Careermag-Issue-13-v4

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CAREER ADVICE - JOB SEARCH

TOP
TIPS

For landing your dream career

“Do what you love”... this is career advice which we hear all the time, you’ve most likely
heard it before. The challenge is how do you land your dream job? We spend a large
amount of time in work. In fact, on average you will spend a third of your life at work.
This is without taking into account overtime and commuting to and from work!

Making sure you land your dream career can be important. Make the answer to ‘are you happy at the one
place you are spending the majority of your life’? a YES! Whether you’ve just finished school, college, university

or fancy a career change, there is nothing stopping you from going after what you want.

Top tips for landing your dream job

1. Set goals 2. Be willing to learn

If you don’t know what it is you want to do then it’s going to be difficult Sometimes your goals may not match your qualifications and
to navigate and accomplish landing your dream job. Setting clear experience. Showing a will to learn and advance your capabilities
goals can act as a stepping stone to help you build a successful career. is a must. Apprenticeships are a fantastic route which can help you
Make sure to keep in mind that your dream job won’t necessarily be to progress your career and reach your goals - depending on what
your first job and that you may have to work up the ladder. they are!

Everyone has to start somewhere and by setting your long term career There are some routes which you will need to go to university for
goal you can decide how you’re going to get there step by step. such as becoming a doctor. However, there are other medical
Worried about choosing the wrong path? Don’t stress about it! It’s professions which you can get into via an apprenticeship. Or
important not to be discouraged and be prepared to learn lessons perhaps you’d like to build a career in engineering or in teaching.
along the way. Taking the wrong route doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it These can be done via an apprenticeship too!
means you’ve tried, you’ve taken the risk and now learned from it.
Degree apprenticeships are also on the rise, so if you need
After all, Sir Winston Churchill: Prime Minister twice of the United a degree qualification to take a step closer to your career
Kingdom, writer, politician and army officer once said: goal then they can offer a credible alternative to not going to
“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss university full time.
of enthusiasm.”

3. Improve your CV and tailor your application

Employers read through hundreds of CVs before selecting candidates to attend an interview. To increase the likelihood of application success
you’ll need to ensure your CV is of a high standard and remember - it’s about quality, not quantity!

Your CV is all about selling yourself and standing out from the crowd. Your CV is often the first point of contact with someone who could
potentially be your employer, so make sure you check for spelling and grammar errors, ensure it’s presented nicely and that your CV really
does showcase your potential and drive to succeed.

Continued on page 55

52 | Careermag for School Leavers Issue 13 www.careermap.co.uk

LAUNCH A FUN AND
EXCITING CAREER WITH

AN APPRENTICESHIP

CLICK HERE TO APPLY TODAY

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CAREER ADVICE - JOB SEARCH

4. Use LinkedIn 8. Research the company

LinkedIn can be an incredibly useful social media channel if you If you’ve been invited to an interview then you must do your
utilise it to its full potential. It’s a great chance to network and research! It goes without saying that you should always know what
show your skills and experience and allows you to build an online the company does at the very least. To increase your chance of
presence in the professional world. interview success learn about the companies values, mission and
culture. This will usually be in the ‘about us’ section on their website.
Make sure your profile stands out. To do this you’ll need to: This will also give you a better understanding of the company and
whether it really is the right fit for you.
• Pick a clear, professional photo
• Ensure your headline uses keywords related to your dream job If you really want to impress you could also look into their latest
• Highlight your achievements news and events. Knowing this will highlight your enthusiasm and
• Get recommendations and endorsements you can also mention it briefly in your interview. Learn more about
• Job search on LinkedIn questions you may be asked in an interview here.
• Share articles and write your own
9. Ask for feedback
5. Network
Don’t be discouraged if you didn’t land your dream job straight
They often say ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ and to away. There will be plenty of other opportunities which you can
a certain extent this is true. Building connections can be extremely nail. Asking for feedback is vital. Find out areas you need to
important so networking, attending events and getting to know improve and apply this in your next interview.
people in the industry is crucial.
You might even learn something new about yourself. For example,
But how do you build a network? All you need to do is get out an interviewer may have picked up on your constant fidgeting or
there! Talk to people in the industry you’re trying to break into, find a bad habit of finishing off other people’s sentences. Receiving
out their story - did they go to university, do an apprenticeship or constructive feedback will allow you to work on these areas.
have they started at the bottom and worked their way up? Ask them
what type of skills their companies look for, discuss values - this is Asking for feedback also shows your willingness to improve,
your chance to find out more about life in the industry. develop and learn - something all employers want in a candidate!
Remember, just because you didn’t get this job doesn’t mean you
A great way to find people in your chosen sector is to look out won’t ever find your dream job. Who knows? It could be putting
for professional bodies. There are literally thousands and many you on the right path to bigger and better opportunities, so it’s
welcome the addition of young members. Some even offer important to stay motivated and keep looking!
discounted membership fees and information about careers specific
to their industry. 10. Be persistent AND self-aware

6. Be prepared to start at the A strong desire to succeed sometimes means overcoming multiple
bottom and work to the top obstacles. Self-awareness and persistence go hand in hand with
finding your dream career. Knowing your skills and what you stand
It can actually be very good to start at the bottom when beginning for is important for finding the right company for you.
your career journey. It gives you the chance to learn the ropes and
gain experience. Jobs higher up the hierarchy are much easier to Persistence is equally as important when faced with rejection,
handle when you’ve been there and done it. It can teach you a it’s easy to become disheartened, but don’t be! Whether you’re
lot and help you to understand each role. For example, if you’re looking for an apprenticeship, fancy a career change or looking to
working in retail you’ll appreciate the long and unsociable hours progress, the secret to success is persistence.
which store assistants work as you’ve been in the role yourself.
Keep searching, be determined and remain persistent in your job hunt!
Don’t ever be afraid to start at the bottom, as learning as you go
can increase career success and give you the chance to learn from TOP
the bottom right to the top.
TIPS
7. Consider work experience
For more top tips vist careermap.co.uk
Work experience can help build your reputation and show the
employer your true potential. Doing work experience gives you the
chance to convey your skills, drive and commitment to succeed.

Many companies offer work experience programmes which provide
you with the opportunity to learn the ropes and develop an in-depth
understanding of the industry. Careermap.co.uk offers a wide range
of opportunities from leading companies.

www.careermap.co.uk Careermag for School Leavers Issue 13 | 55

INTERVIEWS

Interviewing for an Apprenticeship

You’ve nailed your apprenticeship application and now you’ve been invited to an
interview. You’re probably feeling many mixed emotions but we’re here to help
you take a step closer to securing your dream apprenticeship.
What questions might you be asked?

Q1. Tell me about yourself… Q4. What are your weaknesses?

This is often one of the most dreaded questions in an interview. It can The interviewer doesn’t want to trick you and make you fall at the
be easy to share too little information about yourself and then on the final hurdle. It’s a simple way of getting to know which areas you
other side of the scale you can share too much and ramble on. recognise that you need to improve on.

Your potential employer wants to get to know a little bit more about Admitting to weaknesses shows self awareness. Recognising these
you. They don’t want to hear about your holiday in Spain back in and explaining how you plan to improve on them is a way of
2011. Tell them what type of person you are and what you enjoy showing you are honest and able to reflect on your own performance.
doing so they can decide whether their position is right for you.
Don’t attempt to answer this question by turning a negative into
Q2. Why do you want this apprenticeship? a positive like ‘I’m too efficient and end up completing my work
before the deadline’. It sounds unrealistic. Equally, don’t answer
This question should be easy to answer. If it isn’t, why would you with ‘I’m not a morning person which made me frequently late to
apply for it in the first place? school/college/work’. Being punctual and showing commitment are
important qualities employers look for.
Don’t fall at the first hurdle. Make sure you recognise your reasons
for applying for this particular apprenticeship. They’re sure you TOP TIP! Never say ‘I don’t have any weaknesses’, we all have
scrolled through many apprenticeships but why did you choose a weakness!
this one in particular? Think about this before the interview so your
answer will come naturally. Q5. Why do you want to work for this company?

What are all the things that drew you to the apprenticeship to begin Do your research on the company. Is there a value that you and
with? Did you like what the company stands for? Like the idea of the company both share? Do they have charity events? What is the
being able to gain a qualification while developing work-related skills company culture? Do you see this being a place where you feel you
and experience? Is this apprenticeship in a sector that interests you? would genuinely fit in and enjoy working?

TOP TIP! Although earning a wage can be a big bonus to an Remember you’re not the only person going for the interview. By doing
apprenticeship, remember your interviewer will be much more your research and finding out more about the company you will come
impressed if you choose an apprenticeship due to the other benefits across as passionate about the apprenticeship and the company.
such as learning and working.
Q6. What skills would you like to improve
Q3. What are your strengths? during this apprenticeship?

It can be easy to drivel on using a lot of buzzwords you’ve seen Apprenticeships are all about learning on the job. They are about
online. This makes your answer sound generic. Try talking about developing your skills and career. This is a common question
your strengths and link them to past experiences. and you need to show you have thought about what you’d like to
happen once your apprenticeship is over.
This might be your first ever potential job but remember your
previous experiences don’t have to be based on work. You have Apply for live apprenticeships near you here:
experience of working to deadlines when getting your homework in
on time. Experiences of completing a project at school as a team. https://careermap.co.uk/
Or arriving at school on time shows you are able to be punctual.
Find out more about many companies
Many employers realise that you won’t have tons of experience but that offer apprenticeships:
that doesn’t necessarily matter!
https://careermap.co.uk/organisations/
TOP TIP! If you’re still worried you might need more skills you can
always do a week of work experience or volunteer at a charity shop
to show you’re committed.

56 | Careermag for School Leavers Issue 13 www.careermap.co.uk

@QALtd @QA Ltd QALtd @qalimited

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Christmas gifts on a student budget

TOP 10 FESTIVE FIVERS

The countdown to Christmas is nearly here! The Christmas markets are open and the tree is on
standby. We all know that student budgets can be limited so we’ve put together a guide for

things you can buy or make which equates to less than £5! Here are our top 10 Festive Fivers:

1. Memory Jar 4. Candle 7. Bake

Unleash your creative side! A gift doesn’t We all love a good smelling candle, We all know that Christmas is the time of
have to cost the earth to make someone especially in the winter! Sometimes there year when you can stuff your faces. The
smile! If you have lots of amazing memories is nothing better than getting in your amount we put away is pretty impressive so
with your friends and family then you could pyjamas, lighting a candle and watching why not bake your friend or family a festive
make them a memory jar. your favourite film. We’re sure your friends cake? You could make a Christmas pudding,
or family would agree with this too! At snowman cupcakes, cinnamon cake or
Get an empty jam jar, white sticky labels, Christmas, there are some festive scented frosted Christmas cookies.
glitter and a pretty bow (optional), peel off candles to really get you in the mood for the
the jam jar label and design it however holiday season. 8. The gift card of chores
you’d like! Then stuff the jar full with all the
funny, happy and exciting memories you Home Bargains, Dunelm and B&M have This is a great present for your mum and
have together! reasonably priced candles with Christmas dad. If you still live at home, I’m sure
scents such as mulled wine, Christmas tree, you’re used to them nagging you to do the
2. Survival pack frosted berries, fig pudding, gingerbread, washing, vac up or make tea and you roll
cinnamon plus many more options to your eyes - we’ve all been there!
The most important thing when choosing a choose from!
gift is to know it’s going to provide some But what if you could turn your chores into
use. A survival pack full of necessities is a 5. Games a gift? Well, now you can with the gift card
sure win and it doesn’t need to be expensive of chores.
at all! It’s a tradition to play games over the
Christmas period so a new board game to Simply, create vouchers, you could use Canva
We all know winter is in full swing when keep up the Christmas family tradition could (free) to make it look pretty and then your
you’re welcomed by chapped lips so this be an excellent present. You can get some parents can cash them in whenever they like!
could be the perfect Christmas gift if you’re fun board games as a Christmas gift to
on a tight budget. You could even add provide hours of entertainment. The Works 9. Sweets/chocolate
a keyring, deodorant, body wash or a and Argos have quite a large selection.
bath bomb to the mix. You can pick these Again with the stuffing your faces at
up pretty cheap on eBay, Primark, B&M. 6. Photo album Christmas - it’s a must! You could buy a
Bargain! stocking filled with your friends or families
Get imaginative and create a photo album. favourite sweets and chocolates. Your student
3. Pranks This is a great idea for a Christmas gift and budget will easily cover the costs!
although some photo albums can be a little
Are you known by your family friends as a over a fiver, you could always buy a cheap 10. Phone gloves
bit of a practical joker? If so, there are lots plain black photo album and decorate it.
of affordable options for you to put a big Say goodbye to icicle fingers every time
smile on someone’s face - that’s after they’ve You can check out Pinterest for some creative you want to check your social media on
calmed down from your prank! ideas. Then you can fill it with lots of photos. the go! This is a gift which will provide
You could either print these off at home or the use, especially in the colder months. Phone
Head over to eBay where you can buy library as a cheap alternative or you could gloves allow people to answer and text
realistic-looking scratch cards, parking fines, take them to Boots photo printer. As an adult, while still wearing gloves and keeping your
fake car scratches, horrible tasting Jelly you appreciate the thought and effort which hands cosy and warm. Magic!
Beans plus much more! All these can provide goes into presents this could be perfect!
hours of entertainment on Christmas day!

A gift from you to you

Thinking about exploring your options after school or college?
Give yourself the gift of getting a head start. Register your CV here:
https://candidates.careermap.co.uk/ to be seen by top employers and training providers!

58 | Careermag for School Leavers Issue 13 www.careermap.co.uk

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Apprenticeships at IBM are all about
picking up skills for the workplace and
embarking on a long and successful
career. We have your professional
development in mind from the day you
join us as a permanent employee. In
addition to the day job there are plenty
of opportunities to get involved in social
activities and volunteering with other
Apprentices, Students and Graduates.

ibm.com/jobs/uk

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Joined 2014

@IBMCareersUKI

@IBMCareersUKI

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