I AM…
April 22, 2010 by ProGrad · Leave a Comment
“I AM…BORED!” by Nicola Christoffersen
Graduates who are new to the working world often face difficulties in adjusting to the work environment. During the adjustment and learning phase, it is natural to feel nervous; particularly while the work-load is low.
During these times, they key is not to get disheartened. One of the biggest challenges faced by new employees is a feeling of boredom. Boredom can simply be a mis-communication between employer and employee. Like any relationship, expectations need to be made clear from the outset. From the first few days in a business, both parties need to be clear about what they each expect from the other.
If you are new to a company, the first thing to demonstrate is a positive working attitude. Attidue is everything. Many skills can be taught, and employers will enjoy teaching a willing participant. The “go-getter” is likely to receive extra investment from an employer, often because they are vocal about their needs. Proactivity is key.
ProGrad have placed thousands of graduates over the years and we’re graduate employers ourselves. “Graduates require constant stimulation and fresh challanges. I don’t believe they get bored easily, however they do require some clear goals to achieve. More importantly than that, there needs to be a level of reward upon achieving those goals”. Davinia Noble, General Manager, ProGrad Pty Ltd
“Most employers recognise the value in recruiting young talent into the workforce, and are willing to invest heavily in the long term development and success of those individuals. That said, it is essential that candidates are being proactive in driving their own careers. Boredom is unacceptable in the workforce. If you’re bored, then change it. Take initiative, speak to your manager and set new personal and professional goals. Take a proactive and positive approach to changing the way you feel in the office environment”, Davinia adds.
Here are a few tips if you want to kick boredom in the workforce:
1) Be proactive and organise a time to meet with your manager to ask for more responsibilities
2) Set clear and defined goals to achieve and allocate time frames in which you would like to achieve them
3) During face to face meetings with management, approach them with clear, well considered plans which you would like to achieve. Most employers will be impressed by these actions and will assist to prepare something more formal ongoing.
4) Don’t dwell on it. Boredom is an attitude.
If you would like to speak to ProGrad about any of these suggestions, please contact the Graduate 
Management Team on 02 8235 8300
Alternatively, you can email info@prograd.com.au
Sydney’s Assessment Day - being held today!
March 10, 2010 by Nicola · Leave a Comment
ProGrad is Australia’s largest placement, training and assessment centre for graduates. We give graduates the opportunity to get their foot in their preferred organisations and deal we with a whole range of sectors including:
Media/Advertising/Publishing
IT/Telecommunications
FMCG
Today we look forward to holding one of our assessment days in Sydney. We have approx 40 graduates attending and we look forward to meeting them all!
If you are attending the assessment day today, we wish you the best of luck!
If you would like to know about Prograd and our services, please feel free to visit our website at www.prograd.com.au or contact us directly on (02) 8235 8300
Part 5 of the ProGrad journey - The assessment days
March 8, 2010 by Nicola · Leave a Comment
Here at ProGrad we hold assessment days for a pool of high calibre graduates that have been fortunate to pass our telephone interview.
Prior to my position at ProGrad, I attended one of the assessment days. Palms sweaty and my heart beating in my ears, I decided to take the opportunity that was presented to me and it proved worthwhile. Not only did I secure a job with ProGrad, but I also learnt some valuable hints and tips about how to conduct myself in the workforce and business realm.
Now I am thankful to say I am on the other side and involved in running the assessment days. Personally, I think the assessment days are very valuable to any graduate and can help immensely when looking for a job.
Here are some things that I took away from ProGrad’s assessment day:
- You have the opportunity to source out your competition
- You learn some valuable things about how to conduct yourself in an interview
- you get to enjoy the experience with others
- You have the opportunity to build your network
- You get to broaden your knowledge
- You receive some much needed advice about how to build your resume!
If you would like to know more about ProGrad and our assessment days visit our website at www.prograd.com.au or contact us directly at (02) 8235 8300
How to build a good resume
March 8, 2010 by ProGrad · Leave a Comment
A good resume could get you the job! It is important that your resume is easy to read and is structured well. First impressions count, and your resume is the first thing potential employees read or see about you. It is important you get it right. Watch the video below to receive some constructive resume building tips.
How to get a job online
March 8, 2010 by Nicola · Leave a Comment
Setting yourself up online can help get you the job you have always wanted! Watch the video below and try it for yourself!
Training to get you through
March 3, 2010 by Nicola · Leave a Comment
When graduates get placed through us, we offer them training in their first year. This is very beneficial as our graduates find they are more confident stepping out in the workforce.
Here is some feedback from Rebecca who has attended our training modules:
“I found ProGrad’s training modules really helpul. I think it’s a great idea. It’s not as overwhelming when you step into your job on your own. It gave me confidence.”
Happy Grad’s
March 3, 2010 by Nicola · Leave a Comment
Here at ProGrad we receive an influx of appreciation mail and feedback about the assessment days we hold.
Instead of storing them away, we thought we would share them with you.
Emma: “I was extremely nervous on the assessment day, but at the end it felt like a very rewarding experience! I was very thankful to ProGrad for the experience, and now I have secured a great position within a top media company. I am very pleased.”
If you would like to know more about ProGrad and what we do visit our website, www.prograd.com.au, or contact us directly on (02) 8235 8300
What is business to business sales?
March 3, 2010 by Nicola · Leave a Comment
Beside the fact that business to business sales can secure you quite a nice salary package when you finish University here is some information about what it actually is and what it involves.
B2B Sales is working for one business; working with the sales and marketing director, getting to know the company’s products and services and also their key clients, and then selling those products and services to other companies.
Some things that are involved in B2B sales include;
- Contacting people face to face/to phone or phone/email
- Campaign management
- Increasing company brand awareness
- Searching for new business opportunities
- Generating a new client base
- Attending newtorking events/seminars/demonstartions
- Managing existing accounts and existing client relationships
- Keeping steady contact and maintaining good relationships
- Understanding key business requirements and offering valuable business solutions
- Coming up with strategies to improve overall business requirements
ProGrad specialises in placing graduates into business to business sales positions in a whole variety of sectors. Some inclue;
Media/Advertising/Publishing
IT/Telecommunications
FMCG
If you would like to know more about ProGrad and our services vsit our website at www.prograd.com.au or you can contact us directly at (02) 8235 8300
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YouTube as a marketing tool
February 23, 2010 by Nicola · Leave a Comment
Here is a great example of how to promote and market a product using the the web 2.0 site YouTube. And the best thing is it’s free!
And how is this relevant to graduates you might ask? Well first it’s a little bit of fun, second recent graduates are known to be techically savvy, and third it is a great way to market yourself online!
If you are looking for a job or attending interviews, how about marketing yourself as the product and putting your own speil or portfolio on youtube. This way you can even send the link to the employer before you go to the interview. It will make you stand out from the crowd and also demonstrate that you work well with technology.
If you would like to know more about ProGrad and ProGrad’s services, visit us online at www.prograd.com.au
Buzzing it up with google
February 23, 2010 by Nicola · Leave a Comment
If you read my previous article about Google Buzz then you know what’s happening and are in the loop. If not a rough break down is that google has set up a new social networking site through gmail, that mirrors facebook and twitter.
If you would like to stay relevant and up to date online here is a basic step to step guide on how to set up a google account.
* First login to your gmail account. If you don’t have a gmail account set one up. When you sign in to google you will be met with the question asking if you would like to check out google buzz. Press on this button and you will be on your way to setting up your account!
* Follow the following steps google asks of you, just filling in your details (they are pretty self explanatory)
* Once you have filled in your details press on your name. Here you will be able to upload a photograph. The photo you upload will be used accross all google sites.
* Once you have uploaded your picture you can then start to create your profile. Your profile includes your name, photo, people you follow and people that follow you.
* Posting a comment is as easy as writing in the text post and clicking the post button. Here you can also include links and pictures. Note there is a setting you can choose in order for you to have your posts public or private.
* You can also connect sites to google such as your flickr and twitter account.
* You have now successfully set up your google buzz account. Congratualtions! You will be able to access your account when you visit google. It can be found under google accounts after you sign in