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The UK's official graduate careers website
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Rise to the top of the job pile with a professionally written CV and a free CV review from The CV Centre.
Before applying for a job, you need to thoroughly research the skills, knowledge and commitment required.
You can research the requisite attributes by analysing the job advert and job description. To find out more about an employer’s needs and apply speculatively you could also look at the organisation’s website, contact their graduate recruiter directly, and look up key contacts on LinkedIn .
Three typical job adverts are shown below, along with advice on how they can be analysed in terms of the skills, knowledge and commitment required.
To analyse adverts/job descriptions you need to look for both stated and implied requisites, this can take some practice and you may want to ask a careers adviser for help. See how the requirements for this job advert have been analysed below.
The High Roller Group has, for twenty years, been the consulting service of choice for the life insurance and pensions markets in the financial services sector.
Our approach to client service delivery is to work in teams to translate strategic vision and objectives into systems and processes that succeed. High Roller’s ethos and success is based on the ability to focus our expertise on the knowledge and experience of the client. To enable them to grow and deliver, we develop strong and ongoing relationships with our clients. Our business and tradition is based on ‘partnership for progress’.
Work offered: Trainee Decision Maker; Data Gatherer/Investigator.
Subject of study: 2:1 in any degree discipline (ideally supported by A-level maths, but not essential). 2:2 graduates will be considered on an individual basis.
Locations: London, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh.
Apply: Please send your CV and covering letter to Ms L Groom, Graduate Recruitment Manager, The High Roller Group, Blue Base Road, Birmingham B1 2BE
The stated requirements of this job are:
The implied attributes are:
'Our approach to client service delivery is to work in teams'/
'partnership for progress');
'translate strategic vision and objectives into systems and processes that succeed');
'ability to focus our expertise on the knowledge and experience of the client');
'Work offered: Trainee Decision Maker; Data Gatherer/Investigator');
'ideally supported by A-level maths, but not essential').
Once you have analysed the attributes required in a vacancy you need to prove them in your CV or application form. For example, to prove your teamwork skills to the High Roller Group you could write:
During my internship at Company X I demonstrated excellent teamwork skills in a busy financial environment, such as an ability to listen to clients and managers, perform my role to a high level and support colleagues, resulting in an early promotion.
To prove your data-gathering skills:
At Company Y I developed excellent data investigation skills such as an ability to use a range of sources, check findings and question conclusions, resulting in a key role helping business clients develop efficient systems.
See the chronological CV and standard covering letter which are targeted at this vacancy.
Consider how you would match your skills to this travel agent's requirements.
One of the UK’s leading specialists in tailor-made tours and cultural holidays to North Africa, the Middle East and Asia, is looking for a recent graduate to train as a Travel Consultant. We are committed to providing the best service to our clients whilst supplying a unique holiday adventure to suit their individual needs. We believe you will thrive with our twelve-month training plan which will give you the opportunity to experience all aspects of our business.
Responsibilities will include dealing with client enquiries, selling worldwide tailor-made holidays and creating itineraries, booking tours and reserving flights through suppliers, preparing client travel documentation, managing bookings and general customer service.
Candidates must have a relevant degree (2:2 or higher), initiative, team skills, the ability to communicate effectively, good administrative skills, experience of travellers’ needs, excellent customer service skills, sales knowledge and preferably language skills.
To apply, send us your CV or upload it directly to our website.
The stated requirements of this job are:
The implied attributes are:
'selling worldwide tailor-made holidays').
To demonstrate your initiative skills to Whittear Travel Consultancy you could write:
Successful study and work in Spain and Mexico show that I can creatively develop my skills and experience and adapt to new and different environments.
To prove your sales knowledge/skills:
Raised sales at Company Z by 12% by up selling add-on packages to new and existing customers.
See the skills-based CV and covering letter showing disclosure of a disability which are targeted at this vacancy.
See the key points for examples of how you could demonstrate your suitability for this academic position.
Located in Bruges, Belgium, the Federal Institute of Technology consistently ranks among the best universities in Europe and the World. The Chair Management of Network Industries within the College of the Management of Technology invites applications for a post-Doctoral position in business strategy for urban utilities.
Required qualifications:
- A PhD in management, business, economics, or political science.
- Research and publications in business strategy/regulation in one or several of the following industries: energy, communications, transport, and/or environmental services.
- Fluency in English. A working level understanding of written and spoken French will be a distinct advantage.
Main responsibilities:
- Organise a new Executive Master (EM) in Urban Utilities Management (UrbUtil).
- Manage the administration, logistic and curriculum of the EM in UrbUtil.
- Conduct research on business strategy in network industries.
- Participate in international conferences in academic and business circles.
- Contribute to teaching in the EM in UrbUtil.
An initial one-year contract will be offered with the possibility of a permanent position depending on the success of the Executive Masters programme. Please send letter of application, curriculum vitae and names of at least three referees to Dr Michele Berryman.
The stated attributes are:
The implied attributes are:
'Located in Bruges');
'Organise a…');
'Organise a new Executive Master (EM) in Urban Utilities Management');
'Manage the administration, logistics and curriculum');
'Conduct research on business strategy in network industries');
'Participate in international conferences in academic and business circles');
'Contribute to teaching in the EM');
'An initial one-year contract will be offered').
To demonstrate your teaching skills for this role you could write:
I have delivered seminars in ‘Conservation theory’ and ‘Environment modelling’ to groups of 10-20 undergraduate students and planned teaching methods.
To prove your ability to conduct relevant research:
In close collaboration with the Centre for Finance, The Wales Development Agency and Groundwork Wales, my thesis investigates novel modelling tools and analytical models.
See the academic CV which is targeted at this vacancy. More information on writing CVs is available in CVs and covering letters.
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