IT LEVEL 1 Job Search
South Gloucestershire & Stroud College
Careers Service
INTRODUCTIONA CV is a marketing document, not an
autobiography.
There should be nothing in a CV, covering letter, or application form that could give a negative impression of yourself.
Employers are NOT interested in how you went wrong, they are interested in how you put it right.
TIPSNo longer that 2 pages
Use good quality white or off-white paper. Put each page on a different sheet of paper (not back-to-back)
Spelling mistakes On a CV are unforgivable – CHECK and RE-CHECK
Structure your CV practicallyTo show accomplishments to the best possible light
Target the information Adapt the information so it is targeted to the specific job you’ve applied for.
Keep a templateSo that you can adapt your CV to each job applied for
Be Positive You are selling yourself so be positive and confident...but also be honest!
FALSEFALSE
FALSEOnly send a CV if you are asked to.
Employers do not like them sent with app forms.
FALSEAlthough such information should be
emphasised, it is important to NOT leave gaps in your career history.
PERHAPSThis can be useful, but needs to be informative. Change of
career direction etc
TRUEAlthough the first two at least can normally be
guessed at.
TRUEIt is the relevance
of the jobs you have had or the skills you can
demonstrate that is important.
TRUEThe covering letter will
flesh out the CV and help you to relate it to the job.
FALSEOver 60% of HR
departments said that it ADVERSELY affected
their opinion of the applicant
True or false-CV Quiz
TRUE
83% of HR departments
rejected incomplete or
inaccurate addresses on
CVs and covering letters
1. It’s important to
get your address
right on your
application
TRUE
The covering letter will
flesh out the CV and help
you relate it to the job.
TRUE
(at least in the UK)4. A CV should be
typed and never
hand written
TRUEAlthough the first one at least can normally
be guessed
PERHAPSThis can be useful, but
needs to be informative.
FALSEEmployers do not like CVs to accompany an application form.
FALSEOver 60% of HR departments said the inclusion of a
photograph adversely affected their opinion of the applicant
2.Adding your photograph to your CV will enhance it.
3. CVs should
always be
accompanied by a
covering letter.
5. Employers have no need to know your
age, nationality, or marital status.
6. Your CV should
include a personal
profile/statement or objective.
7. A CV can be used for any type of job application.
WHAT CAN I USE TO PUT IN MY CV?Work experience-job/work shadowingVolunteeringSkills gained from courseStudent representativeSportsHobbies/clubs/societiesOrganised event-birthday party/trip for a groupWrite a blog?
Curriculum Vitae
1 2
Personal Details
Education & Qualifications
IT Skills
Relevant Experience
Profile
Other Experience
Hobbies and Interests
Referees
BTEC Level 1 ITFunctional SkillsGCSES
Competent or excellent with Microsoft Office, email, internet explorer, social media. Dreamweaver? Photoshop?
BTEC Level 1 IT-Skills learnt
Individual projects• Describe what you did• Skills that you learnt
School work experience.• Describe what you did• Skills that you learnt
Part-time/holiday jobs
Events organised/helped out with
Other skills learnt, e,g teaching yourself something or helping others with fixing a problem.
Play in a band.Mountain bikingSports teamWrite a blog
Name, Name,Tutor, Role, SGS College Company
Covering Letters
JOB SEARCH
• Job websites • Job boards-in businesses (also try shop windows)• Family, friends etc• Recruitment agencies
Applying for a role which hasn’t been advertised. Around 70%-80% of jobs aren’t advertised, so this is an important part of job searching.
TIPS:
Go to job fairs (always take a CV) speak to prospective employers and dress smartly Hand in/ email your CV to companies of interest (try and find a specific name) Put an advert up on jobs boards or websites, such as Gumtree.
Job Search
THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA
• 37% of companies use social media to research candidates• 94% of recruiters use social media to recruit• 44% of recruiters have hired through social media
Like pages and posts, join groups, follow on Twitter…………..
93% of recruiters now look- up candidates on social media …
Reputation management-Google yourself!
BEING A COMPETITIVE JOB SEEKER
If you have been unsuccessful in finding a job for a long time, stop and revise your job search techniques, CV’s and Applications- a
careers advisor, or the job centre can help with this.TIPS:Apply for lots of jobs, including speculative applicationsContinue developing your skills e.g. voluntary work, temporary work, courses Apply early- don’t leave it until the deadline Always mention your IT skillsBuild networks- use existing contacts and make new onesAlways give examples in applications and pay particular attention the job specification
Useful WebsiteseCampus eCampus-Job Vacancies or eCampus-student support-careers advice & guidance
Jobs in Bristol (Jobsite) http://www.jobsite.co.uk/local/bristol.html
Bristol City Council Jobs http://jobs.bristol.gov.uk/jobs.aspx?Ssimple=
Gum Tree http://www.gumtree.com/bristol
South Gloucestershire Council Jobs/volunteering
http://jobs.southglos.gov.uk/
Jobs at the Mall, Cribbs Causeway www.mallcribbs.com/careers.php
Jobs at the Mall (Broadmead) http://galleriesbristol.co.uk/index.php?section=about-us&page=jobs
Jobs at Cabot Circus www.cabotcircus.com/
Job Centre Plus www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/
The Working Student www.theworkingstudent.co.uk
Bradley Stoke Journal www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk/jobs/#latest_jobs
Patchway Journal www.patchwayjournal.co.uk/jobs/
Job is Job www.jobisjob.co.uk
Indeed www.indeed.co.uk
Monster www.monster.co.uk
Fish4jobs www.fish4jobs.co.uk
Questions????To book an appointment for a CV/application form check or
mock interview contact:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0117 909 2225
Room: CG24
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