Evidence of work experience on a CV is more impressive than having a first class honours degree, according to Derby Telegraph editor Neil White.
White wrote: “I was asked, when speaking to students recently, whether I would employ a student with a first class honours degree with nothing on their CV or one who had a lower second-class degree with an impressive CV.
“I said I would go for the latter every time.”
He explained: “Nowadays, high-quality jobs are not that easy to come by – particular in my industry, the media.
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“So what's why I give students the message: ‘Make sure your CV shines.’
“I am astonished at how many potential applicants have undertaken no work experience during their studies.
“They haven't worked out that they need to stand out from the crowd.”
He went on to describe how he got into the media: “at the age of 16, I interviewed the editor of my local newspaper.”
“I dared to ask him if there were any part-time opportunities and he paid me £1.50 to cover parks football matches for the Saturday sports paper.
“When I became a full-time student, I asked for work experience at the local professional radio station.
“It was there that my dream became a reality at the age of 18 when I stood-in for the journalist who covered the local first division football team.
“It was a classic case of who you know combined with a bit of what you know.”
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