Academic versus Vocational Qualifications - Which Wins

Academic versus Vocational Qualifications - Which Wins With university tuition fees at approx £10k a year (Reddin Survey for university tuition fees), alternative advice to young adults seeking guidance in which career path to take has never been more vital when deciding whether to pursue a degree or follow a vocational path instead. Recruitment is renowned for being divisive with some hiring companies having a low barrier to entry with no minimum expectation frequently focusing on sales experience rather than grades; this is then polarised by those typically those who work in corporate circles who seek graduates preferably from a reputable institution. I chose to write about this topic for a number of reasons, given I recruit for the recruitment sector I often discuss this entry point with fellow business owners about what is best…. Grad caliber Firstly speaking from personal experience. I am not a graduate myself although I completed an HND with distinctions in Marketing which then let me to partly complete my CIM Diploma in Marketing a post-grad level qualification. However, my funding got pulled and I never completed that not converted my HND into the full degree for which I was heading for a 1st given my distinctions- So would you call me ‘Graduate caliber’? I went to a grammar school and got fully involved in many aspects of being in a privileged position, including debating society and public speaking. For me, it wasnt just about the academics- I did ok, I was never top of the class and got 8 GCSEs and scraped 3 A levels (if a D and 2 Es count??) So what is it about my academics that have stood me in good stead truly I dont think it is my academic prowess that has made me successful. I think it was my grounding, my focus, and tenacity; my natural communication skills. Has a lack of degree hindered me- it has never once been questioned in 20 years…. but am I of a different era? Let’s explore with someone more relevant to now…. Someone I met in 2011 when she had 4 years experience and was still only 21 is SOPHIE SEVER of Finlay James Recruitment @FinlayJamesLtd I asked Sophie whether more companies should be open to non-graduates and what her own experience was: I started at parity when I was 16 straight from school, did an NVQ and found a job at parity was a business admin role (which wasn’t for me) after a year I then moved into a resourcing role at parity placing IT contractors into public sector. Was super successful won competitions for number 1 consultant (a free trip to Vegas), in 2008 and 2010 and a top ten consultant in 2008 to Marbella. Then I wanted a fresh challenge as I reached a ceiling there. I felt and needed something exciting which is when I met you and you introduced me to FJ in 2011, where I’ve been for 8 years in May this year and absolutely love it! I’ve been promoted a number of times and am now an associate director working on key accounts globally. Now im 31 years old and have 14 years of recruitment experience.” What about those employers who prefer academic qualifications over vocation? “Well, I’m not an academic, always enjoyed school but not for the education part, more the social. Definitely more of a people person than a swot, terrible at maths and like most, I fell into recruitment after not really knowing what I wanted to do after school, and I’m so pleased I did! I get a buzz placing candidates to this day and matching great talent to my top clients who I’ve worked with for many years now.” What advice would you give to a younger you? “My advice to people like me who don’t want to do the uni thing is to do an apprenticeship for a well-established business to get some working experience, FJ likes to hire people with working experience even if it’s just 6 Months. I helped a family friend recently she was in college and came here for two weeks work experience, she’s 18 and made a fab impression. At the end of the two weeks, John offered her a resourcing role to support me, to join once she’s completed college. She’s now 5 months in and has closed 3 deals she’s only 19. And one final point: “If you are a people person, and not an academic don’t feel like you have to join university to make other people happy. Do it for yourself, trust me you’ll be pleased when your earning and not paying off loads of debt if you are lucky like me, you will have supportive parents too”. Shannon Rowlands has worked in recruitment for my business since she graduated from her degree in 2017. Shannon tweets as @QuiRecruitment. I asked Shannon whether her degree gave her an advantage over her peers in recruitment who do not possess a qualification such as her BA Hons. “I don’t think the degree gave me the advantage per se but I think it gave me confidence and life skills over staying at home in my town (in Wales). I had to put myself out there. Having a degree forced me to build relationships quickly and recruitment is a career that is all about using those skills to develop long term partnerships. So the degree itself isn’t whats enhanced my position; it was more about being away from family and what I needed to do to become the confident adult that I am now.” What advice would you give to recruitment companies who are considering hiring those with more vocational experience over academics: “When you are interviewing, think about the persons actual life skills. what have they done outside education = what is their attitude, what are their behaviours? A degree is not a ticket to success in recruitment and is not a guarantee to someone being better than the next person without one.” I also chose to write this post as a parent to two teenagers, one of whom is commencing GCSE options this year with considerations already being discussed as to her career choices. She wants to become a tattoo artist and body piercer and thanks to accessing information available to her and I do not mean careers advisers in schools! Thats a whole different topic and don’t get me started on how our education system needs a total overhaul- we have a shortage of skills such as IT developers and yet there is still no emphasis on this within the national curriculum. Skill gaps are not understood by the draconian education system. In secondary schools there needs to be a shift towards developing these young people for this world now- lessons in social media, financial planning, climate change, Technology and development, languages from primary age with the relevant dictionary. Going back to the point of this blog, as employers, I would encourage you to look beyond the degree. Think about the advantage of hiring a ‘Sophie’; raw talent, tenacity, mouldable, prepared to roll her sleeves up and get stuck in. It is an irony that as recruiters we often consult clients on thinking differently about the profiles of people, using science to ensure the right psychometric scores are met; however, it is the truest   statement to say that recruitment itself is a vocation- the definition is “a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation” and anyone who has endured/survived/conquered more than a couple of years in recruitment has indeed proven this….. Apprenticeship schemes are available to those seeking alternative routes and the “academy” method of growing your own and hoping some stick is back in fashion just because god damned good recruiters are so hard to find…. What are your opinions; is a vocational background more relevant now than a degree? I would love to know your experiences and testimony.

Preparing For Preceptioonal Resume Writing

Preparing For Preceptioonal Resume WritingPreceptioonal resume writing is the creation of a resume that you do not have to touch. It should be laid out for the benefit of the person or the company you are applying for.If you are applying for a job and the employer wants to see a sample of your writing, then you will get the 'look' or read it over before giving your opinion. This is usually when they decide whether or not to hire you. So, when it comes to Preceptioonal resume writing, you will need to prepare the document from scratch, or completely change it.When you are having trouble in coming up with a very good resume, you may feel overwhelmed by the wordings that are required on your document. You will need to be very careful about the content, the type of language and how the resume is formatted. There are many companies that will help you prepare and fix your resume in a way that you feel confident about giving your statement to the employers.There are many professional resume writers who will create a document for you that is not as good as the one you will get from them. You may think that you do not have enough time to spend on your resume; but, a little hard work will not take too much time either. You just need to put in the effort. In fact, it may actually be more work to finish a Preceptioonal resume than a regular one.When you are applying for a job, the employers will be looking at your documents in a short span of time. They will give priority to the latest ones. So, it is recommended that you write your own resume. The reality is that you will have to rewrite the resume when the new employer asks for it.Even though there are a lot of documents in the market, you should make sure that your resume is submitted with different names and files. Also, do not use a template for your written submission. The main thing you will be focusing on is the content. The format and other matters will just come later.To make your document look more professional, you may want to take into consideration a longer and more detailed resume. This will ensure that the employer gets all the important information from you.You can also obtain a free document, if you are hiring for an internship. If you do not have the time to craft a custom made resume, then you may want to take this into consideration. A free preceptioonal resume can be a great option for you to impress the employer of the company you are applying for.

You Are Your Assumptions - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

You Are Your Assumptions - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Everyone does it. Everyone allows their biases into their thought processes. Both the conscious and unconscious biases. It’s human nature. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Just remember… You are your assumptions. But it doesnt have to be that way. At least not forever and for everything. You can take a proactive role in seeking ways to evaluate, understand, and perhaps change your assumptions. Why Bother? Because your career may depend on it. Bias is inherent in everything we do. Being conscious of our biases is an important step in understanding ourselves and how we can be more productive, more engaged, and more effective in everything we do. In the Michael Lewis book “The Undoing Project” which is about the work Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky did in the 1970’s they identify the underlying thinking and processes that allow for  cognitive basis and  common human errors in thinking that arise from heuristics and biases. I’m not going to re-hash the whole book here. You should take the time to read it (or if you wait a little while it will be a movie soon). My key takeaway from the book was the relationship between Amos and Danny (as they were referred to numerous times in the book) and how they kept pushing each other to test their assumptions. They did some groundbreaking work on the way the human mind words and how our biases can trick us into making decisions that may not be in our best interests. Remember, You Are Your Assumptions. But, you also have some ability to adjust them. Perhaps not permanently, but enough to think about challenges in new and different ways. This could be the spark of the next great innovation. Even if it’s not a world changing innovation it might be just one more way for you to stand out in your career. Simply put… you should check your assumptions often. Your work will be better for it.

Your Words Create Your Opportunities

Your Words Create Your Opportunities One of my favorite parts about owning a recruiting agency is that I get to help people each and every day and reflect back to them their own greatness.I will never forget a bracelet my sister gave me, with a charm on it that said:“Let this be your greatest task,let this be your greatest joy,to give people back to themselves,even in their darkest hour,especially in that hour.”This is how I look at my job as a recruiter. When someone comes into my office and tells me that they cannot do it or that they are not worth it, it is my job to help them see the possibilities and opportunities that are right in front of them.It all starts with a shift in their perspective and their vocabulary.I had one such situation recently.A job seeker came in to interview with our office.He was a recent college graduate from a top school, but unfortunately, the school of life had given him some tough lessons before graduating.He shared with us that when he attended college, he was always comparing himse lf to everyone around him.They all seemed to “have it together” and “be successful.”Somewhere along the road, he told himself he was not ever going to be “that person” ... you know “that successful person” because of where he came from.His situation is not a unique one.I often have people who come to my office and struggle to even make eye contact during the interview because of fear, shame, or uncertainty.(Start withBringing A Winning Mindset To The Interview.)The Power of Thoughts, Words, and ActionsWe started by looking at the disempowering words or phrases this young manwas using in his interviews and in general conversations he was having.Some of those phrases included:I cannot I don’t know I am not sure I triedThen we looked at his disempowering body language:Arms crossed Looking down Looking away Leaning back in his chairNext, we looked at the thoughts he was thinking as he was interviewing:I am not smart enough I come from a working-class home Other people are smarter/better than me I don’t have enough to show on my resume and/or in my backgroundOnce we were able to look at how his thoughts, words, and actions were aligned to create how he was coming across in the interview,we then had the opportunity to re-program his mindset.All he needed was to transform from a disempowered mindset to an empowered mindset.We first helped him replacethe disempowering words he was using with empowering words.These included phrases such as:I can I am I willWe then replaced his distant body language with engaged body language such as:Open posture Uncrossed legs Slight lean in Strong eye contactEmpowering Mindset ExercisesFinally, we discussed exercises he could do to create an empowering mindset prior to an interview,Looking in the mirror and telling himself,“You are the man! You got this!” Creating a statement of intent that stated: The job he would have When he would have it How much it would pay him The last step was having him declare that statement of intent out loud first thing in the morning when he startedhis day.It also involved him creating a positive intent prior to an interview.By reprogramming his words, thoughts, and actions, he now has access to landing his dream job effortlessly and with ease.What About You?These simple steps are something any job seeker can do to create an empowered mindset prior to an interview.This means you!Replacedisempowering words with empowering words Replacedistant body language with engaged body language Lookin the mirror and tell yourself,“You got this!” Createa statement of intent that includes the job you want, by when you want it, and how much it will pay. Declare that statement of intent out loud every morning when you start your day.Though your resume is important, it is your mindset that truly determines your success in landing the job of your dreams.

Where to Find Resumes Books

Where to Find Resumes BooksResumes books, such as the popular Resume Author by Nancy DeMatteo and Tracy Kidder are another method that can be used in lieu of direct contact with a potential employer. Though it is one thing to write a cover letter and another thing to actually get the job. A professional resume can make or break a job interview.Finding the right person for the job can be very difficult; it's an important part of any job search. There are some ways to avoid this problem though, using the resources available today. Resumes books can make it easier to find the right person for the job.First, finding the right person for the job can be much easier than you think, especially when it comes to potential employers. Resumes books can provide the proper type of research to make it easier to find the right person for the job. With all the information online, finding a person online will be far easier and quicker than doing so through any other medium.As a business owner, if you aren't prepared to apply for a job, a professionally written resume can make all the difference in the world. Just imagine yourself talking to your prospective employer on the phone, telling them your full potential, only to be told that you need to send them a free resume, before they even meet you in person. What a ridiculous waste of time.Using Resumes books, either as a means of search or as a means of screening, will increase your chances of being hired. As a business owner, you want to do your best to get your business in front of potential customers as much as possible. Since technology and business today make this as easy as accessing the internet, your resume should be no different.If you have personally experienced something on paper that can be used as a reference in the future, make sure to share your personal experiences. If you are someone who has gone through a lot of time to prepare your resume, then simply take the time to go back through the whole document. Remembe r how your work was so well done, it will be easy to remember everything.While it is nice to have references at your disposal, that isn't always the case with a business owner. Using a professional Resumes Book, such as the one written by Nancy DeMatteo and Tracy Kidder, will be an easy way to compile a bunch of research into one easy to read resume. This can help a business owner stand out from all the other business owners applying for a job.Lastly, if you are thinking about writing a resume but aren't sure where to start, you can use a resource like the ones available at RejectStuff.com. These websites can help you make sure you are sending out the correct resume to the right person. You can also access articles online that you can use as references in the future. Resumes books can help business owners quickly and easily find the right people for the job.

Business culture Denmark vs. USA vs. Guatemala - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Business culture Denmark vs. USA vs. Guatemala - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Its obvious that business culture is different in different countries but different how? How much is myth and prejudice and how much is fact? Are Americans really brash and superficial? Are the Germans really punctual and humorless? Or as I heard one stand-up comic say once: Laughter is a wonderful thing. Where would we be without laughter? [pause]. Germany! Gerd Hofstede to the rescue. Hofstede is a Dutch Sociologist who has been analyzing business culture in different countries for over 40 years. He also quantifies the prevailing business culture in 4 dimensions: Power Distance Index (PDI). This is the extent to which the less powerful members of organizations and institutions accept and expect that power is distributed unequally. Individualism (IDV). The degree to which individuals are integrated into groups. On the individualist side we find societies in which the ties between individuals are loose: everyone is expected to look after him/herself and his/her immediate family. On the collectivist side, we find societies in which people from birth onwards are integrated into strong, cohesive in-groups, often extended families (with uncles, aunts and grandparents) which continue protecting them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty. Masculinity (MAS). Masculine cultures are very assertive and competitive, feminine cultures are modest and caring. Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI). This deals with a societys tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity. It indicates to what extent a culture programs its members to feel either uncomfortable or comfortable in unstructured situations. Here, for example, is Denmark: As you can see, Danish business culture has a very low power distance. This is typical for Danish workplaces, where employees will always call managers by their first names and you rarely see a manager giving a direct order. The Culture in Denmark tends towards the individualistic rather than collective and is very feminine. This means that even though Danes dont see themselves as integral parts of a collective, there is still a huge focus on other peoples emotional state. Finally, uncertainty avoidance is very low, meaning Danish workplaces can take uncertainty. Indeed, a typical Danish attitude would be Dont tell me how to do my job, Id rather figure it out for myself. Lets compare that to the US: Power Distance is higher and the culture is more masculine but what really sticks out is individualism. As you might expect, American workplaces are characterized by high levels of individualism and less of a sense of belonging to a collective. Finally, the reason Im writing this blog post: Guatemala. Im writing this in my hotel room in Guatemala City, and tomorrow Im keynoting at a conference for 200 HR managers. So of course I wanted to know what the business culture here is like. Take a look at this: Check out that Power Distance! As Hofstede writes: Guatemala has the highest Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI) Hofstede Dimension ranking of all Latin countries, indicating the society?s extremely low level of tolerance for uncertainty. In an effort to minimize or reduce this level of uncertainty, strict rules, laws, policies, and regulations are adopted and implemented. Guatemala is tied with Panama for the highest Power Distance (PDI) ranking among Latin countries with a 95, compared to an average of 70. This is indicative of a high level of inequality of power and wealth within the society. The question I have to ask is (of course) this: What business culture is most conducive to happiness at work. Unsurprisingly, my answer is: The Scandinavian (which is almost identical to the one shown above for Denmark). Indeed, when you look at studies comparing happiness at work in different countries, the Scandinavian nations are always at the top (and #1 is usually Denmark). And I think that Hofstedes work gives us part of the reason why this is so: Low power distance means employees typically have control and influence over their own work situation. A tendency towards the individualistic means that each individual is free to pursue their own happiness, but is still connected to the group. A feminine culture means that people care about each other. Low uncertainty avoidance is a must in an ever-changing world. So I believe that companies who pursue a culture and a set of core principles that are in line with this will be happier workplaces and, as studies show, happy companies make more money. On the other hand, companies that go for masculine cultures with high power distance will end up being very unhappy and will ultimately have their butts kicked by their happy competitors! Your take Whats the culture like in your country? You can look up your own countrys culture here. Let me know what you find and whether or not you agree :o) Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Happy link collection weekly roundup - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Happy link collection weekly roundup - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Here are this weeks highest rated links from the Happiness at Work Link Collection: 25 Ways to Improve Your Mood When People Around You Are Miserable. Includes 2: Make friends, 3: Do things you love, 6: Take a walk, 11: Smile, 25: Get out of the office Learn How to Take Criticism. Criticism is your friend. Love it, embrace it, cherish it, cultivate it, and most importantly, never fear it. 2008 Sick Day Calendar. A new year is upon us and that means its time for the Official Sick Day Calendar from your friends at Jobacle. Get your excuses ready now! Remember, only a sucker loses days at the end the year! Do What you Love and Money Will Follow. A study of business school graduates tracked the careers of 1,500 people from 1960 to 1980. From the beginning, the graduates were grouped into two categories. Category A consisted of people who said they wanted to make money first so they could do what they really wanted to do later after they took care of their financial concerns. Those in category B pursued their interests first, sure that the money eventually would follow. After 20 years, there were 101 millionaires in the group. Only one came from category A, 100 from category B. Work-Life Balance: A Conspiracy of Optimism. Work-Life balance is, at best, a fabrication. At worst, a cruel hoax. It?s time to stop believing all the hype. As adults, we well understand that it?s never been a question of balance. It?s always been a question of choice. As the Spanish proverb reminds us: ?Take what you want, says God, just pay for it.? You can find more great links about happiness at work here and you can vote for your favorites. You can also contribute great links yourself. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related