Some of you may have read my post last week about 'how not to get employed'. I've had some rather amusing applications and replies to interview invitations even since writing it only a few days ago. Still, I maintain the ideal that there are still people out there willing to work hard and who are hungry for learning experiences, and I'm going to put my own time and effort where my mouth is!
Therefore I've decided to offer a work experience Saturday placement for a 16-18 year old looking to gain experience, learn about the world of work and vintage styling. This person will have direct access to myself and my Management team with the opportunity for training in vintage hair and makeup, styling for photo shoots, salon operations, team work, customer service, sales and general working practises. And most importantly there will be a paid job at the end of it, providing the student shows all the competences required for the job. This is an opportunity for anyone with or without relevant skills who can demonstrate a willingness to learn, work hard and contribute as part of a team.
The last time we offered a placement like this was a huge success for both us and our work experience student. Lily started with us at a young age shadowing our stylists and training in all the skills required to become a part of our paid team. After showing great promise and quickly learning, she is now a fully paid member of our team working most Saturdays in our salon in Birmingham. She has developed exceptional skills in vintage hair styling and customer service, all as a direct result of her own efforts... we couldn't be prouder.
The successful person for this placement opportunity will be expected to conduct their work experience placement most Saturdays from around 10am to 6pm with a break for lunch.
So do you think you have what it takes be become one of our Birmingham salon team? Take a look at our website at www.lekeuxvintagesalon.co.uk and apply for our work experience placement by emailing info@lekeuxevents.co.uk with a cover letter detailing why you'd like this opportunity.
I am passionate about rewarding young people with opportunities and skills, I owe a lot to work experience and part time jobs from the age of 14 right through university. I really hope we can cultivate another Lily for our team!
Thanks for reading,
Lynsey
Here's some stats for you... I would estimate for every 50 applications we receive for positions in our national vintage styling team, Melanie and I offer interviews to about 30. From those 30, about 10 to 15 show up. From those, half may on average be offered a position on our freelance team. For every 10 we recruit, train and offer work to, 1 or 2 remain as long term employees in one form or another. If I were to quantify the time and effort involved in this process, each valuable employee proves pretty darn expensive to find. So whilst I hope this post is helpful to those out there truly baffled by the basics of applying and securing a job, it's also a PLEA. I plead to those out there currently seeking work in my industry to slow down, take care and make an effort when applying for any job, for your own sake and that of the world economy.
So rather than list the 'top 10 tips for getting the job', I'm going to tell you the most common mistakes candidates make which result in them not getting a reply to their application, an invite for interview, a job offer, or end up not being offered further work (and how I would have rather they did it). My frustration will be evident I'm sure, whether the education system is failing the new generation, or its a wider reflection of society in general...I'm undecided. Regardless of the cause, I pray for the day it gets better.
Step one - your application content
The cliché 'first impressions count' may have been coined for this very situation. Spelling mistakes in this modern age are unacceptable. Not even using a capital letter for your own name is unacceptable. I understand my stylists won't be writing reports for me, but it's not about whether their English language is up to scratch... it's about showing me they've taken time and effort to apply for this job. Everything about every stage of a job application is about showing the employer you want the job, you'll work hard for the job and you're appropriate for the job. I believe inherent in this statement is the fact that text speak is not a great choice, but since its relatively common, I'll go ahead and say it... "I wud luv a job with u' is a sure fire way to ensure 'u neva get a job wiv me'.
Secondly, read what the application requirements are. We ask for your CV and images of vintage inspired styling you have done. Sending an application without either of these will result in immediate deletion; why would an employer chase you for information they've already asked for? If you cannot follow instructions on a job advert, it tells me you won't be able to interpret and execute a job brief. This may sound unfair, but the application process is specifically designed, for any job, to test the applicants for the skills required to deliver that job well. Always remember that.
Another way to bore the pants off your prospective employer is waffling. Writing long lists of your amazing competences is rather pointless. Anyone on the planet can write this list, what will distinguish you is specifics and evidence. So rather than writing:
'Lynsey is a great manager who is a hard working, confident and driven individual', write...
'Lynsey has managed a team of 5 staff at XYZ beauty counter and her team met all sales targets resulting in the prize for best regional team'.
And be ready to explain yourself in detail at interview.
There's a simple formula for your CV and covering letter too... carefully read the job advert. The keywords in ours would be 'national travel', 'working at hen parties', 'weekend work' etc, so the covering letter would be well received by someone stating something like:
"I enjoy variety in my work, and embrace the opportunity to travel to different areas of the country. I am a confident driver and happy to be available at last minute. I enjoy working with large groups and have a good track record of time keeping and pressured work environments from my time doing make up at fashion shows. I am available Saturdays and Sundays." This application is telling me you are exactly what I'm looking for!
Step two - how you apply
I'm going to keep this simple. Don't apply through facebook, twitter or a recent favourite... whatsapp. Apply through an email, or as requested through the link on a jobs website. Make it 100% formal, laid out like a letter and include everything asked of you.
Step three - attending interview
It's ok to say you're unable to attend interview but give a valid and truthful reason. If the reason you don't want to go to the interview is because you won't travel to it, when the job requires travel, then the job is not for you and the interviewer will also think this. If you have paid work you must attend on the day of the interview, say that and be specific so it is believable. Don't ask for another interview on a specific date, the employer will assume you are not flexible in attending work outside your own schedule. Ask politely if it would be possible to be invited to any future interview opportunities.
If you confirm your attendance, go. If you don't come to the interview after confirming attendance for whatever reason it will be assumed by the employer that you're incapable of turning up for work. That's the bottom line. It doesn't matter how legitimate you think your excuse is, they don't know you, or your circumstance and don't have the inclination to get to know either. If a candidate doesn't show up, and later asks for another interview with us, I'll laugh it off. Honestly, what competences has that person displayed to me to make me spend the time again? Not turning up to interview leaves a slot someone else could have had, it wastes management time and it frustrates your potential employer. If you're serious about it, turn up. If something catastrophic occurs after you've confirmed attendance, then communicate that and voluntarily supply evidence. The amount of times I've had people ring up with a plethora of tropical diseases or car malfunctions on the day of interview is laughable, but should the candidate ring before the interview to excuse themselves, then I receive a copy of a doctors letter or an RAC breakdown slip and a polite request to be interview at any other time convenient I'd certainly offer a second chance.
You have to remember even if you're an honest person, genuinely caught in a flu epidemic, you're just another faceless applicant to an interviewer, who's usually pushed for time and overrun with applications. Stand out.
Step four - performance at interview
Turn up smart, I don't care if the job is for a Dish Washer or an Account Executive, dress smartly. It's impressive, and you're there to impress. I'd rather someone where overly formal than not at all.
Be on time, arrive collected and prepared. If you don't I will assume you won't do so for work.
Research. Most likely the first question you'll be asked is 'what do you know about this company'. If you don't have an answer, you are very unlikely to be successful from your first breath. Have an example of how you meet every competence in the job advert of description. This is what the interview questions are written from, it's that simple.
Answer each question with evidence. If asked 'what would your previous manager say about your punctuality', rather than answering 'I'm always on time', say 'I had a 100% on time attendance record, in fact I started taking the bus that arrived 20 minutes earlier so I could grab a coffee on the route and arrive fresh and ready to start work'. I cannot stress enough at this point however, one word for you... deliver. If you say it at interview, do it when you start work, probation periods are built into new jobs to get rid of the fibbers.
Always ask questions at the end. But make them about your enthusiasm for the company and the job. Don't ask 'how quickly do I get paid?', rather 'I love your products and I'd be so excited to sell them, do you offer a commission scheme?'.
Step five - you've got the job, now keep it
In summary remember - the employer has what you want... the job. They also have a queue of people wanting what you also want. You have to spend time and effort demonstrating what you have to offer. We don't know you, we have to be SHOWN how good you are. It's exhausting applying for jobs, I understand that, but the better you do it each time, the sooner the search will be over!
Lastly, if you feel you're doing all of the above but you're still not getting the job then please get in touch. I'd be happy to help in any way I can. I am passionate about people working for a living, and finding what they are good at.
Thanks for reading,
Lynsey Le Keux
Pictured below, some of our fabulous team who did make the cut and continue to impress, Kath, Meg, Amy and Lily! We'd also like to mention our other stars... Corinne, Helen, Nicola, Nicky, Gaby, Emily, Katie, Sidonie, Natalie, Laura, Tiffany, Louise, Jourdan, Lucia, Sharron, Emmalene, Leanne, Virginie, Kaeleigh, and of course my Managers Melanie, Julia and Kate. We also have some very promising new starters coming on soon too!
