Leadership
by Roma Kiddy , WBS CareersPlus & Employer Relations DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER BE CAREER CONFIDENT
MEET THE CHANGE MAKER
Last line of defence How Major Luke Parker delivered data insights to battle Covid-19
N avigating the job market can be intimidating. Competition is high, as are employer expectations. Demonstrating the skills to stand out from the crowd may seem like an insurmountable challenge. In this new column, experts from the careers service at Warwick Business School help applicants to unlock the door to a new career. Assessment centres A survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development showed 34 per cent of employers now use assessment centres when recruiting managers, professionals, and graduates. These centres are designed to highlight a candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, work ethic, and suitability for specific roles. You may excel as an individual, but how do you work in a team? How do you react when faced with a difficult scenario? Do you show leadership? Many candidates with exemplary CVs and an abundance of relevant experience fall foul of assessment centres. We encourage applicants to prepare by completing
challenges that replicate the assessed tasks used by employers. Gain feedback wherever possible and use it to create a blueprint for your personal development. Networking For decades, job hunting was driven by the old adage: “It’s not what you know, but who you know”. While there is now more emphasis on an applicant’s skills and experience, networking can open doors to a hidden job market. There is an unwritten etiquette to networking – virtually and in-person – that many people are unaware of. Capturing the attention of recruiters is akin to a sales pitch, so judiciously choose relevant information that keeps people engaged. In the ever-expanding digital network created by LinkedIn, keeping the conversation open is a sign that you deserve to be heard. Career confidence An overarching theme of employability is ‘career confidence’. This encourages employees to be well-rounded,
desirable candidates with the soft skills required to succeed. Focus on adaptability as well as relevant experience and explain how the skills you have learned will add value in this specific role. When speaking to prospective employers, demonstrate an understanding of their company values, ask questions, and actively listen to their responses to show your interest. It can be the difference between a successful conversation and one that falls flat. Resilience Teaching resilience is harder, but career coaches endeavour to equip aspiring professionals with the tools to overcome rejection. Like a game of snakes and ladders, applying for jobs is full of setbacks as well as periods of progression. Rejection will not send you back to square one. Managing your expectations is crucial, as is using constructive feedback for self-analysis and personal development. Balance strengthening existing skills with addressing gaps in your CV. The careers sector is constantly evolving, but there are some constants. The demand for well-rounded candidates with the ability to form professional relationships remains at the heart of the job market. Curating a strong voice and expanding your skillset can help you to thrive.
I n the heat of the pandemic, those in regions needed to be locked down? Where was safe to open up? In 2020, Major Luke Parker was thrust into the sharp end of day-to-day policy, as he drew on his expertise with data to inform government of the spread of Covid-19. Liaising with Chris charge needed to keep a cool head. Where was the disease rampant? Which
Whitty and Matt Hancock (then Chief Medical Officer and Health Secretary) was part of his day job. “It was an incredibly stressful time. The tempo of those days was crazy – from government briefings to crisis management to reacting to a fast-changing situation. But army training prepares you well.” He’d joined the newly formed Joint Biosecurity Centre
(JBC), which brought together experts from government, the armed forces,
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