11th Dec2009

ProGrad are going “digital”

by Berleena

Since 2004, ProGrad have been working with our Client partners to develop recruiting strategies which not only reduce the risks associated with sales recruitment, but more importantly offer a streamlined approach to interviewing to minimise time spent.

Our Client partners find that attending a live ProGrad assessment session can provide a valuable insight into our candidates, their behaviours and their sales ability.  This has proved to be a compelling offering, which often results in a more streamlined interview process by the employer who pre-selects candidates that were present on the day.

ProGrad are now taking this a step further, by starting to film the assessment and selection of our candidates.  This footage is then provided to clients upon request, who are looking to recruit new super stars. 

From the comfort of their own office, our client partners can watch the live stream of assessment day footage and pre-select their shortlist without leaving the office.  This further minimises the shortlisting process and ensures that the benefits of attending the day is still received, even though the interviewer remains office-bound.

ProGrad anticipate that this new offering will further enhance our reputation as a market-leader.  This will coincide with the growth of ProGrad into the US Market in early 2010.

ProGrad has become a pioneer of new concepts around assessment and training of sales people and we’re always keen to hear of more suggestions either from employers or from our candidate base.  If this is a topic that you’re passionate about, then naturally we would like to hear from you.

Please contact ProGrad on 02 8235 8300 for more information, or email info@prograd.com.au

Category : ProGrad News
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08th Dec2009

Are you thinking of travelling after Uni?

by Berleena

It is graduate season and certainly a time when most graduates are weighing up their options.  Are they to stay and enter the work force, or is it time to see the world?

If travel is something that appeals to you, then our recommendation is to get that out of your system before engaging in full-time work! Employers have spent the last few years bowing to the demands of GenerationY and keeping roles open for those that suddenly decided to go travelling for a few months.  The reality is, that in the current economic climate it should be “all hands on deck”. 

Now is not the time to be starting full time work, and have an employer invest in your training and development if there is even a small HINT of you wanting to leave to go travelling. 

If you’re feeling the travel bug now, and you havent commited to full-time work…then get it out of your system and just go!  If you need to save money then take on a casual/ temporary job to assist you in putting money aside.  Whatever you do, do not take a role unless you know that hand on heart you can be commited to it for at least 3 years.

Companies will only start to see a return on their “graduate” investment after approximately 18 months of being in a role (sometimes longer) and so it is essential that their investment is recognised by candidates. 

Over the last 12 months, in a tight economy we have seen a huge decrease in candidates wanting to go travelling, and certainly and increase in the average tenure in a role.  The job market has been tighter and hasn’t provided the same opportunities as it had several years previously.

As a young person with limited experience, it is easy to overlook the company that first invested in you at the start of your graduate career.  Try to keep in mind that your first employer has had to invest in you enormously, possibly more than any other employer.  They will have invested time, effort and money on your training and development.  Ensure that you treat them well as they are likely to assist in future career moves – going off travelling after a few short months of working for a company is not likely to assist in the form of a glowing reference!

So…if you’re considering a trip away and you havent started work yet…go for it!  There has never been a better time.  Besides, many employers make look more favourably upon you if this is “out of your system” prior to starting.

ProGrad work on behalf of over 600 employers across Australia and are specialists in the field of graduate recruitment.  Feel free to follow us on Twitter by clicking www.twitter.com/progradgraduate

We can also be found on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=168060&id=126475642525&saved#/pages/Sydney-Australia/ProGrad/126475642525

Category : Graduate News, ProGrad Melbourne
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07th Dec2009

ProGrad Melbourne Assessment Day

by Berleena

Our next ProGrad Assessment Day in Melbourne is taking place on Tuesday 15th December and spaces are limited.

This is the last ProGrad assessment day of the year in Melbourne and will be sure to attract more candidates and employers than before.

We’re looking for recent University graduates with a keen interest to get involved in B2B sales and marketing careers with organisations in Media, FMCG, Pharmaceutical, IT, Telco, Finance and Events/ Entertainment.

No experience is required as ProGrad offer a full, comprehensive training program upon placement, which is funded by our employers and simply facilitated by ProGrad.  We have over 600 employers that have engaged with ProGrad over the last few years and therefore are described as Australia’s leading recruiter in the graduate market.

If you’re interested in becoming a ProGrad graduate and learning more about our opportunities, please contact the Graduate Development team on 02 8235 8300.  For some information about past placements and recent successes that we have had, please look at our website, by following this link: http://www.prograd.com.au/Case%20Studies/Case%20Studies-15.aspx

Category : Graduate News, ProGrad Melbourne, ProGrad News
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07th Dec2009

ProGrad are growing the team

by Berleena

ProGrad are yet again looking to recruit for our own in-house graduate program in Sydney.  We are looking to start a new group of graduates in the New Year and have already commenced the interview process.

We like to recruit through our own process, using recent graduates who have made it through the ProGrad assessment day.  This ensures our selected graduates have been assessed for their capability in sales and our interview process is then about assessing a cultural fit for the business.

ProGrad has been in Australia since 2005, and have grown dramatically over recent years.  This growth has been due to the efforts of our own graduate recruits who demonstrate genuine passion and flair for our business model. 

As a Business Development Executive within ProGrad, the role combines a B2B sales component with the involvement of assessment days and telephone screening initially.  The graduates have an intense induction period when joining ProGrad and are then on a career progression plan which ensures their ability to do all elements of the role within the first 12 months of joining.  Graduates then embark on a Management development program to ensure their continual development within the business.

ProGrad are expanding into the US market in 2010, and will also be offering international travel to employees over the forthcoming years to ensure further development of their careers.

If you’re keen on knowing more about the ProGrad roles and our in-house graduate program, please contact us on 02 8235 8300 or email info@prograd.com.au

Category : Graduate News, ProGrad Melbourne, ProGrad News
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27th Nov2009

Are there more opporutnities on the horizon for graduates?

by Berleena

ProGrad have definitely seen a large number of graduates applying over November and December, which is mostly due to the time of year.  That said, we’re naturally seeing an influx of graduate positions becoming available as organisations start to see the importance of recruiting junior people to “home-grow” themselves.

Historically, ProGrad serviced the IT and Telecommunications sector and worked mostly within the B2B sales arena of these businesses.  Due to the success within this space, ProGrad started to expand into Media, Finance, Events, Publishing, FMCG and Pharmaceuticals.

We’ve also broadened the roles offered by ProGrad, by working on Marketing, Client Services, Account Management and Technical Support positions also.

We’re always listening to the needs of our clients and candidates alike and take that feedback on board to include further offerings as a business.

For more information about ProGrad and our service, please contact one of the ProGrad graduate team on 02 8235 8300.

Or email info@prograd.com.au

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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27th Nov2009

ProGrad assist with the Nestle Assessment Day

by Berleena

Last week, ProGrad were proud to work alongside Nestle with the selection of the Graduate intake for 2010. 

Nestle had invited a strong selection of 40 candidates from across the country to battle it out at the Nestle Assessment Day, held in Sydney.  With only a few Graduate positons up for grabs, it truly was an intense afternoon.

Nestle offer a wonderful career opportunity for any recent University graduate looking to embark on their professional sales or marketing career.  This two year rotational program is designed to produce some excellent talent for the business and generate the future business leaders.

Nestle opened the assessment day with a panel of key executives who presented to the graduates.  They outlined their own history within the company and explained some of the benefits of joining an organisation like Nestle.

Once this had been positioned, we then led into a self introduction session which was then followed by group dynamic exercises.  Each group completed two intense exercises within a limited time frame, and then provided feedback to the facilitator about how they reached their answers.

Nestle had put togther a challenging, yet insightful case study which each group had to complete. This was made more challenging by the panel presentations which took place in tandem.

All in all, the afternoon was challenging and 12 graduates have consquently made it to the final selection of their graduate intake.  It was a great afternoon and we’re grateful to all graduates who attended. 

Working with organisations to develop their graduate asessment tool has become a regular offering for ProGrad and one that we genuinely enjoy conducting.  If you’d like to discuss the offering in more detail, please contact one of the ProGrad team on 02 8235 8300

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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