National Careers Week Special 2014
LIFESKILLS
NATIONAL
CAREERS
WEEK SPECIAL
CAREER SAVVY
3rd - 7th March
MINI ISSUE
Social Media DOS AND DON’TS
HOW TO WRITE
A WINNING
CV
INSIDE: COMPLETE YOUR
CAREER ACTION PLAN
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: dave morgan Hello! And a warm welcome to our special mini-edition dedicated to LifeSkills National Careers Week 2014. This event, which happened in more than 1,600 schools, academies and colleges around the country last year and included more than 10,000 events, is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the array of working options available to you. LifeSkills National Careers Week really helps to bring people together, educating young people just like yourself on the exciting careers open to you, as well as inspiring educational institutions to offer excellent career guidance and giving employers the tools they need to connect with young people; the future of their business. Please use our short guide to make the most of the week, help you to make some crucial decisions about your upcoming career, and soak in some top tips to get that important first step on the ladder. Enjoy!
Future jobs Jobs of the Future Sectors and roles that are growing in opportunity.
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Digital Literacy 11
Social Media and Your Job Hunt How to use it correctly.
Pathways 8
Deciding on Your Path Help with knowing what you want to do.
12 Apprenticeships - All You Need to Know A popular route well worth considering.
Life Skills 9
How to Write a Winning CV Some fail-safe CV tips.
10 Attitude Adjustment
Get your career caps on!
lifeskills National Careers Week LifeSkills National Careers Week will kick off on 3rd March. This five-day celebration of careers advice is run by careers media company Career Info. The first event ran in 2010 and since then, plenty of schools, colleges and universities have got involved.
T
he idea is to put a big emphasis on career advice in order to show you the best way to reach your potential. While the event encourages and supports career advice in general, there are five main themes that LifeSkills National Careers Week will focus on. These are:
future jobs. This includes roles that were not around
five to ten years ago, as well as roles that are only just being created. Vacancies can be found in engineering, information technology, and social media. There is also a big scope for green and environmental jobs as efforts are made to change the way we consume energy and construct buildings.
Life Skills. All the paperwork and admin bits. CVs, cover
letters and applications are a key part of successful job searching as they are what employers judge you on. It is key that you keep these up to date, make them look professional and that they promote you as a candidate.
Pathways. Your next step. How are you going to go about
getting into your desired career? This is where you should find out as much as possible about further education, apprenticeships and training to decide which could be the best fit for you.
Digital Literacy. IT skills are essential to have for
numerous aspects of your career. Whether it’s filling out an online job application or creating your LinkedIn profile, staying IT savvy is essential for keeping ahead of the competition.
Resources. Before you get started, it’s important to make
sure you have researched every opportunity available to you. Luckily, there are more career resources available now than ever before. So if you’re researching job descriptions or looking at university prospectuses, deciding which route to take will become easier.
How can it benefit you? Take this opportunity to get as
much information as possible about potential routes for you. Feeling unsure about what you want to do is usually a result of not receiving the right, or enough information. With free resources, you don’t have to wait for help with your career choices – go and find out for yourself ! LifeSkills National Careers Week also features input from some of the UK’s largest employers, including Barclays, Sky, Nestle and the NHS. Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities and announcements!
Get involved. LifeSkills National Careers Week is
all about providing the most help possible to benefit your career decisions. The best way to get involved is to find out what is going on at your school, college or university. Have a look at the ‘What’s On’ section of the LifeSkills National Careers Week website and check for events planned near you. Plans include talks from guest speakers, arrangements of work experience placements, representatives from different employers and information on apprenticeships/vocational qualifications.
Free resources. As well as this extra issue of Career
Savvy, there are numerous resources available to you. Don’t forget that Career Savvy release monthly issues of content tailored specifically to aid you with your career choices and work. You can also view our blog, with regular career tips, news and advice added every week.
Figure stuff out. It’s never too early to start looking into
what path you want to go down. With all the advice in this issue combined, you should begin to consider what you want to do and what you will need to get there. Seeking out help leading up to and during LifeSkills National Careers Week is just the start: the rest is down to you.
TURN THE PAGE TO MAKE YOUR ACTION PLAN
EEP!
MY ACTION PLAN
ND K PRINT OFF A
Use this space to list your career goals and what you want to achieve.
am interested in: Industries and job roles I
ere demand is growing! See page 6 for industries wh
top
1 2 3 4 5
5 Companies I want to work with:
GOALS
What I want to achieve
Skills I’ll
need to
learn:
websites
to use www.careersavvy.co.uk Not sure what care
er path to take? Se
e our advice on pa
ge 8.
Events I want to attend Name
Location
Date
See our useful links on page 14 for great career advice websites.
future jobs
e h t f o
Jobs
Future
We often hear tales of how the job market is in dire straits – but it’s not all doom and gloom! Thanks to technology, new jobs are cropping up all the time. If you feel unsure of what route to go down, consider some of these newer areas where demand is growing fast.
Engineering
Environmental
There are lots of exciting things happening in the engineering field. Firstly, there are now lots of great entry routes through apprenticeships, that don’t involve getting a degree or sometimes even A-levels prior to applying. In 2013 the government announced plans to invest £10 million worth of funding into engineering training schemes. In a bid to return to Britain’s manufacturing roots, funding should be available for companies to directly purchase training methods. This means that more firms are likely to employ apprentices, and the ones that already do will be able to increase their training budget.
Green job opportunities are already on the rise, and availability is set to continue over the next decade. Areas in demand include renewable energy, conservation and research. Many companies have recently made efforts to reduce any negative impact they have on the environment and save money. This obviously requires staff and/or the use of consulting agencies.
As machinery and technology progresses, new trainees are needed to learn how to run and maintain said equipment. This means lots of UK-based manufacturers are continuously looking to invest in new talent. Changes to design have recently left a skills shortage in the industry, mostly as a result of ‘smart’ technology. This basically refers to common household appliances that can be operated through the internet.
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If you’re interested in getting a green job, it’s worth carrying on with subjects such as chemistry, geography and even maths. For any role involving research, surveying consultancy and analysing you will need to have practised data analysis and research methods to a high level. Green opportunities are expansive and roles can be manifested in a variety of job sectors. It’s therefore well worth doing some research into what is available if you think a green role could be for you. Those interested in design, architecture and construction may also consider a green role. New buildings and developments constantly require features that allow them to be as environmentally friendly as possible. This mostly includes conservation of energy and the materials used.
Information technology
Social Media
The IT sector is one which is currently experiencing a skills shortage – many companies struggle to find staff with up-to-date training. This means an IT apprenticeship or degree can leave you with a good chance of securing employment at the end of it.
‘Social media consultant’ is just one example of a job title that wasn’t around five years ago. The use of social media for commercial and promotional uses wasn’t anticipated to take-off in the manner that it has. More and more companies are looking for staff to run their social media for them – particularly those who are fluent in its functions and uses.
Popular areas to go into include web and software development, helpdesk/support and software engineering. A multitude of companies require specific software and programs to run their operations, from finance companies to retail. Many tech companies are having problems sourcing staff that are competent in different types of code, so specialising in computing courses is a good way of enhancing your prospects.
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While social media is not so much of a dependable industry as others, it is constantly changing. New social networks and platforms are being developed all the time, so it is important for companies to be able to stay on top of this and keep ahead of the competition.
When deciding on your career path...there’s interested in PR, marketing and media much more to choose Anyone may find that social media offers them some from than just the great opportunities. It is open to people from a variety of backgrounds, but creative subjects traditional might serve you well. A degree isn’t necessarily routes vital but employers will lean towards employing graduates for this kind of role.
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Deciding on Your Path Your school days are behind you and the world of work is anticipating your arrival – exciting, right? Of course! But now comes the dreaded question: ‘What career do you want pathways to pursue?’ Making a decision is tough, with endless possibilities to choose from and many roles you may not have even heard of. Have no fear! If you’re feeling lost, Career Savvy is here to help you find that all important path to your future career.
Love Lists
Seek Advice
Test Run
To discover all there is to know about the many careers out there, it’s worth checking out job briefs on sites such as Prospects.ac.uk. Make a list of the top ten jobs that interest you and then organise these in order of preference. Contemplate the positives and negatives for the top three on the list. Consider the pay, skills you will need and working hours. Cross-referencing the positives and negatives of your top three jobs will help you to spot any similarities, revealing your priorities. You may discover you don’t mind a low wage if this means the hours are less, or perhaps you’re willing to spend more time in education to achieve the career you really want.
Career tests aren’t for everyone, but they can help you to gain an insight into careers you may not have thought of before. Furthermore, if any matches are made between your results and your list, this can reassure you of your choices. If any weird or unsuitable results come up, then these can simply be disregarded. Although the suggested jobs may sometimes be unrealistic, a skill/quality that is the common denominator could help you to realise a particular strength.
The only way to get a good idea if a career is suitable for you is to give it a go. Therefore doing some volunteer work or work experience related to your preferred career will benefit you hugely. Such efforts to discover the right job for you will stand out on your CV, impressing any employers who are considering you for their vacancy. Giving yourself the opportunity to try your hand at the job you’re considering will also enable you to add more positives and negatives to your list.
Tip: Dare to dream. We like to have a advocate aiming high, so if you or an dream - perhaps to be a singer pletely. actor - don't rule this out com Why not teach your passion? Or lar discover jobs that require simi o enjoys skills, for instance, someone wh s. performing would do well in sale
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Tip: If you w ould prefer to talk to a hu man rather than just your c omputer, th en consider orga nising a mee ting with a teac her or guida nce counsellor. B ring along you r list and discuss your choice s.
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Tip: Working with people in your field of interest will give you contacts in this industry. If you swap your contact details, and connect on networking sites such as LinkedIn, you can start building your network.
How to Write a Winning CV Writing your CV can be a painful task. Selling yourself in just two pages - how do you make sure your CV stands out, while keeping it concise and professional? CVs are a grey area, with a lot of conflicting advice out there to confuse you. There are plenty of techniques that can give your CV the boost it needs, as well as general rules worth sticking to that will ensure you have a good quality résumé. Here are our top tips:
life skills
Be Concise.
It is generally expected that a CV should be no longer than two pages of A4. Within that, you should keep text down to a minimum. When describing previous roles, a list or bullet points work more effectively than sentences. This offers a faster way for employers to pick up on the important points, and also makes writing your CV an easier task. The benefit of a concise CV is mainly that it makes it easier on the eye for the employer; this leaves a positive impression about you as a candidate.
Be Flexible.
Sending out one version of your CV is not a good idea; especially if you are applying to a range of different jobs. Certain roles will require particular experiences/skills, so tailor these appropriately and save separate versions. It will be well worth adapting and tweaking your CV for every single application you make, prioritising the information that you feel will aid you the best each time. As a result, employers will notice that you have a good understanding of the role you’re applying for.
Be Professional.
It’s safe to say that your CV should be free of any errors. But not only this, consider factors like layout and format – is it clear and easy to skim through? Remember that employers often receive a high number of applications for each role, so don’t take long to sit and read each one. Using subheadings is a great way of helping them to navigate and pick out key points. A table format is useful for this – in most programs you can create a table and make the grid invisible once you are finished.
Be Organised.
The order of your CV content is more important than you might first realise. If you have relevant work experience and you want an employer to see that first, put it at the very top. You can list other less relevant jobs on your second page. Order your education from most recent to least recent, e.g. degree first, then work backwards in chronological order. The information that makes you look better should be as obviously placed for the reader as possible.
Be Interesting.
Your CV needs to make you memorable and unique. Everyone likes travelling and going to the gym, but not everyone likes collecting comic books or upcycling antique furniture. Avoid listing generic hobbies and think about something you do which most people don’t. By doing this you’re creating a more dynamic and memorable impression of yourself. In an interview, this impression will cause the employer to bring up something which intrigues them; thus giving you more to talk about.
For more CV writing tips take a look at our infographic: 10 Things Not to Put on Your CV Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk
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Life Skills
Attitude adjustment: how to approach your job hunt
Starting your job hunt is exciting, but it’s also very daunting, and no doubt you are feeling overwhelmed. Now you’ve decided on what career path you’re going to take, it’s time to consider your job hunting attitude. How you approach employers with your application can be the difference between success and constantly being side-lined. So make sure your attitude helps rather than hinders your job search.
Proactive vs. Passive Employers will always appreciate hard work, so you need to show that you are a determined candidate by being as proactive as possible. Therefore your job hunt needs to become your full-time job, rather than something you fit in around your social life. Set yourself a target of finding around ten relevant jobs a day and take time when filling out application forms. By not rushing the process, your efforts will be of a higher quality thus more likely to impress employers. Furthermore, anything extra you can do such as work experience, volunteering or a part-time job, will prove that you have not sat and waited for an opportunity to find you, but that you are determined to seek opportunities yourself.
Optimistic vs. Pessimistic The average successful job search lasts six months, so it’s inevitable that there will be times when you feel like you’re getting nowhere and lose patience. Hold in there! It’s important to remain positive, tell yourself that you can do it and you will: keep thinking that you will find the right job and you will. Follow up any interviews you have to gain some feedback, therefore you can learn from any mistakes and use the positive feedback to boost your confidence. It’s easy to underestimate yourself by not believing in or perhaps not even realising what your skills and abilities are. Even if your skills aren’t exactly what is asked for on the job description, apply anyway. You may be surprised how many of your similar experiences will be accepted as relevant. So put yourself out there, have faith in your ability and don’t get disheartened by the rejections: they are simply steps along the path that is leading you to the right job.
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What to avoid going overboard Determination + desperation = aggressive attitude. There’s a fine line between showing your determination and demanding the employer gives you a chance simply because you believe you deserve one. Don’t apply for every job under the sun within one company – they want to see passion and genuine belief that you will excel in the role you’re applying for. If you apply for everything they have on offer, you’re signalling that any job will do.
Woe is you… A negative attitude will only produce negative results. We appreciate that it’s not easy, but feeling sorry for yourself will not get you any closer to finding that perfect job. Practice makes perfect and the more interviews you attend the better you will get.
one track mind Just as it’s important to maintain a work-life balance once you’re employed, scheduling some ‘you’ time is important when you’re job searching. As long as you’re spending several hours a day finding and applying for jobs, then by all means relax afterwards. Letting your job hunt completely consume you will make it a lot harder to remain positive, which is crucial to your success.
Picture Perfect: One of the most telling areas of a profile is the photos. If yours are mostly of you partying and in some uncompromising states, it’s best to either remove these or set them to private. Future employers could be concerned that your social life will interfere with your work. Where possible, set social media accounts such as Facebook to private so that you cannot be found.
Digital Literacy
The Missing Link LinkedIn is basically an online CV. Not being signed up means you’re missing out on the chance of recruiters finding you. 93% of recruiters have a LinkedIn account so it makes sense for you to be on there too.
Social Media & Your Job Hunt
t h g i R t i Get
With 47% of employers admitting that they check you out on various social media platforms after receiving your applications, the personal information you choose to display online is vital in the plight towards getting a job. Here’s how to avoid common social media pitfalls.
Current and Interesting Use Twitter and LinkedIn to follow people relevant to your career interests and follow any magazines or bloggers which are also related to your preferred industry. This helps you keep up to date with the latest news and happenings of the industry – all good knowledge to put to use in job applications and interviews.
Glass Half Full We all love a bit of a moan now and then, but if you use social media to complain about your workload or similar problems, it might paint you in a negative light. Instead, write about how hard you’ve been working lately – this lets your friends know you’ve been busy but also makes you look determined and motivated.
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pathways
Apprenticeships: All you need to know
Higher education doesn’t appeal to everybody. Many of you would much rather gain some hands-on experience and get stuck into work. Apprenticeships are a great route for those who are eager to earn while you learn, as they develop key skills while paying you. We’ve created this short guide to ensure you’re clued up on what they involve and whether it’s the right choice for you.
The Basics
The Benefits
You will work alongside experienced staff members and learn on the job as you work on real projects – no making tea or coffee! Furthermore, you will have some days a week at a college or training provider for classroom-based study. Providing you with the perfect balance between practical and theoretical learning.
Stand out: Employers are well aware of the hard work,
Levels: • Intermediate Level Apprenticeship Includes working towards NVQ Level 2, Key Skills and sometimes even a BTEC qualification, equivalent to five A-C grade GCSEs. • Advanced Level Apprenticeship Includes working towards NVQ Level 3, key skills and most likely a BTEC. The qualifications you achieve will be the equivalent of two A-levels. • Higher Apprenticeship Includes working towards NVQ Level 4 and possibly a foundation degree.
Available Areas: • Beauty & wellbeing • Business & IT • Charity & volunteering • Construction • Creative Industries • Customer service • Energy • Engineering & electrical
• Finance • Land-based industries • Manufacturing & logistics • Marine • Public services • Sport & fitness • Travel & hospitality • Vehicles & transport
USEFUL LINKS: - Find an apprenticeship
- Case studies - read how apprenticeships can benefit ambitious young people
- Winners of Apprenticeship Awards 2013
determination and skills associated with apprenticeships, therefore seeing you’ve completed one on your CV will definitely go in your favour.
Career progression: Those who complete an
apprenticeship are said to earn roughly £73,000 more over their lifetime than those who don’t. You will achieve nationally recognised qualifications and essential workplace skills that will benefit you in any future career plans.
Salary: On average apprentices earn £170 a week. If
you’re 16-18 years old, or 19 and over in your first year of an apprenticeship, then the National Minimum Wage is £2.68 an hour. Your salary will depend on the level of apprenticeship, your employer and choice of industry. You will also be entitled to the same benefits as other staff. This can include holiday pay and pension contributions.
Develop skills: Most apprenticeships will give you the
opportunity to explore different roles within the industry, providing you with a range of skills ready for when you progress into a full-time position. This will also help you to identify the role you would like to progress into once you’re qualified.
Support: Your employer will support you both financially and with your training. If you’re between the ages of 16 and 18 you will not pay training fees, whereas anyone over 19 might need to contribute to costs. How much funding you receive depends on the employer, the type of apprenticeship and your circumstances.
success story
LIFESKILLS NATIONAL CAREERS WEEK GLOBAL AMBASSADOR
Samuel James Wilson 24, Builder and Blogger from North Yorkshire PRINCE CHARLES AWARDING SAMUEL’S SCHOLARSHIP
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In June 2013, at the age of 24, I received a message through my Blog, The ApprenticeShip. It was regarding a scholarship with The Prince’s Trust Foundation called ‘Building Skill in Craft’. This scholarship was a chance for fully qualified trade professionals like myself to take their career to the next stage and learn how to maintain and look after built heritage. I managed to gain a place by successfully completing a rigorous application and interview process. A year on and I passed with flying colours. I was awarded my scholarship by HRH the Prince of Wales, which I can honestly say was the proudest moment of my life. The course enabled me to learn so much more about the craft I have grown to love and in turn opened so many doors in my career. I owe all of the above and more to the work experience and apprenticeship schemes.
if I was to make something of myself in life I had to push myself for it, and that’s just what I did
Three years later I was a fully qualified bricklayer achieving a distinction and merit in college. I had finally found my forte! I really enjoyed bricklaying and everything that came with it. I would go into college on my days off, even when it was raining and the site was closed, to practise more complicated walls and improve my skills. I also had my head stuck in books, researching techniques and building standards. I was revising! This was the first time in my life that I had ever picked up a book outside of school and I was really enjoying it.
If I had any advice for anyone looking to progress in their life, be it work or otherwise, it would be to stay positive: everything happens for a reason. Set yourself life goals, if you push yourself to achieve these, you WILL be successful.
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Once this happened I was placed into a Pupil Referral Unit. This is where it all changed. A teacher at the school was friends with a local plummer who was looking to take on an apprentice. I started to work with him one day a week every week. Eventually I was offered a full-time apprenticeship. I later decided I prefered bricklaying and so enrolled on another apprenticeship.
Years down the line and I am happy to say I’m no longer the same person. It soon became clear after school that if I was to achieve and make something of myself in life, I had to push myself and that’s what I did.
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t the young age of 15 I was, to put it politely, a bit of an idiot. I really didn’t enjoy school, I would skip classes and refuse to do homework. When I was finally in classes I was more interested in making people laugh than doing the work. This eventually led to me being expelled. I was told that school was everything - if I didn’t make it work and get the qualifications I needed, I would never amount to anything.
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USEFUL LINKS
SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE our monthly mag, STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.
• LifeSkills National Careers Week Official site with advice and resources • Social-Hire Career and interview advice for candidates • National Careers Service Helping you choose or change your career • Apprenticeships Supports, funds and co-ordinates apprenticeships in England
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Issues The current Career Savvy magazine plus back issues. Issue 2 -
Novembe r 2013
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