ProGrad Case Study, Toby
October 22, 2008 by ProGrad
My study background was in a Bachelor of Arts, English Major, at UNSW. During my study I worked in bottle shops and after I finished my degree I went back and did further study in the fitness area and became a personal trainer. Throughout my fitness education and profession I worked as an assistant manager in a health food/supplement shop. I was working here went I decided to enter the corporate world. What I consider my best attribute wasn’t my study background or work experience but my ability in communicating with people, which is developed through any role that requires you to build relationships with other people, and this isn’t limited to professional life.
I found the assessment day to be quite stressful, but I think its all part of the test. They want to see if you can step up to the plate in stressful situations. It’s often hard to be yourself when you’re surrounded by strangers and in an assessment situation, but I think it’s really important that you’re able to project your personality, because this is the aspect that in a sales role will be most valuable to you. The experience was a great learning curve, and when I was waiting for the results on whether I’d been accepted or not, I had decided that it was worthwhile experience whatever the outcome.
I got placed at a publishing company called Derwent Howard Media. I chose the role for a variety of reasons:I got on really well with the team manager, he seemed extremely friendly and helpful, I felt like I would get the support I would need in the new job. The idea of working in a publishing company appealed to me because of my background in English and a desire to be involved in the publishing process, whatever that function may be. The work culture suited my personality, a nice friendly relaxed atmosphere with plenty of banter between work colleagues (the sales team is by far the loudest). Finally, it was the positioning of the business, it was close to where I lived so travel to and from work was easy and quick. In all honesty because it was the first interview I was set up with and the first role I got offered, I didn’t really play the field that much – “a bird in the hand ………..”
I got placed at a company called Derwent Howard Media, we are a full service publishing company that work across a variety of specialist press magazines and online portfolio. My role is as an account manager, I have to generate new business by selling advertising space into a portfolio of magazines. The job is extremely challenging – it involves a lot of cold calling and appointments with media buyers where I have to present to them. What I enjoy about the position is being able to go out and meet new people and when you make a big sale it feels incredible.
I’ve only had the first week of training, but I did enjoy it. It was great learning about all the other graduates experiences so far, the things they enjoyed and the aspects they found difficult. The best part of the training I found was the brain storming we had as a group to come up with possible solutions so each others problems. Our trainer really tried to suit the course to our own specific needs when possible so that we could take away what we learned and ably it to the roles we were in.
I don’t think I have any pearls on wisdom to offer. The only advice that I can give, which is just common sense is:
1) Think long and hard about what you want to do and what steps you need to achieve to get there.
2) Research the roles as much as possible. I’ve found this helps me immensely in all aspects of my career.
3) Be yourself and be confident. People invest in people, whilst I’m sure your work experience and qualifications help, people want to be around people they like and they’ll hire accordingly. If you pretend to be someone you’re not just to get a position and it really doesn’t suit you, you’d be better off without that job anyway. If the position or the company doesn’t suit your skills or personality you’ll wind up miserable, so don’t pretend to be someone else just for the sake of getting a placement.
If you would like to speak to one of the ProGrad graduate management team, please contact us on 02 8235 8300. Alternatively, you can apply to ProGrad online by clicking here.
ProGrad have offices in both Sydney and Melbourne. For more information, please email us at info@prograd.com.au
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