CHAPTER 10

Looking for a Job

Part 1: How to search for a job

You can search for jobs in a number of ways. The main job websites are listed below. Your Employment Adviser can show you how to find suitable jobs on here. You can also:

  • Sign up for alerts on jobs websites, which will let you know when suitable jobs are available

  • Join local forums or social media pages

  • Look in the jobs section of local newspapers

  • Hand out your CV at local shops or restaurants

  • Ask personal or professional connections, such as friends or fellow students

  • Attend jobs fairs in the local area

The most important thing is to be active: the more effort you put in, the more likely it is that you will find something you enjoy.

Remember: it is very common to apply for lots of jobs before you get one.

Job sites

jobsearch.direct.gov.uk | Or search “Gov jobmatch”
indeed.co.uk | Or search “Indeed jobs”
charityjob.co.uk | Or search “charity jobs”
monster.co.uk | Or search “monster jobs”
reed.co.uk | Or search “reed jobs”
jobsite.co.uk | Or search “jobsite UK”

Part 2: CVs

CV stands for “Curriculum Vitae” which is Latin for “The Course of Life”.

Some employers may also refer to it as a resumé. It is a summary of your work history, your skills, your level of education, and any qualifications.

  • Employers will almost always ask to see your CV as part of the job application process. This will help them decide whether you are suitable for the job.

    On average, employers only spend six seconds looking at each person’s CV – so it is very important to make your CV stand out!

  • Your Employment Adviser will help you create a CV and show you how to continue improving it. The list below outlines some important rules to follow when creating a professional CV.

    You can see an example of a good CV here.

  • Do

    • Keep it between 1 – 2 pages

    • Make sure you use an appropriate email address

    • Start with most recent and relevant experience first

    • Tailor it to the job

    • Tell the truth

    • Use a professional font and layout

    • Use formatting to make it look neat and consistent

    • Use bullet points

    • Use the job description and person specification to include key words

    • Keep it positive

    • Explain any gaps in employment history

    • Include your name and contact details on every page

    • Include personal accomplishments

    • Use the past tense for previous jobs and the present tense for current jobs

    Don’t

    Include a headshot, your date of birth, your ethnicity or marital status

    Include references

    Include any sensitive or confidential information

Part 3: Job descriptions and person specifications

  • A job description outlines the main responsibilities of a role and explains what you would be doing on a day-to-day basis.

    The document will also usually include a brief overview of the organisation and practical information, such as where the job is based, the number of hours worked per week, and the salary.

    You can see an example of a job description here.

  • A job description enables you to find out whether your skills and experience make you a good fit for the role. It also helps you understand what you would be doing in the job.

  • A person specification outlines what skills, qualifications, and experience you would need in order to be considered for the job. The person specification is usually given with the job description.

    Some job adverts will include a job description and person specification in the same paragraph. Sometimes the person specification will also show you which skills are essential and which are desirable, for example, by putting an (E) or a (D) next to each one. If a skill is essential, you must have the skill or experience to apply. If it is desirable, it is better if you have it, but you can still apply if you don’t.

Part 4: Cover Letters

  • Many employers will ask you to send a cover letter and a CV when you apply for a job. Your cover letter should explain why you want to work for the company, why you are interested in the job, and what relevant experience you can bring to the role.

    It is a way for you to demonstrate that you understand the responsibilities of the role and that you would be a good fit for the company.

  • A good cover letter will make you stand out and convince the employer to invite you to an interview.

  • Many job applications will require you to write a cover letter. They will mention this on the job advert. You can also write a general cover letter to organisations to ask them if they have any jobs available. This method usually works better if you are looking for volunteering or work experience.

  • Your Employment Adviser will help you write cover letters for jobs that require one. The table below lists the most important things to remember when writing a professional cover letter. You can see an example of a good cover letter here.

  • Do

    • Keep it under one page long

    • Write a new cover letter for each job

    • If possible, include the hiring manager’s name

    • Use the job description and person specification to find out about the key responsibilities

    • Do your research of the company, their mission and their values

    • Focus on your employment history more than your educational background

    • Use powerful words and include details where possible

    • Ask your Employment Advisor to proofread it to make sure there are no spelling mistakes

    • Use formatting to make it look neat

    • Show enthusiasm for the job and the company

    • Be positive and honest

    Don’t

    • Repeat information from your CV

    • Discuss salary

Part 5: Interviews

  • An interview is a discussion between an employer and a candidate for a job.

    The employer will ask questions about your skills, experience, background, and why you want to work for the company and do that particular role.

    It is an important opportunity for the employer to learn more about you and decide whether you are suited to the job.

    • In person

    • Online (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype)

    • Phone

    • Group (several people are interviewed together)

    • Automated (a computer programme or test is used)

  • The most important factor for success in an interview is preparation.

    Remember: practice makes perfect. The more preparation you do, the more impressed the interviewer will be, and the better chance you will have of getting the job.

    Lots of people go to interviews and don’t know anything about the company. If you take the time to learn about the company in advance, you will stand out straight away.

    There are several resources below to help you prepare for your interview.

  • When you get offered an interview, it is very important to research the company and the job in more detail.

    You can look at the company’s website and their social media pages to find this information.

  • Once you have researched the company and the role, you should think about what questions you might be asked and how you will answer them.

    Your Employment Adviser can help you to do a mock interview and provide you with feedback on your answers.

    Remember to use the STAR method.

  • Q: Can you tell me about yourself?
    A: Spend no longer than two minutes on this. Summarise your relevant previous experience, what you are currently doing, and what you would like to do in the future. Make sure everything is relevant to the job you are applying for.

    Q: Tell me about your work experience.
    A: Briefly summarise your work history. Mention the job titles and companies you worked for. Go into a little bit of detail about any jobs where you have had similar responsibilities to the job you are applying for.

    Q: Why are you interested in working for the company?
    A: Use this to show you have researched the company and know about the key products or services it provides. Talk about the values and mission of the company and why they appeal to you. Is there a particular part of their work which really interests you? If so, why?

    Q: Why are you interested in the job?
    A: Talk about the main parts of the job that you are interested in. Remember to show enthusiasm.

    Q: What are the key responsibilities of the job?
    A: Think back to the job description. Briefly talk about the key parts of the role.

    Q: What are your strengths?
    A: Think about the most important aspects of the job description and person specification. Make sure that any strengths you talk about are relevant to the job.

    Q: What are your weaknesses?
    A: When you talk about weaknesses, make sure you turn them into strengths. For example, instead of saying, “I’m not very confident in my IT skills”, you can say, “Although I have basic IT skills, I have been working hard on improving these, and I am keen to do training to get better”.

    Q: Can you tell me about a time you encountered a difficult situation? What did you do to overcome it?
    A: Always remember to use the STAR method to answer example-based questions.

    Q: What are your attitudes towards child protection and safeguarding? (for teaching/childcare jobs)
    A: Make sure you have researched ideas and information that are specific to the sector you want to work in. In this example, it would be useful to know about the “6 Principles of Safeguarding”.

    Q: What would you like to do in the future?
    A: Make sure your answer is relevant to the job. You could say that you would like to stay at the company and build your career there.

    Q: Do you have any questions for us?
    A: It is good to prepare some of these in advance. Some good questions to ask can be: What training opportunities are there? What opportunities are there for progression within the organisation? What are the best parts of this role and what are the challenges? What does excellence look like in this role? What does a typical day look like in this role? What are the next steps?

  • Once you have practised answering questions and have found out about the company, do some final preparation and think about the practical things.

    The worksheet on the next page will help you wrap everything up before the interview.

  • Do

    • Get a good night’s sleep

    • Practise a summary of your background and ambitions

    • Think about what questions you could be asked. Write down the answers and practise reading them out loud

    • Use the STAR method: tell a story for each example

    • Use good body language. Sit up straight, make eye contact and smile

    • Tell the truth

    • Turn off your phone or put it on silent

    • Show enthusiasm and excitement for the job

    • Feel free to ask for a glass of water

    • Print off and bring your CV and cover letter with you

    • It is ok to ask for a minute to think about an answer

    • If your interview is online, make sure you have practiced using the technology. Make sure you are somewhere quiet with good WiFi and no distractions

    • Be confident: you have got and interview because they think you are a good candidate

    • Prepare some questions you want to ask at the end

    • Ask about next steps

    • Say thank you for your time

    • Take notes after the interview. What did you do well and what could you have done better?

    Don’t

    • Say anything negative

    • Give one-word answers

    • Talk about personal or family problems

    • Ask about salary

    • Ask to charge your phone

    • Ask to go for a smoking break

Additional resources

Glossary

Responsibilities
The duties that an individual is expected to carry out within their job

Mission
a company’s culture, values, ethics, fundamental goals, and agenda

More Information

Explore jobsearch.direct.gov.uk
Search ”indeed.co.uk’
Explore charity jobs”charityjob.co.uk
Explore ”monster.co.uk
Find jobs”jobsite.co.uk

Find out more