The first « Game of Jobs » workshop series organised at the University of Luxembourg culminated with a final round on Friday, 1 June 2018 at the Maison du Savoir. Three students were awarded for their excellent self-presentation in front of experienced human resources (HR) executives from Luxembourg.
« Game of Jobs » consists of seven learning-by-doing workshops during which students learn essential skills and tactics to present themselves to recruiters. It helps the students to playfully professionalise for future job applications, to excel at interviews and to fast-track their dream job. Launched by the University’s Career Centre in partnership with the Personnel Officers Group (POG) of Luxembourg, it offers a prime learning and networking platform for both students and companies.
The workshops are led by the University’s as well as external facilitators. Bringing in external human resources professionals diversifies the learning experience for students, but it also opens a new outlook for companies needing to understand the students who are the job-seekers of tomorrow.
« Preparing students in their ‘Way To Work’ and raising awareness of what employers are looking for today and maybe looking for in the future is vital to the success of the Luxembourg’s future economy,” say unanimously Julie Noirhomme, Managing Director of Ajilon Luxembourg and Lucia Berges, Head of Marketing at Adecco Group Luxembourg. Anne Jacquemart, President of the POG, also voiced appreciation for this initiative: “‘Game of Jobs’ has been a great way to open up the conversation between businesses and students.”
Providing added value on every side
“Building a career path is a challenge for every graduate, no matter how brilliant they are. We want to prepare them for what awaits them and to move with more ease through stressful application processes,” explains Siva Bactavatchalou, Head of the Career Centre. “Well-prepared graduates will know how to respond to expectations and pleasantly surprise recruiters.”
This is how « Game of Jobs » helps partner companies and recruiters. With time, they will face more well-prepared students and graduates and will have an easier task to identify the skills and qualities they search for.
Throughout the workshops, points are given to participants based on their participation and on predefined criteria (including quality of CV, LinkedIn profile or e-mail application). The Final Round Battle evolves around mock interviews with HR partners, while an interview with the jury panel awaits the top 5 finalists. The jury for the final round of this first edition was composed of Anne Jacquemart, Julie Noirhomme, Caroline Deylaud-Koukabi (University of Luxembourg) and the audience.
Game of Jobs 2018
All participants who complete the series receive a certificate of completion signed between others by Rector Prof. Stéphane Pallage and Vice-Rector Prof. Romain Martin. The three winners received high-tech devices that will be useful for their studies. They are:
- 1st prize: Jéssica Quevedo Zamora, Master student at the Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication;
- 2nd prize: Susanne Kirchen, Master student at the Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication;
- 3rd prize: Maxime Jacmin, Doctoral candidate at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) and working for Theracule, a biotech startup incubated at the University.
One participant said of his experience: “I like that we got to learn tricks on how to present ourselves, how to communicate with a possible employer and that we got to meet important people from companies.” The final round was held just before the first summer party of the Incubator of the University of Luxembourg – giving all participants a well-deserved break and the opportunity to mingle with entrepreneurs and University partners.
Next edition of the competition
The next « Game of Jobs » edition is scheduled in October 2018. Regardless of their level of studies and curricula, interested students of the University are welcome to get in touch with the Career Centre. Companies who want to be part of the success of « Game of Jobs » and meet our outstanding students can write the Career Centre to become partners.
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Contact: careercentre@uni.lu