OFTEN finding your dream job can be about who you know, not what you know.
Candidates are nine times more likely to be hired when another employee refers them – but what if you don’t know anyone at the company you want to work for?
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That’s where innovative platform jointangent.com comes in.
Created by two working-class pals, the site makes employee referrals accessible to everyone, not just those with the best networks.
Jobseekers submit video pitches, just 60-90 seconds long, which are viewed by staff already employed at companies signed up to the platform, who recommend these candidates for roles at their firm.
The site also offers mentors from hundreds of companies, such as Amazon and Revolut, who volunteer their time to connect, meet and refer jobseekers from socially diverse backgrounds. Co-founders Gary Izunwa and Joe Adams worked at LinkedIn and EE, but quit their jobs to help make hiring fairer for others.
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Gary says: “Joe and I come from low socioeconomic backgrounds and this is what united us.
“When I started my career, I didn’t know what an employee referral was, but I quickly learned a huge amount of hiring comes from it.
“We kept on seeing our privately schooled colleagues refer private-schooled friends, and them then land top jobs.
“It all felt so unfair for those of us who are just as talented but lack the networks to get referred, so we knew we had to do something about it.”
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Currently, the platform is focused on tech sales and business development, but it will be expanding this year.
Firms already signed up include GoCardless and Multiverse, who have made hires with an average salary of £30k through the site.
We’re Gen Z and hate working, quit every job and live with mums
Robert Cochrane, 27, swapped working in a wine shop for a job as an account executive at Multiverse using Tangent.
Robert, now living in London, said: “I’m from Wales and had no professional experience to help me get a job in tech.
“Usually you have to send off hundreds of applications on job boards, but on Tangent employees in tech companies reach out to you or you directly connect with them for support.
“It was great to see progress after previously applying to so many roles and never hearing back.
“Getting hired through Tangent was simple and I would not have got my job without it.
“I’d like to see employers doing work to specifically target individuals from less privileged backgrounds.
“We are as hard-working and talented as anyone else, but typically don’t have the access or networks to the best jobs. I think they’d be pleasantly surprised at the amount of untapped talent there is out there.”
Gary said: “The tech industry has all the ingredients to be a paragon for social mobility but, like most industries, it favours schools over skills, credentials over competencies, privilege over potential.
“It’s our firm belief unlocking this talent will be good for business and the economy.”
- See jointangent.com.
Steps to prevent burnout
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APRIL is Stress Awareness Month but, with 79 per cent of UK employees reporting high levels of stress at work, more needs to be done to stop burnout.
Christine Macdonald, of HR and management specialist The Hub Events, shares her expert advice.
She says: “If you are feeling overwhelmed with daily tasks and noticing an increase in workplace conflict, then there is a significant chance that you may be experiencing burnout.”
- Admit that you need help: Many people find this hard but burnout and high stress levels are a serious phenomenon. Nobody will think any less of you. Acknowledge how you feel to yourself first. Concealing it is far more harmful.
- Talk to a colleague or a friend first: If you find your manager intimidating, then consider talking to a colleague initially. Explaining all your responsibilities may help put your work into context and will give you the additional boost of confidence needed to talk to your manager. You can also get support from your GP or the NHS online.
- Ask for help: This is essential to ensure your physical and mental wellbeing don’t suffer. Be confident in the fact that you are not blaming anyone for being stressed, but are doing what is best for your team too. Working alongside someone who is chronically stressed can put a serious strain on relationships and productivity.
- Don’t Complain, Explain: Have this conversation when you are calm and prepared. Less empathetic managers can often feel that they are being blamed for your stress and could become defensive. Avoid this by explaining that you are having difficulties and are looking to them for support.
- Try to provide solutions: Ask for a temporary reduction in your workload or a few personal days off. It’s good to have some suggestions ready for anything that can ease your stress levels.
- Put yourself first: Your mental health is incredibly important and should come first. If your manager refuses to help you in any capacity, it may be time to search for new job opportunities.
Jobspot
ENTERPRISE FLEX-E-RENT is recruiting more than 100 vehicle technicians throughout the UK. Find out more at careers.enterprise.co.uk.
Cook up a future
SCHOOL pupils looking to get their teeth into a new career are being taught hospitality skills through the CanTeam initiative.
Run by social change pioneers Future Foundations, the scheme transforms school canteens into community hubs, with free meals and catering and hospitality skills taught to young people.
After a successful pilot scheme in London, CanTeam has been awarded £225,000 by education charity Big Change to take the idea nationwide.
Future Foundations CEO Jonathan Harper hopes to see CanTeam operate in 27,000 schools. Pupils at each school help design the events and staff are paid overtime for sharing their expertise.
Find out more at future-foundations.co.uk/canteam.
Jobspot
HOUSEBUILDERS KEEPMOAT are recruiting 12 bricklaying apprentices and a digital apprentice. For details, see keepmoat.com/careers/current-vacancies.
Bag a £20K bursary
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WOMEN from low-income households can now apply for up to £20,000 in financial support to train as an engineer with Amazon.
Recent data from TechNation shows that only 26 per cent of the UK tech workforce are female.
However, since 2021, the Amazon Future Engineer Bursary programme, supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering, has awarded £1million and helped 75 women studying engineering and computer science.
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Talking about the programme, head Lauren Kisser said: “We want to break down barriers to opportunity that so many young people face to help diversify our next generation of tech talent.”
Recipient Basira Rishad, who has just started her computer science degree at London’s Queen Mary University, called the bursary “life-changing”. Apply by May 7 at amazonfutureengineer.co.uk/bursary.
