#Gradscheme

[studiousengineer]

My degree is over!?

Well, my degree is finished. Soon I'll graduate (in absentia) with a First Class Honours! In September I'll begin a graduate scheme at a big engineering company, so I guess this will turn into more of a #gradblr than a #studyblr. What sort of content do you guys want to see from a more work/graduate based blog?

I'll still have some study stuff here though, while I do further learning to gain my chartership.📚🔧

[addisongroup]

Aldi - Recruitment Campaign

Despite offering the highest published graduate starting salaries in the UK, discount supermarket titan Aldi found itself struggling to attract the top university talent. Aldi teamed up with HR expert Penna to build a new employer brand from scratch — one that wouldn’t just increase the calibre of applicants, but openly advertise the hardworking, no-frills efficiency required for successful candidates. Aldi’s first step was to revitalise its graduate website, adding rich, engaging and interactive content that would capture the imagination of browsers. Quizzes featured heavily, allowing applicants to ‘self-screen’, funnelling the best of the best toward their new career. Aldi and Penna carefully managed the selection process, ensuring graduates were prepared for the rigorous process ahead. The partnership also developed a training video to help the staff recruiting new area managers to wholeheartedly promote Aldi’s values. With graduate applications up 150% on the previous year, it’s clear the campaign, described by our judges as, “Comprehensive and excellent,” was a success.

[byebyebones]

not that anyone gives a shit but I've been didn't get through the first sift of a few grad schemes that I was really interested in but I've got an interview for a gradscheme at the Department for Education in London ( which is my main interest!!!!) and also a phone interview for a community centre management gradscheme but I also applied to go to Nicaragua with ICS and volunteer for 3 months next yr lol so fucked knows what I'm doing with my life

[astonfaststream-blog]

What is this?

If you’re interested in an exciting, fulfilling career, this is the place for you. 

The Civil Service Fast Stream is the flagship graduate programme for people who want to work in Government. With 15 different schemes, and thousands of unique postings, the Fast Stream offers you the chance to lead in your own way.

Who are we? We’re Rich, Laura, Ruth and James, four current Fast Streamers here to support and encourage Aston students who think the Fast Stream might be for them.

We’ll be here and on campus to answer any questions you have about the Civil Service. Look out for articles about the opportunities on offer, insight into the lives of Fast Streamers, and hints and tips about how to make it. 

[yeswhatifwedid-blog]

It’s only been 2 weeks

And I’m already so frustrated. Theres only so many hours you can spend filling in the same application forms over and over again, in hope that one of them will result in actually being read.

I changed my tactics a little yesterday. I applied for some more jobs at the head office of the company I already work for, only to find that they have changed the application system and there’s now a bunch of online tests that were really not designed for dyslexic people. Timed tests are something that have always been an issue for me. I need time to read, re-read and re-re-read because it never sinks in the first few times. So that was that anyway.

I then thought, ooh! I already work for a supermarket, lets try another supermarket! So I began to apply for an umber of graduate schemes for different retailers, and that’s where I hit the brick wall. They all asked me about the number of UCAS points I have. (for the record its about 120). I didn’t do A Levels, I didn’t complete the BTEC I started, I spent that 2 years of my life working full time in a managerial role. I subsequently gained a first class bachelors degree and a masters degree, but that doesn’t seem to matter to these people.

Now I understand that they have a lot of applications and this is just a way to narrow down the applicant pool, but I don’t see why I should be completely dismissed without a chance, just because I haven’t sat in a classroom consistently for the last 7 years. I have a lot of skills that are a whole lot more useful than UCAS points. I worked, I led teams, all things that are practical to real world working. So why don’t I deserve a chance as much as those who took that time to study instead?

[throughthelense16]

Breaking the news to my DNA mum about my "onscreen" mum. #gradscheme #thisisharderforme #wehadagoodrun #acting

[sundotshine]

Moving Forward

Things are changing in the life of the drop out!

Yesterday I had an interview for a grad scheme. I'd heard fairly horrible things about grad schemes in general...only one person of thousands get the job, and they can be really picky and choose the best because they are only university students that apply in the first place.

Turns out the interview wasn't all that bad after all. In fact, I could even describe it as 'enjoyable'?! Perhaps that's going a little far...still it really wasn't too bad. Questions included examples of me using leadership skills, what kind of leader would I be, a time that I've been a self-starter etc. etc. Fairly standard, and one thing I can be relied to talk about...is myself! No questions about the company at all. Only 12 people get through to the next round though, and he emphasised that it's only the very best that go through, so I shall expect nothing. Good news this morning though! I got accepted to study law this September in Bristol!!! YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! I am thrilled! If I got offered the job too, well...we'll see. But I'll wait for the situation to arise, I don't think it will somehow.

Things are looking up for the drop-out. Over and out.

[astonfaststream-blog]

Whatever your passion - HR, research, problem solving, event organising - there’s a place for you on the Fast Stream.

Find your scheme here: http://www.faststream.gov.uk/

[astonfaststream-blog]

A graduate scheme like no other

Sir Jeremy Heywood

Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service

[sundotshine]

Interview week...

I've got an interview for a graduate scheme this week...and they're going to ask me 'competency questions'. Now I might be being really blonde here but am I instantly supposed to know what it is I'm supposed to be competent at? Err...so this could be interesting. It's a telephone interview though so hopefully I can feign competency while they can't see my face! We'll see...then if I get through that I'll have to go into London for tests, so they'll see sense then anyway :S Either way, it's all good experience right?!