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careers knowledge
have just completed a course or degree.
Graduates need to show how they have
gone beyond their course requirements,
either with additional work experience or
supportive part-time courses.
“Employers want staff who are flexible.
They feel your value is higher if you can
work across more than one area
and become an indispensable
part of the team.”
Gain valuable experience moment
Jose Cofone is a senior recruitment and cus-
consultant at New Frontiers. He says clients tomers want
ZAHARA’S TOP TEN TIPS
are looking for candidates with solid sales to book a holiday with FOR GETTING AHEAD
experience, so students someone who can offer
1. Be focused on what you want to achieve
need to take full personal guidance from
2. Decide where you want to work in the future and
advantage of their own experience.” work hard towards making this happen – follow this
their placement Above all Cofone recom-
organisation through the trade papers and online,
year to hit mends students look at the industry with
look at their culture and what makes them tick
3. Be prepared to start low and be flexible – you might
the ground the long-term in mind and consider what
have to compromise initially but you need to bear in
running when they need to do to get up to speed. “Do
mind the bigger picture and long-term goals
they apply for a job. courses, such as those on TTG Knowledge 4. Gain as much work experience as possible
He recommends College. They always look good on CVs.”
5. Complement and expand upon your existing
students also take time to Since leaving university, Zahara has
education with other skills and courses
6. Do not idealise the industry - some people want to get
go travelling and build up secured a job as a marketing executive on
into travel because they think they are going to be
their portfolio of destination the PortAventura account at Lotus UK,
travelling all the time and be a ‘tourist’, and this is not
knowledge, particularly for where managing director Sarah Johnson says the case
long-haul. she is “impressed with her drive, willingness
7. When going for an interview, think of yourself as a
However, taking a whole to go the extra mile and commitment – all
product: look at your potential for the prospective
employer; highlight your achievements and what you
year out to travel is not neces- vital assets in a client-facing business where
can deliver as a member of their team
sary, he says. “There are some success is about relationships”.
8. Don’t give up: it is difficult to find a job but keep
very good deals out there on Zahara says, “I think recessions do bring sending out CVs and register with the top travel
flights, and one or two months opportunities as businesses look for more
industry recruiters
away would be well worth the creative solutions. Inevitable cut-backs mean
9. Attend industry events. The entrance fee is usually
subsidised for students and they are a great way of
investment. talented people can shine and engineer
learning new things and networking – you never
“We’re seeing res staff themselves to be in the right place for
know who you might meet
roles picking up at the when the economy takes off again.” 10. Always aim high!
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