Making Successful Applications

1. Making Successful Applications

2. Exercise – Steps to making an application In groups, spend two minutes thinking about what you should do before making a job application

3. What makes a good CV / Application Form? • Tailor it; Research which skills your employer is looking for. Use examples that show off these skills • Keep it concise, specific and relevant: be specific about the roles you have done. Employers won’t want to know about your 5m swimming badge aged 6 ½. Keep it relevant! • Format: make it look simple and stylish by using a template widely available. List sections in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Check your spelling and grammar and / or ask someone to check if for you

4. Your application Initial application: • Personal details • Educational history • Additional information (hobbies, sports, awards) • Employment (part-time, Saturday jobs, unpaid) • Referees

5. But I don’t have anything to put on my application You’d be surprised by how many valuable skills you have that are very attractive to employers, even if you don’t have work experience • Don’t worry if you don’t have any relevant work experience: if employers were looking to hire someone with lots of experience, they wouldn’t be looking for an Apprentice • You need to make the most of what you’ve got: think about your activities and hobbies in school and outside. There are loads of ways of developing employability skills outside a work environment

6. Activity 3: What do I put on my application? Brainstorm the skills that these activities have allowed you to develop Brainstorm activities and experiences you could put on your CV I have been the captain of my school football team for 2 years I have shown that I am a strong but supportive leader; my team has risen three places in the league since I took over as captain

7. Application forms: The long answer questions • Purpose is to see how your experience and skill-set lend themselves to the job • Prepare a ‘S T A R’ example... • Situation – set the scene • Task – what were you required to do? • Action – how did you go about this? What did you do, what skills did you show? • Result – what was the outcome? Emphasise how your actions resulted in a positive outcome

8. Activity 4: “Explain how you have exhibited leadership” • Situation – set the scene • Task – what were you required to do? • Action – how did you go about this? What did you do, what skills did you show? • Result – what was the outcome? Emphasise how your actions resulted in a positive outcome. Example: “I have shown team working skill when I lead a group of 6 people on our 48 hour orienteering task, as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. When we became lost, I needed to select a new course of action for the team to take. After listening to all suggestions, I practically weighed up each option , discussed them with the group and we got back to the starting point safely.”

9. Activity 5: “Describe a time when you have explained something complicated to a group or individual” • Have a go at drafting an answer to this question – taken from an application form. Remember to STAR your answer: Situation – set the scene Task – what were you required to do? Action – how did you go about this? What did you do, what skills did you show? Result – what was the outcome? Emphasise how your actions resulted in a positive outcome

10. Summary • Preparation • Self assessment • Research • Read the questions • Take your time • Good luck!