Careers

Digital Skills Opportunities

BT and EE both have put digital skills at the centre of their new digital impact and sustainability strategy, to help improve the productivity and digital talent for individuals and small businesses across the country with partners such as Google Digital Garage and Small Business Britain. They also have a series of ‘Work Ready’ webinars that are particularly relevant for the 16-24 age group. 

Access the free courses here

 

Cornerstone Employer Group

Cornerstone Employer group have created virtual tours of their offices, which has been a useful tool during pandemic. Companies include: BT, Ipswich Building Society, Ipswich Town Football Club, Morgan Sindall Group plc, Suffolk County Council. 

Access the virtual tours here

Fledglink Learn Now

Access Fledglink here

I'm really excited to share with you that Fledglink's Learn Now will be running a free careers timetable each week until the end of the summer term! They have designed the timetable to support your careers education with exciting live and on-demand sessions for students to access. Some of the sessions include: 

• Healthy You: a variety of mental and physical wellness sessions to kick-start a student's day the right way! Including positive mental health & dealing with stress workshops, plus fitness and dance classes! 
• Skills builder: live and on-demand sessions focusing on different skills to improve per day. 
• 1:1 Career guidance: 1 to 1 sessions designed to provide students with the guidance they need. Helping to support Gatsby benchmark 8 around the need for personal guidance. 

Other sessions include building your brand, inspiring stories with special guests and 1:1 CV clinic drop-ins.

Catch up with Sessions Here

 

CTM Pathway Webinars

CTM Pathway is an award winning Social Enterprise that is transforming employability training, support and opportunities for schools and students. We provide an award-winning programme to thousands of students throughout the UK, helping young people make informed decisions about their next step from leaving school. Often choices and opportunities are not clear enough for students, when in fact there are many amazing paths that are out there for each and every student.

They have a variety of webinars freely available in a variety of sectors. Click on the links below to watch:

Workshop with NBC

Work Experience And How To Get It with BT

LinkedIN Masterclass with Grant Thornton

Careers In The Music Industry with Sony Music

STAR Interview Technique with PwC

Careers in Law with Sue Lenkowski

Creating a cover letter with IBM

Entry Level to Management Roles with Pret A Manager

Routes into an Organisation with Cancer Research

Apprenticeship Masterclass with the Co-op

Routes into the Homebuilding Sector with Berkeley Homes

Careers in a News Organisation with the FT

Strengths Profile with Cappfinity

Careers in Finance with Ed Broking

Pathway into Homebuilding Programme

Historic England Webinar

Apprenticeships with Berkeley Homes

 

In this section you will be able to see what careers events and competitions are currently running, so that you can get involved!

Video Design Opportunity 

SideQuest is a videogame design community aimed at 13-19 year olds to help build digital skills. Learn to build a game in 7 days, weekly live streamed masterclasses and much more…..

Visit the website for more information: www.sidequest.org.uk

 

National Careers Week

We are excited to invite students and staff to take part in the launch of National Skills Days on 20th May - it’s going to be great fun whilst building confidence and an important connection for everyone at this time .
 
It’s a great chance for everyone to show they have skills - wherever they are.

What will I need to do?

-choose a skill

-create a 20 second video to show your skill

-Post your video with the #MySkills tag to @NCWSkillsDays on Twitter, Instagram or TikTok

See the poster below for more details!

 

Sky Academy Studios Competition #keepconnected

We’re all living and learning differently right now so it’s important to #keepconnected. We want young people to create a video to tell us their lockdown story. It’s a great way to share how they're feeling.

Be sure to get your entries in by Monday 29th of June for a chance to win a free filming kit for your school.

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How does it work?

Students will create short videos (30 seconds - 2 minutes) bringing their ideas to life.

Using tech they can access at home, and the current lockdown as inspiration, students can tell their stories. 

This provides a creative way to help them feel connected and stay positive during these challenging times.  

Using creativity and communication their stories can be:

• FACTUAL: News Report or Vlog
• FICTIONAL: Creative stories 

Click here for r more information about the Sky Competition

STEM Opportunity for Year 9 & 10 Students

We have a 3 day non-residential course running during the October half term 2020 where students will get to understand the Routes available for them into the STEM world.

Spending a day at Mid Kent College, University of Kent and the final day will be hosted by BAE Systems. Students will get a hands-on experience understanding the diverse routes available to them after studying their GCSEs– including apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships talks. 

Once we have received applications we will be in contact via email address provided on the application form and then for students to secure their place they will need to return their consent form by the deadline date – we expect this course to be extremely popular so I suggest apply as soon as possible.

Please see the letter and booklet below for more information: 

Routes into STEM Booklet

Parents Letter

 

Careers Competition (All Years)

The Education Business Partnership in Kent are looking for students to:

-design a product, service or app that can solve or assist in the pandemic

-create a spoken word piece to express how you are feeling about the outbreak

-create a short film, music or piece of art focusing on the future after the pandemic

-create a new sports/fitness programme that you can perform any home

 

You can enter as an individual or as a family and their are lots of voucher prizes to be won!

 

For the details please visit: https://www.scribd.com/presentation/456513464/The-Challenge

 

For further information and an entry form please email info@ebpkent.co.uk

 

How do I know what type of career is for me?

Take this quiz to find out your strengths and jobs you may enjoy:

Take the Careers Quiz

 

What types of careers are there?

The following websites will give you lots of useful information about the different sectors, jobs this involves and how to get into them:

Roles in the NHS
What types of jobs are there? How do you get into them?

What job roles are there in different industries?

Real Videos to Inspire your Career

 

Careers by Subject

A list of possible professions linked to the various subjects taught at school.

Biology

Business Studies

Chemistry

Computing

Design and Technology

Drama

English

Geography

History

Maths

Modern Foreign Languages

Music

PE

 

What qualifications do I need?

The following website explains the different types of qualifications and when you would expect to study them:

Know your qualifications

Careers Magazine

Updates and Information:

 

GCSE Results Day

GCSE Results Day 2020 date is Friday 27^th August 2021 for England and Wales students 

 

What are my options after year 11?

You may choose to:

• Stay at School, go to a College or Sixth Form and study full time courses
• Get a job and take a work related course alongside it such as an OCR National, BTEC, City and Guilds or other accredited course
• Volunteer for 20 hours or more but will need to do some accredited learning alongside it, offered by the organisation or independent of it
• Do an Apprenticeship or other accredited training course

The qualifications that you hold already, for example, how you do in your GCSEs at the end of Year 11 will have a large impact on what you can do, especially at which Level you can study or learn.

VIDEO: Your options after year 11 webinar by The Education People (Sept 2020)

 

Discover your skills & careers

Discover your skills and careers (DYSAC) is a tool to help you identify your:

• interests
• motivations
• preferences

Understanding yourself can help you work out what careers you may enjoy working in. You can use this information to explore careers that interest you in more detail.

After you answer the questions, you’ll see a list of categories that may interest you based on your answers. You can answer more questions to see more specific roles that may suit you.

Take the assessment

 

The Skills Toolkit

Free courses to help you learn new skills or get a new job.

Learn about:

• practical maths
• computer essentials
• personal growth and wellbeing
• professional development
• business and finance
• digital design and marketing
• computer science and coding

Click here to find out more

 

Information & advice for school leavers: 

https://careermap.co.uk/careermag-students-teachers/ 

 

Virtual Careers Talks

Virtual careers talks for students from a range of sectors including business, arts, academia, media and more. Speakers will be sharing their own stories and expertise on a variety of subjects.

Please click on this link to watch the live careers talks:

Access Talks Here

 

Online Lectures (Free)

There is an opportunity to access free online lectures in a variety of subjects (covering a large number of our A Level subjects). Or you might like to learn more about a subject as a possible university course choice. 

Access Lectures Here

 

Calendar of Events

(TBC)

What type of job do I want?

Browse thousands of jobs and what you need to be able to do them! – UCAS Jobs section. 

Apprenticeships

Apprentice Kent - https://www.apprenticekent.com/home

Kent Choices

Y11 login page - https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login/

 

Your Future Opportunities - Sixth Form students 

NEWS

A Level results day will be Tuesday 24th August 2021.

As usual, keep your eye on the calendars at the bottom of the page for all of the University and apprenticeships/job events coming up.  

Remote Opportunities- There is a variety of opportunities available including virtual University open days, Q&A's, taster days etc. 

For more information click here

Calendar of Events

October

Thursday 15th October (6pm): Oxbridge UCAS application deadline

Thursday 29th October: Emerging Technologies (Virtual Reality) at PwC 

Click here to register

November

Monday 2nd & Tuesday 3rd November: UCAS Futures in Maths, Engineering & Computing. This is an official personal statement workshop online dedicated to these subjects.

Book your place here

Wednesday 4th November (12.00-18.00): University & Apprenticeship Fair- over 80 universities, colleges and apprenticeship providers will be there. All year 12’s will spend Wednesday afternoon attending this virtual fair. 

Register here

Friday 13th & Saturday 14th November: UCAS Future in the Creative Arts. This is an official personal statement workshop online dedicated to creative arts subjects.

Book your place here

Monday 16th November at 4pm: Broadcast Engineering Apprenticeships (virtual event).  The University is currently working with BBC, Sky, F1, BBC Studioworks, ITV and many other broadcast companies to attract students to their new Broadcast Engineering Apprenticeship which will start in September 2021. 

Sign up here

Thursday 26th- Saturday 28th November: World Skills UK Live will be hosting spotlight talks on Careers, Apprenticeships and Excellence (this is a free online event).

To register click here

December

Early December: Oxbridge interviews

January

Friday 15th January (6pm): Main UCAS application deadline

May

Wednesday 5th May: If you receive all your uni/college decisions by 31 March, you must reply to any offers by this date

July

Thursday 1st July: Clearing opens

 

NEW! Futures 12 monthe placement scheme (Updated 15/10/20)

The Futures Placement scheme offers you an invaluable opportunity to work with a world-leading company for 12-months, broadening your horizons and giving you a head start in your career. You’ll be deployed onto a challenging work placement, where you’ll support and learn from experienced professionals across IBM. At the end of your placement, it’s in your hands. IBM offer both Business and Technical Placements, with both taking place over a year!

You will benefit from a salary starting from £18,000.

To view the placements click here

 

NEW! School Leavers Apprenticeships (Updated 26/10/20)

PwC offer a variety of programmes for students and graduates to start creating their careers. They focus on your skills and passions, not just your degree and education. With there diverse range of businesses and variety of work you'll easily find your perfect role. 

Click here for more information

NEW! Careers at Mi5 (Updated 15/10/20)

We recognise that university isn’t for everyone. We need people who are fresh out of school, eager to get started and want to do something interesting and exciting. Every single person, role, and team in our organisation plays its part in helping us keep the country safe. We offer a range of opportunities from busy administrative roles to technical training programmes. Whether you are supporting one of our investigative teams, administrating in human resources or starting out on our Technical Apprenticeship Scheme, you will be part of a supportive team with the opportunity to develop and learn about the exciting work of MI5. 

To view the roles and apprenticehip opportunities click here

 

'Academoney' (free) financial education course (Updated 15/10/20)

The Open University has joined forces with MoneySavingExpert (MSE) to produce this new free course to give you the skills and knowledge to master your finances. The course was written by The OU, with MSE providing support and guidance.

Click here to find out more

 

My Personal Finance Skills Programme

My Personal Finance Skills Programme is a free financial education for all from the Chartered Insurance Institute. The Chartered Insurance Institute is committed to supporting students with their free online financial education. Key points:

 Targeted at KS4-5 (14-18 years old). 

 Ideal for students in year 11 & 13 

 4 x 1 hour on demand free financial education sessions. 

 Student worksheets included. 

 Themes include: staying safe from scams, moving on from school, my future finances and making decisions and risk. 

Please feel free to visit the Personal Finance Skills website: https://mypersonalfinanceskills.org

 

PWC'c Virtual Classroom 

We’re really excited to launch our new Virtual Classroom - a programme open to all students between Years 10 and 13. The programme combines both live and pre-recorded sessions which will provide students with an insight into PwC and an opportunity to develop their employability skills. They’ll also have the chance to engage with a range of PwC ambassadors through the interactive live sessions, whilst enabling the flexibility to watch and listen to the recorded sessions at a time best suited to them each week.

We recognise that they’ll continue to have school or college commitments during the four-week period so we’ve made the virtual programme as flexible as possible.

Check our website for the times and dates for each of the live sessions and details of how to sign up. We’ll also be running a session specifically for parents, carers and teachers.

You can find out more about the session and how to sign up via the 'sign up' button below.

 

Weekly University Guidance Webinars - These take place every Tueaday.

Click here to access the webinars

Pathway CTM

Pathway CTM is an award winning Social Enterprise that is transforming employability training, support and opportunities for schools and students. They provide an award-winning programme to thousands of students throughout the UK, helping young people make informed decisions about their next step from leaving school. 

Click Here for Pathway CTM Events

Pathway Presentation

 

University Taster Days

University Taster Day website lists many taster day opportunities as well as workshops and higher education fair information. You can put your career ideas into a search to narrow down all the opportunities they list.  Many of these will be subject to COVID-19 restrictions but do look for the events later on in the summer.

Visit Univeristy Taster Day

 

Volunteering Opportunities

Please don't waste this time, if you are looking for something great to add to your CV or UCAS Personal Statement then there are plenty of opportunities to be volunteering locally within the community.  This could be anything from picking up prescriptions to walking someone's dog, it will show you care and you will feel great for it.

Volunteer Here

 

Virtual Open Days

A virtual open day enables you to learn more about a university, the course modules and the opportunities available. You’ll learn about the course you’ve applied to or thinking of applying to, all the development opportunities that are provided at the university and how you can build your professional skills. A virtual open day will also enable you to meet the academic team and ask any questions you have about the course requirements and modules.

More Information about Virtual Open Days

Thinking about applying to Higher Education?

Online Lectures (Free)

There is an opportunity to access free online lectures in a variety of subjects (covering a large number of our A Level subjects). Or you might like to learn more about a subject as a possible university course choice. 

Go to Lectures

 

Oxbridge Video Resources

https://stepmaths.co.uk/

They are not just for Oxford or Cambridge but for other Universities too as they all have interviews and a lot have assessment as part of the process. The full list of courses are available here- (OxbridgePrepCourses_List.pdf). Email Mr Shaw for more information (rshaw@trinintysevenoaks.com).

 

University Taster Days

University Taster Day website lists many taster day opportunities as well as workshops and higher education fair information. You can put your career ideas into a search to narrow down all the opportunities they list.  Many of these will be subject to COVID-19 restrictions but do look for the events later on in the summer.

Access University Open Days

 

Pearson Business School Degree Apprenticeships 

Pearson will be launching Degree Apprenticeship webinars very soon! These webinars will give you an overview of how Degree Apprenticeships work and a chance to ask any questions you may have! 

Apply for a Degree Apprenticeship

 

InsideSherpa are doing a virtual work experience programme that focuses on top companies teaching skills they need before they hire.

Sign up Here

 

Capgemini have created mock digital interviews for students, giving students written feedback or telephone feedback. 

Sign up for a mock digital interview

 

Careers Hub-Home Learning Careers Projects 

Access projects here

Latest Apprenticeship news - details

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Open Day calendars

https://www.opendays.com/calendar/

https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/open-days

UCAS Calendar and Events

UCAS Calendar and other events - https://www.ucas.com/ucas/events/find

What type of job do I want? Browse thousands of jobs and what you need to be able to do them! – UCAS Jobs section. 

Apprenticeships

Apprentice Kent - https://www.apprenticekent.com/home

 

KPMG's Audit Apprenticeship and KPMG360 Digital Software Engineering Degree Apprenticeship: They are available for students looking to get a head start in their career after leaving school or college.  Starting in autumn 2020, those joining will receive the training, qualifications and experience they need to thrive in the world of business and the tools to support them in their transition into the world of work.

Kent Choices

Y11 login page - https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login/

PiXL Futures

PiXL-Futures-Medics-Bulletin-November-2019

​Virtual Work Experience Opportunities

InvestIN Education

We are delighted to announce our biggest ever schedule of work experience programmes for the autumn term, which your students can register for now.

On our programmes, students work alongside top industry executives to gain a 360-degree experience of some of the world's most competitive and desirable careers.

All autumn term programmes will be delivered 'Live Online': immersive work experience with successful professionals in a live, interactive environment; from the comfort of your own home.

For Ages 15 to 18:
Weekend Programmes in all 20 industries (up to 2 days each)
Autumn Internships in 9 industries (5 days during half term)

For Ages 12 to 14:
Weekend Programmes in 8 industries (1 day each)

 

Virtual Work Experience from InsideSherpa

Learn from top companies and set yourself apart. InsideSherpa are offering students the opportunity to engage in virtual work experience programs with top companies teaching students the skills they hire for BEFORE they.

Click here for more information

Barclays Life Skills Virtual Work Experience

Barclays Life Skills is giving you a unique opportunity to take part in a Virtual Work Experience in a company that you might not normally get access to while highlighting the essential skills you might need. You’ll get to see the inner workings of Freeformers, a ‘digital transformation’ agency, and actively work with different departments on one exciting project, helping them solve problems and complete real-life tasks.

As part of the experience you’ll also see lots of tips as well as links through to other LifeSkills content. These are designed to help you learn how best to deal with situations you may come across in the workplace. By clicking on the links you’ll get the most out of your Virtual Work Experience and learn more about the vital skills you’ll need in the workplace.

Sign up for Virtual Work Experience Here!

 

When do I do work experience? 

Year 10: TBC 2021

Work Experience Assembly

You will need to complete the following document if you are finding your own placement:

Year 10 Self-Placement Form

Year 12: Term 5/6 2021

You will need to complete the following documents:

Year 12 Self-Placement FormYear 12 Student consent form

 

WHY SHOULD I DO WORK EXPERIENCE?

The main objectives of work experience are:

• To allow students to understand how commerce and industry operate

• To help students to see the relevance of school subjects to the world of work

• To help students gain greater self-confidence and maturity

• To enable students to find placements that are related to the courses they are studying and, hopefully, increasing their motivation

• To allow them to prepare for their personal statement for their UCAS form for university applications / CV for the workplace

DO I HAVE TO DO IT?

There are many activities and experiences that a student can engage in to make him or her a more ‘rounded’ applicant e.g. extra-curricular activities, clubs, sports, volunteering, gap year plans - all very important strings to a student’s bow. However, relevant work experience is increasingly viewed as an essential part of any good application for higher education and the world of work. For candidates equally good on paper applying for courses / jobs, it could well be the work experience which tips the balance in favour of one candidate over the other. This is the case more than ever given the greater competition for places in Higher Education and for the job market. Indeed, more and more universities are offering work experience years as part of Higher Education courses and many graduates owe their jobs to such placements. Work Experience matters!

Students are encouraged to find their own placements and the school will give them support and guidance in order to do so. There are various sources of help:

• Personal contacts - family / friends / neighbours / teachers

• Yellow Pages (www.yell.com). This has a search facility by area to home in on categories of employers

• Students should be prepared to telephone prospective placements

• Placements need not be home-based if suitable accommodation can be arranged in another part of the country

  Students are advised to make multiple requests for work experience as demand for placements can be heavy and early application is necessary. Be pro-active – repeatedly contact employers - it will be worth it!

WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW YET WHAT I WANT TO DO IN LIFE?

Students may have a very clear / vague or no idea at all of the area of further study / work they may wish to go into so this will affect what – and when - they apply for work experience. We hope that students will apply as early as possible and we would ask for parental support and encouragement in this. If a student knows the area they wish to pursue further, then our advice is to try and find work experience as soon as possible.

IS THE PLACEMENT SUITABLE?

Ideally, the placement should fit in with a definite career or higher education plan. Please note that parents and students must ensure that they are happy with the working conditions of the placement, ensuring they have Employer Liability Insurance and Health & Safety procedures in place. 

WHAT NEXT?

• Research various companies in the local area to see if they offer work experience. Use the letter template the draft a letter that can be sent or emailed to staff at the company. If they agree to the work experience, then fill in the student self-placement form.

Work Experience Letter Template

What is work experience? What should I expect?

Frequently asked questions about work experience 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Labour Market Information?

This tells us about current work and job environments in specific regions. This includes information about occupations, industries and companies. It can help you identify the skills that employers are looking for.

 

UPDATE: Labour market statistics

Sevenoaks economy update (September 2020)

What impact has Covid-19 had on the labour market?

 

Click on one of the sections below to find out about more about a specific job.

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Where can I find out about this?

Labour Market Information: January-March 2020

Data Hub

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a form of on the job training in a specific trade or profession. It usually requires some accompanying study.

Apprentices Assembly Presentation

Where can I find an apprenticeship?

apprenticeships.gov

apprenticekent

screenskills

Construction Apprenticeships

Free Online Apprenticeships

Take part in a 30 Minute Apprenticeship in Business, Construction and Marketing.

Business ApprenticeshipConstruction Apprenticeship

Marketing Apprenticeship

In this section you will find additional careers resources to support SEND students.

 

Talentino Summer Newsletter

This is the first edition of a newsletter for SEND developed by Talentino. It contains predictions around the skills employers will be looking for in the future and some interesting articles around all things SEND.

Access the newsletter here

 

Qualifications & Training

Traineeships

What is a Traineeship?

A traineeship is an education and training programme. It is designed for people aged 16-24 years old with an education, health and care (EHC) plan - get ready for an apprenticeship or job if they don’t have the appropriate skills or experience.

It incorporates work experience, preparing young people for their future careers by helping them to become ‘work ready’.

 

A traineeship has three core elements:

- A high-quality work experience placement with an employer.

- Work preparation training, provided by the training organisation.

- English and maths support, if required, provided by the training organisation.

Traineeships last anything up to a maximum of 6 months with the content tailored to the needs of the business and the individual.

 

Who can apply?

You can apply for a traineeship if you’re:

• eligible to work in England
• have little or no work experience but are motivated to work
• aged 16 to 24 - or 25 with an EHC plan - and qualified below level 3

 

Where can I find a traineeship?

-by visiting www.gov.uk/find-traineeship

-by asking your local college or training provider if they have opportunities

bby speaking to your school careers advisers if you’re 16 to 18 years old

 

Traineeships Explained

Personal Statement

A personal statement is your chance to describe your ambitions, skills, and experience to university and college admissions staff.

Some useful points are:

• To read the course descriptions. Use this to identify the qualities, skills, and experience it requires.
• Explain why you’re applying to study the course; include your ambitions, what interests you about the subject, the course and the place you wish to study.
• Think about what makes you suitable; relevant experience, skills, or achievements you’ve gained from education, work, or other activities.
• Include any clubs, employment, volunterring or experience you have done.  This could be creative, sporting, Duke of Edinburgh etc. Remember to tell them what skills you have developed through them.
• If you took part in a higher education taster course, placement, or summer school include it.

 

Personal-Statement-Worksheet.pdf

Personal-Statement-Mindmap.pdf

UCAS Personal Statements

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A CV is brief account of a person's education, qualifications, and previous experience, typically sent with a job application.

How to write a killer CV

Your curriculum Vitae (CV) has five seconds to impress the reader and convince them you are right for the position.

Unless you are the only person in the world with your skills or have an excellent network to tap into then you are going to have competition when it comes to securing contract work. And you will only get that work by securing yourself an interview by convincing someone on paper that you can do the work.

Fact: recruiters won’t read past the first page. In fact, recruiters won’t even scroll down your first page unless they are truly impressed by what you have written in your first few lines.

Why do CV’s end up in the bin?

• Anything longer than 4 pages. People cannot be bothered to read.

• No profile or list of skills on the front page. Don't want to search for them.

• CV is a big essay with sentences. No bullet points. Too much hassle to read.

• Profile and skills on front page does not really match requirement.

  What makes the employer want to read more?

• Profile and skills on front page exactly match requirements.

• At least the last 6-12 months experience are closely related to the skills

  required.

• The candidate has a good academic background.

  A CV is designed to get you an interview. Nothing else. It is a marketing document that markets you as a person. To write a good CV you need to get your trumpet out and start blowing it!

  A high impact targeted CV creates a high impact on the front page with the content tailored directly to target the position you are after.

What NOT to put on the front page

You only have one sheet of A4 to make that 10 second impact. Try not to put the following on the front page:

• A list of schools you attended with examinations, grades, addresses. These are important but you need to list the skills they are after.

• A list of hobbies. Tell them what you've achieved by applying the skills you have.

• Your work history. Again useful, but what skills did you gain from being at the companies? How did the company benefit from you being there?

What should be on the front page?

There are essentially 4 sections to the front page of a high impact CV:

Your name, address, contact details. A surprising amount of candidates forget to include these details! Don't be one of them. A profile to outline yourself. Try and keep this professional and to the point. A list of your skills. 8-10 bullet points should suffice. Make sure your highlighted skills fall in line with the job specification, highlight in bold the key words that match the job spec. Try and keep your skill set broad to show how diverse you are and don't be afraid to include personal attributes as a skill. (For example; highly organised). A bulleted list of your achievements, between 3 -5 is ideal. Detail them but be careful not to waffle! No more than 40 words per point. There is an art to writing achievements, be careful not to simply write; developed an organisational process with paperwork. You must always try to highlight the benefits that you attained for the employer at the time. For example; Developed an organisational process with paperwork that improved the efficiency of the process and saved staff at least an hour a day.

Helpful websites

http://www.parentalguidance.org.uk/applications-interviews/cv-school-leaver-template (useful for parents to guide students)

https://www.fish4.co.uk/career-advice/younger-jobseekers-cv-template-for-school-leavers/ https://www.reed.co.uk/cvbuilder
https://www.myperfectcv.co.uk/

https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/getting-job/building-cv

 

How to write a CV

 

Interview

Heading to your first interview

Your first interview is a big deal, you are venturing into the world of work but it can also be rather scary. An interview is all about showing your potential employer that you are a perfect fit for the role and that you are hardworking and trustworthy.

Stop and think

What will happen at my interview?
What should I wear?
What questions will I be asked?
How will the interviewer decide who to give the job to?

Job interviews are useful ways for companies to find the right person to work for them. Due to this, you will most likely discuss different aspects of the job, be asked questions about your qualifications, skills and any work experience that you may have.

Common problems

• Being overly anxious

• Being too laid back and unprepared

• Not giving relevant or concise answers

• Lack of research on the job or the company

• Not speaking clearly

• Not making eye contact with the interviewer

  It is easy to overcome and avoid these issues, just spend some time thinking about and preparing for your interview.

  Planning for an interview

  As soon as you are offered the interview, you should start planning. There are some key areas of interview preparation that you should include:

• Interview arrangements - (make sure to check where and when the interview is being held)

• Paperwork - print off a copy of your job application/CV and any other paperwork that the interviewer may need

• Reviewing your job application - think of the questions that they might ask about your skills, qualifications, work experience and interests

• Travel plans - look into train times and bus times if necessary

• Finding out about the job - research the role that you have applied for

• Researching the company - if you don’t know much about the company it

  can make you seem disinterested and poorly informed

• Organise what to wear - make sure that it is appropriate for the company

  Interview types

  One-to-one interviews - are the most common type of interviews. You meet with the interviewer face to face and discuss your job application and suitability for the job.

Informal interviews - require some special care as it is easy to forget that you are being interviewed. Make sure not to divulge more information than you intend, especially about your home and social life.

Panel interviews - are where there is more than one interviewer. Quite often each Interviewer will have a different role and may ask you questions depending on their job.

Telephone interviews - are used to screen a larger group of job applicants. Asking preliminary questions allows the interviewer time to decide who to invite for a face to face interview.

Group interviews - often require you to work together with other candidates under a time pressure. This is to show how quickly you can come up with ideas and solutions.

How to make a good first impression?

If you make a poor first impression, you have very little time to change the interviewer’s mind. However, if you make a good first impression, this creates a positive framework for the remainder of the interview. When you are trying to make a good first impression, there are some key factors that you should account for:

• Arriving in good time - arrive ten minutes early so that you can gather your thoughts, relax and feel in control

• Facial expressions - make sure to smile and look engaged

• How you stand/walk - don’t slouch or hunch over as this looks unprofessional and makes you seem disengaged

• What you are wearing - make sure that it is appropriate for the type of interview, as well as for the company

• Tone of voice - sound enthusiastic in the conversation, if you sound or look bored then that is what you will be remembered for

• How you shake hands - a firm handshake always gives a great first impression

 

Careers-page-What-not-to-say-at-an-interview.pdf

 

2019 Careers Interviews feedback

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“Thanks for getting in touch. It was a great experience for me too and was very happy to help. The candidates we interviewed were all very impressive and had a huge amount to offer.”

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“I really enjoyed meeting the students they were all a credit to the school.I would very much like to be involved in the early morning group sessions I look forward to hearing more.”

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“We are always happy as firm to send someone along if you would like careers advice about accounting opportunities.

I did leave my email address with X who I saw as he seemed interested in accountancy.  If he would like any help writing CV’s  / tailoring covering letters I would be happy to assist him”.

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“Many thanks your kind email.  I really enjoyed the interviews and was very impressed by each student whether it was in their appearance, subject knowledge or career aspirations.

I spoke with the Head of Sixth Form about assisting with CV preparations or other ways of preparing students for the outside world so.”

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“I thoroughly enjoyed helping at the interviews on Friday and would be delighted to help further with the group sessions.  Please do let me know how I can help”.

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“I wanted to say how proud you must be of the students – I only saw 6 of them but they were incredibly well mannered, engaged and engaging, a real credit to you and the school”.   

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“I was so pleased to hear that the mock interviews were a positive experience. The students I met were all a credit to Trinity: they were well prepared, articulate and able to think on their feet and I enjoyed meeting them.”

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“I found the students very engaging and I admire your staff for arranging such opportunity for them.

Happy to help with further events”.

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“Thanks for getting in touch. It was a great experience for me too and was very happy to help. The candidates we interviewed were all very impressive and had a huge amount to offer.

Very happy to support a careers session."

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“It was a pleasure to engage with some of the students this morning. I am glad they found it of benefit.  I would be happy to share some of my career experience in the group programme you are developing.”

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“It was an absolute pleasure to help out this morning. The students were amazing, and I was so impressed by their confidence and maturity. I would be really happy to help with the careers sessions. Once again thank you for the experience and many congratulations to the students - I would have employed them all.”

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Careers Information for Parents

As a parent, you are incredibly influential when it comes to the decisions your child makes in all areas of their lives and that is especially true when it comes to their education and careers. We know that the choices, which are open to your child today, may be very different from when you were in their position and you may feel as if you’re unsure about what advice to offer.

We want to try and make it as easy as possible for you to talk to your child about their options confidently and know that the information you have is as accurate and as up to date as possible.

A Parents Guide to Career Guidance

Careermag for Parents

Helping your child begin their career journey

What are the options for Post-16 Education?

There are a range of options available for continuing to study, Post 16. Your son/daughter will need to apply for either A Levels, or a Level 3 course of study. Most post-16 education establishments will require them to achieve a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Band 4 (some courses of study will have further requirements).  

Post 16 Information Evening hosted by The Education People (Sept 2020)

What do the different levels of study mean?

Confused about study options and levels?

Level 1 – GCSEs at grade D and below/band 4 and below
Level 2 – 5 or more GCSEs at grade C and above/band 5 and above
Level 3 – A Levels, AS Levels, BTEC Level 3

For more information of the full range of qualifications and their levels visit the National Careers Service.

Choosing what to study

This takes careful consideration and research. Your son/daughter will need to consider the subjects they are strong in, that keep their interest and that they enjoy. There is more information about subject related careers on the curriculum section of the school website.

There are plenty of sources of help available for their research:

• Success At School
• All About Careers 
• National Careers Service
• Barclays Life Skills
• Plotr
• Kudos
• U-explore
• Careersbox
• icould
• How2Become
• UCAS
• Help4teens

Post-16 Schools and Colleges

There are a number of local schools and colleges which will offer a wide range of courses and provision such as A Levels, Apprenticeships and work-related (vocational) studies. Your son/daughter can find prospectuses for many of the schools/colleges online. They can look at their websites for further details on what they offer, and for details of their open days and application process. 

Traineeships and Apprenticeships

A Traineeship is an introduction-level programme that combines a work placement with training, it helps to prepare young people for the world of work and supports with English and Mathematics if required.

Apprenticeships are available at Intermediate, Advanced and Higher/Degree levels, and are available in a wide range of employment sectors. The length of time that it takes to complete is dependent on the level and occupation. All Apprenticeships are real jobs so young people on the programme can earn a salary.

All Apprenticeship opportunities must be advertised on the National Apprenticeships Website. Your son/daughter must be registered on this site to apply. They are allowed to start an Apprenticeship once they have reached the compulsory education leaving date, after the last Friday in June.

Apprenticeships Parent Pack (October 2020)

More information about Apprenticeships can be found using the links below.

What is an Apprenticeship?
National Apprenticeships Website 
The Apprenticeship Guide
Interserve Learning and Employment

T Levels

What are the Post 18 Further Education options?

T Levels are a brand-new qualification choice that will follow GCSEs and give students a head start towards the career they want. They will suit students who wish to start working towards a skilled occupation, prefer a practical approach to learning and want a predominantly classroom-based course.

T Levels Explainer Video

University

Many students will consider University as a natural progression from their level 3 studies, more information can be found on:

Complete University Guide
UCAS
Whatun
Which? University

Higher/Degree Apprenticeship

This is an alternative to University. Higher Level Apprenticeships are advertised on the National Apprenticeships Website.

Where can I look for Careers Information Advice & Guidance?

 National Careers Week

Follow this link for more information regarding how to obtain a copy of National Careers Week’s free 12 page ‘A Guide for Parents: Steering your teenager toward a job and career’: http://win-that-job.com/parents-guide

Information from the National Careers Service
Follow the link below for parental guidance from the National Careers Service.
NCS Resources for Parents

Advice and Guidance from the Careers Writers Association
Follow the link below for parental guidance from the Careers Writers Association, with invaluable support for parents trying to guide their son/daughter. 
http://www.parentalguidance.org.uk/

 

What other areas can I support with?

CV Writing

Advice and guidance on supporting your son/daughter with writing a CV/cover letter can be found below.

Example CVs (Target Jobs)
How to write a CV (Prospects)
How to write a CV (Reed)
Your CV (Help4Teens)

Interview Techniques and Tips

Advice and guidance on supporting your son/daughter with their interview techniques can be found below.

Interview Advice (National Careers Service)
Interview Techniques (Target Jobs)
Interview Techniques (Reed)
Interview Tips (Prospects)

What is STEM?

STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.

 

STEM Opportunities

 

BAE Systems - Remote Learning launched

BAE Systems are passionate about promoting STEM and also understand the difficulties faced by many families at the moment, and the importance of home learning. Working with our engineers and partners, BAE Systems developed a range of learning resources to help you teach your children or pupils whilst they’re at home. As well as brand new STEM home learning activities to complete, there is a UK Sport Competition (four age categories from 5 – 18 years) with fantastic prizes to be won, plus many more interesting links, engineering quizzes and career videos. 

Click Here to access the resources