Antonio Greer
 
Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the latest Commercial Awareness day put on by Graduates Yorkshire. This was one of a series of days that, as well as providing a fabulous lunch, focus on helping graduates develop through learning new skills employers are looking for and networking. This particular session was about how we can use our experiences and interests to demonstrate our skills, knowledge, passion and abilities.

We completed a number of group tasks including looking at case studies and identifying issues surrounding those companies. Commercial Awareness means various things to different people however, an understanding of your company/industry/sector and anything affecting (or potentially affecting) this is something employers are looking for.

We spoke at great lengths about team work and how it is important to understand that we all, in any role, need team work. Despite being a team, it is vital that every individual is self aware if their strengths and weaknesses, knows what they bring to the team and their role within the team and also the strengths and weaknesses of the team. It was put to us by the trainer that "no one person can know everything, but collectively as a team we need to try and know everything" (related to our business).

We also lookin in great detal about goals, why it is important to constantly set yourself goals and that you must ensure these are achievable. This is coincidental as earlier in the week I was reading a blog on why people fail in jobs and the biggest reason was that people stop doing the things that made them successful and that got them the job in the first place.

All in all it was a very enjoyable day, I met some great graduates that I hope to network with in the future as well as taking away some important information that I will look to apply to my role. I have been lucky enough to attend a number of these days and if anyone would like information on where to look or advice, please contact me.
 
Having just graduated I know first hand how hard it is leaving the world you have embraced for the last three or four years whilst trying to enter the totally different world of the 'dreaded' 9-5. A journey made more challenging by the fact we are in the middle of a recession. I feel that despite this, now more than ever we should be looking to push on, develop and fight for the jobs available in our chosen roles.

Now I realise that some people, due to personal circumstances, have no choice but to stay in certain jobs and that is fine but there is too many people who are settling. Speaking to friends, I hear time and time again that it is too hard to get a job now so there is no point trying and that you might as well stay where you are (usually in part time roles not using or developing relevant skills).

Since graduating I've applied for over 300 positions, of this around 75% of companies didn't bother getting back to me and most others (politely) told me I had no chance. I've had around 7 interviews, been hired twice and have to say I have been lucky however, I would not have given myself the opportunity to be lucky if I didn't try.

An old Burmese saying is:
"Who aims for excellence will be above mediocrity; who aims for mediocrity will be far short from it"

getting to the interview stage gives you much better odds, and yes I know it can be depressing getting rejection after rejection but not trying is beating yourself. In getting 2 roles I received at least 298 rejections!!! We need to take risks (within reason), push boundaries and give our all so we can say we put everything into it. I'm willinng to bet that the majority of people sitting in jobs now after recently graduating certainly did not aim for mediocrity.

Please feel free to leave suggestions or details of options available to recent graduates and others in similar positions.
 
I received a cold call the other night from a gentleman who was trying to get me to give money to charities. Although I do give I did not on this occasion and made my excuses to get off the phone, something he said really got me thinking. Wouldn't you like to make a differnce?

Now I'm fully aware that individually my few pounds a month would not make any difference to anyone however it made me think: 'How many times had I made a real difference to someone else's life without getting anything from it myself?'

And i must stress giving someone a lift to the shops without them buying you something or anything like that does not count!

I thought back to when I was at Uni and was part of a group of students that held a fantastic event for disabled children throughout Yorkshire, but quickly realised we did this event as it was a module at Uni. I therefore gained from it!!!!

I have been thinking for a few days now and I am quite ashamed to say that apart from giving to charity, I cannot think back, in recent time, to a point when I helped out a person who needed it just because it was a good thing to do. Sure I give to charity, but in reality that does not put you out because if it did most people (i'm probably included in this) would not give.

Although i'm not normally one for New Years Resolutions I think this may be one life change I want to make in 2010. Jackie Cameron correctly states that most New Years Resolutions fail "often because they are just too big". The general consensus seems to be that making small changes to certain aspects of my life will be the way to really change.

I have began thinking of ways to go about this and have a few ideas that I will look to explore more over the coming months. If anyone has any experiences or suggestions on how I could do this I would very much appreciate it if you would share them with me.