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Department for Business Innovation and Skills

Company Profile

The Graduate Talent Pool, a new government online service matching graduates with both paid and unpaid internships, has recently launched. The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) service, which matches graduates with local employers in their area, offers a range of placements from big names like Marks and Spencer and Network Rail. All the content below is aimed at giving you, as graduates, the edge as you look to begin your career. For further information check out .

Topic: Entrepreneurial Spirit

Expert: Claire Young



Key messages:

  • If you have an idea and are determined to make it work, there’s no reason why you can’t start your own business as a graduate
    • Be considerate to the changing market place, is it really a good idea?
    • Difficult climate but there are grants and other ways to gain support
  • Being business minded will help you stand out from the crowd in a competitive job market
  • If going for interview and can see expansion ideas don’t be afraid to offer thoughts and ideas

Discussion points:

  • Having a good idea and putting it in to practice
  • Start ups
  • Getting your ideas off the ground – the support out there
  • Hints and tips

Topic: Volunteering

Expert: Fiona Jamieson



Key messages:

  • Volunteering will equip you with life experience and transferable skills that can later be adapted in the business world. Whether the role is directly relevant or not
  • Volunteering is an important part of a CV and can be a vital stepping stone to the ideal career
    • Shows you care about a particular avenue of interest for a career
    • May be a stepping stone to paid work within this or a future organisation

Discussion points:

  • Why consider volunteering
  • What volunteering involves and what you get out of it personally
  • Possible areas, e.g. youth work, environmental issues, sports etc.
  • Finding something you’re passionate about or have an interest in so that when you come to talk about it in job interviews the passion you have then shines through
  • People realise you’ve volunteered because you care, and not just because you’ve got something to put on your CV

Topic: Networking

Expert: Andy Lopata



Key messages:

  • Building your own personal network can help you stand out from the crowd and help create opportunities for your future career
  • Be creative to build / harness your contacts, e.g. using social networking, sports clubs, etc.
    • The importance of online
    • Networking as part of gaining a career and its long-term benefits
  • Talking about the right things and staying in touch

Discussion points:

  • Using networking to get a job
  • Why it’s important
  • The basics and etiquette of networking
  • Working the room in different social situations – from the pub and events to recruitment companies and interviews
  • Hints and tips

Possible case studies:

  • Phil Linter got his job through a personal contact at his cricket club
  • Charlotte Andrews got her work experience placement through a friend which resulted in full time placement

Topic: Physical and Verbal success

Expert: Mel Churcher



Key messages:

  • Understanding how to optimise your body language and verbally representation can help you in the run up to finding a dream career
    • The effect on your personal life, networking, in groups and at interview stage
    • Understanding the subtle differences which can make the difference

Discussion points:

  • Breathing and relaxing
  • Posture and confidence
  • Physical and eye contact / face and gesture
  • Voice – strong resonant voice

Topic: Creativity - You as a Brand

Expert: Tom Knox



Key messages:

  • Knowing how to sell yourself is important as part of package
    • What are you good at? What are your weaknesses and how do you overcome them?
    • Being positive without going over the top
    • What is your USP?.How do you want to be viewed/considered?
    • Considerations for the language used
  • Having confidence and being able to ‘sell’ yourself is vital when approaching companies for placements and positions directly

Discussion points:

  • The concept of ‘you’ as a brand
  • Your USP – what are your strong points?
  • Developing on your presentation style from university
  • Pitching yourself in the appropriate manner for a chosen career path is important

Topic: Practical next steps

Expert: Mike Hill



Key messages:

  • There’s help out there, make sure you know where to go and what you need
  • Understanding what you want to get out of a career
  • We are here to help you gain the right job/career for you

Discussion points:

  • Consider your options
  • Where to get help/advice as part of that next stage
  • Hints and tips