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Interns to receive government funding

December 10th, 2009

Yesterday Alistair Darling presented the pre-budget report to the country. The furor over the proposed bankers’ bonus tax and the rise in National Insurance has eclipsed one of the positive elements to the plans. Darling said he wanted to, “break down informal barriers which close off some careers to undergraduates from poorer backgrounds,” by offering students from disadvantaged backgrounds financial support for internships.

The plan is a reaction to former minister Alan Milburn’s July report that slammed internships as, “becoming a back-door for better-off, better-connected youngsters.” While some internships are obtained from the proverbial, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” approach, many are obtained through hard work and endless applications. Of course, many are also obtained through fantastic companies like Inspiring Interns!

However, whatever the method, it is unfortunate that some graduates (and their parents) simply cannot afford an internship as, though many companies pay expenses, they do not pay rent, food or gas bills. Regardless of personal politics, here at Inspiring Interns we applaud this proposal and hope that all political parties will consider implementing it in the future.

Inspiring Interns welcomes graduates from all backgrounds and nationalities and the £8m scheme is planned to be ready for summer 2010. Whatever your past, let Inspiring Interns help you on your way to a brighter future by sending your CV to cv@inspiringinterns.com.

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

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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/

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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/

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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/

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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

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Attitude

September 28th, 2009

Until most recently I shared the perspective of many recent graduates and students:
“Why should I do an unpaid internship when I already have work experience?”

“The company would gain more from my work than they could offer me in terms of relevant experience. Why do work that someone else will essentially get paid for?”

Or even…oh, I love this one: “Why work with a small start up company? I want a “big” name to make my CV “look nicer/better/posh”.

Now, after working in an expenses paid internship with a 20-strong start up company, I consider this thinking over-confident (if not arrogant) for a young graduate and severely outmoded in the current economic climate.

I’ll tell you why.

1. Being 20 something does not qualify you to consider yourself in the know. Just because you had three or four work placements doesn’t mean you have the right to slow down and rest on your laurels.
There will be times where you can hopefully say: “I know what is to be known”…but surely not yet.
My advice to you: “Go and work with a start up company and see how you can handle taking on real responsibility.” Those placements are a lot more challenging then working in Famous Ltd. doing something that will be forgotten by your manager by the end of the week. Of course, a smaller company might not be able to provide you with the hold-your-hand-tutor you might be hoping for; someone who will explain you how to fix the world (indeed I think there is no such person at all).
The most efficient and rewarding way to learn is to be forced to deal with a situation that seems initially like Mount Everest but seems like a bump on the road after you’ve been forced to master it.
The thrill you get by solving a seriously challenging problem with your own proactive attitude is an experience that no money can buy (or perhaps pay for)
One thing you can’t learn from work experience at Famous Ltd is how to develop your own personality as well as your skills and ambitions.

2. Everyone is talking about networking and getting a foot in the door; well, why not create a door to step through yourself? Famous Ltd. will have a rolling intern program and there is little chance you’ll find your way onto it until someone either leaves or dies. However, if you contribute your energy and time to a growing working environment and make yourself indispensable, you lay the stones for your future career as opposed to waiting for someone else to lay them for you. What are a few months of a double workload when a full-time placement awaits you? Especially while others will be still waiting for a phone call.

We should strip our pampered attitudes and put in some serious effort to stand out from the crowd. The traditional graduate/well paid position formula doesn’t work anymore and I’m glad that I realize that now.

We should update our attitudes as often as we update our facebook status.

There is no space for a bad attitude in the job market and there never has been!

- Marianne

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

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Social Networking Pt II

September 25th, 2009

Here it is as promised! Just a few pointers of my own:

- The key to social networking, as with real-life networking (although the two are becoming less and less clearly distinguishable…) is to operate at your level. There is no point trying to get in touch with the CEO of a company you want to work for. Find someone entry-level and see what THEY can suggest. Hey, if they take a liking to you (for whatever reason!) they may find it in their hearts to exercise a little nepotism of their own…

- Don’t be afraid to ask in the first place!

- Make sure you follow up any leads with a genuine e-mail/phone call and a CV so they know you mean business.

- Get a LinkedIn Account. This is going to be very, very useful in the future when it hits a few more users. It will.

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

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Our Office In One Word!

September 22nd, 2009

When I suddenly shout to the office in general “Sum up our office in one word NOW!” this is what happens: (albeit it not straight away…!)

Esra: Gorgeous

Mona: Fun

Mandy: Crazy

Jenaic: Unconventional

Marianne: Blue! (Interesting choice Marianne!

Victoria: Footballmad (not quite one word but I’ll let you off Victoria…)

Danny: Cosmopolitan

Thanks to the interns for their answers!

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

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Our Video CV's are proving more popular!

July 20th, 2009

Check out our Video Profile Clips!

Monday 20th July 2009

Here at Inspiring Interns we have implemented the technique of filming a short ‘advert’ of our candidates in order to give their potential employers a more vivid sense of what they are about. They are in short Inspiring’s Video Profiles.

So today in the office we had a candidate come in for just this. However on this occassion, and this is something I have never seen before, he asked to have a copy of the video we had just recorded!

It seems that due to the growing use of recruitment on social networks and indeed demand for good candidates both employers and employees are looking for ways to either make themselves more employable or attract ‘better’ candidates.

We have already seen an influx of people flocking to sites such as to find jobs, so maybe this surge of recruitment with a more personal edge in addition to the traditional CV is the way forward in the hope of reeling in the better employees.

The reasons for these firms using social networks such as Facebook, is due to the fact that it has alone witnessed a membership growth of 3 million over the last 6 months. Firms the likes of which Ernst & Young have even created their own social networks on Facebook peaking 16,000 members across 140 countries. So with more and more firms adopting these proactive measures to social networking it is becoming more and more difficult for those opting out to avoid joining them. Candidates are looking for more and more ways to stand out, and our method of Video Profiles is just the beginning.

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