Looking for a Job
or Training?
Information Pack
For further advice contact: Connexions, Contact & Engagement Team
Connexions @
Majuba Road
Redcar
TS10 5BJ
Main Office 01642 771112
Email: [email protected]
Looking for a job or training?
Useful information to help you get ahead and be
noticed.
Includes information on:
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CV writing
Example Templates
Cover letters
Speculative letters
Application form
Interview hints and tips
Job search
Writing your CV
C. V. stands for Curriculum Vitae, this translates to “the course of ones life”. It should be
concise and an easy to read document to give the prospective employers relevant facts about
your academic achievements, work experience and your interests, hobbies and responsibility
in the community.
This is a marketing document for you and is often the first impression a prospective employer
will get. It’s important to make it a lasting impression for the right reasons!
A C.V. must be carefully planned, thoroughly checked and well presented. A good C.V. can
be stored on your computer to be used again and again to accompany future job applications
and can be tailored for each job you apply for. You may need to emphasise certain aspects of
your skills and experience for different jobs and remember to keep your C.V. up-to-date.
There is no standard format for a C.V. but the following points might help you find the format
that best suits your needs or the requirements of the job you are applying for.
CV Hints and Tips:
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Make sure your CV is well spaced out so that it is easy to read and understand.
Ideally keep your CV to 2 sides of A4 paper.
Use concise, clear sentences, avoid exaggerations and do not go over the top. You
can oversell yourself!
Honesty is definitely the best policy. Do not make false claims that can’t be
substantiated.
Make sure that the CV you write conjures up the right image of you and your skills,
capabilities and achievements. If you do not match the picture you have painted with
your CV at the interview, then your application will not be taken further.
Bullet points are useful to highlight relevant skills and experience and help break up
continuous text.
Don't mention things that you are bad at or say negative things about yourself in your
CV.
Explain any breaks in your C.V. from leaving school i.e. travelling, maternity, home
study, college, training or gap year.
Focus on information which is relevant to your own career goals.
If this is the first position you are applying for, stress any transferable skills you may
have from hobbies, clubs or school activities to support your application i.e. Playing
football or other team sports show you can fit into a team, have discipline and
commitment.
“Socialising with friends” translates as hanging around whether this is true or not, if
you socialise in team events or are a member of a club, be specific.
Ensure all dates are accurate.
Check for literal or spelling errors as these will not give a good impression of your
accuracy / attention to detail.
Your references should be from somebody in authority who knows you (not a
relative). Always ask your referees for their permission before including them on a
C.V
Use large envelopes so that the C.V. does not get spoiled with to much folding.
Sell Yourself! They will not know what you can do if you do not tell them.
If you feel like you are struggling writing your C.V. don’t worry we all do. Type up a draft copy
and ask somebody in authority to read through it for you. You will no doubt have to make
changes and amendments to the first few copies but its better that somebody helping you
spots the mistakes rather than an employer.
C.V. mistakes to watch out for:
These are some of the common mistakes made when writing a C.V. Check for mistakes again
and again, this may seem boring but it’s worth it.
Below are some mistakes not to make:
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Misspellings. You may have G.C.S.E.’s, but if the subject is spelt incorrectly you
really aren't making the most of your education.
Capitalisation. Job titles, names and places, companies and the first word of every
sentence should start with a capital letter. NOT EVERY LETTER! This is possibly one
of the most common CV mistakes.
Reverse chronological order. Newest stuff should always go at the top.
Wrong contact details. Changed your mobile? Changed your email address? Make
sure you have the correct details on your C.V.
Email addresses. Try to keep it sensible. [email protected] is unlikely to
impress the manager at the business you want to work for. Get a new one for
applications.
Just for fun:
Here are few C.V errors and mistakes sent to employers
 “I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse.”
 “I am a rabid typist.”
 “Proven ability to track down and correct errors.”
 “Extensive background in accounting. I can also stand on my head!”
 Cover letter: "Thank you for your consideration. Hope to hear from you shorty!”
If you require any help with you C.V your Connexions adviser will be happy to read it
through and offer suggestions.
C.V Template:
The format below is a good example to use, print a copy off and then write your equivalent on
a piece of paper to start with, this is an excellent way to remember all the details you want to
include in your C.V.
Paul Smith
Curriculum Vitae
Full name
Address
Telephone number:
Mobile number:
E-mail address:
Personal profile:
(Example) I am an honest, reliable and punctual person who thrives on new challenges and has a drive to succeed in
my undertakings. Throughout school and further education I have developed a 'can do' attitude and believe I learn
quickly and adapt well to new situations. I work well with others and always give my best effort in any situation. I am
currently looking for my first employed position and an opportunity to develop within a fast moving forward thinking
company.
Education:
11/09/05-11/09/07
Hogwarts College
Subject
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List the subjects and qualifications
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Try bullet point
Qualification / grade
A+
B+
11/09/00-11/09/07
East High School
Subject
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List the subjects and qualifications
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Try bullet point
Qualification / grade
A+
B+
Extra qualifications:
11/09/07-11/09/08
Smallville university
Subject
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Qualification/ grade
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
Further training or qualifications attained
Food Hygiene
E.C.D.L
First Aid etc
Employment history: (example below)
01/10/06 -18/06/07
Bill’s Builders
South Bank Business Centre
Tradesman’s’ Labourer (Apprentice)
My main responsibility was to work with the skilled work force and assist with their day to day duties. Starting at 8 am
I loaded the truck with the equipment and materials we would need for the days’ work ensuring the tools and
machinery were securely fastened down. On site I would do basic preparation for the job; this could be anything from
digging out trenches for foundations to emptying rooms and covering up furniture for the decorating team.
Assisting the skilled workforce gave me a useful insight and a good understanding of all aspects of building work and
made me aware of health and safety on a site and precautions to be taken when using equipment.
Paul Smith
Curriculum Vitae
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Hobbies and Interests:
This is your time to shine and sell yourself, list here the things that you enjoy doing, try to be original and stand out. If
you like reading tell them what you like to read about, if you like sport, is that watching or playing, are you in any
teams?
Other information:
This bit lets the person reading the C.V. know about any licences you have, do you drive, are you taking lessons,
have you a passport?
References:
Reference 1: Bills Builders
Name: Bill Bolton
Address: Unit 99
South Bank Business Centre
Normanby Road
Middlesbrough
TS6 6RS
Contact Number: 01642 000000
Relationship : Previous employer
Reference 2: Bobs Painting
Name: Bob Brush
Address: 1 Building Road
Middlesbrough
TS1 3TS
Contact Number: 01642 1111111
Relationship : Previous employer
Speculative Letters
Not all letters of application need to be sent in response to a specific job advert. If there’s an
organisation you really want to work for you may want to write them a speculative letter. This
is a letter to see if they have any intention of recruiting now or in the near future.
This works best when you include a copy of your C.V. and have done a bit of research into
the company. This could be as simple as calling the company and asking the name of a
manager who would deal with the recruitment and checking the address for the manager is
the same as the one you have.
Enclose a stamped addressed envelope for their reply and ask if they would keep your letter
and C.V. on file in order to contact you if a position should arise.
Speculative letter example:
Your name and Address
Date
Managers name,
company name and address
Dear (enter name),
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, my name is (enter your name) and I
have recently left (name of)……………..College /School, where I took a range of G.C.S.E./ A
Level exams in which I received / expect to receive good results.
I am writing to you as I have a particular interest in working for (enter company name) and
would be grateful if you would consider me for any employment or training opportunities in
the (enter the department you are interested in) department you currently have or any that
arise in the future.
1, (Although I currently don’t have any experience working within this sector I believe that I
have transferable skills and with the right training and support I will develop into a loyal
valued member of staff and will add to the dynamics of the current workforce.)
2, (I have experience of working in this sector from my time working at/ training at……….and
believe I have the relevant skills to develop and become a loyal valued member of the of
staff and will add to the dynamics of your current workforce.)
I have enclosed a copy of my C.V. for your perusal and a stamped addressed envelope for
your response. I can offer my Record of Achievement/ certificates as further evidence of my
academic success and personal development.
I would welcome the chance to meet and discuss further any opportunities you may have.
I look forward to you response.
Yours Sincerely (only if you know the recipients name, Yours faithfully if you don’t.)
Your name
Cover letters:
A cover letter is the letter you include with your C.V. in response to a company advert for a
vacancy. The letter is a personal connection with a potential employer and an opportunity to
summarise in short why you should be considered for the job. It is typically the first
introduction and therefore it is essential to make a good impression. Sending a well written
cover letter with a supportive CV will greatly enhance your application and make a winning
impression.
Cover letter example:
Your name and Address
Date
Advert response details
RE: (enter job title or vacancy reference number)
Dear Sir or Madam, (enter name if known)
I writing in response to your recent advert for a (enter job title) advertised in the (enter
publication) on (date) I have been looking for an opportunity like this in a growing organisation
to build upon the skills and experience I have gained to date.
I have recently left (name of)………………..College /School, where I took a range of G.C.S.E./
A Level exams in which I received / expect to receive good results. (I have experience of this
job role from my time working at/ training at ..................................and wish to develop my
skills and experience further with your company.)
As requested please find enclosed a copy of my C.V. for your perusal. I addition to this I can
offer my Record of Achievement/ certificates as further evidence of my academic success and
personal development.
I believe that I have transferable skills to full fill the (enter job title) vacancy and with the right
training and support I can develop into a loyal valued member of staff and will add to the
dynamics of the current workforce.
I would welcome the chance to meet and discuss further any opportunities you may have.
I look forward to you response.
Yours Sincerely (only if you know the recipients name, Yours faithfully if you don’t.)
Your name
Remember these are only letter templates and are designed to be quite generic and used as
a tool to help you write the letter that reflects your skills and experience to there best. Your
Connexions advisor will be able to advise and help you further develop a letter that’s suits
you.
Application Forms
Some job adverts will ask you to fill in an application form. You may need to contact the
employer to get a copy of the application form or alternatively the advert may ask you fill in a
Jobcentre Plus application. A lot of companies also have application forms available to
download from there websites.
Application forms can seem daunting and be off putting but by filling it in and returning the
application form you will already be one step closer to the job. Out of every 100 applications
sent out on average only 20 get returned to the employer.
Generally application forms are very similar and you will notice a lot have the same format
and questions. When you have completed an application form that you are happy with and it
has been checked for errors, it is a good idea to keep a copy to use as a point of reference for
future applications. You will need to tailor the content of the application to the position you’re
applying for, but a lot of the information requested will be the same.
Some hints and tips on filling out an application form:
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Research both the job and the company to learn more about the role.
Read the application instructions thoroughly and follow them through (for example
whether you have to use a black pen or have to write in capitals).
Complete all the relevant sections – name, address, education & training,
employment history, details of referees (always ensure referees are aware that you
have used their details), etc.
Do not submit an application form which contains alterations / crossing out and check
the spelling of words which you are unsure of.
Make a copy of the application form before you start so you can make a rough draft
or your application before completing the original form.
Check and double-check how the finished form looks.
Do not use the same application form for every post – you will need to ensure that
your application ‘fits’ the post for which you are applying – this might mean just
making small changes, but this could make all the difference!
Include skills you have developed outside work, in clubs or voluntary work.
If there is gaps in your work or education history say what you were doing at that
time.
Read over the advert and make sure the information you are entering is relevant to
the job.
Ask an advisor or someone in authority to read and check the application form over
for you.
Keep a copy of the application form and the contact details of who you sent it too (this
will help if you don’t get through the selection process you can call and ask for feed
back).
We have all sent application forms off and never heard back from some of the companies we
applied to. Don’t worry it isn’t personal, you wont be the only one who hasn’t heard back, this
can be due to a number of reasons. For example if a company has received a huge response
to an advert for one vacancy it often isn’t possible to respond to all applicants.
Connexions advisors are used to dealing with applications and working with employers. Why
not ask for their opinion and input when filling in your next application.
Interviews:
So, you have passed the application form stage, well done! Now here comes the scary part,
the interview. They are many different types of interviews employers use but they will usually
let you know the procedures used if you ask them in advance. Unless you are applying for a
very specific kind of employment, generally the employer will use one or a combination of the
styles listed below.
Remember an interview is a chance for you to shine and maybe meeting your future work
colleagues. An interview is a two way meeting, for the interviewer to find out if you are the
right person for the job and also an opportunity for you to ask questions to see if the job is for
right you.
An interviewer isn’t an ogre trying to trip you up and make you feel bad, it’s there job to find
the best candidate for the role by asking the right questions. If you research the company and
job role, plan your day and travel in advanced, relax and enjoy yourself you will see an
interview can often be fun and interesting.
Competency base interviews:
Competency based interviews are conducted to allow you to show your experience and the
skills that relate to the position you have applied for and usually are a series of questions that
ask you for examples of a time you have demonstrated a particular skill. This could be
questions along the lines of “tell me of a time you have had to deal with angry customer” the
interviewer will be looking for and answer that 1.) Set the scene (tell them where you were
and the reason the customer was angry). 2.) What you did (let them know what you said and
how you dealt with the customer). 3.) The end result (explain how the situation was left and
the customers reaction). If you look at the job you are applying for often you can often work
out some of the questions you might be asked and prepare you answers before the big day.
Group Interviews:
You may be asked to attend an interview as part of a group for an assessment day. This is to
see how you work as part of a team and interact with others around you. Often the employer
will have set tasks for you all to undertake, this could be group discussions or more active
things like working as a team to solve a problem, anything from building a bridge from
newspaper to deciding who to throw out of a hot air balloon. Be prepared to take an active
part in the discussions or tasks and put forward you ideas. Remember be positive and
confidant but not aggressive.
Telephone Interviews:
If you are applying for a position where you will be expected to work on a phone or if the
employer is in a different location and travel may be an issue the employer may conduct a
Telephone Interview in first instance. This is a popular method for Contact Centres, Telesales
and Customer Service positions and helps the interviewer asses your telephone manner.
If you are having this type of interview it is best to arraign it for when you can be sat down
with no disturbances, have a pen and paper handy and also a copy of the job advert and
application form or CV you sent as a reference. If you have given you mobile number as a
contact, remember to answer the phone politely and change your greeting to something
suitable “whassss uuup” isn’t going to encourage the employer to call back.
Skills Test:
This kind of interview is generally used to test your suitability for a role by testing essential
skills needed. If you were applying for data entry you would be expected to demonstrate your
computer or typing skills, this often done with a computer program. For positions more hands
on like a hairdresser you may have to go in and cut hair. If this is the interview method the
best thing you can do is practice, practice and more practice.
Personality Testing:
This is a method that is becoming more and more popular among employers and is often run
along side other interview techniques. The personality test is a series of questions often
multiple choice designed to measure your suitability for the job in question. There is no right
or wrong answers in this process. The end result is a personality profile used to see if you
match the job profile.
Aptitude Test:
These are test designed to see how well you may be able to do certain tasks. These are
usually set as a test paper to be completed in a set time. These are often used to recruit for
apprenticeships or positions were employers will train you to a qualification.
Hint and tips:
Dos
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Don’ts
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Turn up in good time and be polite to everyone you meet - you can never be sure
who may have input into the selection process.
When meeting your interviewer, give a firm handshake, polite and enthusiastic
greeting, and smile.
During the interview, make eye contact and smile.
Dress appropriately related to the job you are applying for and try to follow dress code
if you know what that is beforehand. If it’s in Office don’t go dressed in a track suit. No
matter what you wear, make sure it is clean and smart.
Be aware of your body language - don't slouch, cross your arms or look uninterested.
Make the most of your research - mention some of the facts about the organisation
that you have found out from the internet, papers or media.
If it is a panel interview make sure you talk to everyone rather than directing your
answers at one or two people only
Listen to the information and questions carefully. It will make a bad impression if the
interviewer is required to repeat something again and again.
Find out as much as you can about the job. There may be some questions you may
want to ask the employer, it is OK to ask to take notes.
Think before you speak. Concentrate on what you want to communicate in your
answer and speak with confidence.
Sit down until the interviewer asks you to
Fidget or slouch in the chair or fold your arms
Swear – ever, even mild swearing isn’t excusable
Criticise your school, college or last place of work
Talk too much, waffle or interrupt
Don’t avoid questions
Smoke before the interview or chew gum during
Lie and make up answers, you will get found out
Ask:
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What will be my main responsibilities?
Where does this position fit into the company structure?
Who will I directly report to?
What training or work experience will I do in the first 6 months?
What is your commitment to training and development?
When will you decide on the appointment?
What is the next step?
An interview is a chance for you to meet new people, see the company surroundings and ask
questions. Make the most of it and enjoy the experience.
Job Search
Finding a job can feel like a job in itself. Unless you are extremely lucky, finding a job will be a
trying and frustrating process.
The best way to effectively job search is to develop a routine. Make it your job to find a job!
One way to do this is to come up with a weekly schedule of job searching activities. For
example, Monday morning could be the morning that you checkout what’s come in at the job
centre over the last week, Tuesdays may be the day that you work on your covering letters
and copies of C.V., Wednesdays its worth checking your local paper, the Evening Gazette
has a free Job’s paper on this day. Thursdays you could follow up on applications, C.V.’s and
speculative letters you sent out the week before.
This is just an example of a routine and it may not be right for you. The point is to develop a
routine that works for you and stick to it. With a routine you will end each day knowing that
you are one step closer to finding a job. A routine also will prepare you for the working world
where you will be expected to keep certain working hours and follow certain processes.
They will be times that you are unsuccessful with an application or at an interview and its hard
to pick yourself up and carry on searching but you can’t let that incident put a damper on
future job searches. One golden rule of job searching is never to take a rejection personally.
Rejection is very much part of job searches, it just means at that particular time somebody
had a bit more experience or knowledge than you for that particular role. Take it in your stride
and tell yourself that it was worth at least getting your name known to the company. Keep
trying and keep plugging away with your applications, you will constantly be improving your
job search skills and will soon be coming up with you own ideas.
Some useful websites
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www.gisajob.co.uk
www.fish4jobs.co.uk
www.monster.co.uk
www.totaljobs.com
www.reed.co.uk
www.jobsite.co.uk
http://www.jobserve.com
http://sector1.net
https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch