NFYFC Vice Chair of Council Alex McMenemy has rounded off her final year of YFC membership in the best possible way, winning the Situations Vacant competition and bringing her competitive YFC journey to a memorable close.
Alex, from Durham City YFC in County Durham, was thrilled to be named the winner after impressing judges with her CV, covering letter and interview performance for a real-life job vacancy.
The Situations Vacant competition challenges members to apply for a recently advertised role by submitting a CV and covering letter in advance, before taking part in a formal mock interview. Competitors are assessed on their suitability for the position, making it one of YFC's most realistic and valuable personal development competitions.
For this year's challenge, Alex applied for the role of Engaging Food and Farming Advisor, a position she felt perfectly matched her interests and experience.
"It really marries a lot of my passions between agricultural engagement and organising stakeholders, and trying to build relationships across the agricultural sector," she said. "When I first saw the role advertised, it felt like a job that had been written for me."
While the position is not identical to her current role, Alex explained that it sits within a similar field.
Despite the pressure of the interview room, Alex praised the supportive approach taken by the judges.
"The judges make you feel really welcome and accommodating," she said. "They've looked at your CV, they've looked at your covering letter and learned about the job before you go in, so they're really well placed to ask questions about it."
She believes the competition offers invaluable experience for members preparing for future careers.
"It's a great way to gain interview experience if you don't otherwise have the opportunity to do so. Even if you do, it's still incredibly useful. I've recently applied and interviewed for jobs, and Situations Vacant is a competition I've really enjoyed throughout my YFC membership because it's helped me prepare for real-life interviews."
The victory is particularly poignant as it marks Alex's final year as a competing member of Young Farmers. Having spent many years travelling to Staffordshire County Showground to take part in competitions, she admitted the achievement carried extra significance.
"This is my last competing year and my last ever YFC competition, so I'm trying not to get too emotional," she said. "It's been a very long time coming. I've spent lots and lots of years competing at Staffordshire Showground. I've had a third place in Situations Vacant before, so I'm really pleased to be ending on a high."
Congratulations also to Henrietta Love from Dorset for winning the Situations Vacant competition in the 16-21 age category.
