For further help contact: 020 8640 6662 email:info@trpltd.co.uk

Updated: 27/01/2014

Smart and Ready for Business

A guide to support you into employment

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Contents1: What is an apprenticeship? Plus further help..........................................................................................2

1.1: How do we select our apprentices? (Level 1 First contact)..................................................................5

2: Applying for work (Level 2 Job applications)...........................................................................................7

3: Job specification......................................................................................................................................7

4: Curriculum Vitae some examples..........................................................................................................10

5: Job Interview tips (Level 3)....................................................................................................................12

6: Summary...............................................................................................................................................15

1: What is an apprenticeship?

Plus further help

An apprenticeship is when an employer recruits staff and includes training to become skilled at a particular job. You can work towards an apprenticeship in over 250 different occupations. To achieve an apprenticeship you must be employed this is a crucial element of the programme.

Latest News (October 2014)

Here are some of the latest developments and career advertisements:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMl0y2eDv84&feature=youtu.be

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Career Choice, this is a game which helps you to identify your career choices.

https://www.plotr.co.uk/?utm_source=eshot&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Countdown%20Issue%20692

Let us know what you think of this site.

To find out more about apprenticeships please see the links below:

www.trpltd.co.uk This is our organisation, we specialise in providing apprenticeships training

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www.apprenticeships.org.uk This is where you can find lots of information relating to apprenticeships. At this site you can also download software to your phone to receive information and support from the following links listed below.

This is a must please follow the link to see a short You Tube video understanding apprenticeships.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-CLaGXHlvg&feature=youtu.be

Job support software:

http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk//news-media/latest-news/article242.aspx

Free job searching resources:

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http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/awards/apprenticeship-week-2014.aspx

How to write a winning application:

A useful guide including hints and tips on how to write a winning application and maximise your chances of securing that apprenticeship, follow the link:

http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/Be-An-Apprentice/~/media/Collateral/IAG/Apprenticeships-writing-200313-newMarch.ashx

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https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch This is another site which can help you locate employment opportunities.

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http://skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/ApplicationsGoLivefor24AdvancedLearningLoans.htm

This site will help you locate information regarding loans. If you are over 19 you could be eligible for a Government loan; for more information click on the link above.

www.ediplc.com

This site advises you on a range of professional qualifications available including Business Administration.

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

This is a good site to register and obtain careers advice for your chosen career.

http://icould.com/

This is a good site for obtaining guidance for careers and motivation to explore different career options.

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Additional support

http://www.eoc.org.hk/eoc/GraphicsFolder/default.aspx

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For more information regarding equality please see the link above.

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If you have any additional support needs please follow the link below.

https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities

Do you need to improve your skills in numeracy and literacy?

This website has useful tasks to help you revise.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise

.1: How do we select our apprentices? (Level 1 First contact)

If you think of the recruitment process like a computer game, then consider this to be level 1.

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Our employers demand high standards from their employees. Employers normally use the following criteria as a quality standard and include a five point selection process:

1: Must be an excellent time keeper

2: Must be reliable

3: Must be trust worthy

4: Must be professional

5: Should be of smart appearance

We at TRP ensure that potential staff are matched to the task. We therefore select potential candidates using the following performance criteria:

How well you communicate over the phone and email.

Do you have a professional approach to job search, for example do you ask questions, have you researched the company you are interested in.

Are you a good time keeper, are you reliable?

Very important note: When you complete the application form please make sure that it is fully completed. Things not to do:

1: Do not send in other documents instead of what you have been asked to do

2: Do not send blank emails with no headings or text

3: Make sure the application form is fully completed.

We use the application form as the first part of the selection procedure. Failure to do this will result in your application being referred to an employability training provider. These providers will help you develop your skills.

We will also assess how well you complete the application form and check for errors. Make sure that when sending emails you have appropriate headings and a short note to say why you are contacting us.

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For those who meet the criteria, their applications are forward to the employers.

What happens if I do not meet the criteria?

If you need further support we may put you in touch with an agency to help you develop your employability skills. This is useful if, for example, you need to develop your time management or communication skills, or you may just want to gain extra qualifications.

Once you have developed your employability skills you may re-apply.

Please ask for help if you have any questions.

2: Applying for work (Level 2 Job applications) How to complete a successful job application

Here are some very important tips to help you get an interview. Make sure that you follow a checklist like this one:

1. Check for any spelling errors; get someone else to proof read for you.2. Do all the dates tie in? Are there any gaps? You will need to explain these3. Have you entered all your qualifications and work experience?4. Most importantly have you completed the other information section? This

is EXTREMELY important. This is where you can sell your skills. See below.

3: Job specification

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This outlines what the employer is looking for. Complete this and think of an example of your previous experience in your last job. You must make sure that you match your skills as closely to the job specification as possible. Look at the example below:

Accounts Person Job Specification

1: Must demonstrate clear attention to detail to any given task.

Example answer

In my previous role I was responsible for checking the attendance records and receipts. I prepared the accounts to be sent to the manager on a monthly basis.

2: You should be able to work as part of a team

Example answer

I worked as part of a team to produce monthly reports. This required regular communication. I would inform the team via email, telephone and attend regular team meetings. This was essential to ensure the office ran efficiently.

The next example is for an administration role

Experience of secretarial/administrative work and as a minimum requirement hold a GCSE in English and Maths, or equivalent

I have qualifications in Maths and English and have experience of working in a busy office environment; for example dealing with booking enquiries and emailing the team with customer details.

Experience of excellent customer service provision in a busy environment

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My current or previous role required a customer “can do” approach. I was required to…………………. to a high standard.

Good accurate keyboard skills with a high level of computer literacy, including knowledge of a range of software programmes

I have experience of using Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. This was essential because………………..

Further examples:

Here are some examples of performance criteria. Have a go at trying to meet these; they will give you good practice. These will also help you to prepare for the interview, as the questions will be based on the expected performance criteria.

Demonstrate experience of maintaining accurate office records and filing systems

Excellent administrative skills with the ability to be accurate Excellent time management skills and the ability to work under pressure Ability to be adaptable and flexible in working practices and the ability to

calmly respond and deal appropriately with emergencies/issues that may suddenly arise in school.

Excellent inter-personal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide audience including pupils, visitors, parents and staff both orally and in writing.

Ability to work as part of a team and develop effective and supportive relationships with colleagues and all stakeholders

Commitment to attend training as required More examples below:

Ability to handle sensitive issues relating to children and staff , maintaining confidentiality, discretion and sensitivity at all times

Demonstrate experience of working with/caring for children.

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Maintain a high degree of professionalism in your approach to work and tasks set

Demonstrate the ability to administer first aid and the willingness to undertake training to qualified status.

Demonstrate the ability to understand and be committed to promoting the organisation’s policies including child protection, equality and diversity etc.

4: Curriculum Vitae, tips and examples

The CV is another very important tool in the search for employment. Think of it as your sales and marketing material. Ask yourself does my CV really highlight and sell my skills?

Look at the example below for a good CV. To be honest there is no such thing as a perfect CV. However, it is vital that all the key information an employer is looking for is contained within it. Look at the example below, you could use the template to help you; please feel free to cut and paste this into a Word document.

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_____________________________________________________________

Mr/Miss A Candidate

9 A Road my email@mail.com Tel: 0123 456 789

A Town, County, PO1,

Personal Summary:

I am a charismatic, confident and highly self-motivated individual who has a passionate interest in customer service and administrative work. I am hard working, ambitious, competitive and always ready to sacrifice in order to get a job done. An individual who possesses outstanding presentation and communication skills and is capable of working independently, but also enjoys working in a team. I am keen on learning and am looking forward to playing a vital role in a firm.

Employment History:

Address: Month started/finished:

Citygate Capital/JCL Asset Management Date Started: September 20xx

A Company House Finished: October 20xx

1 The Lane, London, E1 0X

Trainee Alternative Broker (training full time):

• Cold calling potential clients and introducing company’s services and convincing new clients to consider diversifying investments into alternative investments, i.e. Rare Earth Metals.

• Building rapport over the phone with potential clients and developing a trusting relationship between client and broker.

• Knowledge of the stock market especially alternative investments i.e. Carbon, Fine Wines, Diamonds, Oil and Gold markets.

• Being disciplines, organized and self-motivation was key skills that was useful to have.

Post Office Ltd Date started: May 20xx

11 A Parade Date finished: September 20xx

High Road, East A Town, N1 4KK

Customer Associate/Financial Specialist (worked part/full time):

Knowledgeable in meeting and exceeding team sales targets for Post Office financial products, opening and closing sales.

• Able to solve problems with customers and ability to follow procedures and have a logical sense towards promoting sales to the right individuals.

• Advertising and promoting Foreign Bureau, insurances and retail sales.• Negotiating with customers and problem solving with issues and complaints, via the phone and over

the counter.• Organizational and numeracy skills.

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• Self-motivational selling skills and individual target achievements.

Credit Company Month started: Jan 20xx

1 The Street Month finished: May 20xx

Newtownards

BX1 1VV

Claims Handler worked full-time (training course)

• Cold calling potential customers and offering businesses our credit services. • Opening legal claims for customers. • Online Marketing techniques learned to convince customers to join our online claims.• Sales and results focused based income. • Administration, processing claims for administration team.

Ministry of X Company Month started: June 2010

P.O B Month finished: September 2010

Stadium

Internship Researcher/Analyst worked full-time:

• Gathering information about the oil industry and writing a brief reports.• Meetings with international oil companies and investors that are wanting to invest in Ghana’s oil

(Jubilee Fields). • Meetings with professional Engineers to discuss Ghana’s future potential with the new oil that is

emerging and predictions on economical oil sales between oil companies, i.e. Tullow Oil • Discussions based on current projects i.e. Rural Kerosene Projects, looking into solutions and ways

to make Kerosene accessible to local Ghanaians. • Visiting other Ghanaian oil companies GNPC and GOIL to see their sales predictions and expertise.

Academic Qualification:

Ar University/Open University:

6th Form College:

A-Levels: Politics, History and Art

Ricards Lodge Girls High School:

11 GCSE’s: Including (A-B) in Mathematics, English and Science

References: Available on request

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The next stage is preparing for the job interview

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5: Job Interview tips (Level 3)

Tip, 90% of employers make up their minds regarding the selection within the first 3 minutes of meeting the candidate; Reed Employment, (London conference 2014). However, you should note the STAR approach employers take when recruiting. The STAR approach stands for:

Situation: Describe the situationTask: Describe the task YOU undertookAction Describe the action YOU tookResult Describe the result YOU achieved

When you are selected for an interview, we will provide you with a further support pack to equip you with the skills to compete effectively. Please see the following as a starting point:

Action step 1: Preparation

Prepare your questions and carry out research into the company you are to have the interview with.

Step 2, Consider what things employers hate!

Never send an email without a heading or the name of the person you are emailing.

Emails sent without this are considered lazy, or worse, rude and can be discarded!

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Make sure you have an email address which is appropriate and does not contain any rude of offensive terms of reference.

Make sure that any telephone message is appropriate and does not require the caller to wait a long time before a message can be left, for example leaving a long musical message!

Be on time for the interview, employers hate being kept waiting, even better arrive early, cool calm and collected and ready for the interview.

Make sure you are dressed smartly and fresh ready for the interview, poor dress can be interpreted as lack of interest or respect and projects a poor image.

Interview questions: Here are some classic questions

So what can you tell me about the company?

Or, why do you want to work in..........?

Can you tell me a time when you delivered excellent customer service?

What does working as part of a team mean to you?

What skills can you bring to the position?

Scenarios! What would you do if?

Some employers may ask you for a response to a given situation, for example, what would you do if a customer became angry? Or

How would you deal with pressure when a deadline needs to be met?

To be honest the scenarios could be based on anything. However, just relax and use common sense to imagine how you would professionally deal with the given situation.

Above all, make sure that you have questions; at the end of the interview the interviewer should ask you..........

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So, do you have any questions?

If you don’t this will give the following impression

1, You are not interest in the role or.....

2, You cannot think creatively or have not taken on board the discussion

Both these impressions are not what you want to leave your potential employer with!

6: Summary

Key points to consider:

1: Is my email address appropriate?

2: Do I have a professional sounding voicemail message?

3: If you have a Facebook or other social media site is it appropriate and is it free from any offensive text or other material? Employers do check these!

4: Do you communicate in a professional manner, for example you should not refer to an employer as “mate” during a professional qualification.

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7: Further help

Now go back to section 1 and review the links to other support sites, or just call

020 8640 6662 for more information.

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