Stand out from the crowd
It’s a difficult pill to swallow, but Generation Z, through no fault or doing of their own, is facing a double-whammy of uncertainty, both from Brexit and from post-pandemic Britain. The stark reality is that skilled jobs will be fewer and farther between, with more and more job seekers applying for each vacancy. When competing against 200 rather than 20 applicants, how are you going to stand out from the crowd? What’s your USP?
Well, why don’t you ponder that while registering for one of our charity challenges? Having this fundraising endeavour bolster up your resume is exactly the kind of thing that personalises a job application, and gets your prospective employer interested in your story.
Take it from the chap here in his thirties who’s worked and travelled all over the world. Choose a Challenge must be my twentieth or so employer, so naturally I’ve found myself on the other side of the desk in a number of interview rooms. Admittedly I’ve not landed them all, but of course none of us is ever going to be a perfect fit for every organisation. What I’ve learnt is that when you’re shortlisted for an interview, then you’ve already been deemed qualified for the job. Think of matching with someone on tinder or whatever you kids are using today... More often than not, the interview itself is a first date, where the two (or more) parties meet and get to know one another. This is where you sell yourself, and believe me if you’ve got a charitable conquest listed on your CV, this will be a topic of discussion!
Employability has evolved somewhat over the past couple of decades. When I was starting out fresh out of university, it was still a time where tattoos and piercings were often considered taboo, and selection was pretty much exclusively about your academia. Nowadays, while educational and vocational studies tick off essential criteria and get you onto the shortlist, it’s not what ultimately lands you the job.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
My own post-graduate experience, for what it’s worth, is a little different than most. Having spent four years working my way up the social housing ladder, I decided at the ripe old age of 27 to abandon my career-oriented life and embark on a six-month trip around South East Asia. Never (and I mean, NEVER) will I look back on this choice as anything other than what it was - the best decision of my life!
What started as a six-month sabbatical turned into a five-year pilgrimage, leading me twice around the globe and to some 90 different countries along the way. I managed to pick up work pretty readily in Australia and New Zealand, which kept the travel kitty purring, but between jobs the world was quite literally my oyster. Returning to the UK in 2016, I’ve only had two interviews and luckily bagged both roles. Seemingly, there’s always a bit of luck involved, but having been given the chance to sell my story in both interviews, it’s hard to disregard the impact of life experience on interview success.
Naturally, we’re all bunkering down now for the winter, what with covid remaining prevalent and all. But what comes after? Well, one thing is certain in my mind - that a new wave of YOLO will emerge, and not necessarily one that manifests exclusively in the young. I see a whole generation moving on at once from the doom and gloom of 2020, with the collective assertion that life is too short, and that liberties like freedom to travel which were once taken for granted, won’t be so easy to let go of again.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
For these reasons, welcoming the annual influx of university participants from across the nation is one of the more rewarding parts of what we do.
Investing in young people is investing in our future, and it’s become clear to me since my tenure here began that Choose a Challenge is way ahead of the pack when it comes to supporting students in their extracurricular affairs. Indeed, a degree is an important notch to have on your resume, but at the end of the day if that’s all you’ve got, you’re not going to walk into a post-grad job interview with that Wow factor.
What we give our student fundraisers, as well as the obvious, is a journey they can reference to any prospective employer that encompasses dedication, commitment and perseverance, all for the good of a charitable cause.
And lest we forget our challenge leader faithful - the life and soul of the party! Year after year we are further indebted to their efforts, tirelessly promoting the missions of our partner charities to generate support and enticing more fundraisers to get involved. As part of this journey, we enrol and tutor leaders through an Independent Leadership Management course, formally recognising the skills they’ve developed. When trip time comes around, it’s always a proud moment for us all to witness first-hand the qualities and experience they’ve gained from the role.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Giving back to the community that supports us makes this symbiotic relationship between Choose a Challenge and its participants so special. Even through this - our toughest year - it remains a pleasure and a privilege to guide young people through this incredible journey, and rest assured, WE WILL GET YOU THERE...
