Deciding a career

Choosing your career is not always easy; a good way to decide is to look at yourself and the careers that appeal to you.

You might want to consider:

What are your likes and dislikes?

What do you like doing in your spare time?

What sort of hours would you like to work?

Would you think about moving away to another area?

When you have gained more of an idea about yourself you are then able to start to look at careers. It is a good idea to investigate your career ideas and find out as much information as you possibly can

While investigating careers you may want to consider:

What the job will involve?

What qualifications are you going to need?

What progression routes are available?

Are there any opportunities locally or will you need to move area to find a job?

There are many ways to investigate your career ideas, such as:

If you are at school or college use the facilities available in the Careers Library

Discuss with family and friends about what their jobs involve

If you know someone who is currently working in the career area you are interested in, chat to them about it

Visit your local Connexions Centre, here you will find resources in their information area (books, leaflets, software programmes) that will be able to help you

Search the internet

Many employers are keen to recruit people with higher-level skills and qualifications. It is a good idea to continue learning and extending your skills during your working life.
Continuing in education or deciding on a job with training will improve your prospects in the long term.
Before you begin in full time employment, getting some work experience is a fantastic way to gain some understanding of the world of work. You will discover what it is like to be in a job, this may help you decide what sort of work you would like to do in the future.

Looking for a job

There a various places you can look for a job, a good start would be by asking friends and family if they know of any jobs available.
A visit to your local Connexions Centre is worthwhile as they have a variety of jobs and training vacancies available, dropping in on a regular basis to check is a good idea.
You can also search for local jobs and apprenticeships on the Black Country Connexions website. You can search in your local area or across the Black Country. Please visit the Black Country Connexions Website to view latest vacancies.
You could also look in newspapers, search the internet, contact recruitment agencies and call in to your local Jobcentre Plus.

Applying for a job

Application forms

When applying for jobs, this may involve completing an application form.
Although this may seem off-putting at first, once you have completed your first application form any others will seem less daunting.

Before you start:

It is a good idea to take a copy of the form, you can use this as your practice sheet and keep it as a reminder of what you have written

Check for any instructions or notes attached to the form. For example, should the form be completed in capital letters, should black ink be used?

You may want some scrap paper at hand to jot down notes

Getting started:

Read the whole from through first, you will then know what is required in each section

Note what abilities and skills are required for the vacancy you are applying for, then match your abilities and skills to them

Write clearly and neatly, you may prefer to write in block capitals, do not use any abbreviations

Make sure your spelling and grammar is correct, it is a good idea to get someone else to check it for you

Not all application forms are set out the same, but most will require the following information:

Vacancy number and reference number

Name, address and date of birth

Education: dont put your primary school; only list your secondary school(s)and colleges or universities

Qualifications: list any exams you have taken or are due to take and the grade you were awarded or your expected grade

Employment: put down all the jobs you have done, including any part-time work and also include any work experience and voluntary work

Hobbies and interests: try to avoid writing a list, add more detail. For example, if you captain a sports team, explain this, dont just mention the sport. This indicates team-building skills and leadership qualities. If any of your interests are relevant to the vacancy you are applying to say so. For example, playing computer games may have given you additional computer skills such as keyboard skills or simple programming

Further/additional information: explain how well you match the job description and person specification. Tell them what you can do, why you are interested in the job and the type of person you are. You can also mention important additional information, for example 'having a full clean driving license'

References: you will need to give the name or names, of someone who would be prepared to be a 'reference' for you. This would normally be someone who is able to provide information on your school or college work and/or someone who is able to provide information on your performance at work or on work experience. Always ask permission first from the people you wish to name as a reference.

Remember to sign and date the application form

Before you send the application form back, take a photocopy. This will be useful to have if you get invited for an interview, as you are then able to refer back to your answers.

CV (Curriculum Vitae)

A CV is a useful tool to profile your qualifications, employment history, skills and experience and advertises you to potential employers.
When sending out your CV you should also include a covering letter.

What to include in a CV

Name, address and telephone number, remember to include your mobile number and email address if you have one.

Education and qualifications: always start with the most recent first

Work Experience and employment: list your most recent first, you must include the name of the employer, your job title and dates when you started and left. Also give a brief outline of your duties in your job or placement

Skills and Achievements: mention any appropriate skills you have gained, for example, computer skills, first-aid qualification, childcare. Your achievements may include any awards received, full driving licence

Hobbies and interests: keep the details brief, include any activities that show your personality and remember to mention any clubs or societies you belong to

Referees: details of two people who are willing to write you a reference should be given. One should include your most recent employer, if you have just left school/college it will be a teacher or tutor. The second could be a sports coach, leader of a club you belong to, community leader, a family friend(but not a relative). Remember to include their address, telephone number, email address, their job title or relationship to you, for example teacher or neighbour

If you are replying to a job advertisement, remember to highlight how you can meet their requirements and any relevant skills/experience, in the CV or covering letter you will send with it

What a CV should look like
A CV should always be typed, this will enable you to keep a copy and be able to update or ammend it as necessary.

Keep it short - preferably one, but no more than two sides of A4 paper

Keep it simple, neat and tidy

Use a clear font style such as Arial and point size 11, this makes it easy to read and looks professional

Check for spelling and grammar mistakes

If you need help in writing your CV, connexions can help you, just call in to your local office.

Click here to download an example CV

Covering Letter

This letter is sent out with your CV. It needs to be short and simple; most of the important information is already included in your CV.
You do need to include the job vacancy title you are applying for and where and when you saw the vacancy advertised.
Use this letter to explain why you are applying for the vacancy and what it is that interests you about the job.
Also include the experience and the skills you have that make you suitable for the job.

Click here to download an example Covering Letter

Interviews

It is a good idea to plan for your interview before you go:

Read any information the employer has sent you, research the company and make sure you look at their website (if they have one)

Investigate the job role; go through the job description/person specification that was sent with the application form

What would your responsibilities and duties be? Think of examples which can prove you are able to do this type of work and shows your skills and abilities

Think about what questions the employer may ask you. For example, 'Why do you want this job?', 'What can you bring to the company?'

Think about what questions you can ask the employer. For example, 'Will I have the opportunity to gain any qualifications?', 'What are the prospects for progression in the company?

Find out how to get there and how long the journey will be (allow for delays)

On the day of your interview:

First impressions are very important, dress smartly, good personal hygiene - hair well kept, clean nails etc. Keep make up and jewellery to a minimum

Make sure you take any documents you may require with you - certificates, Record of Achievement, references

Aim to arrive for your interview 10-15 minutes early

Check your mobile phone is switched off before you arrive

Know the name of the person you will be seeing at the interview

When you arrive, let the receptionist know you are there for an interview

Remember to be polite to everyone you meet

Don't sit down in the interview until you are asked to do so

Don't fidget, sit comfortably with your hands in your lap, don't slouch

Don't smoke or chew gum

When the interviewer is talking to you, look at them, speak clearly, and try not to answer all of the questions with just a yes or no answer

If there is a question asked that you do not understand, then say so, and ask for it to be explained further

At the end of the interview the employer will normaly tell you when they are likely to let you know the outcome; this is usually by letter or telephone.