Work experience is a great way to get a feel for what it is like to work in the industry you want to start a career in. Work experience can help confirm your next career step and show employers you have appropriate experience and transferable skills. Below are some links to useful resources on how to get work experience and make the most out of it.

Links to additional resources

Getting work experience:

• https://www.springpod.co.uk/work-experience-guide/
• https://www.pearson.com/uk/learners/fe-and-college-students/career-choices/careers-advice-topics/how-to-find-work-experience.html
• https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk/Choices/WorkExperience.aspx
• https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/work-experience-and-internships

Getting the most out of work experience:

• https://www.ucas.com/careers/getting-job/10-ways-get-most-out-work-experience
• https://targetcareers.co.uk/careers-advice/skills-and-experience/313849-how-to-make-the-most-of-your-work-experience-placement

Before you start looking for a job it is important you have done some research into the industry you want to go into. There are lots of useful resources such as the career tests below to help you decide what career is for you. Once you know what career path is right for you, the next step is to look at entry-level jobs within it. Looking at entry-level roles will help establish if you have the qualifications/ skills needed to apply.

Searching companies before you apply is also extremely important to check that the business is aligned with your values, is a good fit, and that you want to work there. Researching a business before you apply is also important so you can talk about it and tailor your application. Below are some helpful resources to help you research your future job.

Links to additional resources

Finding the right career:

• https://www.ucas.com/careers/buzz-quiz
• https://good.co/career-quiz/
• https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/careers/career-quiz

How to job hunt:

• https://www.hays.co.uk/blog/-/blogs/how-to-find-a-new-job-during-pandemic-recession
• https://www.hays.co.uk/blog/insights/job-hunting-during-corona-and-beyond
• https://www.hays.co.uk/blog/insights/how-to-job-hunt-successfully-even-if-you-re-in-lockdown

University is not the only option for school and college leavers. Apprenticeships have been growing in popularity and credibility over the years and are now a viable path for young adults to take with benefits including zero debt and on-the-job training. Find more information about apprenticeships and how they compare to university using the links below.

Video: The Skills I use Every Day as an Apprentice

Video: Apprenticeships: Off The Job Training

Links to additional resources

Article: The Benefits for Employers and Students

Apprenticeships vs university:

• https://www.savethestudent.org/student-jobs/what-are-the-alternatives-to-university.html
• https://www.firstintuition.co.uk/fihub/a-career-in-accountancy-life-after-school-or-university/

Working out which university is right for you:

• https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/advice/student-life/which-student-city
• https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/university/life/what-kind-of-university-is-best-for-you

Choosing the right course at university:

• https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/what-and-where-study/ucas-undergraduate-what-study

There are certain core skills employers look for in potential candidates that show they are capable of working in a professional environment. These are called transferable skills or soft skills. These attributes also show employers if you will be a good fit for the team, demonstrate what a candidate can bring to a role as a new starter, and how much they’ve learnt from previous positions or experiences. Below are some links to useful information about gaining transferable skills.

Video: The Skills Employers are Looking for

Video: The Three Most Important Transferable Skills

Video: Getting your Skills Across in Interviews

Links to additional resources

Types of transferable skills:

• https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/what-are-transferable-skills/
• https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/transferable-skills/
• https://www.livecareer.com/resources/resumes/basics/transferable-skills-set

Talking about transferable skills:

• https://www.topuniversities.com/blog/how-talk-about-transferable-skills-job-interviews
• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/interview-question-skills-to-bring-the-job

Your CV is often the most important part of your application and is the best place to showcase your skills and attributes to recruiters and potential employers. Companies with hundreds to thousands of applications may only skim-read CVs so it is essential to make your’s stand out and has no mistakes! Below are some links to useful tips for writing your CV.

Video: CV Tips with our Business Development Manager

Video: CV Tips with a Success Recruit

Links to additional resources

How to structure a CV:

• https://www.robertwalters.com.au/career-advice/cv-and-interview-tips/top-tips-to-structure-your-cv.html
• https://www.hays.com.au/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-write-a-resume

What to include in a CV:

• https://www.robertwalters.com.au/career-advice/cv-and-interview-tips/top-tips-for-a-killer-resume.html
• https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/how-to-write-a-cv
• https://social.hays.com/2021/01/27/cv-writing-your-questions-answered/

A lot of job applications will require cover letters alongside a CV. Cover letters offer the chance to expand on things in your CV and further showcase your skills and abilities. A cover letter is ultimately another opportunity to persuade your reader to meet you so is important to get right. Below are some helpful links to writing a cover letter.

Links to additional resources

How to write a cover letter:

• https://www.robertwalters.com.au/career-advice/cv-and-interview-tips/How-to-write-a-cover-letter.html
• https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/cover-letters
• https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/how-to-write-a-cover-letter/
• https://novoresume.com/career-blog/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide
• https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-31-tips-you-need-to-know

Online presence is the collective existence of a business or an individual that is found online via searches. Social media has meant almost everyone has some form of online presence that employers will often use when considering who to hire. It is becoming more and more important to develop a strong personal brand that shows recruiters that you’re a professional who knows how to manage their online image and use social networks to their advantage.

PDF document: Top 10 tips to make your online presence employer ready

PDF document: How to optimise your LinkedIn profile

Video: LinkedIn Lunch Hour with LinkedIn expert Lea Turner

PDF: The Complete LinkedIn Starter Kit

Links to additional resources

Managing your online presence:

• https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/5-tips-on-building-an-online-presence-that-employers-love/
• https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/3-tips-to-ensure-your-online-presence-is-helping-your-job-search
• https://www.celarity.com/blog/managing-your-online-presence/
• https://www.business.com/articles/how-to-polish-your-online-presence-before-searching-for-a-job/

Optimising your LinkedIn profile:

• https://www.themuse.com/advice/linkedin-profile-tips
• https://www.themuse.com/advice/allstar-linkedin-users-are-40-times-more-likely-to-get-contactedheres-how-to-score-that-rating
• https://business.linkedin.com/en-uk/marketing-solutions/blog/posts/content-marketing/2017/17-steps-to-a-better-LinkedIn-profile-in-2017

Congratulations if you have made it to the interview stage! Just like all employability skills, interviews can be learnt and mastered. There are certain dos and don’ts to make a good impression and effectively convince your interviewer why you are right for the role. See below for links to useful information and techniques for interviews.

Video: Interview Dos and Don’ts

Video: Interview Preparation

Video: Getting your Skills Across in Interviews

Video: Team FI’s Top Interview Tips

Video: Interview Tips with a Success Recruit

Links to additional resources

Article: Helping you to Prepare for Difficult Interview Questions

How to impress in an interview:

• https://www.robertwalters.com.au/career-advice/cv-and-interview-tips/how-to-nail-a-job-interview-in-the-first-5-minutes.html
• https://www.coburgbanks.co.uk/blog/candidate-tips/7-questions-you-should-ask-to-impress-your-interviewer/

How to prepare for an interview:

• https://www.robertwalters.com.au/career-advice/cv-and-interview-tips/your-complete-interview-guide.html
• https://www.robertwalters.com.au/career-advice/cv-and-interview-tips/the-complete-interview-guide.html
• https://www.hays.co.uk/resources/career-advice/succeed-in-your-interview
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zfjf92p
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zjjrqp3

Answering questions in interviews:

• https://www.hays.co.uk/resources/career-advice/answer-difficult-interview-questions
• https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/star-technique
• https://www.giveagradago.com/graduates/interview-questions

Interviews are your chance to make a good impression on your potential employer. What you wear can have a lasting impact so it is important to look presentable and show professionalism. Below are links to useful resources on what to wear for an interview.

Links to additional resources

What to wear in an interview:

• https://www.brightnetwork.co.uk/graduate-career-advice/face-to-face-interviews/what-to-wear/
• https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/what-to-wear-for-an-interview/

The pandemic has meant interviews are increasingly being conducted virtually. Although most of the same information applies when your interview is in-person or remote, there are a few different things to consider. Below are links to useful resources on preparing for an online or phone interview.

Links to additional resources

How to prepare for an online interview:

• https://www.robertwalters.com.au/career-advice/cv-and-interview-tips/six-tips-to-master-video-interviews.html
• https://www.hays.co.uk/blog/-/blogs/podcast-how-to-succeed-remote-interview
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zxcy6g8
• https://www.livecareer.com/resources/interviews/prep/acing-online-video-interview
• https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/8-tips-successful-online-interview/

Preparing for a phone interview:

• https://www.robertwalters.com.au/career-advice/cv-and-interview-tips/the-guide-to-your-next-phone-interview.html
• https://www.jobsite.co.uk/advice/how-to-prepare-for-a-telephone-interview
• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/phone-interview-questions-and-answers
• https://theinterviewguys.com/phone-interview-tips/

Once you’ve been offered a job, you will have to sign a contract of employment. Below are some links to useful resources regarding what to do with your contract of employment and what to look out for.

Video: Contracts and Codes of Conduct

Links to additional resources

Things to know before you sign an employment contract:

• https://www.theguardian.com/careers/careers-blog/2015/jun/15/new-job-six-things-to-know-before-signing-that-contract
• https://signx.wondershare.com/knowledge/signing-employment-contract.html
• https://zegal.com/en-gb/blog/post/signing-contract-for-a-job/

There are a number of things your employer will need before they can set you up on payroll. Some of these things you will need to have prepared in advance. It is also important to know when you will be paid and how much you will take away after tax. Below are some links to useful resources about understanding your pay and getting on your company’s payroll.

Video: Understanding Your Pay

Links to additional resources

How you get paid at work:

• https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-you-get-paid-at-work
• https://www.gov.uk/understanding-your-pay

Tax forms:

• https://www.starlingbank.com/resources/business-guides/p45-p60-paye-forms-explained/
• https://www.which.co.uk/money/tax/income-tax/tax-codes-and-paye/what-is-a-p45-a9ct82d94k91
• https://www.gov.uk/paye-forms-p45-p60-p11d

Most companies will have a probation period in their employability contracts. This is a period of time to impress your new boss and colleagues to ensure you are kept on. Even though you may not know how to do particular parts of your role when you first start a new job, there are some things you can still do to make a good impression on your co-workers. Below are some links to useful tips and information on how to make a great first impression.

Video: How to Make a Good First Impression

Links to additional resource

Tips for making a good impression at work:

• https://www.jobsite.co.uk/advice/tips-for-starting-a-new-job
• https://www.livecareer.com/resources/jobs/networking/first-days-working
• https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5831-new-hire-good-impression.html
• https://www.inc.com/young-entrepreneur-council/7-ways-to-make-a-great-first-impression-at-your-new-job.html
• https://www.brazen.com/blog/archive/career-growth/10-tips-for-making-a-good-first-impression-read-this-before-starting-your-new-job
• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/your-first-job-524792

When you start in a new role, particularly if it is your first job, it can be difficult to navigate your way around office culture and know how to act or what you can do to help. However, some parts of office etiquette are universal and even it is your first job your employer will expect you to act professionally. Find some helpful links and information on how to act professionally in the workplace.

Video: Professional Behaviours

Links to additional resource

Tips to be professional in the workplace:

• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/professionalism-526248
• https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/11009-new-employee-office-etiquette.html
• https://www.livecareer.com/resources/jobs/networking/office-etiquette
• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-demonstrate-respect-in-the-workplace-1919376

How to write a professional email:

• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-write-a-professional-email
• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-write-and-send-professional-email-messages-2061892

Using your phone at work:

• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/rules-for-using-cell-phones-at-work-526258

There will be a variety of new people you will be introduced to and will need to be able to interact with. Building rapport supports us in developing relationships with others.

Video: Rapport

One of the most important things you can do when starting a new job to impress your colleagues and progress quickly is to use your initiative and be proactive to be as efficient and effective as you can be. Being able to identify how you can add value and identify what you should be working on can support your team members. Below are links to some useful tips and information on how to be proactive in the workplace. 

Video: Proactivity

Links to additional resource

Tips on how to be proactive at work:

• https://eatyourcareer.com/2010/08/how-be-proactive-at-work-step-system/
• https://www.hays.co.uk/blog/insights/6-ways-to-help-you-move-up-the-career-ladder-during-lockdown
• https://www.thriveyard.com/25-tips-on-how-to-be-proactive-at-work/

It can be daunting answering the telephone in your first professional role. Here we share some tips to help you feel more confident in picking up the phone.

Video: Telephone skills