Advice- Claire Preston
EACH LETTER COMES WITH ONE THING YOU CAN TRY THIS WEEK OR IN THE MONTHS AHEAD:
R: REASONING.
A: AWARENESS.
W: WORK TOGETHER.
A GOOD TEAMMATE BEATS THE LOUDEST VOICE.
Try this: next group task or match, notice who’ s quiet and bring them in.
EVERY PROBLEM YOU’ VE SORTED IS AN INTERVIEW ANSWER WAITING TO HAPPEN.
Try this: write down one time something went wrong and how you fixed it. Missed bus, lost kit, disappointment, chaos at home. That’ s your answer to“ tell me about a challenge you’ ve overcome”.
R: RESILIENCE.
EVERYONE GETS KNOCKED BACK. TURNED DOWN? CAN’ T DO IT? NOT YET.
Try this: next time you hear“ no”, ask“ What could I do better?”“ Where can I improve?” Most people never ask.
KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS AND WHAT GIVES YOU ENERGY.
Try this: ask three people who know you well what you’ re great at. This is more important than you’ d imagine and can help you to make better decisions.
D: DIGITAL LITERACY.
E: ETHICS.
SCROLLING DOESN’ T COUNT.
Try this: Google yourself, then set up a sensible email address. Goodbye, xXgamerboyXx. Or make a commitment to learning how to use AI well and safely. Even better, teach someone else!
O: OWNERSHIP.
RELIABLE PEOPLE GET TRUSTED WITH MORE.
Try this: be five minutes early to everything for a week. See who notices.
K: KNOWLEDGE-SEEKING.
CURIOUS PEOPLE STAND OUT.
Try this: find three employers within a bus ride of home and look up what they actually do. You could even get in touch. Remember, most businesses have many different kinds of jobs and career opportunities, so don’ t assume it’ s not for you.
YOUR REPUTATION FOLLOWS YOU.
Try this: own up to one small mistake this week instead of hiding it. Be kind … it feels good and people notice.
Y: YOU.
NOBODY ELSE HAS YOUR STORY.
Try this: practise a 30-second“ This is me” out loud. Who you are, what you’ re into, what you want next. Say it until it stops feeling cringe and own it. You are unique and have something special to offer employers.
FIND IT AND BE PROUD OF IT, REMEMBER:
EMPLOYERS OFTEN LOOK FOR ATTITUDE OVER QUALIFICATIONS AND YOU NEED TO SHOW UP AND STAND OUT.
You don’ t need to leave the North-East to go places. You just need to start from where you are. You’ ve got this. And we’ ve got your back. Follow @ Work Ready Collective for more tips and advice.
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