TV presenter Anita Rani, comedian Iain Stirling and drag queen Divina De Campo have teamed up with BT to launch Stand Out Skills, offering jobseekers free and unmissable support and advice on the skills they need to stand out from the competition when searching for a new job.
The three celebrities will draw on their own experiences of standing out from the crowd to create free resources and advice across different stages of the job search – from knowing where to start and showing your best self to standing out when applying and in interviews. Each has created bespoke content for the online Stand Out Skills hub and will sit alongside other expert-led tools and resources for jobseekers.
Research of jobseekers conducted by BT has shown that looking for work over the past 12 months has affected their self-confidence, revealing that 4 in 5 (81%) have attributed a downturn in their mental wellbeing due to their job search. With the average jobseeker being rejected from 16 different roles, 45% admitted they had experienced decreased motivation, whilst 38% highlighted self-esteem and morale and a further 44% self-confidence.
This has led to jobseekers hiding details of their job search from their closest friends and family, with 57% keeping job applications secret in case they are rejected and a further 49% being concerned about what friends or family will think of the rejection.
TV presenter, Anita Rani, will show jobseekers how to start their job search and use her broadcast expertise to offer advice on how to excel in a job interview. She said: “My career as a television presenter has taught me how important it is to convey your enthusiasm so that people want to listen to what you have to say. While an interview can be nerve-wracking, it’s about having the confidence and belief in yourself to embrace the process and stand out against the competition. I’m thrilled to be a part of the BT Stand Out Skills campaign, so I can share some of my best tips and tricks to help job seekers come across well in a job interview and knock the socks of their prospective employer, even if it is over a video call!”
Comedian and Love Island narrator, Iain Stirling, will use his comedy skills to show jobseekers how they can use creative writing to make their CV, cover letter and LinkedIn profile jump of the page. He added: “As a stand-up comedian I know it’s important to grab people’s attention right from the start, and the same goes for your job application. Having an employer sit up and take note of your CV, cover letter and LinkedIn profile is the first step towards getting ahead of your competition. Words have the power to leave a lasting impact on an audience, so it’s important that you choose the right ones. That’s why I’m delighted to be involved in the BT Stand Out Skills campaign, to help people nail those job applications and present themselves in the best way on LinkedIn so that they can land their dream job.”
Divina De Campo, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK runner-up, will give candidates advice on how to create a unique identity and present their best selves. She said: “A job search can be just like a drag show: to wow those judges and put yourself ahead of the competition, you need to showcase your best self so that they see how fabulous you really are. Having been around the block a few times I can tell you that, unless you’re applying to be a spy, ‘blending in’ is a big no-no! That’s why I’m over the moon to be a part of BT’s Stand Out Skills campaign, which will give you everything you need to stand out from the crowd, like me, and shine in your job search from beginning to end.”
The campaign forms part of BT Skills for Tomorrow, which is helping 10 million people in the UK make the most of life in the digital world. It is designed to help everyone – from school children and teachers, parents and families, businesses and jobseekers, to older and more vulnerable people. Working in partnership with a range of the UK’s leading digital skills, enterprise and community organisations, BT have created and collated some of the best advice, information and support, in one easy to navigate place.
More on BT Skills for Tomorrow and the Stand Out Skills hub can be found here: https://www.bt.com/standoutskills
