To celebrate National Careers Week and to make sure you are employment ready complete our Employability Checklist below.
1. Create a LinkedIn profile and connect with at least fifty contacts
LinkedIn is a social media platform for professional networking. Think of it as your online CV. You can add work experience, qualifications and recommendations from others onto your profile and interact with other professionals too. You can also follow the companies you'd like to work for to see what they're up to.
2. Research online volunteering opportunities
Volunteering is a great way to build up experience on your CV and find out what you like doing to give you ideas for your future career. Spend some time Googling online volunteering opportunities in the UK to see what takes your fancy.
3. Listen to a career podcast and write down five takeaway pieces of advice
You can listen to podcasts online or on your phone via an app. Check out our list of top six motivational podcasts to get you started, or download our Career podcasts list.
4. Update your CV
It's really important to have an up to date CV to showcase your skills, work experience and career goals to potential employers. Even if you haven't had much work experience before, can you think about any skills you've learnt at school that could be valuable in the workplace? Things like working to deadlines, being punctual, or working in a team or on your own initiative will show employers you're trustworthy and reliable.
5. Host a mock video interview with a friend
Interviews can be nerve wracking so it's good to be prepared and practice what you might say when asked certain questions. Grab a friend to host a mock interview and practice talking about your CV and experience out loud to know what it feels like. This will help to make you more comfortable when it comes to the real interview.
6. Research and write a list of the five best career websites for your chosen industry
You can find lots of online resources in our Career Corner to get you started.
7. Complete a skills audit and think of five ways to improve your weaknesses
Some employers may ask you about what you're not so good at, or how you overcame a challenge in a project at school, to understand a bit more about how you might fit into the workplace. Think about your skills and weaknesses and how you might start to improve them to have answers ready and give you a plan to progress your skills.
8. Google yourself to check your digital footprint
It's always a good idea to Google yourself every now and then to check in with your digital footprint, as potential employers may do the same. Make sure your social media profiles are set to private if you prefer, and your profile bios are suitable to feature in the Google search results.
9. Start a new hobby – if you're stuck for ideas check out The Write Space
Hobbies are a great way to build skills and experience in the things you're passionate about, with lots of transferrable skills that could be useful in the workplace. Plus, it's something you might be asked about at interview so the employer can learn more about you.
10. Sign-up to the newsletters and job alerts for the companies you would like to work for
Staying informed will give you an insight into what it's like to work there, and impress the team at interview when they ask what you know about the company!
11. Listen to an inspirational Ted Talk and write your own elevator pitch
Here's a list of TED Talks from scientists, musicians, innovators and actors all under the age of 20 to get you inspired!
Want more career tips and advice?
For more employability tips and resources, head to the National Careers Week website.
