I felt I had to share it!

OBAMA STOLE OUR WRITER

When this company lost their copywriter to President Obama, they decided to turn a negative in to a positive to fill her old job! http://obamastoleourwriter.com/

HISTORY OF A JOB SEARCH

This games industry veteran charts his struggle to break in to the market – http://www.doublefine.com/news/comments/twenty_years_only_a_few_tears/

WHEN A ‘FOOTBALL MANAGER’ APPLIED FOR THE MIDDLESBROUGH JOB!

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/When-a-Football-Manager-player-applied-for-the-M?urn=sow-325075

TAKE-AWAY CV

http://helloyoucreatives.com/post/5389034696/brilliant-cv-that-is-being-delivered-at-lunch-to

A CV PRINTED ON TO A CAKE – YUMMY!

AND LAST, BUT BY NO MEANS, LEAST….‘Greetings from Takijistan!

I am wishing of coming to your great street in the wall to work in bank for investments. My experieence is nice. My uncle had freind who held golfing sticks for Jimmey the Cayne in rounds when bank was dying. My father knows Sir Eliot Spitzer’s girl nice well. Very, very preety, but worth nothing to lose big top job for. Big shame that. At school my teecher always siad that I know price of everytinge and value of nothinge, just like your traders of the subprime.

I never lie. I forget easy and in my country that is not for good. If they catch you in lie in Takijistan, they do terrable things too you with electric sticke. I had problam with the walkings for a little time, but I recover good now well. Not all do well after electric sticke, especial if many stickeings take.

I am wanting to be trader. In markeet, I always get good price. I never misprice, as I don’t know how to do math – see, I have much in commun with your risky peeple. If trader jobs are finished, I could do risky as good.

My friende says you have lost plenty money by your tradings. I am sorrey for that. Perhaps I come and trade nothing – then you lose no money. Already I have good ideas to run your bank. Tell traders to stop losings. I can bring electric sticke.

I here about your bare stearn. Good that your government covers it with much guarantee. In my countrie, the poorings people pay all the bills for the rich too, so your grate countrie is the same. It is good to be at top in your bank. I want to be near top. To take much money when there is none for the rest is my dream. God bless yourr aMERICA.

Your sytem is also good – the politic. A black and woman for top job is nicely. In Takijistan we love Oprah Winfrey to. Sometimes the fat girl, sometimes the thin is very good. You are true free peeple. Even I here your bankers are in streete with sign looking for good jobs. In your aMERICA they don’t knock on door in night if you beg on streete, and you are not taken away off to see family again never. americans just laugh ha-ha and call loser for poor the peeple with no jobs. I want to be loser in aMERICA some day. But now just I want job. If your jobs are finished, do you know place for job signs pleese ? I like ha-ha too.

I hope your bank is prosper and you have good job for me. My father says he knows you will give me good proper job. He says to tell you he now owns 15% of your stocke equity and will buy much more when you make more big losings soon. He has many electric sticke now and most money in all Takijistan .

I will be arrivings next weak. If no job, please send money immediately. Do not defer if I am not to make it in staff (like bonus, which now comes never). If cash is short just sell more housings of your trailer trash poorings people and send mee quick fast.

I am your servant, and my father is your boss top soon now.

Thanks to you for understandings.

From PRCA (Public Relations Consultants Association) website http://www.prca.org.uk/Whatispr

A PR agency works on behalf of several clients to enhance their perception and profile.

The job titles in a PR agency are below although not all of them will have all of these positions.

• Junior PR Account Executive
• Account Executive
• Senior Account Executive
• Junior Account Manager
• Account Manager
• Senior Account Manager
• Junior Account Director
• Account Director
• Senior Account Director
• Associate Director
• Managing Director

The role of the Junior Account Executive or Account Executive is -

Purpose of role

• Generating business and press coverage for the agency’s clients.
• Writing news stories and press releases
• Liaising with Clients
• Liaising with Jounalists to place stories and case studies for your clients
• Monitoring press coverage for your clients

Responsibilities will include

• Monitoring relevant press and publications to get an idea of trends/ hot topics and identifying articles / subjects that your clients can comment on.

• Ringing journalists to place stories / comments and topics on behalf of your clients

• Building a contact list of journalists and creating excellent working relationships with them

You will work up in this role to more of a client-facing position where you will be responsible for presenting to clients.  This will include reporting on press coverage achieved, publications contacted etc.

For any further information about starting a career in PR – please call one of our consultants on 01483 826660 or see our website at www.cleverrecruitment.co.uk.

1. Fail to prepare, Prepare to fail!
“What do you know about this company?” is the most important question you will be asked in an interview.  Just replying with a standard “I’ve had a look at your website” is not good enough.

It is essential to research background information including company history, locations, divisions, sectors, clients etc.  Review it ahead of time, then print it out and read it over just before your interview to refresh your memory.

2. Dress code

If in doubt, dress up, not down!  You can never be too smart (apart from perhaps the exception of wearing a full dinner suit!) for an interview.  Even if the general dress code at your potential employer’s office is fairly casual, at least you’ll have made a good first impression and you can adjust your dress when you’re offered the job.

3. Poor Communication               

Communication can say so much about you and your confidence, suitability and potential. Shake hands, make eye contact, exude confidence, engage the person you are speaking with and you will let the interviewer know that you are an excellent candidate for this position – before you even answer their first question.

4. Waffling!

Don’t be tempted to get so enthusiastic that you talk and talk and talk. Talking over the interviewer is a HUGE mistake and will earn you no brownie points at all.  Make sure the interview flows like a conversation and is a 50% split between yourself and the interviewer.

5. Forgetting to say that you’re interested

If you have a genuine interest for the role that you’ve just interviewed for then tell your interviewer.  They are not mind readers and although you may have thought you’d made it perfectly obvious that you were keen on the role, it never hurts to spell it out.  Follow ups are always good too; whether it be through your recruiter or directly, always pass on your thanks for their time and that you hope to hear their thoughts soon.

Good luck!

General Questions

1. Why do you want this job? MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION!
2. Why do you want to work for this company? 2ND MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION!
3. What do you know about this company?
4. What interests you about our product (or service)?
5. Why should we employ you?
6. What are you looking for in a new job?
7. Are you willing to travel?
8. What level of salary are you looking for now?
9. What do you think of the last company you worked for?
10. Why did you join your previous company?
11. Did they live up to your expectations?
12. Why are you leaving now?
13. Explain the organizational structure in your last company and how you fitted into it?
14. How did you get on with your previous manager/supervisor, coworkers and subordinates?
15. What did you do on a day to day basis?
16. What annoyed you about your last job?
17. What did you earn in your last job?

Your career

1. What are your career goals?
2. How long have you been looking for a new job?
3. Do you prefer to work in a small, medium or large company?
4. What would your ideal job be?
5. Are you considering any other positions at the moment?
6. If you have changed jobs a lot you may be asked how long you would stay in the new job.
7. Have you ever been fired?
8. How often are you off sick?
9. What will your referees say about you?

You

1. How would you describe yourself?
2. How would others describe you?
3. What was your greatest success?
4. How did you achieve it?
5. What has been your biggest failure?
6. How do you handle criticism?
7. Do you work well with others? Or are you a loner?
8. Do you need other people around to stimulate you or are you self-motivated?
9. Are you accepted into a team quickly?
10. Can you act on your own initiative?
11. What motivates you?
12. What management style gets the best results out of you?
13. Do you know how to motivate other people?
14. Are you competitive?
15. Can you work under pressure?
16. What interests do you have outside work?

Guildford Twestival – The Aftermath

After much anticipation, the wait was finally over and on Thursday the 24th of March, the first Guildford Twestival took place and was a huge success! Ninety Twestivalites attended enjoying the Champagne, cakes and canapés at the stylish Wild Garlic Restaurant and Bar, raising over an astonishing £3,700 for CHASE hospice.

The evening was organised by Craig & Sarah Cooper, owners of Guildford-based recruitment consultancy, Clever Recruitment. Delighted with the total, Sarah commented;

“When we first signed up to organise Guildford Twestival we hoped to raise £2,000. To exceed that initial target, to almost double it, feels incredible and is a testament to the generosity and support of all those involved the event – from friends and family to clients and candidates to local people and businesses who just wanted to contribute however they could. We’d like to make a special mention to our friend, Jennifer Masters, who helped with the organisation we couldn’t have coped without her!”

The Twestivities!

After a chance to mingle and enjoy a glass of champagne, courtesy of Chris Connor, the owner of Wild Garlic, the evening started with Lissa Martin, an ambassador for CHASE, giving an insightful and personal account of all the brilliant work that CHASE’s local Hospice, Christopher’s, does for life limited children and their families in the Guildford area. The very talented Penny Nicholls and Rob Webster provided fantastic live music throughout the evening and Ian Gray amazed the crowd with his close magic tricks, – how he managed to get a £10 note from inside a kiwi is still beyond us!

The long-awaited luxury raffle was a roaring success with 38 luck winners choosing fabulous prizes from the cornucopia of donations kindly given from local Guildford businesses, raising a whopping £1,100!

However the highlight of the evening has to be last minute auction for the surprise donation of dinner for 6 at home, kindly donated by the Wild Garlic team. Bidding was tense between Stephen Frost and Phil Gee with Phil eventually winning with an incredibly generous bid of £260! Thank you, Phil!

Finally the silent auction closed the show with five fabulous lots donated by Kate Griffin Photography, Richer Sounds, Howdens Joinery Co, Sophocles Alexiou Photography and Custard Communications raising over £850! Co-organiser Craig added;

“The evening was a great success! CHASE is such a fantastic charity and we are delighted to be able to contribute to their cause. We had such amazing support not only on the night but in the build up to the event. The generosity of the people and businesses of Guildford never ceased to amaze us – so many wonderful raffle and auction prizes were donated and so many people were keen to help in the organisation or the smooth running of the evening. Both Sarah and I would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of them”

Special Thanks

There are so many people to thank for their help towards the night, notably Chris Connor and the team at Wild Garlic for the stylish venue and for providing champagne, canapés and goodie bags which contained, amongst other treats, the most delicious sausages I have tasted in a long time. A particular mention goes to Cath at Little Cake Factory for her contribution of delicious cup cakes, complete with the Guildford Twestival logo, and for her sweet tweet treats: cake pops - beautiful bird shaped treats on the outside with soft, rich chocolate cake on the inside!

And of course not forgetting our talented team of volunteers: Fiona Fitzpatrick, Martyn Stead, Thom Gibbons, Paul Bridgland, Ingrid Weel (for these fantastic photos), Jack Newman, Drew Harding, Adele Mitchell, Lynzi Ashworth, Claire Price, Sophie Grant and Luci Lyne.

You are all stars!

Until next time…

With Guildford Twestival now just over a week ago it’s back to what we do best so, until it’s Twestival time again, you can find us at Clever Recruitment. Don’t be a stranger…!

Sarah, Craig and Jennifer

Only two days to go until the first Guildford Twestival and it’s all getting a bit hectic here at Clever HQ! We sold out of tickets yesterday but, due to further demand, we have added another 40 so please get them while you can.

We have some amazing raffle prizes – some so good we are taking them out of the raffle and putting them in a silent auction! We have drinks and canapes organised, a magician and now a live band!

It’s all in aid of CHASE children’s hospice so please buy a ticket if you can. If not, please click on the ‘Donate’ button on the homepage and give whatever you can afford. It will all make a difference!

Thank you to everyone who has bought a ticket so far and to all those who have donated prizes. It’s going to be a great night and we hope to raise plenty of cash for a great local cause.

See you on the night.

Craig & Sarah

On Friday night we attended the Toast of Surrey Awards at the Yvonne Arnaud theatre in Guildford.

Clever Recruitment were finalists in the ‘Companies with a turnover of under £1million” category along with Bruce’s dog walking, the bluedoor and Surrey First Aid training.

It was  a glittering event with a vintage Hollywood theme and the evening began with a champagne reception.  From there, we all filed in to the theatre itself for the Awards.  We were treated to a surprise performance from the band Toploader who did one of my all time favourite songs – Dancing in the Moonlight!!

Our next treat was a performance from the wonderful GSA choir!  Absolutely fantastic and all note perfect.

The Awards were an excellent celebration of local talent and diversity.  It’s so nice to know that we’re working in an area that is home to so many inspiring business people.  It was an absolute delight to see familiar faces and meet a few new ones and we love being part of the Surrey business community.  The evening had a really positive feel to it with so many success stories all triumphing despite the recession.

We can’t wait to try again next year!!

Well done to all the winners, judges and organisers – it was a great night!

Sarah & Craig.

Full list of Finalists

Young Business of the Year, sponsored by Surrey Research Park

- Big Dog World Ltd
- Light Touch Clinic
- Matech Technical Services CIC
- Padua Communications Ltd

Companies with a turnover of up to £1m, sponsored by Eagle Radio and the Surrey Advertiser

- Bruce’s Dog Walking
- Clever Recruitment Ltd
- Surrey First Aid Training Ltd
- thebluedoor

Companies with a turnover of up to £5m, sponsored by Natwest

- Memset
- Ramsac Limited
- The Hampton Estate
- The Whiteley Clinic

Companies with a turnover of more than £5m, sponsored by Smith & Williamson

- CBSbutler
- Menzies LLP
- P&P Glass Ltd

Creative Industries Award, sponsored by the University for the Creative Arts and Alderson Print Group

- From the Hip Video Productions
- Guildford Shakespeare Company
- Something Big Ltd

Employer of the Year award, sponsored by TWM Solicitors

- DPA
- Maxim Eyes (UK) Ltd
- Menzies Ltd

Business Personality of the Year, sponsored by Guildford Borough Council

- Michael More Molyneux of Loseley Park
- Bridget Turner of CHASE Hospice Care for Children
- Kate Craig-Wood of Memset
- Mark Whiteley of the Whiteley Clinic

What is Twestival?

Twestival, or Twitter Festival, uses social media for good by connecting communities offline on a single day  to highlight a great cause and have a fun event. Since 2009 volunteers have raised close to $1.2 million for 137 non-profit organisations. All local events are organised by volunteers and 100% of all ticket sales and donations go direct to projects over 200 international cities from Buenos Aires to Bangalore, Seattle to Seoul, Hong Kong to Honolulu and (thanks to Clever Recruitment) Guildford is now part of Twestival!!!

By putting our heads and resources together with local Guildford businesses, we have organised Guildford Twestival – this will be an evening of drinks, nibbles, networking and fun!

It will take place on Thursday the 24th March 2011 at Wild Garlic Restaurant & Bar, Guildford, between 7pm-10.30pm.

We will be raising money for a very worthy local charity CHASE Children’s Hospice.

CHASE hospice care for children provides nursing, practical and emotional support to families and children who are not expected to reach their 19th birthday across South West London, Surrey and Sussex. It costs around £4million to run CHASE for a year. With little statutory funding available CHASE relies on donations for 93% of income so every penny counts.

When asked about Guildford  Twestival, Sarah at Clever Recruitment said, “It seems crazy not to take the opportunity  of  Twestival  to create an evening where the local community and businesses can get together to present their organisation to the community in a really positive way and raise money for CHASE, whilst having fun!“

As part of the night there will be drinks, canapés,  entertainment and a  luxury raffle and auction with fabulous prizes donated from Guildford businesses.  They have  already been promised a signed Chelsea  football shirt and £200 of holiday vouchers but are still looking for more…

If you would like to help contribute to Guildford Twestival in any way whether by sponsorship, providing a service, donations for the raffle or general moral support, Craig and Sarah have arranged meeting for volunteers to be held at Rogues Wine Bar on Tuesday the 1st  March between 7-9pm.

Alternatively tickets for Guildford Twestival will be available to buy at www.guildford.twestival.com from Monday the 28th February.

Further updates  can be found on Facebook and, of course, Twitter @GfordTwestival

We hope to see you there!

Do you work in marketing, PR, advertising, sales or even run your own business – maybe you’re just setting foot into the marketing arena and looking to make new contacts?

The Surrey branch ‘meet with drinks’ is a networking event is for anyone living or working in Surrey who works directly or indirectly in marketing to meet others in the industry in an informal environment to share knowledge and meet new people.

The Clever recruitment team will be on hand to offer recruitment advice and CV workshops.

This free event begins at 19:00 and finishes at 23:00.

Address –

The Bar at Brewer’s Fayre, Parkway, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 1UP

http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/GUIPAR/guildford-central