12/10/16
CAREER PLANNING/JOB HUNTING
In this booklet you can find help to think about your skills,
abilities, talents, interests, qualities etc. What employer are looking for,
and matching the two together. Where to
find out more information about jobs.
Tips on how to write a CV, Cover Letter, completing an Application Form
and interview techniques. There are
examples of CV’s and Cover Letter and websites with more help do look though
the whole booklet.
When you are thinking about which jobs/careers are suitable
for you, you are in fact matching what you have to offer to the requirements of
the job. It is vital that you think
about yourself in order to know what you can offer an employer, and then look
at what type of person that job/career are looking for – then match the
two.
Here are some tips on the matching process:
·
How should I choose a job/career?
o
Think about your skills – abilities, talents
(performing arts) using IT, problem solving
o
Think about your interests - they can be things
you enjoy e.g. swimming, reading, football
o
Think about your personal qualities – helpful,
friendly, punctual
o
Think about what you value – what is important to
you in a job, being part of a team, being creative, helping people, having a
high wage
o
Make a list of the above.
In general:
·
What skills are employers looking for?
Communication
verbal and written
Able
to work in a team
Leadership/good
organisation
Problem
solving/numeracy
Languages
·
What personal qualities employers are looking for?
Conscientiousness
Flexibility
Willingness
to learn
Hardworking/punctual/reliable/helpful/commitment/calm
under pressure
·
Academic abilities: A wide range of subjects and
good results
·
Work Experience/Volunteering
·
A good application form/CV/Cover Letter is vital (later you will see examples of CV)
How can I find out about
different jobs/careers and the requirements
·
Find out what jobs /careers require from you,
which skills, interests, qualities and values do they require also what do they
offer you e.g. career opportunities, pay e.tc.?
·
If you are not sure how to find out about
different jobs/careers look at the following website:
·
You can look up jobs that interest you using Fast
Tomato and Kudos and it will tell you what is required.
·
Use the Kudos and Fast Tomato questionnaires they
will give you job suggestions. It is
matching jobs to your interest. Ask Mr Power for the log in code for both of
these.
·
You can investigate jobs within a job sectors e.g.
healthcare – If you are interested in becoming a Doctor you can look at other
jobs in the healthcare/science sector
·
Here is a list of the job sectors, click on each
and you will see many related careers
o
Administration/Business
o
Building & Construction
o
Catering & Hospitality
o
Computers and IT
o
Design, Arts & Crafts
o
Education & Training
o
Engineering
o
Environment, Animals & Plants
o
Financial services
o
Healthcare
o
Leisure, sport & tourism
o
Manufacturing & Production
o
Marketing & Advertising
o
Media, Print & Publishing
o
Performing Arts
o
Personal & Other services including Health and
Beauty
o
Retail Sales & Customer Services
o
Science, Mathematics & Statistics
o
Security & Armed Forces
o
Social Work & Counselling Services
o
Transport & Logistics
CV
– Curriculum Vitae
·
Once you have worked out which careers you wish to
apply for you need to prepare a CV this must be prepared for each type of
job/career, e.g. if you are applying for a sales job you must write one CV, if
you apply for an office jobs then another CV must be prepared linked to the
jobs and the skills each require. You should not use one CV for every job you
go to.
What is a CV – this is a way to sell yourself to the employer
Why do I need a CV:
To persuade employers to give you an interview
o
To send speculatively for possible jobs
o
To send to a potential employer when requested
o
To help you when completing application forms
What to include in a
CV:
o
Personal details including Name, Address,
Telephone (mobile) email,
o
Personal Profile, why do you want the job/career
o
Skills/Personal attributes Profile
o
Achievements (optional)
o
Employment, work experience or volunteering
o
Interests
o
Reference
Do:
o
Always word process
o
Be concise
o
Keep it neat and keep layout spaced
o
Do not use a fancy typeface keep it basic
o
Check spelling & Grammar, read in through
o
Maximum 2 pages of A4 pages
o
Use quality paper
Don’t
o
Bend the CV in a small envelope
References - you can either say available on request or add
two contacts
See example at the end of this booklet
Covering
letters:
Why write a covering letter to accompany a CV?
o
To express a specific interest in an
available/speculative job
o
To express general interest in a company
o
When requested by the employer
What to
include in a covering letter?
o
Which position you are applying for and how you
learned about it
o
Any relevant work experience
o
Skills you have which you know are needed
o
Express your enthusiasm and state why you are
suitable
Covering letter should:
o
Be word processed on good quality paper
o
Be well laid out and easy to follow
o
Arouse interest as an introduction to your CV
o
Be free from typing or spelling mistakes
o
Highlight key points relevant to the employer’s
requirements
o
Create a positive impact
o
Try to find out the name of the person you are
sending the letter to – begin with Dear (name) end Yours sincerely. If you
cannot find out the name start with Dear Sir/Madam and end Your faithfully
Many employers
will send you (or online) an application form. This will include information
about you e.g. name, qualification etc.
It will also ask you to say why you are suitable for the job.
·
In
preparation for the section of the application form about your suitability you
will need to pay close attention to the job description and the person
specification (if there is one)
o
Job
Description: outlines job duties and sets out range of responsibilities and
tasks
o
Person
specification: describes the person required by detailing necessary skills,
knowledge and ability
·
Think
about your skills
o
List
previous work and other experiences, noting skills acquired (look at page 1
where you have listed your skills)
o
List
any skills gained outside of work (through interests or voluntary work, this
could be in school or through clubs e.t.c.
·
Think
about the selection criteria
o
Note
the main responsibilities
o
Sort
out the skills and abilities required
Match the two
·
Review
your skills and experience against those required in the job
·
Underline
areas where there is a match e.g. the employer is asking for a person who has
organisational ability and you have organised a charity event in your school,
you have a match!
Completion
·
If you
have a paper application form, photocopy it before you start fill in the
photocopy in rough then you can fill in the original when you are sure you have
it right.
·
You
will often be faced with a blank area where you will be asked why you are
interested in a job and why you feel you are suitable for the job
o
If
they specify what skills they require make sure you include all your relevant
skills and experience
o
Start
with the ones you feel are most important,
o
Give
examples where possible e.g. For organisational skills – I have organised a
charity event at school
o
Use
positive language and end positively with an area you are strong in
·
Get
feedback by showing your draft to someone close you, tutor, careers adviser or
family member. Keep a copy you will need
it to prepare for interviews.
·
Only
when you are happy with the form send it off
·
Do not
allow the form to become creased or dirty
·
Use
the correct size envelope (try not to fold it) and spell the name of the
employer correctly on the envelope
·
You can use this to help with other
Application forms
Remember some vacancies can have many applicants try and
present yourself as the Best!
Additional notes regarding Online Application Form:
·
Most
parts of the form are the same as a paper application forms but also note:
·
Online applications are often filled in on the company’s
website. You will have to register, then
create a password in order to sign in.
·
Scroll through reading the whole form before you
start.
·
Write your answers in a Word document before you
fill in the form, then you can copy it onto the form. Save as you go along.
·
Abide by the word limits if there are any.
·
Make sure you print the form before you send it.
Interviews: coping with confidence
The
successful application form, CV or telephone call opens the door for the
interview. You have already succeeded at the first stage!
Get
organised
·
Make
sure you know where the employer is and how long will it take to get
there. If you are not sure and it is
possible take a trip there before the interview
·
Make
sure you know the name of the person who is interviewing you
·
Find
out about the employer (research on the internet) and their business
·
Make
sure you know about the job, what the duties are, skills required etc.
·
Decide
what you are going to wear a few days before hand make sure you look smart
Preparing
for the interview questions – it is not possible to know what the questions
will be but some topics often come up.
Think about these questions before the interview so that you are
prepared.
·
Why
you are interested in the job?
·
Why do
you want to work for this company?
·
Experiences
you have had that mean you are suitable for the job?
·
How
you would deal with particular situations e.g. you have in an interview for a
sales job and they ask you ‘how would be you with an angry customer’?
·
How do
you feel about study further?
·
Tells
us about your skills, interests, responsibilities?
On
the day
·
Give
yourself plenty of time to get to the interview
·
Have
the letter (or a copy of an email) inviting you to this interview
·
Never
take shopping bag e.t.c. with you
·
When
you arrive introduce yourself to the receptionist be professional
·
Try to
make sure you are not late – if you are delayed make sure you have the
employers telephone number and ring them
At
the interview – this is your chance to sell yourself. Make sure the employer is
aware of your strengths and enthusiasm
·
Make
sure you listen carefully when they introduce themselves
·
Shake
hands firmly with the interviewer, do not chew gum
·
Smile
and make eye contact but do not stare too intensely at the interviewer
·
Try
not to wave your arms or fidget
·
Do not
fold your arms – it gives a negative image
·
Speak
up, if you are being interviewed by several people make sure you look at the
person who is asking the question
·
Thank
the interviewer for his/her time when you leave
Coping
with the questions
·
Try to
avoid giving simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers.
Give as much relevant information as you can in response to each
question.
·
Be
positive and honest
·
If
they do not ask you about something you feel is relevant then try and find a
way to bring it up maybe at the end of the interview
·
Try to
mention your successes – this could be at school if it is relevant to the job
Asking
questions
·
You
will probably be asked if you have any questions
·
Be
positive, you could ask about training
·
Make
sure you listen or you may be asking questions that have already been stated
·
Ask
when they will let you know (if they have not already told you)
Afterwards
·
Wait
until the time they have told you they would tell you the result (e.g. in one
week’s time)
·
If
that time comes and goes then give the employer a call and ask if a decision
has been made
·
Hopefully
you will have been offered the job!
·
But if
not ask the employer for feedback on your performance at the interview
·
Use
this to help you know where you could have answered some questions better
·
Use
the whole experience to help you in your next applications!
Example of CV: this is suitable for GCSE students
George Smith
26 Borough
Road
Croydon,
CR19 5XX
077934512
Profile
I am a
reliable, organised and hard working person with good communication skills
looking for an accounting advanced apprenticeship. I am very keen to train in this area and
would like to progress in an accountancy career
Skills and achievements
·
Excellent
I.T. skills: Word, Power Point, Excel,
Internet
·
Good
attendance and punctuality at school
·
Well
organised – experience organising a charity event at school
·
Team
Work – through the my IT project work
·
Work
well under pressure – learnt through my studies and part time work
·
Strong
numeracy skills
Education and Qualifications
Settle School GCSE’s 2017 (predicted grades)
Croydon English language B
CR9 7XX English Literature B
2012/17 Maths A
Spanish B
Computer
Studies A
History B
Interests and Activities
·
I
have achieved the Lasallian Award
·
I
belong to a football club
·
Travelling
with my family
·
Reading
- Helping
in my local youth club (summer camp)
- Baby
sitting
- Paper round
Referees
Mr Taylor Mr Smith
Head of Year 11 Form Tutor
Seattle School Seattle School
Croydon
Croydon
CR9 7XX CR9 7XX
Example of Cover Letter to go with the accounts CV (GCSE)
25 Borough Road
Croydon
CR19 5XX
01789211111
Name and
address of the Company you
Are applying
to
Date
Dear Mr/Ms
………(the name of the person)
I am
applying for the position as an apprentice accounts technician which I saw
advertised in the Croydon Advertiser 17th February 2016. As requested, I am enclosing my CV for your
consideration.
I am
particularly interested in this position because I would like to pursue a
career in accountancy. As you will see
on my CV, I have excellent numeracy and communications skills and I have taken
GCSE’s that are suitable for this career.
Furthermore, I have a good record of hard work, punctuality and
attendance. I am keen to further my career in accountancy through part time
study.
I would like
to work for a multinational company as I speak fluent Spanish and would welcome
the opportunity to work abroad in the future.
I look
forward to hearing from you
Yours
sincerely,
George Smith
Example of CV: For level 3 Students (BTEC/A Level)
George Smith
26 Borough
Road
Croydon,
CR19 5XX
077934512
Profile
I am a
reliable, organised and hard working person with good communication and
technical skills looking for an engineering advanced apprenticeship. I am very keen to train in this area and
would like to progress in an engineering career.
(More
information can be added, up to two lines)
Skills and achievements
·
Excellent
I.T. skills: Word, Power Point, Excel,
Internet
·
Well
organised – experience organising a charity event at school
·
Good
team work and communication skills – through the my engineering project work
·
Work
well under pressure and to deadlines– learnt through my studies and part time
work
- Enjoy solving problems through
science
- Extremely strong interest in
practical skills – through my interests at home, example working on bikes
and cars
- Able to develop strong
technical skills and knowledge and keep up to date with changes in
technology
- A willingness to take on
responsibility, and to lead and motivate others
· Good
attendance and punctuality at school
Education and Qualifications
Settle School GCSE’s 2017 (predicted grades)
Croydon English language C
CR9 7XX Science C
2012/17 Maths A
Spanish B
Computer
Studies A
History B
Same as above Engineering BTEC National Diploma Extended
(equivalent to 3 A levels)
Predicted grades
Distinction, Distinction, Merit
Interests and Activities
·
I
have achieved the Lasallian Award
· I
belong to a football club
· I
enjoy repairing…….. and making……………….
· Reading
- Helping
in my local youth club (summer camp)
- Baby
sitting
- Paper round
Referees : available on request
Example of a letter of application for a Higher
Apprenticeship in engineering
25 Borough Road
Croydon
CR19 5XX
01789211111
Name and address of the Company you
Are applying
to
Date
Dear Mr /Ms………..
I am writing to apply for the Engineering Higher
Apprenticeship Programme my CV is
attached – (if you are). After
achieving 7 GCSE's A-C at St Joseph's College, I studied for a BTEC National Diploma
Extended in Mechanical Engineering. I
particularly enjoyed the way the theory and practical parts of this course
combined together and by studying the principles it then enabled me to apply what I had learnt
which motivated me to learn more. This fuelled my passion for mechanical
engineering and has encouraged me in my desire to go into this field of work.
During the course I have studied............ I feel I have gained a variety of knowledge
and skills for example: .............. and hope these will be a good base for a
future in engineering.
For experience in the workplace I am currently employed by
Curry's / PC World, as a sales assistant. Through this I have learnt to
communicate with a wide variety of people, used numeracy skills, and worked
both in a team and had individual targets. Often customers ask my opinion on
electrical equipment and my engineering/IT background can be useful.
(I have always been
extremely interested in how things work and have often worked on bikes/cars……..
I am enthusiastic in being involved in anything to do with engineering and
enjoy using my free time to progress in this field) this section can be used to demonstrate actual examples of engineering
hobbies
In my spare time I enjoy reading and participating in various
sports. I have volunteered in several situations one being a summer school for
young children where I helped and supported them with IT projects. This was
very fulfilling and gave me an insight into the best way to convey information
in different situations, therefore supporting my communication skills.
I am very keen to start a Higher Apprenticeship in
mechanical engineering for a large multi-national company (here the company you
are applying to could be named), this prospect excites me. The opportunity would
enable me to take my study further to degree level therefore giving me the
opportunity to progress in a career in engineering.
I feel that I have the right combination of academic and
personal skills to succeed and that I could make a valuable contribution to
your organisation.
Yours sincerely
Below
you will find website that will give you more information on CV’s, Cover
Letter, Application forms and interview.
Have a look and we will add more website as we receive them.
CV
·
Help with CV for school leavers:
·
Worried about not getting a job - help with your CV - from
Reeds Employment Agency
https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/school-leaver-cv-template/
·
Example of CV for
part time job applications (no or limited work experience)
·
How to build an
effective LinkedIn CV (social media – professional career)
http://www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/articles/article/284/how-to-build-an-effective-linkedin-cv
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/getajob/cvs/Pages/default.aspx
Cover letter
·
Example of a Cover
Letter from Reed Employment agency - use this as a guide rather one to be
copied
https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/school-leaver-cover-letter-emplate.docx
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/getajob/cvs/Pages/writeacoveringletter.aspx
·
Application forms
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/getajob/applications/Pages/default.aspx
·
Interview Tips
http://www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/articles/article/284/how-to-build-an-effective-linkedin-cv
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/getajob/interviews/Pages/default.aspx
