Effective CV Building Strategies for Job and Training Applications

PREPARATION FOR WORK CAREER PLANNING SESSION 1: BUILDINGCVSFOR JOB AND TRAINING APPLICATIONS

ICEBREAKER What is a CV? What information can a CV tell employers about the person applying for the job? What information would employers like to know about a person applying for a job? Building CVs for job and training applications | 2

ACTIVITY1:TRANSFERABLESKILLS Think about What skills have you demonstrated in your work, school and home life? E.g. communication skills, teamwork skills, listening skills, attention to detail How can various activities demonstrate your skills in your work, school and home life? E.g. Being part of a school club, babysitting younger family member, doing schoolwork Building CVs for job and training applications | 3

ACTIVITY1:TRANSFERABLESKILLS Worksheet Look at the Customer Assistant role description in your worksheet for a job in a clothing store. Can you identify the key skills you would need to be a successful candidate? Record your answers on your worksheet Building CVs for job and training applications | 4

ACTIVITY1:TRANSFERABLESKILLS Worksheet Look at the Receptionist role description in your worksheet for a job in a local charity. Can you identify the key skills you would need to be a successful candidate? Record your answers on your worksheet Building CVs for job and training applications | 5

PERSONALSTATEMENTS What is a personal statement? Building CVs for job and training applications | 6

PERSONALSTATEMENTS Think about your key skills and strengths and write your own personal statement using the examples provided to help you Ahmed A hardworking individual with strong problem- solving skills and team spirit, I have recently completed eight GCSEs (grades 7-5), achieving excellent grades in Maths. Seeking an apprenticeship in the digital industry to build on a keen interest in media and technologies to start a career in digital marketing. Sarah Ahighly motivated and hardworking individual, who has recently completed their A-Levels, achieving excellent grades in both Maths and Science. Seeking an apprenticeship in the engineering industry to build upon a keen scientific interest and start a career as a maintenance engineer. Eventual career goal is to become a fully-qualified and experienced maintenance or electrical engineer, with the longer-term aspiration of moving into project management. Building CVs for job and training applications | 7

Example 1 CVDOSANDDON TS ACTIVITY2:CVSTHATNEED IMPROVEMENTS Rebecca Bremner 44 AbbeyClose, 07796 222 222, RebeccalovesHarryPotter@gmail.com RebeccalovesHarryPotter@gmail.com Personal statement I ve been working in the care sector for a LONG time (seven years). My speciality is caring for children, old people and sick patients. I have a lot of drive to provide the best support for clients I can for those I m looking after. I m mostly adaptable. Worksheet Core skills I know most of the legislation around best practice (not all) I provide good-quality care to clients in their own homes I sometimes monitoring blood pressure can help people with their exercises and physiotherapy I m good at keeping private patient files a secret Review the CVs in your worksheets and spot the errors Employment history Social Worker Greater Manchester Council, (November 2018 Present) Duties Making sure the patients were ok Interviewing and assessing each case to prepare care packages accordingly Make sure the patients are safe in and out of the home Organising team training Recording case progress both manually and electronically Highlight what needs to be improved, what works and what needs to be deleted altogether. Think about key CV mistakes such as poor formatting, incomplete contact details, spelling errors or lack of evidence Social Worker Children Services, Camden Council, London (March 2013 November 2018) Duties Providing essential support for individuals and families in tough times Carrying out ome visits Education Kingston University (2009 2012) BA (Hons) Social Work Basingstoke Sixth Form College (2007 2009) A Level Business & Management Studies (B) English (B) Philosophy (D) References Can send you some Building CVs for job and training applications | 8

WRITINGACVFORYOURDREAMJOB ACTIVITY3:WRITINGMYCV Worksheet CONTACTDETAILS Include full name, home address, mobile number and email address A CV should include various sections: WORKEXPERIENCE List work experience in reverse date order, including details on key responsibilities Contact details EDUCATION List and date all previous education, including professional qualifications. The most recent should be placed first Work experience Education KEYSKILLS ANDACHIEVEMENTS Highlight key skills, such as speaking a foreign language, IT packages you can use Key skills and achievements Interests and references. INTERESTS Include extra curricular activities, sports that you practice, if you play an instrument REFERENCE You don t need to provide the names of referees at this stage, but it is good to think about who could give you a reference it could be a previous employer or a teacher Draft a CV using a CV template or look at examples online Building CVs for job and training applications | 9

EXPLORELINKEDIN LinkedIn is a greattool for peoplewho are lookingfor a new opportunity. Get started on LinkedIn Fill out the Experience, Education, Skills and Summary and Interests areas Use your email address to find people you may know on LinkedIn Go on Give references or endorsement to add credibility to your profile Build your profile using a suitable photo Linkedin.com and create an account Building CVs for job and training applications | 10

APPLICATIONFORMSINTRODUCTION Worksheet Application forms are another way people can apply for jobs. Employersuse application forms for a numberof reasons such as: Managing the selection process for hiring new employees Keeping the shortlisting process simple and standardised Assessing suitability to see if candidates meet basic requirements for a job Providing more detail than CVs Building CVs for job and training applications | 11

COMPLETINGAPPLICATIONFORMS ACTIVITY4:KEYWORDSONAPPLICATION FORMS Worksheet Complete the Keywords on application forms worksheet are there any words you didn t know? Look for an application form online for a job that is relevant to your interests and area you would like to work in. This could be for a specific job, a training course related to that job or a volunteering position Fill in all the sections of the application form, as if you were going to apply for the job Building CVs for job and training applications | 12

COMPLETINGAPPLICATIONFORMS ACTIVITY4:KEYWORDSONAPPLICATIONFORMS Make sure that you proofread your complete application form a numberof times, just as if you were going to submit it. Some helpfulproofreading tips: Read your application form out loud you ll read slower and be more likely to spot errors Proofread backwards start at the bottom of your text and read one sentence at a time. This will help you to focus on spotting errors rather than the content, which you will know well Print it out sometimes errors can be difficult to spot on screen Ask for help ask someone else to proofread it for you. It always helps to have a fresh pair of eyes on something Building CVs for job and training applications | 13

WRAPUP What have you learned as part of this unit? How do you feel about it? Do you feel more confident writing a CV and how to use it to apply for jobs? Building CVs for job and training applications | 14