"You're Hired!"

Where to start

The time between finishing school, college or university and finding a job can be really daunting. We try to help and support young people through work experience placements, talks, workshops and internships to make that transition into the work place a little easier.

We've put together some hints and tips on what employers look for and how to get ahead when applying for jobs.

CV

You have a matter of seconds for your CV to stand out from everyone else's. If the interesting things about you aren't on the first page don’t expect them to get seen, the first sentence really has to captivate the reader.

Once you’ve written your CV ask someone you trust to be brutally honest about how exciting it comes across.

The Application

The attention to detail doesn't stop there, always check your emails and accompanying letters or messages. Employers take a lot of interest in any accompanying documentation that you send.

So if you are sending a letter with your CV, or if you are attaching it to an email message, make sure you take great care to check everything. We often see pristine CV's but lazy accompanying documents.

Research

Research about the company is a must, but why not also find out more about who's interviewing you? Many employers are flattered if you've taken the time to find out something about them that is relevant to the business.

LinkedIn is a fantastic resource for research, and many employers will use this to find out more about you. It's definitely worthwhile creating an account. You can add in your interests and projects that you've worked on. Plus it gives you an additional platform to stand out on.

Prepare

In the interview you need to sell yourself to the company, so practice doing just that. The elevator pitch is a simple idea. Imagine you're in a lift with somebody you want impress and you have 60 seconds to make an impact. It's harder than it sounds but it's even harder to make it concise and engaging.

Interviewers are often interested in assessing team dynamics just as much as skill sets, so let who you are and what you're into come through. Allowing your personality into your interview also helps to ensure you're memorable.

The Interview

Don't forget the interview starts before you even get to the door. Act in a professional manner from the second you enter the car-park or entrance to the company. Don't be tempted to discard your chewing gum in the bushes and make sure you are dressed appropriately before you arrive.

Be ready for the 'walk'. Many interviews begin by walking to a meeting room. This is a perfect opportunity for you to gain an advantage. Use this time to ask questions and listen carefully to the replies.

Follow Up

Once the interview is over it is a nice touch to send a thank you email, however be careful not to be too pushy.

If you're unsuccessful, it's useful to ask for feedback so that you know where you need to improve for next time!

Good luck and happy job hunting!

Our Vacancies

Now you've got the skills needed when applying for a job, why not take a look at our current vacancies and see if there is anything that suits your skills.

We encourage innovative thinking and an appreciation of customer care is essential. Above all, we look for people with the right attitude.

View our current vacancies