Getting Ready for the Job Market Clare Wolfarth

Aims and Objectives

Aim:

• To provide you with practical advice and tools to enable you to effectively manage your career.

Objectives:

• To define career management and what this means for you.

• To raise your awareness about how to market yourself.

• To enable you to develop an effective CV and covering letter.

• To support you preparing for job interviews.

• To raise awareness about different selection techniques and how to prepare for them.

Career Management

• Making career choices and decisions.

• Managing an organisational career.

• Managing a non-organisational career.

• Taking control of your personal development.

Continuous professional development Transition into employment Action planning and problem solving

Self Awareness

Researching opportunities Making decisions Effective self marketing

Marketing Yourself

• Understanding how your career fits with the rest of your life • Understanding where you want to be in your career.

• Understanding your own strengths and weaknesses.

The Wheel of Life

Where do I want to be…..?

Your Own Brand

CV Writing – Top Tips

• Appearance counts • Pay attention to spelling and grammar • Keep it concise – 3 pages maximum • Quantify or justify your statements where possible • Present the information clearly using bullet points, headings, bold letters and spacing – but avoid excessive use of any of them!

• ALWAYS tailor it to the job you are applying for • Check, double check and then ask someone else to check • If you have to print it, use good quality A4 paper

CV Writing – Layout

1. Contact details 2. Introduction / personal profile 3. Employment history – start with the most recent 4. Education / qualifications 5. Hobbies and interests

Covering Letter

• Demonstrate your interest in and knowledge of the organisation.

• Highlight the unique selling points on your CV.

• Provide additional information that does not easily fit into a CV.

• Explain any personal circumstances in your application.

• Keep it short – one page maximum.

Interview Preparation

What influences the interviewer?

• Your personality and how you present yourself • Your experience • Your qualifications • Your background and references • Your enthusiasm for the job

Can this person do the job? Will this person do the job?

Will this person fit in?

Interview Performance

Interviewee's Performance Time during the interview

First and Last Impression

What is remembered by the interviewer Time during the interview

Halo or Horns Effect

Time during the interview What is remembered by the Interviewer Interviewee's Performance

Interview Preparation

• Research the organisation.

• Review the job description and person spec.

• Prepare a list of anticipated questions and your responses to them.

• Keep calm and appear confident.

• Dress smartly.

• Prepare your own list of questions for the interviewer.

Key Skills for Interview

• Active listening • Thinking on your feet • Clarifying your understanding • Answering the question • Articulating your ideas • Selling yourself • Staying calm

Interview Questions

Assessment Centres

• Presentation • Group exercise • In-tray exercise • Psychometric testing • Panel Interview

Supporting Resources

• Books • Websites • Mentoring • Coaching