Making the most of your choices
Your Name ________________________ Mentor’s Name _____________________ Today’s date _______________________ Citizenship Teacher _________________
What could your road map look like? Your Destination
Training Course
Career
Family Sixth Form College
Friends
Adult Education
Specialist College University
Pass
Self Employment
Retake
Further Education College
Gap year
Full Time Job
Part Time Job Apprenticeship
School Sixth Form
Volunteer Work
Choice!
The Hewett School
‘A’ Levels
Training course that prepares you for work
Welcome to a day dedicated to YOUR FUTURE!
Today we will begin a journey into the future. As with any journey we will decide upon a destination before we set off. This destination will be different for everybody but equally important whatever your choice. You have the ability to influence your destination. You have the choice to determine your future. Along this journey you will need to make many choices. Some of them will be simple ‘yes/no’ choices; others will be more challenging, with many options to consider. Today we will plan the route ahead, anticipating these choices and looking at ways of making your road to success a smooth and enjoyable journey.
Ladies and gentlemen …………………
Choose the Destination Any journey is made easier if you have a clear idea of where you are going before you set out. The clearer your destination, the more control you will have over how you get there. You have been transported forward in time exactly five years. You think about your situation. You have made it! Everything is exactly as you want it. Congratulations! As you look around you, thinking “My life is fantastic”, you think about all the circumstances that make your life fantastic…..
How old are you? _____________________________________________
Where do you live? ____________________________________________
Who is with you? ______________________________________________
What can you see? ____________________________________________
What are you doing? _________________________________________
What transport do you own or use?__ ______________________________
What job do you do?____________________________________________
What can you smell? ___________________________________________
Who do you work for? ________________________________________
What did you have for breakfast? _________________________________
What are you doing this weekend? ________________________________
What are you feeling proud about? ________________________________
What can you hear? ____________________________________________
Listen again! - What else can you hear? ____________________________
What are you thinking about? ____________________________________
Who are you thinking about? _____________________________________
How did you get to where you are? ________________________________
Take a few minutes to recap on your answers. Imagine yourself in the situation you have just described.
How do you feel? Choose the words that describe how you will be feeling. Write them or circle them below. You may wish to use your own words or refer to the words provided to get you started. Content
Happy
Ambitious
Elated
Positive
Good
Pleased
Jovial
Secure
Uplifted
At ease
Noble
Fine
Virtuous
In control
Excited
Great
Glad
Assured
Fulfilled
Proud
Excellent
Comfortable
Cheery
Thrilled
Worthy
Empowered
Pleased
Popular
Fantastic
Joyful
Ecstatic
Lucky
Organised
Nice
Overjoyed
Successful
Accomplished
Cheerful
Determined
Decent
Satisfied
Delighted
Fortunate
Motivated
Respectful
Influential
Worthy
Safe
Bold
Respected
Wealthy
Close your eyes … Picture yourself in your ideal future… How does it feel? Remember this feeling – DOUBLE IT! Summarise this feeling below
Congratulations! This feeling is your destination. Copy it into the “YOUR DESTINATION” box at the start of this booklet.
The Starting Point (This is me now!) Now you know where you are going! In order to plan your journey you need to know where you are starting from! I am…
I am not…
I’d love to be…
Others see me as…
I enjoy…
I dislike…
I’m a bit scared of…
I’m great at…
I’m not so good at....
This is Me!
Fix Your Personal Advert Here
Use the information on the page opposite and the advert above to write a personal statement that describes the REAL YOU to any potential employer. You can include: Skills, Attributes, Hobbies, Achievement
Building My Personal Statement Skills
Attributes
Hobbies
Achievements
Curriculum Vitae Personal Details Include: Name Address (including postcode) Date of birth Telephone number(s) Email address Education Include: Schools since the age of eleven including start and end dates School qualifications including grade and date achieved Other qualifications including grade and date achieved Start with most recent first. Employment / Work Experience Include: Employer’s name and address The nature of the work Start date and end date Personal responsibilities Reason for leaving (if applicable) Start with the most recent first Personal Statement Include: Use personal statement from previous pages Tailor to specific job – link your skills to their requirements Skills Attributes Hobbies Achievements References Include: List two references including name, address and job title
Get Proactive! Don’t just wait for jobs to come to you – chase the job, company or sector that you would like to be involved with. Which sector would you like to work in?
Which company would you like to work for?
What kind of work would you be doing?
What would make you a great candidate for this sector / company / job?
Where could you find out more information about this sector / company / job?
Who would you need to speak to for more information?
What could you do to get the ball rolling? As a group list AT LEAST 10 different “First Steps” you could take to move you towards working in the area you have chosen. Feel free to list more than 10 if you can!
When will you make this first step? Date: ____________ Time: _________ Chosen First Step: _____________________________________________
References Most sixth forms, colleges and future employers will request two references when you submit your C.V or application form. One of these should be someone you have been taught or mentored by during your time at The Hewett. Have a think of who that person might be: Now complete the reference form below HONESTLY (as you think they would!).
Punctuality Presentation Clear communication Listening skills Creativity Responsibility Teamwork Attendance Initiative Reliability Reasoning skills Self motivation Respect for others Ability to follow rules Following instructions Attitude to feedback Were you HONEST? Any surprises or areas in which you feel you want to improve before “Referee� time?
Get The Edge As well as your academic qualifications, employers will look for evidence of other skills. These are skills that demonstrate that you will be a positive addition to their team. Evidence of these skills will give you the edge over other candidates.
10
10
DIRECTION What do you want for your future?
FLEXIBILITY How well do you cope with change?
OWNERSHIP How do you take responsibility for your own actions?
10
PERSISTENCE How well do you cope when the going gets tough?
0
10
MOTIVATION How self-driven are you?
RELIABILITY How well can you be trusted?
10
10
TEAMWORK COMMUNICATION How well do How effectively do you work as you listen and how part of a team? clearly do you communicate?
10
10 Score yourself in each of the sections above based on how many personal examples, relating to the heading, you could share with a potential employer. Score ‘0’ for no examples to ‘10’ if you have several really good examples. Draw a line through each section to indicate your score (an example of a score of “5” has been drawn into the “Flexibility” section as a dotted line).
When might this be necessary? It’s all about choice – on your journey towards your chosen destination you will be faced with a number of choices. The better prepared you are when you come to these junctions, the more choice you will have. Preparing for the journey is essential: Plan your route and anticipate the choices that you will face along the way. Use the boxes to make a note of a junctions / choices you may have to make in your journey through education. Look back at the map at the start of this booklet. What choices do the various junctions represent? Make a note of three coming “junctions” at which you anticipate you will need to make a choice. Within 1 Year
Within 3 Years
Within 5 Years
After 5 Years
Ideal Candidate Identify the key facts and requirements outlined in the job advertisement.
Identify your skills / attributes that match these requirements (use your personal profile and your personal advert to help you).
What skills and attributes do you think will be beneficial for this role?
Complete the following statement using the criteria identified on the previous page. I am the ideal candidate for this position because ……………..
You may need to telephone the company for more information. This is your opportunity to make a first impression.
First Impressions Last! Look at the following phrases as a group Circle the phrases that you believe will make a good first impression. Draw a line through the ones that will make a bad first impression. Hi there
It’s about that job
It’s John calling
Hello
I’m calling about the advert in the Evening News for ‘support staff’.
My name is John Smith Who’s that?
When’s the interview?
I’ve had experience of working in a similar field.
I could easily do that.
May I speak to Susan May please
I’d be very interested to hear more about the role Cheers. Bye then.
You’ll have to send me some more details
Come up with some of your own:
Thank you. I look forward to receiving the information. Goodbye
The Covering Letter or Email It is likely that you will be asked to include a ‘covering letter’ or ‘send an email’ with your application and CV. This is your opportunity to demonstrate a further skill! The choices you have: To make your letter LOOK good To make your letter RELEVANT and PROFESSIONAL Discuss the following letters in your groups:
10 The Main Street Bungay Suffolk
Dear Sir / Madam, I would like to put in for the job that was in the paper last week. It looked like the sort of thing that I can do. I’ve done some jobs like that before. I got the application form you sent. Most of the stuff is coverd in my CV so I have filled in the bit’s that aren’t (at the other bits I’ve put “see CV”). I’m available for interview on Tuesday or Wednesday but after that I’m away for a week (I’m going to the Lake district on holiday). I’ll be back after the 23rd. I know that this is a job that I can do. I’d realy like the chance as I’ve been looking for a job for over three weeks with no luck. Thank you. John. p.s. I have experience with computers.
10 The Main Street Bungay Suffolk NR15 2BP Mrs Susan May Personnel Manager The Big Company Magdalen Street Norwich NR4 3CU
16th November 2011
Dear Mrs. May, I would like to express my interest in the position for “office assistant� as advertised in the Evening News on Wednesday March 3rd. I feel that my skills and experience closely match the criteria outlined in your advertisement. I am enthusiastic and reliable as demonstrated through my previous work with ABC Motors last summer. I have experience of office work and enjoy new challenges. I know that gaining more experience in this line of work will be beneficial to my long-term goal of working towards an office management position. I believe that this role will provide me with relevant and valuable knowledge. I enclose a completed application form and a copy of my CV. I would be very interested to learn more details about the vacancy and opportunities for development within The Big Company. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely,
John Smith.
Which letter do you prefer and why? Discuss with your mentor the similarities and differences between emailing and sending a letter.
Covering Letter Template Your Full Address Including Postcode Recipients Name Full Address Including Postcode
Date of letter
Dear Mr. or Mrs. [Surname],
Paragraph 1. Background to application (Specify the job title; where you saw the advertisement; date of advertisement). Paragraph 2. Relevant information about why YOU suit the job. (Refer to your skills, experience and attributes). Paragraph 3. Relevant information about why the job suits YOU. (Refer to your goals and ambitions). Paragraph 4. What happens next. (Refer to the documents that you have enclosed such as application form and CV. Refer to future contact e.g. “I look forward to hearing from you�). Yours sincerely,
Full name hand-written.
Full name typed.
Congratulations! You have received an application form for the job you selected earlier.
Tips for completing hard copy application forms:
Always photocopy the form and do a ‘dummy run’ Read through the form before you write anything Use BLOCK CAPITALS Use BLACK ink (it photocopies clearly) Take your time Check the form when you have finished
For on-line applications it is often a good idea to copy text into word in order to spell check it before pasting it back into the application form.
Complete your application form, with help from your mentor, and keep hold of it – ready for your interview!
Once you have sold yourself on paper, potential employers will want to get to know you in person. The interview is your opportunity to sell the REAL you. Make notes on the following four preparation areas. Dress Code & Appearance
Body Language
Location & Timing
Research & Questions
“To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail�
Questions There are several questions that are frequently asked in interviews. It pays to plan ahead for these questions. Look through the questions below and make notes on your possible answers: What appeals to you about working for [Insert Company]?
How much do you know about the company?
What strengths will you bring to the team?
What areas do you feel you need to develop?
Give me five words that best describe you.
Questions you would like to ask It is often a good idea to have some questions ready for the interviewers. A little time spent preparing questions before the interview can pay dividends. Use the space below to write down two or three questions to use in an interview – these may include questions about opportunities, training or company background (to back up your existing research).
Your Interview!
Establish good eye-contact with your interviewer. Firmly shake his / her hand. Start with a pleasant and confident greeting. SMILE! Pass your application documents to your interviewer (this may include: application form, CV, personal statement, covering letter)
Go for it! Use the box below to make notes during the interview if you wish to.
Interview Each Other While you are waiting for your 1:1 interview and once you have completed it, use the time to ask each other questions. You must each ask and answer at least 5 questions from the interview questions provided. You may make up your own questions if you wish. Use the space below to record five questions you have been asked and summarise each of your replies.
You have chosen the destination…. You have looked at the different routes…. Now….
Choose your vehicle! As with any road trip, the vehicle you choose will impact the success of the journey. It will affect the speed of the journey, comfort, image, smoothness of travel and reliability.
On this journey your vehicle is simply the attitude you choose to take. Choose it wisely. Maintain a positive attitude and you will be driving the performance car of success. Adopt a negative attitude and you will be sitting on the back of a milk float. Progress will be slow and you are likely to go in circles.
The Moment of Consciousness. Find It! A moco is a new perspective achieved through external prompts using our unique MoCo approach.
The Moment of Commitment. Own It! Find your moco and keep hold of it. Immediate commitment to action maximises the full potential of your newly discovered moco.
The Moment of Competence. Live It! Bring your newly discovered moco to life in your workplace or personal life. A new behaviour, a new realisation, a new way forward.
www.go-moco.co.uk 01603 513088 Copyright MoCo Development Ltd 2012