Judging for Target Jobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2015!!

This week, I was lucky enough to be asked to judge the Target Jobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2015 at the Guardian Head Office in London! As a committee member of Enactus and on the graduate job hunter I was honored to be asked to be part of the judging panel!

I am a judge today! 🙎 At @guardian head office judging The Target Jobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards!! pic.twitter.com/hZmuIddZEZ
— Steph Clark (@stefclarkx) February 13, 2015

So off I went to the Guardian offices where I met lots of other students, both university and school leavers. I was put into a team with 7 other university students and we were given the task of judging 'The best student marketing campaign for organisations recruiting more than 50 graduates a year'.

Teams are working hard judging away!!! pic.twitter.com/xJwu2P6Bep
— Steph Clark (@stefclarkx) February 13, 2015

We had over 50 campaigns to sift through, so it was a super long day as most organisations had sent through huge packs, some of which contained videos, iPads, interactive games and storyboards. However, it really gave me a chance to see a) how large organisations are marketing their graduate schemes to potential recruits and b) which firms I would love to work for based on the innovation, creativity and messages that were displayed.

At the end of the day- the more students you reach and inspire, the more will apply and therefore the better chance you will have of recruiting a higher standard of candidate! I understand that some firms have bigger budgets than others, but I'm talking FTSE 100 companies here- you would be surprised by the lack of imagination that had been brought to the table!

I can't reveal the campaigns yet due to confidentiality! However when the awards take place in June I will try and do a follow-up post about the ones I liked!

The firms that shocked me weren't the kind of organisations you would expect! I was really shocked by the marketing campaigns I rated the highest! I was also surprised by how engaging and exciting I found these campaigns- marketing jobs or a workplace wasn't something I'd really ever thought about. Of course marketing products and services is something that had been drilled in to me, but never marketing a job! It really is true that you can market anything and everything!

However, the whole experience did make me thing about what stands out in a recruitment marketing campaign and I did a bit of research to find some really creative examples (these weren't part of the entries I was judging):

IKEA

When IKEA needed new employees, they created a piece of direct mail and consistent with their branding in the style of a flat-pack instruction manual. They then slid this into every flat pack piece of furniture purchased by a customer. This was a really simple, yet effective idea and a way of reaching a wide target audience, yet was completely cost effective. The physicality of the job advert was also really shareable, it allowed a talking point and perhaps cut through the noise of other, typical job adverts such as those in newspapers and online. I believe one would be much more likely to take notice, read the advert and perhaps show it to someone who they felt might be suitable, if they didn't feel suitable themselves.

OgilvyOne
The kings of advertising, if anything, should be able to market a role within their advertising empire right? I love this recruitment video for an internship, which invites candidates to send in a video of them 'selling a brick'. The actor is superb and it really sells the tough world of advertising and doesn't candy coat the skills and determination needed.
This was a highly targeted social media and YouTube campaign which really meant 1-on-1 contact between candidate and employer before any sort of formal interview!

Mastercard
Mastercard effectively used social media to find their new interns and used the hashtag #InternsWanted to attract graduates, who then submitted a new innovative idea to help Mastercard move towards cashless payment. This really meant that the employer could gain a sense of candidates' creativity and entrepreneurship without having to read through lengthy application forms. The entrants won an internship based on the number of 'likes' or 'retweets' they achieved! 
Of course, this is a totally new way to hire employees and it wouldn't work for every role- but the engagement and connection is really new and exciting! 

Those are just a few really interesting recruitment campaigns which have totally made me think about the creativity that can surround marketing job roles or companies as employers! It's such an interesting area and I'd love to read any more so please do tweet them to me at @stefclarkx or pop them in the comments!
Overall, I had a great day at the Target Jobs judging day and can't wait until the winners are revealed! I also met some really great fellow judges and mentors on the day who I hope to see again in the future.
Stephanie.

What it's REALLY like in an interview for JWT Graduate Scheme

Hello,

As part of my blog, I'd really like to describe my graduate job hunt, the application processes and my experiences along the way!

The truth is, I went in to the whole process slightly too optimistic, I was convinced that having secured dozens of placement year interviews, and passing my very first assessment centre ever, securing a job with IBM straight away and turning all of my other ones down! I presumed it was going to be just as easy to get a graduate role- I couldn't be more wrong! It's a billion times harder!!! The applications are ruthless and the deadlines are much earlier!

Recently, I was lucky enough to have an interview with one of the biggest advertising agencies in the world, JWT. After a lengthy application process, I was invited to the Account Management interviews in London.

I was told the interview would be 45 minutes long and there would be nothing to prepare. So I headed over to London, had breakfast with my friend Umesh in the Hospital Club (shout out!) and prepared for my interview. We went over my competencies, skills and experience of the marketing/ advertising world plus general facts about the company and their clients. I thought this would be great preparation as knowing the company is a great start to acing an interview!

The email said 'Smart Casual dress code' so I opted for a Black Ted Baker dress, a tailored jacket and plain black heels- as apposed to my usual suit.... however when I arrived at the offices in Knightsbridge, I couldn't have been more overdressed! Everyone else seemed to be in leggings!!!!! jeans, super duper casual wear! I stuck out like a sore thumb!

Before the interview I had been reading the graduate blog that JWT published which contained profiles of all of their 2014 grads. Literally, every single one of them attended Cambridge, Oxford, UCL, Bristol and the likes.... this immediately worried me even before I arrived on the day. I go to UWE, a previous 'poly' which focuses highly on employability through practical skills and application rather than simply academic theory. I love this part of my uni experience and honestly, I believe UWE has been great at providing me with the skills and experience and I feel 100% ready for the world of work..... something which I doubt a lot of graduates share. However, I couldn't help but feel that JWT didn't value these types of skills, however they valued a highly academic, book-smart candidate, something which I couldn't necessarily provide to that level.

However, I had been offered one of 100 interviews out of 1000's of applications- so they must have liked something right?

There were around 4 or 5 interviews happening at the same time as mine, so I chatted to a few of the other candidates whilst we were waiting, yep Cambridge studying philosophy.... Bristol studying psychology..... London studying Latin.......... thank you for confirming all of my doubts! When I told the girl from Bristol I was from UWE I think she was a little shocked! I was so proud to be sat amongst these brainy, brainy people and know that I had earned my place there! Speaking to them, I realised that none of these people were from business/ marketing backgrounds and therefore advertising agencies aren't really valuing these types of degrees!

Once I was called into the interview, I was met by a lady and a man, one from HR and one who I believe was a fairly recent graduate account manager. They were both really nice and helped me relax.

We started by talking about my degree- I wasn't really expecting this but went on to talk about my dissertation, the modules I was studying and the people I had met. We then talked about IBM, Vet's Kitchen and a couple of other projects I've been working on (read previous blog posts for more info!). This was all fine and I have written so many applications, I know these roles and skills inside out!

We then went on to talk about advertising in general and they asked me about which adverts I really liked..... my mind went really blank and I think this is where I messed up!! I had researched JWT's advertising in-depth and had hundreds of THEIR examples, without really thinking about the industry as a whole! I ended up talking about Sainsbury's Christmas advert and then M&S Christmas advert....... zzzzzzz how boring and cliche!!! My mum (a midwife) could have probably given those answers, nevermind someone who's supposed to be a mini expert in the field! She even asked me "what about non-christmas adverts" and I gave her a really crap answer about Oreo........ I literally froze I struggled so hard to find a answer that would blow them away!

I know I write a bloody blog about great advertising campaigns!!!!! But at that moment I couldn't think of a single one!!!!

We then looked at a number of adverts, the first one was a picture of a tomato on a white background with GAZPACHO written across it..... tell me how in god's name you are supposed to analyse that! It's crap!

Then there was an army advert which I think I analysed well and one for electronic cigarettes which allowed me to speak about ethics etc. which i think was ok!

Then, they asked me about my 'culture' and what I like to do in my spare time, I spoke about Enactus, my entrepreneurial society for social action- something I thought they'd really like, but they were like "No, what do you do for FUN".... but Enactus is fun!!! So I spoke about Bristol Wine Club which they seemed to like, then they said "What about aside from wine?" I just wanted to turn around and say "Well aside from studying a full time degree, running events at least 5 times a week, attending a monthly wine club, seeing my friends, writing my dissertation, acting as marketing director for enactus and doing job applications there isn't much time to do anything else" but I was too scared so I just said travelling........

All in all, I left thinking it had gone really badly- turns out it had as I didn't get a second interview! Honestly, they were ruthless and I guess I don't fit the perfect mould of candidate they were looking for, but that's OK!

I have learnt a lot about Ad Agency interviews and although I really wanted the job before I went, I am OK with not getting it! I think I would be a lot more prepared if I ever went for a similar job....these opinions are totally my own and I would love to hear if you've had a similar or completely different experience!!!!

Thank you for reading!!

Steph

Genius Revolution in Advertising from British Airways

Check out one of the most innovative adverts I have seen from British Airways:

As part of the #LookUp campaign, BA set up a billboard in Piccadilly Circus which tracked flights and named them as they were passing. What an amazing attraction which is not only interactive, fun and interesting but allows consumers to engage with the brand on a real-time basis.

It ignites the imagination and child-like curiosity in people and for those who imagine where the plane they see up in the sky, they can find out instantly! It is inspiring and an absolutely phenomenal piece of innovation within advertising. 

I believe the campaign could also be extended through various platforms such as a smartphone app and to give British Airways phenomenal coverage and brand experience!

The ad was created by Ogilvy!

IBM Business Connect 2013

Hello there! So this week I was lucky enough to get the chance to attend one of IBM's biggest conferences in our events calendar- Business Connect is an all-day event and is held at various locations across the globe! The conference focuses on technology and innovation in IBM's areas of expertise: social, mobile, cloud, analytics, big data etc. The event was held at Twickenham Stadium and due to IBM's partnership with Rugby Football Union, the entire event was rugby themed. As Registrations started at 7:30- I had a very early start and decided to stay with my friend in London- this was my view of Canary Wharf at 5:30am

 

Very early start indeed!

I arrived at Twickenham Stadium and I was interested to see how the entire conference area had been transformed into an IBM event by the use of fantastic branding- the rooms looked great!

 

I was quite lucky to be able to watch the speeches as I was working inside the main auditorium, I was able to meet David Stokes- CEO of IBM UK which was such a great experience! Then I listened to his speech about the future of technology- he said that 25% of future marketing jobs will have the need for a background in technology- and he predicted that the implementation of Cloud will produce a huge amount of jobs in the next few years- something worth thinking about taking an interest in!!

 

David Stokes on stage 

Throughout the day there were lots of smaller debates and workshops for the deligates, business partners and IBMers to attend. I was mainly working behind the scenes. I had a great chance to see how such a large scale event is run- and ultimately how well IBM present themselves at their own events and how great the feedback from attendees is!

I also got a sneaky chance to sit in IBM's corporate hospitality box at Twickenham Stadium and have a look at the stadium!

 Here's a selfie of me in the stadium!!!

After a very long, but interesting and rewarding day, I got to hear a speech by Ben Kay, former Rugby World Cup Champion.

Here's Ben Kay on stage

He spoke about Leadership, Motivation, Determination, Teamwork and Discipline and how these strengths helped his team win the world cup. He also spoke about how these strengths can be applied to Business.

It was a great day and I was very lucky to be able to attend!

Steph

London!

Helloooo,

Ok so Tuesday I went to London for my meeting with the CEO of newfox media. I love driving through Brentford past all the huge offices, I REALLY want to work there one day!
Tuesday night I went to see Wicked because my friend Hiten got me and him some free tickets, I've always wanted to see it and it was so great! Made the trip down to London so worth it! We also went to a pub for drinks and there was so many business men and women I was dying to do some networking haha!
So Wednesday morning I got up nice and early and got the tube to Shoreditch to google head office! It was crazy inside it looked a lot like ikea! Lots of kitch furniture and everyone was dressed very casual and everyone was a bit "individual" if thats how you want to put it. I don't think I would like to work there as I'm attracted to the suited and booted, very professional edge of working life and google head office wasn't like that at all. It's all personal preference though!
So I had my meeting with newfox media and got my role for my internship explained and I'm really excited about launching their new app and I'm responsible for a lot of the marketing for it which is so cool! I have a lot of responsibilities with them and I'm really hoping the experience will benefit me in years to come!
The CEO also said he is going to invite me to any networking events he's going to and put me into contact with some of his clients. Very exciting stuff I will keep you posted!
Then yesterday, I went in to my lecture and got my assignment brief for my marketing communications module (my favourite module at UWE) and the coursework task is to launch and market a new app!!!! ITS FATE! So I'm actually doing the same thing in the real world and at uni, double the experience!!
Doing my placement applications and lots of uni work this week! Very very busy! Managed to sneak a night out in and a bit of shopping in London! I am addicted to selfridges I literally spent about 3 hours in there after my meeting!
Next week I have a telephone interview for a placement at a very well known construction company which I am very nervous for and am going to have to prepare for next week!
So busy, but very excited about things coming up! Keep you posted,
Stef