A strong CV is crucial for capturing an employer’s attention. Keep these tips in mind:

• Rather than providing your full address, just add your town or city. 
• DO NOT include your age or DOB. You want to be assessed on your skills not your age bracket. 
• Ensure your CV begins with a personal profile. This is a brief statement explaining who you are and what you can offer. 
• Explain any gaps in employment you may have. 
• Describe your duties from previous jobs, not just the dates. Employers like to know what you have experienced. 
• Be sure to add some information about your life away from work, who you are is just as important as the skills you can offer. 

It is important to understand your Key Skills and what you can offer to an employer. Key Skills do not have to be things you can do but can also be behaviours you demonstrate. See below as an example 

• Time Management  
• Organization 
• Relationship Building 
• Customer Service 
• Knowledge of software packages 
• Empathetic nature 
• Approachable demeanour  
• Ability to follow instruction 

To legally work in the UK, you are required to provide employers with Right to Work documents for their records. Below are the accepted forms of ID 

• A valid UK Passport 

OR 

• A full UK birth certificate AND a formal form of National Insurance card such as a benefits letter or your NI card. 

Whether you are working in finance, education, customer service, or sport, there are certain things you can and should expect happen. As a new member of staff, you should receive the following. 

• You should receive a full induction which includes information about Health and Safety and fire regulations. 
• Clear expectations and duties in line with the original job description. 
• A contract of employment  
• Set contracted hours (unless 0-hour contract) 
• An hourly wage in line with the legal requirements of the National Minimum Wage 

In return your employer will expect the following from you 

• Adhering to Uniform/dress code 
• Arriving on time for your shifts 
• Representing the company in a professional manner at all times 
• Performing your duties to the best of your ability 
• Following all other reasonable requests in line with your job description 

Interviews can be daunting, and if you are under-prepared it can send anxiety levels through the roof.  

Following these steps will help you feel prepared, knowledgeable, and able to face any questions as they come along. 

• Make sure you dress appropriately for the role. Most interview invitations will include a dress code but if you are unsure look on the company website to understand staff dress codes and appearance, if you are unsure then office wear is a good idea. 
• There are NO trick questions, answer them as literally as you hear them. 
• You should talk more than the interviewer, so be sure to speak clearly with detailed information in your answers. 
• Make sure you prepare at least 2 questions to ask the employer when prompted, the word NO should not be in your vocabulary during an interview. 
• DO NOT discuss money during the interview, there will be plenty of time for this if/when a job offer is made 
• Learn how to answer questions using the STAR method, use the following link to find more information on this The STAR method | National Careers Service 
• Research frequently asked questions and prepare answers using previous knowledge and experiences Common interview questions | National Careers Service 
• Research the company before you attend the interview, you will be asked what you know about them, so it is good to have some knowledge of their history. 
• Take your time when answering questions, it’s ok to pause and think about your response.  

If you have a health condition, disability, or criminal background that you are concerned about sharing with a future employer, we can support you in understanding what you should disclose and what you are required to disclose.

• RESEARCH THE COMPANY YOU HAVE APPLIED TO, IT’S VITAL THAT YOU KNOW THE CULTURE AND VALUES OF YOUR POTENTIAL EMPLOYER.
• IF INVITED TO AN INTERVIEW, DO A TEST RUN A FEW DAYS BEFORE SO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND HOW TO GET THERE. THIS ELIMINATES THE RISK OF BEING LATE AND MAKING A POOR IMPRESSION. 
• ARRIVE 10 MINUTES EARLY TO ENSURE A PROMPT START TO YOUR INTERVIEW 
• IF YOU SEE A JOB YOU WISH TO APPLY FOR, MAKE A NOTE OF THE CLOSING DATE AND APPLY ON THE LAST SUNDAY BEFORE THAT DATE
• ALWAYS HAVE QUESTIONS TO ASK THE EMPLOYER