What is the University Milk Round?

This is the term that is used to describe companies which visit universities and other institutions of higher education in order to recruit students who are usually in their final year of study for graduate employment within their companies.

It is individual universities which will organise careers fairs, usually in the Autumn and Summer terms, and invite a selection of companies to visit. Larger companies which tend to visit universities in search of potential graduate employers include large retailers like Tesco and Lidl, Marks and Spencer and Argos; accountancy firms like Deloitte and KPMG, engineering companies such as Cummins and food groups like Kraft and Brakes, plus design companies, marketing and advertising firms and business consulting companies.

It is noticeable that the job market seems to be improving from 5 or 6 years ago when the recession was hitting everybody, including graduate employment. But most universities are reporting more companies visiting their graduate careers fairs today than in previous recent years. The only exception is within the area of public sector graduate jobs where government spending cuts, at both national and local levels, have scaled down public services and significantly reduced employment within this sector.

New year, new job

Although many people find January a rather depressing time of year; a time which can feel “flat” after the vibrancy and liveliness of the Christmas period, for others, it is seen as a time to make changes and this may include looking for a more rewarding and challenging job.

You can help yourself to do this by staying positive about your ability and available jobs. A positive outlook on life needs to come across well on your application form and at interview. Don’t gush, but do be enthusiastic about what you enjoy doing and how you think you will be good at a new job. Make sure you’re looking smart too. The new year may be time to invest in a new style of clothes and a new haircut.

Do look over your CV. You may need to update information and include more recently acquired skills. Have a look at transferable skills which may help especially if you are considering a change in career or want to try something different.

The new year is a good time for brushing up on rusty skills or for learning something new. Many local colleges may offer night classes in improving computer skills or in updating first aid training or even in improving foreign language skills.

Finally, think ahead.  When applying for jobs, do a little research into the the company to which you are applying and the job which you are hoping to do.  Think about your interview and even practise answering typical interview questions in front of a mirror.  You may feel a little silly but this could pay dividends later.

Is a second language useful in the job market?

British people are notoriously poor at speaking another foreign language and for those who struggled to learn a smattering of French, German or Spanish at school, it may seem a rather useless subject when it appears that most of the world seems to speak English more than competently.
However, many employers do view more favourably candidates who can speak a second language than those who do not. This is true even when speaking a specific or a second language is not part of the job specification. Learning a new language enables a person to have a broader understanding of another race or culture which means a candidate is likely to be more flexible or is more open to looking at things from a different perspective. In today’s world where the internet can connect us to others thousands of miles away in seconds, the ability to have a knowledge and understanding of others can only be an advantage.
The ability to speak more than one language definitely gives candidates a competitive edge over others. With the rise in immigration in the UK over the past 10 to 15 years, there are many children growing up speaking English in school and another language at home, giving them an advantage over children from families where only English is spoken. For those who are determined to succeed, they may want to try learning a less common foreign language. British companies are opening markets in Russia, Brazil, China and parts of the Middle East and competent speakers of Russian, Portuguese, Chinese and Arabic may find themselves in demand.

Advice for young people embarking on their first job

You may have spent hours perfecting your CV, sweated your way through the job interview and had a nervous wait to find out if you were successful or not, but finally, the day dawns where you are due to start your first ever job since leaving school.

It goes without saying that you need to be punctual, not just for the first day, but every day. It doesn’t mean arriving at 8.58am for a 9am start! Make sure you arrive at least 10 minutes before you are officially due to start work, giving you a chance to freshen up, maybe make a cup of tea and, at least say a friendly hello to new work colleagues. If you rely on public transport to get yourself to work, it is not good enough to say that your bus or train arrives late most days. If this is the case, catch an earlier service.

Make sure you dress appropriately for whatever job you take on. Asking about appropriate dress is a good question for candidates to ask at interview. If you didn’t think to ask this question, then err on the side of caution. If you have a job which is likely to insist on smart dress, then make sure you dress conservatively. The trick is to see what other people are wearing and follow suit. Certain companies may request that visible tattoos are covered for work so you may need to wear long sleeves and a shirt or blouse with a collar.

There will be a lot to learn when you first start a new job and you won’t be expected to know it all by the end of your first day. Pay attention to what you are told and,if you need to, check to assure yourself that you understand the task in hand and then do it properly. Be respectful to work colleagues and customers and you are well advised to avoid getting caught up in office gossip or talking about your boss behind his or her back.

Make sure you are punctual when you return after tea breaks or lunch and, although you may only be paid until 5pm, it won’t look good if you are seen with your coat on ready to leave on the dot. Spend a few minutes tidying your desk, or organising your task in hand so you know where to start the next day and saying goodbye to the people you have been working with.

Finally, unless you really are genuinely so ill that you cannot go to work, it does not look good if you take days off for a sniffle or a mild headache. It may sound harsh but you have joined the world of work now and you will need to “man up” for minor ailments, especially during your first 3 to 6 months of working, when your employers are still finding out about you.

How To Find The Perfect Teaching Job In Oxfordshire

Whether you are unhappy in your current school, a newbie looking at the world of education with wide eyes and a hopeful grin or about to jump into education as a second-career seeker, you are entitled to work in a place that “gets” you and wants what you have to offer.

But remember, in today’s extremely competitive job market, teaching jobs Oxfordshire are few and difficult to come by. There are many qualified candidates. Teaching is one of the most fulfilling and stable jobs. Even though the job market is really tough, there are candidates who will still “win” the coveted few teaching job in Oxfordshire advertised every single year. Your goal is not to take the first job that is offered, but to get offered a job that will make you happy.

Specialize

If you know you want to be working with a specific sub-set of learners, you can consider getting an endorsement or special training in a specific area of ESL, such as Business English, or Young Learners. 

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