As part of preparing for my future interviews I attended the second careers café event and I must say it was a very good learning experience.
First impressions
- Zara runs her own business where she does wedding photography. Graduated 2020 in photography.
- Lauren 2nd year graphic design and illustration. LJK designs illustration design business.
Making a good first impression – it is your business card basically.
- How you act in front of future and even possible employers.
- Say who you are, what you do, maybe a call to action.
- Put on as much good quality content as possible on Instagram – sell yourself.
- Don’t let yourself get in the small island mentality. Vivimos en un país pequeño pero deberías tratar tus oportunidades como una oportunidad grande.
- No space for big egos.
- Keep a level head, calm and professional.
For your interview
- prepare your points about the company.
- Inspire them about your work being worth taking a chance on.
- Be organised come with a list of things you want to cover or accomplish.
- Contact them after the interview- show that you are keen.
- If it’s a no just tell yourself – that is not my employer.
- Adapt. Read the room and be open with your body language.
To do
- go to networking events
- Adapt read the room and be open with your body language
- Re invest NI all they need is for you to have clarity on what you want to do. Look up investment companies. There are so many out there.
- CER module look up. Ask Jackie
- Louise head of school is helpful and might be able to work for her.
- Reach out to professions as a student wanting feedback and help. They might see themselves in you and want to help. The worst they can say is no after all.
- Ulster bank talks go to them to learn how to get set up as a self employed person.
- Email Jackie – she will be glad to help.
Setting up your own business
- Get your name out there
- Get contacts
- Enter competitions
- Don’t get too eager getting a ton materials you might not even need at the end of the day. The worst thing you can do is waste your money on materials you will not use.
- Think logically, be reasonable, be clear.
- Google scholarships and investments
- Event bright
- Go for it program – they do the business program for you for free.
- Be confident
- Are you prepared to not only spend the money but the time on your business. Think this through.
- Setting up your business during placement year. Look up.
- Handshake for projects and prizes and business.
- If you are having an anxious or unsociable day make it an admin day don’t force it if it will have a negative result.
- Always have an event you are looking forward to because then it will make you excited for a routine as it will result in a reward.