Saturday 31 March 2012

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Tweet of the week: 'Diary of..' readers, take note of #journorequest and check it regularly, if you want to get published!


Intern Opportunities

MyCelebrityFashion is seeking an Editorial Fashion Intern for 3 months, which is paid on a full time basis. For more information visit: http://www.mycelebrityfashion.co.uk/blog/calling-all-fashionistas--3-month-internship-at-mycelebrityfashion~1365/

Woman magazine is seeking fashion interns, from a minimum period of 1 week to a maximum period of a month. To apply send your CV to aoibhinn_mcbride@freelance.ipcmedia.com, or tweet her @AoibhinnMcBride.

Would you like to complete a yearlong placement?

Loreal offer 12 month placements in various departments, from the News Media department, PR, Marketing and others. Internships range from 3 months to 1 year.

For more information and to apply visit: http://www.lorealbusinessclass.co.uk/

Do you want a flexible internship?

Hedonia is looking for a part time administration assistant, who has a love of dresses. To apply please email: contact@hedonia.co.uk

CocoKouture Magazine is always seeking new interns. This is a flexible placement overseas, where you work from home as a writer/blogger. The magazine covers a range of topics from fashion and beauty, to style and trends, so if you’re interested in writing for them please use the link below.

To apply, please visit: http://www.cocokouture.com/contact/internships

Are you looking for your first job?

Conde Nast is looking for a PA/ Advertising assistant /Events Coordinator. For more information, please visit: http://digital.condenastinternational.com/uk/pub-page.current-jobs.htm

A copy writing and content role is available in North London, with a starting salary of 18k. Please send your CV to RachelH@blueskiescareers.co.uk.

Please remember that most the vacancies are on my Twitter profile page - @steff_lever

Tuesday 27 March 2012

Methods of Networking

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I’m sure most of my readers will be in the same position that I was, when I first started searching for work placements. If like me, you don’t have any contacts and you’re not sure where to start networking, then read on.

How should I approach networking?

I’m not going to bore you with defining networking or discussing its significance. I will simply give you a couple of ways that you could build up contacts.

When you’re on placement: Go to other departments and speak to someone there. Have a 10-minute chat with them, find out what they do, what they think the job market is like, and whether they have any advice for you. Take note of their name, and later follow them on Twitter/add them on LinkedIn.

When you’re not on placement: Build relationships with people through social media. For example, if you’re interested in journalism, follow some journalists. You will notice that they’ll tweet out questions such as, ‘Does anyone have some good money saving tips? Email ‘******’. Take the opportunity to gain a new contact and send them a few tips.

What should I say?

There is no need to be plain and say something awkward like ‘can I keep you as a contact?’ Instead, you are better off building work related relationships, i.e. communicating with people in the industry.

How should I stay in touch?

You don’t need to stay in touch that frequently. For example, if you have or had an Editor who helped you publish some work. Follow them on Twitter and give them the occasional tweet every now and then. You don’t need to be over the top with communication, just subtle.

The above are just a few of the ways that I have managed to build up contacts over the years. If you’re still unsure on networking, send me an email (steff.lever@gmail.com) or tweet me if you prefer.

For more tips on Networking go to ‘Top 5 Tips for Networking

Alternatively, use the search box on the right hand side and search ‘networking’ to find all relatable blog posts.

Just to keep you in the loop, I’ll be resuming my Saturday blog posts from this Saturday (31st) onwards – I can’t believe it’s almost April! I hope everyone is enjoying the weather, and has a good week.

Tuesday 20 March 2012

Vocational Training: Should I do it?

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I have been emailed previously in regards to completing vocational training courses, and whether this is good training to have on your CV. Obviously, there are plenty of courses available for pretty much anything and everything publishing related. If you are considering a vocational training course, then consider the questions below in order to make an informed decision.

Consider these questions:

1) What are your reasons for wanting to complete a vocational training course?

Create a list of your reasons and what areas you specifically feel you need training in. For example, when I was considering vocational training it was purely for improving English skills like, grammar, proof reading, editing etc. However, I found that if you do your own research, and use a search engine to look up e.g., ‘how to proof read?’. By doing so, you will be able to pick up plenty of skills/tips. Thus, I would encourage that you do your own research first, in the areas you fill you need help in the most, before undertaking a vocational course.

2) Is it feasible?

If you’re a student contemplating a course over summer, think about the feasibility of undertaking a course. This covers all aspects such as, cost, travel and time, as when you’re a student time is very valuable for building up work experience and skills.

If you’re a graduate seeking work and wondering if a course will improve your CV, it probably won’t. In the grand scheme of things, employers will be looking at the whole package. Your time will be better spent researching companies and applying for full time jobs. Expand your search if you’re not getting anywhere. Someone once told me that it’s easier finding a job when you’re already in a job.

3) Is your time better spent doing other things?

This comes back to whether the training is feasible as once you get a full time job in publishing; this is when you’ll be able to focus on your skills. Some companies will train up new employees too. Remember, publishing is a fast-paced industry, where you’ll be able to pick up and improve skills quickly.

4) What are your other options?

As I said before, if you want to improve your proof reading skills, you’re probably better off becoming a writer for your student newspaper, and experiencing editing first hand. Many areas that you may feel you are weak at can be improved by covering those aspects in a working environment.

Weigh up the pros and cons, everyone is different and will have different reasons for completing a vocational training course. As long as you have considered all the questions above, then you should be able to make your own informed decision. Don’t forget, you can also use my previous blog post ‘Working Skills: A Guide to the Six Thinking Hats’, to help you make the best decision possible.

Would you like any further blog posts on vocational training? Use the comments box below or tweet me to let me know.

Tuesday 13 March 2012

Working Skills: A Guide to the Six Thinking Hats

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As I have said before, I’m now expanding my blog posts to cover a variety of topics covering careers and the recruitment process. This week, I’ve written a blog post that is particularly aimed at people who are already in full-time work, and who may want to develop their skills in decision-making. However, even if you’re still a student then please read on anyway as you may find this intriguing.

Edward de Bono created this concept of the six thinking hats. Each coloured hat is designed to help you in approaching and making the right decision. Thus, if you can approach decisions in the ways that the six different hats do, you will then be able to make the best decision possible. This technique can be utilised on your own or with a group of colleagues.

Here is how it works. Each hat represents a different way of thinking:-

-White: This hat makes decisions by analysing the data and figures that are available.

-Red: A red hat is someone who makes a decision using his or her gut reaction and intuition.

-Black: The black hat thinkers make sure that they analyse all of the negative aspects of the decision.

-Yellow: The yellow hat is opposite to the black hat. Instead of thinking negatively, the yellow hat looks at the positive aspects of the decision.

-Green: Green decisions highlight creativity and the ability to solve problems in a creative way.

-Blue: Blue hats control the process of making decisions. For example, when ideas are running dry, they may divert to green hat thinking in order to make a decision.

Working out decisions using the six hats technique will provide a well thought out approach in order to determine the best decision. This skill will be most useful in a working environment, for instance, when managing your team or aiding your team as a team member.

Are there any topics you would like me to address in future posts? Tweet me.

Saturday 10 March 2012

Keeping you updated...

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With the lack of intern opportunities on social media and company websites, I decided that it would be a good time to post ‘keeping you updated’. Although, if I’m honest, not a lot has changed for me since the previous post last month.

A lot of people have been asking me about the job market and the inevitable question ‘have you started applying yet?’ in short, I have and I haven’t. I’ve applied to three PA/Editorial positions at magazine companies, but it appears I’m still too early. My classic enthusiasm bug never seems to go away - I know some of you feel the same..

I received an email from a reader the other week asking ‘how do you do it? How do you write so much outside of University and still keep up with it all?’, and I simply told them (like other final year’s I’m sure) that I have no social life whatsoever. However sad it may be, it’s still one hundred percent true. Even when I take that into consideration, it remains no understatement that as my dissertation deadline approaches, I’m definitely feeling it and quite frankly I’m struggling. So on that positive note, much to my dismay, I will not be posting my regular Saturday posts up until the 31st of March, which is when they will resume. Some of you may feel heartbroken others relief. Any which way, to my joy, I will still be posting up regularly on Tuesdays.

As usual, feel free to send me a quick email if you have a query, statement or just want to chat – I’m a big fan of social interaction. Also, don’t forget that I’m still looking for any bloggers that want to contribute to this blog and to write about their positive intern experiences.

Here’s a snippet from an older blog post -

Over the next coming months, I would really like to expand my blog to include other student/graduate experiences of any publishing placements undertaken. I would like to do this as I think this would help other reader’s gain a bit more of an insight into work experience, in terms of what is involved and what they can expect from different companies.

If anyone would like to contribute to this blog then please email me. The written piece will be in a similar style to my own snapshot diaries, and will be entitled ‘Guest Snapshot Diary – [Name]’. There is no minimum word count as long as the piece is insightful.

For more information email: steff.lever@gmail.com

Hope you all have a lovely weekend :-)

Tuesday 6 March 2012

Top 5 Tips for Avoiding the Catch-22 of Work Experience

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There is nothing more excruciating than not receiving work experience because you don’t have any work experience. By all means, if you have the contacts and the resources to secure work experience, then use them to your advantage. If like I was, you’re starting with no contacts at all, then have a think about some of the top tips below, and see if you can avoid that catch-22 of work experience.

1) Volunteer

By far the easiest way to gain initial experience is by working for your University/School. This could be by applying for a role on the University newspaper or magazine, working on events days or any other work for the University that will give you the key transferable skills, and will look great on your CV.

2) Local work experience

Usually, this will be easier than trying to gain a placement at a large well-known company. Therefore, do your research and have a look at what publishing companies are local to you. For example, I found a book publisher local to my hometown. I applied there and I was accepted shortly after. This meant that I was able to complete some work experience there when I was at home during summer. Additionally, because they were a smaller local company, my placement was a bit more flexible and cost me nothing in travel. So have a look on Google and see what companies are local to you.

3) Add originality to your application

Have a think about how you can be original with your application and/or how to show off your knowledge of the company. If you’re going for an editorial role, along with your application, send off a sample article that you would like to be published by the company – something original, which will suit their target audience. An employer will like the fact that they can ‘try before they buy’ as it were.

4) Send a personal letter (if possible)

It is difficult to do this for all of the companies that you apply for, but for the ones that you’re really passionate about, and especially the ones that give you a personal name to send your application to, then send them a letter instead of an email. It is much more personal and it will set you apart from the masses that email. Make sure you attach a cover letter, gearing it towards the company and really show off your knowledge of them.

5) Don’t give up

This may sound like an obvious tip, but the point is you need to be persistent. There is no use applying to only two companies per week, where applications are fiercely competitive. Of course, you should apply to wherever you like, but at the same time, you need to send out as many applications as you can because there is no room to be meticulous.

Of course, you can also use my blog and some of my other published work to receive some more advice from me. Specifically, look at my blog page ‘Where Do I Start?’ follow my advice and I’m sure like me, you’ll gain plenty of work experience. Some of my readers have already tweeted me and sent me emails about their work experience success stories when you get yours, get in touch. I’d love to hear from you.

Good luck in securing those initial work experience placements.

Friday 2 March 2012

Are you looking for a publishing placement? (7)

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Intern Opportunities

A new fashion and beauty event in London are looking for Events Assistants. This is a paid internship.

For more information, please visit: http://www.fashioninsightjobs.co.uk/company/fashion-beauty-insight-summit/event-assistant-intern-paid--1074.html

Wonderland Magazine is seeking fashion interns to help with the April/May issues.

If interested, please email: fashion@wonderlandmagazine.com

Do you want a flexible internship?

CocoKouture Magazine is always seeking new interns. This is a flexible placement overseas where you work from home as a writer/blogger. The magazine covers a range of topics from fashion and beauty to style and trends, so if you’re interested in writing for them please use the link below.

To apply, please visit: http://www.cocokouture.com/contact/internships

Please remember that all the vacancies above can be found on my Twitter profile page - @steff_lever

Keep yourself up to date with intern opportunities by following me on Twitter.