Careers

This page initially compiled by Sara Kernohan; please add your own links and tips.

General Careers Advice[]

England: https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Theatrical and Musical[]

For over a century Britain’s conservatoires have established a model of education which is world renowned for giving talented, ambitious young musicians, actors, dancers and arts practitioners the training, freedom and encouragement to fulfil their creative and professional aspirations in successful careers.

http://www.conservatoiresuk.ac.uk/

Aptitude tests and how to pass them[]

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/psychotests.htm

Armed Services[]

You can get your 6^th form sponsored by the armed forces and even your university course. Check the relevant armed service website for more information.

Navy: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/Careers/

Army: http://www.army.mod.uk/join/

Air Force: https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/

Civil Service with The Ministry of Defence: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence/about/recruitment

Salaries[]

Average Salaries: http://www.reed.co.uk/average-salary

Information about the living wage and associated topics: http://www.livingwage.org.uk/what-living-wage

Internships and Work Experience[]

Your son or daughter may prefer to leave education and go straight to work. Starting as an intern is now not unusual. Usually an intern is paid a very small salary, most likely just expenses. If they go for work experience, this should not last longer than 2 weeks and is unpaid. Working as work experience means that you shadow someone and learn in the process. As an intern, you can work independently but also learn on the hoof. Some companies treat their interns better than others; it can be a form of cheap employment! So, do some research before applying. These days, it is the norm to take up a role as an intern and then apply to stay with the company as a fully paid employee.

http://www.careers.lon.ac.uk/files/pdf/CEP_Internships.pdf

Job Applications: Generally Useful Stuff[]

Use social media to your advantage (see the attached handout on networking). Get your child to set up a Linked In account and look at their careers links too https://www.linkedin.com/company/linkedin/careers

When your child secures an interview with a company get them to go and look at the LinkedIn profile of their potential boss and even the person they may be replacing. Look at what their background is and how this knowledge may help in their interview or plan how they might fit in with the company or progress within the company.

Look for people doing a job they aspire too. Go and see how that person progressed their career; what courses did they do? Who are their contacts? Even write to the asking if they might be able to advise on work experience or internships. Be “necky”, if you don’t ask for help you won’t get any. The worst that can happen is that they will ignore your message.

Use Facebook and Instagram. Like the FB page of the companies you’d like to work for and stay on the case. Often, jobs are advertised on their FB and Instagram page and that post is inundated with applications within the first hour. You need to be in there with your CV and application letter the minute you see that post go up.

Make sure that you hone each CV and application letter according to the job and the company. Have your basic CV and letter ready, but adapt it accordingly. Remember that many recruitment companies use computers to sift through CVs. Make sure you use key words in your CV so that the computer picks these up and puts you forward. Do a search for “Key Words on CVs” but here’s one to get you started http://www.jobs.ac.uk/careers-advice/cv-templates/2155/buzz-words-and-impressive-language-to-use-on-your-cv

Remember that just as you can look at companies and their employees on social media they can do the same with you. Make sure that your FB, Instagram, Pintrest, Tumblr, LinkedIn accounts are squeaky clean. Outspoken views on religion, politics, sex, violence or even just bad language and dodgy party photos can lose you that interview.