Looking for work?

Before you start looking for a job ask yourself the following questions:

• what would be your ideal job?
• do you want full time work?
• or do you want part time work?
• do you want to work for a big company?
• or do you want to work for a smaller company?
• do you need more training to do your ideal job?

You need to make sure your C.V. is up-to-date before you go looking for work. Remember the contents should include:

• your life history
• your job history
• your achievements
• your skills

When you apply for a job you will need to send in your C.V. to the organization before you go for an interview. So remember its contents should promote you. Your C.V. should be sent with a covering letter which is a much briefer account of your personal statement and should include at least one example of a personal achievement. The covering letter also shows the employer your writing skills.

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is a piece of writing where a person explains why they feel they are suitable for a job, college or university course or a work opportunity.

• it is not a C.V. that tells others what you have done
• its aim is to five the reader a sense of who you are
• to demonstrate why you want to become a hairdresser / work in the construction industry / food and drink industry
• rather than listing your attributes, traits and skills, you write so that the reader comes to these conclusions based on what you have done

Let your actions speak for you. To do this, you may choose to describe the experiences and events that shaped your personality, values and goals.

The personal statement enables you, the writer, to:

• make a positive first impression
• enable you to relate past experiences to your present future goals
• allow  you to describe your special attributes to demonstrate your match for your chosen profession
• give you an opportunity to present your personal values and to reveal how your interest in your chosen career developed

You should reflect on your interest in your vocational area, be biographical, giving an account of your life and provide relevant information about your achievements.

Remember the personal statement is the place to be:

• positive and constructive - no excuses, no buts and no complaints about events in your past
• its purpose is to learn about you, your character, your attitude, your values, your motivation, your knowledge and your priorities

Common topics in a personal statement can include:

• previous personal experiences that have motivated you towards your vocational area
• influences and experiences of your family or friends
• influences of work experiences and extracurricular activities, hobbies and interests
• your long-term goals and their basis in your life experiences
• your own personal philosophy and how it developed the way it did

Do not expect to create a personal statement overnight. It may need several attempts before you create a winner. Remember the first paragraph should be about your interest in your vocational area, how it stated and where it led you.

Subsequent paragraphs should highlight an activity you took part in, what it involved and then what you learnt from that experience.

Often learners do not know where to start, so here are some opening sentences:

"I have always been captivated by....."

"My curiosity started....."

"I gained a wealth of knowledge whilst....."

"I learnt that it was okay to....."

"Further projects I have undertaken have included:......"

"The idea for this venture was to....."

"I have gained work experience with....."

"I was involved in....."

"This experience has taught me....."

"Through this experience I gained an insight into......."

"It also confirmed that I definitely....."

"Along with (name interest) I have a passion for....."

"I also enjoy....."

You last paragraph should relate back to the first and reaffirm your desire to pursue your chosen career path. It should be punchy and uplifting to leave the reader with a positive impression of you.

Session 1 - About The Qualification

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS?

What do I get at the end of the course?

If you work hard, complete all the tasks given you and gather all the portfolio evidence required, you will gain an Award and Certificate in Employability and Personal Development (7546)

What is the purpose of the course?

• To help you gain the essential skills needed for progression into employment or further training.
• To allow you to learn, develop and practice the skills required for employment or further training.

How much time do I have to gain the qualification?

• You will have 20 weeks to gather evidence for your portfolio
• You may not have realized it but you produced a lot of evidence within your two week induction 

How do I gather evidence?

By actively taking part in a variety of activities designed to help you collect evidence for your portfolio. Activities like:

• going on trips and visits
• listening to guest speakers
• completing set tasks in your vocational area
• weekly workshops and group discussions
• internet research
• completing worksheets
• by having fun

What does this course cover?

There are five units to this qualification. The first two are mandatory units and the last three are additional units.

• 401 Planning for progression
• 402 Effective skills, qualities and attitudes for learning and work
• 303 Career planning and making applications
• 305 Introduction to ICT
• 404 Rights and responsibilities in the workplace

How is my work assessed?

In the Student Pool on the College intranet, is an e2e folder. Within that folder you will find an Employability folder, which contains tracking sheets for each unit. Every worksheet we produce will be tailored in such a way, that it matches the assessment criteria required for each unit. We will be marking your achievements against the City & Guilds assessment criteria on each unit tracking sheet.

As tutors, we will also track your work on a spread sheet. We will know what you have completed and what is missing. It is your responsibility to ensure to keep up-to-date with all work set. You are also responsible for looking after your portfolio of evidence.

What if I do not want to take part in an activity or workshop?

During the two-week induction period you were assessed for your readiness for e2e training. We have a set of standards we expect you to follow. We will not allow individuals to disrupt those learners who want to gain a qualification and move on in their lives.

However, the e2e programme is specifically designed for those who have had a previous bad learning experience. Whatever the reason, remember we are here to help you overcome your barriers to learning. We have a team of experts here at Croydon College who we can refer you to, whether it be for help from a dyslexia specialist or a counsellor for anger management. Maybe you just need a listening ear and advice on handling relationships with other, but whatever the reason please talk before you walk.