Help this elf achieve their goals

Posted on 29 November 2021 • Career planning, CVs and applications, Forums and webinars, Jobs, internships and work experience

Last year you helped our elf friend Clover Figgy decide on a career change based on their skills, experience, values, and passions. Clover followed their heart, swapping the elf workshop for the classroom and embarking on a programme of teacher training. Clover’s now looking to apply for their first teaching role but feeling a little rusty with the job application process, especially interview skills. Which part of the recruitment process would you like to improve on most? CVs, application forms, interviews or assessment tests? Find out the results in our Twitter poll.

Here’s how Careers and Employability Services can help Clover, and you, maximise your success in the recruitment process this festive season and beyond.

1. Make your CV sparkle

Create a Curriculum Vitae with our CV builder then make it shine bright with CV360, which uses Artificial Intelligence to score and improve your CV with common checks and Applicant Tracking Systems used by employers. Find out more about creating and reviewing your CV with Abintegro, and for advice from careers practitioners, watch our webinar: Five seconds for your CV to make its mark.

2. Make sure your application is on the nice list, not the naughty list

An application form is your chance to showcase your skillset and achievements and to highlight why you’re the best candidate for the job. Find advice on presenting your skills when applying for jobs and understanding job application forms to make sure your job application goes on the good list to get you that interview. A covering letter often accompanies a CV or application form and it’s your chance to emphasise why your application is worth reading. Find advice on covering letters for different situations and what to include.

3. Be an interview star

Employers are looking for you to evidence your skills and experience and the STAR technique can help you to structure your answers. Get interview nerves? Even the most confident people can feel anxious about an interview, but practise can really help. Abintegro’s Interview360 gives you the opportunity to practice and improve your technique. It uses Artificial Intelligence to give in-depth insight into your whole interview performance, with tips and advice to improve your answers, body language and appearance. Find more on preparing for an interview and signing in with Abintegro if you’ve not done so before.

4. Fly high, like Santa’s reindeer, in recruitment tests

Psychometric tests and assessment centres may sound daunting but they’re popular recruitment methods with employers and allow you to demonstrate strengths and abilities in a variety of ways, from technical tests to assessments of your personality. Read our top tips to help you prepare for an assessment centre or online test. Our Assessment centres – getting started webinar will also help you navigate what you need know and how to prepare.

5. Step into a skills workshop

Okay it’s not Santa’s toy workshop but our friendly career helpers will be on hand to help you: ‘Discover your goals’, ‘Curb your interview nerves’ or transform a ‘CV miss to CV hit’ this December. Find out more and sign up on OpportunityHub events.

And don’t forget, if you need further support, you can book a one-to-one careers consultation over the phone or by email.

Happy Holidays!

OU Careers and Employability Services