Careers Advice at The Marsh Academy
The academy is committed to providing high quality Careers Education Information and Guidance so that students are able to make informed choices about Higher Education and career paths upon leaving school. Relevant and up-to-date information on a wide range of university courses, job industries, gap year projects and apprenticeships is available in the school Careers Library. Connexions-Careers Personal Advisors are in school regularly to give advice on career related issues. They also see students for formal individual careers interviews in Year 11 and in the Sixth Form.
Careers Overview (39 KB)
Tips for writing your CV
CVs and Applications
There are two main ways of applying for jobs:
either by CV or by application form. However, the same information is usually required for both methods.
CVs
A good CV is essential, whether you are looking for a full or part-time work. Alternatively, if you have not seen a particular job advertised but know of a company that you would like to work for, you could make a speculative application by sending your CV and a covering letter to the employer. Many job adverts also ask you to apply by submitting a CV, and having a CV will also help you complete application forms, as these generally ask for the same information.
Tips for a good CV. - Your CV should be.......
Eye catching and easy to read - ideally it should be word processed, with clear headings. Using bold, italic or underlined text, will help to make your CV easier to read and highlight relevant information
Short and Positive - your CV should include all academic achievements, relevant skills, interests and experiences. You do not need to go into great depth, but make sure that you include all important information. Aim for no more than 2 sides of A4 paper.
Checked Thoroughly - make sure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors on your CV, get someone to check it thoroughly before you send it out.
Accompanied by a covering letter - make sure your name is easily seen on your covering letter and on both sheets of your CV in case they get separated. Don't fold your CV several times in order to fit it into a small envelope - a crumpled document does not look very professional.
Written specifically for the job you are applying for - there is nothing wrong with having a standard CV written as much of the information will be the same on all of the CV's you send out, but each one should concentrate specifically on the skills, qualification, and experiences relevant to that job and employer so be prepared to modify!
Writing your CV
Covering Letters
Your CV tells the employer who you are and what skills, abilities and qualities you have. The covering letter should tell the employer why you are sending your CV, and why you are right for the job.
Tips for a good covering letter
Make it easy to read - explain why you are writing and what you can bring to the company
Write each covering letter separately - you will probably use the same format when writing your covering letters but each should include a sentence or two to state your interest in the specific employer and the job that you are applying for
Keep it simple - use clear, straightforward language, and simple sentences
Sell yourself - summarise your skills, attributes, experiences and qualifications. You may think that you have already covered this in your CV but busy employers will usually read your covering letter first, and may not even look at your CV if there is little or nothing of interest to them. Be positive, avoid exaggerating or extending the truth.
Check for errors - make sure that you are careful with both your spelling and punctuation. If possible, get someone else to check your letter through for you.
Make it look good - pay careful attention to your presentation, making sure that you have structured your letter properly. If you have word processed your work make sure that you use a good quality printer and that the font of your letter is the same as that on your CV.
Interviews
Whatever you choose to do, you will probably have to go for an interview as they are used by over 92% of employers.
Preparing for Interviews
To be successful at interview you need to pay particular attention to your preparation. Many of the things you will need to do are very straightforward and obvious, but this does not mean that they are not important.
Before the Day
- let the company or employer know that you are able to attend
- make sure that you know where the interview is taking place, what time you need to be there and how long it will take you to get there. Make sure that you leave yourself enough time to get to the interview 20 minutes before it is supposed to start.
- decide what you are going to wear. Make sure you look smart and professional, dress conservatively, do not overdo perfume and makeup and keep jewellery to a minimum.
- find out more information about the company, and their organisation and activities as well as the role and its responsibilities
- ask someone to give you a practice interview to help plan your answers and calm any nerves
On the Day
- make sure that you have everything with you that you need; your invitation to interview, a copy of your CV and application form and assembled background information
At the Interview
- Enter the room when invited
- Smile and shake hands. Make sure that you nod to show that you are paying attention.
- Be polite and try and answer questions as fully as possible, not just with a yes or a no
- Be yourself, don't pretend to be someone that you are not and be honest, do not pretend to have experience or skills that you do not have.
- Be prepared to answer questions on your aspirations, interests, background, education and other jobs that you may have had in the past.
- Have some questions prepared to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview
Common Questions Asked in Interviews
- Tell me about yourself
- Why do you want this job?
- What can you bring to this role?
- Why do you want to leave your current job?
- What are your career goals?
- What are your strengths/weaknesses?
- What do you enjoy about your current job>
- Have you any questions for me?
How do interviewers make decisions?
Personality - how you present yourself as a person
Experience - the experience that you have that makes you suitable for the job
Qualifications - the qualifications that you have which are relevant to the job
Background - your work background and track record
Enthusiasm - how motivated and interested you appear to be in the job
Education - your educational achievements
Looking for a Job
How to get your first job
At whatever point you finish your education you will have to look for a job. And because it is your first job it may prove difficult to do. It is also estimated that over half of all available jobs are never advertised. So, how do you go about getting your first job?
1. Make sure you know what kind of job you want. This is something you can discuss with the school careers advisor.
2. Be prepared to network. Talk to friends, relatives and people you know and make them aware that you are looking for a job, and the area of work in which you are looking.
3. Identify and contact potential employers. This involves finding and writing to companies that you would like to work for. Send them a letter and a CV, even if they are not advertising any vacancies. Some companies will interview you if they see you a suitable for a role within their organisation. Others will keep your CV and contact you if relevant vacancies appear in the future.
Where to look for jobs
Jobs are advertised in a wide range of areas. Be prepared to look beyond the obvious in order to hunt down the job you want.
1. Employment Agencies - most vacancies that are advertised by employment agencies are for people over the age of 18, but they sometimes have vacancies for school or college leavers. Many agencies also have websites which list vacancies, if you are searching on the internet.
2. Newspapers, journals and magazines - companies advertise in local and national newspapers and magazines, and often in local, weekly job newspapers. Specific types of job vacancies are also often placed in trade journals or magazines.
3. Newsagents, shops and businesses - check shop windows and supermarket noticeboards. Call into shops, offices and other businesses and ask if they have vacancies. You may be asked to fill in an application form or leave details in order that the company can contact you if they have any future vacancies.
4. Newspaper Job Sites - newspaper job sites list in electronic form all the jobs that appear in the printed paper. Newspaper sites generally have a search engine which will allow you to find the sort of job you want.
5. Company Web Sites - a lot of companies now advertise through their websites and the jobs they advertise do not always get advertised elsewhere. Just because they do not have adverts in newspapers or on job websites it does not mean that they are not recruiting.
Useful Links
If you are between 13 and 19 then Connexions can offer you free confidential information, advice and guidance on learning, living and working.
Careers box careers film and video on the web. Real people doing real jobs in the world of work.
www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Lots of information and a directory of apprenticeships
www.starttalkingideas.org
Lots of information about setting up your own business, with stories about young people who have done it themselves.
Fast Tomato
Fast Tomato is a careers education and guidance system, designed for individuals aged 12 upwards who are considering their future career and study options. It is used in hundreds of schools and colleges in the UK and internationally, and has helped over a million students develop their plans for their future careers.
www.prefinio.com
A fully integrated careers education and guidance system that helps individuals of all ages find their ideal career, as well as showing them the routes they could take to achieve their goals.
Suggestions are based on an accurate assessment of a person's qualities; their aspirations, expectations, skills and preferences. These attributes are carefully analysed and linked to a comprehensive database of careers, courses, colleges and universities.