Jobseeker Guidance & Advice Workbook

Mitie Recruitment Team: Delivering Strategic Resourcing [email protected] 0845 519 9085

Career Transition Partnership:

Jobseeker Guidance & Advice Workbook

Introduction & Contents

This workbook has been created to provide you with all the key information you need to gain employment outside of the Armed Forces.

Introduction & Contents

Section 1: Writing your CV - What are you good at? - Your career history - CV hints and tips - Example CV Template

Section 2: Searching and Applying for Jobs -Wheretofindvacancies - Writing a cover letter - Application forms

Section 3: Interviews - Do’s and don’ts - Common questions - Tests & assessments - You’ve been successful

Section 4: Toolkit - Application log - Interview diary

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Section 1:Writing

YourCV

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What are youGood at?

Make your life a little easier and work with your strengths. These are your tools which will help you to build a happy and successful career.

We all have a diverse range of skills and aptitudes for different things. Some people lead very well, others work well in teams. Some people prefer to work on their own, others are naturally very analytical. Some people are perfectionists, and the list goes on...

Equally, we all have weaknesses. Although it’s good to be aware of them and strive to improve on them, to work in a role that focuses on them is like swimming against the tide.

You are far more likely to do well (and be happier) working in a role which makes good use of your strengths. Obviously, most roles are varied and will cover both your strengths and your weakness but you should focus on the things you enjoy and are good at whether that is managing others or prioritising your time. Knowing your weaknesses and improving on them is one thing but working in a role which requires you to use them all day every day, is quite another.

The checklist below should help you to identify the things you are exceptionally good at, the competencies you possess and the things which you’re not so good at and might want to consider improving on.

Please tick how you consider yourself to be for each competency:

Competency Above Average Average Below Average

EfficientLearning New SkillsTeam WorkingCustomer ServiceAchievement DrivenCommunicationLeadershipSelf ConfidencePlanning and OrganisingInitiativeFlexibility

Look at what you’ve ticked. You should now be able to identify your strengths (and weak-nesses) more easily. Keep your talents in mind whilst thinking about what you want to be doing in your new role because if you’re a square peg, you’re never going to be happy in a round hole!

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Your CareerHistory

This section will help break down your career history whilst in the forces and list the skills and experience you’ve picked up along the way. This will make it much easier to write a concise and comprehensive CV.

In each box write the following:

• Date you started & date you left the company• One sentence about the industry sector • Write 3 bullet points about your role, duties and responsibilities whist you were there

First Job

Second Job

Third Job

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CV Hints& Tips

Your CV is a snap shot of your skills, competencies and experience. It’s a document that is used by employers to gauge how suitable you would be for a role.

Your CV is Important. YourCVisyourfirstimpressiontopotentialemployerssoyouneedtoensureitisanexcellentandaccuratereflectionofyou.

Hiring Managers and recruiters see hundreds of CVs and the ones they report as the most useful are those which are concise, succinct and easy to read.

After all their job is to pick out those candidates who have the most appropriate skills and competencies for the role.

Be Concise...A good CV will always contain the following points:

• Name (possibly your last/current job title)• Contact details (telephone number, e-mail address)• A list of your competencies• Roles you’ve had• Companies you’ve worked for• Education,trainingandqualifications

More Hints and Tips…

• Your CV is like an advert for you - make sure it sells you well • Your CV should mention the competencies for the role • Spell check your CV • Do not include a photograph (unless requested to)• Use an easy to read font such as Arial, size 11 or 12 • Never use italics • Use bold text for sub-headings • CVs should be no longer than 2 sides of A4

See an Example CV TemplateOn the Next Page…

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Curriculum Vitae: John Smith

Personal Information Full Name: John SmithAddress: 123 John Smith Lane, John Smithshire, John Smithland, JS1 JS11Telephone Number: 01234 567890Email: [email protected]

ProfileCurrentlyemployedasanOfficeSupervisor

Aconfidentperson,highlyambitiousandself-motivated.Focusedandverythoroughwithexcellent time management and organisational skills.

I enjoy and get great satisfaction and enthusiasm from my work and the relationships I have with my team and clients.

I am very keen to learn and develop professionally, with aspirations of progression into an OfficeManager.

Employment History(Insert Current/Latest Job Title, Company Name, Dates Worked)

Role Responsibilities: Establishing excellent client relationships working with them to...Defininganddocumenting...Producing...Recognising...Successfully...Managing.. Regularly working..

Previous Job Title, Company Name, Dates Worked(Use same format as above)



ExampleCV Template

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Education & QualificationsClassification,Subject,University(List module information)

A-Levels, Name of Sixth Form College(List A-Levels)

GCSEs, Name of High School(List GCSEs)

SkillsI am highly competent...

AwardsI was awarded...

InterestsI regularly enjoy...

ReferencesI can provide references upon request.

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Section 2:Searching

& Applyingfor Jobs

There are many job and recruitment websites out there which aim to bring all the job vacancies to your desktop. Many allow you to register details of the jobs you are looking for, and will alert you by email to vacancies which may be suitable.

General Job Search Websiteswww.totaljobs.comwww.monster.co.ukwww.fish4jobs.co.ukwww.jobsearch.co.ukwww.workthing.comwww.jobsite.co.ukwww.topjobs.co.ukwww.clickajob.comwww.jobserve.comwww.alljobsuk.comwww.londoncareers.netwww.ramseyhall.comwww.calibreone.com Social Mediawww.linkedin.comwww.twitter.com www.facebook.com

Recruitment AgenciesRegister your CV with agencies and they will search for jobs on your behalf.

Remember to stay in constant contact with them!

They will have numerous people registering at any one time, so maintaining contact with them will keep you and your search for a role at the forefront of their mind; they will not forget about you!

Youcanfindtheagencythatbestsuitstheindustrysectoryouareapplyingforrolesviathe following link:

www.agencycentral.co.uk

Where to FindVacancies

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LinkedInLinkedIn is a fantastic place to interact with Recruiters so makesureyourprofileshowsyouoffaswellaspossible.

Here’ssomekeythingstodotogetyourprofileupandrunning:

Update Your Headline: Addanycertificationsafteryournameaswellasyourtitleand any other highlights about what you do.

Fill in the Summary Section:This is your ad about who you are. Give people an overview of your key skills and experience.

Use Keywords: Keywordsareimportantbecausethemoretheyappearinyourprofile,thehigherthe chances of you being found by a prospective employer. For example, if you’re a project manager, you might want to include keywords such as risk management, cost management, time management, resource management, etc.

Upload a Professional PhotoMake sure you upload a professional picture of yourself. Wear business attire and have your head shot. Dress up and smile as you would in a real job interview. And avoid having any other family members in the photo – this isn’t Facebook.

Other Tips• Make as many connections as you can. Don’t be afraid to add people you don’t

know, as long as they’re relevant to the type of work or job you’re after• Join Interest Groups and communities that are relevant to the type of work you’re

seeking• Ask for recommendations or endorsements from friends or former colleagues

Facebook & TwitterThe way you present yourself here is important too! Employerswilloftenlookatprofilestotryandgetan idea of a person’s characteristics. There’s no needtotakethefunoutofyourprofiles,butjustmake sure they represent you in the light you want to be seen in!

Where to Find Vacancies

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When responding to a job advertisement, you need to attach a covering letter, as well as sending your CV. The purpose of the letter is to attract the reader to look closely at your application. The keys to a successful letter are:

• Refer clearly to the job you are applying for; if the advert asks you to quote a reference number, do so

• Tell the reader where you saw the advert • Read the advert carefully, and (assuming that you do meet the majority of the

requirements of the job as advertised) draw attention to some key elements of the job which are closely mirrored in your experience

• Show interest in the job, and the company

Example Cover Letter

(Your address)John SmithABC Recruiting33 First StreetLondon WC1 1AC (Date)

Dear Mr Smith

Human Resources Administrator: reference 1066/PG

I would like to apply for the above position as advertised in The Sunday Times on 14 April. I am enclosing my CV and I would draw your attention to the following relevant experience:-

• I have 3 years’ experience in generalist HR roles • At D.E. Electronics, I was responsible for responding to employee queries and

managing administration. • My experience includes involvement in international HR issues• Ihavegainedspecialistknowledgeofcompensationandbenefitsmanagement

administrationI believe that my background and experience make me an ideal candidate for the position as described, and I look forward to meeting you to discuss the opportunity in greater detail.

Please do not hesitate to contact me, should you require any further information.

Yours sincerely,

Colin Jones

Responding to Adverts:Cover Letters

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Responding to Adverts:Application Forms

You may be asked to complete an application form as well as, or instead of, sending a CV when applying for a job. They are common in Public Sector organisations, less so among private companies.

Fillingintheseformsisoftendifficultandmaytakelongerthanyoufirstthink.Allowyourselfplenty of time, and be sure to meet any closing date.

Much of the detail required will be factual and biographical. Complete this accurately, using your CV as a reminder.

Don't write "See CV" - you must complete the application form fully. Only send your CV with the Application Form if you are asked to do so.

Some practical tips on completing Application Forms:

• Take a photocopy of the form and use this for practice• Read the form and the instructions - then read them again! • Complete all the questions - enter ‘Not applicable’ if that is the case, rather than

leaving a question unanswered• Use extra sheets of good quality paper if you need to, but only if the form

indicates that this is acceptable• Keepacopyofthefinalversionforyourrecords• Make sure that your handwriting is legible - we're all used to using a keyboard,

but application forms take us back to having to hand-write an important document

Themostdifficultpartsofmostapplicationformsarethefreeformquestions-oftenlargespaces, inviting your answer to questions such as:

"Explain why you think your experience makes you suitable for this job."

Your thoughts here should be clear, concise, but full enough to make your case. Refer back to the work you have done in analysing your strengths and achievements, and in building your CV. It is quite acceptable to use bullet points to list points you want to make, however, make sure that the presentation is neat.

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Section 3:Interviews

Interviews:Do’s & Don’ts

Itisessentialtounderstandtheinterviewisusuallythefirstcontactyouwillhavewithapotential employer. It is absolutely crucial that you make the right impression and leave your interviewer feeling you’re a top class candidate.

Interviewsatfirstglanceareadauntingcombinationofnerves,pressureandhandshakes.Hereareafew‘do’sanddon’ts’thathelpyoumakeagoodfirstimpressionthatlasts:

Do Don’tArrive Early Look UnpreparedMake sure you know the route, plan your journey to avoid transport black spots and leaveplentyoftimefortheinevitabletrafficjam, train cancellation or tube strike. In case of a major hold-up do ensure you have contact details with you so you can call to let them know you are potentially going to be late.

Don’t enter the building wearing your coat, talking or texting on a mobile, with headphones on or generally looking unprepared. You should expect to meet someone who will have an impact on the outcome of the interview from thefirstminute.

Compose Yourself Forget to Switch off Your PhoneIf you are late for any reason, or merely rushing to be on time then try as best as you can to compose yourself before entering the building. A calm exterior will mean you seem more confident.

Avoid any possible distractions by turning your phone off before you go into the building.

Make sure to be Polite and Friendly Be CriticalSmile, nod and generally give the best possible impression. This simple courtesy should extend to everyone that you encounter in the company, from the Receptionist to the MD, not just the one or two people interviewing you.

As tempting (and natural) as it may be, don’t be rude or personal about current or previous employers to potential employers.

Practice a Strong Positive Handshake PanicStudiesshowthatafirmhandshakehelpstomake a good impression. A weak handshake can sometimes denote timidity and lack ofconfidence.Extendaconcentrated,enthusiastic hand.

Don’tpanicifyouencounterdifficultquestions.Although there are seemingly ‘trick’ questions that sometimes come up it is often more important to react well to them rather than come up with the ‘right’ answer.

Make Eye Contact Don’t Lose ConcentrationMaintain a good level of eye contact (don’t stare at your shoes). Smile, nod and listen politely. Remember to bear in mind your body language and other non-verbal communication. Avoid crossing your arms, slouchingorfidgeting.

Don’t switch out of interview mode until you have at least left the building and preferably until you have got most of the way home. A candidate who has breezed through the interview itself can blow it all with a throwaway comment when being shown out of the building.

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Interviews:Common Questions

Although there is no set format that every job interview will follow, there are some questions that you can almost guarantee will crop up. Here’s a list of the most common questions and a guide to the kind of answers your interviewer wants to hear.

Tell me About Yourself… • This is usually the opening question and one of the most important • Keepyouranswertounderfiveminutes• Beginwithyourbestqualifications,achievementsandhighlights• Don’t go into too much detail – your interviewer will probably ask for you to expand

on any areas where they’d like more information

What are your Strengths? • Pick the three biggest attributes that you think will get you the job • Give examples of how you have used these strengths in a work situation

Theycouldbetangibleskills,suchasproficiencyinaparticularcomputerlanguage,orintangible skills such as good man-management. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at the job description. There is usually a section listing candidate requirements, which should give you an idea of what they are looking for.

What are your Weaknesses?• Pick something that you have made positive steps to redress• You should talk about weaknesses you can spin into something positive

Give an example of previous areas of weakness and what you did to address this and turn such weakness in to positive.On no accounts say “I don’t have any weaknesses”, your interviewer won’t believe you, or “I have a tendency to work too hard”, which is seen as avoiding the question or “I am a perfectionist”, is not a weakness it’s a cop out.

Why Should we Hire you? Youshouldbeabletofindoutwhattheyarelookingforfromthejobdescription.“Ihavea unique combination of strong technical skills and the ability to build long-term customer relationships” is a good example of an opening sentence, which can then lead onto amorespecificexampleofsomethingyouhavedonesofarinyourcareer.Stateyourbiggestachievementandthebenefititmadetothebusiness,thenifapplicablefinishwith“Given the opportunity, I could bring this success to your company.”

What are your Goals? • Talk about both short-term and long-term goals• Talk about the kind of job you’d eventually like to do and the various steps you will

need to get there, relating this in some way back to the position you’re interviewing for

• Show the employer you have ambition, and that you have the determination to make the most of every job you have to get where you want to be

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Why do you Want to Work Here?• The interviewer is looking for an answer that shows you’ve given this some thought• Make sure you can show knowledge of the company’s values, mission statement,

development plans and products• Describe how your goals and ambition matches their company ethos and how you

would relish the opportunity to work for them• Never utter the phrase “I just need a job”

What are Three Positive Things your Last Boss Would Say About You?• One thing that shows your ability to do the job • One thing that shows your commitment to the work• One thing that shows you are a good person to have in a team

For example, “My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can always rely on me, and he likes my sense of humour.”

What Salary are you Seeking?You can prepare for this by knowing the value of someone with your skills. Try not to give anyspecificnumbersintheheatofthemoment–itcouldputyouinapoorpositionwhennegotiating later on. Your interviewer will understand if you don’t want to discuss this until you are offered the job. If they have provided a guideline salary with the job description, you could mention this and say it’s around the same area you’re looking for.

Ask all the Right Questions...Now it’s your Turn Make sure you spend some time preparing what you want to ask the interviewer but be careful not to just think of questions for the sake of it.

You should really think about what’s important to you and what you want to know about the job, career progression, the company, its people and the working environment. To help, here are a few examples:

• What is it about the company that makes people want to stay? Made you join & stay?

• What is the company’s current annual growth rate?• Whattypeofpersonareyoulookingfortofillthisrole?• How would you describe a typical day for the person doing this job?• What sort of training is offered to staff within the department?• What encouragement is given to further study?• What structures are in place for career development?• How do you encourage staff to progress within the company?

Interviews:Common Questions

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Interviews:Tests & Assessments

There is an increasing use of a variety of "testing" methods by employers, who see these as ways to obtain objective data on candidates. Tests vary widely, as do the circumstances inwhichyoumayfacethem.You’llfindsomeinformationandtipsforthemostfrequentlyused tests below:

Ability Tests Usually include tests for numeracy, literacy, and practical tests such as keyboard skills.

Psychometrics Psychometrics are not tests. There are no right or wrong answers, and no pass or fail. They are designed to measure your likely behaviour or reaction in certain circumstances, or perhaps your preferred style of working.

Tips:• The most important tip to remember is be yourself! • Do not try to answer in a way you think might produce a "better" result. Ultimately the

output is what you say about yourself - be honest! • You are entitled to feedback – Make sure you ask for it• You may want the chance to discuss some of the results and to make your point if

you do not recognise the picture of you which emerges.

Assessment Centres These sound quite terrifying, but need not be. Assessment centres are widely used as a means to allow recruiters to "see you in action".

Good assessment centres include activities which are relevant to the job, and observers will be able to see how you behave in a variety of situations.

Just as with psychometrics, our strong advice here is be yourself!

You will probably face a group exercise: do not feel that you have to take the lead- if this is not your natural style there are other ways you contribute to a group which come more naturally to you. If, in a problem solving exercise, your natural approach is to make sure that the detail is handled, but you do not normally produce creative ideas, act naturally!

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You’ve Been Successful!

Making Sure the Offer’s RightCongratulations... You’ve been offered the job! BUT... before you accept make sure what you’ve been offered is in line with your expectations, including:

• Pay• Benefits• Working Hours

Don’t throw any spanners in the works, but if something crops up that you weren’t expecting or that you’re not happy with, now’s the time to talk about it.

Accepting the Job and your First DayYou’re almost there but remember to make sure you know everything you need to in ordertobefullypreparedforyourfirstday.Somesimple,keydetailsareoftenoverlookedby new employees and you should make sure you ask the following questions as soon as possible:

Question Answer

What day do I Start?

What Time Should I Arrive?

What's the Address?

Who Should I ask for When I Arrive?

What Should I Wear?

Is There Anything Specific I Need to Bring?

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Section 4:Toolkit

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Toolkit:Application Log

Keep Track of What You’ve Got on the GoTo help you keep track of the applications you’ve made, use the table below to keep track of the key details for each one.

Remember to agree a date with the to give the recruiter a call to catch up with them.

Application Role Company Date Applied

Follow Up Call Date

Contact Name & Number

123456789

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Toolkit:Interview Diary

Interview Job Title

Company Name Date Time Interview

AddressContact Name/

Number

1

2

3

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Helping you PrepareMake sure you get all the important details from the recruiter when you’ve been invited to interview.

Ifyou’vegotalltheinfoyouneedtofillthetablebelow,you’reingoodshapebutdon’tbe afraid to ask any other questions and make notes of them too.

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Notes


Jobseeker Guidance & Advice Workbook

Documents

Transcript of Jobseeker Guidance & Advice Workbook