The Gradconsult blog

I hate goodbyes. They are never easy, but they are particularly difficult when you work in a close-knit team with people you care about. Today, I am picking up the Gradconsult quill for the last time and signing off duty. I’m leaving the green Sheffield pastures and heading for the big smoke to start my career in the music industry. I’m left feeling both excited about what is to come and sad to leave the team who over the last 18 months of my journey have become more than mentors, coaches and colleagues. 583 days ago, I, Chikka, a fresh-faced ... read more

Today, the worthy winners of Gradconsult’s first ever microgrants scheme are being informed of their success. Established to help new researchers and early career academics get a ‘foot in the door’ with funding bids, our microgrants are providing them with a track record to go on and secure larger funding bids to conduct research in their field. The five admirable winners who were chosen from a huge pool of strong entries will be given their prizes at an official event to take place in May, when they will be invited to Sheffield to meet the team and celebrate their achievement ... read more

As tea time was rapidly approaching, I was supposed to sit down and write something about my day with Gradconsult. What to mention? What was the key point of the day? What did I learn? To help me answer these questions, I had to remind myself of why I came to Gradconsult in the first place. Surprise, surprise, it was for career advice. I hadn’t been to University (worked in the media sector after my A-Levels) and recently moved to Sheffield from Poland, so I was looking for guidance, some information, and a well-informed source that would be able to ... read more

We are over the moon to announce that our GC Microgrant scheme is now open for applications! We want to put our money where our mouth is – we see the great value that quality research adds to our Universities, and as an SME working in early careers, we want to support individuals starting their career in academia or research to get a foot in the door. If you have less than three years’ postdoctoral experience and want to kick start your funding record, or know someone who fits the bill, use the following link to find out more and ... read more

Whether it be a grad scheme, internship, or a ‘regular’ job, for many graduates stepping onto the career ladder the main goal is getting there (wherever there may be for you). But what happens after you’ve arrived and settled? How will you react when your priorities change? And how will you cope when the ‘new’ becomes… well, the norm! You might not have all the answers right now, but keep these questions in mind to help you recognise the warning signs if the going gets a little tough. You will undoubtedly experience a range of emotions as you grapple with ... read more

The Cover Letter conundrum Today, I am going to attempt to teach you how to tame a beast that has been wreaking havoc in the recruitment world. This beast leaves many a candidate dazed and confused over how they could have applied for so many jobs with no success. Yes, you guessed it, I am talking about the Cover Letter. A modern day conundrum for even the brightest of the graduate bunch. In my first year managing recruitment processes and sifting applications, this is where I have seen a tremendous number of applicants fall down. I can only imagine the ... read more

I really didn’t know what to expect from an internship, having heard tales from friends on grad schemes of rigid induction schedules, endless reams of printing and walking a marathon in coffee runs. Thankfully I can report that my first week at Gradconsult could not have been more different (well maybe except the number of coffee runs, but I promise they were all entirely for my own benefit). The week started as expected: receiving an induction pack with a “what you will be doing this week” training schedule, a tour of the office and getting to know the team over ... read more

Recruiting graduates is not the sole privilege of large corporate employers. 90% of graduates consider working for an SME as a viable option, there is some great talent out there that can have a fantastic impact on your business. Graduates recognise that SMEs can provide a broader scope of work and responsibility more quickly than is typical at larger employers. However, before you even think about how you can recruit a graduate you need to ask yourself why you are pursuing this option. Is it to fill a skills gap or to bring new talent into your organisation to succession ... read more

If I could just do one simple thing to improve my graduate recruitment process, what would you recommend? I’m asked this question regularly. And whilst I am not so naïve as to believe there is ever one silver bullet that works for every employer or sector, I have identified one simple thing that makes a massive difference and is under-used. I’ve done it myself for over ten years with great success. This change to your process can have a positive impact on your employer brand, candidate experience and student employability. What is this bright idea I hear you cry? Tiered regret emails. Yep, nothing ground-breaking or complex. No ... read more

Before you start telling me I am an egotistical maniac with narcissistic tendencies, this article is NOT about me. It’s about a guy called Mike Grey. Apart from being distantly descended from the bloke that gave the name to the famous tea, he has rather taken the University Placement world by storm over the past decade. #fact On Friday last week, other’s in the industry made sure he knew about it. Mike scooped the award for Outstanding Contribution at the National Undergraduate Awards ceremony. Mike led the EC Futures Team at Coventry University from its inception in 2011, through to ... read more

  That’s right folks, 127 days later and I’m still rocking my star spangled GC boots (well, not literally but I do have a serious spring in my step!). If you hadn’t guessed by now, it’s Chikka here, dusting off the keyboard. The debut days of September seem to be nothing short of a distant memory. So much has happened since the start of my career with Gradconsult. I hadn’t realised just how much I had accomplished over the last 4 months until I took a second to breathe. I honestly wasn’t hyping it up in my last blog when ... read more

  No, not contextual recruitment and not even employers scrapping degree or UCAS requirements. That is mere small fry compared to the impact the upcoming Apprentice Levy will have on the early careers market! With the government announcing ambitious targets to increase apprenticeship starts to 3 million by 2020, it was only a matter of time before the methodology to fund this grand plan became clear. From April 2017, all employers with a wage bill exceeding £3m will pay a levy of 0.5%. For many corporate employers this equates to millions of pounds of new tax liabilities that can only ... read more

I thought it had happened again. This week the office had a new addition that most offices don’t, deckchairs. I assumed my idea for business hammocks in the office was being considered and the deckchairs were a semi trial run.  Deckchairs, by the way, are nowhere near as confusing to put up as all those 1970s sitcoms told me they are (damn it Terry and June). Sadly the deckchairs are not going to be a permanent addition to the office. They have been bitten by the bug and are off to seek their fortune in London. Like Dick Whittington but ... read more