Gradvance

Gradvance Career Mentoring Program

Personalised mentoring program which walks you through our proven framework to land your dream graduate job. 

1. Gain Clarity
- Go from feeling lost and confused with your career, to super focussed and clear about what you want. We’ll help you built a target list of ideal companies and dream jobs.

2. Get Visibility 
- No more applying online and never hearing back. We’ll teach you strategies to become unforgettable and market yourself to your dream employers, from networking to growing your profile, we’ll get in front of the right people. 

3. Interview like a pro 
-Learn how to tell your unique story, skills and potential to hiring managers at interviews. With our interview prep frameworks, you’ll be more confident than ever and get into the top 1%, leading to job offers! We’ll also help you get the best deal with effective salary negotiation.

What you’ll get by joining the program: 

Gradvance Academy  
- 30 unique video lessons - covering topics such as job search strategies, networking, LinkedIn, CV’s, cover letters, interviewing, and more...

Weekly live coaching
- Dan goes live on a Zoom call to review the week's lessons and to answer any questions that you may have regarding your journey. 

All the templates you need
-	Access a suite of high quality templates and examples you need to land your dream job, which can be implemented quickly and easily!

We've helped hundreds of people land jobs at: Google, TikTok, BT, Vodafone, Amazon, EY and more.

To learn more, visit gradvance.co.uk

Founder

BT Group

Leading the committee to drive strategic change at Ex-Co level and create long-lasting change to positively impact our ethnic minority colleagues across BT Group (87,200 employees in UK).

Co-Chair - Ethnic Diversity Network

Etc.

Working in BT's innovation team, managing the digital marketing and go-to-market strategy and execution across 4 start-up businesses, disrupting industries including: Health Care, EV Charging, Fintech and Drones.

Digital Marketing Manager

The School of Innovation

Fractional Marketing Director

Operating within a SAAS start-up in BT, Digital Marketing Hub. Driving the brand positioning and go-to-market strategy to re-launch the product in 2023. Leading the brand, marketing, creative and paid media efforts. Digital Marketing Hub helps small businesses easily run digital ads across multiple channels, all from one place.

Performance Marketing Manager

Leading a team and managing all comms channels: social, copy writing, content and events. Grown the membership community by 30% to 1700+ colleagues and we’re driving group-wide initiatives to influence positive change and create a more inclusive culture for 100,000 employees.

Comms Lead - Ethnic Diversity Network

 BT Business 

Lead the marketing strategy and execution of four specialist multi-million-pound businesses.
• Managing the 2021 Street Hubs proposition launch to deliver £80m revenue by 2025. 
• Managing Drone Solutions GTM plan, campaign execution, and consortium partnerships. 

BT Final Mile:
• Transformed BT Final Mile from proposition to millions of pounds in sales, tens of millions in digital awareness, and exceptional brand and digital presence in the logistics market.
• Executed two £150K paid media awareness campaigns, generating 25m impressions, a 1000% increase in website traffic and the highest CTR of any BT paid media campaign to date.
• Running paid media lead generation campaigns, resulting in a £2.1m sales pipeline including senior leaders at DHL, NHS and Thames Water.

Marketing Manager

Delivered outstanding commercial and operational value for BT, EE, Daisy Group, Openreach and EDF.

EE Supply Chain Operations Management
• Saved 2.1 million sheets of paper (126 trees) for EE Supply Chain by optimising operations, resource and machinery.
• Designed and delivered 10,000+ EE Retail repair bags to 650 stores nationwide, improving repairs by significantly reducing in-transit damage to products.
• Project managed a £250K office refurbishment, relocating 16 colleagues.

Customer Service Desk Manager - led a team of 30 people
• Improved the % of Calls Answered within 30 seconds (PCA 30s) from 65% to 90% (industry average 80%) for Openreach and EDF engineers.
• Achieved significant reductions in the average time to answer calls (90s to 10s). 

Business Improvement Manager
•	Launched a £30K/month project for Daisy Group, driving a 50% increase in operational efficiency.

Graduate Programme - Business Management

In The City Magazine

Business Development Manager

Quintadena Ltd

Business Development Executive

Royal Bank of Scotland

Relationship Manager Placement

🌱 My story starts where most graduates find themselves today…

In 2015, I graduated with no connections, no mentors and no direction. I applied for 50+ jobs and got rejected constantly.

I finally got a job but I hated it — I had to quit for my mental health.

That’s when I realised... visibility matters more than ability. So I stopped mass-applying and focused on QUALITY > QUANTITY.

Within months, I had interviews with BT, Vodafone, Amazon and Sky - and landed my dream job on the BT graduate scheme.

💫 That’s why I built Gradvance Academy

350+ students and graduates have secured roles at top companies like Google, TikTok, EY, L’Oréal, Fujitsu, Amazon and more — generating £12,421,850 in salaries.

Mentees Follow Our Proven 5-step System:

1️⃣ Clarity – set personalised goals
2️⃣ Visibility – build winning CV & LinkedIn
3️⃣ Networking – get referrals & insights
4️⃣ Interviewing – perform with confidence
5️⃣ Salary Negotiation – get the best offer

🌟 Success Stories:

Mary - Data Scientist, The Alan Turing Institute
"Before Gradvance, I was struggling to land interviews. Now I couldn’t be happier - great support at every stage and the community kept me motivated."

Sakhti - Vendor Risk Analyst, AmTrust International 
“It was truly a team effort! This job has changed my future in the UK as an international."

Ade - Higher Statistical Officer, Department for Work & Pensions
"The value I gained was incredible! I reached more final interviews than ever and I feel confident in my career."

🌍 For International Students, it's difficult.

❌ Limited VISA expiry window
❌ Uncertain UK Gov policies
❌ Fierce competition

Yet Our Mentees Still Win:

Ceci 🇲🇽 → Journal Specialist, Frontiers
Sakina 🇮🇳 → Business Development, Marble London
Rabiya 🇵🇰 → Senior Product Manager, Westminster City Council

⚠️ Why This Matters RIGHT NOW

In 2024 there were 140 applicants per role (highest in 30 years). Most grads are mass applying with no strategy.

NOW it's UK Graduate recruitment season (Sep to Dec) — if you miss this window, you'll stay stuck in the same cycles of rejection and ghosting.

✅ Your Career Growth 

On average graduates start on £28K. But your dream job can increase your salary fast:

📈 Yr 1: £36K (+12%)
📈 Yr 3: £50K+ (+56%)
📈 Yr 5: £65K+ (double your start)

‼️ Every month you delay is thousands lost in earnings, learnings and experience.  

💫 Gradvance Academy is an investment into your future, personal growth, network and mindset.

Want to land your dream job in the next 90 days?
➡️ APPLY to join Gradvance Academy today: bit.ly/Gradvance-Academy

Dan Mian

99% of jobs can be taught.

Hiring has become way too complicated.

Everyone’s looking for the perfect candidate.

Flawless CV.
Years of industry experience.
Portfolio of insanely good results. 

I know many incredibly talented people who have been rejected from roles they're a great fit for. 

Companies are operating with fear.

They're scared to:
- Take a risk 
- Invest in training 
- Hire for potential 

The best people aren't usually the most “qualified.”

Here’s what companies should hire for in 2025/26:

1️⃣ Attitude over experience
↳ You can teach skills. You can’t teach drive, resilience or humility.

2️⃣ Aptitude over perfection
↳ Look for fast learners with high potential.

3️⃣ AI competence as a core skill
↳ People leveraging AI are light years ahead. 

4️⃣ Problem solvers, not box tickers
↳ Find people who can figures things, and not get overwhelmed.

5️⃣ Personality that lifts the culture
 ↳ Energy, empathy, communication - these matter more than a job title.

Imagine if companies stopped chasing unicorns.

And instead built systems that onboard, nurture and develop great people.

The talent is already out there.
They just need a chance.

Build people.
Your company will build itself.

💬 Do you agree? Comment below.

♻️ Repost to push hiring forward.
👋 Follow Dan Mian for more leadership & career insights.

Land a UK graduate job in 90 Days 🚀 | 400+ Success Stories | #2 Career Coach Worldwide | UK Grad Recruitment Season (Sep-Jan) = Best Time to Get Hired | DM me “DREAM JOB” if you’re a UK grad looking for your dream job…

Rejection hurts.

Job searching can feel relentless.

You spend hours:
 
- Tailoring your CV
- Crafting applications
- Preparing for interviews

You go through multiple rounds. 
Each one building your hopes higher.

And then an email lands in your inbox: 
“We regret to inform you.”

It’s brutal.
I’ve been there.

Years ago, I was rejected 50 times before I landed my dream job.

And now after helping thousands of graduates land their dream roles too... 

Every job seeker needs to know this 1 thing.

Rejection is NORMAL.
It’s not a reflection of your worth or potential.

Here's How To Turn Rejection Into Success:

1️⃣ Ask For Feedback
 ↳ Find out why you weren't selected.
 ↳ Apply what you learn for future applications.

2️⃣ Customise Your CV For Each Application
 ↳ Highlight results & use keywords from job description.
 ↳ Adopt the employers language.

3️⃣ Practice Interviewing
↳ Don't relax once you land an interview.
↳ Rehearse answers, record yourself & refine your answers.

5️⃣ Stay In Touch With Interviewers
↳ Send a thank-you message, even if you’re rejected.
↳ Ask for future opportunities. 

6️⃣ Track Your Progress
↳ Create a tracker for applications, follow-ups & feedback.
↳ Spot patterns in your approach (e.g. applying earlier = more success).

7️⃣ Take Care Of Yourself
↳ Rejection is tough - give yourself time to process it.
↳ Celebrate small wins to keep your momentum going.

Every rejection brings you closer to the right opportunity.

Trust the process. 
Keep learning, improving & moving forward.

You’ve got this!

♻️ Repost to inspire job seekers
_________________

Are You A Graduate In The UK Looking For Your Dream Job? 🚀

Just this last month, 5 of our students turned interviews into job offers with a 100% SUCCESS RATE after we introduced our new and improved "secret weapon" to their job search!

Want to know what it is? 
I'm sharing it in my free Job Search Masterclass 💼🚀

Comment SECRET below for access ⬇️ 

(Must be a UK-based student or graduate)

Land a UK graduate job in 90 Days 🚀 | 400+ Success Stories | #2 Career Coach Worldwide | UK Grad Recruitment Season (Sep-Jan) –​> Best Time to Get Hired

I once quit a job with nothing lined up.

No plan.
No safety net.
No new job to go to.

It was a decision I couldn’t avoid anymore.

Because I had a manager who made every day miserable.

The culture was toxic.
And I couldn’t take it anymore.

You spend 40 hours/week at work.

If it’s draining you?
No salary makes up for that.

5 Red Flags That Should Never Be Ignored:

🚩 Micromanagement
↳ If you’re constantly questioned or controlled, there’s no trust.

🚩 No Recognition
↳ Good work goes unnoticed? You'll feel underappreciated. 

🚩 Burnout Culture 
↳ No flexibility, crazy deadlines/pressure. That's not high performance - it's mismanagement.

🚩 Poor Leadership
↳ Leaders who lack EQ and don't inspire people.

🚩 No Room To Grow
↳ Talented people want growth. If they don’t get it, they’ll find it elsewhere.

And if you’re a leader reading this?
Here’s how to do better:

✅ Give People Autonomy
↳ Trust your team to what the job you hired them for. 

✅ Praise In Public
↳ Recognition costs nothing as is so impactful.

✅ Support Your Managers
 ↳ They shape the culture. Invest in them. Train them.

People don’t quit companies.
They quit bad bosses. And toxic environments.

A great salary can attract top talent.
But a great culture will keep them.

Repost ♻️ if this hit home.
Follow Dan Mian for more insights.


Image Credit: Laura Morgan

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Careers Consultant (International) - Careers Service

◾️ Support students and graduates with all initial careers enquiries
◾️ Assist with CV preparation, writing effective application forms and providing robust ‘job search’ tips to help our students gain graduate roles, placements, part-time work, internships and volunteering opportunities

Employability Officer - Careers Service

◾️ Liaise and support students accepted on the GO Wales programme, to undertake work experience, which may consist of shadowing, tasters or placements
◾️ Build relationships with employers, from initial approach to identifying relevant job opportunities

GO Wales Project Assistant - Careers Service

◾️ Support students and graduates with all initial careers enquiries at our drop in service
◾️ Assist with CV preparation, writing effective application forms/cover letters and providing robust ‘job search’ tips and advice
◾️ Create strong relationships with employers to source graduate roles, placements, part-time work, internships and volunteering opportunities
◾️ Promote these opportunities via CareerHub, the university’s online job portal

Employability Adviser - Careers Service

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

◾️ Worked in the Building & Estates Team, overseeing ‘Parking & Permits' 
◾️ Issued parking permits to staff, to enable them to park at 5 UHB sites
◾️ Dealt with parking queries from patients, visitors and staff
◾️ Daily liaison with car park contractors

Transport Admin. Officer (Temp)

Red Recruitment

◾️ Recruited Qualified/Part Qualified/QBE Accountants and general Accountancy staff for organisations throughout South Wales

Accountancy Recruiter

Linc Cymru 

Linc Cymru specialise in the provision of affordable housing, social care and health services in Wales. The business is made up of 3 distinct parts: Linc Homes, Linc Care and Linc Business Services.

Payroll Officer: February 2013 - January 2014
◾️ Responsible for overseeing the Payroll for staff at Linc-Cymru

Recruitment Coordinator: May 2012 - February 2013
◾️ Responsible for the recruitment of staff for Linc-Cymru

Recruitment Coordinator & Payroll Officer

Self Employed

Delivering Job Search Skills Training to job seekers, covering areas such as: CV Tips, Interview Advice, Completing effective Application Forms, utilising Recruitment Agencies and using the Internet to find work.

Clients have included: Panasonic, Cardiff University, UWIC, Coleg Glan Hafren, PTAP (Accountancy College) in London, Cardiff Council, Right Management, A4e, DwP (Job Centres in South East Wales), Caerphilly Teaching Local Health Board and NHS Wales Business Services Centre

Career Coach / Trainer

Careers Wales

Dynamo is a Welsh Assembly Government initiative (supported by Careers Wales), where I presented to young people in schools, colleges and universities to think in entrepreneurial ways, encouraging students to have a positive attitude to life and work.

Dynamo Role Model

accountancy4u

Recruit ACCOUNTANCY staff for organisations in South Wales.

Covering roles predominantly in the Private sector and Accountancy Practices.

Director

Middleton Murray

Delivering Job Search Skills Training to professional candidates via the DwP Support for Professional People contract.

The course covered a number of key areas to assist the job seeker back into the workplace:

◾️ Exploring Transferable Skills
◾️ CV Tips
◾️ Job Boards
◾️ Recruitment Agencies
◾️ Networking via Social Media
◾️ Guide to successful Interviews

JCP Relationship Manager / Career Coach

Daniels Smalley Partnership

Consultant for an Executive Recruiter based in Cardiff.

Undertook the recruitment of Directors and Senior Managers for organisations throughout South Wales.

Recruitment Consultant

APLUS Accountancy Appointments Ltd

Responsible for Business Development, to increase the number of ACCOUNTANCY vacancies and therefore to maximise fee revenue in the South Wales region.

Undertook a number of roles: Practice Consultant, Temp Consultant, Business Development and Administration Manager.

Administration Manager / Consultant

🎓 Proven track record in supporting students, graduates and professionals by improving their chances of finding employment.

📃 Expert advice provided on CVs, preparing for interviews, job searching, completing application forms and post graduate personal statements.

💻 Accomplished in delivering 1-2-1 careers meetings and employability workshops/webinars. 

💭 Host regular webinars to develop understanding of how to use LinkedIn effectively, promote networking, interview advice and searching for jobs.

🏆 Student Led Teaching Award Nominee 2021, 2022 & 2023 - Exceptional Support Award.

❤️ Passionate about helping Cardiff Met students find graduate jobs, internships, work placements, part-time roles and volunteering opportunities.

🔟 Access our '10 STEP GUIDE TO GETTING A JOB' - on MetHub via 'Resources'.

👇🏻 Interested in seeing my recommendations? Scroll to the bottom of my profile.

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Likes

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