Applying for Jobs
Whether you are looking for a part-time job while you are still at school or you are leaving school at the end of the year to work this page will give you lots of help to do this. Remember you can still request an appointment to speak to your Careers Adviser by asking your Guidance Teacher.
When looking for a job you need to think about what you can offer any employer. It is vital that you think about what the employer is looking for and how your skills and experience can match this. Think about all of the tools you have used on My World of Work to look at your Self and Strengths – if you have forgotten try them again (About Me, Strengths and Skills)!
APPRENTICESHIPS:
Look for Modern Apprenticeships at www.apprenticeships.scot and www.apprenticeshipsinscotland.com
Through an apprenticeship you gain qualifications. SCQF Framework shows how different Scottish qualifications compare. Find out more here
Any vacancies we hear about we will post at Mid and East Lothian Vacancies if you have Twitter sign up to follow all of these and you will be alerted as soon as a vacancy is posted.
Apprenticeships have changed, with more than 80 different types covering hundreds of jobs. With an Apprenticeship you get a job, get paid and get qualified – in some roles right up to degree level. Want to know more? At www.apprenticeships.scot you can search for apprenticeships, apply for jobs and find out about the different levels of qualifications. You can also check out Foundation Apprenticeships which can help you kick-start your career before you even leave school. Follow @apprentice_scot for more information.
Apprenticeship Family
Scottish apprenticeships are funded by the Government, and were developed to help you build the skills, experience and industry – recognised qualifications that employers in Scotland need. Through an apprenticeship you can learn new skills while still at school and after you have left.
Apprenticeships offer a work-based learning opportunity to build real-world work experience and grow your knowledge, confidence and career.
There are three types of apprenticeships: Foundation, Modern and Graduate. For more information on each follow the links below
Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) – You can take up an FA as one of your subject choices while still at school, and moving on to your 5th or 6th year. FA is at the same level as your SQA Higher, and counts as one of your subjects. https://www.apprenticeships.scot/become-an-apprentice/foundation-apprenticeships/
Modern Apprenticeship (MA) – If you like the idea of going to work, learning on – the – job, and getting qualified, an MA could be the right choice for you. As an employee you will get paid and trained at the same time. MAs are open to school leavers. https://www.apprenticeships.scot/become-an-apprentice/modern-apprenticeships/
Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) – As a graduate apprentice you would be a full time employee, spending your time with your employer and with a university or college, and working towards a degree. Your work would count towards your qualifications. https://www.apprenticeships.scot/become-an-apprentice/graduate-apprenticeships/
APPLYING FOR JOBS
Start applying for jobs – for full-time jobs you should be starting to look from around January but some bigger employers will advertise before Christmas…do NOT wait until the summer holidays! Below are more tools on My World of Work that will walk you through applying for Modern Apprenticeships and other jobs.
Everything you need to know about CVs
CV dos and Don’ts:
When you have a CV you will need a Cover Letter to send with it.
Many employers will ask you to complete an Application Form this gives you all the information you will need to submit a great application.
Application/Aptitude tests
More and more employers chose to use online aptitude tests to sift through their candidate pool. These tests can apply to both full time jobs and apprenticeships, and are considered to be an effective and objective way of assessing candidates’ suitability and potential for the role.
To practice free aptitude tests, check here
As you begin to look for, and apply for jobs, you may notice there are different types of aptitude tests out there; numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, situational judgement tests. Follow the link to My WOW to learn more about different aptitude tests.
*Pymetrics : This is a recruitment tool using AI technology. It’s a gamified pre-employment screening test used by employers to assess candidate’s personality characteristics and potential. Candidates play a series of short games. Their scores help to build a profile with personalized feedback each candidate gets after completing the test. A short summary of what Pymetrics are:
Interviews
After all of this you will hopefully be offered an interview. My Interview takes you through what an interview is like and gives you different answers to questions you may be asked. Try this a few times – the more practise you get the easier it will become.
*Video Interviews: as the modern technology develops almost on a daily basis, so do the recruitment processes and practices. This includes job interviews which can now be delivered without leaving your house to attend an employer’s office. Artificial intelligence can be used by employers to interview their candidates using a pre-recorded interview during which you are given pre-recorded or written questions and a timeframe to record your answers. Some employers will also use a live interview to connect with applicants.
To learn more about video interviews follow the link here .
Also, you may want to check an example video interviewing tool here
Try not to become disheartened if you are not offered an interview with your first application, most people will have to apply for a number of jobs before they hear anything. Some employers don’t even contact you to tell you have been unsuccessful. Although it may sound scary it’s a good idea to call employers back to get feedback on why you were unsuccessful – you can then improve for your next application. How to Build Confidence can help improve how you feel about yourself if you don’t get a job straight-away.
WHAT DO INTERVIWERES ASK YOU :
When you land your job let us know, work hard and enjoy the start of your Career Journey! Please let us know what you’re doing so that we can update your record with a positive destination: karolina.green@sds.co.uk or carla.bichan@sds.co.uk
Other job vacancies and training opportunities for school leavers are advertised on The Edinburgh Guarantee Website http://theedinburghguarantee.co.uk/ where you can also register for job alerts.
ONLINE NETWORKING – JOB SEARCH : LINKEDIN
Online job hunting is one of the most popular ways of finding a job. A lot of people will apply for vacancies that are already advertised. You could give yourself more chance of finding work by trying online networking through LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is a social media channel, a business network for professionals and recruiters alike. LinkedIn gives you a platform to build a profile and promote your skills, qualifications and experience to potential employers. You can also search for new vacancies, and contact employers directly. RBS, CGI, H&M, Iceland or Waitrose are only few examples of many employers on LinkedIn. A brief description of LinkedIn and a link to the website here: https://www.linkedin.com/
Your rights in work
Employability Fund
Skills Development Scotland supports the Government’s Employability Fund training programme. This programme offers school leavers paid training and work experience to help you gain the skills needed to move into employment, education or other training . Speak to a Careers Adviser in school for details of Employability Fund opportunities.