Step up to the plate and be different

At the moment its competitive in business, no doubt about it.

Those who want to survive the current climate are looking for new ways to be different? Why? Because those people and businesses in the same industry in the majority purport to do the same thing.

"We save you money, we grow your business, we reduce your costs" - same message from the same people and little left to the imagination of those who 'listen'.

Separating yourself from the crowd is a key skill and from my own experience it works. About 14 years ago now I left Yorkshire to go and live in London. With degree in hand and 'money mad' I reckoned at the time I'd be 'hot property' only to find thousands of newly graduated job hunters with similar experience to me (zilch) competing for the same roles. To get those roles you had to demonstrate that you were different.

I'd had a few interviews with a few companies and had not secured employment. My patience wearing thin and morale low after 3 months of job hunting I came into contact with an agency who had a client (Computer People - IT Recruiters based allover the UK with a vacancy in Redhill, Surrey) potentially interested in graduates who were 'different'.

This was my opportunity. I'd heard that Ann Brown, Contract Sales Manager of the Redhill branch liked people who were different, people who could demonstrate that they were different and if I could do that, there might be an opportunity.

"Great" I thought. But with minimum experience of work, little IT knowledge, no formal sales skills I wondered what the heck I would do to impress. I met with Ann and my raw enthusiasm and willingness to learn ensured that I passed the first interview stage. Fantastic! It was only then that I was informed of the requirement to do a 10 minute presentation on the following:

"Why we should give you the job?"

Mmmm. Presentation. To 15 people. In the boardroom............dedum, dedum, dedum, dedum....

After racking my brains of what I was going to say, how I was going to fill 10 minutes, let alone 'convince' the Redhill team that I was perfect for them (without experience) I turned to the one skill I did have which was a knack for writing witty poems.

So there I was, in the boardroom, looking at my 'possible peers', them looking back at me as I started to give them a bit of history. Where I was from, my days of working as a waiter, my customer service skills, my desire to be successful before I ended with....

"before I finish the presentation I'd like to finish with a poem I wrote." They looked perplexed and confused. I swallowed hard...then started.....

"For years at University
I studied like mad to get a degree
and to the delight of my dad and mum
I ended up with a - 2:1

So now's the time to get a job
no more days getting wrecked on Michelob,
Banking, Catering, Management?
No thanks I want IT recruitment.

Recruitment problems there to solve,
constantly watching the IT evolve,
trying to place a candidate
when all the CV's aren't so great.

If the candidate can't do the job
can his reference, his mate, his uncle Bob?
The IT recruiter of this generation
requires an active imagination!

The hours are long but that's alright,
working to deadlines ever so tight
needs a person who's adaptable and flexible.
Its the person infront of you, Nick Hill.

I've mountains of energy ready to burn
in this industry that I want to learn
I feel that I have all the skill
to work here with you in Redhill

So now I've shown what I can do
I know the rest is up to you
You seem to be a decent mob
Computer People, give me a job!"


......and you know when you just get that feeling that something has gone very well, you just know it. Then the hands started clapping, the people laughing and smiling and even a 'cheer' emerged....

Did I get the job? Next time you see me, why not ask me!