And so it ends. But I think its reverberations will go on for some time. Certainly for those inspired and motivated by the programme. Because alongside all the practical stuff it’s how you’re feeling about your job search that can really make the difference for you. From my side, here’s some last thoughts on last night and the week as a whole from my perspective as a former recruiter, current careers adviser and someone fascinated in the way our perception of things can influence the results we get:

• Loving Pizza Hut CEO’s reframing of “starting at the bottom”. “Starting at the front line” doesn’t mislead and does get your head in the right place to make the most of that opportunity.
• Weren’t the clips of the various interviews Continue reading →

I can honestly say that I’m loving this programme. As much for the sense of community and engagement in this whole issue of employability as what’s being discussed specifically. An invaluable forum and one that has had me occasionally shouting at the tv and, I hate to say it, principally the job seekers, “No. You don’t understand!” Things that made their way on to my hastily scribbled notes include…

• The confidence taken by the four main ‘contestants’  in getting given positive feedback. But I’m not convinced it’s the complexity of what they’ve successfully done that makes the difference. It’s putting yourself in situations where you have the chance to do a good job in whatever it is and get commended for it. So important when the rest of your time might be spent taking the knocks that are part of job seeking.
• The equation offered by one audience member that few jobs in London probably = even fewer jobs in the rest of the UK got my goat. Firstly it’s Continue reading →

Another day, another Up For Hire. And on reflection last night’s show and subsequent Facebook chat stood out for the following reasons:

• Bit more of a “grad level” task this time. Managing others and things. Interesting outcome? One of the non grads made the biggest splash. So does it really need skills developed through university? Only if you take on managing things and people outside of your studies I guess.
• Still signs of a lack of professionalism in one grad in particular. Watch-less and dissapearing off for 40 minutes or so. But how would she have known these were faux pas unless Continue reading →

So, what stood out to me about yesterday’s Up For Hire live show and subsequent discussions on their Facebook wall?

• Great to see two grads featured as part of their group of four
• The theme park felt a bit of a gimmicky environment to drop the guinea pig job seekers into though I do appreciate there needs to be some attention paid to the ’entertainment factor’ of a tv programme
• Gaining work experience, no matter what type, was really pushed to the forefront and interestingly not just in terms of what it demonstrates to a potential future employer but some subtler things, e.g. getting into the routine of getting up early was referred to by one of the participants
• Work etiquette, which is often overlooked as something to be learnt, stood out. Smoking and eating food in inappropriate places and at inappropriate times. Handling customers and pressurised situations.
• The grads were clear that they weren’t adverse Continue reading →

Regular readers will be familiar with my occasional scepticism in the way the media portray the whole subject of graduate employability. So I’m going to be glued to the tv for the next few days watching the Up For Hire series on BBC 3, starting tonight. It’ll follow a number of young job seekers (including two recent grads) undertaking ‘ the work placement of a lifetime’. There will also be Q and A’s with a live studio audience and I will be fascinated to see what they choose to focus in on. Don’t get me wrong, I’m delighted this is getting such a large amount of tv exposure and I really hope there are some tangible good things to come out of it. Watch this space for my feedback.