July 13, 2009

I do often wonder what on earth they teach people at universities these days.

Aren't they supposed to make you a bit more clever?

A graduate has written to me asking for some work experience as she takes her first tentative steps towards a career in political journalism.

She attaches a remarkably honest list of her various examples of work experience.

In them, waitressing here, there and everywhere, working on a holiday camp, some voluntary work, and "an Entertainment Sales Assistant in a local Woolworth's branch" for four years which "involved advising and assisting customers, dealing with queries and dilemmas".

Presumably meaning, "we've run out of Phil Collins CDs" and "I think they're in the second aisle".

Nonetheless, on she forges, this would-be Westminster hack, who declares "being an ambitious person, I feel zealously on taking part in the local community" (sic).

And then finally lists her two referees, the first of which - and I swear on my mother's life about this - is:

NAME: Deloitte LLP Administration
COMPANY: Deloitte on behalf of Woolworths PLC.
TELEPHONE: 0207 936 3000.

I'm half tempted to ring them.