lunch – but make sure you remove gum before going in.

Top tips for girls:

  • Wear heels but ones you can walk in. 69% of recruiters said girls in heels made a positive impression. From personal experience, if shoes are too high you look like a bit of a numpty tottering along the halls so safe options are wedges or boots.
  • Keep make up understated. You’re going for an interview, not a photo shoot.
  • Do the ‘sitting down test’. You’ll be seated for most of the time so make sure your skirt doesn’t ride up or that trousers are not too constricting.

Top tips for boys:

  • Make sure your shoes are polished and nails are tidy. Attention to small details will show that you care.
  • Take a woman shopping with you. We have an instinct for these things and will stroke your ego.
  • Invest in high quality garments. Worth it in the long run and you can always guilt your mum into paying.

Most importantly – be comfortable. If you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing and feel like you look good then you will naturally exude more confidence and confidence is the foundation of a good interview. If you’re still worried about your outfit then don’t hesitate to come into our London office where we can turn you from slobby student to impressive intern and find you the perfect placement!

Inspiring Interns- specializing in internships and work experience in London - visit http://www.inspiringinterns.com/

Kanye graduates to internship

December 2nd, 2009
Kanye boosts his employment prospects with an internship

Kanye boosts his employment prospects with an internship

The news that rapper Kanye West recently started a placement at GAP has served to underline the importance of an internship, particularly for graduate candidates who wish to boost their work experience. Of course Kanye isn’t the first big name to boost his CV by volunteering to intern at a company. Last year melancholic crooner Ryan Adams joined the staff at New York magazine Black Book, where “he helped with sorting mail, filing TPS reports, and composing extemporaneous ballads about retouching cover photos”.

Other famous celebrity interns include Oprah, who completed a journalism placement at a television station in Nashville, Tennessee, while filmmaker Spike Lee was a production intern for Columbia Pictures. Donald Trump, Stephen Spielberg and Bill Gates also went onto greater things after completing internships.

Such examples prove that a placement can be the difference between getting that job of your dreams and sliding into unemployment oblivion.

It has also got us at Inspiring Interns thinking about what other celebrities could benefit from an internship in a new field…

Thierry Henry – Maybe could do some carpentry: he likes working with his hands.

Katy Perry – Would suit something in the PR field – clearly strong on brand management.

Dannii Minogue – Should try out stand-up, excels at keeping a straight face.

Rafael Nadal – Would adapt well to the military with those guns.

Tiger Woods – Driving instructor. It’s a double joke. Think about it.

Rafa Benitez – Absolutely anything; he’ll have plenty of time on his hands soon.

Think you can do better? Not that hard, I know. Either way post your celebrity internship match-ups below…

Inspiring Interns- specializing in internships and work experience in London - visit http://www.inspiringinterns.com/

Inspiring Interns meeting students face to face

November 20th, 2009

Inspiring Interns has been doing its best to meet students in different schools and talk to them face to face! We are happy to answer students’ questions and concerns. We understand that under the economic downturn, students are under pressure and worried that they are facing a dead end right after graduation. Inspiring Interns dedicates itself to assist in this situation, Inspiring Interns is a solution! We are always here to help! ;)

DSC01839 Inspiring Interns at ESCP Europe Business School

DSC02075 Inspiring Interns at Greenwich University

Inspiring Interns- A company specialises in London Internships and Work Experience Replacements

New spotlights on Inspiring Interns!

November 16th, 2009

Inspiring Interns has been pursuing its goal in assisting students find their career direction as well as help companies to find the best and suitable candidates for nearly a year. Inspiring Interns is proud of its testimonials it has made and is always doing its BEST!

Inspiring Interns’ office has been sweet and warm, every single one of us has been dedicating ourselves in order to achieve our ultimate goal-Great interns meet great companies!

Just to remind you, we are always here for you and we are always happy to hear from you!

Inspiring Interns\’ first presence on YouTube!

Inspiring Interns- A company specialises in London Internships and Work Experience Replacements

Use body language smartly to enhance your interview!

October 14th, 2009

This morning, as usual, I was browsing the news and other interesting articles when a video drew my attention from BNET. It is about how to ace a job interview by using effective body language. According to Carol Kinsey Goman, the author of “The Nonverbal Advantage”, “Even the tiniest gesture can say a lot about you.” According to the research from New York University, you’ve only got 7 seconds to impress the interviewer. That’s when you walk into the room from the door until you reach your seat. The 7 seconds are extremely important and the major decisions will be made about your credibility, confidence and competence.

7 powerful ways to impress your interviewer:

1. Adjust your attitude

Don’t wait until a person takes you to the interview room to warm up, think about the situation and make a proper choice before you get into the room. Your attitude can attract people such as happy, friendly and curious attitudes.

2. Stand tall

Stand up-straight, point your shoulder back, holding your head high to show your confidence that you are sure about yourself.

Picture 2

Source: BNET

3. Smile

An invitation, a sign of welcome, shows you are friendly and approachable. The research shows that if you smile to someone, it activates the reward sending from someone else’s brain.

4. Make eye contact

Transmit energy and indicate your interesting opennesses. A technique for you to remember is, look at the interviewer’s eye long enough until you notice which colour they are.

5. Raise your eyebrow

Open your eyes slightly than normal simulate the eyebrow flash is an universal signal of recognition acknowledgement.

Picture 4Picture 7

Source: BNET

6. Lean in slightly

Lean in forward shows to engage to an interest. We naturally lean forward shows that we likely agree with. But don’t forget, be respectful for the other person’s space.

Picture 8

Source: BNET

7. Shake hands

It is the quickest and most efficient approach. Make sure you hold the person’s hand few seconds more than you naturally would do.

Picture 9

Source: BNET

Easy 7 steps but dramatically stronger your opportunity, next time when you are going for an interview. I’m sure you can do well! Get inspired!

–14th Oct.

Susan

Inspiring Interns- A company specialises in London Internships and Work Experience Replacements

News Roundup 12/10/09

October 12th, 2009

Sometimes all it takes to get ahead is a bit of creativity. Of course, as this article about the sandwich-board graduate points out, sometimes it’s not so much a unique idea but adapting an old one to make it modern and relevant. Either way, let this story be an inspiration to you!

The debate about the usefulness of social media/networking to SMEs rages on. According to this study the majority of a sample of small businesses in America don’t get what all the fuss is about.
Again, as the article and the comments point out, the sample size is pretty tiny, and it’s all about knowing your audience. Here at Inspiring Interns we know full well the use of social networking (and hopefully you’ve found out about our site and what we do through one…!) but it’s fairly obvious that if we a restaurant in a small town in Hertfordshire (for example!) our out-reach efforts could be better co-ordinated…

Inspiring Interns- A company specialises in London Internships and Work Experience Replacements

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