Derby students demonstrate employability for Hays Recruitment competition

Accounting and Finance students at the University of Derby are standing out from the crowd and improving their employability in a competition sponsored by Hays Accountancy and Finance Recruitment.

Over the last two days (April 15 and 16), students were asked to deliver a ten-minute presentation to a panel of judges demonstrating how they have improved their employability since starting their course with four prizes up for grabs.

The judging panel included Emma Kwiatkowski, Regional Director for Nottingham and Derby at Hays; Melissa Burnside, Manager for Derby at Hays; Bev Crighton, Derby Business School Employer Engagement Officer and, Rod Kelly, Deputy Head of Derby Business School.

With 104 offices across the UK, Hays is sponsoring four prizes, which include awards for first, second and third year students who have improved their employability, along with a prize for the student who achieved the best placement year. The four winners will each be given a £250 shopping voucher.

Students were judged on a number of areas including the type of work placement they have taken part in, what professional skills they have developed and, the amount of work experience they’ve earned.

The winners will be revealed at the Derby Business School ‘Showcase’ event on May 7, 2015, which is being held at the University’s Kedleston Road site between 2-8PM. Employers and business representatives are invited to attend to meet with students at the free event.

On judging the competition, Emma Kwiatkowski said: “The University of Derby is right on our doorstep, so the decision to work with them was an easy one. It’s really exciting to sponsor this competition and it’s been great to see the talent on offer at Derby.”

Bev Crighton added: “We are delighted to be working with Hays on this project. It will focus our accounting and finance students on employability and encourage them to get involved with a national agency early in their career.”

Find out more about studying Accounting and Finance courses at the University of Derby.