BLIND IN BUSINESS CANDIDATES - NAOMI STEVENSON

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Blind in Business Candidate - Kevin Satizabal

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More stories from the Blind in Business candidates.

CHRIS WALLER

I first came into contact with Blind in Business in July 2012. I had just graduated from university but despite studying for four years, I still had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. I received an e-mail from my university telling me about the annual Education to Employment event BIB were hosting in Surrey and this seemed like a good opportunity to gain some idea of the options available to me. 

I didn’t have very high expectations of the event. I assumed it would all be very patronising – a weekend full of people telling me how I could be an astronaut or an airline pilot if I really wanted, all I had to do was be positive. As such, it was a very pleasant surprise when I arrived and I found that the event was being run by very driven and knowledgeable people who had a lot of time for those who were focused and dedicated, but absolutely no time for those who blamed all their failures and problems on their disability. So it was with that, my experience with BIB begun. 

After the incredibly insightful and enjoyable event in Surrey had ended ,I quickly learnt that the help and advice they were willing to offer had barely been realised. There were months and months of regular trips to their office in London in which they would dedicate hours to finding me suitable jobs. They arranged interviews and meetings with people who I would never have been able to speak to otherwise. I had a tour of the PwC London office and a mock interview with someone who had experience interviewing at Ernst and Young, and this was all completely free. I haven’t been in contact with BIB for very long, but in such a short time they have not only shown me the wealth of opportunities that are available to me, but also made it crystal clear that whatever problems I have with my sight, it would not prevent me finding the career I really want.

 GHAZI ABUYOUNIS

I am currently in my last year completing my undergraduate Law LLB degree at City University London. I have white hair, a very fair complexion, colourless grey eyes, and a dependency on reading aids by the age of ten.

Coming from a different region of the world to study in the UK was a major step my parents and I decided to take. At first, I had mixed feelings as to whether I’ll cope with living on my own for the first time, in a country which I had previously visited during the summer holidays but never resided in.

I consider myself lucky to be visually impaired in a time-period where technological innovations are on the rise, making our lives easier. I can’t illustrate how dependant I am on technology to fulfil varying aspects of life such as travelling throughout London, reading course material, or to flip through the pages of City A.M. every morning on the train. Life just keeps getting better.

I knew about Blind in Business’s services through my University Student Support Centre. I attended a law event in May 2011, and in February of this year, I got back in contact. I spent 6 weeks during the summer at their offices, to submit Training Contract applications, and just can’t describe the impact the charity had on my life. I no longer think of my disability as an obstacle, but see it as an opportunity to inspire others who may or may not have a similar condition to mine. Their welcoming community allowed me to know other candidates on a personal level. There is nothing better than sharing your experiences with others who know exactly what you go through, because they too go through it, but in a different way. It was remarkable to realise that as BIB candidates, we share one thing in common, but yet we are so different from one another. The charity does an excellent job in making us competitive: shaping-up our CVs and job applications to make them as good, if not better, than other applicants. Today, competition for jobs is at its toughest levels, and the charity ensures we don’t get caught out in the process.

Blind in Business boosted my confidence by showing me what other visually impaired persons have done; thus proving to me that having low vision does not stop one from achieving. One of my own achievements this year was receiving the Recorder of London Award for the Best Law Student. Thus aside being told of the achievements of others, Blind in Business now use my achievement as a mean to inspire candidates. Operating within this two-way process encourages us to work harder to further carve our recognition within society.

SPEED RECRUITMENT SCOTLAND

 SPEED RECRUITMENT SCOTLAND
On Wednesday 28th November, was the first Speed Recruitment Event in Scotland.
Ernst and Young in Glasgow, whose Graduate Recruitment Team were kind enough to host the event.
E&Y, PWC and Acumen Solutions spent the afternoon interviewing the candidates, giving feedback and passing on their knowledge of applications and their industries.

Adeela Akram – BSc Accounting and Finance Graduate, University of Bradford

The Ernst and Young speed recruitment in Glasgow was the first Blind in Business event I have attended. Therefore I was unsure on what to expect. However I found it to be extremely useful. I had the opportunity to meet employers from a range of organisations such as Acumen Solutions and Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Each recruiter offered a short interview and valuable feedback was provided based on my strengths and weaknesses during the interview. This was an excellent learning experience as I realised what I must do to improve my interviewing skills, it was also a very good social experience as I had the chance to meet new people.

John James Laidlaw – Masters, Dundee University

I was invited along to the speed recruitment event at Ernest & Young in their George Square office in Glasgow. The event gave a number of blind and visually impaired graduates and undergraduates the opportunity to be interviewed by different organisations from the business world and gain invaluable feedback on their technique. An insight into what they look for in potential candidates for some of their grad schemes was also given. I personally felt prior to the event that this would be a valuable networking event from which I could learn a lot. This proved to be the case as everyone involved was keen to give constructive advice, share their personal experiences, as well as delivering a realistic interview scenario. I personally was totally new to these types of scenarios, but felt as though as the event progressed I grew more comfortable with these. The event was in my eyes a complete success and these types of events have the potential to help give many blind and visually impaired people the confidence to embark upon a long and fulfilling career.

Paul Murray – MMusic, University of Aberdeen

The Speed Recruitment was a new depth for me. As a student, I haven't explored employment options or opportunities and with coinciding issues I was dealing with, I was more than nervous. The actual event was by far the most informative and interesting day I could have experienced. I managed to up my confidence in an employment environment and also got to give my newly acquired skills a try out. From this event I have made ties with some employers and gotten some valuable knowledge in the process.

If you would like to get involved in our next Speed Recruitment in London on March 26th in 2013, then please email justin@blindinbusiness.co.uk for more information.

 

Meet the Blind in Business Candidates

At Blind in Business, we work with a wide range of people struggling to find employment, help them to use assistive technology in the workplace and education, and make the step between education and employment.

'My name is Daisy Robson-Odugbemi, a law graduate and I am originally from Nigeria. I have oculocutaneous albinism which is a lack of pigment in my eyes, skin and hair; a ‘black girl trapped in a white girl’s body’ as my family like to say. I am registered blind as my eyesight is really poor. Even though I have been lucky enough to have a good family and supportive network of friends, my scholastic life has been difficult. University was an exceptionally trying time and I began to have doubts about whether it was even possible for me to achieve my goals and ambitions. I heard about Blind in Business through my University Disability Centre and being involved with them has been wonderful. They have offered practical guidance, are friendly, always available to help and provide a listening ear. I have also gained a lot by attending their networking events and ‘Speed Recruitment’ sessions, where I met employers and other young people with visual impairments. 
For the first time, I gained friends who know exactly what I am going through. I feel happier and more confident about my future prospects for the first time in a long time knowing that Blind In Business are there for me through this journey from education into a career'. 


My name is Maya Haynes and I am a 2nd Year undergrad at Keele University. I first got involved with Blind in Business when I was home from my first year of University for the summer, and wondering what to do with it.

I came across Blind In Business through a few web searches and realised that they could give me work experience whilst helping me to find summer work at the same time, which was perfect for me. I started by doing 2 weeks work experience at the London office. 
However I really enjoyed it and was offered the opportunitiy to stay on for another week or so.  Working at Blind in Business gave me a lot of confidence last summer and made me realised that employers ARE interested in people like me who have very limited vision. Of course there are limitations to very few jobs, but Blind in Business are always honest about these, and they always focus on the positive as opposed to the negative. It was a great experience and I will definitely be approaching Blind in Business next summer, to go into the offices and get help with applying for jobs and doing some work experience on the side. 

To hear more stories from candidates, check out our Candidate diaries on Youtube.

 

 

New job postings

Justin Harrison, one of the Employment Advisors at Blind in Business has put together a list of job openings. Theres a nice variety of positions to choose from.

Good luck with your applications and remember Blind in Business are here to help in any way we can :)

http://www.lr.org/careers/graduates/

http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=526

http://www.bewiser.co.uk/carins/AXA/?referrer=bgg116&gclid=CLHvjpPPy7MCFW3MtAoda10Acgb

www.google.com/students/step

www.sightsavers.org/about_us/vacancies

http://applications.phoenixgroupcareers.co.uk/pages/job_search_view.aspx?jobId=1314&JobIndex=6&categoryList=&workingPatternList=&keywords=&location=-1&PageIndex=1&Number=7

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/9617091/Apprentice-James-Bonds-to-be-taken-on-by-spy-agencies.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/9662061/Microsoft-to-create-300000-training-and-work-placements.html

EVENTS AT BLIND IN BUSINESS

 

At Blind in Business, we have lots of exciting events coming up that are free to candidates and open for registration. Some are focused on employment, some are for parents, some involve accessible technology and some are a great to meet other candidates and enjoy a drink J

Speed Recruitment is a one day event which allows undergraduate and graduate candidates to partake in a Speed Dating style set of interviews with various employers. Each candidate gets 10 minutes to not only be interviewed but to ask the employer questions themselves. The next Speed Recruitment events are in Glasgow and London (please see below for details.)

Education 2 Employment is an annual residential event, where 20 undergraduate and graduate candidates are selected to attend. The first day consists of workshops and a networking lunch followed by 2 mock interviews with 20 different employers. The second day, the candidates are taken water skiing to put them out of their comfort zone and ultimately boost their confidence.

Places are now open for E2E 2013 for the 24th -26th July so if you are interested in coming along or you want to find out more than email Justin@blindinbusiness.org.uk

The Parent’s Workshop is hosted by Dan Mitchell who invites a variety of different role models to speak to parents or young people with visual impairments. From lawyers, to graduates, people who have been travelling and other visually impaired people in employment, they all share their stories and help reassure parents and young people that there are still plenty of opportunities and careers for them to fulfil regardless of their visual impairment.

The next Parents Workshop is on Tuesday 11^th December 2012 at the Blind in Business offices in London. It is free. To register your attendance or for more information please email dan@blindinbusiness.org.uk

Alongside our employment events we are also hosting Technology Clinics with Sight and Sound Technology. These are tailored towards Parents, those in Education, one for Employers and those who are in employment. Staff from Sight and Sound Technology will be demonstrating how accessible technology can be and the difference it will make in the workplace, school and the home.

If you would like to come along and try out different technology or more information on the clinics, please email media@blindinbusiness.org.uk

These are just a sample of the various events we hold. You can find out more information on our website, www.blindinbusiness.org.uk or you can call 0207 588 1885 and a member of staff will be happy to tell you about upcoming events.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

NETWORKING EVENT FOR YOUNG VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE

WEDNESDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2012, 12 – 3PM, BLIND IN BUSINESS OFFICE, LONDON

SPEED RECRUITMENT SCOTLAND

WEDNESDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2012, 12 – 3PM, ERNST AND YOUNG, GLASGOW

PARENTS WORKSHOP

TUESDAY 11TH DECEMBER 2012, 5:30 – 7PM, BLIND IN BUSINESS OFFICE, LONDON

CHRISTMAS SOCIAL

TUESDAY 11TH DECEMBER 2012, 7:30PM – LATE, THE SHOOTING STAR, LONDON

PARENTS TECHNOLOGY CLINIC WITH SIGHT AND SOUND TECHNOLOGY

TUESDAY 22ND JANUARY 2013, 5:30 – 7PM, BLIND IN BUSINESS OFFICE, LONDON

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY CLINIC WITH SIGHT AND SOUND TECHNOLOGY

FRIDAY 15TH MARCH 2013, 4 – 6PM, BLIND IN BUSINESS OFFICE, LONDON

BLIND IN BUSINESS LAW DAY

FRIDAY 22ND MARCH 2013, 4 – 6PM. BLIND IN BUSINESS OFFICE, LONDON

EMPLOYMENT TECHNOLOGY CLINIC WITH SIGHT AND SOUND TECHNOLOGY

WEDNESDAY 15TH MAY 2013, 4 - 6PM, BLIND IN BUSINESS OFFICE, LONDON

 

EDUCATION 2 EMPLOYMENT RESIDENTIAL

24TH - 26TH JULY 2013, ENGLAND, UK

 

The Two Tick Scheme

The Two Tick symbol is awarded to employers to use on job adverts and application forms to show that they are committed to employing disabled people. It also guarentees an interview if you meet the basic conditions for the position.



To find out more, check out the links below or google the Two Tick or Positive About Disabled People scheme to find employers who are involved.

https://www.gov.uk/looking-for-work-if-youre-disabled/looking-for-a-job

https://www.gov.uk/looking-for-work-if-youre-disabled/applying-for-a-job

The Value of Work Experience

Everyone has experienced the disheartening feeling of receiving an application rejection letter. Or even the absence of any recognition of what feels like the 3 gazillion CVs and applications you have sent.

When it comes to attracting an employer’s attention or getting them to spend that little longer reading your CV, it is all about standing out.

A recent study using eye tracking technology has highlighted that an employer will spend as little as 6 seconds reading your CV.

One way to turn those 6 seconds into 16 seconds is work experience. As more and more people go to university and get degrees, work experience is becoming a more valuable asset when applying for a job. Employers see it as an example of your dedication to find employment by taking the time to gain new skills, whether paid or non-paid. However, most work experience placements or internships are unpaid.

When I graduated, after spending most of my time at the university student radio station, I knew that I wanted my career to involve radio in some way. However I couldn’t afford to go to college or do a postgrad radio course, so the only other way was to get some work experience.

I had already been pestering my local radio stations for years about getting work experience, so I decided to take my chances and cut out the middle man. I e-mailed the Managing Director of Original 106 FM in Aberdeen and the next thing I know the Station Manager, Neil Weightman, had phoned and invited me to the station. I spent the next 9 months learning all the tricks of the trade, how to use industry software and assisting in all tasks contributing to the daily running of a station. Everyone at the station was brilliant and made sure I gained the skills I needed to learn and I made lots of industry contacts.

A Blind in Business candidate, Kevin Satizabal, graduated from Birmingham University with a degree in music earlier this year. Like most graduates, he has been struggling to find employment. He is interested in marketing and decided to apply for a volunteer position at The Royal London Society for Blind People .

“I wanted to build on my marketing skills and gain practical work experience in order to enhance my CV. More importantly it shows employers that I am willing to work and more than capable of doing so, despite being visually impaired. I have also learned lots about marketing and working for Action Blind has made me want to have a career in marketing more than ever.”

At Blind in Business, our employment advisors can help you find work experience and make sure you get the most out of it. Whether it is to find out if banking is for you, or to add to your CV for a journalism post. Email Robin Spruell (robin@blindinbusiness.org.uk) or Justin Harrison (Justin@blindinbusiness.org.uk) who can help you find a placement, wherever you are in the UK.

Spend a week at your local community radio station, help out at a youth group, organise events for a charity or an internship at a top insurance company. Work experience is a great way to increase your chances of employment and show them that even though you are visually impaired, you are just as employable as anyone else.

Samantha Little

Attention All Graduates!

 

It is that time of year again when all the graduates or undergraduates in their final year are competing in their thousands for graduate placements..

Graduate schemes are training programmes that are usually run by large organisation in both the public and the private sector. Under these schemes companies take on a number of graduates in the autumn of their graduating year.

Some of the graduate schemes are very competitive and have lengthy selection processes that can include telephone interviews, assessment centres, second interviews and group tasks, aptitude tests, role plays, written assessments, group discussions and presentations. Depending on the company or organisation you are applying for the interview process will vary.

At Blind in Business, we help graduates prepare for their interviews and make sure the tests are accessible.

We have put together a list of useful websites to help you with your search.

The Graduate - Links to companies looking for graduates.

www.thegraduate.co.uk/

Prospects - For those of you in Scotland, Prospect Jobs is a great Graduate website for searching for schemes etc.

www.prospects.ac.uk/graduate_job_search.htm

 

The Grad Diary - For keeping an eye on scheme deadlines and openings – use Grad Diary

http://www.graddiary.com/

 

The Guardian - The Guardian has a special website dedicated to Graduates. It allows you to tailor your search and receive email alerts on new graduate entry level jobs and schemes.

www.jobs.guardian.co.uk/Graduate

 

Monster Jobs  and Graduate Schemes | Monster.co.uk

www.monster.co.uk/Graduate_Jobs

 

Milkround - Visit Milkround for 1000s of graduate schemes, jobs, internships & placements, plus events & career advice. Register for industry & location job alerts.

www.milkround.com

 

Graduate Jobs UK  - Graduate Jobs allows UK employers and recruitment agencies to post jobs and graduate schemes www.graduate-jobs.com

You can also find graduate recruitment schemes by going directly through the company or organisation who hosts their own schemes.

Below you will find a sample of the various companies who offer a graduate scheme.

Civil Service Fast Stream -

www.faststream.civilservice.gov.uk/

NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme –

www.nhsgraduates.co.uk/

British Airways Graduate Training Schemes –

www.britishairwaysjobs.com/baweb1/?newms=info37

Marks & Spencer Careers and Graduate Opportunities –

www.corporate.marksandspencer.com/mscareers/opportunities/graduates

Graduate Schemes at the John Lewis Partnership - www.jlpjobs.com/graduates/

HSBC - www.hsbcgraduatecareers.com/

Google - http://www.google.com/intl/en/jobs/students/sga/mba/index.html

Bank of England - www.bankofengland.co.uk/careers/Pages/default.aspx

Graduate Careers in Law, Allen & Overy - www.aograduate.com/

The closing dates vary between graduate schemes. Many close as early as November for graduates who will graduate during the following year. However, some will keep their deadlines open for as long as it takes to fill all the available positions.

The earlier you apply the better, but if you have missed the original deadline, keep checking the company’s website to see if they don’t reopen for more applications again.

The Blind in Business team are available Monday to Friday, 9am – 5.30pm for advice on disclosure, help with applications and one to one sessions at the London office or via telephone (0207 588 1885) and Skype (BlindinBusiness).

 

Keep an eye out on the Facebook to see if we are visiting your University this year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

New beginning

As part of Blind in Business’s new approach to targeting and working with more candidates, we will be posting weekly blogs on people’s experience, current topics that affect the visually impaired and blind in the work place and much more.

My name is Samantha Little and I have recently joined Blind in Business as their new media and marketing intern. I was diagnosed with Ushers Syndrome at the age of 16. I was born with a moderate bilateral hearing impairment and as I reached my early teens and my eye sight started to deteriorate, it was discovered the two were related.

One of the symptoms of Ushers is Retinitis Pigmentosa or RP. RP causes night-blindness and a loss of peripheral vision (side vision) through the progressive degeneration of the retina. As RP progresses, the field of vision narrows—a condition known as “tunnel vision”—until only central vision (the ability to see straight ahead) remains. Many people with Usher syndrome also have severe balance problems.

This had a knock on effect on my education, approach to life and my plans for the future. I was very lucky in that the local Sensory Unit was based at my school and the University of Aberdeen had a very supportive Disability team. However, as graduation loomed, I found myself more and more in the dark about how to approach the world of work.

Luckily, half way through my final year, one of the Blind in Business staff paid a visit to my university. I wasn’t really sure to expect, but I left feeling a lot more confident about heading into employment. Robin asked me questions about what career paths interested me and took the time to look over my CV and give feedback. That was at the beginning of 2011.

Shortly after, I was invited to the BIB Education to Employment event where I met motivated young people in a similar position to myself and the opportunity to network with employers such as Channel 4. This led to an invitation from BIB to spend a week in London to work on applications. Because of my networking at E2E, I won a place at a Channel 4 documentary competition. Early, the following year, after countless applications and unpaid work experience, I had my first interview since graduating, at Box TV. The staff at BIB helped with my research and interview prep and even made sure I got to the interview. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the job, but came 3rd. For my first interview, I was really please and it was just the confidence boost I needed. Then in April, I secured a two week internship at a London based PR company and BIB were on hand to help out with any issues I had. In the summer, whilst I was searching and preparing for an interview at the BBC, I got the opportunity to practise my film making skills and film the Education to Employment 2012. Unfortunately I didn’t get the job at the BBC, but after all my hard work over the last year, BIB offered me the chance to work full time in London. Not only am I adding to my employable skills and learning to deal with adult issues like rent and bills, but it allows me to take the opportunity to network and take advantage of opportunities in the media industry.

As a graduate in today’s economic climate, there are times when it is hard to keep the momentum going, when it feels like you have filled out and sent a million applications, with not so much as an automated e-mail in response. Never mind as a blind or visually impaired graduate, where there is the extra worry of whether  your sight will get in the way, or if the company will even read your application when you tick the disabled box or the worry of how you are going to get to your interview.

If I hadn’t had the staff at Blind in Business, checking in to see how I was getting on, setting me deadlines, reading over draft after draft of applications and running through interview questions with me, my year would have turned out very differently.

My advice to any visually impaired or blind person looking for work, would to be take full advantage of the services at Blind in Business. It is completely free and the team are lovely J

Don’t let the location put you off. I originally lived in Aberdeen and worked with BIB over the phone, email, and they came to visit me and vice versa. The office has just opened a Skype account so there are no excuses!

Any more information, check out the website: www.blindinbusiness.org.uk

Facebook: ‘Blind Charity’

Twitter: @blindinbusiness

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/blindinbusiness

 

 

Welcome to the BiB Employment Blog!

Hello!

I have set up this blog as part of a revised attempt to better engage with those we seek to help.  I hope that you find this medium accessible and the topics discussed here interesting. 

So, what will this space be used for?  Posts will range over a multitude of topics, from comment on relevant items in the press, write ups (inc. photos) of events, and updates on what BiB is up to at present.  We may even have a guest blogger or two. 

I hope that you will check back regularly, and do feel free to make comments.  As always, if you have any comments or suggestions for this space or more generally about BiB, please do drop me an email. 

Kind regards,

Robin Spruell

Direct Tel: 0207 382 4607
Office Tel: 0207 588 1885

E-mail: rs@blindinbusiness.org.uk
Web: www.blindinbusiness.co.uk
Blog: http://bibemploymentblog.blogspot.com/