Luminate
Careers Guidance interviews form an important part of a young person’s decision making process, particularly a key points of transition such Year 9 options and the transition from Year 11 to Post-16 education or training.
Luminate careers advisors offer 1:1 interviews, advice and support for all our students but priority is given to Year 11 students. This is an opportunity for them to discuss their plans for their future careers and receive profession guidance and support. At Alvaston Moor Academy careers guidance is delivered by Zoe Hendricks from Luminate Careers & Coaching.
‘The Parents Guide to’ website.
This website contains useful information to help you support your child at key transition points in their education, including Year 9 options and the move into Post 16 education, employment or training after Year 11.
https://www.theparentsguideto.co.uk/
CVs, Application Forms & Interviews
Applying for college courses, apprenticeships and jobs, is a straight forward process. But to do this successfully requires you to learn this process and its formalities.
CV
CV stands for curriculum vitae and means the course of life. It is a document that is traditionally used when applying for jobs. CVs contain your name, address, contact details, personal statement, academic qualifications, work experience, other achievements and your interests. The great thing about a CV is that it is a statement about you, like an advertisement showing off the best version of you. CVs can be laid out if different ways, a search in Google for CVs, will bring up a whole variety of different styles. The easiest to put together is the chronological CV. Remember every CV you send out should be tailored to the job you are applying for.
Your personal details & contact information.
Paul Bland
Parkins Lane
Alvaston
DE24 8FQ
01332 275689
Profile, what you are about, key skills and where you want to go.
Profile
A hard working school leaver, with a keen interest in engineering. Excellent communication and IT skills, I enjoy working with anything mechanical and would like to study Manufacturing Engineering at Derby College. My career goal is to work for Rolls Royce, Bombardier or Toyota.
Education & Qualifications, what you have studied and where.
Education
2017 – 2021 Alvaston Moor Academy, Brackens Lane, Alvaston, Derby, DE24 0AN
Qualifications
Subject Grade (Predicted)
Maths GCSE 4
English Language GCSE 5
English Literature GCSE 4
Science GCSE 4
History GCSE 3
Work experience, include any work experience you have.
Work experience
2019 – 2020 Sales Assistant, Elvaston Donkey Sanctuary (EDS), Charity Shop, Allenton, Derby DE23 6BG
This role involved sorting new stock, putting stock on the shelves and helping customers find items they were looking for. I help clean the shop at the end of the day, I like helping people and I find this role very rewarding.
Other achievements, these are things you have achieved outside school or normal lessons
Other achievements
Combined Cadet Force (CCF), I have been a member of Alvaston Moor Academy’s CCF for three years and have taken part in weapons training, drill and field craft. I have reached the rank of Corporal and instruct other cadets in drill.
Include interests that demonstrate skills like teamwork and technical hobbies, crafts or activities.
Interests
I enjoy playing football and follow Derby County football club. I enjoy building and racing remote controlled cars.
References, you will normally include the contact details of two people who can comment on you, one is likely to be a teacher or tutor, the other will be someone who knows you well.
References
Mr J Patterson (Form Tutor) Mrs H (Manager EDS)
Alvaston Moor Academy EDS Charity Shop
A CV should be no longer than two sides of A4 paper, it should be typed rather than hand written and updated when gain new qualifications, work experience etc.
Application Forms & Personal Statements
Application forms are used by organisations and employers, they are designed to gather information about the applicant. Application forms although they ask for similar information to CVs are slightly different. One of the key differences is that the application form will ask you to complete a personal statement, this may be to explain why you have the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm for a particular job you are applying for or it may be that a college, 6th form or apprenticeship provider has asked you to state clearly why are suitable for the course or training you have applied for and how studying the course will help you to reach you career goal. Covering letters,
A Personal Statement should contain the following information
Students applying for courses such as A Levels, Level 3 BTEC or T LEVEL or Apprenticeship are required to write a personal statements of up to 300 words.
Students are asked to respond to the following,
- Reasons for Choosing the 6thform, college or apprenticeship provider / employer.
- Reasons for your choice of A level, BTEC or T LEVEL subjects or Apprenticeship.
- Area of interest in your current studies and how these link to you chosen course or training.
- Your career aspirations, how will studying this course or completing this Apprenticeship help you to achieve your career goals
- Achievements and interests e.g. Duke of Edinburgh, music, sport, drama, employment, work experience, voluntary work you have undertaken and skills gained.
The completed personal statement will be added to your application form and submitted to the course or training provider.
Covering letters
Once you have completed your CV or Application form you will want to send this to the employer or college, 6th form or apprenticeship provider. A covering letter that traditionally accompanies your CV or application form, and explains to the reader why they have received it. It is also another opportunity to sell yourself to the employer, college / 6thform admissions tutor or apprenticeship provider. Many CVs and application forms are sent electronically, much of the content of a traditional covering letter can however be used in the accompanying email. Every covering letter should be tailored to the job or application you are making.
If you use a generic covering letter it will look like you’ve not bothered about the application, tailor it to the job you are applying for.
This example is for a customer services role, you will need to adapt it to meet your needs. For an email you would use the main letter starting at Dear [Name of the manager dealing with your application].
Your name
Your address
Manager’s name
Company name
Company address
Date
Dear [Manager’s name],
I’m writing to express my interest in your [title of the job]. Having worked across customer service for several years I feel I would be a valuable asset to your team. I have a wealth of experience when it comes to providing first class service and resolving any queries or issues that might arise with customers.
I also have a consistent track record for meeting targets. During my time at ESG Technologies I dealt with all initial customer communications by phone, mail and face to face. My number one priority was always the client, and I worked to resolve any issues they might have.
Above all, I love working with people. I’m friendly, sales driven and enjoy developing great rapport with everyone I interact with. I feel I would fit in with your vision, especially given your client-first approach and your favourable reputation within the industry.
I’ve attached my [CV or application form] for you to review and would like the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my application further.
Thank you for considering me for the [Title of job]. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Your name
Contact number
Email address
Interviews
Assuming that you meet the requirements for the job, apprenticeship, colleges or 6th form course you have applied for, the provider / employer will want to meet you in person. This is called an interview, this is an opportunity for the provider / employer to assess your suitability for the course, job or training you have applied for. This is also an opportunity for you to express your enthusiasm and suitability for the role, course or training you have applied for. Before the interview the only information an employer, course or training provider will have about you is the information you have provided on your CV or application form. Interviews can vary in a number of ways, such as style informal/formal, length of time involved, number of people on the interview panel and whether it is face to face, telephone or Skype call.
Preparing for the interview,
- Research the company, course or apprenticeship provider so you know about the organisation before the interview.
- Ensure you have confirmed that you will attend the interview.
- You know where the interview will take place.
- Plan how you will get to and from the interview and how long it will take to get to the interview.
- Ensure you have your predicted grades to take with you.
- Think of some questions to ask the interviewer of panel, these could be about the company, whether the course offers work experience etc.
- Assume the interview will be formal, dress smartly.
Think about the types of questions you will be asked, such as why do you want to work for us, why do you want to study this course, why this college. Prepare some answers in advance. Be prepared to know about and discuss your previous job roles, show knowledge of what you did and what you achieved. Be prepared to talk about previous subjects you have studied, how this links to the course you want to study. Be prepared to discuss your long term career plans.
On the day of the interview, give yourself plenty of time, arrive a little earlier that the time you were asked to arrive. Speak to the receptionist and ask if you are at the right building and explain which job or course you are being interview for and at what time. You will be told where you should wait until you are called for the interview. You may have to wait with other people who are being interviewed for the same course or job. Interviews are quite varied you may be shown around the area you would be working in, if it’s a college interview you may be shown around the department or facility you be studying in. You may also be asked to complete a task, this could be an in-tray task this normally includes a typical activity you would do in the job role you have applied for. Apprenticeships applications sometimes have a team challenge. After this you will normally have the formal interview.
The interview,
- Stay calm.
- Ensure you look at all the individuals on the interview panel as you enter the room.
- Introduce yourself.
- Shake hands (pre Covid-19), with each of the panellists.
- Wait until you are asked to sit down.
- Questions are normally asked by each of the panel members in turn.
- When answering questions make eye contact with the questioner and the other panellists.
- Answer the questions you are asked as best as you can.
- When you are invited to ask the panel questions, use one of your prepared questions.
- When the interview comes to a close, you will be asked to leave.
- You will be told when you will find out whether you have been successful or not, this is usually be telephone, later the same day.
After the interview,
Feel a sense of relief that the interview is now over, make sure you have your telephone nearby and wait for the call. You will either have been successful and have been offered the job, course or apprenticeship, or not, it’s as simple as that!
Resilience,
If you are unsuccessful, try to look at all the positive things that have happened and learn from them, you made an application, this was good enough to get you to be interviewed, you stayed calm enough to answer the questions and remembered a question or two to ask the panel. Next time you will be more experienced, less stressed and more confident when answering questions.
Useful websites:
How to prepare for an Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs_zuD9_Rxo
Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, Interviews face to face, online & telephone, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JwysrUVM3Y
Interview techniques from HUUB, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92JauH73aFM
Other Sources of support
Careers Derby Youtube Channel
The Careers Derby Youtube Channel contains videos produced during the Covid-19 Lockdown, and includes videos produced by local colleges, training providers and businesses, why not check out some of the videos!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcymOVqKkmPHOqlnumU70XQ
LGBT
Stonewall LGBT Careers Guide, http://www.startingoutguide.org.uk/
Transport
Arriva Buses https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/midlands/bus-travel-in-derby
Trent Barton Buses https://www.trentbarton.co.uk
East Midlands Railway https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/train-times/derby-to-london
The Train Line https://www.thetrainline.com/live/departures/derby
