Book Club: Jodi Picoult's "The Storyteller"

Hello all, and Happy Sunday!

I hope you’re having a lovely Bank Holiday weekend so far and, if you live in the same part of the country as I do and have, therefore, been forced to take shelter from the elements this weekend, then I hope you’ve enjoyed this rather wet and windy day in the same way as me: tucked up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a great book.

This afternoon, as I snuggled up in my pyjamas with a tea and a home-cooked scone (thanks, Mum!), I was reminded of the promise I made a few weeks ago, to write a Book Club blog post every month, and since this month is almost over, I thought I’d better get a move on!

So, after much deliberation, I decided that August’s Book Club would centre around The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult, a book I recently finished and adored. This novel is, in my humble opinion, criminally underrated. In fact, I’d never even heard of it until a family friend passed it on to Mum who, in turn, passed it on to me. I suppose any book written by an author who has experienced great success from another one of their publications will inevitably be cast into its shadows to follow loyally behind. In this case, Picoult’s most famous novel, My Sister’s Keeper, is the caster of said shadow, having sold thousands of copies and being adapted into a critically acclaimed film.

I would never deny the brilliance of My Sister’s Keeper. I would – however – unapologetically admit that I liked The Storyteller a whole lot more.

That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the aforementioned title (if a novel about childhood cancer can be enjoyed). But The Storyteller roused emotions within me that had never been achieved by a book before. The term “gripped” is thrown around somewhat carelessly these days, being quoted on the front covers of books from almost every genre, but The Storyteller truly gripped me, so much so that – come the last few chapters – I literally couldn’t put it down.

The book is split between modern day and World War II, and revolves around an introverted character called Sage, who was left both emotionally and physically scarred following an accident in her early childhood. Sage begins to break down the protective walls she has built around herself when she befriends an elderly man called Josef, who she soon begins to confide in and consider a friend.

This, however, doesn’t come without consequence. Having discovered that Sage is from a Jewish family, Josef takes the opportunity he has waited for for many years, revealing to her his sinister past and deepest, darkest secret. Josef was an SS officer during the Holocaust, and has lived his life so consumed by guilt that he now wishes to die, and wants Sage’s help.

This already dizzying notion only gets worse as Sage discovers that her history and Josef’s past may have more to do with each other than it first seemed. As their stories intertwine, Sage faces a personal battle, having to choose between justice and mercy in her quest to uncover what is right and what is true, and whether this is any difference between the two.

There’s not a lot more I can divulge without dishing out some serious spoilers, but I hope I’ve done a decent job in setting the scene for this fantastic book. I’ve always been oddly drawn to books about the tragedy of the Holocaust, having studied both World War II in History at school and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in English. This book manages to authentically portray the unfathomable struggle of Jewish people at that time, while simultaneously creating an utterly absorbing story full of twists and turns that even the most seasoned Picoult reader could never predict. I finished the book with such a mixture of emotions that left me unsure of what to do with myself. I found that I was angry the book had come to end: not because I was unsatisfied with the (admittedly surprising) ending, but because I simply didn’t want to stop reading it.

Whether you’re a fan of Picoult or not, I couldn’t recommend this book highly enough. The juxtaposition of the entirely-relatable Sage with the entirely-unrelatable tragedy of the Holocaust makes for a truly enthralling read, and I’d encourage anyone to make it next on their list.

As ever, if you do take on this recommendation, or if you have any recommendations of your own, please get involved and leave your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to know your thoughts!

Until next time, Happy Reading!

E x

The "First First" Day

I’d usually start my blog with the cheerful, if not rather assumptive, greeting of “Hello, Fellow Job Hunters”, but I shan’t hold back in telling you that a recent development renders me no longer part of the job-hunting crew. That’s right, as of this Monday, I have officially been employed in my first post-university role! I never thought I’d see the day, but the day came and went.

Thankfully, this development suggests that any advice on the graduate job-seeking process that I’ve previously dished out on this blog stands a chance of being at least half decent, which bodes well for any future posts on the matter, of which I’m sure there’ll be many!

So, as one might expect, this new chapter of my life – despite being only five days long – has granted me with a new perspective and, as a result, a brand-new angle to take on my blog. While I’ll still be sharing advice on applications, CVs, interviews and more, I can now substantiate this advice with real, working experience, which I hope goes some in way proving that maybe – just maybe – I did do something right.

With this in mind, what better time to blog about the rather cliché but undeniably seismic event of the famous first day, and not only that, but the “first first” day! Your very first day in the working world after finishing university. Whether you walk in like you own the place or, like me, run around jotting everything down on a notepad to examine and revise later, no one can deny being the least bit nervous on their first day. And that’s completely understandable: walking into the unknown is rarely an entirely un-resounding experience, after all.

What can be particularly hard is having to get used to an entirely new routine: not only are you in new environment but your entire week has been restructured, which usually means earlier alarms, harder commutes and longer days. As well as this, it can be a real adjustment going from being in the oldest year group at uni – where you know your way round, are confident in your abilities and are on a first name basis with your lecturers and peers – to being the new kid on the block once more. All your comforts are stripped away and, no matter how high and mighty you may have been at uni, “first first” days still have the ability to make you feel like a child at a new school: lost, shy and full of doubt.

So, what can be done to make this “first first” day run as smoothly as possible? I’m not saying that it will pass without a hiccup – after all, you’ve got a lot to learn – but there are definitely things that you can do to help yourself out, calm your nerves and create a great impression to your new colleagues…

The 3 Ps: Prepared, Punctual, Professional

This one starts before you even enter your new workplace but can be vitally important in setting you off to the best possible start. I know it’s likely that you will have already completed some research on the company in order to prepare for your interview(s), but doing a bit of reading around the organisation, its purpose and its people is always good practice in the days before starting a new job. You’ll walk in feeling less like a clueless newcomer and more like you know a bit about what you’re doing.

In the same vein, showing up on time (if not a little early) and well-presented is of the utmost importance. You’ll have already gotten a feel for the company’s dress code during your previous visits but, if in doubt, it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed! Likewise, arriving promptly (or, I’d say, no more than 10 minutes early) will contribute to your new employer’s first impression of you, which is crucial in setting you off on the right foot.

Make Friends

Not in the kind of pushy way your parents encouraged you to when starting school, but it is a good idea to get chatting to people early on. Show an interest in them and what they’re doing and if you’re lucky enough to be invited to lunch or out for drinks after work, the answer – at least initially – should always be “yes”. These events, however informal, give you a great opportunity to get to know your new colleagues, which will only work in your favour in the long run.

Ask Questions

This one’s a toughie as it’s really easy to shrink into yourself on your first day, especially when you don’t know what you’re supposed to be doing, and sit there trying to look busy and calm when inside alarm bells are ringing and, frankly, you want to go home. As a newbie, it’s natural to feel like a pest when asking existing employees for help, but it’s also natural to need a bit of guidance: you’re brand new, after all! So, don’t be afraid to ask for help, no one is going to judge you for it.

Write Everything Down

Now, this one may not work for everyone but, personally, I have found it to be really useful. Rather than having to ask everyone to repeat instructions several times, take a little more time and write down “How To” notes for yourself. Whether it’s how to complete a task that needs doing daily or even just how to work the coffee machine, writing notes down will allow you get on with things more independently: creating a great impression of you as well as boosting your confidence.

Be Proactive

Again, this one is easier said than done, but showing a level of proactivity and being able to use your initiative is really important during your first week, when you are yet to develop a routine of your own. Never sit there not knowing what to do, always ask if there’s anything you can do to help and, if not, get stuck in to some work of your own: learn your way around the computer system, familiarise yourself with the office layout and learn how to use machinery like printers and scanners. Showing that you’re capable of using your initiative on your first day is super important.

For any of you who have recently accepted a job offer and are yet to start, hopefully these tips will come in handy. First days are never easy and may even require some acting on your part, but as long as you remain calm, polite and diligent, you really can’t go too far wrong.

In any case, whether you’re still applying or awaiting your start, I wish you every bit of luck in your new career! Your future awaits you and, as scary as that may seem, it's also really exciting!

Best of Luck,

E x

The Environment: How to do Your Bit on a Budget!

Hi, Friends!

Today’s blog post is taking a slight swerve away from the usual topics of education and employment and focusing on something that is of equal importance to me: the environment.

That’s right, I have long been a self-confessed tree hugger and try my best on a daily basis to take small courses of action that have a positive impact on the environment. This being said, as an ordinary member of society and a newly-former student, I also know that it can be tough to live cheaply and easily while doing your bit for the planet. If you’re having a post-exam party, for example, it can be all-to-easy to nip to the shops and buy a mass of plastic cups, straws, plates and cutlery to cater for everyonre. If you’re local council has seemingly tedious rules and regulations with regards to what can and can’t be recycled, it can be easy to ignore them all and simply shove the offending item in the bin: sending a perfectly recyclable item straight to landfill.

Today, however, I am the bearer of good news! I’ve taken it upon myself to devise a list of cheap and easy ways that we can all do our bit for the environment: small changes we can make that won’t make any difference to our lives but will make a whole lot of difference to the planet. So, without further ado, get ready to make some changes; it’s all for the greater good!

Watch Your Water!

Living in a first world country, it’s so easy to take our abundance of clean water for granted. After all, all we need do is turn on the tap! However, this luxury is easy to abuse, and many of us are very guilty of using far more water than we need to. Simple acts like cutting your shower down a few minutes, not over-filling the bath and turning off the tap when you brush your teeth are all great ways of reducing the amount of water we waste, all contributing to a less careless way of life.

Recycle

This has been drummed into us all since the late 1900s but, amazingly, some people still haven’t caught up. Recycling is one of the easiest and cheapest ways that we can all do our bit for the environment. Tonnes of information is available from your local council on how they operate in your area and what they require from you. After that, it’s just a matter of putting things in different bins, and that’s hardly a hardship!

Go Public

With modern life the way it is, many of us are guilty of jumping in the car far too often, whether that be to get to work or to the shops five minutes down the road. Switching your car for walking, cycling or taking public transport has many benefits, not just for the environment but for your health and purse strings too! Say goodbye to traffic by getting the train, wave goodbye to staggering petrol costs by boarding the bus, or get a pre-and-post-work workout by walking or cycling: the possibilities – and the benefits – are endless!

Say “No!” to Single-Use Plastics!

Now, this is a biggie! Environmentalists have long been aware of the detrimental – nay, devastating – effects of single use plastics, but the issue was thrust into public attention last year with the broadcast of Blue Planet II. Until then, many of us were simply unaware – blindly naïve – of the impact our everyday use of plastics was having on our oceans and the environment as a whole. Now, I know as well as anyone that it isn’t as easy as simply giving up plastic: many of our everyday necessities rely heavily on plastic products to protect and preserve. But, where we can do our bit is by eliminating as many single-use plastic products as possible. So, instead of buying a new bottle of water every lunch time, invest in a reusable, refillable bottle. When having party or summer BBQ, buy recyclable paper cups and plates instead of plastic ones. Using a sealable sandwich bag every day? That needs to stop! Stock up on reusable Tupperware and you’re good to go! Make changes as small and simple as these and voila! You’re saving money and the environment!

What a Turn Off!

This one is super simple and still ignored by a worrying percent of the public. The rule of thumb is this: if you’re not using it, turn it off! “Standby” and “Off” are not actually the same thing – shocker, I know! – so when it comes to your laptop, computers, TVs and consoles, when you’re not using them turn them off - preferably at the wall. Otherwise, it will chunter away consuming energy until you next deign to use it. Which leads me to phone chargers… Far too many of us drain the energy out of our phones throughout the day before draining the Earth’s energy by charging them up throughout the night. Not only does this waste more electricity then necessary, it has also led to a spate of fires throughout the UK, so it’s not a good idea in anyone’s books. So, say it with me! “If you’re not using it, turn it off!”

I hope you’ll take these few tips on board and start doing your bit for the environment. As you can see, it doesn’t have to take a lot of time, money or effort, but it can make the world of difference to the world.

Let’s save the planet!

E x

How to Make the Most of Your Summer!

Hello and Happy Friday!

How do most 21-year-olds celebrate the long-awaited end of the working week? By going out to clubs and partying with their friends, of course! How do I see in the weekend? By writing a blog post on gaining summer work experience! YAY!

In all seriousness, if five summers spent as a working student have taught me anything, it’s that summer is a time that truly has the power to make or break you, professionally speaking, and what seem to be “breaking you” at the time is probably – actually - propelling you forward. Allow me to explain…

After a year of rigorous academic study, a well-earned three-month break seems like an entirely just reward, and no one could blame you for wanting to make the most of those twelve weeks of freedom before academia strikes all over again. However, in reality, when you eventually reach the end of those three long years of study and embark on the seemingly longer job-hunting process, recruiters aren’t going to be impressed that you spent that valuable time – your summers – mucking around with your friends and going on holiday.

It’s tough, I know, but it’s the truth. Potential employers see your summer as twelve long weeks in which you are free to gain experience in order to improve your application, so if you choose to fritter those few months away doing nothing, it may have consequences.

I don’t wish to sound condescending, and a job is definitely better than no job, i.e. if, like me, you’ve spent some of the last few summers making cappuccinos and toasting teacakes, this won’t be held entirely against you: the fact that you’re doing something can be good enough. But the fact of the matter is that most sectors that recruit graduates have come to expect a small amount of experience at the very least.

So, how do you go about it? Harking back to my previous post on how to get your “dream” internship, I would definitely recommend interning as a great place to start. It’s not for everybody and, sadly, it usually isn’t paid, but in terms of gaining relevant experience – for me – interning has proved to be invaluable. I’ve been able to gain experience in social media coordination, events marketing, PR and more, purely from internships, and I’m pretty sure that none of the attention I’ve been paid from recruiters lately would be given if I hadn’t interned in the past.

In the same vein, having some volunteering on your CV is only ever going to work in your favour, and even better if you manage to get some in an industry that is relevant to the career path you want to pursue after university. For example, I was able to gain a great voluntary position with Cancer Research UK as an Events Marketing Intern which, now that I’m interested in PR, makes for a great talking point on my job applications. This being said, if your volunteering takes the shape of operating the till in a charity shop or serving soup at a local kitchen, employers will still be impressed to see that you’re an individual who dedicated some of their precious time to helping others.

If, however, your studies really do take up the majority of your time, there are other ways to make some additions to your CV, and your university can be a great starting point. An obvious option would be to join a club or society, which can range from academic groups and topical clubs to sports teams and interest groups. Whichever one, or few, takes your fancy, the fact that you showed willing to get involved in extra-curricular activities will ensure a talking point with future recruiters. Oh, and FYI, if no club or society appeals to you, start one yourself! All it takes is a quick chat with your Student Union, a few mates and voila! You've got the makings of a thriving society.

Beyond this, there are many more activities for students to get involved in, even if it’s a matter of asking to be involved. For example, many universities have student newspapers, magazines or radio stations, most of which will allow students to be involved on an as-and-when basis. For example, if - like me - you love to write but can’t commit to being a weekly columnist, have a chat with someone in charge and see if you can submit pieces around your schedule: they will be grateful for any and all content you can offer them. Your options may not seem obvious at first, but have a think about your uni and the services it offers, because behind them all are a team of people making it happen, and you could join them!

If you're stuck for ideas, I would highly recommend your university or college's Careers Department as a great starting point. The services they offer range from CV advice to interview tips, and you can be sure that they have some great connections! In fact, employers commonly contact local university Careers Advisers with information on upcoming opportunities, so becoming acquainted with them could be a great springboard! 

I hope these tips have proved useful for you. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news: that summers aren't solely for beach days and picnics anymore (let's all cry together). But, if you put in the hard graft now, you'll be rewarded later on when you most need it - trust me! 

Please feel free to get in touch via the comments below with your questions and experiences! 

Have a lovely weekend! 

E x

Tips for CV Success!

Hi, Job Hunters!

Well, I’m assuming you’re a job hunter, since you’ve wound up on a blog post about CV enhancement, but I could be wrong. In any case, whoever you are and however you got here, I hope you’ll stick around!

Being that time of year - and by “that” time of year I mean the time when students are graduating from uni, leaving college or generally just moving onto the next stage of their lives - I thought it might be useful to share what I have found to be some useful hints and tips on how to structure, enhance and generally make the best of your CV.

It can be hard to know what direction to take when it comes to your CV, what with the hoards of conflicting advice from university lecturers, careers departments, recruiters and potential employers. While some tell you to stick to only one side of A4, others stress the importance of including all relevant experience. While some instruct to disregard A Level and GCSE grades in favour of higher education results, others take a “the more the merrier” point of view. All of this results in CVs being added to the long list of “Must-do(-but-don’t-really-know-how-so-will-probably-just-ignore)” tasks, and who can blame you?!

However, the fact of the matter is that having an updated and accurate CV to hand is essential, especially when going through the job hunt or uni application process. I’ve learnt first-hand that employment opportunities can literally crop up at the drop of a hat, so it’s great practice to have a current resume ready and waiting, just in case.

So, where to begin? It can be hard even knowing where to start, but – like an enormous (if slightly boring) cake – it’s not going to eat itself, and the first few bites make all the difference! On that note, I think a great place to start would be with structure…

The great news is that the days of the all-too-common white Word document with black “Times New Roman” centralised font is well and truly over; CVs can now take any and every form imaginable. In fact, some individuals opt for interactive CVs such as PowerPoints and Prezi clips. While I haven’t personally gone this far, I chose to structure my CV using a ready-made template on Word which allows you to re-design the colour, fonts, etc. to suit your personality (mine’s pink, of course, à la Elle Woods!). Using this template has allowed me to fit more on my CV using less space, as well as creating a much more visually appealing document that surely stands out against the mundane, monochrome alternatives, which is key in getting noticed!

Next comes content and, as alluded to, it can be hard to know exactly what needs to go on your CV and what can be omitted. Personally, I take the view that if you’ve worked hard to achieve something, it should be on your CV, especially if it’s relevant to your chosen career path. My CV takes up three sides of A4, and the only person who’s ever told me to cut it down was a Careers Advisor from uni. I did listen, technically, since I made each section more concise and less “waffle-y” (I am the Queen of Waffle, can’t you tell?). Yet my CV remains longer than the average length and I’ve never received criticism for it from interviewers, in fact, I’ve often been congratulated on my chock-a-block resume! The only advice I can really give, therefore, is thus: if it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for or you are particularly proud of it, put it on there! In time, you’ll be able to scrub your student job as a waitress or till operator right off to make way for all your fabulous experience!

Finally comes the slightly more controversial matter of what details to include. Many companies nowadays are striving to employ a more diverse workforce which is undeniably fantastic (if not long overdue), but this doesn’t mean that certain forms of discrimination no longer take place. Some claim to have been discriminated against based on their age or postcode, leading many to leave these details completely off their CV. Others have gone so far as to remove their name from their CV in order to avoid prejudice based on gender or nationality. I can neither confirm nor deny that the above is happening but in order to avoid any possibility of prejudice I have simply chosen to include my name, phone number, email address and link to my LinkedIn page on my CV. Should an employer want to know anything more about me, they’ll have to get in touch to find out and therefore – inadvertently – express an interest in my application. Should they choose to discriminate against me based on my age, gender or location, then I wouldn’t want to work for that company anyway!

All in all, as long as your CV is an accurate and up to date representation of yourself with some personality thrown in, you can't go far wrong! Be honest, concise and polite, and your CV is sure to impress. 

I hope these hints and tips have come in handy and, if you are part-way through the gruelling job hunt process, I wish you every bit of luck and success. If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help and will gladly get back to you via the comments below!

Happy Hunting!

E x