Bricks & Mortar: Careers trilogy, episode 1: Starting the search

LISTEN After an extended Christmas and new year break, EG’s Bricks & Mortar returns with a careers trilogy.

In this first episode, Bricks & Mortar host Sarah Jackman is joined by Nick Carman, partnership director at Macdonald & Company – a specialist recruitment consultancy for the real estate and built environment sectors – for a look at getting that first step on the ladder.

With a particular focus on graduates (though equally applicable to school leavers and those changing career), Nick takes listeners through putting together a CV, how to build connections in the industry and why time spent researching and attending events and seminars can help to demonstrate a genuine passion for the industry.

He also emphasises the importance of not overlooking local options in the search for work experience and the value of “going the extra mile”. As he sums up: “If you’re going to do it, make sure you throw everything at it. We want to see that energy, that enthusiasm and that persistence as to why you’re going to succeed in this industry. If you offer a lacklustre approach, it’s usually full of disappointment on both sides.”

Tune in next time to hear Nick talk about how to make the most of LinkedIn and other online tools to optimise the job search.

Listen to the other podcasts in this series:

Careers trilogy, episode 2: Making the most of online tools
Careers trilogy, episode 3: Succeeding at the interview stage