2nd year Amy Taylor who is studying at Royal Holloway's School of Management on the 4 year “Year in Business (YIB) programme” has already secured her placement for next year with Enterprise Rent a Car. In this blog article she talks about her she found the application process and gives a lot of advice for other students looking for placements. 1st years who will be embarking on their placement search later in the year maybe interested to read Amy's advice about starting the process early.
How did you find the
application process?
application process?
When preparing myself for the application
process, I took into consideration the advice from previous YIB students and
the placement staff who all suggested starting early and this proved vital in
me gaining a placement. Having never held a job in a senior management position
before or any real experience in specific company sectors I knew the
application process would be challenging and time consuming. After attending
many placement advice evenings in my first year, I knew that a CV could make or
break your success in finding a placement, so I did my research on what makes a
good CV and used the resources available on the university careers page to
shape my skills and experience to each job role. I would highly recommend
attending the placement events held at University and visiting the careers centre
(or at the very least have a read of the website), you will gain valuable
information and a better understanding of how your CV is perceived by potential
employers.
process, I took into consideration the advice from previous YIB students and
the placement staff who all suggested starting early and this proved vital in
me gaining a placement. Having never held a job in a senior management position
before or any real experience in specific company sectors I knew the
application process would be challenging and time consuming. After attending
many placement advice evenings in my first year, I knew that a CV could make or
break your success in finding a placement, so I did my research on what makes a
good CV and used the resources available on the university careers page to
shape my skills and experience to each job role. I would highly recommend
attending the placement events held at University and visiting the careers centre
(or at the very least have a read of the website), you will gain valuable
information and a better understanding of how your CV is perceived by potential
employers.
Initially I did a general google search
for the top student employers and recommended placements for management
students. Following the advice of the careers staff I then focused my searches
on Rate My placement. The book based on this website was a major asset to me
narrowing down my placement options, it gave details on each company,
explaining the type of positions available and helped me compare the advantages
of each firm.
for the top student employers and recommended placements for management
students. Following the advice of the careers staff I then focused my searches
on Rate My placement. The book based on this website was a major asset to me
narrowing down my placement options, it gave details on each company,
explaining the type of positions available and helped me compare the advantages
of each firm.
After this stage, I realised how time
consuming applying for placements is. Along with repeating all your personal
details for each position, you often have to answer multiple questions which
vary from mathematical, verbal or scenario. These require a great deal of focus
and time, so trying to find time between all your other commitments is very
difficult. In my first year we were recommended to start applying early into
second year, primarily in the later weeks of 1st term. However, the
strongest bit of advice I can offer is it’s never too early! I began applying
for placements during the summer after my first year to avoid the stress of
applying during my studies. Although there are fewer placements open, you get a
head start and get the process moving quicker.
consuming applying for placements is. Along with repeating all your personal
details for each position, you often have to answer multiple questions which
vary from mathematical, verbal or scenario. These require a great deal of focus
and time, so trying to find time between all your other commitments is very
difficult. In my first year we were recommended to start applying early into
second year, primarily in the later weeks of 1st term. However, the
strongest bit of advice I can offer is it’s never too early! I began applying
for placements during the summer after my first year to avoid the stress of
applying during my studies. Although there are fewer placements open, you get a
head start and get the process moving quicker.
Due to my eagerness to apply very early I
was offered to participate in multiple telephone and video interviews. I found
these so much easier compared to the daunting online test questions. Centred on
my previous experience and skills, it is just an opportunity for you to show
your personality and demonstrate what you can offer a company. Confidence is
key for this stage in the process, although you do not want to appear to be
reading from a script, I found it useful to scribble down some notes before the
interviews about examples of key skills and some answers to general interview
questions. This preparation ensures you can answer the questions fully and not
miss out anything important.
was offered to participate in multiple telephone and video interviews. I found
these so much easier compared to the daunting online test questions. Centred on
my previous experience and skills, it is just an opportunity for you to show
your personality and demonstrate what you can offer a company. Confidence is
key for this stage in the process, although you do not want to appear to be
reading from a script, I found it useful to scribble down some notes before the
interviews about examples of key skills and some answers to general interview
questions. This preparation ensures you can answer the questions fully and not
miss out anything important.
Within 2 months I was offered the
opportunity to go to an Assessment centre. I had no idea what to expect and
unsure how they would be measuring my ability to perform the job. Fortunately
the careers centre held an evening to meet local company representatives. I
strongly advise that whilst you attend these events, you should take to time to
hang around after and talk to the employers. I took this opportunity to ask
them how they run assessment centres and what I should expect. I gained some
valuable knowledge as well as networking with these companies. The assessment
centre was not what I expected at all. There was a very relaxed atmosphere and
an overall great day. You should never be afraid to ask questions or make
suggestions. Get stuck into group tasks! They will be looking for leadership
qualities and by being confident and making your view heard you will be
remembered.
opportunity to go to an Assessment centre. I had no idea what to expect and
unsure how they would be measuring my ability to perform the job. Fortunately
the careers centre held an evening to meet local company representatives. I
strongly advise that whilst you attend these events, you should take to time to
hang around after and talk to the employers. I took this opportunity to ask
them how they run assessment centres and what I should expect. I gained some
valuable knowledge as well as networking with these companies. The assessment
centre was not what I expected at all. There was a very relaxed atmosphere and
an overall great day. You should never be afraid to ask questions or make
suggestions. Get stuck into group tasks! They will be looking for leadership
qualities and by being confident and making your view heard you will be
remembered.
I was very fortunate with the placement
process as it was a lot less stressful than expected. However this is only due
to me starting very early and getting my name out therefore before the crowds
of applications. So get applying early!
process as it was a lot less stressful than expected. However this is only due
to me starting very early and getting my name out therefore before the crowds
of applications. So get applying early!
What recommendations would you
make to that Year in Business students starting in their 1st year at Royal Holloway and their 2nd year?
make to that Year in Business students starting in their 1st year at Royal Holloway and their 2nd year?
My advice for 1st years is to
not wait until you start second year to start applying for placements. Second
year involves a lot of reading and essays, so the last thing you will want to
do is to come home from a long day and spend hours in the evening applying for
placements. Get your LinkedIn set up early and keep an eye on placement
websites during the summer. A contributing factor me being offered my placement
was my early application- it demonstrates dedication and eagerness. I would
also recommend using the facilities made available to you via the careers
centre. The advice on CVs, assessment centres and opportunities to meet
potential employers is vital.
not wait until you start second year to start applying for placements. Second
year involves a lot of reading and essays, so the last thing you will want to
do is to come home from a long day and spend hours in the evening applying for
placements. Get your LinkedIn set up early and keep an eye on placement
websites during the summer. A contributing factor me being offered my placement
was my early application- it demonstrates dedication and eagerness. I would
also recommend using the facilities made available to you via the careers
centre. The advice on CVs, assessment centres and opportunities to meet
potential employers is vital.
Following this I would advise second
years not to give up, the application process is very time consuming and frustrating.
But persist through and demonstrate confidence and preparation throughout each
stage and you will be rewarded eventually.
years not to give up, the application process is very time consuming and frustrating.
But persist through and demonstrate confidence and preparation throughout each
stage and you will be rewarded eventually.
What is your job title and what projects will you
be working on?
I will be working for Enterprise
rent-a-car as a management trainee at the Heathrow Airport branch. I will learn
how to motivate a team, achieve performance goals and run a branch. Along with
regular interactions with customers I will gain a greater understanding of the
business world. This placement appealed to me as it incorporated all aspects of
my degree and not focused on one particular sector. I hope this will help me
decide which sector I wish to pursue in my career.
rent-a-car as a management trainee at the Heathrow Airport branch. I will learn
how to motivate a team, achieve performance goals and run a branch. Along with
regular interactions with customers I will gain a greater understanding of the
business world. This placement appealed to me as it incorporated all aspects of
my degree and not focused on one particular sector. I hope this will help me
decide which sector I wish to pursue in my career.