How an open mind and the right attitude can open doors for you.

How an open mind and the right attitude can open doors for you. What do you think is one of the main defining factors in securing and developing a career? Employers consider a multitude of factors, but make their final decision based primarily on evidence of a positive and constructive attitude. Ian Barwick a Warwick Classics graduate from 2013 now working for E3 Consulting passes on his job search advice to us. Attitude is about how people evaluate things and what influence this has on their actions. But what is the right attitude to have when looking for opportunities in life? There are certain ways of demonstrating an engaged attitude, and these can be put into practice by anyone, you won’t have to change your personal approach and style. Be open minded in approach Bias can affect your job search. Many graduates assume that the only way to obtain a job is through graduate schemes at large companies. In reality, according to the University of Kent (2014), only 14% of graduates join graduate training schemes at large companies, and many smaller employers throughout the UK offer graduates opportunities. By being open minded and actively seeking out opportunities from companies of all sizes, both within the UK and overseas, you’re widening your horizons and giving yourself the best possible chance of success. Take the Initiative One way of taking the initiative is to make speculative job applications. It’s easy to assume that most jobs are advertised on graduate recruitment websites, such as Milkround or Prospects.   Actually, if youre more resourceful  youll find many more opportunities. Why not  trawl the net, network and consider making speculative applications? Theres lots of evidence that speculative applications do land people jobs. You’ll increase your chances of success if you start by doing careful research and follow through with drive and tenacity. Be positive! Having a positive outlook will enable you to reflect constructively on past experiences, learn from them and adapt your approach accordingly. Persevere Perseverance often separates those who are successful from those who aren’t. Successful people don’t wait around for someone else to solve their problems! They take responsibility and act positively to find solutions themselves. Thomas Edison, American inventor of the light bulb and co-founder of General Electric, is reputed to have said of his unsuccessful attempts at design. “I have not failed.   I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Work through setbacks and deal with them in a positive and constructive manner and you’re more likely to achieve success yourself. Be honest with yourself and others Be honest with everyone, including yourself. Lord Sugar endorses this with his advice on how to become an entrepreneur: “You must be honest, straightforward, don’t beat around the bush, tell it how it is.” Follow your heart and do what motivates you, not what you think you should do, otherwise you’re going to find it very difficult to stay motivated! Sir Ben Ainslie, (the British sailor and five-time Olympic medallist) understood this. When asked why he stood out, he said: “I’ve thought about it a lot… I think the difference just comes down to how much you really want it and how hard you are prepared to work for something…You have to be very honest. One of the things I’ve noticed a lot about people who are good but then don’t quite make is that they always have an excuse for something that goes wrong; it’s never really their fault. I think if you’re honest and say ‘Ok well I did make a mistake’, then that goes a long way.” Having a constructive and positive attitude leads to success! In conclusion, having a constructive attitude is essential to success in all areas of life. Maintain an open mind, take the initiative and persevere with your actions through to completion.    Be honest both with yourself and others and  you’ll stand out from the crowd and be well placed to make the most of all the opportunities that you seek out. Here’s what some famous people have to say about it. Lord Bilimoria, businessman and founder of Cobra Beer commented: “In business, as in life, there is no single secret to success â€" but if there is, it is having the right attitude”. Venus Williams put it like this: “Some people say I have attitude maybe I do but I think you have to. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does that makes you a winner right there. Ian Barwick went to work for E3 Consulting after his graduation, (through the Warwick Graduate Internship scheme). He stayed at E3 for 10 months developing his interest in the area of Property Taxation, and was then offered a full time position as a Graduate Property Tax Surveyor.   As part of his role, he will be supported by E3 Consulting to study for a Postgraduate degree in Quantity Surveying and will work towards the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ APC Tax Route to professional qualification and Membership of the RICS and the Association of Taxation Technicians’ tax qualification.