Careers and further education
Deciding on a career path is one of the most significant choices, not only in a young person’s life but for all people at any stage in their career. The fast-changing workplace can make navigating career options complex and confusing but it’s important that people realise there are many opportunities for everyone, regardless of your academic ability. Determining the right fit early on can lead to more fulfilling jobs and lives. That’s why guidance around career planning is so valuable for people finishing their education.
This careers page aims to provide that guidance. It begins with useful tips on self-reflection, identifying personal strengths, weaknesses and interests to map onto potential career paths. We have designed numerous quizzes to help recognise career avenues that you can take based on skills, strengths, personality and provide information around what is needed to progress to the next stage.
Navigating your options
Navigating career options begins with knowing yourself – what are you good at? What do you enjoy? Start by listing past activities that you excelled in or liked. Interview friends, family, teachers and ask what strengths they see in you.
Personality assessments can also shed some light. If you lean towards being more introverted, a career in computer programming may suit you better than a career in sales. Next, research options that match your profile. Informational interviews and job shadow days can can be really useful. To help you come up with a plan, take our career test and the results will give you information about different career avenues, what qualifications are needed, salaries and advancement routes.
We have also compiled helpful resources for writing CV’s and interview techniques that will help upskill people on when they make the leap from education to work or even when switching careers
CV Writing
When the time comes to put your qualification to good use to get an apprenticeship or look for work, you need to create a CV. We have put together our top tips of what you should include and what you should avoid doing when writing a CV. We’ve also included some CV templates at the end for you to download and use along with a quiz to see if you can spot AI modified CV’s, at the bottom.
- Include all education and work experience chronologically, starting from the most recent.
- Ensure your CV is at least 1 page long but keep it to a maximum of 2 pages.
- There’s no need to write long paragraphs as it can take up too much space and recruiters and employers will have a lot of CVs to look through. You want to summarise by bullet pointing everything, except your introduction.
- Proof-read and spellcheck. These are the most underrated aspect but probably the most important as any incorrect spellings will stick out like a sore thumb and you want it to look as professional as possible.
- Review the job description and consider the essential criteria.
- If possible, tailor your CV to the job you’re applying for. For example, review the job description and relate as much of your skillset to each point.
- Be transparent. If you have taken additional time to complete your degree or have taken a gap year since now applying for a job, recruiters and employers will notice, but it’s nothing to worry about. Just be sure to include a simple explanation and what benefits it gave you.
Don’ts
- Don’t include a picture of yourself.
- Don’t include your age or date of birth.
- Don’t include your full address. Really you don’t need to include it at all due to data protection reasons, but some employers might prefer to know where you’re based. If you’re applying for a remote job, it might be better to leave it off and discuss logistics with the recruiter/employer when being interviewed.
- Don’t put ‘CV / Curriculum Vitae’ as the title, recruiters and employers will know what the document is. Use your name as the title.
- Don’t use a fancy font – keep it simple, clear, and professional. And whatever you do, don’t use comic sans.
What to include
- Include your first name and surname, email, and mobile phone number. Make sure your email is relatively professional, if it’s something like vodkafordays@hotmail.com, we recommend changing this ASAP!
- We recommend setting up a LinkedIn profile and including a link. LinkedIn is a great way to show you mean business, so make sure it looks professional and highlights your achievements.
- Don’t spend time writing your life story here. You don’t need to include a list of buzzwords such as ‘team player’ or ‘hard working’. Instead, write a concise professional summary in just a few sentences which include your career objectives.
- Make sure that whatever you put here is relevant for the role you’re applying for.
- We recommend 2-4 sentences maximum.
- Clearly highlight your qualifications, starting with your degree.
- Include the name of the educational institution, degree title, the type of qualification, when you studied, and what grade you received or are predicated.
- If your work experience is quite limited, this is where you can expand on your transferable skills from your degree. For example, highlight a particular module or topic you covered and explain the value of it.
- Do include details of your A Level (or equivalent) qualifications but don’t worry about going into loads of detail for anything further back unless it is specifically required.
- Include details of your most recent work experience. Don’t underestimate the value of all work experience too – if you have been working in retail or hospitality whilst studying, this is great real-world experience which has many transferable skills such as customer service and teamwork. This is where you can quantify those skills.
- Volunteering and internships can also go here.
- If you have any additional certificates or academic prizes/awards, put them here.
- You can also include any sporting achievements or any competitions you have won.
- Skills and interests can include things such as societies you took part in at university.
- Use this space to talk about your transferable skills, especially if you don’t have much work experience, this is the place to expand on your skills and how you’ve developed them in university and through any other activities.
- You only need to include a simple ‘References available on request’ at the bottom of the page.
This isn’t an exhaustive list, and you can adapt it to suit your education, experience, and skillset so that it highlights your most relevant qualifications and skills.
Below is a CV template of an example layout that you can use for anything from applying for a beauty apprenticeship, to your summer part time job, to moving office jobs to wanting to learn a trade. There are also tips and guidance on how to use AI to produce a compelling CV, but to not fall into the traps many people can make.
CV Template - Download
How to use AI for CV writing
In today’s competitive job market, crafting a compelling CV is crucial for standing out from the crowd. However, with so many rules and best practices to follow, it can be a daunting task. That’s where the power of AI comes in. Our revolutionary platform harnesses the latest advancements in natural language processing and machine learning to guide you through the CV writing process. By providing intelligent prompts and personalised suggestions, we help you avoid common pitfalls and highlight your unique strengths and accomplishments. Say goodbye to generic, lackluster CVs and hello to a tailored, attention-grabbing document that showcases your skills and experience in the best possible light. Unlock your true potential with our AI-driven CV writing solution.
Is the above correct?
The above paragraph was written by AI and at a glance you probably wouldn’t know. However, an employer might find mistakes if they are reading many CV’s and application forms, they may know if you are writing it (with the help of AI) or AI is writing it all form you and you haven’t taken the time to read it over properly.
Here is an example of the prompt that was put into AI to generate the above response:
“write me an introduction for a website on using AI to help write a compelling CV by using the correct prompts and to avoid the most common mistakes. Make it 100 words”
There are a few prompts we have used here to get what we need, but it’s still not perfect.
- Write me an introduction for a website – we are telling AI what it is we are writing and where it will go
- On using AI to help write a compelling CV – we are tellling AI our intent for the content
- Using correct prompts and avoid common mistake – we are giving more direction on what we want the content to cover rather than it just creating it from scratch
- Make it 100 words – we are giving clear instruction on the length we want
This is a good start, but let’s look at some of the mistakes as we rewrite the paragraph after proof reading it.
In today’s competitive job market, crafting a compelling CV is crucial for standing out from the crowd. However, with so many rules and best practices to follow, it can be a daunting task. That’s where the power of AI comes in. Our/This revolutionary platform harnesses the latest advancements in natural language processing and machine learning to guide you through the CV writing process. By providing intelligent prompts and personalized/personalised suggestions, we help you avoid common pitfalls and highlight your unique strengths and accomplishments. Say goodbye to generic, lackluster CVs and hello to a tailored, attention-grabbing document that showcases your skills and experience in the best possible light. Unlock your true potential with our AI-driven CV writing solution.
We have underlined and made bold the parts in this that would need changing. AI generated this talking about their own platform (Chat GPT, Claude, Poe), however we are speaking about AI generally and not one specific platform. In the prompts we forgot to say who it is coming from and who the audience is. We also forgot to say UK English in the prompts. AI produces content in American English and therefore writes with ‘Americanisms’. Employers will be looking for the best people and if there are spelling mistakes like this, it can trip you up.
Let's give it a go with CV writing
Lets give AI a go with your personal profile introduction to your CV. This is the first thing that employers will see so it needs to catch their attention with relevant information but at the same time to not be overwhelming.
Here are the prompts we will use for a hairdressing position. We will almost write a profile ourselves but not focusing too much on grammar or how it reads, as AI will assist with that. We want to include what the role entails, your personality, your background and work experience that is relevant to the role:
Write me a profile introduction for a CV. This must be no longer than 120 words and must be compelling to the reader. It needs to be written in UK English. The job is for an entry hairdressing position for which the job is looking for someone with a can do attitude, someone that is keen to learn and proven ability to work hard with some kind of experience in this type of industry. Include that I have a keen eye for detail and have independently been learning and researching qualifications that can take me to the next stage of my hairdressing career. I don’t shy away from hard work and I have a willingness to learn more. I have always had a real interest in beauty and more specifically hairdressing. Include that I have had experience in salons as an assistant so I know the ropes and how salons run. Write it in the first person.
A passionate hairdressing enthusiast with a keen eye for detail and proven salon experience as an assistant. I am equipped with a solid foundation from working in a fast-paced salon environment, complemented by an eagerness to continually expand my skills and knowledge. I have independently researched advanced qualifications, demonstrating my dedication to personal growth and ambition within the industry. I bring a strong work ethic, positive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile. I don’t shy away from hard work and I am committed to learning and development. My genuine interest in the art of hair and beauty has been a driving force, creating looks that accentuate clients’ unique features. My comprehensive understanding of salon operations combined with my hardworking, eager-to-learn approach allows me to make a valuable contribution from day one.
Give it a go
You can use the same techniques in all aspects of your CV and application writing, but always remember to proofread and spell check! The more you use AI the more you will notice certain words that are commonly used, and so will an employer. You want AI to help but make sure it still sounds like you and your personality comes through, so always proofread and edit certain words that are common or that you would never use.
Here are some platforms you can use to try your AI skills out on.
Interview tips and advice
Attending an interview can be daunting. This might be one of your first interviews since graduating, which means you want to highlight what you’ve learnt and developed while studying for your degree.
Here are our top tips to prepare for your interview:
Do's
You probably researched the company you’re interviewing at when you initially applied, but don’t let that stop you from doing it again. They may have updated their website or launched a new campaign/project since then. Looking at their social media again is also a great way to keep an eye on their activity and if there is anything new that would make a good talking point.
If you haven’t attended an interview before, the different styles of questions will be new to you. Questions could include ones about your CV and your career goals, there could be competency questions that want to understand examples of how you have used a skill before, or there might be hypothetical questions such as ‘How would you react if a client requested X?’ We recommend that you take some time to research these different styles of questions, think about which ones are most likely to come up for the role you’re applying for, and consider your answers.
You may have considered how you’re going to answer and also thought about what you should avoid doing during an interview, but it’s another thing to answer out loud to another person. Bribe a friend with a takeaway and ask them to interview you so you can practice talking on the spot and getting feedback and advice from someone you know who will be honest with you.
This is also a good opportunity to practise being as clear as possible. Although the interviewer has read your CV, it’s always good to touch on points that are important to you, such as why you chose to study that degree and clear about what you want from your first graduate job.
If you can’t rope a friend into practising with you in time, your university should have a Careers department that offer mock interviews. It’s worth getting in touch with them to see if they can arrange this for you.
Don’t worry if you haven’t had a job before or if you are applying for a job that isn’t directly related to your degree. Gaining a degree has meant you have used plenty of transferable skills that you can apply to any role. These are skills that are vital to working effectively in an organisation and are ones that you want to highlight to show how you will be an asset to the business. Examples of transferable skills you have developed during your degree could include:
- Organisation
- Attention to detail
- Analytical skills
- Problem solving
- Report writing
- Collaborating effectively in a team
- Listening skills
- Communication skills
It’s natural to be nervous but don’t let it overwhelm you. If you already have something that you do that calms your nervous such as calming playlist or breathing techniques, then use them or find something that helps you to relax before the interview.
During the interview, although you might feel nervous, try not to show it. Take deep breaths and remember that there’s no rush to answer. You can pause between sentences or ask the interviewer to repeat the question or expand on what they mean if you want to give yourself a bit more time to think about your answer.
It is a given that the interviewer will ask you whether you have any questions for them. Even if they have answered all your questions, it always makes a good impression if you have thought of additional ones so that they know you are genuinely interested in the role and business. Some questions to consider could be:
- What a typical day is like in the role?
- What’s their vision for the company over the next few years?
- What’s the most enjoyable aspect of their job?
- Is there a Personal Development Plan and if so, how often is it reviewed?
- What opportunities are there to develop your skill set?
What are you going to wear? What will you have for breakfast? How will you get to the interview? What will you take with you? What is most likely to delay you? What is the name of the person you’re seeing? There are so many things to consider that you don’t want to leave until the day of the interview. Run through everything that you need to do to get ready on the day and prepare as much as you can the day before.
If you’re still feeling apprehensive, just remind yourself that it is just a conversation between you and the employer and it is also an opportunity for you to find out if the organisation is somewhere you want to work too.
Don'ts
Being able to tell a hiring manager why you want their job and not falling in to the trap of bad mouthing a previous employer, focusing on the financial rewards too much, or not having researched the company you’re applying to join or its culture are sure-fire ways of sabotaging your interview. You need to be able to clearly explain why you want the job, what it means for you, and perhaps more importantly what value you can add to the business.
We all know that interviews will typically involve some ‘harder’ questions where an interviewer is trying to understand underlying reasons behind your application, or just trying to put you on the spot a little to see how you respond under pressure. So, questions like “What’s wrong with your current employer?” or “What are your weaknesses?” or “Tell me about a time you’ve had to work with a difficult person” – are all pretty standard questions that get asked. And they’re all open-ended questions that often don’t have a right or wrong answer. But the way you prepare for them and answer them in the interview can make a big difference. Take some time to prepare adequately for questions like this.
Being overly chatty, taking too long to explain your thoughts or answering the interviewer’s questions with lengthy responses can often be a warning sign to an interviewer. So, don’t give monosyllabic answers, but equally be focused, ensure you answer the question you’re being asked, and give suitable, but concise background or context to your answers.
You might not actually say “show me the money”, but focusing on the benefits and what’s in it for you too early in the interview can be a real showstopper. Most people will be motivated by the financial rewards and benefits that a new job can offer, but be patient and ensure the interviewer has finished with their questions before you steer the conversation around to this topic.
It’s sometimes difficult for a hiring manager to pick between closely matched applicants, so ensure you’re able to explain what it is that makes you different AND better than the other candidates.
Behavioural questions are typically not ‘yes’ and ‘no’ questions. They’re almost certainly going to get asked in an interview and adequate preparation means you won’t be the one struggling with them. You could use the STAR Technique to help you answer these questions, or another simpler approach is the “Experience, Learn, Grow model” or Experience + Learn = Grow. Simply explain your experience, talk about how you overcame or accomplished something, outline what you learned from the event, and how you’re now benefiting from that to add value to your current or future roles. Typical behavioural questions might be something like, “If someone came to you with an enthusiastic, yet unrealistic request, how would you handle it?” or “Tell me about a difficult situation you encountered and how you overcame it”.
In each of the cases covered here, preparation is essential. It’s rare that someone can show up to an interview and just wing it… and still come across well. You don’t want to recite answers from memory, but you do want to be able to recall good examples to support your answers without having to sit in the interview racking your brain to remember incidents that happened years ago. Being prepared will help you be concise and articulate, answer the difficult questions with ease, and giving the interviewer a sense of comfort that you’re the right person for the job.
Don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back once it’s done – whether you get the job or not, you’re one step closer to finding your first graduate job.
