Advice to Students seeking Employment

Over the years of running my business "Your Night Out Ltd" I have received more resumes, CV’s and general job applications then I can remember. Some of which have impressed me so much that they resulted in employment, some made me laugh in my seat and made me vow never to give this person a job – ever! If you were one of the unlucky ones you may not know what you have been doing wrong and it is unlikely that refusing employers will tell you. The chances are you will just keep making the same mistakes over and over and wonder how your lucky friends keep landing their perfect jobs.

With my industry being the nightlife industry aimed at the student market, I want to give some advice to students seeking employment. What I am going to tell you is not straight from the classroom but from my everyday experience as an employer.

Firstly, as an employer and I can’t speak for everyone, I like it when people email or phone me about jobs. Some people think that they have to wait for a position to be advertised but expressing an interest doesn’t do any damage. Advertising for a job for an employer (especially a student job which may not be that skilled) is usually the last resort so get in there and let them know your name.

When you approach your potential employer be polite and throw in a few compliments. Most business owners have egos the size of mountains so maybe mention that you saw an ad campaign they did or like a promotion you saw. This will get you on the right side, as business owners have a lot of stress to deal with during the day, a compliment or an interest in the business goes a long way.

Secondly, be polite and don’t ask about the pay. That’s a major turn off for me, you’ll be surprised how many emails I get which just say “Hi, I want to work for you please tell me the pay” No joke these people actually expect a job. Try and write a nice informative, polite letter and let the employer tell you the pay if they are interested. Attaching a CV is not always necessary, but make the email informative and as personal as possible. There is a fine balance between being too slack with your grammar and sounding like a robot. Employers like humans with charisma and ultimately people they can get along with.

Thirdly, if you get the call from them and have to meet for an interview, never ever be late and always try and arrive before the employer if it is a mutual meeting ground. Be confident but don’t be arrogant if the employer feels that he/she will get fed up of you in the first week then you won’t be accepted.

Finally, if you get the job usually it’s the small things that make the difference with the employer. Stay behind 5 minutes at the end to help tidy up or help out with things that aren’t in your job description. These small things will make the employer think you are there for the benefit of the company and will put you in good stead for the long run.

So that’s it, perseverance is also the key; there are many jobs out there and many businesses for you to try. Usually if an employer feels that they like you and could work with you, you are nearly there. Now good luck and go and impress the hell out of them.

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