2.  Find out what is COMMERCIAL AWARENESS  What does it matter?  What you should know?  AND work on ELP3

3. Various definitions of commercial awareness, but in essence it means: An understanding of the sector, the company and the job that you are applying for Ability to view events and circumstances from a business perspective

4.  Employers are attracted to candidates demonstrating that an effort was made to research the employer  Makes you more appealing (give you the edge)  Make you feel more confident at interview  You get to know the employer and find out if you really want to work for them

5.  The business itself Company website, literature, company brochure  The news Online search engines, newspaper websites, keep up to date with general developments  University resources Careers services for employer information, library trade magazines, journals, etc.  Sector magazines, publications and websites  Talking to people in the industry Insider information

6. Through work experience Highlight all kind of work experience, part time and voluntary work Key thoughts  How was the company structured?  How did it differentiate itself in the market?  What were the needs of the clients or customers?  Who were the main competitors?  Did any legislation impact on the delivery of its services?

7. Undertaking key roles in societies at university or school Key thoughts:  Have you raised money for charity?  Did you organise an event?  Responsible for making decisions/allocating budgets?  Have you secured sponsorship?  Responsible for marketing an event  Level of budget controlled  Targets in terms of money raised or numbers attended

8. Undertaking key roles in societies at university or school Key thoughts:  What did you do and what did you learn?  Were you given a financial role, market analysis, sales role, or any other?  Have you raised money for charity?  Did you organise an event?  Responsible for making decisions/allocating budgets?  Etc.

9. By reviewing company’s annual report and website (or that of your placement provider) Key thoughts:  Do you know the products and services?  How company is structured?  Key market trends?  Aware of our values, aims and objectives? e.g. Able to articulate company’s customers shopping habits have changed  E.g. healthy living and response of company

10. When given a case study  The candidate is asked to review specific areas within an organisation and prepare a brief presentation  You should focus on the highest and lowest performing areas within an region & make recommendations  Their recommendations must include:  The relative differences in performance  Likely causes for differences  Suggestions on the ways forward

11. When given a case study  Interpret and use data presented in a numerical and graphical format to make informed decisions  Understanding the needs of different customer groups based upon demographic information  Being able to work out the operating profit for each area  Providing creative recommendations  Being able to coherently bring together all of the information and consider it from different perspectives in a way that makes sense  Making decisions and recommendations that are commercially viable and logical

12. Group Debate  Candidates are given instructions and an investment proposal  Then asked to propose (and agree) an investment opportunity considering both the commercial and ethical criteria  Establish rating criteria, e.g. a SWOT or PEST analysis  Consider economically viable options

13. Prepare some intelligent questions Wow them with your knowledge Don’t ask them for sensitive information Don’t put pressure on them

14. UK Student Careers - PwC Employability

16.  Discuss what organisations you and your ALS would want to investigate with a view of future applications  Choose at least 2 organisations per ALS  Agree a time to meet and report back through your ALS online, not more than a week delay…  Then back to the computer for ELP3 (CU students only)