Getting behind our Graduates
In The Telegraph this week, career coach Jeremy I’Anson writes about the importance of Graduates having work experience to enhance their chances of finding a job. Competition for graduate jobs is huge and it’s no surprise that L’Anson points out research that shows graduates have a far greater chance of getting a job if they have had some work experience – especially if they are applying for a job with the same employer that they had that work experience with.
Last October we recruited a graduate to undertake work experience with cHRysos HR. Doing so was something I thought long and hard about, particularly as we are an SME and bringing a new person on board can easily tip the dynamics of a team who work together closely, not to mention the financial considerations as I wanted to pay the graduate for their time and contribution.
So, of key importance to me was whether the individual would fit within the team, bring something to the business and support our objectives; in return I wanted to make sure that their experience was of value to them and as close to the real thing as possible, providing a sense of the responsibilities that come with being in the workplace.
Another important feature was thinking about how I would evaluate the experience, both from the graduate’s point of view as well as from the team and the business. I have done this mostly by talking to our graduate – Samantha – and the team, and importantly have taken time out to think about how the business has changed and how our client experience has benefited from having Sam on board.
I’ve been blown away by the positive impact our graduate has had on the business, bringing new ideas, skills and ways of doing things. Sam has enabled us to undertake project work that we didn’t have the time and resources to complete, as well as supporting the team in day to day tasks. She very quickly grasped the purpose of the business, asked the right kind of questions and at times challenged our thinking.
In return, we have ensured that Sam has built on her existing and transferable skills and knowledge – including putting her through our CIPD Foundation Certificate in Human Resource Practice so that she has a professional qualification to underpin her degree.
I have a real sense of the benefit being mutual.
Has your business provided a Graduate with work-experience?
How have they and your business benefited?
Would you do anything differently next time?
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cHRysos HR Solutions are a UK wide HR training and consultancy company offering CIPD accredited qualifications, Apprenticeships, Training and HR Services to SMEs. For more information about how cHRysos HR can help you or your teams successfully achieve further qualifications, contact us on info@chrysos.org.uk or call 03300 562443.