Invest in Your Future Career By Using A CV Clinic

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Euro London

Do you realise 53.7% of CVs are tossed straight into the bin without more than a 30 second glance from recruiters? Your CV should be your marketing tool that showcases your relevant skills, abilities, and accomplishments, expressing your credentials in a way that allows employers to truly notice you. The professional job market is highly competitive hence why you should refrain from using CV templates as it’s unlikely to help you in your application. Some may argue that CV templates are a good idea but why you would want to have a document that looks exactly like everyone else’s is beyond us.

The negatives of using a CV template can include:
Your CV will not be unique enough as hundreds of people have access to the same template. A unique and individuality needs to be expressed via your CV as it is the first impression an employer will receive of you.

By using a template it simply communicates to a potential employer that you are unable to format a document yourself which in many cases will not work in your favour as it may imply that you have a poor work ethic.

There are a few websites that offer help when it comes to writing up a CV that offer their own qualifications. For example if you are a bilingual speaker they rate the level of your language. Now when you hear this you may think ‘What a brilliant idea’ however this is not the case as employers do not know the marking criteria or what each level even truly means which can be off putting and time wasting.

However it’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to CV templates, they do offer the absolute basics when it comes to writing a CV – something which might be a lot of help to people. On the other hand we highly suggest CV clinics are used. CV clinics can indeed be the better option when it comes to your CV. Not only are clinics better than a generic template but they offer a personal touch, an opportunity that allows the clinic to see the type of person you really are when it comes to the working world and are able to put this across via your CV.

Euro London Appointments is attending the language live show from the 19^th October until the 21^st October [1] where we will be holding our very own CV clinic for language candidates. So why not come and join us – it’s free!

[1] http://www.languageshowconnect.co.uk/Content/Welcome-LS-LIVE-Homepage

The complete guide to INTERVIEWS

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Steve Shacklock

A potential Ikea interview?

An important part of the service at Euro London is preparing our candidates for the interview process – a prospect that strikes fear into many and leaves others running for the door! By talking candidates through possible interview questions, as well as giving them tips on how to make a positive impression, we aim to make our candidates feel confident to tackle the real thing.

After all, interviews should be viewed as the perfect opportunity to show off your personality and make a positive impact.

Follow these simple tips and you may be one step closer to bagging your dream job…

Appearance – You’ve heard it all before, but it’s true! First impressions count. So, make sure to dress professionally. If you are unsure about the company’s dress code, always verge on the side of caution. After all, it is better to be too smart rather than too casual.

Timing – Set that alarm and find that watch, because being on time is essential. It may sound simple but lateness is the quickest way into the interviewer’s bad books. Plan your journey and familiarise yourself with the location to ensure that you arrive promptly. If a situation arises in which being late is inevitable, remember to keep the interviewer informed.

Research – Just like the well known Scout motto, always be prepared. Take time before the interview to research the company as much as possible. Information can range from the business’s main competitors to their core company values. The more clued up you are the better. Doing your homework will also highlight your enthusiasm and interest in the company, which can only be a good thing.

Mobile – Turn off your phone. It may seem simple but here at Euro London we’ve come across our fair share of interviews interrupted by bleeping mobiles.

Listen – Take time to consider your answers. Pacing yourself demonstrates thought and control, qualities the interviewer will value over rushed and confused answers. Keep information relevant and ask if you do not understand the question – this is particularly applicable if not being interviewed in your mother tongue.

Questions – Always ask questions. An interview is a two way process; not only is it an opportunity for the interviewer to find out about you but also for you to gain information about them and the available role. Being inquisitive demonstrates a thirst for knowledge as well as an interest in the role.

Finally, remember to stay positive and do your best!

Boosting the value of your language degree!

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Steve Shacklock

Graduate employment has been hit hard by the recession, with students finding it increasingly difficult to find a job following graduation. Although there is a reported 2.6% rise in graduate opportunities this year, finding employment is still a daunting prospect for many students.

At Euro London, we meet language graduates who are finding it difficult to find their niche in the world of work, leaving them feeling despondent about their job prospects and overlooked in favour of their European counterparts. They often find that although speaking a language can lead to certain opportunities, if not combined with relative work experience it can be difficult to find employment.

The year abroad, that is a mandatory requirement for many language degrees, offers you the chance to demonstrate your ability to adapt to a foreign environment and interact with people from different cultures. This is an invaluable skill in the workplace and makes you an appealing candidate if a job involves travel.

However, at Euro London we also actively encourage language students to support their language skill with extra activities such as internships, holiday jobs and work experience. Seeking experience in the fields that you enjoy is just one way to increase your chances of standing out from the crowd. In addition, work experience can be an excellent opportunity to test out different job sectors and discover which one suits you best.

Combining your language skill with other experience and qualifications ensures that you have a varied and well-rounded CV that increases your value to any employer.

Do you feel your language skill is valued by employers? We would love to hear your opinions and experiences, so leave your comment below.

What could your language degree do for you?

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Steve Shacklock

This article will be part of a series of blogs focusing on language graduate employment.

Here at Euro London, we often encounter students who are unaware of the career opportunities available to language graduates – with many perceiving translation or teaching as the only options to utilise their language skill. We aim to dispell this myth!

Although a career in translation is a viable option for many multilingual individuals, it only represents a small minority of the employment opportunities available. We deal with companies that want multilingual individuals for a diverse range of sectors, recruiting professionals with languages into banking, office support, igaming, HR, marketing, sales, IT and customer service – proof that languages are a valuable commodity within a wide range of careers!

While a language will not always be advertised as essential to a role, it can be advantageous to an employer. In particular, languages provide an important means of communication to businesses with overseas clients. Within international businesses it is also increasingly expected to trade in the buyer’s language, therefore fueling the need for those with language skills.

So whether you wish to to be in HR or PR, an accountant or an actuary, your language may have a niche value. Taking a look at these broader options will enlighten you to the alternative career choices that your language degree could hold!

Don’t forget to check out next week’s blog for ways that you can add value to your language degree…

The top five reasons to learn a second language

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Steve Shacklock

With English fast becoming a global language, and certainly the language of business, many people have taken on the attitude that it’s unnecessary to learn a second language. After all, if everyone speaks English, who needs to make the effort?

Here at Euro London Appointments, we seriously disagree! We are always talking about how language skills can increase your employability but that’s not the only reason why language skills are beneficial. Here are the other top five reasons you should learn a second language:

1. Studies have shown that being bilingual actually structurally changes the brain and increases intellect, especially for people who have been bilingual from an early age. Therefore bilingual people are more likely to have a rounded intelligence than monolinguals.

2. Language is not just about semantics. Having access to a language means having access to another culture and coming to truly understand it. This is great for business as different cultures have different ways of doing things and makes you more desirable to potential employers!

3. Knowing a second language increases your knowledge of the English language. Many non-native English speakers are sticklers for grammar – the same goes for language students. Learning a language from scratch makes you more aware of your native language’s grammatical structures.

4. Language skills get you into university. Some UK universities are now rejecting applicants without at least a GCSE in another language. Degrees are generally a path to a better job, therefore learning a language is a ticket to a better career!

5. Last, but by no means least, learning a language widens your appreciation of art, cinema, travel, music and the list goes on. By learning another language, you’re giving yourself access to a whole world of culture and art that you may have never experienced!

So don’t rely on the language skills of others. Take matters into your own hand, learn a language and open lots of new doors!

London calling

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Steve Shacklock

There are a lot of reasons to visit the UK approaching – the Royal wedding and the Olympics to name a couple. But what about getting a job?

We have a lot of international candidates applying for jobs in the UK, but we have found that in order to beat off the competition for jobs, moving to the UK first is highly beneficial.

For graduate or junior to mid level positions, employers are receiving a high number of applications. How do they choose a shortlist? They look at experience and skills but also location. A candidate applying from Spain could have great skills but if the employer has a CV of someone with the same skills that is applying from the local area, they are more likely to get an interview. The truth is that businesses want someone to start as soon as possible and if a candidate has to arrange travel for an interview and then has to relocate for the job, the employer may not be willing to wait that long.

Our advice? Come join us in the UK and then start applying! Living here will mean you’ll be able to attend interviews at short-notice, putting you ahead of the competition living overseas. Getting a part-time job in the UK and living with English speaking people will also enable you to improve your English skills if it’s not your native language, again making you a more attractive potential employee. If you need some advice on where to start, check out the relocation guide on our website. Good luck!

Longer hours in France?

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Steve Shacklock

How long is your working day? As the song goes, a lot of people work 9-5, although here in the UK it’s not unusual for people to be in the office until 6pm or 7pm. However our neighbours in France are renowned for their 35 hour week. Could this be set to change?

A potential future leader of France’s opposition Socialist Party (PS), Manuel Valls, is calling for this tradition to be abolished, saying it holds the economy back. “The world is changing fast, and it is the responsibility of the left to reconcile the French with this need for change. The 35-hour rule affects this country’s competitiveness and it needs to go” he’s quoted as saying.

With France still recovering from the downturn which hit its economy significantly, will this idea get Mr Valls a bigger following? And will the 35 hour week eventually disappear? It was in fact only brought in during the 1990s to try and boost employment anyway. Time will tell, but it could certainly be a good idea to make companies in France more competitive.

New faces

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Steve Shacklock

We are always interested in hearing feedback from our new starters about their first few weeks at Euro London. Here are profiles of a couple of our new consultants and don’t forget if you like the sound of life at Euro London, we are still looking for extra members of the team so get in touch with Dawn on d.nell@eurolondon.com or visit our Facebook page to learn more!

Laura Heaney works in our Manchester office:

How did you hear of ELA?It was a personal recommendation from a friend who had temped through ELA.

First impressions of ELA?I went to Salford University Career fair and that was really good for me as a newbie to get out and talk to candidates and some potential clients. Almost every candidate that came to speak to me wanted translation and then I spoke about what other opportunities are out there and people were amazed to find so many different career paths that would involve languages. I am also running the Race for Life in July with some colleagues which will be a nice team outing and for a good cause.

Tell us something about your home town? I come from a small town called Wilmslow in Cheshire where lots of WAGS live! Continue reading →

EU backs linguist recruitment drive

Posted on July 8, 2010 by Steve Shacklock

I was pleased to see an article in EurActiv about the European Commission taking steps to promote language learning in school – a topic we have blogged about before and one that I feel strongly about.

According to the article, the European Commission has teamed up with several other international organisations to call for proper funding to be made available to schools for their language departments. Furthermore, they call for better funding and career prospects for professions like translators and interpreters which are currently facing a shortage and will continue to do so over the next 5 to 10 years. Continue reading →

Euro London works with ‘toy of the century’!

Posted on June 21, 2010 by Steve Shacklock

We’ve got some exciting news we thought would be nice to share with our readers. We have secured a contract with the LEGO Company to provide them with staff for their European Contact Centre. The LEGO Company is looking for approximately 50 staff to work during their high season.

We will be providing the LEGO Company with Customer Service staff to work in their Customer Service centre in Slough which will deal with customers across the whole of Europe. So that means we are looking for candidates that speak a variety of languages including German, Danish, Dutch, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian.

This is great news for us and we are excited to be working with the LEGO Company to help them deliver an excellent level of service across Europe. If you are interested in one of these positions and have the necessary skills or know of someone who you think fits the bill then be sure to get in touch with Sarah Oades at s.oades@eurolondon.com – and don’t waste any time – we are looking for candidates who can start in the Autumn!