Where to look for your first job

Firstly, you need to write a good CV. Get someone to have a look at your CV (ideally your school / college careers adviser) as they can help you tailor your CV to the organisations you’re applying to. You will probably end up with multiple CVs – employers want a CV that is specific to them, not a generic one that has been sent to 20 other employers.

 

Once you’ve got a killer CV, take a few approaches to your job hunt:

• Apply for advertised jobs.
• Speculative applications – where you send your CV although the employer may not be advertising vacancies at the moment. Visiting shops, restaurants, cafes, hairdressers etc. smartly dressed with your CV ready is a good approach. Prepare an introduction to say when you first walk in, to ensure you don’t get tongue tied!
• Tell everyone you know you’re looking for work. Everyone has friends, family, colleagues, and neighbours, who all know lots of different people. They may have heard about a job from their network, or think of you if they hear about one (as they will know you are looking for work).

 

Where to look for advertised vacancies:

• Local newspapers
• Individual company websites you’re interested in. Don’t underestimate the power of social media here – lots of smaller employers advertise their vacancies this way.
• monster.co.uk
• indeed.co.uk
• reed.co.uk
• gov.uk/jobsearch

 

If you’re also considering unpaid voluntary work, www.do-it.org is a great website for searching for thousands of volunteering opportunities, in a range of sectors.

 

GOOD LUCK!!

Getting ahead over Easter

Yes, we know you’ll be busy scoffing Crème Eggs and watching back to back films in your PJs, but you can’t do that for two full weeks, can you?

Here’s a few things you could be doing whilst you’re off:

1. A good revision timetable.

A good revision timetable includes everything you already do (e.g. sport, clubs, work, seeing friends) and fits revision around that. Make it realistic (so don’t convince yourself you’ll do 4 hours every night) and stick to it. Little rewards can be useful to keep you motivated!

2. If you’re yet to do your year 12 work experience, Easter is a perfect time to organise it.

Do some research to find organisations you are interested in, then call them to see if they offer work experience. Try to get the contact details of the person who has managed work experience before, and send a follow up email highlighting what you can offer the organisation, attaching your CV.

3. Update your CV.

You may be applying for work experience (above), a job, volunteering or something else. There are lots of websites with CV advice. We recommend Prospects for CV advice and examples.

4. Is your CV a little thin? Are you lacking information to put on it?

If so, try something new. Volunteering for a few hours a week, joining a new sports team or starting a new hobby means you can demonstrate a range of skills and qualities. It also gives you something else to talk about on your uni personal statement, job or apprenticeship applications. do-it.org is a great website to search for thousands of volunteering opportunities.

5. Eat lots of chocolate and have a great time off.

Well, it is the Easter holidays after all!