Student Resource Pack

Tips for securing employment

CV writing tips

Covering letters

Personal statements

Interview techniques

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What is a CV? A CV or (curriculum vitae) is basically

a summary of your personal

experience written by you in order to

show all potential employers that you

possess the skills and experience they

require, to get you a formal interview

Your CV should be: Neat, typed and to the best standard you can achieve grammatically and visually Positive, emphasising your achievements, strengths and successes

No more than two sides of A4 paper Typed in a clear font, like Arial or Verdanna and be consistent! Written in plain English Drawing attention to your relevant skills, experience, achievements and potential Drafted, checked, re-drafted and checked again

What to include You should present your CV clearly and keep it simple. There is an example CV within this brochure but you should always include yours: Name

Address

Phone number

E-mail address

Work experience history (paid and voluntary) Place your most recent job first and include dates. Employers will be most interested in what you have done recently. Include the skills and experience you have gained in each role.

Avoid at all cost

Avoid ‘hard to read’ fonts Wrong contact details Poor spelling and grammar Using flashy or large font

Send your CV and covering letter via email or post asking companies if they have any current or future vacancies. Use your CV to help you remember all the dates and information you need each time you fill in an application form.

Top Tip: CV’s are a record – always keep them

updated and current

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Education and

Qualifications

Include any qualifications and training from your school or college, or any training you may have had in a previous full-time or part-time job. Put the most recent first. Don't forget to include where you are now including pending exam results and qualifications.

Achievements

Mention things you have done well in your hobbies, activities, at school and in past jobs which could be relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Hobbies and interests

Include some of your personal interests if they are relevant to the job you are applying for.

References

Put two references here. The general rule is to include your most recent employer but you could include your tutor or a friend who is able to give a good, honest character reference. Always ask for permission before including their details.

Personal Statement

Always include a short statement at the beginning of your CV to promote yourself and your specific skills, experience and personal qualities. Ensure the statement is tailored to fit the requirements of each job that you apply for, to make it clear to the employer you’re right for the job. (See our example of both good and bad personal statements ….)

Key Skills Showcase your strongest points here. Read through the person specification and see if you have any of the skills the employer is looking for. Keep it short and sweet, highlighting 2 or 3 of your strongest skills. (See our examples….)

Work history and

experience

Start with your most recent work experience, voluntary work or job. If you don't have any work experience, include your hobbies and achievements from school.

What to information you should include in

your CV

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Important factors to consider………

Employer’s needs:

Keep the employer’s needs in mind. Every employer will have their own needs and requirements, so make sure that your CV matches up with the skills and experience they’re actually looking for.

Make sure all your dates match up and everything is spelt correctly

including company names. Give your CV to someone to read through as it’s vital there are no mistakes – this is one of the main reasons CVs are rejected.

Finally, print your CV and look at it before you send it off. It might be that

you need to make some small changes to it to make it more specific to the job you are applying for.

Stand out from the rest…………

Make your name stand out on the CV by using large font and bold text. It is easier to spot on a desk full of CVs

Ensure your mobile is switched on for when employers need to contact

you, and make sure your voicemail is suitable

Create a sensible email address to use for job applications and any other employment related enquiries

You can also use your CV to write to an employer to enquire about a

Traineeship or Apprenticeship

Also include work experience organised by school. Start with the latest first and work backwards

Be sure to add your achievements, especially if you have little or no work

history

Final check………

Check the spelling

Keep it concise - two sides of A4 paper

Get a second opinion

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CV Template

Full Name Email address Telephone number Personal Statement Insert a brief description of yourself. Include your personal qualities. Also any experience needs to be noted (E.g. ‘I have experience in the business environment’ not ‘When I worked in the business industry I…’) Key Skills Experience / Strengths / Teamworking / Personality E.g. Good customer service Having worked at The Ivory Cafe for one year I am aware of the best service practice to deliver quality customer care. E.g. Team player I am a committed member of the school football team and have played for the past three years. I am able to support and motivate team members to ensure we play the best of our ability. Education and Training Secondary School Name - Month Year Started – Month Year Finished GCSE’s A-C (if predicted, write predicted) List grades, they stand out more e.g.

Maths B

English B

Science C History C

Business B

College Name - Month Year Started – Month Year Finished

Qualification name (Pass Grade) E.g. BTEC National Diploma in Health & Social Care (Pass)

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Employment History

Job Title, Company Name Month Year Started – Month Year Finished E.g. Receptionist, Network Rail December 2012 – February 2013 Give a brief description outlining your duties (E.g. it was my responsibility to safeguard the elderly and vulnerable residents of the care home. On a regular basis I would assist the residents by helping them to maintain a good standard of personal hygiene).

Hobbies & Interests

Give a brief outline of any hobbies you have or put down any extra-curricular interests you have (E.g. In my spare time I enjoy doing arts and crafts / watching my local football team / keeping fit by jogging / ice-skating). References

A Head of Year from School Tel: 01483 679 XXX E-mail: Manager of the Ivy Café Tel: 07831 214 XXX, E-mail:

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Jacqui Smith 27 Bedale Walk Dartford Kent DA2 6HS

Telephone number: 0111 333 555

Date of Birth: 26 August 1995

Personal Statement I want to work in an office coz it is nice and warm. I have volunteered for a charity for a year meeting and greeting customers, dealing with incoming and out going communications such as letters and emails. I have excellent communication skills and show this when dealing with telephone enquiries from inside and external customers. My school records show that I and punctual and dedicated to the work I do.

Key Skills • ICT skills in Microsoft office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) • Make a nice cup of tea • Excellent Communication Skills • Timekeeping and working to tight deadlines to ensure targets are met • A great Team Worker Education & Training

Romford School for Girls - September 1999 – September 1999 English B Maths B Science D but should have been a C History C Geography C

Employment History Working in a café - October 1998 – September 1999 J Bloggs - September 1999 – Present Volunteer Admin

Hobbies & Interests I like hanging out with my friends. I enjoy reading and playing sports. I spend time relaxing by listening to music and going for meals with friends and family. References available on request

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Writing a covering letter

A covering letter is a letter that you send with your CV to a potential employer to explain what job you are applying for and why. Its purpose is to encourage the employer to look at your CV. You can use the job advert itself to guide you. Underline the skills in the advert and start writing your letter including these skills. A cover letter provides a great opportunity to communicate directly with your prospective employer. Tell the employer who you are and why they should interview you. Be positive and emphasise why you are perfect for the job.

Suggested content

Remember to include your name, address, phone number and the date. Give a summary of your skills and experience. Keep it relevant, interesting and to the point. Make sure you attach a copy of your CV.

What to say

If you have been looking for a job for a while, say how you spend your spare time (E.g. by doing voluntary work, work experience or studying). Be honest and keep to the facts.

How to say it Include the job reference number if there is one in the job details. Enter it below the opening line. For example:

Dear Mr / Mrs… Re: Job reference 345 Always try to find out the name of the person you need to write to. It looks a lot more professional and shows you have made the effort to find out their name. If you do start a letter with ‘Dear Sir/Madam, end with ‘Yours faithfully’. If you start with the person’s name (for example, ‘Dear Mrs Smith’) end with ‘Yours sincerely’. Finally, double check your spelling and grammar before sending the letter.

How the letter looks

It is always better to type a letter but if this is not possible then make sure it is neat. Leave plenty of space around the edges and a clear space between each paragraph. Use good quality plain paper and envelopes. Sign the letter and print your name underneath to make sure it can be read easily. Ask a friend or relative to check over your letter before you send it. Make sure your application arrives on time. If your application is late, the company might not even consider it and your time will have been wasted.

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Cover letter: Standard 5th December 2015 Recruiting Manager Bose Media 11a Main Street Wakefield W10 1AF Job reference: Apprenticeship/16 Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing with regards to the Media apprenticeship vacancy advertised on your website. I first became interested in media on a two week work experience placement in a creative media company during my GCSEs. Since then, discussion with my careers advisor and my own research have confirmed that this is a career which will enable me to use not only my interest in media and film but also my skills in assisting with projects and also acting as a runner. The media apprenticeship role at Bose Media offers the perfect opportunity to do this. I have undertaken a number of team projects as part of my studies at school, so I am very comfortable working as part of a team and am confident in my interpersonal and communication abilities. I have received feedback from fellow team members at school that helps to affirm this. I would welcome the opportunity to explain more about my interest in your company and the skills and experience that I can bring to the position. You will note from my CV that I have a real passion for literature, media and current affairs and look forward to sharing this with you and contributing to the future success of Bose Media. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future regarding my application. Yours faithfully, (Signed) Print name

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An enthusiastic individual I approach tasks with results in mind. I am well organised and I can work well as part of a team or on my own. I like completing things on time, and making sure that I keep learning how to do things well and quickly.

Example personal statements

Which ones would you choose?

I have a wide variety of personal skills. I lead by example, taking into account my roles at school as a prefect and a sports/student leader. I’m a very sociable and friendly individual. I’m a determined worker who will achieve goals and targets and will put in 100% effort in order to do this. I have a real interest in Chemical/Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering and the idea of an Apprenticeship really appeals to me. An Apprenticeship will enable me to gain work experience and a qualification which I believe is crucial for a future in Engineering.

I am a hard-working, dependable, self-motivated Sixth Former, with good independent but cooperative working skills. I am willing to work in challenging situations, and can work under pressure. I have a range of key employability skills, such as being an able worker, and having organisational skills. This has resulted in being awarded with a certificate by the IT teacher for my IT work.

I am currently finishing my A Levels at college, I am studying Business Studies, English Language and ICT. I have great team working skills as I am used to playing as part of a team and I am a big believer in "there is no I in team". Ever since studying Business at A-Level I have developed a keen interest in the subject and enjoy extending my knowledge every day. I am looking to go into an advanced apprenticeship in business and want to learn more about working in a successful organisation. I want to start my career in business, take on responsibility and hope to progress to a management role.

I am just finishing my first year at college and although I have enjoyed learning and am achieving good results I want to start developing my skills in the work place through an apprenticeship. I have always been confident and excellent team player through my passion for playing sports. This has also made me an enthusiastic and positive person who will give my all to any task I undertake.

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Preparing for an interview

Before the interview

If you receive a letter or email inviting you to an interview you should do the following:

Take a note of the time and date of interview Respond appropriately to confirm your attendance Find out how to get to the interview and how long it will take. Go to

www.direct.gov.uk/journeyplanner, this will alert you to bus numbers and times along with full directions on how to get there

Research the company online What might you be asked at interview and how will you answer? Get a

friend or family member to practice some interview questions with you Set an alarm to wake up on time and an alarm for the time you should leave the house

Dress to impress! Make sure you look presentable Aim to arrive 20 minutes early Switch off your mobile phone before you go into the interview and leave it

off for the duration of the interview If there is more than one interviewer, address your answer to them all It is fine to take a couple of seconds to think about an answer Do ask a question at the end but be careful not to ask a question that they

have already answered. Prepare these questions prior to attending At the end of the interview, thank the interviewers and smile!

What to take with you

Your interview letter so you know who you are being interviewed by and have a telephone number to phone if you get lost or delayed

A pen in case you are asked to complete any documents An extra copy of your CV in case they ask for it, you can also refer to this

in your interview if necessary

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Tell me about yourself This is your chance to say anything about yourself that is relevant. You can choose to give a quick summary of your CV (never assume that the interviewer knows all your details – tell them again).

What are your strengths? Think in advance what strengths would be useful to the job – for example have they asked for organisational skills or communication skills and do you have these? How could you demonstrate this? E.g. “I have good organisational skills and proof of this was how I organised my time between revision for my exams, attending my part-time job and looking after my younger sister. I set myself a timetable to ensure that I always found the necessary time to revise".

What are your weaknesses? Be careful not to highlight a fault that will make the interviewer not want to offer you the job. Consider a weakness that could be a strength in disguise. E.g. “I am a perfectionist and always give myself a really hard time making sure that I get things 100% right”.

Why should we employ you? Use this question to list your skills and abilities appropriate to the job and to say how much you would like the job and how it excites you. What skills do you have that relate to this position? Look back to the original job description and person specification – what kind of skills did they ask for? What examples can you give that prove that you have these skills? Why do you want the job? You could answer this with what you like about the job itself and why you would like to work for that particular company.

Why do you want to work for our company? Look at the company website and remember three points that you can take to the interview with you. E.g. “On your company website, I noticed the wide variety of bases you have in the UK, this appeals to me as I would like the chance to move around with my work through promotion”.

Do you have any questions to ask us or anything else you want to add? Do not ask about pay or holidays. You will have the opportunity to ask questions once you've got the job. You could ask about promotion or training opportunities available to you through this particular role or when you are likely to hear if you have been successful. You may also like to ask what THEY believe to be the most challenging part of the job. You might want to finish by saying how much you would like the position and that you know that you will do a good job. Be enthusiastic and eager as this may stand you out above the other applicants.

Preparing for interview questions

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Tell me about yourself __________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

What are your strengths? __________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

What are your weaknesses? __________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Why should we employ you? __________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

What skills do you have that relate to this position? __________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Why do you want the job? __________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Why do you want to work for our company? __________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Do you have any questions to ask us or anything else you want to add? __________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Try it for yourself

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Jacqui Smith 27 Bedale Walk Dartford Kent DA2 6HS

Telephone number: 0111 333 555

Date of Birth: 26 August 1995

Personal Statement I want to work in an office coz it is nice and warm. I have volunteered for a charity for a year meeting and greeting customers, dealing with incoming and out going comunications such as letters and emails. I have excellent comunication skills and show this when dealing with telephone enquiries from inside and external customers. My school records show that I and punctual and dedicated to the work I do.

Key Skills • ICT skills in Microsoft office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) • Make a nice cup of tea • Excellent Communication Skills • Timekeeping and working to tight deadlines to ensure targets are met • A great Team Worker Education & Training

Romford School for Girls - September 1999 – September 1999 English B Maths B Science D but should have been a C History C Geography C

Employment History Working in a café - October 1998 – September 1999 J Bloggs - September 1999 – Present Volunteer Admin

Hobbies & Interests I like hanging out with my friends. I enjoy reading and playing sports. I spend time relaxing by listening to music and going for meals with friends and family. References available on request

Mistakes in this

CV

Revealed

Write in a

professional

manner

Use a

professional

email

address

Check

spellings

Always detail

actual grades

or working

towards

Check

grammar

“am”

Always detail

put most recent

work first

Keep it

professional

Provide full

details of café,

job title and

abilities

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An enthusiastic individual I approach tasks with results in mind. I am well organised and I can work well as part of a team or on my own. I like completing things on time, and making sure that I keep learning how to do things well and

quickly. Use either first or third person, do not use both X

Example personal statements

Answers?

I have a wide variety of personal skills. I lead by example, taking into account my roles at school as a prefect and a sports/student leader. I’m a very sociable and friendly individual. I’m a determined worker who will achieve goals and targets and will put in 100% effort in order to do this. I have a real interest in Chemical/Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering and the idea of an Apprenticeship really appeals to me. An Apprenticeship will enable me to gain work experience

and a qualification which I believe is crucial for a future in Engineering.

I am a hard-working, dependable, self-motivated Sixth Former, with good independent but cooperative working skills. I am willing to work in challenging situations, and can work under pressure. I have a range of key employability skills, such as being an able worker, and having organisational skills. This has

resulted in being awarded with a certificate by the IT teacher for my IT work.

I am currently finishing my A Levels at college, I am studying Business Studies, English Language and ICT. I have great team working skills as I am used to playing as part of a team and I am a big believer in "there is no I in team". Ever since studying Business at A-Level I have developed a keen interest in the subject and enjoy extending my knowledge every day. I am looking to go into an advanced apprenticeship in business and want to learn more about working in a successful organisation. I want to start my career in business, take on

responsibility and hope to progress to a management role.

I am just finishing my first year at college and although I have enjoyed learning and am achieving good results I want to start developing my skills in the work place through an apprenticeship. I have always been confident and excellent team player through my passion for playing sports. This has also made me an enthusiastic and positive person who will give my all to any task I undertake.

Grammatical and punctual mistakes X

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Example personal statements

What to avoid

Using first and third person sentences

Lengthy descriptions

Grammatical and punctuation mistakes

Your personal statement is your opening

paragraph of your CV and is an opportunity to

stand out from the competition.

A personal statement should be between 50 and 200

words.

Example personal statements

Top tips

Tailor your personal statement

Engage the reader and tailor your personal

statement to the job you're applying for.

Read your personal statement out loud to make

sure it flows and reads naturally.

Use an example or two to support what you're

saying. E.g. I work well as part of a team. Being

in the schools hockey Team Captain

demonstrates this.

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FW Solutions Ltd

4th Floor Windsor House

Cornwall Road

Harrogate

HG1 2PW

Telephone: 01423 536672

Email: enquiries@fwsolutions.net

Website: www.fwsolutions.net