Search to find 2012 Games Makers arrives in Coventry As London 2012 volunteer interviews commence
Selection gets under way in Coventry on 22 June and runs until 15 July for London Olympics volunteers.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) will arrive in Coventry to select some of the 70,000 volunteers, known as Games Makers, who will lend their time, energy and expertise to volunteer at the London 2012 Games. The team of interviewers selecting the Games Makers will be searching for people to fill a wide range of volunteer roles for the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. These roles will range from welcoming and guiding spectators at the Olympic venues to helping with the distribution of athletes' kit and uniforms.
McDonald's, the fast food burger company, employs more than 600 people in the Coventry area, and as Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Maker Programme, it is using its expertise in customer service and people development to help attract, select, and train the diverse team of volunteers who will be needed for the London 2012 Games. Expert interview tips for aspiring Games Makers are being offered by McDonald's, a company with extensive experience of recruiting people with the attitude and qualities to thrive in a fast-paced environment, who enjoy working in a team and delivering service and hospitality.
Local McDonald's franchisee, Sarah McLean looks for many of the same qualities when she hires people to join her restaurants, qualities that will be needed in the Games Maker team. She is using her experience to help aspiring Games Makers stand the best chance of success at the forthcoming selection event at Warwick University in Coventry.
Sarah McLean shares her expert advice on how to stand out from the crowd:
First impressions count - you'll be the face of the Games for thousands of spectators in 2012, and if you smile, make eye contact with your interviewer and put them at ease straightaway, you'll come across as a great potential Games Maker.
Do your homework - find out about the different roles available for the Games Makers at www.london2012.com/volunteering so you can show you really understand the role. Explain why you're a great fit, and display the knowledgeable manner you would present when helping spectators at the Games. Not everyone can look after Usain Bolt's tracksuit while he does the 100m sprint, and if you show you're realistic and enthusiastic about the range of roles on offer, you'll show you're a great candidate who will stick with the programme between now and the end of the event. All experience is good experience, and I am always impressed by people who have actively sought out diverse, hands-on experience within, and outside of work - it means they have an appetite to try new things and get things done, and that's just the attitude the Games Makers will need.
Enthusiasm is infectious - When I interview people, I want to see their passion and enthusiasm shine through. Any previous volunteering experience is a great way to show this, because it shows you're willing to go the extra mile, just as the Games Makers will need to do in 2012.As a McDonald's franchisee who runs 9 restaurants in the Coventry area, employing 600 people, I have 1,000 people apply to work at my restaurants each year, and I've learnt how to spot those who enjoy helping and serving customers in a busy environment and working as part of a motivated and loyal team; just as the Games Makers will do in 2012. When I look around my restaurants and see how hard my staff work to give their customers a great experience, it reminds me what a difference it will make if every visitor at London 2012 is welcomed and supported by a friendly, confident and knowledgeable team. These are the qualities we need to find in the aspiring Games Makers taking part in the selection events here in Coventry - they have an exciting and important task ahead.
The above advice from Sarah is applicable for any candidate looking for a job in Coventry, not just aspiring Games Makers. She is a local employer and this is a good insight to what restuarants in Coventry are looking for at job interviews.
Jean Tomlin, HR Director at LOCOG said: "Thank you to everyone who offered their time and put in an application to volunteer with us during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Applicants from the Coventry area should check the email address they used to apply to the Games Maker volunteer programme to see what day they have been invited to interview and choose a time to suit them. The team at London 2012 is very much looking forward to meeting Coventry-based Games Maker applicants from 22 June to 15 July at Warwick University."
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