Professional Development: Employability Workshop 2

1. Professional Development:Employability Workshop 2 Making Applications

2. Ways of applying for employment (inc. placements): • CV • CV & covering letter • Application form (paper / online) • Application form & covering letter • Useful tips on www.prospects.ac.uk

3. All PD Portfolios require: • up to date CV • completed application form • covering letter

4. Making ApplicationsGeneral Issues • follow instructions with job ad • Get a 2nd opinion about application form answers / covering letters if you are unsure • Do trial runs • Link your course, skills and interests to the job description • If you have a disability, consider when to 'disclose'

5. Making Applications:Placement Specific Issues • JA must have FINAL CV for an application to be sent off • ensure you enter your correct email address when accessing the placement database • applying for placements indicates you have read and agreed to the placement regulations • follow info for how to apply closely - read ALL of the advert • Applications via JA - get a receipt in SHU email account? (Blank message; subject has ref no/company) • Meet deadlines set • You can apply for as many placements as you wish - but must take the first offer

6. CVs • update CV with new skills / info • improve it (guidelines Prospects / Windmill programme / Placement booklet) • apart from personal statement, don't use paragraphs • don't start each point with 'I' • ensure your CV can be 'skimmed' – keep it brief

7. Covering Letters: • do what is asked • do not just repeat contents of CV if letter is accompanying CV Include: • 1st section - why you are writing • the position you wish to be considered for • 2nd section - why you should be interviewed • match your skills / course / knowledge to the job ad • 3rd section - closing remarks • could mention references, availability for interview etc.

8. Covering Letters contd Ensure you cover anything the advert specifically asks for Proof-read before sending (check for spelling / grammar) Do not include SHU ref number in letter Look at guidelines e.g. • Placement booklet • http://www.prospects.ac.uk/

9. Application Forms • Do some trial runs - e.g.s in Placement booklet or in Job Description section of Blackboard site • Build up a 'bank' of answers (in a word doc) • Think about questions / answers before completing the form (especially if it is on-line) • Do what they ask • Answer the question asked (all parts) • Answer all questions - only use N/A if it really is the case

10. Application forms contd • Think what is on your CV - do you cover all the info? • Link personal interests, key skills, course content etc. to job requirements / person specification • Emphasise strengths and experience • Demonstrate personal development / key skills • Give specific examples not generalisations • What attributes do you have / is the employer interested in?

11. Applications forms contd • Do some research on the company - they will have a website • Match their requirements to your skills and experience • Don't expand on the truth! • Keep a copy of any applications (with the relevant advert / job description) • get advice or look at guidelines e.g. http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Applications__CVs_and_interviews/Job_applications/Application_forms/p!egFlab http://careerscentral.shu.ac.uk/

12. Some example questions... • What would you gain from a placement here and how can you contribute towards that placement? Please draw on any relevant experience, achievements, skills and interests you may have. • What would you like to achieve during your industrial training placement? • Which subject in your degree did you most enjoy and why? • Give details of your outside interests. What do you bring to them and what do you get out of them?

13. Remember: • Getting a job or placement requires persistence! • not all applications lead to interviews • getting an interview does not guarantee a job offer • most students will make many applications before securing a job or placement

14. Next session…….. …………..Interview preparation