Ask A Graduate Recruiter Anything!

[S321]

Hi Jessica, I am currently finalising an application and one of the questions is 'What do you wish you had invented and why?' I have previously done volunteering in a mental health capacity and mental well being is really important to me and I wanted to put down the app called better help i.e online counselling-and explain my reasons, i.e. mental wellness increases positivity, and due to the fact that its online its easily accessible for people who work long hours and can't take the time out of the day per se to proactively seek help etc etc. Or is this far too controversial?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica, I am currently finalising an application and one of the questions is 'What do you wish you had invented and why?' I have previously done volunteering in a mental health capacity and mental well being is really important to me and I wanted to put down the app called better help i.e online counselling-and explain my reasons, i.e. mental wellness increases positivity, and due to the fact that its online its easily accessible for people who work long hours and can't take the time out of the day per se to proactively seek help etc etc. Or is this far too controversial?

Not controversial in any sense

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone know who the grad recruitment manager at NRF is?

Philippa Wilson is the name on LCN, but it says on their profile "Applications to Graduate Recruitment" so I don't think you need to name them.

 

[S321]

Not controversial in any sense

Thank you, I wasn't sure if it was something that I could express my opinion on, but I will do. In terms of why I selected them is it acceptable to discuss their association with charitable organisations, or should I relate it to their expertise which is private client? I only have 60 words, so theres not much scope to go into detail.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you, I wasn't sure if it was something that I could express my opinion on, but I will do. In terms of why I selected them is it acceptable to discuss their association with charitable organisations, or should I relate it to their expertise which is private client? I only have 60 words, so theres not much scope to go into detail.

unless the firm has a very strong client base made up of charitable clients and you have significant periods of your work are likely to be working with them, I’d avoid playing on this too heavily. As you said “associations” and not clients I suspect this won’t be part of your day job

 

[S321]

unless the firm has a very strong client base made up of charitable clients and you have significant periods of your work are likely to be working with them, I’d avoid playing on this too heavily. As you said “associations” and not clients I suspect this won’t be part of your day job

Its Withers. I've researched the firm in terms of their private client work.Also Im particularly interested in their family law sector however, I'm just struggling to find an approach with a 60 word limit, could you recommend any particular structure for answering this please?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Its Withers. I've researched the firm in terms of their private client work.Also Im particularly interested in their family law sector however, I'm just struggling to find an approach with a 60 word limit, could you recommend any particular structure for answering this please?

If it is only 60 words, don't over think it and just be super concise.

 

[HH]

Hi Jessica, would a part time job count as an extracurricular? If I'm not at university (full-time course), I'm almost always at work so I don't really have any hobbies that can be quantified e.g organising events for societies etc. However, my job (where I plan, prepare, and deliver events) does allow me some level of creative freedom which has let me weave in my personal interests into some events.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica, would a part time job count as an extracurricular? If I'm not at university (full-time course), I'm almost always at work so I don't really have any hobbies that can be quantified e.g organising events for societies etc. However, my job (where I plan, prepare, and deliver events) does allow me some level of creative freedom which has let me weave in my personal interests into some events.

no - that’s work experience

 

[S321]

Hi Jessica, if I need to submit a cv to some firms would I need to specify the name of the firm in my profile on the cv or can I just leave it as it is? It specifies that I’m seeking a legal vacation scheme

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica, if I need to submit a cv to some firms would I need to specify the name of the firm in my profile on the cv or can I just leave it as it is? It specifies that I’m seeking a legal vacation scheme

you don’t need a profile on your CV if you are applying with a cover letter or as part of an application

 

[S321]

you don’t need a profile on your CV if you are applying with a cover letter or as part of an application

Neither of the company's I'm applying for want a cover letter they specified that they only want a CV

 

[Jessica Booker]

Neither of the company's I'm applying for want a cover letter they specified that they only want a CV

No need to include the individual firm name

 

[Isaac]

Philippa Wilson is the name on LCN, but it says on their profile "Applications to Graduate Recruitment" so I don't think you need to name them.

I think I might’ve screwed up. I found a woman named jacqui bernuzzi and went off what I found on linked in... do you think it would affect my application?

 

[S321]

Will graduate recruiters care for a profile and having a core competencies section on my CV? I also listed the skills I gained from my degree but would a recruiter just assume these skills would already be a given as all graduates would have the same?

 

[Sergiulix]

Hi Jessica,

In a competency question such as describe a significant challenge, is it fine to mention e.g. being overwhelmed by events in your personal life that interfere with work life? A sudden illness of a family member for example at a time of significant work pressure as well, that requires you to keep it together. Or is it better to avoid such answers as maybe the overall negative aspect of the story indirectly affects the mood of the interview?

Thank you .

 

[Jessica Booker]

I think I might’ve screwed up. I found a woman named jacqui bernuzzi and went off what I found on linked in... do you think it would affect my application?

no - Jacqui does manage the team

 

[Jessica Booker]

Will graduate recruiters care for a profile and having a core competencies section on my CV? I also listed the skills I gained from my degree but would a recruiter just assume these skills would already be a given as all graduates would have the same?

depends on the individual’s preferences (there isn’t a standard unfortunately)

personally I don’t see the value in a personal profile if it is part of a wider application.

I generally don’t like a “competencies” section either as typically they are just fluff rather than specific evidence. I’d rather just see the evidence

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica,

In a competency question such as describe a significant challenge, is it fine to mention e.g. being overwhelmed by events in your personal life that interfere with work life? A sudden illness of a family member for example at a time of significant work pressure as well, that requires you to keep it together. Or is it better to avoid such answers as maybe the overall negative aspect of the story indirectly affects the mood of the interview?

Thank you .

Personally I’d suggest trying to focus on something more “positive” but I have seen it work in applications/interviews, so not an issue of you think it’s your best example.

 

[S321]

depends on the individual’s preferences (there isn’t a standard unfortunately)

personally I don’t see the value in a personal profile if it is part of a wider application.

I generally don’t like a “competencies” section either as typically they are just fluff rather than specific evidence. I’d rather just see the evidence

What do you mean by a wider application? As in if there’s more to the application process than solely a cv?

In terms of evidence I just add the grades, work experience and personal achievements , I’ve not heard of using examples in cv’s so I assume I can’t add any. I just have brief bullet points about my work experience and voluntary work.

I guess the expanding on university skill is pointless as we all have the same?

Is there something specific I should be doing in my cv that I’m not already?