Employability & Personal Development: Career Planning & Making Applications tell you all about how to make yourself more employable with interview techniques and writing a CV and cover letter. It will help you along the way to employment giving tips and advice to follow all the way through the application process to interview and hopefully securing the job that you want. If you would like more information about our services including apprenticeships please ring: 0121 707 0550 or e-mail: info@pathwaygroup.co.uk / info@apprenticeshiprecruitment.co.uk

1. Employability &
Personal Development
Career Planning & Making Applications

2.  Careers Advice & Guidance.
 Researching Career Options.
 Choosing Suitable Career Pathways.
 Sources of Information for Job Vacancies.
 Finding a Suitable Job Vacancy.
 Identifying Own Skills, Qualities, Experience & Qualifications.
 Drafting a CV.
 Selection for an Interview for a Job.
 Obtaining an Application Form & Job Details.
 Completing a Job Application.
 Preparing for an Interview.
 Interview Techniques & Practise
Aims & Objectives

3. It’s a short list of facts about you and your work
history, skills, qualifications & experience.
A good CV is essential when looking for work & it
is worth spending time getting it right so that it
sells you to an employer
What is a CV?

4. • Neat.
• Of the best standard you can
achieve in regards to content &
layout.
• Contain NO spelling or
grammatical errors.
• Short (2 sides of a sheet of A4
paper is normally sufficient.)
• Positive: It should emphasise
your achievements, strengths &
successes
• Make a good impression.
What should my
CV be like?

5.  Your Name.
 Your Address.
 Your Phone Number.
 Your E-mail Address.
 Your Career History.
 Put your most recent job first and
include dates. Also include
Voluntary work.
 Emphasise the skills and
experience you have gained from
those jobs or voluntary work.
What should I
Include in my CV?

6. 1. Your Name
2. Core Skills & Experience
3. Personal Details: Address, E-
mail, Telephone: You do not need to include
information on your Gender or Date of Birth
or Nationality.
4. Employment: If you lost your job
recently, don’t put about your current
unemployment status here, you can briefly
explain the covering letter. Just put the start
and end date of your last job. Include your
old job title, company, responsibilities and
Achievements.
5. Additional Skills/Attributes
6. Education
7. References
What If I’m Currently
Unemployed?

7.  Send it with a covering letter or
email.
 Use it to help you to remember
all the dates & information you
need each time you need to fill
in an application form.
 As a reminder when you are
asked to give more information
about your job history.
 To refresh your memory just
before an interview.
I have my CV:
Now How Do I Use it ?

8. When applying for a job you are competing against
a lot of other people.
It is important that your application makes a
good impression & stands out
from the others.
A properly presented and prepared cover letter and
correctly filled in application form will help you.
Applying for Jobs

9. When searching for jobs you will need to:
 Know how to identify sources of job vacancies.
 Be able to analyse adverts to ascertain suitability.
 Be able to use available resources in the search for work.
 Log/record job search activities.
Where to look:
 The internet
 Newspapers
 Job Fairs
 Recruitment Agencies
 Notice boards
 Word of mouth, friends, colleagues
Searching for Jobs

10. www.excellencegateway.org.uk/skillsforlife
www.bbc.co.uk/schools
www.bbc.co.uk/health
www.direct.gov.uk
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/
www.employ-ability.org.uk
www.prospects.org.uk
www.direct.gov.gov.uk/en/Environmentan
dgreenerliving
www.keepbritaintidy.org
www.wastewatch.org.uk
www.defra.gov.uk
www.food.gov.uk
www.worketiquette.co.uk
www.connexions-direct.com
www.hse.gov.uk
www.gov.uk
www.iosh.co.uk
www.opsi.gov.uk
www.equalityhumanrights.com
www.citizenadvice.org.uk
www.equalities.gov.uk
www.understandingprejudice.org
www.excellencegateway.org.uk
www.keepcustomers.com
www.jobseekersadvice.com
www.monster.co.uk
www.worksmart.org.uk
www.nhs.uk/livewell
Searching for Jobs

11. Keeping a Record of
your Job Search
By keeping records of which jobs you have
applied for you can:
 Record where you have applied for
previously.
 See if there is anything you can do to
improve your chances next time.
 See what jobs you haven’t applied for
yet/companies that you haven’t
contacted.
 Ask for feedback about jobs you
weren’t successful for at Interview.

12.  Underline the skills requested in the advert.
 Draft a rough copy of your letter & include the skills underlined
in your letter.
 Be positive & emphasise why you are perfect for the job.
 Include any relevant skills you have.
 Give a summary of your skills and experience.
 Keep it brief and to the point.
 Identify when you will be free for an interview.
 Include your name, address, phone number & the date
 Enclose a copy of your CV
 Make sure the layout is neat and that there are no spelling or
grammatical errors
Writing a Cover Letter

13.  Always check the instructions for filling in the application form:
e.g. Whether you have to write in capitals or fill in black ink only.
 Spell the name of the company correctly.
 Prepare a draft and then transfer onto the actual form
(if completing by hand).
 Read over the job advert again & make sure the information you
include is relevant.
 Answer all the questions & fill in all the boxes.
 If there are gaps in your employment history, say what you were doing
during that time.
 Include skills that you have developed outside work.
 Ask someone you trust to check your application before you send it.
Filling in an
Application Form

14. Getting invited to an interview means you’ve
passed the first test, your application must have
made a good impression.
Now you need to prepare yourself for the
interview!
Interview Techniques

15. Before the Interview:
Research the company
 Spend some time doing this as it will give you confidence, it will
also allow you to ask the employer questions.
 You could contact the company to ask for an information pack or
you could look at their website.
Plan for the interview
 Find out what the interview will involve.
 If you have a disability, all employers must make reasonable
adjustments for you
 Find out how many people will be interviewing you & their
positions in the company. (This will help you prepare questions).
 Find out how long the interview is likely to last. (This will give you
an idea of how detailed the interview will be).
 Find out if you will have to take a test or make a presentation.
Interview Techniques:
Planning

16. Plan your Journey
 Consider travelling to the company
before the interview to check how long
the journey will take.
 If necessary, ask for directions, bus
routes or details of where you can park
 Consider the costs involved.
 Plan for the unexpected (e.g. bus or
train cancelled, car breaks down etc).
Interview Techniques:
Planning

17. Aim for a neat, clean and tidy
appearance, get your clothes ready the day
before
Deciding on what to wear for the interview
will depend on the work you will be doing
Remember, if you look good it will help you
feel good and more confident
Interview Techniques:
Appearances Count

18.  Take a copy of your CV or application
form to refer to.
 Prepare notes or cue cards if you think it
might help and give you a prompt.
 Take items the employer has asked you to
bring along, e.g.
references, certificates, driving licence.
 Reread the job advert to refresh your
memory and make sure you haven’t
missed anything.
 Prepare for the questions you might be
asked.
Interview Techniques:
Bring your Information

19. Give yourself plenty of time and aim to arrive
at least 10 minutes before the interview time.
It’s important to make a good first impression
& this will be made in the first few minutes!
Show the employer that you are the
best person for the job!
Interview Techniques:
On the Big Day

20.  Enter the room confidently.
 Shake hands firmly & introduce yourself.
 Be polite & friendly.
 Check that it’s OK to use your notes during the interview (if you have
them).
 Try to maintain eye contact with the person you are talking to & look
interested & ask questions as well as answering.
 Answer questions as fully as you can: Avoid just saying ‘Yes’ and ‘No’
 Tell the truth
 Ask if you don’t understand a question
 Speak clearly
 Sell yourself: Get your good points across & be positive
Interview Techniques:
On the Big Day

21. An employer will ask you a lot of different questions at interview to find
out about you and your skills. Some examples might be:
 Why do you want to work here?
 Why did you leave your last job?
 Have you done this kind of work before?
 What did you do in your last job?
 What kinds of equipment can you use?
 How long have you been out of work? & How do you spend your time?
 Why should the employer take you on?
 Your qualifications.
 How do you get on with people?
 What are your strengths & weaknesses?
 Do you have any questions?
Interview Techniques:
Questions you might be asked

22. You need to make a good impression and show that you are
the best person for the job.
Things you should NOT do:
 Sit down until the interviewer asks you to.
 Fidget or slouch in the chair or fold your arms.
 Swear (even mildly).
 Criticise your past employers.
 Interrupt.
 Draw attention to your weaknesses.
 Don’t try to be too enthusiastic or lie: Stay calm and stick to
the facts.
Interview Techniques:
What not to do in an Interview

23. For more Information,
Advice & Guidance
or to contact us about Traineeships or Apprenticeships
Call: 0121 707 0550
E-mail: info@pathwaygroup.co.uk