Your Job Hunt Guide. Friendship. CARE AND HOUSING in partnership with Beechdale Community Housing

Transcription

1 Your Job Hunt Guide Friendship CARE AND HOUSING in partnership with Beechdale Community Housing Revised August 2014

2 Job Hunt Guide Pages Getting the most out of Universal Jobmatch 3 Looking for job opportunities 4 CVs 5-9 Covering letters and s Application forms 12 Interviews Useful websites and phone numbers 18 2

3 Getting the most out of Universal Jobmatch (UJM) 1. Create and save searches for jobs Search by - Job title - Skills or keywords - Postcode or location Vary your search by changing or leaving out some of the information in the above fields Use commas in lists of jobs to look for more than one type of job at the same time (e.g. bus driver, bus inspector ) Use the minus sign to leave out job types from your search (e.g. Driver HGV will show driving jobs but not HGV driver jobs) Save the searches you find useful so that you can re-use them next time. 2. Create CVs and covering letters and keep them up to date Experiment with how your CV looks by using the different methods: - Build CV - Upload CV - Cut and paste CV Decide which one you want to make available for viewing by employers/dwp (Department for Work and Pensions) Do not provide your bank account details, National Insurance Number, date of birth, or other personal information which doesn t relate to your application Create your own covering letter for each job, to make it specific to the job. 3. Edit the skills section of your Profile Once you have found a job that you are interested in, look at the job details for that position On the job details page, click on Review your skills Compare the job s Recommended skills with Your skills Highlight skills from the Recommended skills list and add them to your list. You may wish to remove irrelevant skills from your list This should make UJM look for similar jobs for you, which will appear in the Recommended jobs section of your home page. Full information on Universal Jobmatch can be found by clicking on the search tips link available on every UJM page 3

4 Looking for Job Opportunities Use a variety of methods look in more than one place Do not keep your eggs in one basket there are many different ways of finding work and by using as many as you can, you will be more likely to find something to suit you. These are some of the ways you can find work. Look for jobs: In local and national newspapers In relevant trade journals and magazines On employers own websites On websites such as etc. By registering with recruitment agencies find the ones that specialise in your type of work and contact your local branches; it is better to speak to a real person wherever possible (you can find a directory of agencies at www. agencycentral.co.uk) Ask friends, family and former colleagues if they know of any vacancies Create a list of companies that you are interested in using or www. thomsonlocal.com and ring them to see if they have any vacancies Write to companies to arrange factfinding interviews with a manager in the department you re interested in; make it clear that you want to know more about your chosen field of work. This can help build your contact list and they may remember you for a future vacancy, or refer you to someone who can give you more information, or even a job Drop by in person to hand in your CV this works best with small firms, e.g. small retailers (larger companies may ask you to visit their website instead). 4

5 CVs Tips for a good CV... Think T.C.P.: Target What is the job you are applying for? Which company are you applying to? Who will read your CV? Content Everything must be relevant to the job, company and reader, so show them the skills that you have and the experience that they will be looking for Presentation Summarise the key things about yourself at the top of the CV Stick to 2 sides maximum Type your CV in A4 format or ask someone else if they could type it for you Use a font size that can be easily read 11 or 12 point is ideal Keep the layout clear with easy-to-find headings Check for spelling mistakes Do not fold or crease your CV use an A4 envelope if posting it. Things that do not need to go in a CV these days: Age and date of birth Dates on education and qualifications (unless a qualification has an expiry date and you want to show that your qualification is in date, e.g. SIA badge or Food Hygiene Certificate) Nationality National Insurance number Marital status Level of health Care commitments Exam failures Jobs over 10 years ago (unless they are relevant to the job you are applying for) Hobbies and interests that are not relevant to the job you are applying for. Ask someone you trust to have a look at your CV when it s finished, to see if it reads well and to make sure they can understand the message you want to get across to the reader. Be prepared to make changes if necessary. Always send a covering letter/ with your CV: State the job title and reference number (if given) of the job you are applying for Tell them why you are interested in the job and what skills and experience you have that are relevant to the job Tell them you would be happy to discuss your application further and give them your contact number 5

6 CV Builder You can use this table to collect the information you will need before you start writing your CV. Always remember your target: job role + reader keep it RELEVANT! Personal Details Postal address: address: Telephone numbers: CAREER HISTORY in reverse order, most recent first Job title: Employer: Dates: Key achievements and responsibilities Job title: Employer: Dates: Key achievements and responsibilities Job title: Employer: Dates: Key achievements and responsibilities Job title: Employer: Dates: Key achievements and responsibilities 6

7 EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS in order of relevance Qualification/training Place of Learning SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE what are the key things you can offer? CV headline what s going to grab the employer s attention in a single phrase? What are they looking for? 7

8 Building a strong CV Clear headings help the reader to quickly find what they are looking for Bullet points in order of importance for every section SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE JOE BLOGGS 123, Smith Street, Birmingham B5 5SL joebloggs@hotmail.co.uk An enthusiastic catering professional who can work well under pressure Over 7 years experience in a busy professional kitchen Skilled in preparing high volumes of ingredients quickly and efficiently Working in a close team to busy deadlines with high volumes of orders Able to follow complex instructions quickly and accurately Excellent communication skills able to work well with customers, colleagues and managers CAREER HISTORY Actively jobseeking Jan 2014 to date KITCHEN ASSISTANT Birmingham City Football Club Oct Dec 2013 Assisted the chef in a busy kitchen providing catering for match days and private parties of up to 200 people Took food orders from customers Prepared a variety of dishes meat and vegetarian Maintained the kitchen to a high level of hygiene Actively jobseeking Mar - Oct 2006 RETAIL SECURITY GUARD Peacocks, Walsall Responsible for all aspects of security within a busy clothes store Provided security cover both on the front door and within the store Handled customer complaints and resolved potentially aggressive situations Liaised with police and other external authorities as appropriate GENERAL OPERATIVE Landrover, Coventry 2005 Part of a small team carrying out quality control and adjustments to new vehicles Ran diagnostic programmes to identify faults Carried out mechanical and electrical repairs to bring vehicles up to specification PICKER/PACKER John Dunne & Co Ltd, Aston Picked orders to customers specifications within tight deadlines Packed goods to ensure safe and cost-effective carriage LABOURER A1 Roofing, Knowle 2003 Worked in a small team building new roofs and carrying out repairs to existing roofs Carried all building materials in compliance with health & safety regulations Kept the building site clean and tidy at all times CV - Joe Bloggs - Page 1 of 2 Sounds better than Work Experience Dates at far right hand side Footer looks professional and stops pages being lost 8

9 Subjects shown in bold, with place of learning underneath in regular text EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS GCSEs including English and Maths Primrose Hill School, Birmingham INTERESTS Playing football for fitness and leisure Cooking meals for large groups of family and friends Include interests if they a) are relevant to job/ employer, or b) show you are in good health References available on request This phrase allows you to decide which referees would be best once you have got to know the employer better, i.e. after interview CV - Joe Bloggs - Page 2 of 2 9

10 Include name and job title of the person you are writing to Second paragraph highlights the key skills and experience that you have for the job Final paragraph closes with an invitation to contact you, including contact number Writing a strong covering letter Mr John Bridge Manager Bon Viveur Moat Lane Birmingham B17 2BW Dear Mr Bridge Vacancy: Kitchen Porter, ref J/ Smith Street Birmingham B5 5SL joebloggs@hotmail.co.uk June 2014 I wish to apply for the above post, as advertised in the Birmingham Evening Mail of 5 June 2014, and enclose my CV for your consideration. As you will see from my CV, I have over 7 years experience as a kitchen porter in a busy professional kitchen. I am able to prepare high volumes of ingredients to tight deadlines and can also work front of house when required. Looking at the reviews on your website, I can see that you have a growing reputation for high quality cuisine, and have had to expand your premises to cater for your growing clientele. I believe I have the necessary commitment to customer satisfaction and ability to work well under pressure to contribute to your ongoing success. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my suitability further and can be contacted on Yours sincerely Joe Bloggs Enc: CV - Joe Bloggs version on next page Shows reader what is enclosed with letter and looks professional Your contact details: postal address address telephone number Heading in bold outlines job vacancy and reference number Brief introduction explains why you are writing Today s date This paragraph shows your interest in the employer Yours sincerely when starting letter with a name. [ Yours faithfully when starting letter with Dear Sir or Dear Madam ] 10

11 Writing a strong covering Use the same principles as writing a covering letter From: Joe Bloggs Sent: 09 June :40 To: john.bridge@bonviveur.co.uk Subject: Application: Kitchen Porter, ref J/123 - Joe Bloggs Att: CV - Joe Bloggs.doc Dear Mr Bridge Clear subject line Remember to attach the document I wish to apply for the above post, as advertised in the Birmingham Evening Mail of 5 June 2014, and attach my CV for your consideration. As you will see from my CV, I have over 7 years experience as a kitchen porter in a busy professional kitchen. I am able to prepare high volumes of ingredients to tight deadlines and can also work front of house when required. Looking at the reviews on your website, I can see that you have a growing reputation for high quality cuisine, and have had to expand your premises to cater for your growing clientele. I believe I have the necessary commitment to customer satisfaction and ability to work well under pressure to contribute to your ongoing success. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my suitability further and can be contacted on Yours sincerely Joe Bloggs 11

12 Application Forms Tips for Completion Make a copy of the blank application form and use it to make a rough version first this should help you to avoid making mistakes on the real form. Do not leave any boxes empty. If a question isn t relevant to you, then write N/A to show the reader you haven t ignored the question. Ask someone you trust to read through your draft version before you write it up in neat. Always follow the instructions carefully: e.g. if they ask you to use black ink and write in CAPITALS, then do so. If they ask you to list your jobs with the most recent first, then that is what you must do. Where they ask you how you fit the needs of the job, take your time to list each of the skills/types of experience that the job requires and give an example of something you have done, or know, or learned that shows you have that skill/ experience Make and keep a copy of the completed form: This will be useful to refer to when you are preparing for the interview. You can also refer to it when completing other application forms once you have got a record of your past employers, jobs and dates, you won t have to work them out again. 12

13 Interviews Attention to detail checklist Check the following a few days before your interview: Is your interview outfit complete, clean and pressed? Have you got appropriate shoes? Does your hair or beard need a trim? Have you been on the company website and done some research about them? Have you re-read your CV/application form, the job description and, if available, person specification? Have you got together any paperwork needed at the interview, e.g. certificates, proof of identity? Are you clear on the date, time and location of your interview, and have you put it in your diary? Have you thought about what questions they will ask you? Have you thought about the questions you want to ask the interviewer? Have you thought about how you will link your skills and experience to the job on offer? Have you worked out how you will explain any gaps on your CV? Have you practiced for any tests e.g. numeracy and literacy tests? 13

14 Interviews Getting there checklist In preparation for your interview, have you: Made sure that you are going to the right place/ site? Found out how to get there? Allowed for possible problems on the way? Made a note of a contact name and number in case of delays? Worked out where you re going to park, if you re driving? Made sure your car has enough petrol? Blocked out enough time either side of the interview to avoid clashes with other appointments? Got change for parking/ public transport? 14

15 Interviews Golden rules when answering questions When giving an example of what you did, tell it as a story with a beginning, middle and end to make it easier for the interviewer to follow If you do not understand a question, ask the interviewer to repeat or rephrase it If you need time to consider your answer, say so If you cannot think of an answer, ask if you can come back to that question Do not waffle or go off the subject Make good eye contact Listen carefully to all parts of the question and make sure you answer each part you can always ask the interviewer to remind you of the other parts if you can t remember all of them Do not get too friendly Do not ask about pay or holidays (you can ask about these things when/ if you are offered the job) Do not say you are returning to work for the money, even if it s true think about what you might say to this before the day Do not say you like the sound of the job because the hours appeal, even it this is the only reason Show you have done your research by talking about what you have found out about the employer Do not lie you are bound to get found out Make sure you have questions to ask them Thank the interviewer for their time. 15

16 Interviews Possible questions you may be asked What skills and experience can you bring to the role? What do you know about our company? Why do you want to work for us? What interests you about the role? Why should we recruit you? What are your ambitions? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Why are you coming back to work? What s most important to you in a job? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What will your referees say about you? Tell me about a problem that you have had to solve how did you approach it and what was the outcome? Give me an example of something you ve done that you are particularly proud of. Tell me about a difficult situation you have had to deal with. How did you handle it? Would you do anything differently next time? How do you deal with pressure? Give me an example of your organisational skills. How do you deal with change? Give me an example of how you work to deadlines/targets. What does teamwork mean to you? Give me an example of when you have used your initiative. What hours/shifts can you work? How soon can you start? Do you have any holidays booked? Can you work across a 7-day week? Would you be happy for a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check to be completed? 16

17 Feedback - after the interview Golden rules for receiving feedback Ask for it you have every right to it! Thank them for taking the time to give it Do not take it too personally, and avoid being defensive or aggressive Do not be afraid to ask for examples Do not be afraid to ask for ideas on ways to improve Look at ways you can use the feedback to improve your interview technique Discuss the feedback with someone you trust Consider what you could have done differently See feedback as a constructive tool to build your interview skills and confidence you will be stronger for it. 17

18 Useful websites and telephone numbers Jobseeker s Allowance - new claims Textphone Service Local companies Jobcentre Plus - general information Tax Credits information and how to claim Reed Recruitment Total Jobs Universal Jobmatch National Careers Service NHS Jobs Jobs in Education Voluntary Work opportunities Directory of recruitment agencies Directory of job sites Monster Jobsite Fish4Jobs 18

19 Your notes 19

20 Contact Us Employment and Training Advice Friendship offer a range of Employment and Training support for customers who want to get into work. For more information on how we can help you, contact Rob Friday, Employment and Training Advisor, on (existing staff only) Friendship CARE AND HOUSING in partnership with Beechdale Community Housing A member of 20