From Student to Office Superstar: Spotting the Next Generation of Talent

With a summer of sporting excellence well underway – from the British Grand Prix at Silverstone to Wimbledon and The Open – we’ve been enjoying watching seasoned professionals battle it out against upcoming new talents in their fields. It got us thinking about our own industry and what we currently do to recognise and support emerging talent.

With schools out for the summer, students – from those embarking on their first summer jobs to fresh graduates seeking the first rung on the career ladder – are in plentiful supply!

So, what should you look for in a CV that lacks extensive employment experience? Don’t dismiss it immediately if there isn’t a long list of paid roles in the work history section. Take the time to read the opening statement of the CV – or the cover letter if one is attached – and learn more about the person behind the application.

Do they sound like a good fit for your team, personality-wise?

Do they clearly state what they’re looking for, and what transferrable skills they bring?

If they’ve read the job description properly before applying, chances are they’ve identified key attributes they know would be valuable to your team.

While qualifications are always useful, remember that not everyone thrives under exam conditions. It’s good to see the basics – GCSEs or equivalent – but unless you have specific requirements, try not to rely solely on exam results. On both sides of the coin, don’t be dazzled by a straight-A student with little else to write about, and don’t discount the so-called ‘straggler’ who scraped by with a handful of results, yet ran the student committee and volunteered every weekend!

Volunteering and unpaid experience can be just as valuable as paid employment. Key things to look out for (or include, if you’re a candidate reading this!) include Duke of Edinburgh awards, charity fundraising involvement, student union or club membership, and hobby or team sports participation.

These experiences – often unpaid and thought of as ‘just for fun’ – build many transferrable skills young people may not even realise they have. A great example is the students at Hartpury University, a local institution we work closely with. Many of them are studying equestrianism or elite sports and assume that’s the only path for them post-graduation. As part of our commitment to supporting employability across the county, we regularly deliver careers talks and seminars at Hartpury.

Take equestrianism, for example. These candidates may not have office experience, but they do have the work ethic and commitment to get up every morning, rain or shine, and be punctual for horse care duties. They’re detail-oriented – noticing a speck of straw out of place or a horse’s unusual step and taking immediate action. They also understand logistical planning, often working in teams to complete tasks efficiently. When you’ve got 16 stables to supply with water, hay, and straw during a blizzard at 5am on a Sunday, you’re not walking back and forth more than absolutely necessary! These students are practical, hard-working, and full of initiative – ideal for roles in planning, logistics, events, HR, or facilities.

Similarly, sports students often believe they’re headed down a single-track path – until injury or life circumstances force a rethink. In our CV and careers sessions, we encourage them to explore their transferrable skills. Teamwork, for example, is a standout. These students have spent years learning how to collaborate, recognise strengths and weaknesses, and maximise team performance. They’re often excellent communicators and easily trainable for leadership or sales roles, where confidence and charisma are key.

These are just two examples of CVs that may appear limited at first glance but are actually full of hidden potential. With a little deeper digging, you might just uncover a diamond that fits perfectly into your business crown.

We’re currently running a campaign highlighting some of our top upcoming talent. If you’re looking for an entry-level team member you can develop into a prized asset, let us know – we’d love to share some candidate profiles tailored to your needs. We’ve already identified their transferrable skills, so you don’t need to sift through a stack of CVs – we’ll handpick the best-fit, pre-screened individuals for your business. No hassle, just talent.