It was also this year that there was a packed classroom welcoming all those interested in a panel discussion as part of the ECON MUNI Partner Day. Experts from businesses and organisations came to share with the students their tips and recommendations for getting an internship or your first dream job. And they also encouraged the students to be curious and proactive.
In the first session focused on CV writing, representatives from E.ON, EY and ITW Pronovia discussed what a good CV and an ideal cover letter should look like. For example, students were interested in how many percent of the requirements of a job advertisement need to be met in order to make it worth applying for the position at all. According to the experts, it is not necessary for a job candidate to be a super-human who meets all the requirements, but 80 % of the essential parameters should match the job ad. Speakers also agreed that the most important thing about a CV is clarity: it should not exceed 1–2 A4 pages and be suitably structured according to dates. In addition to work experience, it does not hurt to add hobbies, sports or other skills that give a more comprehensive picture of the candidate's personality.
A cover letter can also give HR specialists a lot of hints. Even if it is not explicitly required in the job advert, it is a good idea to write one and explain why this particular position has piqued the candidate's interest, what his/her motivation is and why he/she is suitable for the job. When asked whether there are any red flags in the CV, it was suggested that obvious warnings are, for example, mistakes in the Czech language, lack of clarity and trying too hard to sell oneself in the CV. It is better to use a cover letter format to highlight qualities. Candidates should not forget that if they have public social networks, HR specialists can also search for information about them there.
The second session dealt with the specifics of job interviews and was designed to give advice on how to successfully handle an interview or what to look for as a junior candidate in a selection process. Students were advised by partners from CzechInvest, KPMG and PwC.
The tips were mainly aimed at how important it is to learn as much as possible about the company before the interview. It works well if the candidate has an overview of the company's activities and values, has looked at the available information from the website and shows interest by asking questions. Asking about salary during the interview is fine, there is nothing inappropriate about it, it just shouldn't be the first thing on the agenda. And what's the best way to impress in an interview? Don't be vague and weak and interact with the recruiter, don't stand out with extravagant clothing or behaviour, be authentic and don't pretend.
The candidate always scores with questions on possible development and growth in the company, which is perceived as an interest in developing a career in the long run. On the other hand, being overly eloquent can also be a deterrent. It is good to be able to listen and leave space for others, especially if it is a team assessment.
The third part of the afternoon was about onboarding, with the aim of advising newcomers on how best to get started in a new job. The representatives of Atlas Copco, the Supreme Audit Office and UniCredit Bank discussed with the students what to expect in the first three months of work, what mistakes to avoid and who to turn to if it is simply too much at the beginning.
In most companies, there is the so-called “buddy” for newcomers who guides them through the first months and helps them with initial questions. It is better to ask too many questions than to keep the questions to yourself and make unnecessary mistakes. In the first weeks or even months in a new job, a stupid question doesn't exist, the panelists agreed. It's a good idea to take advantage of regular 1:1 assessments during the probationary period as part of the onboarding process, which will give valuable feedback not only to the new employee but also to his or her supervisor. There is no need at all to worry that many of the questions will lead to resentment or annoy. On the contrary, in good companies it is customary for the company culture to be enriched by new people and to absorb the good things they bring to it.
And what to do if your new job doesn't appeal to you or doesn't exactly meet your expectations? It's good to keep your eyes open and see what your new colleagues are doing. You'll learn something and get a better idea of whether you'd be more interested in a different position at the same company. You may find that there are more opportunities around you than the one you applied for.
The last part of the discussion afternoon with Deloitte, PKF Apogeo, The Office for the Protection of Competition and Zebra Technologies focused on the knowledge and skills that organisations expect from new employees and trends in the labour market for business sectors.
What is most valued in graduates and interns is the activity and interest, the energy they bring to the company. They also follow the latest trends such as the AI or in other areas, which is an advantage for employers. Thus, a motivated newcomer with an interest in the company grows by the “learning by doing” method and acquires new competencies directly at work. However, a good academic education is still an important background and, in some positions, a qualification for advancement.
The eventful day concluded with workshops on AI Options for Easier and Better Learning, Personal Branding & Networking and Effective Communication.
We thank our partners for their practical tips from real life and look forward to next year's useful cooperation!
Poor air quality has significant economic impacts on people's health. A team of scientists from ECON MUNI and the RECETOX centre has been preoccupied with air quality in Brno since 2021. They have even involved in their research children from several primary schools. Dr Dominika Tóthová, Associate Professor Vilém Pařil and Dr Ondřej Mikeš answer the questions.
Since the beginning of the year, the researchers involved in the In-Touch project are trying to improve the lives of people with dementia and of those who take care of them. Health economists from ECON MUNI are also part of the international team. Jakub Hlávka, head of the Health Economics, Policy, and Innovation Institute (HEPII), says that palliative care should take the emotional, spiritual, and cultural needs of patients into account.
