1. IT LEVEL 1 Job Search South Gloucestershire & Stroud College Careers Service

2. INTRODUCTION A CV is a marketing document, not an autobiography. There should be nothing in a CV, covering letter, or application form that could give a negative impression of yourself. Employers are NOT interested in how you went wrong, they are interested in how you put it right.

3. TIPS No longer that 2 pages Use good quality white or off-white paper. Put each page on a different sheet of paper (not back-to-back) Spelling mistakes On a CV are unforgivable – CHECK and RE-CHECK Structure your CV practically To show accomplishments to the best possible light Target the information Adapt the information so it is targeted to the specific job you’ve applied for. Keep a template So that you can adapt your CV to each job applied for Be Positive You are selling yourself so be positive and confident...but also be honest!

4. FALSE Only send a CV if you are asked to. Employers do not like them sent with app forms. FALSE Only send a CV if you are asked to. Employers do not like them sent with app forms. FALSE Although such information should be emphasised, it is important to NOT leave gaps in your career history. FALSE Although such information should be emphasised, it is important to NOT leave gaps in your career history. PERHAPS This can be useful, but needs to be informative. Change of career direction etc PERHAPS This can be useful, but needs to be informative. Change of career direction etc TRUE Although the first two at least can normally be guessed at. TRUE Although the first two at least can normally be guessed at. TRUE It is the relevance of the jobs you have had or the skills you can demonstrate that is important. TRUE The covering letter will flesh out the CV and help you to relate it to the job. TRUE The covering letter will flesh out the CV and help you to relate it to the job. FALSE Over 60% of HR departments said that it ADVERSELY affected their opinion of the applicant FALSE Over 60% of HR departments said that it ADVERSELY affected their opinion of the applicant True or false-CV Quiz TRUE 83% of HR departments rejected incomplete or inaccurate addresses on CVs and covering letters TRUE 83% of HR departments rejected incomplete or inaccurate addresses on CVs and covering letters 1. It’s important to get your address right on your application TRUE The covering letter will flesh out the CV and help you relate it to the job. TRUE (at least in the UK) TRUE (at least in the UK) 4. A CV should be typed and never hand written TRUE Although the first one at least can normally be guessed TRUE Although the first one at least can normally be guessed PERHAPS This can be useful, but needs to be informative. PERHAPS This can be useful, but needs to be informative. FALSE Employers do not like CVs to accompany an application form. FALSE Employers do not like CVs to accompany an application form. FALSE Over 60% of HR departments said the inclusion of a photograph adversely affected their opinion of the applicant 2.Adding your photograph to your CV will enhance it. 3. CVs should always be accompanied by a covering letter. 5. Employers have no need to know your age, nationality, or marital status. 6. Your CV should include a personal profile/statement or objective. 7. A CV can be used for any type of job application.

5. WHAT CAN I USE TO PUT IN MY CV? Work experience-job/work shadowing Volunteering Skills gained from course Student representative Sports Hobbies/clubs/societies Organised event-birthday party/trip for a group Write a blog?

6. Curriculum Vitae 12 Personal Details Education & Qualifications IT Skills Relevant Experience Profile Other Experience Hobbies and Interests Referees BTEC Level 1 IT Functional Skills GCSES Competent or excellent with Microsoft Office, email, internet explorer, social media. Dreamweaver? Photoshop? BTEC Level 1 IT- Skills learnt Individual projects Describe what you did Skills that you learnt School work experience. Describe what you did Skills that you learnt Part-time/holiday jobs Events organised/helped out with Other skills learnt, e,g teaching yourself something or helping others with fixing a problem. Play in a band. Mountain biking Sports team Write a blog Name, Tutor, Role, SGS College Company

7. Covering Letters

8. JOB SEARCH Job websites Job boards-in businesses (also try shop windows) Family, friends etc Recruitment agencies Applying for a role which hasn’t been advertised. Around 70%-80% of jobs aren’t advertised, so this is an important part of job searching. TIPS: Go to job fairs (always take a CV) speak to prospective employers and dress smartly Hand in/ email your CV to companies of interest (try and find a specific name) Put an advert up on jobs boards or websites, such as Gumtree.

9. Job Search THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA 37% of companies use social media to research candidates 94% of recruiters use social media to recruit 44% of recruiters have hired through social media Like pages and posts, join groups, follow on Twitter………….. 93% of recruiters now look- up candidates on social media … Reputation management-Google yourself!

10. BEING A COMPETITIVE JOB SEEKER If you have been unsuccessful in finding a job for a long time, stop and revise your job search techniques, CV’s and Applications- a careers advisor, or the job centre can help with this. TIPS: Apply for lots of jobs, including speculative applications Continue developing your skills e.g. voluntary work, temporary work, courses Apply early- don’t leave it until the deadline Always mention your IT skills Build networks- use existing contacts and make new ones Always give examples in applications and pay particular attention the job specification

11. Useful Websites eCampus eCampus-Job Vacancies or eCampus-student support-careers advice & guidance Jobs in Bristol (Jobsite)http://www.jobsite.co.uk/local/bristol.html Bristol City Council Jobshttp://jobs.bristol.gov.uk/jobs.aspx?Ssimplehttp://jobs.bristol.gov.uk/jobs.aspx?Ssimple= Gum Treehttp://www.gumtree.com/bristol South Gloucestershire Council Jobs/volunteering http://jobs.southglos.gov.uk/ Jobs at the Mall, Cribbs Causewaywww.mallcribbs.com/careers.php Jobs at the Mall (Broadmead)http://galleriesbristol.co.uk/index.php?section=about-us&page=jobs Jobs at Cabot Circuswww.cabotcircus.com/ Job Centre Pluswww.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/ The Working Studentwww.theworkingstudent.co.uk Bradley Stoke Journalwww.bradleystokejournal.co.uk/jobs/#latest_jobs Patchway Journalwww.patchwayjournal.co.uk/jobs/ Job is Jobwww.jobisjob.co.uk Indeedwww.indeed.co.uk Monsterwww.monster.co.uk Fish4jobswww.fish4jobs.co.uk

12. Questions???? To book an appointment for a CV/application form check or mock interview contact: Email: careers@sgscol.ac.ukcareers@sgscol.ac.uk Phone: 0117 909 2225 Room: CG24