Job Search Skills (two days)

Have you been applying for jobs feeling that you are adequately qualified and experienced for it but you are not getting to the interview stage?  The problem may be with your CV or how you have completed the application form.

Perhaps you have got to the interview so you are halfway there but there are so many other applicants.  What makes you stand out from the crowd for all the right reasons?

This workshop provides you with the opportunity to examine why some CVs or application forms get rejected.  Would your CV or application form end up in the “Yes” pile for interview.

The training which is highly participative will give you the chance to explore these issues and many more through presentations, video clips, discussion, individual and group activities, practice interviews, multiple choice assessment to test understanding and written feedback on performance and development needs.

Who should attend?

This course is ideal for anyone who wants to improve their job search skills, whether you are applying for your first job, have become unemployed or considering a career change.

Maximum course numbers: 10

Course Content

Part 1: CV Writing

  • What is a CV? Why do CVs get rejected?
  • Top ten tips for writing a CV
  • CV layout and covering letter
  • Writing a personal profile with impact
  • Review own CV against best practice

Part 2: Performing at Interview

  • Experience of interviews – what went well and not so well, compare with “normal traps and pitfalls”
  • Identify achievements, strengths, weaknesses and development opportunities
  • Develop understanding of the interview process, including role of interviewer and interviewee
  • Format of interview
  • Communication during the interview – verbal, nonverbal and vocal
  • Types of questions asked
  • Researching the job and the organisation.
  • Preparing for success at the interview

Part 3: Application Forms

  • Job Descriptions – what are the skills an employer requires
  • Selling yourself on the application form highlighting your suitability to do the job. What would make an employer want to interview you?
  • Completing an application form for a real job

Part 4: Mock Interviews

  • Using the completed application form, prepare for a practice interview
  • Identify the skills and abilities needed to do the job
  • Anticipating questions the interviewer might ask and how these could be answered
  • The actual mock interview with written and verbal feedback on performance
  • The interview competencies checklist

Each part of the course can be delivered as a separate course as well as delivering the four parts over two days.

Check out this video of how NOT to perform at an interview!

Testimonials

Jean Haworth is one of the best facilitators I’ve worked with in a long time. She is pragmatic, full of energy, and extremely knowledgeable with the ability to engage with the right level of challenge.

As she took trainees through the process of developing CVs and completing mock interviews it was so encouraging to see students growing in confidence, and believing in themselves and what they had to offer. The success of the initiative was further evidenced by the fact that some trainees secured employment afterwards.

I would be delighted to work with Jean again and cannot recommend her professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment highly enough.

Mel O’Hara, Project Manager

It was very helpful to gain the point of view of someone like Jean Haworth, who has worked for years as an interviewer and has great experience in application review. The practice application and interview sections of the course were particularly useful as it allowed us to discuss strengths and weaknesses with “the interviewer” in preparation for future job applications and interviews. Jean was very approachable and helpful and made all the resources used on the course easily available to all attendees.

Clare McMorrow, Living Seas Trainee