#genericstudyblr

I’ve graduated and am employed!

I work for a european retailer in stock distribution and I really enjoy it. I’m working in stationery which is so fun as a stationery fan (I especially love the free samples). I’m so so busy especially as it’s back to school right now but it’s so great working in such a great team for a brand I really care about

I got my dream job in December and here are the things I did to get the job.

Disclaimer: I am just a student, not a recruiter. But I have never failed an interview ever.

Firstly, there are varying degrees of preparation for a job interview. The most basic level of effort normally includes three pages in my bujo: my skills, my experience and my motivation for the position. For experience look at the responsibilities you have and match them to your experience. For the motivation page, do some research into the company - facebook pages are great as well as the website as they display what they want to reinforce to people on social media. Also, companies often have career blogs which are also excellent. 

Other things that are helpful to do: 

Find interview questions and write bullet point answers. Classic questions include: 

Tell me about yourself 

Why do you want the job?

Why do you want to work for this company? 

What skills do you have that are relevant for this position? 

What experience do you have that is relevant for this position? 

 What are your strengths/weaknesses? (How to answer what’s your biggest weakness)

Tell me a time you displayed _________ skills (leadership/organisational/customer service/teamwork etc etc)

Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult customer/coworker/teacher

What do you hope to gain from participating in the program/working for this company?

Where do you see yourself in x years?

Other questions:

How would your friends describe you? (Like a funky version of what are your strengths)

Which aspect are you most looking forward to?

Which aspect do you think will be the hardest?

Do you like a challenge?

What’s your favourite thing that we make/do?

What did you enjoy about this specific position you had?

Do you prefer working in a term or by yourself?

If it’s a big company/program you will find specific interview questions online

Don’t rehearse your answers for fear of sounding like a robot.

Be familiar with their work and values

If you are applying for a job at youtube for example, be really familiar with the more complex sides of youtube like monetisation. Also be familiar with news about the company so furthering the youtube example talk about youtube community.

Values are harder to find but some companies have books written about their values or just use the internet.

Honestly if there are books on the company, read some. It’ll give you a whole new world of knowledge.

Come up with questions for them

So I view question asking as a sport. I always want them to have to actually think about the question. My last interview I asked “what’s the most unexpected thing you found working for this company?” At a previous interview where they had done the position I was applying for I asked what they would do differently if they had their time again. 

There’s debate online on whether you ask “do you have any concerns or queries on whether I’m suited to this role” but honestly I loved asking it. If they have any worries they can raise it, it shows you’re eager to adapt and if they say no it makes it much harder for them to turn you down.

Be familiar with your CV in cover letter

Normally you will have written about your motivation in your cover letter so you don’t want to contradict that. Also, when they ask you about your work about the dog sanctuary you want to know what’s happening.

Don’t undervalue your experience

Unpaid roles still provide experience. You organised a pub quiz for charity? You showed organisation and altruism. You got good grades at school? That shows intelligence and commitment.

Be honest.

Don’t lie. They can tell. My dad is an interviewer and he says you can tell if someone is recalling or inventing by which way your eyes flick up.

Remember your recruiter’s name

It’ll make you stand out.

Be eager to learn

Employers love this. 

The way you present yourself matters

If the company has a dress code stick to it. Smile. Have good posture. Wear “professional” makeup. Make sure your hair is out of your eyes and neatly done (this doesn’t mean have straight hair. I pinned the front of my curly hair back so it was out of my face). Display enthusiasm. Don’t cross your arms. Make your body language positive. Make sure what you are wearing is clean. Don’t wear your most outrageous blazer/shirt. Your tights should have no ladders (bring a spare!). Your shoes shouldn’t be scuffed. You want to look like someone the company would be proud to employ.

1. It’s ok if your room/flatmates aren’t your bffs. Out of my first flat 2/6 of them are still my friends and we’re not close at all.

2. Talk to everyone. Some people say this is only acceptable in the first two/three weeks but I’m halfway through and I still talk to loads of new people PRO TIP: the girls bathroom is actually such a nice place to do this

3. Get people to add themselves on your facebook/in your contacts if you click. If they add themselves it’s not a problem if you’ve forgotten their name. Also if they add themselves to your contacts get them to take a photo.

4. Actually talk to these people that you like. Message them, organise meals out/club nights/movie nights/throw a party.

5. Obligatory tip about joining societies even though I have never done this.

6. Practical classes are a really good way to meet people/friends. I can’t speak for every subject but in biosciences we do a lot of waiting around.

7. Hang out with your friends and their friends. I’ve just been invited to a Disney house party (ngl my dream) by someone I met through a few of my friends. One of my close friends was a friend of my flatmate.

8. Jobs are great ways to meet people. I always have fun when I’m working for my uni with the people I work with and the girls I’m working with next summer are already tight on the group chat. We’ve made Disney channel puns.

9. Group chats are wonderful. Add groups of friends so y’all can all talk - it takes away the intensity of a one to one.

10. “But I’m an introvert! I can’t do these!” Ok firstly, I am also an introvert. I spend a lot of time by myself. Just because you are an introvert doesn’t mean you can’t meet people easily. It’ll only be awkward if you believe it’ll be awkward. Approaching meeting people with an attitude of "I’m an introvert I can’t do this” isn’t going to help.

11. Baking things is always nice and is a good icebreaker. Brownies are magical. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

12. Don’t feel like you have to drink (alcohol) at parties in order to make friends.

13. Nice gestures go such a long way.

rules: bold the true statements!

APPEARANCE: I am 5′7″ or taller I wear glasses I have at least one tattoo  I have at least one piercing I have blonde hair (kind of)  I have brown eyes  I have short hair My abs are at least somewhat defined I have or have had braces There is something I would change about the way I look

PERSONALITY: My Hogwarts house is: Gryffindor Hufflepuff Ravenclaw Slytherin I am an introvert I like meeting new people People tell me that I’m funny Helping others with their problems is a big priority for me I enjoy physical challenges I enjoy mental challenges I’m playfully rude with people I know well I started saying something ironically and now I can’t stop saying it There is something I would change about my personality

ABILITY: I can sing well I can play an instrument I can do over 30 pushups without stopping I’m a fast runner I can draw well I have a good memory I’m good at doing maths in my head I can hold my breath underwater for over a minute I have beaten at least 2 people in arm wrestling I know how to cook at least 3 meals from scratch I know how to throw a proper punch

HOBBIES: I enjoy playing sports I’m on a sports team at my school or somewhere else I’m in an orchestra or choir at my school or somewhere else I have learned a new song in the past week I work out at least once a week I’ve gone for runs at least once a week in the warmer months I have drawn something in the past month I enjoy writing Fandoms are my #1 passion I do or have done martial arts

EXPERIENCES: I have had my first kiss I have had alcohol  I have scored the winning goal in a sports game I have watched an entire season of a TV show in one sitting I have been at an overnight event I have been in a taxi I have been in the hospital or ER in the past year I have beaten a video game in one day I have visited another country I have been to one of my favourite band/artist’s concerts

RELATIONSHIP: I’m in a relationship I have a celebrity crush I have a crush on someone I know I have been in at least 3 relationships I have never been in a relationship I have asked someone out or admitted my feelings to them I get crushes easily I have had a crush on someone for over a year I have been in a relationship for at least a year I have had feelings for a friend

MY LIFE: I have at least one person I consider a “best friend” I live close to my school My parents are still together I have at least one sibling I live in the United States There is snow right now where I live I have hung out with a friend outside of school in the past month I have a smartphone I have at least 15 CDs I share my room with someone

RANDOM: I have breakdanced I know a person named Jamie I have had a teacher with a last name that’s hard to pronounce I have dyed my hair I’m listening to one song on repeat right now I have punched someone in the past week I have broken a bone I have eaten a waffle today I know what I want to do with my life I speak at least 2 languages fluently I have made a new friend in the past year