Preparation
ORGANISATIONAL AWARENESS
Completion of this section will help you to explain to any future employers the context within which you were working . If you are interested in working with this employer in the future , within the same sector or in a similar role this knowledge can be of benefit in evidencing a real understanding of the issues impacting upon their aims and objectives and why you are motivated to work in the sector / role for which you have applied .
This preparation will be valuable in developing what is referred to as commercial awareness . Commercial awareness can be defined as an understanding of the business or organisation , how it operates and the wider environment in which it exists . The term commercial awareness now applies to all sectors , private and public , all of which have financial drivers , customers and targets . Commercial awareness is a great way to demonstrate your interest in an organisation and their area of work . This is particularly important at the initial application or interview stage , for example in answer to “ why do you want to work for us ” type questions . You may be asked specific questions that test your commercial awareness at interview or have an exercise on the topic in an assessment centre .
Part A : THE BASICS
1 . What are the organisation ’ s mission statement , business / organisational objectives and values ?
2 . Attach , or draw an organisation chart for your employer . Indicate on this chart where you will be working and to whom you will report . You may wish to have both the base at which you will be working but also other branches sites if appropriate .
Part B : ADDITIONAL
1 . What sort of organisation are they ; who / what markets do they serve , public , private or third sector , services or manufacturing , local or international ?
2 . Do they have a corporate social responsibility policy ?
3 . What is their long term strategy for development ?
4 . Trends - what current issues affect the organisation ?
5 . If appropriate , who are their competitors ?
Part C : YOUR WORK 1 . Your role / title
2 . Your responsibilities / duties ( attach a job description if you have one )
3 . The location at which you are based 4 . Your supervisor / line manager
5 . The team / colleagues with whom you will be working
8