The Art of Crazy Paving by Alexander MacGregor

theartofcrazypaving VOLUNTEERING FOR ENHANCED EMPLOYABILITY

“WHEN RECRUITING GRADUATES FOR MARKS AND SPENCER WE LOOK FOR THE SKILLS TO HELP MAKE THEM AND OUR COMPANY SUCCESSFUL. VOLUNTEERING CAN BE A GREAT WAY TO DEVELOP THESE SKILLS” HELE N F ELT HA M , D I R E C TO R U K R E TA I L H R

WHY VOLUNTEER? BUILDS A CARING SOCIETY OF ACTIVE CITIZENS

ENHANCES YOUR EMPLOYABILITY

“VOLUNTEERING IS ESSENTIAL TO CREATING AN

VOLUNTEERING BUILDS EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS SUCH AS

INCLUSIVE AND MUTUALLY SUPPORTIVE SOCIETY.”

LEADERSHIP, PROBLEM-SOLVING, TEAMWORKING, INITIATIVE

RT HON TONY BLAIR, FORMER PRIME MINISTER.

AND SELF-AWARENESS. VIRTUALLY EVERY PAID JOB CAN BE MIRRORED BY A VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY.

WIDENS PARTICIPATION AND TACKLES SOCIAL EXCLUSION STUDENT VOLUNTEERS REGULARLY MENTOR EXCLUDED YOUNG PEOPLE TO HELP MAKE HIGHER EDUCATION MORE WIDELY ACCESSIBLE.

BRINGS PASSION AND VALUES INTO THE WORKPLACE “VOLUNTEERING DONE WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE AND ENTHUSIASM IS ESSENTIAL PREPARATION FOR THE WORKING WORLD.”

Photo > Student volunteers help others, help their own careers… and have fun

KRISH RAVAL, BARRISTER.

MAKES AN ECONOMIC IMPACT VOLUNTEERING CONTRIBUTES £4.8 BILLION TO UK GDP AND IS THE FASTEST-GROWING JOB SECTOR.

UNVEILS AN EXCITING NETWORK OF PEOPLE AND EXPERIENCES 40% OF STUDENT VOLUNTEERS ARE SO DEEPLY AFFECTED BY THEIR VOLUNTEERING THAT THEIR CAREER PATHS TAKE A NEW DIRECTION.

PROVIDES A TOOL TO AID PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING VOLUNTEERING CAN HELP YOU TO THINK STRATEGICALLY AND CREATIVELY ABOUT YOUR STRENGTHS, REFLECT ON YOUR LEARNING AND MAKE FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS.

THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT SECTOR PROVIDES MILLIONS OF WORK EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES

AGENT OF SOCIAL CHANGE

THE NATIONAL TRUST USES 1,000 000 VOLUNTEERS, BARNARDO’S

80% OF STUDENT VOLUNTEERS CONTINUE THEIR COMMITMENT

250,000 AND THE SAMARITANS OVER 20,000.

TO VOLUNTARY WORK AFTER GRADUATING.

ENHANCES ACADEMIC RESEARCH, TEACHING AND LEARNING

FOSTERS A ‘CAN-DO’ CULTURE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

RECENT TRENDS IN THE ACCREDITATION OF VOLUNTEERING SHOW THAT

STUDENT-LED VOLUNTEERING IS EMPOWERING. IT ALLOWS

ACADEMICS INCREASINGLY REGARD VOLUNTEERING AS A WAY OF

AVENUES TO BE EXPLORED OR IDEAS TO BE INITIATED THAT

ENHANCING LEARNING.

MIGHT NOT BE ACCESSIBLE THROUGH PAID WORK.

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YOUR PATHWAY TO CAREER SUCCESS VOLUNTEERING HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT HELPING OTHER PEOPLE. BUT DO YOU REALISE HOW MUCH IT COULD HELP YOU? AS A VOLUNTEER YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. AND NOW PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO REALISE THE HUGE

DIFFERENCE THEIR VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCE CAN MAKE TO THEIR OWN LIVES. VOLUNTEERING CAN GIVE DIRECTION AND FOCUS TO

YOUR CAREER. IT CAN HELP YOU TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND THE WORLD OF WORK. AND ABOVE ALL IT CAN HELP YOU

GET A JOB. Recent research has shown that volunteering creates these and many other benefits. But it’s down to you to make the most of it! In

the modern world you need to be much more than the sum of your paper qualifications – especially if you’re a graduate. As a future employee –

and employer – you need to be a good communicator, a team player, a skilful networker. Today you need to demonstrate that you have shown

initiative and leadership, that you are open to new ideas and experiences and can analyse and solve problems outside the academic world.

Volunteering can provide all this if managed and resourced in the right way. However, you need to know how to go about it. The Art of Crazy

Paving shows you how to do this through a PROFESSIONAL SEVEN-STEP CAREER MANAGEMENT PROCESS that will help you create your

personal pathway to success. The stories of some of the thousands of students who benefit from volunteering each year are woven into these

pages – along with the contributions of careers advisors, university vice chancellors, politicians, academics and graduate recruiters.

“PUT ASIDE PRECONCEPTIONS: VOLUNTEERING IS WORK EXPERIENCE WITH THE ADDED POSSIBILITY THAT THE ACT OF CHOOSING TO BE A VOLUNTEER CAN SHOW EVEN GREATER INITIATIVE AND COMMITMENT.” MIKE KI LLI N GLEY, S EN I OR MA N AGE R E X E C UTI V E E DUC ATI O N , H SB C BAN K

WHY CRAZY PAVING? TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL CAREER, YOU NEED TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FUTURE. AND THIS HAS NEVER BEEN MORE CRUCIAL THAN TODAY. AS THE WORLD OF WORK CHANGES FASTER AND FASTER, YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE OPPORTUNITIES IT THROWS UP. In fact you need to master ‘the Art of Crazy Paving'. This is a technique that makes use of all the skills, knowledge and experiences that come your way to create your own pathway to success. This pathway will be made up of many different pieces. What matters is that you recognise how they can fit into your overall pattern and take you where you want to go in life. Your pathway may take you sideways at times – or suddenly move you forward as opportunities come along. If none exist, you may even need to create them. This can be unpredictable – but it can also be exciting. Understanding ‘the Art of Crazy Paving' has never been more necessary. The old idea of a job for life is dying. You can no longer simply follow a predictable, well-trodden career route. Today you are likely to change your job regularly, move company, switch careers or build your own business. And it’s up to you to make it happen. In this work climate you need to see yourself as a one-person business – ME plc – selling your services in an ever-changing market place.

HOW VOLUNTEERING MAKES THE BIG DIFFERENCE Volunteering is a brilliant way to gain some of those skills and experiences – the vital pieces you need for your pathway. It also has the priceless benefit of boosting your academic skills with the real-life ones that employers really rate. Volunteering is also the ideal opportunity to try new experiences, explore your potential and find out where your real interests, passions and ambitions lie.

HOW THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU 1> If you’re thinking of volunteering (whether you’re a student or just someone who wants to get involved), it will help you to identify or create the best opportunities for you. 2> If you have already been a volunteer (as an undergraduate for instance), it will show you how to make the most of your experiences. You will discover how to transfer and present the rich skills portfolio you have acquired to potential employers – both in your CV and at interview. 3> If you are employed, you can use volunteering to road test future career ideas.

A FAST-GROWING WORKFORCE THE UK VOLUNTARY SECTOR NETWORK IS VAST, CONTRIBUTING £4.8 BILLION TO UK GDP AND MAKING UP 2.2% OF THE TOTAL UK WORKFORCE. IT‘S A WORKFORCE THAT‘S GROWING FASTER THAN THAT OF BOTH THE PUBLIC AND THE PRIVATE SECTORS AND OVER 71% OF ORGANISATIONS NOW PROVIDE STAFF TRAINING. THE MANY BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING OFTEN GO UNSUNG – THE GOOD YOU DO FOR OTHERS TENDS TO ECLIPSE THE GOOD IT DOES FOR YOU. BUT AS YOU WILL SEE, VOLUNTEERING PREPARES YOU FOR THE WORLD OF WORK AND DRAMATICALLY ENHANCES YOUR EMPLOYABILITY.

HOW HELPING OTHERS CAN HELP YOU STEP 1 – FINDING THE MOTIVATION

STEP 5 – PEOPLE WHO CAN POINT THE WAY

VOLUNTEERING IS NOT ONLY A RICHLY REWARDING EXPERIENCE BUT IT EQUIPS YOU WITH THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES YOU NEED TO PIECE TOGETHER YOUR OWN PATHWAY TO CAREER SUCCESS. To ensure you are motivated, you should think first about how it can work for you personally. To help you with this, student volunteers compile their Top 10 benefits.

YOU NEED TO DEVELOP YOUR OWN NETWORK OF PEOPLE WHO CAN POINT YOUR WAY FORWARD AND HELP YOU BUILD YOUR CAREER PATHWAY. You’ll need both the people you know and the people they know. Networking is one of the most valuable skills – and volunteering is an ideal way to start. Get seen, create new opportunities and make a great first impression. Crack cold calling.

Case study: “I made a difference in the local community” Case study: “I found volunteering exciting and fulfilling”

STEP 2 – PICTURING YOUR PATHWAY YOUR PATHWAY AHEAD MAY BE UNPREDICTABLE BUT YOU NEED TO SHAPE THE BROAD WAY FORWARD BY WORKING OUT WHAT YOU WANT FROM A JOB AND WHAT YOU VALUE IN A CAREER. Case study: “Volunteering influenced my career choice”

STEP 3 – CREATING THE RIGHT PIECES IT’S YOUR JOB TO GET A JOB – BUT TO BUILD YOUR OWN CAREER PATHWAY YOU NEED THE RIGHT MATERIALS. That means thinking carefully about the vast range of projects available – you need to find the ones that give you the skills that will take your pathway in the right direction. A Personal Development Plan will help you with this. Case study: “I discovered new opportunities and challenges”

Photo > Emma Redding, student volunteer, Newcastle University

STEP 4 – MAKING THE PIECES FIT EMPLOYERS HAVE TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNISE THE REAL SKILLS YOU’VE ACQUIRED THROUGH YOUR VOLUNTEERING – YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO MAKE THE PIECES FIT. DISCOVER HOW TO PRESENT YOUR EXPERIENCES AS ‘TRANSFERABLE’ SKILLS.

Case study: “I made friends with people of a like mind” Case study: “I integrated with the local community”

STEP 6 – THE CORNERSTONES OF SUCCESS YOUR CAREER PATHWAY HAS TWO VITAL CORNERSTONES – YOUR CV AND YOUR INTERVIEW PERFORMANCE. These are where you market your volunteering to potential employers. Develop a skills-based CV. The 10 toughest interview questions – with answers! Case study: “Volunteering improved my career prospects and employability” Case study: “Volunteering enhanced my CV”

STEP 7 – CRAZY PAVING BRING IT ALL TOGETHER. TAKE AN OVERVIEW AND REFLECT ON YOUR LEARNING TO DATE. SIX TOP TIPS TO TICK OFF.

INFO THE TOP JOBSITES, BOOKS AND CONTACTS THAT WILL HELP YOUR CONTINUING PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. CHECK THEM OUT!

Case study: “I gained lots of confidence” Case study: “Volunteering increased my skills for life and work”

“IT DOESN’T MATTER IF IT’S PAID OR NOT BUT VOLUNTARY WORK WOULD COUNT JUST AS MUCH AS PAID WORK IN OUR EYES.” AC C E N TUR E

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step1

FINDING THE MOTIVATION

IN STEP 1 YOU WILL > Find out what students have got out of volunteering > Think about the benefits you could gain.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME? THE FIRST STEP IS TO THINK ABOUT JUST HOW VOLUNTEERING COULD HELP YOU. SOME OF THE BENEFITS ARE WIDELY RECOGNISED – OTHERS ARE LESS OBVIOUS.

Photo > Anny Denny, former student director, Student Volunteering UK

Academic recognition For a start volunteering can now bring academic recognition. It has become a rigorous and seriously managed activity. Student volunteers are often required to complete substantial and challenging training courses that can earn academic credits. Many student community action groups, universities and colleges accredit volunteering. This will not only give you academic recognition but will help you reflect on the work-related learning volunteering provides. Sheffield Hallam University, for example, runs an Independent Study Unit, Leeds University has a crossdepartmental Action in the Community module and Cardiff University is piloting a new accredited scheme.

It can not only be richly rewarding as an experience. It can also equip you with new and exciting skills that are exactly what today's employers are looking for.

Vital pieces for building your career pathway These skills will be gained as you face the various experiences and challenges volunteering provides. And they provide just the kind of pieces you will need when you start to build your own pathway to personal and career fulfilment. But you will only make a real success of volunteering if you are properly motivated. And that means thinking hard about how best it can work for you personally.

Real-life skills But this is just the start. It’s now widely accepted that volunteering can bring terrific benefits – both personal and professional. And many are not apparent at first glance.

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WHAT IT’S DONE FOR US… TO SEE JUST WHAT VOLUNTEERING CAN DO FOR YOU, WE LOOK FIRST AT WHAT IT HAS ACHIEVED FOR SOME PAST STUDENT VOLUNTEERS. BELOW THEY LIST WHAT THEY SEE AS THE TOP 10 BENEFITS:

VOLUNTEERING DEVELOPS SKILLS THAT EQUIP YOU FOR LIFE AND WORK “I think the skills you pick up for business are unmatchable.” Kate Rutherford, financial services partner

VOLUNTEERING BUILDS YOUR CONFIDENCE “It was a real confidence builder, knowing that I could think on my feet.” Winnie Parker, technical marketing engineer

IT OPENS UP NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES “Volunteering gave me first-hand experience of what caring for patients actually involved and how challenging a job in medicine could be.” Sophia Naz, doctor

VOLUNTEERING ENHANCES YOUR CV “Put volunteering on your CV and it makes you employable immediately.” Emma Lancaster, senior auditor

YOU EXPERIENCE DIVERSITY AND INTEGRATE WITH THE COMMUNITY “Volunteering bridges a gap between people who wouldn’t normally come across each other in their daily lives.” Karen Arden, social worker

VOLUNTEERING MAKES A DIFFERENCE “The parents of the children we looked after told us that we were making a big difference to their lives.” Liane Saunders, corporate trainer

YOU MAKE FRIENDS WITH LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE “Student community action was the only environment where I felt truly equal and that it was OK to be myself.” Katie Marl, teacher

IT IMPROVES YOUR JOB PROSPECTS AND EMPLOYABILITY “Every single job that I had an interview for was purely based on the volunteering work I’d done.” Claire Pennell, HIV prevention services manager

VOLUNTEERING IS FUN, EXCITING AND FULFILLING “It’s refreshing to be appreciated for doing something which is so motivating and inspiring.” Matt Bush, property researcher

IT CAN INFLUENCE YOUR CAREER CHOICE “Volunteering helped me decide that teaching really is the career for me.” Daisy Craig, psychology student

ACTION > HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BENEFIT FROM VOLUNTEERING? > WHAT WILL MOTIVATE YOU TO VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY? > OVERCOME YOUR INHIBITIONS AND THINK CREATIVELY ABOUT THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO YOU. > MAKE A LIST OF YOUR TOP 3 BENEFITS. “I MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY” WINNIE PARKER HAS A MASTERS IN ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING FROM BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY AND CURRENTLY WORKS AS A TECHNICAL MARKETING ENGINEER AT HEWLETT PACKARD. AS AN UNDERGRADUATE SHE VOLUNTEERED AS A PHYSICS AND TECHNOLOGY CLASSROOM ASSISTANT. “I was considering a career in teaching and I thought standing up in a classroom full of children would build my confidence. On one occasion, the teacher decided to set me a challenge: to make a lesson about motion last an hour! With very little preparation, I had to really think on my feet! It went down well however, and I was so gratified that the students had learnt something from it. “The schools were in very deprived areas and few of the pupils would consider going to university. Having me to chat to in the classroom was a novelty and meant that the students could see that I was just ‘normal’ like them. A lot of the girls hadn’t thought about engineering as a career: it wasn’t something that girls ‘did’. I’m sure I encouraged some of them to go to university and even encouraged a few to look into engineering. “Teaching skills are directly transferable to engineering as giving presentations is now one of my main job functions. Being able to explain concepts and technical things to people is a key factor, especially if you are working in an engineering team. Talking to people in different environments and situations made me more aware as a person. I only wish I could have had more time to do it!”

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“I AM PROUD OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR STUDENT COMMUNITY ACTION AND HAPPILY HOLD UP THE CO-ORDINATOR AND VOLUNTEERS AS EXAMPLES FOR STUDENTS’ UNIONS WHICH ARE LESS DEVELOPED IN THESE AREAS.”

Photo > Student community action week 2001 launch, House of Lords

KEITH BRACKSTO N E, GEN ER A L MA N AGER , UN I V E R SI TY O F B R I STO L STUDE N TS’ UN I O N

“I FOUND VOLUNTEERING EXCITING AND FULFILLING” AS AN UNDERGRADUATE AT DURHAM UNIVERSITY, EMMA LANCASTER WAS A STUDENT COMMUNITY ACTION COMMITTEE REP AND A PROJECT LEADER IN A RANGE OF HOSPITALS AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS. SHE GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN MODERN LANGUAGES AND IS NOW A SENIOR AUDITOR AT ACCOUNTANCY FIRM ARTHUR ANDERSEN. “I volunteered at home before I went to university because I have always enjoyed meeting people who are different from me. The world is angled towards the physically able and there are so many things we take for granted. The clients I worked with had so much childlike excitement and they helped to restore that in me. To see the rewards and recognition gained from volunteering helps you to muck in and make a fool of yourself. I didn’t mind as I was enjoying myself so much. “I could have taken more of a business angle; perhaps been a treasurer or helped with the marketing but if you have no idea what you want to do, volunteering will give you a lot of skills you don’t even realise you are gaining. I learnt to organise which is something I’m not naturally good at and student repping forced me to stand up in front of people at meetings, which was pretty nerve-wracking. It made me a more rounded person, and most people who have volunteered have stronger people skills than anyone else because they have to develop them if they want to succeed. That’s invaluable in business. “Student community action stood me in good stead for getting my first job in a small firm from which I progressed to Arthur Andersen. I’d really recommend students to just go out there, enjoy it and if opportunities come up to organise stuff – then go for it!”

TIP 1>GO FOR IT! DON’T LET YOUR INHIBITIONS STOP YOU THINKING CREATIVELY ABOUT HOW VOLUNTEERING CAN GET YOU STARTED [09]

step2

PICTURING YOUR PATHWAY

IN STEP 2 YOU WILL > Try to look ahead and think about how you want your career to progress. You will find out: What you see as your ideal job > What you value most.

Photo > Andy McPhereson, student volunteer, University College, Worcester

BEFORE THINKING ABOUT WHAT KIND OF VOLUNTEERING IS RIGHT FOR YOU, YOU NEED TO ASK YOURSELF WHERE YOU WANT TO BE – BOTH IN YOUR CAREER AND LIFE. ALTHOUGH YOUR PATHWAY WILL PROBABLY TAKE SOME UNPREDICTABLE TWISTS AND TURNS, IT’S VITAL TO START BY PLANNING YOUR BROAD WAY FORWARD.

MORE THAN JUST A JOB... Remember that in today’s world your expectations are likely to be different from those of your predecessors. As we’ve seen, the old idea of a job for life is dying. The old predictable career patterns have gone. Few students or new graduates see themselves working for the same firm until they retire. Today it‘s up to you to piece together your own career. All this means that modern employers need to offer you more than just a job. You’re interested in the wider picture. You want to know about training opportunities, career breaks, corporate social responsibility and your work-life balance. After all, in the future you could well be changing your company and/or your career – or even starting a business of your own.

Your chance to work things out If you’re a student, time is on your side. You can use this time to work out what you care about, what you are good at and where you want to be. And this is why volunteering is so brilliant – it lets you consider your options and even try some of them out.

As stockbroker Paul Gilligan points out: ‘Lots of young people go into education with set ideas of what it will be like. The real fulfilment kicks in when you surrender your preconceptions to the possibilities of change: would-be engineers come out as teachers; chemists as social workers – this is the real magic of the university experience.’

But which options? So which particular options do you want to explore through volunteering? To find out, you are now going to ask yourself what you hope to get out of your work and what you value most in a job. You’ll then have a better idea of the pieces you’ll need to build that pathway to a satisfying career and the life you want.

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WHAT DO I WANT FROM A JOB?

WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL JOB?

WORK THROUGH THIS CHART AND THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT AND DON’T WANT FROM YOUR CAREER AT THIS STAGE. THE BOXES DON‘T COVER EVERYTHING. THEY ARE JUST DESIGNED TO GUIDE YOUR THINKING AND SUGGEST WAYS YOU CAN FOCUS YOUR SEARCH. What kind of organisation would you like to work for?

Are you interested in an established name – or a new enterprise? Would you like to be part of a small or medium-sized company or a large multinational? Would you prefer the commercial sector, the public sector or the not-for-profit sector?

ACTION Surf some company websites. Make a list of organisations you’d like to work for. Arrange to visit or speak to someone who works there.

What kind of work environment would you enjoy?

Do you prefer a lively, open-plan office or a quiet office to yourself? To be office-based or out meeting clients? To ‘hot-desk’ or to have a career that takes you out into the community?

ACTION Decide what voluntary work could test these initial thoughts. Write down the pros and cons of each environment. Get the views of people with inside knowledge.

Who would you like to work with?

People of your age and background? Or people from all walks of life? Do you want to be a part of a team – or work on your own projects? Would you like to be freelance or a contract worker moving between companies? Are there particular business people you admire in whose organisations you would like to work?

ACTION Look at friends and colleagues and consider their personal skills and attributes. Why do you like them? How do you complement each other? Reflect on your voluntary experiences so far. If you have worked in a successful team, analyse why it succeeded.

Law? Professional services? The media? Academia? Manufacturing? IT? Engineering? Research and development? The notfor-profit sector? Marketing? Retail? Other?

ACTION Research the sector that interests you, making full use of your university careers service and the Internet. Read the specialist publications. Contact any associations or professional bodies.

Personal fulfilment? Money and perks? Recognition? Training and career development?

ACTION Ask people who know you well what makes you happy and what you are good at. Ask them to suggest ideal careers for you. Consider being assessed by your university careers service.

Sector knowledge? Interpersonal skills? Business acumen? Relevant experience?

ACTION Request job specifications from employers or organisations. Search their websites. Find out about courses to develop specific skills, such as IT training. Build up a picture of your potential employer’s ideal candidate from your careers service and people who work in the firm.

Unsociable hours? Commission-based pay? Travelling? Personal dislikes?

ACTION List situations that have made you unhappy and frustrated in your previous paid or voluntary work. Were the circumstances unique – or do they indicate working environments and career sectors which won’t suit you? Reflect on your experiences and understand your preferences and dislikes.

What career sector most appeals to you?

What will motivate you in work?

What skills and qualifications will your future employer require of you?

What DON’T you want from a job?

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WHAT DO I VALUE? Rank the following 25 statements on a scale of 1 to 5. 1 > ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL 2 > VERY IMPORTANT 3 > IMPORTANT 4 > FAIRLY IMPORTANT 5 > NOT IMPORTANT For instance, if job security is very important rate it ‘2’

WORKING FOR A COMPANY THAT IS SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE

JOB SECURITY

EARLY PROMOTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

A CLEAR COMPANY HIERARCHY

OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAVEL

A COMPANY THAT IS WELL-KNOWN AND WELL-RESPECTED

A GOOD WORK-LIFE BALANCE

THE OPPORTUNITY TO INFLUENCE COMPANY DECISIONS

A COMPANY THAT IS OPEN TO NEW IDEAS

A COMPANY THAT NURTURES YOUR CREATIVITY

THE ESTEEM OF YOUR COLLEAGUES

GOOD SALARY

FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS

OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY ON YOUR OWN PROJECTS

THE CHANCE TO DEVELOP YOUR OWN CLIENTS

THE OPPORTUNITY TO MANAGE A TEAM

A CHANCE TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO SOCIETY

WORKING AS PART OF A TEAM

A VARIETY OF WORK AND CHALLENGES

THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP EXPERT KNOWLEDGE

COMPETITION WITHIN THE OFFICE AND WITHIN THE MARKET PLACE

JOB SATISFACTION

A SOCIABLE, FRIENDLY WORK ATMOSPHERE

A REGULAR WORKING DAY

A CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

NOW LOOK AGAIN AT THE STATEMENTS YOU RANKED AS 1 AND 2. TOGETHER THESE CLARIFY WHAT MOTIVATES YOU AND WILL HELP FOCUS YOUR CAREER SEARCH. MAKE SURE ANY JOB YOU GO FOR PROVIDES YOU WITH A HIGH PROPORTION OF THESE. THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES OVERLEAF SHOULD GIVE YOU MORE IDEAS.

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USEFUL LINKS IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING A GAP YEAR OR A CAREER BREAK: www.gapyear.com • www.vso.org.uk • www.raleigh.org.uk • www.i-to-i.com • www.oasisoverland.co.uk • www.yearoutgroup.org • www.volunteering.org.uk/overseas IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WORKING FOR THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR www.workingforacharity.org.uk • www.charitypeople.co.uk • www.jobsincharities.co.uk • www.charityjob.co.uk IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A FAST-TRACK GRADUATE OPPORTUNITY www.milkround.com • www.prospects.csu.ac.uk • www.activate.co.uk • www.graduatetrainingschemes.com IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WORKING FOR A SMALL OR MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISE (SME) www.reed.co.uk/graduate • www.adecco.co.uk • www.manpower.co.uk

“VOLUNTEERING INFLUENCED MY CAREER CHOICE” KAREN ARDEN HAS AN ENGLISH DEGREE FROM YORK UNIVERSITY AND A DIPSW FROM DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY. AS A STUDENT SHE WORKED ON NIGHTLINE, AS A CHILDREN’S SUMMER CAMP LEADER AND ON VARIOUS BEFRIENDING AND MENTORING SCHEMES FOR SOCIAL SERVICES CHILDREN. SHE NOW WORKS AS A SOCIAL WORKER IN CHILDCARE. “York has the facade of a wealthy city and is very picture-postcard pretty. But there are a lot of deprived estates and if I had not done volunteering, I wouldn’t have known that. As a volunteer I bridged a gap between the community and the university. We would never have normally come across one another in the normal course of things. “In my final year, it all crystallised and I realised I wanted a career that was closely related to my volunteering and counselling. I’d gained vast skills and was shocked by the amount of relevant experience I’d built up. This earned me a place on the social work course and it was very clear that without the volunteering, I would not have gained the place. “I became more confident, realising that I was fairly successful in my volunteering and recognising that employers were looking for mature, rounded individuals. In my personal life too I learned better how to deal with relationships, how to listen and how to make friends. So for me personally, volunteering was very important. I’d view that as a positive.”

TIP 2 > VOLUNTEER SOMEWHERE THAT MAKES YOU FEEL PASSIONATE, ENCOURAGED AND REWARDED. THEN TRY TO KEEP THIS MOMENTUM GOING THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER

“VOLUNTEERING ADDS TO THE WHOLE PERSON. VOLUNTEERS TAKE AN INTEREST IN OTHERS WITHOUT EXPECTING FINANCIAL BENEFITS. JUST BECAUSE IT’S NOT PAID, IT DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE NOT GETTING EXPERIENCE.” MAIRI VOD D EN , R EC RU I T MEN T MA N AGER , P I Z ZA H UT

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step3

CREATING THE RIGHT PIECES

IN STEP 3 YOU WILL > Recognise that it’s your job to get a job > Choose the type of projects that could help you > Analyse your strengths and weaknesses > Use a Personal Development Plan to set yourself goals > Find out about opportunities for volunteering.

Photo > Deby Danby, student volunteer, University College, Worcester

IN STEP 2 YOU LOOKED AT WHERE YOU WANT TO GO IN LIFE. NOW YOU NEED TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE KIND OF PROJECTS THAT WILL HELP YOU GET THERE. THAT MEANS CREATING THE RIGHT PIECES FOR THAT PATHWAY – NAMELY ALL THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES YOU WILL DEVELOP THROUGH YOUR VOLUNTEERING . BUT IT’S DOWN TO YOU TO MAKE SURE YOU COLLECT THE PIECES THAT ARE RIGHT FOR YOU. AND IT’S VITAL TO GO FOR PROJECTS TO WHICH YOU’RE REALLY COMMITTED.

IT’S YOUR JOB TO GET A JOB First you need to work out where you are on your career pathway. If you’re not sure what to do in life, volunteering can give you a taste of different sorts of work. If you have a clear idea already, it can help you gain the real skills you’ll need to piece together your career.

Undecided on a career? Volunteering lets you ‘road-test’ different kinds of work. You will get a sense of how different organisations operate from the inside.

Keen to gain the right work experience? Use your voluntary work to show you’re keen and committed to the career that interests you. For instance, if you’re thinking of medicine – like Sophia in Step 1 – you could volunteer in a hospital. A would-be photographer might volunteer for a local community newspaper.

You can develop your understanding of most jobs through the right voluntary project. Make sure your volunteering prepares you for your future development in the workplace.

Looking for skills that make you more employable? Identify the skills you need and find the voluntary opportunity that gives you them. Take time to reflect on your learning so you know where you’re going.

Thinking of changing career? If you’re already working, volunteering can help you change your career direction. It shows you have real commitment and provides contacts. Volunteering gives you the inside track.

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VOLUNTEERING – A PATHWAY OF OPPORTUNITIES THERE ARE LOTS OF INSPIRING STUDENT VOLUNTEERING SCHEMES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. THIS DIAGRAM SHOWS A FEW OF THEM. YOU SIMPLY NEED TO GET INVOLVED. JUST TAKE A LOOK AT THE RICH DEPTH OF SKILLS AND QUALITIES YOU COULD THEN COLLECT FOR YOUR FUTURE CAREER PATHWAY.

YOUR INTEREST

VOLUNTEERING PROJECT

SKILLS PROFILE

HEALTH PROMOTION

Sunday Sport, Worcester > Creating an organic garden and developing a fitness programme for disadvantaged children

Coaching, Horticulture, Actionplanning, Project management, Teamworking, Creativity, Enthusiasm

HELPING THE SOCIALLY EXCLUDED

Urban Sounds, Sheffield > Engaging excluded young people through DJ sessions, drumming workshops and record demo making

Record making, Integrity, Delegation, Organising, Teambuilding, Negotiation, People management

CREATIVE ARTS

Mural Painting, Plymouth > Painting cartoon murals on a local children’s ward

Creativity, Design, Imagination, Empathy, Staff liaison, Selfexpression, Punctuality

HANDS-ON WORK

The Fixits, Aberystwyth > Providing DIY and gardening for older people and those on low incomes

DIY, Gardening, Creative thinking, Co-operation, Entrepreneurship, Resourcefulness

STAR, Hull > Supporting refugees and asylum seekers through teaching English and organising football matches

Sports, Teaching, Communication, Diplomacy, Confidence, Cultural awareness, Skill sharing

TEACHING & MENTORING

MEDIA & MARKETING

Course planning, Journalism, Media, IT, Initiative, Networking, Business acumen

CONSERVATION

Carrifran Wildwood Project, Heriot Watt > Restoring and tree-planting on a bronze-age forest

Environmental expertise,Tree planting, Resilience, Determination, Adaptability, Time management, Innovation

FUNDRAISING

Backup Trust, Brunel > Fundraising for skydiving, skiing and scuba diving courses for people with spinal injuries

Leadership, Befriending, Fundraising, Problem-solving, Accommodating, Reliability, Consideration

OUTREACH WORK

Homeless Project, Manchester > Outreach project in Manchester city centre providing food, clothes, advice and companionship

TECHNICAL

MANAGING & ORGANISING

RESEARCH

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Media Experience, Leicester > Developing a media course for community college students that encompasses journalistic training and web design

Advising, Listening, Responsibility, Maturity, Social awareness, Tact, Respect

Ebortape, York > Recording and producing a talking magazine for the visually impaired worldwide

Creative writing, Recording, Marketing, Sales, Commercial insight, Technical application, Customer care

Board of Trustees, Swansea > Student trustees have ultimate legal and financial responsibility for Swansea Student Community Action

Meeting, Discussing, Report production, Budget setting, Policy development, Financial management, Legal awareness

Age Concern, Kent > Giving tutorials to older people about using the internet

Flexibility, Tutorial preparation, Facilitating, E-skills, Enterprising, Public speaking, Sense of humour

Low Newton, Durham > Researching the adoption rates of children whose parents are in prison

Research, Methodology, Presentation, Data analysis, Number application, Interviewing, Self-starter

Photo > Kittisak Tiyapan, student volunteer, UMIST

ACTION > LOOK AT THE PATHWAY OF OPPORTUNITIES OPPOSITE AND PICK OUT YOUR THREE FAVOURITE VOLUNTEERING PROJECTS. THEN: 1. Ask yourself why are you drawn to these opportunities. > 2. Write an imaginary project of your own. > 3. Think what action you’d need to take to go about creating it. > 4.Compose your own pathway examples.

FIND OUT WHAT YOU’RE GOOD AT When you’re thinking about the various volunteering opportunities listed on the facing page, there’s a simple technique that can help you – a SWOT analysis. This will improve your self-awareness and help you work out which voluntary opportunities can be the most valuable for you. A SWOT analysis will identify your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. STRENGTHS:

How can your voluntary work build on these?

WEAKNESSES:

How can volunteering create a safe environment for you to improve on these areas?

OPPORTUNITIES:

What networks could volunteering create?

THREATS:

What might put you off volunteering (and what will reassure you?).

THINK CREATIVELY ABOUT WHERE YOU COULD VOLUNTEER YOUR SERVICES. IDENTIFY WHAT YOU WOULD ENJOY DOING – AND THOSE SKILLS AND AREAS WHERE YOU CAN IMPROVE. TRY TO TURN YOUR AREAS OF WEAKNESS INTO AREAS OF STRENGTH. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE HELD BACK BY THOSE WEAKNESSES ANY LONGER. KNOWING YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES ENSURES YOU’LL BE BUILDING YOUR EVENTUAL CAREER PATHWAY ON REALLY FIRM FOUNDATIONS.

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HOW PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING WILL HELP YOU Once you have identified your weaknesses, you need to set yourself goals to beat them. The template below sets out a Personal Development Plan. This could form part of your ‘Progress File’ which universities will support you to develop during your studies. The plan effectively maps out the next steps as you create that all-important pathway to a career. We’ve drawn up a sample PDP showing typical objectives you could set yourself and the support and actions you would need to take to achieve your goals.

ACTION > WHY NOT DRAW UP YOUR OWN PDP?

OBJECTIVE

OUTCOME

TIMESCALE

(Be specific)

(How will I achieve objective?)

(Be realistic)

To improve public speaking skills

To have made two presentations and

Five months

gained positive feedback from each KEY ACTIONS (Things I need to do to achieve my objectives)

1. Attend a presentation skills training course at the Students’ Union. 2. Keep a log of all feedback, learning points, skills gained and contacts made. 3. Make a practice presentation to friends within the first month and get feedback. Make improvements. 4. Learn to use presentation resources such as overhead projectors (OHPs) and PowerPoint software. 5. Do a presentation within three months and gain feedback. 6. Make improvements for a second presentation within five months and gain feedback. 7. Analyse and reflect on learning and what can be done better in future. SUPPORT REQUIRED (The help I need along the way)

1. A mentor with excellent presentation skills. 2. Friends to give feedback. 3. Someone to teach me how to use PowerPoint and an OHP. REFLECTION ON LEARNING (Review this at intervals throughout the process and apply it in future actions)

e.g. I have learned the importance of getting honest feedback to help me improve my performance. As a result I have created a new feedback form for use at my next presentation.

Personal Development Planning will prepare you for the professional development processes employers use, such as appraisals and reviews. It is just the beginning of your commitment to lifelong learning and continuing personal development. Employers are keen that you learn to learn. They also want you to develop the ability to continually reflect on this new workrelated learning.

Learn to reflect To help you improve your reflective writing, surf www.google.com for ‘reflective writing’ to find a range of resources available from universities.

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Don’t forget to be proactive – find out about volunteering opportunities • Find the person responsible for student volunteering in your Students’ Union or institution and ask them what’s available • Visit www.do-it.org.uk or www.evolunteer.co.uk

Photo > Julian Lewis, former London Development Officer, Student Volunteering UK

• Look at the contacts list on page 43

“I DISCOVERED NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES” MATT BUSH STUDIED AGRICULTURE AND RURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE. AS AN UNDERGRADUATE HE WORKED AS A MINIBUS DRIVER FOR STUDENT COMMUNITY ACTION AND AT A DISABILITY NORTH YOUTH GROUP. HE WAS ALSO A VOLUNTEER ON THE STUDENT TELEPHONE HELPLINE NIGHTLINE. MATT NOW WORKS AS A PROPERTY RESEARCHER FOR PROPERTY CONSULTANTS FPD SAVILLS. “I began volunteering at university because I’d volunteered overseas on my gap year. On my return, I wanted it to continue being part of my life. I wanted to remain committed, especially as I could see that there was plenty of need in the UK too. “The biggest challenge I faced was simply starting: turning up in a place where you don’t know anybody. I gained confidence, however, and learnt to deal with completely new circumstances. The main thing I learnt was to take more care about what volunteering I did. If it isn’t rewarding, then you ought to be bold enough to ask to try something else. Finding the right opportunity is a huge challenge – and so is sticking at it. There’s plenty of scope for training, gaining qualifications, finding out about summer projects here and abroad and for exploring avenues for future employment. “Employers have always found volunteering unusual and admirable as well as an indication of good character. It must be in the interest of any university to develop students who are well regarded and who have made a positive contribution to both the student environment and the local community."

TIP 3 > MAKE SURE THE VOLUNTEERING PROJECTS YOU CHOOSE WILL HELP YOU BUILD ON YOUR STRENGTHS AND TACKLE YOUR WEAKNESSES

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step4

MAKING THE PIECES FIT

IN STEP 4 YOU WILL > Pinpoint the skills gained from your voluntary experiences > Learn how to articulate them as selling points to employers.

Photo > Dan McHugh, student volunteer, Sheffield Hallam University

VOLUNTEERING GIVES YOU ALL KINDS OF VALUABLE EXPERIENCES YOU CAN USE IN YOUR CAREER PATHWAY. BUT EMPLOYERS NEED TO RECOGNISE THESE AS REAL SKILLS – SO YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO MAKE THE PIECES FIT. THAT MEANS PRESENTING YOUR SKILLS IN THE RIGHT WAY, USING THE LANGUAGE EMPLOYERS UNDERSTAND. THIS WILL HELP SELL YOU TO THE ORGANISATION AND GIVE YOU AN EDGE OVER YOUR RIVALS. TO UNDERSTAND THIS, TRY LOOKING AT THE WHOLE BUSINESS THROUGH THE EMPLOYER’S EYES.

HOW EMPLOYERS SEE VOLUNTEERING

So what are transferable skills?

The UK’s 400,000 graduates are currently chasing just 18,0002 places on graduate recruitment schemes. Yet employers still complain of not finding enough high-calibre graduates to hire. Why? Because there is a huge mismatch between the skills employers need and the skills graduates actually possess. There’s a similar gap between what graduates think employers want and what employers do want.

Employers are looking for certain key qualities. These include interpersonal skills (communication, delegation and people management), self-reliance skills (such as the ability to network, or to identify and reflect on your strengths and weaknesses) and business awareness.

So you’ve got a 2:1… Sorry, but this simply isn’t enough! A survey by GraduateBase indicated that one in three employers feel graduates lack basic business awareness, one in four feel they lack interpersonal skills and one in ten think they lack general common sense. If you have a degree, employers acknowledge you have a certain level of academic intelligence. But what else do you offer? You need to stand out from the crowd. This is where volunteering can give you the competitive edge.

Volunteering can help you to acquire all these skills. For example, throwing yourself into an unfamiliar project with a group of new people will test your interpersonal skills to the full. What you need to be able to show is how you’ve acquired these skills and how they can be transferred and adapted to a new context (to help an employer run his or her business for instance). For instance, if you have led a voluntary project, then you are likely to be able to demonstrate leadership, time management, entrepreneurship, decision-making, people management and problem-solving.

1: The number of graduates leaving UK universities in 1999-2000, according the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). 2: According to the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR).

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ACTION LEARN TO MARKET YOURSELF THE JOBS MARKET HAS A DISTINCT LANGUAGE AND YOU MUST LEARN THE RIGHT WAY TO MARKET YOURSELF. CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS FROM THE BOOTS COMPANY GRADUATE APPLICATION FORM: 1. THINKING ABOUT ALL YOUR POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY AND OTHER ACTIVITIES, DESCRIBE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE YOU HAVE FACED. 2. HOW DID YOU TACKLE IT AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME? 3. WHAT DID YOU LEARN? How would you answer these three questions in a job interview? Write down and practise presenting some possible answers. Think about challenges faced during your volunteering. Transfer what you have learned to suit the job description so the employer can understand what you have the potential to do.

Learn to articulate your voluntary experiences Once you’ve identified what employers want, start thinking creatively about what you have achieved through your volunteering then find the right vocabulary to sell those skills. The skills table below shows typical words you should use.

SKILL TYPE

SKILL

YOU ARE…

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

LEADING

DYNAMIC, MOTIVATOR, INFLUENCER, VISIONARY

TEAMWORKING

SUPPORTIVE, TACTFUL, DIPLOMATIC, TOLERANT

CUSTOMER CARE

WELCOMING, CONSTRUCTIVE, HELPFUL, CONCISE

COMMUNICATING

HUMOROUS, EMPATHETIC, DELIVERER, LISTENER

SELF-RELIANCE SKILLS

SELF-AWARENESS

PERCEPTIVE, HONEST, REFLECTIVE, ARTICULATE

SELF-PROMOTING

POSITIVE, PROACTIVE, CONFIDENT, AMBITIOUS

INITIATING

ENTREPRENEURIAL, RESOURCEFUL, CREATIVE, DISCIPLINED

NETWORKING

INQUISITIVE, PERSONABLE, TRUSTING, RESPONSIVE

BUSINESS SKILLS

PROBLEM-SOLVING

METHODICAL, ASTUTE, VERSATILE, ANALYTICAL

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

RELIABLE, PUNCTUAL, COMMITTED, COMPETENT

BUSINESS ACUMEN

COMPETITIVE, BUDGETER, ENTERPRISING, RISK TAKER

IT/COMPUTER LITERACY

PROGRESSIVE, ADAPTABLE, KNOWLEDGEABLE, SPECIFIC

SPECIALIST SKILLS FOREIGN LANGUAGES

CULTURALLY AWARE, WRITTEN AND ORAL EXPERTISE, EXPERT IN SPECIALIST FIELDS

ABLE TO COMMUNICATE IDEAS TO OTHERS

TECHNICAL

ACTION > THIS LIST ONLY HINTS AT WHAT YOU CAN LEARN THROUGH VOLUNTEERING. WHY NOT ADD MORE SKILLS YOU ALREADY POSSESS (OR WANT TO DEVELOP)? “THE SELF-RELIANT GRADUATE IS AWARE OF THE CHANGING WORLD OF WORK, TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS OR HER CAREER AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND IS ABLE TO MANAGE THE RELATIONSHIP WITH WORK AND LEARNING THROUGHOUT ALL STAGES OF LIFE.” THE ASSOCIATIO N OF GR A D UAT E R EC RU I T E R S “ SKI L L S F O R G R ADUATE S I N TH E 2 1 ST C E N TURY.”

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‘It’s not what you do, it’s the way that you do it…’ This mind map uses the simple pathway below to demonstrate what skills you have and how you have developed them. For every voluntary activity you have undertaken, try describing it in the following way: ACTIVITY DONE + SKILLS USED + HOW ACHIEVED e.g. Lunch club for older people + communication + helpfully/enthusiastically

CONFIDENTLY & POSITIVELY

THOUGHTFULLY & DIPLOMATICALLY

TRAINING

CRISIS MANAGEMENT

FACILITATING VOLUNTEER INDUCTION DAY

PROACTIVELY & RESPONSIBLY

[HOW ACHIEVED]

[SKILLS USED]

[ACTIVITY DONE]

SENSITIVELY & EFFICIENTLY

LEADERSHIP

NEGOTIATING RUNNING A YOUTH MENTORING PROJECT

VOLUNTEERING

ORGANISING A COMMUNITY GROUP OUTING

COMMUNICATING

DELEGATING

SUCCINCTLY & CLEARLY

APPROPRIATELY & CALMLY

FUNDRAISING FOR A NEW MINIBUS

BID WRITING

BUDGETING

PROFESSIONALLY & THOROUGHLY

REALISTICALLY & RIGOROUSLY

ACTION > DRAW YOUR OWN UNIQUE MIND MAP, USING THE ABOVE FORMULA AND THE PREVIOUS SKILLS TABLE TO PROMPT YOU. FOR EXAMPLES OF VOLUNTARY ACTIVITY, CONSULT THE ACTIVITIES LIST BELOW. IF YOU CAN, ADD MORE STRANDS. Activities list Here are examples of volunteering activities you could do or may have done. Remember that virtually every job in the marketplace can be mirrored by a voluntary opportunity. ORGANISING AN EVENT • FUNDRAISING AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT • TEACHING ENGLISH • IT DEVELOPMENT • ADVOCACY AND VICTIM SUPPORT • TELEPHONE COUNSELLING • ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT • BUSINESS PLANNING • BEFRIENDING/MENTORING • DRIVING • DESIGNING/PRODUCING PUBLICITY AND WEB-BASED SERVICES • BEING A COMMITTEE MEMBER • TRAINING VOLUNTEERS • PROJECT MANAGEMENT • SALES AND MARKETING

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ACTION > FIND A MENTOR: IDENTIFY SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP YOU MANAGE YOUR CAREER AND

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. YOUR MENTOR SHOULD BE ABLE TO GUIDE, SUPPORT AND LISTEN – AND POSSIBLY PROVIDE AN EMPLOYER’S PERSPECTIVE. This might be a person you’ve met through your volunteering. They’ll be someone you trust and respect – as well as possibly having a job you’d like. They should recognise that it requires a degree of time and commitment on their part. The relationship does not need to be an official one: this may simply be one of your friends.

“I GAINED LOTS OF CONFIDENCE” CORPORATE TRAINER LIANE SAUNDERS HAS A DEGREE IN CULTURAL STUDIES FROM PORTSMOUTH UNIVERSITY. SHE VOLUNTEERED AT STUDENT COMMUNITY ACTION’S KIDS CLUB FOR CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES AND NEW GENERATION OLDER PERSONS’ CLUB. “It was the first time I’d come across children with severe learning difficulties and I was very naive. Volunteering forced me to go out of my comfort zone, try new things, speak to new people and organise things. I wondered at first if I wanted to continue but didn’t let it beat me and consequently thoroughly enjoyed it. “I gained the confidence I need now for my job. I don’t think I will ever stop being shy but now deal with it better and this has made me more employable. As a student, I would never have thought I could do this. “Kids Club was viewed positively by the parents because they were having a really difficult time. Just to have a few spare hours a week when they knew their children were being looked after made a big difference. They really welcomed what we were doing and this raised the university profile in the eyes of the local community. “Volunteering also helped me decide exactly what I wanted to do for a career and was part of the puzzle that made the overall picture clearer. I gained a better understanding of what I really wanted from a job. It’s good to realise that something you are really enthusiastic about and enjoy can at the same time benefit others.”

“MY SKILLS FOR LIFE AND WORK WERE INCREASED” LORD RUPERT REDESDALE IS A LIFE PEER AND FRONT BENCH SPOKESPERSON FOR THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS ON INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. HE HAS DEGREE IN ARCHAEOLOGY FROM NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY. HE WAS A STUDENT COMMUNITY ACTION VOLUNTEER AT GATEWAY CLUB FOR CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES, A PROJECT LEADER AT NORTHERN COUNTIES SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND IS NOW PATRON OF KIDS KABIN AFTERSCHOOL CLUB.

“I’ve interviewed people and I must really stress that someone who has volunteered is more employable than someone who hasn’t. Being able to organise volunteers, for example, is a very difficult task. But if you learn how to do that within voluntary groups, it will work to your advantage in an interview every single time. It can negate the difference between a 2.1 and a 2.2. I learnt people management, self-discipline and motivation through volunteering. I am now self-employed and if you similarly want to work for yourself, volunteering trains you. “Kids Kabin and social services bring disaffected young people to ‘Rupert’s Wood’ on my estate. Students built the walkways and wheelchair users now have full access. It’s just gorgeous! I truly believe that every university and college should invest in their student volunteering group so that all students can gain the experiences I did.”

TIP 4 > KEEP A PORTFOLIO OF VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCES, SKILLS GAINED, COURSES ATTENDED AND CERTIFICATES. THIS IS JUST THE START OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAN BE USED IN ALL FUTURE JOBSEARCHING. IT’S MUCH HARDER TO PUT A PORTFOLIO TOGETHER ONCE YOU’VE GRADUATED

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Photo > Lauren Foster, student volunteer, University of Birmingham

“I got involved with student volunteering and politics by making a speech to Union Council as student community action Newcastle were about to lose their budget. It was actually the first time I made a formal speech.

step5

PEOPLE WHO CAN POINT THE WAY

IN STEP 5 YOU WILL DISCOVER > The value of volunteering for networking > How to develop your own networking skills.

Photo > Humera Khan, student volunteer, University of Cambridge

BY NOW YOU HAVE A BROAD IDEA OF YOUR CAREER DIRECTION. YOU'VE ALSO LEARNED TO USE YOUR VOLUNTEERING TO PROVIDE SKILLS TO BUILD THE PATHWAY THAT WILL GET YOU THERE. BUT YOU STILL NEED PEOPLE WHO CAN POINT THE WAY AHEAD AND HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD. DEVELOPING YOUR NETWORK OF FRIENDS AND CONTACTS IS A SPECIAL SKILL. SOME CAREER MANAGEMENT EXPERTS CONSIDER IT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS IN TODAY’S WORLD OF WORK.

IT’S WHO YOU KNOW

How can I meet people?

Volunteering can bring you into contact with all kinds of professionals and people from every walk of life. In fact the networking opportunities it can provide are among the least publicised but most exciting benefits of all. A good network can guide your career pathway right through life and help you take giant steps towards your ideal job.

For example, imagine you’re a media student interested in a career in music production or entertainment management. You could launch a community recording studio on a local housing estate. Running this would bring you into close contact with music production professionals and give you real insight into the industry. You’d be networking with the people who could become your mentors. As a student volunteer helping the community, people would be naturally more inclined to help you.

How does networking work? Networking involves asking yourself ‘Who do I know, who do they know and who, therefore, could I get to know?’ This vital 21st Century skill is about finding people to provide you with information, guidance and support that helps you spot and seize opportunities. Up to 60% of job vacancies are not advertised and end up being filled internally or through external networking. If you have been a successful volunteer, the organisation may think of you if a suitable post arises – you have already registered your interest and enthusiasm. Someone you network with may also well agree to be a future referee.

Humera Khan (opposite) wrote and delivered a speech at the House of Lords for the launch of student community action week 2001. By networking on the day, she met Paul Boateng, former Deputy Home Secretary and Kelly A. Drake, former Chief Executive of Student Volunteering UK.

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Isn’t networking just taking advantage of people? NO. NETWORKING IS A WIN-WIN ACTIVITY IN WHICH BOTH PARTIES BENEFIT. AN ORGANISATION WILL BENEFIT FROM YOUR ENERGY AND FRESH IDEAS. AN EMPLOYER IS KEEN TO RECRUIT THE RIGHT PEOPLE – IF YOU’VE ALREADY WORKED SUCCESSFULLY FOR THE ORGANISATION, IT HAS TO BE A BONUS. WHY LIMIT YOUR JOB SEARCH TO APPLICATION FORMS AND SPECULATIVE LETTERS?

ACTION >THINK THROUGH YOUR CURRENT PERSONAL NETWORK WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING YOUR NETWORKING SKILLS. Family, friends (past and present), colleagues (past and present). NEXT, LOOK AT THE 10 STAGES BELOW. THINK ABOUT THE VOLUNTEERING YOU HAVE ALREADY DONE OR THAT YOU WANT TO DO, AND HOW IT CAN HELP YOU BUILD YOUR NETWORK.

A 10-stage plan to build your network 1. List all your family, friends, colleagues etc. What do they do for a living? Does this interest you? Who helped them get there? Could they help you get a voluntary or paid job, too? 2. Think creatively about past and present contacts e.g. lecturers, friends, people with whom you have volunteered, neighbours and friends, professionals within the community. Are you still in touch with them? 3. Ask them to help – or to suggest somebody who can. 4. Look at your diary and address book to spark off new ideas for new networks. Identify three new contacts to make. 5. Add to the list by thinking of people you have heard about, read about or who have been recommended to you.

6. Find a mentor you admire to monitor your progress. 7. Keep your list detailed and up to date. Keep in touch with people who’ve helped you – send thank you and Christmas cards and let them know how you are getting on. 8. Find new contacts. Cold-call organisations and volunteer. Talk to people at parties, on the bus, everywhere! 9. Set down key questions to ask new contacts (see the list below). Remember to be friendly and research the language and culture of organisations that interest you. 10. Do a web search and contact the professional organisations in the sector that attracts you most. Do they hold specialist networking events you can attend?

What questions should I ask when networking? • How have you reached your current position? • What skills and experience are vital in your profession? • Could you have done anything differently? • What are the main lessons you have learnt? • Could you put me in touch with someone who could help?

Don’t first impressions count? Even selection interviewers are human. Dr Andrew Bottomley, Senior Recruitment Manager for PricewaterhouseCoopers, points out that many make their decision in the first four minutes (even though training is now encouraging a more objective approach). Dr Bottomley quotes research suggesting 68% of a first impression is formed by non-verbal factors such as stance, dress, gestures and eye contact. Only 11% is down to what you say. Be aware of this basic human psychology and practise the first 30 seconds of meeting someone: walking through the door; smiling; shaking hands; exchanging pleasantries and sitting down. Of course what you say matters enormously too but that initial impression is critical. It’s vital to be professional; prepare for the interview and remember that there’s only one chance to get it right.

How can I get to be seen? To volunteer with an organisation you are interested in working for is a mature, proactive way to find a job. Cold calling to arrange a brief phone consultation – or better still a brief meeting – is a good approach too. Contact with an organisation also enables you to quickly pick up the right corporate language. For example, there’s a huge difference between the language and ethos of a PR company and a charity.

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But I’m too scared to cold call… TO IMPROVE YOUR NETWORKING, YOU SHOULD IMPROVE YOUR COLD-CALLING SKILLS, WHETHER IN CONNECTION WITH VOLUNTEERING OR AN ACTUAL JOB. This is certainly not a technique for the meek. Of course, you could send an e-mail or a speculative letter and CV, but the directness of a call could get you further and help you jump the queue. The tips on the facing page will help you to make an impact.

Ten hot tips to make those cold calls count • Be prepared. Have bullet point prompts to hand but remember your target’s response may be unpredictable. Keep your CV and key information ready for reference. Roll with the punches – you could be asked to call back or be interviewed on the spot • Consider practising what you will say with a dictaphone, in front of a mirror or to a friend. But avoid sounding rehearsed • Ask the person who answers the phone if this is a good time and if so, say how long you expect the call to take • Begin by introducing yourself. Ask open questions – who, what, where, why, when and how – to uncover what the company really needs. If it’s voicemail, leave a message, speaking slowly and clearly • Have a pen and paper ready. You may want to find out what skills they’re looking for. Avoid the obvious – facts you could have discovered if you’d read their brochure properly • Call from a quiet place. Make sure TV, radio and mobile are switched off • Smile when you dial and keep smiling to sound relaxed and enthusiastic. If you stand up, you’re also more likely to sound energetic and vibrant. If you’re feeling down, don’t call – you might project a negative image • Don’t speak too quickly. Judge your audience – and then consider being friendly and informal by asking for first names. • Don’t worry about being a nuisance caller – people do want and like to give advice. But you may be faced with flat rejection, open arms – or anything in between. Don’t take a negative response personally • Remember you’ll get better at cold calling with practice. Accept and try to perform better next time

“I MADE FRIENDS WITH PEOPLE OF A LIKE MIND” KATIE MARL HAS AN ENGLISH DEGREE (QTS) FROM EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE AND WORKS AS A PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER AND WEBSITE CONTENT MANAGER. AS A STUDENT COMMUNITY ACTION VOLUNTEER SHE TAUGHT ADULT LITERACY AND NUMERACY. SHE ALSO WORKED ON NIGHTLINE AND IS THE AUTHOR OF ‘ACCESSIBLE GAMES’. “At university, the people I learned the most from and most enjoyed being with were connected to student community action. It didn’t matter what your views or beliefs were or how you lived; you still felt included. Initially, people had trouble accepting me because I’m a wheelchair user. They thought they were out to help people less fortunate than themselves, people like me. They found it difficult to believe that I could volunteer. “Accessible Games came out of my experiences at my first student volunteering conference: I wasn’t able to join in with any of the icebreakers. It’s now used at training events and rehabilitation clinics and people often ask me for advice on disability issues. “I loved volunteering. It reinforced that I wanted to do teaching as a career and the interpersonal skills I developed made me more employable. I’m definitely more confident now and willing to say to an employer, ‘I can do this job. Why not employ me?’ It was the only environment where I felt truly equal and that it was OK to be myself.”

“I INTEGRATED WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY” ACTOR AND OPERA SINGER MICHAEL GUNNEY IS A GRADUATE FROM BRISTOL OLD VIC THEATRE SCHOOL. AS A STUDENT, HE WORKED AS A VOLUNTEER TRAINER ON AN HIV HELPLINE. “In showbusiness my time commitment depends on the jobs I have. But at Bristol, I knew that I would be in one place for three years and could commit to volunteering. A drama course is so intense: it’s living, breathing and thinking theatre. I knew it was going to be like that for the rest of my life and needed to see that there was more. “The Old Vic is a very insular community so I had to get past that to find out who the others on the helpline were. They had to get past theatre school to find out who I was. They were a real mix and we had a great laugh. One volunteer even became my landlord! I was given a lot of responsibility, which made a change to sword fighting and Shakespeare! As a gay man I am naturally interested in HIV and my friends at college saw me as a source of information and liked to talk to me about their lives. “Volunteering kept my feet on the ground. I would recommend it as a way of putting something back – especially as many people see students as always on the take. As a student, I did some right things and some wrong things. But I think volunteering was one of the right things.”

TIP 5 > POLISH YOUR NETWORKING SKILLS – FOR EXAMPLE BY TAKING ON A VOLUNTARY LEADERSHIP ROLE WHERE YOU NEED TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH OTHERS [31]

step6

THE CORNERSTONES OF SUCCESS STEP 6 REVEALS HOW TO DEVELOP > A winning CV > An effective interview technique.

CVS AND INTERVIEWS YOU’LL NOW HAVE A CLEARER IDEA OF THE SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN – OR HAVE GAINED – FROM VOLUNTEERING. THESE WILL PROVIDE VITAL PIECES FOR YOUR CAREER PATHWAY. THE TWO MAIN CORNERSTONES OF THAT PATHWAY ARE YOUR CV AND YOUR INTERVIEW PERFORMANCE – YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SELL YOURSELF TO THE WORKING WORLD. CVS AND INTERVIEWS ARE THE PLACE TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCES. BUT REMEMBER THAT YOU NEED TO PRESENT THOSE EXPERIENCES TO EMPLOYERS IN THE LANGUAGE THEY UNDERSTAND.

Photo > Raz Ahmad, student volunteer, Cardiff University

CREATE A CV THAT SELLS The way you present yourself on paper is the first glimpse your potential employer gets of your competence, creativity and communication skills. The following four steps will help you to produce a winning CV.

1. Preparation > Know the sector you’re interested in entering. At this stage you’re looking for the terminology used, key events, major players and the structures in place. Use the internet and subscribe to trade journals, brochures, and sectorspecific press. Keep a file of your findings, thoughts and favourites. 2. Build your skills portfolio > Identify what you have to offer from your experiences. Refer back to Step 4 to clarify the transferable skills you have gained through volunteering.

3. Make the connection > Tailor your skills to the job specification. This is not your autobiography – a list of your paper rounds won’t impress a marketing company, for example. Such irrelevant details could dilute the impact of your really useful skills and experiences.

4. Presentation > It goes without saying that your CV should be typed and laser-printed. The current fashion is a simple format that sticks to two pages – or even a US-style single sheet.

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Vicky Green of recruitment consultancy ‘Bilingual People’ advises: “SKIP ON THE ACCESSORIES AND GO FOR A HEAVY, HIGH-QUALITY PAPER IN WHITE OR CREAM, POSSIBLY WITH A GRAIN SO YOUR CV HAS A MEMORABLE FEEL. COMPANIES ALSO CRAVE ACTION VERBS SUCH AS DELIVERED, OPERATED, CONSOLIDATED, ADMINISTERED, EVALUATED AND NEGOTIATED.” It’s vital, therefore, to analyse your volunteering successes in terms of such words and pepper your CV with them. Never, ever send out a CV or application form to an employer without a covering letter. Why miss out on an opportunity to plug you merits? Finally, remember to comb through your CV for errors and get a friend to cast an eye over it too.

How do I translate my volunteering into CV-speak? YOU CAN’T EXPECT THE READER TO GUESS WHAT YOU’VE ACHIEVED. GET TO THE POINT. Julia Yates, a careers consultant at the University of London, advocates writing a big ‘SO WHAT?’ next to every item on your CV. Is it relevant? Is it appropriate? Is it interesting? If it demonstrates nothing, re-word it or omit it. Notice here how the voluntary experiences below are translated into CV-speak. To guide you, action verbs, skills and evidence are printed in bold. It’s no good just reporting what you have done or what skills you have – you need to provide the evidence.

ACTIVITY >

I was the treasurer for the student community action committee. SO WHAT?

SKILLS >

As treasurer for the student community action committee, I developed skills in budget management and record keeping. SO WHAT?

EVIDENCE >

My role as treasurer for student community action involved setting and managing the committee’s annual budget of £25,000 by negotiating with the members. I needed to be well organised in order to keep accurate records.

ACTIVITY >

I was an HIV/AIDS volunteer for four years. SO WHAT?

SKILLS >

As an HIV helpline volunteer, I acquired skills in listening, empathy and communication. SO WHAT?

EVIDENCE >

My demanding position as an HIV helpline supervisor required a high level of empathy and tact in dealing with very distressed callers and supporting the other volunteers. Telephone befriending over the phone intensely developed strong listening and oral communication skills.

ACTIVITY >

I helped in a youth club. SO WHAT?

SKILLS >

Through being a voluntary youth club project leader, I dealt with difficult situations. SO WHAT?

EVIDENCE >

As voluntary team leader at a youth club, I was entrusted with the safety of the children when the parents left. I learnt how to resolve conflicts through mediation. I also needed to adopt a professional approach to troubleshooting by liaising frequently with and actively listening to the other team members.

ACTION > USING THE ABOVE MODEL, TRY TO ‘SO WHAT?’ YOUR OWN VOLUNTARY EXPERIENCES BY ASKING YOURSELF: 1. So what have I done? > 2. So what have I achieved? > 3. So what have I gained? > 4. So what can I offer?

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YOU’RE SKILLED – AND YOU KNOW YOU ARE! THE TRADITIONAL CV STYLE IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST. WHAT EMPLOYERS LIKE TO SEE ARE THE SKILLS YOU HAVE AND HOW EASILY THEY CAN BE TRANSFERRED. A SKILLS-BASED CV IS BETTER THAN SETTING THINGS OUT IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. Skills-based CVs are particularly useful if your experience isn’t directly relevant to the job. If you’re interested in marketing, for instance, but have been doing voluntary work with children with learning difficulties, you need to make a link between the two. Skills-based CVs make this link. Here the links could be communication and organisational skills, time management, client care and negotiation.

One way of incorporating volunteering into a skills-based CV is to include a ‘Voluntary work history’ section after or within your ‘Work history’ section. VOLUNTARY WORK HISTORY

TREASURER OF STUDENT VOLUNTEERING GROUP; UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX

1998-2000

Skills gained:

Managing a budget and knowledge of basic accounting Liaising with Students’ Union treasurer and student volunteering committee Negotiating with and discussing budget with bank manager WEEKLY VISIT TO NURSING HOME; ALCESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL, WARWICKSHIRE

1995 - 1996

Skills gained:

Communicating with and listening to older people Working in a team to complete the daily routine efficiently Learning and putting health and safety procedures into practice

Another way is to include a separate ‘Skills profile’ section: SKILLS PROFILE

COMP UT I N G

A s I T O ff ic e r f o r s tu d ent c o m m u nity a c tio n, I g a ined a g o o d kno w led g e o f Wo r d , E xc e l a nd Po w er Po int a nd h elp ed m a na g e th e w eb s ite.

WRI T T E N COM M U N I C AT I O N

I d e v e lo p e d w r iting s kills th r o u g h p r o d u c ing r ep o r ts f o r th e a c a d em ic a n d w e l fa r e sabbatical and taking minutes in the absence of the c o mmu n it y a c tio n s ec r eta r y .

O R A L CO M M U N I C AT I O N

With student community action, I gave two presentations about our projects to new volunteers and facilitated termly child protection training sessions.

TE A MWORK

I w o r ke d a s p a r t o f a tea m o r g a nis ing c h ild r en’s Ch r is tm a s p a r ties b oth a t sixt h fo r m c o lleg e a nd u niv er s ity . I a ls o a ttend ed a c er tif ied w eekend t ra in in g c o u rs e o n w o r king in tea m s w ith M enc a p .

B U S I N E SS AWA R E N E SS

At u n i v e r s i t y I spent a week volunteering in the Press Office of Save the C h ild r e n , w her e I lia is ed w ith s m a ll a nd m ed iu m -s ized b u s ines s es .

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The ten toughest interview questions (and how to answer them)! EMPLOYERS HAVE IDENTIFIED THE 10 FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AND PROVIDED ADVICE ON HOW SOMEONE WITH LOADS OF VOLUNTARY WORK EXPERIENCE SHOULD ANSWER THEM. CONSIDER WHAT THE REAL PURPOSE BEHIND EACH QUESTION IS. INTERVIEWS PROVIDE YOU WITH A CHANCE TO DEMONSTRATE ALL THE INTERPERSONAL SKILLS THAT YOU HAVE GAINED THROUGH VOLUNTEERING. ASK YOUR CAREERS SERVICE, YOUR MENTOR OR A FRIEND TO GIVE YOU A MOCK INTERVIEW AND OFFER SOME CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK ON YOUR PERFORMANCE. 1.

Why this job and why you? This tests your enthusiasm and knowledge of the job on offer. It’s also your opportunity to show how you can relate your previous experiences to the job specification. Consider what the employer is looking for and refer to your volunteering to show what you can achieve. Don’t undersell yourself.

What is your biggest weakness? Most candidates prepare by describing a weakness that can also be seen as a strength. You could go a step further by showing how you have invested in yourself and tried to tackle your weaknesses. (You’ve already identified them in the SWOT analysis in Step 3). Use your Personal Development Plan to prove you’re working on them. This question tests not only your honesty but your self-awareness and your ability to reflect. Your potential employer could also be looking to assess your training needs should you be offered the job.

How would you describe yourself? This is an opportunity to market yourself and stand out from rivals. Refer back to the Skills table and Mind map in Step 4 to see how you can present your volunteering and sell your transferable skills. Start by asking friends and people with whom you have volunteered to list your top qualities.

Give an example of when you took on a responsible or leadership role. This is a golden opportunity to expand on your application or CV. To prepare, think of a few more examples which show you in a positive light and consider including some analysis of what you have learnt. Evidence of showing initiative or leading a project demonstrates that you will fit in well with any existing work culture and maintain effective relationships.

Describe a time when you dealt with a difficult situation. Your answer could highlight your ability to deal with a stressful situation in a logical and rational way. It may also highlight your ability to empathise, delegate and negotiate – your interpersonal skills. Try thinking of any unusual, or funny voluntary experiences that can entertain your interviewer and make them remember you.

What do you hope to achieve by working with us? Once interviewers asked: “Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?” This latest version acknowledges that today’s careerists are more likely to move between companies and change careers. You should demonstrate that you have vision, commitment to the organisation and can set yourself achievable goals.

Have you applied for any other jobs? Still a popular question but you are not obliged to reveal other companies to which you have applied. The interviewer may wish to see if you have applied to competitors and whether you’re focused on one career sector. Your answer will reveal your commitment level to your chosen career area and to this job. A long list of unrelated job applications will cast doubts on your motivation.

What do you like doing in your spare time? This is important as an insight into your personality and how rounded you are as an individual. List any interesting volunteering or hobbies that show you are organised, able and mature. This question may also be designed to gauge how well you balance outside interests with work.

What did you enjoy/regret most at university? This tells the employer a little more about what you have done and what you have gained and/or wish you had gained. To be able to stand back from university life and assess your experiences shows that you can reflect and self-evaluate. Your volunteering demonstrates you can manage your time effectively.

10. Do you have any questions? Remember that an interview is a two-way process – an opportunity for you to assess whether this is the right employer for you, as well as their opportunity to suss you out. Are they progressing in a direction that interests you? Is there career progression and training? Employers expect questions at this stage – it demonstrates your interest. Build on what you already know about the firm but never try to catch them out – this will come across as arrogance.

ACTION > THINK CREATIVELY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY THROUGH ALL THE VOLUNTEERING YOU

HAVE EVER DONE. YOU’LL THEN HAVE LOTS OF EXCITING EXAMPLES UP YOUR SLEEVE TO SHOW LEADERSHIP, CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND LESSONS LEARNT. YOU CAN ALSO SHOW YOUR ABILITY TO REFLECT ON YOUR STRENGTHS AND YOUR LEARNING.

For more insight into CVs, interview techniques and general career searching advice, check out: www.realworldmagazine.com

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“VOLUNTEERING IMPROVED MY CAREER PROSPECTS AND EMPLOYABILITY” AS AN ENGLISH LITERATURE UNDERGRADUATE AT SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY, NEELAM TANDAY ASSISTED AT A WEEKLY PLAYGROUP AND WAS AN ENGLISH TUTOR TO A SOMALI WOMAN. SHE IS CURRENTLY A PRESS AND PR CO-ORDINATOR IN THE CHILDREN’S AND LICENSING PRESS OFFICE AT BBC WORLDWIDE. “I volunteered to start planning for my CV. I’d tended to do waitressing in my summer holidays just for the money, but with volunteering you have the chance to explore areas not always available through paid work. I relied on my volunteering in interviews as my only experience of working directly with children – my clients. “It really helped me to be able to interact with the children at the playgroup because I learnt how they function, behave and think and that has helped me write press releases and speak to journalists at BBC Worldwide. Tutoring the Somali woman helped me to empathise: it must be very daunting to be in a country which isn’t your home. Volunteering is a really enriching experience. If all you do is move between lectures and the union bar then you miss out on learning valuable skills.

Photo > Student volunteers, University of Wales, Bangor

“Journalism is very competitive and for press and PR work you need to have undertaken extra-curricular activities to ensure you stand out. Volunteering definitely made me more employable.”

“VOLUNTEERING ENHANCED MY CV” MIKE WHITTALL IS A POLICY DEVELOPER AND FORMER SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM. HE HAS A DEGREE IN MEDICINE FROM NOTTINGHAM UNIVERSITY, A MASTERS IN SOCIAL WORK FROM LEICESTER UNIVERSITY AND AN MBA FROM WARWICK UNIVERSITY. HE HAS VOLUNTEERED AS A NURSERY ASSISTANT AND MINIBUS DRIVER FOR THE STUDENT COMMUNITY ACTION LUNCHEON CLUB. HE WAS ALSO NOTTINGHAM RAG WEEK MANAGER. “I went into medicine because I had good ‘A’ level results. But once on the wards, I was like a fish out of water. I couldn’t cope with the bureaucracy and didn’t feel the medical profession was addressing people’s real needs. So I decided to become a social worker instead. “I put volunteering on my CV because it was all I had apart from my degree. The community action co-ordinator wrote my first reference. Volunteering put me on the right track: I gained people skills by just rubbing along with different generations from areas other than my own. This was absolutely vital both as a probation officer and as sheriff. It’s still important to me to be able to make a difference. “Community action impacted most on my life because I could put it on my CV and it influenced what I did afterwards. If I’d been told volunteering could do that, I would have found it hard to believe. I still feel the community at large doesn’t know what student volunteers do. Somebody really needs to tell everyone that students do a lot more than just go to parties and make a noise on the way home.”

TIP 6 > COMPOSE AND PRACTISE TELLING YOUR OWN VOLUNTEERING CASE STUDY TO A FRIEND, YOUR MENTOR OR A CAREERS ADVISOR. LEARN TO MARKET YOURSELF AND YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH SELF-BELIEF AND CONVICTION [37]

Photo > Kelly A. Drake, former Chief Executive, Student Volunteering UK and former student volunteer, University of Leicester

CRAZY PAVING

step7

STEP 7 SHOWS YOU HOW TO > Bring it all together > Use your new skills throughout life. The final step is simple… start building that pathway. But of course it’s not quite that simple. In fact this is a process that never stops. To BEGIN creating your pathway, you need to bring together the six previous steps and reflect on everything you’ve learned:

1 Finding the motivation

4 Making the pieces fit

Where are you now? This should have opened your eyes to what volunteering offers you – not just academic benefits but real skills that can help you get a job. Making your own list of the top three benefits will have motivated you to use volunteering to provide the pieces you need for your pathway to career success.

It’s not what you do... This step has shown you how to look at your volunteering through employers’ eyes. You know how to articulate your skills and experiences as part of your pathway – and to convince employers you can be really useful to them.

2 Picturing your pathway

5 People who can point the way

Where do you want to be? To build your pathway, you need to have a broad idea of where it’s going. This step has helped you think about what really matters to you – both in your career and your life. Volunteering gives you endless opportunities to try different career areas and discover what you’re good at.

It’s who you know...You now understand how people can help as you piece your career pathway together. You know how to start developing your own network of friends, colleagues and contacts who can show you the way forward. And you realise what a great opportunity volunteering gives you to widen that network.

3 Creating the right pieces

6 The cornerstones of success

It’s your job to get a job. This step has helped you focus on the pieces you need to build your pathway. You know which areas of volunteering will equip you with the skills employers need. And you know how to use Personal Development Planning to help.

You’re skilled and you know you are! This step has revealed how to market your volunteering experiences to potential employers. It’s shown you how to create the two cornerstones of any career pathway – your CV and your interview technique. You know how to develop a skills-based CV and how to crack the 10 toughest interview questions.

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CHECK THOSE TOP TIPS Now is also the time to make sure you can tick off the six top tips:

     

THINK CREATIVELY ABOUT HOW VOLUNTEERING CAN GET YOU STARTED INCREASE YOUR STRENGTHS AND SEEK WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR WEAKNESSES VOLUNTEER SOMEWHERE THAT MAKES YOU FEEL PASSIONATE, ENCOURAGED AND REWARDED BEGIN PUTTING YOUR POSITIVE PORTFOLIO TOGETHER POLISH YOUR NETWORKING SKILLS BY VOLUNTEERING AS A LEADER COMPOSE AND PRACTISE TELLING YOUR VOLUNTEERING CASE STUDY CONFIDENTLY

A HEAD START IN THE JOBS MARKET If you can make use of the ideas in this book, you’ll have a head start when you come to compete in the jobs market. You’ll have gained a real focus to your career search and values, and already acquired skills that will attract employers – especially as you now know how to present them in the language an organisation will understand. If you’re leaving education, your volunteering will have effectively bridged the gap between academia and the world of work and put you in pole position to get a job. You will now have cast-iron proof that you can communicate, work as a team player and know how to network. You’ll also be able to demonstrate leadership skills and the ability to think creatively to solve practical problems.

A PATHWAY THAT NEVER ENDS You have also achieved much, much more. If you’re now confident about building your career pathway and you’ve ticked off your top tips, you can congratulate yourself. You have mastered the Art of Crazy Paving. Here’s some really good news for you. You have now learned a technique you are going to find valuable far beyond the world of volunteering. You can go on using it as you move on through the real world of work. Naturally, you’ll go on to gain new skills, acquire new qualifications, and take on various roles and responsibilities. And because you understand the Art of Crazy Paving you’ll know how to see all these new experiences as vital pieces to go on building your career pathway. Once you think this way, you have a technique you can use all your life.

TIP 7 > VOLUNTEERING IS A WIN-WIN ACTIVITY. THIS BOOK HAS SHOWN YOU HOW TO USE IT TO HELP YOURSELF – BUT YOU’LL ALWAYS BE HELPING OTHERS

REMEMBER – VOLUNTEERING IS FUN. YOU’LL WANT TO COME BACK FOR MORE.

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info Career development websites www.prospects.csu.ac.uk

(JOBS, WORK EXPERIENCE, POSTGRADUATE STUDY AND FUNDING)

www.activate.co.uk

(CAREERS, PLACEMENTS. HOLIDAY JOBS AND POSTGRADUATE STUDY)

www.jobhuntersbible.com

(CV CREATION, CONTACTS, JOBSITES, PERSONALITY TESTS, COUNSELLING)

www.hobsons.com

(WORLDWIDE SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES AND CAREERS)

www.reed.co.uk/graduates

(SEND YOUR CV TO 2500 EMPLOYERS)

www.qsnetwork.com

(INTERNATIONAL MBAS AND MANAGEMENT)

www.insidecareers.co.uk

(FOCUSES ON 8 PROFESSIONS E.G. IT, ENGINEERING AND ACCOUNTANCY)

www.yearoutgroup.org

(PAID/VOLUNTARY GAP YEARS AT HOME AND ABROAD)

www.belbin.com

(PERSONALITY TESTS TO ORDER ONLINE)

Job sites www.jobs.guardian.co.uk > www.jobsite.co.uk > www.monster.co.uk > www.workthing.com > www.hotjobs.com > www.gisajob.com > www.totaljobs.com > www.jobsearch.co.uk > www.topjobs.co.uk

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TAKING IT FURTHER… YOU NOW UNDERSTAND HOW TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FUTURE – AND THIS HAS NEVER BEEN MORE CRUCIAL. As traditional career concepts give way to more flexible ways of working, you have started to understand how to operate as a self-sufficient one-person business. You may well wish to build on the career management skills this book has given you. To progress your career, you may find it particularly helpful to learn how to make the most of the remarkable opportunities created by the dramatic changes in today’s world of work. Above all you need to see change as a challenge to be seized, not an obstacle to be resisted. You’ll find these ideas developed in The Art of Building Windmills*.

Useful contacts VOLUNTEERING ENGLAND 0845 305 6979 www.volunteering.org.uk > studentvolunteering@volunteeringengland.org Find your local Volunteer Centre, information about volunteering, training, grants, development, research and best practice in volunteering., NATIONAL STUDENT LEARNING PROGRAMME 020 7561 6529 www.nusonline.co.uk Certified training for trainers scheme in key skills development COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS 020 7278 6601 www.csv.org.uk > Information@csv.org.uk > Media@csv.org.uk Voluntary opportunities (some media based) and training NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS 020 7713 6161 www.ncvo-vol.org.uk > helpdesk@ncvo-vol.org.uk Statistics, books and publications DIRECTORY OF SOCIAL CHANGE 020 7209 4422 www.dsc.org.uk > info@dsc.org.uk Publications, courses, annual charity fair

Working overseas THE DIRECTORY OF JOBS AND CAREERS ABROAD Deborah Penrith, Vacation Work, 2004 WORK YOUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD Susan Griffith, Vacation Work, 2007

Useful books and booklist websites Career Management

THE GRADUATE CAREER HANDBOOK Shirley Jenner, Pearson Education, 2000 www.business-minds.com/gradcareers BUILD YOUR OWN RAINBOW: CAREER AND LIFE MANAGEMENT Dr. Barrie Hopson and Mike Scally, Management Books, 1999 > www.mb2000.com UNIVERSITY OF LONDON CAREERS SERVICE, 2001 www.careers.lon.ac.uk HOW TO COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FORM HOW TO WRITE A CURRICULUM VITAE HOW TO ANALYSE AND PROMOTE YOUR SKILLS FOR WORK CAREERS IN MANAGEMENT CAREER NETWORKING Laurel Alexander, How To Books, 1997 ‘HOW TO’ BOOKS www.howtobooks.co.uk MAKING GREAT PRESENTATIONS Ghassan Hasbani, How To Books, 1999 KOGAN PAGE www.kogan-page.co.uk HOW TO MASTER PSYCHOMETRIC TESTS Mark Parkinson, Trotman Publishing, 2008 HOW TO PASS GRADUATE RECRUITMENT TESTS Mike Bryon, Kogan Page, 1994 GREAT ANSWERS TO TOUGH INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Martin John Yate, Kogan Page, 2000 THE DAILY TELEGRAPH GUIDE TO WORKING FOR YOURSELF Godfrey Golzen and Helen Kogan, Kogan Page, 2000

Many thanks to: All case study contributors, focus group readers and everyone who gave us quotes and endorsing materials. Without your help, this publication would not have been possible. We would like to thank in particular Dr. Peter Hawkins (Graduate Into Employment Unit) for consultation and support, Paul Dawson for the photography, Sarah Richardson (Realworld Magazine) for the initial edit and the team at Alexander MacGregor for design and production. This publication has been produced with the assistance of the Department for Education and Skills. Responsibility for the contents rests, however, with the author and the views expressed are those of the author and not the Department.

THE ART OF BUILDING WINDMILLS – CAREER TACTICS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY* Dr. Peter Hawkins, 1999 WHAT COLOUR IS YOUR PARACHUTE? Richard Nelson Bolles, Ten Speed Press, 2005

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“WANT TO CHANGE SOMEONE’S LIFE? THEN WHY NOT START WITH YOUR OWN?” ST EVE WA D E, ST U D EN T VO LUN TE E R , UN I V E R SI TY O F LO UG H B O RO UG H

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HOW CAN THIS BOOK HELP YOU? THE ART OF CRAZY PAVING WILL: • OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE DEPTH OF BENEFITS STUDENT VOLUNTEERING OFFERS • SHOW YOU HOW TO USE VOLUNTEERING TO PROVIDE THE REAL-LIFE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES YOU NEED IN THE WORKING WORLD • HELP YOU DISCOVER THE ART OF CREATING AND BUILDING YOUR OWN UNIQUE PATHWAY TO PERSONAL AND CAREER FULFILMENT

‘VOLUNTEERING GIVES YOU THE COMPETITIVE EDGE’ ASELA ALI, DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, REED GRADUATES

‘THE ART OF CRAZY PAVING IS A MUST-HAVE BOOK FOR ALL STUDENTS. I WISH I’D OWNED A COPY SOONER!’ SARAH RATCLIFF, BA HONS, APPLIED SOCIAL STUDIES, SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY

‘THE BENEFITS OF STUDENT VOLUNTEERING ARE IMMEASURABLE. BY DOING VOLUNTARY WORK IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OUR STUDENTS GAIN IMPORTANT WORK-BASED SKILLS AND AN INSIGHT INTO LIVES AND SITUATIONS THEY MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE COME ACROSS.’ SIR.KENNETH CALMAN – VICE CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM

Volunteering England (VE) is the national volunteering development agency for England, committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering in all its diversity. Student Volunteering England merged with Volunteering England in July 2007. We have expert staff dedicated to particular areas of volunteering including sport, health and social care, student and employer supported volunteering. The student volunteering team work with and represent the whole student volunteering sector; covering Further and Higher Education. For more information please contact: VOLUNTEERING ENGLAND REGENT’S WHARF, 8 ALL SAINTS STREET, LONDON, N1 9RLT T> 0845 305 6979 F > 020 7520 8910 E > studentvolunteering@volunteeringengland.org W > www.volunteering.org.uk The Art of Crazy Paving was researched by Zoë Speakman and written in partnership with Kelly A. Drake and Dr. Peter Hawkins. For a more in-depth analysis of career tactics for the 21st century please see Dr. Peter Hawkins’ The Art of Building Windmills or contact the Graduate Into Employment Unit at The University of Liverpool www.gieu.co.uk DESIGNED & PRODUCED BY ALEXANDER MACGREGOR LTD. WWW.ALEXANDERMACGREGOR.CO.UK