Posts Tagged ‘internship’

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What is a Digital Marketing Executive?

April 14th, 2011

Companies are increasingly realising the importance of digital marketing in enhancing their business thus creating many new career paths and job titles. The ability to build an online connection to customers or clients is quickly becoming one of the most highly demanded skills in the job market.

A digital marketing executive is typically responsible for engaging a brand with customers or clients via the digital space, aiming to establish and manage the online presence. It is their job to keep up to date with relevant issues and latest news through articles and blogs to ensure that their brand is at the forefront of any industry developments.

An important part of a digital marketing executive’s job is to engage with the community through social media methods such as Facebook and Twitter. What was once pre-teen and student territory is now seen as a required skill to engage with customers and clients. The role also involves the analysis of website traffic flow and creating online adverts using Facebook and Google.

To get a better feel of the role of a digital marketing executive we asked Joe Kiddle who is currently doing a digital marketing internship at a web-based company. His day-to-day tasks included updating website content, helping design and maintain the weekly newsletter, SEO keyword searching, image optimisation, engaging with the community through social media and some print based design work.

He had this to say about his internship;

“Working for a web-based company has taught me a lot about what goes on behind the scenes; from the general maintenance and updating of site content to advertising, gaining a brand presence online through SEO, social media and web-based design. I enjoyed having my own input into various web and print based design aspects, as well as being responsible for the newsletter and social media areas. I think having this responsibility and input is important in an internship, it allows you to grow within the role whilst developing ideas and learning from your own mistakes.”

Do you have your own unique blogging style and killer online presence? If you live and breathe social media then why not think about a career in digital marketing.

Follow Joe on Twitter @JoeKiddle or check out his blog http://corneroftheearth.tumblr.com/

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The weirdest job interview answers

April 12th, 2011

Back in January, you may have read ‘The weirdest job interview questions’.  Inevitably, this was to form part of a two-part (mini) blog series, to be completed once we had come across some weird interview answers.  Enter an article in the Evening Standard last week.  Whilst the following are questions you may expect to hear in an interview, the answers are clearly not what the interviewer was expecting…

When asked what animal you would be, the candidate responded:

“A squirrel.”

When asked why do you want to work for us, the candidate responded:
“I don’t think I want to work for you any more.”

When asked what your main weakness is, the candidate responded:

“I am allergic to peanuts.”

When asked to describe yourself in three words, the candidate responded:

“Tall, dark and handsome.”

When asked what further questions you had, the candidate responded:

“Can you book me a taxi?”

When asked what your hobbies and interests are, the candidate responded:

“Pubs, Marlboro Lights and red wine.”

Clearly it would have been difficult for the interviewer not to start laughing but the answers given above are demonstrative of what exactly not to do in an interview when asked a general question.  There is no such thing as a perfect interview, as it is a two way process, but it doesn’t help to try and develop answers.  An interview is trying to probe gaps in your CV and find out as much about you as they can.  Answer honestly but be positive and be sure to develop your answers beyond the mundane.  Turn weaknesses into positives by stating that you have overcome them.  Yes, you might be allergic to peanuts, but it is unlikely the interviewer cares, or that your internship would involve eating them…

Be prepared to ask relevant questions. If you feel all your questions have been answered by the interviewer, or by the research you did on the company beforehand, then take the opportunity to show your enthusiasm and interest. There may be aspects of the internship that you would like to discuss or you may wish to ask general questions about the working culture.  If the interview asks a personal question, feel free to explain that you would rather not answer that particular question.  Likewise, it is probably not wise to ask if your interviewer is single, for example…

And if you were wondering, I’d be a shark.

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Save the Graduate Internship Scheme

February 21st, 2011

The Federation of Small Businesses has today urged the Government to extend the Graduate Internship Scheme, which is due to expire in March.

Since the scheme launched in February 2010, it has helped 8,500 graduates to work in paid internships with small businesses in the UK. The figures from FSB reveal that 25 per cent of the graduates undertaking internships were offered full-time employment after their placement, while Inspiring Interns’ own experience is that around 65% of interns earn full-time jobs at their host company.

Last week saw further figures showing that unemployment figures are continuing to rise, with young people being hit hardest. The FSB says, “Unemployment in early life has a lasting impact, locking people into lives of low earnings and the recurring risk of unemployment. The Government will need to be bold and imaginative to avert this disaster.”

Against this backdrop, the Federation of Small Businesses deems the withdrawal of state-support for internships to be a mistake. They are urging the Government not only to retain the scheme but extend it to a further 5,000 graduates. The FSB believes the scheme can provide a good return on investment, reducing benefit payments and increasing taxes if the internships lead to permanent jobs.

Chairman of the FSB, John Walker, said: “The current graduate internship scheme has proved highly successful, with some interns going on to start their own companies and others being offered full-time positions with the business they interned for.”

“The UK’s young people are the future of the economy, yet we are seeing youth unemployment approaching one million. It is time that the Government invested into this vital sector so that we don’t see a generation of youngsters consigned to the dole queue”.

The Graduate Internship Scheme is an opportunity for graduates to gain experience and contacts within industry, enhance their CV, and ultimately boost their chances of permanent employment. This scheme not only gives them great work experience but also supports them financially.

Inspiring Interns fully backs the Graduate Internship Scheme and feels it will be a huge shame if the Government chooses to scrap the programme.

For more information on Inspiring Interns’ own positions please see http://www.inspiringinterns.com/interns/internship-offers/

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Graduate Talent Pool

February 8th, 2011

The Graduate Talent Pool was launched in July 2009 by the Government to improve the long-term employability of recent UK graduates.

During the current economic downturn current graduates are facing one of history’s toughest job markets.  The Government scheme aims to help graduates gain skills and open doors to companies.

The Graduate Talent Pool offers graduates free access to internship vacancies across a range of industry sectors.  It has a good geographical spread of opportunities across the UK from UK employers. Graduates can search and apply for internship vacancies provided they graduated in 2008, 2009 or 2010 from a UK university with a degree or foundation degree.

Getting an internship through the site is one way of building valuable employability skills, gain real-life work experience and vital transferable skills. It allows graduates to try their hand at a profession or career path as well as prove themselves to a potential employer.

Universities Minister David Willets commented, “Over 28,000 internships vacancies have been advertised by employers on the Graduate Talent Pool website since its launch in July 2009. The Graduate Talent Pool is a free website which brings together employers and graduates. There are currently nearly 1,855 internships available.” The popularity of the site ensures there are always a large number of opportunities available, but conversely means there is usually a lot of competition for ever position.

Inspiring Interns regularly post job adverts on Graduate Talent Pool and feel it is a great portal for opportunities. We currently offer a more intimate application process where we actively match candidates and companies.  Working with a range of small and medium sized businesses, we feature a diverse range of roles in various sectors including marketing, fashion, mobile and digital.

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Graduate unemployment figures highest in over a decade

January 27th, 2011

One in five of those who have left university in the past year are unable to find work within six months, it was reported yesterday.

According to the Office for National Statistics graduate unemployment doubled in the third quarter of 2010 compared to pre-recession and soared to its highest level since the mid-90s.

The data suggests graduates have been hit hardest by the economic downturn. It emerged unemployment amongst university leavers increased faster than the jobless rate in the UK as a whole. The figures showed that graduate unemployment rose from 10.6% to 20% compared to the 5.2% to 7.9% total rise of UK unemployment.

The report will be seen as the latest setback to the Government’s plans to stabilise public finances. Liam Byrne, the shadow work and pensions secretary, said: This is grim news for Britain’s graduates. We have to stop this becoming a lost generation. The Government needs to change course to create more growth and jobs.

The report comes one month after government voted to triple the cap on student tuition fees. Student leaders fear that the rise in tuition plus the latest figures will deter more young people from higher education.

In response to the statistics Aaron Porter, president of the National Union of Students, said: Graduates are encountering an exceptionally hostile jobs market and the Government persists with policies that put the burden of the country’s debt on the young.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, said: Today’s graduate unemployment figures are further bad news for students and young people.

Those who do make it through university are going to face a difficult job market without support, but saddled with record levels of debt.

However it is not all bad news. This report follows recent research suggesting a rise in graduate opportunities took place towards the end of the year. The Association of Graduate Recruiters yesterday reported an 8.9% annual increase in graduate jobs. The improving jobs market was driven by a surge of vacancies at the end of last year, says the survey, with a forecast of a further 3.8% increase for this year.

Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the AGR, says, This is good news the graduate job market is finally picking up, however the fact salaries are predicted to remain the same and fewer employers are offering financial incentives, is evidence demand for jobs still greatly outstrips supply.

With such a demand for jobs and with statistics of 45 applicants for every graduate job in 2011, graduates need extra on their CV to give themselves a better chance of securing a career they want.

Chris Grayling MP, Minister of Employment, says the priority should be creating financial stability, and that a new government work experience scheme would help make young people more employable

At Inspiring we believe an internship can be the perfect stepping stone between university and life afterwards. An internship will give you valuable experience; key skills; and the potential to build up a network of contacts in your chosen industry. As a result graduates will face a far better chance of a securing a job they want and starting their career

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Benefits and Work Experience for Unemployed

January 24th, 2011

Employment Minister Chris Grayling announced today that jobseekers aged between 18 and 21 who wish to partake in job-related work experience will be permitted to do so for eight weeks while continuing to receive unemployment benefits. The current limit is two weeks.

It is a move that may be viewed as a reply to Labour claims that the coalition has abandoned young people by slashing the Education Maintenance Allowance, raising university tuition fees and ending the Future Jobs Fund.  However, accompanying the announcement, shocking figures were released showing that 260,000 young people are growing up in homes where no one has ever worked.  Further figures show that there are 600,000 young people who have never worked since leaving school or college.

In an effort to tackle the problems represented by these statistics, Grayling stated that the new scheme will give young people the chance to get valuable experience in a business for up to two months, which will make a real difference to their confidence, their employability and their prospects.

Under the new scheme those aged between 18 and 21 will be matched by Jobcentre Plus with employers looking for people to do work experience.  Leading employers backing the work experience extension include Homebase, Hilton Hotels, McDonalds, ISS Facilities Management, Chums, De Vere Hotels and Carillion.

Clearly the opportunity to gain work experience with such firms will greatly enhance any candidate core employability skills and to this end the changes represent a good start from the Government in terms of supporting work experience prospects.  However, it seems that said opportunities will be relatively limited to those within the specific age bracket who have not pursued higher education.  We would like to see the scheme extended to graduates who suffer from similar problems when it comes to gaining that all important work experience in order to kick start a career.  We tend to find that job centres are not geared towards dealing with graduates specific situation of having received three years of higher education but perhaps lacking certain work place skills employers seek.  In this case we feel that an internship is the perfect solution, giving graduates the opportunity to develop skills, increase employability and create a career.

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Will you be affected by public sector job cuts?

December 16th, 2010

The Government recently announced that from August to October this year unemployment in the UK increased by 35,000 to 2.5 million, forcing the UK unemployment rate to 7.9%.  Whilst this is mainly due to the loss of 33,000 public sector jobs, the government will soon to pile on more depressing news.  100,000 public servants are likely to have their Christmas ruined by a letter stating that their jobs are at risk, in the face of local council budget cuts and the need to reduce the number of posts by March 31st.

Further statistics reveal that male unemployment increased by 11,000, while the number of unemployed women rose by 24,000 to 1.24 million, which is the highest total since 1988.

Clearly stating what is on everyone’s mind, the chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, John Walker said that “with inflation expected to remain above 3% in the foreseeable future, combined with public sector job cuts, these unemployment statistics are a worrying sign.”

So, as a recent graduate, where does this leave you?  For those who work in the public sector, or were looking to do so, the spectre of unemployment is sadly all too real.  However, there is a (dim) light at the end of the tunnel.

At Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday David Cameron was quick to point out that the move away from reliance on public services to raise employment levels was already underway: Over the last six months, we have seen [the creation of] 300,000 new private sector jobs.

Evidently the Government is confident the private sector will be able to fill Britain’s increasing unemployment problems. Although Cameron’s statistics suggest this could be viable, there will undoubtedly be a lot more competition for the available jobs which will only enhance the current cut throat environment surrounding the job hunt. This downward pressure on the market will be felt most acutely by graduates who lack experience but are coming up against candidates with one-two years of working under their belts.

Students and university leavers therefore need to equip themselves as best they can before heading into the job market jungle.  A CV full of transferable skills and experience relevant to the world of work is the key to impressing employers and an internship is a great way to pack your CV with employer-friendly material. So with tough times potentially around the corner act now to insulate your career against the economic cold.

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Unpaid Internship Survey

December 8th, 2010

Recent LSE graduate Milena Bottero has started a venture that aims to create a ‘guesthouse’ for unpaid interns in London, that would provide cheap accommodation for 10-15 people undertaking placements for up to 6 months.

Inspiring Interns wholeheartedly support Milena in this endeavour, and we hope to provide her with any appropriate assistance.

You can also get involved by completing a survey to help Milena research the venture fully, and she is holding an open focus group at Friday December 10th at 3pm at the London School of Economics should you wish to offer your views in person.

Click here for more details

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An Inspiring Internship

December 2nd, 2010

London under a blanket of snow

On Monday morning, a freezing central London greeted me with a tube strike and thus a 40 minute walk across town to none other than Inspiring Interns, where I began (you guessed it)…an internship!  Whilst this wasn’t my original intention when I applied to Inspiring Interns, it has definitely transpired to be exactly the internship I was looking for.

Having graduated this year and worked for a short while in recruitment, I decided that I wanted to gain experience in marketing and I felt that an internship would be the best way of achieving this.  So having left my job I got in touch with Inspiring Interns, who offered me a number of roles including one with them. Naturally I could only choose one…

So what exactly does being a marketing intern at Inspiring Interns involve?  Basically, anything and everything.  But it has certainly brought to my attention the importance of social media in promoting a company, regardless of the industry.  Seldom do we as a consumer actively investigate new brands the age has dawned where brands must access us.  And where better to access millions of potential customers at a low cost than social media websites.

Did you know that social media has overtaken pornography as the number one activity on the internet? FACT.  Facebook tops Google for weekly traffic in the U.S.  FACT.  1 out of 8 couples married in the U.S. met via social media.  BIZARRE.  Thankfully the latter two facts relate less directly to those of us based in the United Kingdom.  However, they do go a long way in highlighting that social media is definitely the way forward in business.

So where does this leave you?  Most probably, Facebook stalking.  But for those of you interested in marketing, PR or any customer facing role, then perhaps it’s time to consider actively building yourself an online professional face.  Not only is it useful for teenagers sharing photos of prematurely drunken experiences, but it is also a good way of building up what could be necessary experience for a future career in a social media orientated role.  Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, a blog…it’s all relevant.

Ecommerce is the buzz word of the future: so get involved now.  And what better way to begin your career than with an internship?!

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