Young People and Career

Back in March and April 2021, we worked with very worthwhile organisations. These organisations were Inspiring the Future, Barking and Dagenham College, and I am Inspired.

Inspiring the Future works with young people from all over the world supporting them with their career and future. In March and April, we had the chance to participate in two Zoom sections (for the UK Inspiring the Future and Ghana Inspiring the Future). We got the opportunity to interact and be inspired by both the young people and other professionals. It was a great learning and finding out about different sectors and industries.

We had the pleasure to speak to students from Barking and Dagenham College during career week. Barking and Dagenham College is based in East London (UK) and caters to students from 16 years old and above. They offer a wide range of courses from level 1 to level 4 (foundation degree/professional qualification).

I Am Inspired is a great organisation to support. This organisation work with, support and encourages young people to go after their goals and dreams. They work with young people to get on to different career paths, including starting their own business. We must say that these young people (including 10, 11+ years old) incredible and very inspiring to both their peers and adult alike.

To get involved or to find out more, click on the organisational name.

How to Write a Winning CV

This post is to help our British readers and customers write a winning CV to help them land the (dream) Job. This first presentation explains what a CV is and why it is important. It gives a brief description of the three main types of CV. The next presentation explains how to draft a winning chronological CV/combination CV. In the reference section, there are links and examples of how to write a Functional CV.

What is a CV

Writing a winning CV

 

Reference:

isc Professionals: https://www.interview-skills.co.uk/free-information/successful-cv-writing/different-types-of-cvs

 

 

 

Employment Series- Cover Letter/Personal Statement/ Supporting Statement

Personal Statement/Supporting Statement and Cover Letter

State at the start why you are applying for the position (if it is in a form of a cover letter).

The cover letter/personal statement is you trying to explain how you got the essential skills from the Person Specification (PS). Assign a paragraph to each heading or subheading of the PS. Give an example of where and how you gain the skills. These skills do not exclusive have to be from employment, but volunteering and education. Remember that education gives you vital skills, not just a qualification.

Include a confidentiality and diversity paragraph. Employers’ love this, especially in a very diverse city like London or people-orientated role/sector such as health, education, transport, etc.

Include a paragraph about why you want to work for the company (researching the company is a must first place to start is their values, mission and vision statements. Glassdoor will give you additional insights from employees that can be very valuable. Reviews about the company can tell you customers and clients’ experiences).

The statement can secure an applicant for an interview. Employers sometimes use a recruitment system software that will focus on the personal statement to narrow down applicants for shortlisting.  They will do this based on how well applicants match the essential criteria on the PS. Applicants don’t need to match all the criteria on each heading or subheading (except for the qualification). The more criteria matched, the stronger the application and the likelihood the applicant will be shortlisted for an interview. Try to use the terminologies from the PS; these will be easier to recognise if a company uses software to narrow down their applicants. Companies will never reveal their shortlisting techniques (i.e., human or machine), so it is best to use the same terminologies from the PS and the industry (i.e., in the health sector: diagnosed, referrals, care plan, etc.)

A cover letter needs to end with a “Yours Faithfully” (UK version) or “Yours Truly” (US version) if “Dear Sir or Madam” was used to address the receiver. “Yours Sincerely” (UK version) or “Sincerely Yours” (US version) if a person’s name (i.e., Dear Mr Smith) is used. Remember before the closing with “Yours…. “, inform the receiver that you expect to hear the outcome of your application.

Reference:

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