Recruitment & EmploymentConfederation

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT CHARTERSUPPORT PACK FOR MEMBERS

1. Getting to know you

2. What is happening in the jobs market?

3. How to find a job

4. What skills do employers want and need?

5. CVs and job applications

6. Interview techniques

7. Where to go for more information?

CONTENTS

We all have an idea of what we want to do as a career, what’s yours?

About me

From shop floor

To advertisin

g& sales

Via University

A brief foray into education To policy

My best job… My worst job…

What does the jobs market look like today?

Source: REC / KPMG Report on Jobs

Sectors with the highest number of vacancies (permanent jobs)

Sectors with the highest number of vacancies (temporary jobs)

What will the jobs market look like in the future?

Source: UKCES Working Futures

Projected UK Job Openings 2010-2020

What does this mean in reality?

1. Royal Academy of Engineering 2013. 2. The King’s Fund 2012. 3. US Department for Labor 2012.

• We need 100,000 new graduates in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects every year1

• and an additional 60,000 STEM technicians and apprentices 1

• The King’s Fund predict we will have a shortfall of 1 million workers in health & social care by 2025 2

• According to the US Department for Labor, 65% of school students today will end up in jobs that have yet to be invented 3

How do employers recruit in the UK?

Large employers (eg major

supermarkets or warehouses) often have contracts with

JCP

Private recruitment agencies / businesses

In house recruitment

teams

Or any combination of the above. And they also use…

They also use technology…

1. Social media, eg:

2. Jobs boards, eg:

3. Intermediaries, eg:

Please note – there are others!

Recruitment & EmploymentConfederation

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU THINK

EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR WHEN THEY

HIRE SOMEONE?DISCUSSION

This is what actually matters to employers…

40% of employers

say they did not recruit a

young person

because no young person applied.Source: UKCES

Passion & commitment

Initiative

Communication skills

Team player

Desire to learn

Analytical thinking

Adaptability

Interpersonal skills

Leadership skills

Academic qualifications

Global mindset

Experience (internship/work exper-ience)

Source: National Careers Council

It’s all about how you sell yourself…

• What facts should appear on an individual’s CV when looking for a job in the UK?

• What else makes for a good CV and job application?

The do’s and don’ts of a good CV✓ The essentials• Name

• Contact details (email and telephone)

• Relevant employment history –starting with the most recent

• Relevant education (at least the highest level of education achieved)

• References available on request or you can provide contact details

• ALWAYS spell check it and/or getsomeone to proofread it

✗• No photo

• No date of birth

• No gaps in your job history – unless there is an explanation

• Never lie – you will be found out!

An ideal CVYour name

Email address / Telephone

Personal statementWhy do you want this job? What makes you stand out? Do you have a quote from a referee you could include?

Relevant educational experience

Dates Institution nameQualifications gained

Dates Institution nameQualifications gained

Relevant work experience

Dates Your job title The company

• Main tasks in this role• Key achievements• Any quotes from satisfied customers /

employers?

Relevant work experience (continued)

Dates Your job title The company

• Key tasks in this role• Key achievements• Why you left?

Dates Your job title The company

• Key tasks in this role• Key achievements• Remember – do not leave any gaps in

your timeline

Voluntary work / personal interests• Only include if these are relevant • Eg they may show when you have

worked as a team or on your own, etc• Or they may show you have experience

in the same sector as the job

ReferencesFormer employer Former teacherJob title Job titleContact details Contact details

No more than 2 sides of A4

Only include RELEVANT

information

Include supporting quotes/key

achievements

Use headings and bullet

points

Tailor every CV to that job

Two referees or ‘references available on request’ and

always ask their permission

Typed up

Spell checked & proof read

No zany fonts or colours

– minimum font size 10

In date order, with most

recent experience

first

What should you do before you arrive at the interview?

Research the company

• What do you know about the organisation?

• Read their website

• What have they said in the press recently?

Location

• Where is the interview taking place?

• How long will it take you to get there?

• What time is the train/bus

Dress

• Dress appropriately

• Don’t chew gum

When you do arrive…• Remember the interview starts the moment you arrive in

the building

• Know who to ask for on arrival

• You can tell a lot by someone’s handshake…

Recruitment & EmploymentConfederation

WHAT TYPES OF QUESTIONS DO

YOU THINK YOU MAY BE ASKED

IN INTERVIEWS?

INTERVIEWS

Some typical interview questionsRemember the interview starts the moment you

arrive…• Why are you looking for this opportunity? (as you take the lift to

the interview…)

When you arrive in the room…• What made you apply for this job?

• What do you think you could bring to the role?

• What do you think it will take to be successful in this role?

• Give an example of when you demonstrated XXX skill/attribute, eg: team work, innovation, project management, good communication

• What are your strengths?

• What are your weaknesses?

Finally – interviews are a two way process…• Do you have any questions for us? Eg:• How do you see this role developing after time?

• Is this a new role? If not, why is the person currently in place leaving?

• What will be the key priorities for the person starting this role?

• What sort of training and development opportunities do you offer?

• Do NOT ask for information provided in the original job description and advert, eg: salary

For more information or advice:

www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

www.apprenticeships.org.uk

www.plotr.co.uk