Effective CVs and Applications Education students March 07

1. Effective CVs and Applications Education students March 07

2. Applications & Interviews: Overview • Employment record of Education graduates • Applying for jobs • Applications • CVs • Cover letters • Preparing for Interviews • Types of Interviews • Structure of interview • Typical Questions • Advice • Resources

3. Class of 2006:Where are they now? • Permanent Teaching - Irl: 22% • Temp/Sub/ P/T - Irl: 62% • Teaching abroad: 1% • Other work (Irl): 6% • Other work (abroad) 1% • Further Study 5% • Not available 1% • Seeking employment 2%

4. Typical Further Study Options • MSc Research • PhD • MA Sports & Exercise • Quantity Surveying • Physiotherapy

5. Starting point • Purpose of a CV is to get an inteview • Use the following checklist every time you complete an application form 1:Identify employer needs • Put yourself in the employer shoes • What are they looking for? 2:Match yourself to these needs • What particular skills do you have that are relevant to the position?

6. Qualities Employers Seek • Good all-round intelligence • Enthusiasm, commitment and motivation • Good communication skills • Team work ability • Ability to solve problems • Capacity to work hard • Initiative and self-reliance • Balanced personality

7. Before Applying • Research yourself • Review experience and career interests • Use Careers website & Prospects Planner • Research school/organisation • Own contacts • Websites • Reports or features • Research careers • Be familiar with curriculum • Use Careers resources on the Internet

8. Questions to ask yourself • What sort of person is the organisation looking for? • What knowledge, experience, skills are required to fill this role? • What past experience do I have that demonstrate these competencies? • Provide evidence to match the key competencies

9. Employer needs Communication Team work Leadership Initiative Discipline IT Education interests Your evidence Presentation to class Play on football team Class rep, Committee Fundraising for charity Working in pub Designed website Familiar with research Matching Skills to Requirements

10. Standard CV • Personal Details • Name, Address, Tel No, Email address • Education • Start with current course • Dates, Name of college, Course Title,Thesis title, Core subjects, expected level of degree • Provide details of research projects • Teaching Experience • Start with most recent or relevant • Mention class levels, subjects taught, projects • Include extracurricular activities • Other Experience • Highlight responsibilities

11. Standard CVs (cont) • Interests • Provide evidence – membership of clubs etc. • Focus on achievements • Other Skills/Skills Profile • Computing – be specific, name packages • Languages – what level of fluency • Driving Licence • Referees • Normally 2 referees required • Seek permission in advance • Provide them with details of yourself and job • Many references by telephone

12. CV Tips • Customise CV for every job • Every CV should be different • Use space effectively • Most relevant information gets most space • Avoid clutter • Standardise font size and type • Organise information well • Use headings and bullet points • Start with most recent details • Highlight most relevant information • Provide specific evidence of skills • Spell check • Restrict to 2 pages

13. Helpful hints • Use action verbs: achieved, created, managed, produced, demonstrated, supervised, trained, investigated, co-ordinated, monitored, reported, etc • Adjectives- to describe yourself: adaptable, committed, determined, motivated, resourceful, precise, supportive, etc

14. Reasons for Rejection of CV • Too much/too little information • Irrelevant Information • Poor presentation • Spelling mistakes • Not targeted to position • No personality or enthusiasm

15. Helpful Hints - Application Forms • Photocopy form - experiment with copy • Read complete form before writing • Follow instructions: black ink, capitals • Answer all questions • Use space sensibly • Draft answers to open questions • Use simple words, short sentences • Check appearance - first impressions count • Check spellings and grammar • Copy completed form

16. Cover Letters • Letter supports CV 1 page, typed, on plain white paper • Send to the right person • Highlight skills and experience • Structure it well • Explain qualification, specify vacancy • Why are you interested in the company/job? • Why should they consider you? (relevant skills) • What next? – ask for interview

17. Online Applications • Increasingly popular with large employers • Fast and efficient – scan for key words • Preselection - can incorporate personality tests • Self-assessment - match to different jobs • Helpful hints • Download form and practice • Prepare answers, cut and paste • Use buzz words, e.g. name specific packages • Spell check, proofread • Print preview, save regularly • print completed copy and send • Very time-consuming – allow plenty of time • Practice with ‘Select Simulator’ on careers website

18. Interviews • Business meeting with an agenda • Employer: reviews candidate’s experience and abilities • Can you do the job? • Will you do the job? • How will you fit into the organisation? • Employer’s objective is to fill the position • You: impress employer and assess position on offer • What does this position offer me? • How does it fit with my career plans? • You have passed the first hurdle • You must prove that you are the most suitable candidate for this position

19. Preparation • Review own skills, experiences and qualities • Check CV/application form • Identify relevant skills and experiences • Consider motivation and interest in job/course • Research organisation • Reports, websites, newspapers • Personal visit, contacts • Prepare questions and practice • Be confident and positive • You’ve succeeded so far • They want to fill the position

20. Dress Code • Remember simple things can turn someone off….. • Men without ties • Strong perfume/aftershave • Brown shoes • Skirt too short/too long • Coloured socks • Crazy humorous ties • Cigarette smoke BE GENERIC

21. Body Language • Body Language (55%) • Tone of voice (38%) • Words (7%)

22. Body language – Remember: • Good handshake • Adopt the “business gaze”. • Maintain a good posture • Try to use interviewers name. • Remain calm, relax – breathe! • Listen to the questions • Don’t interrupt

23. Watch what you say • Do not waffle • Do not ramble • Do not get sidetracked • Don’t be monosyllabic • Don’t talk forever However friendly the interviewer may be they are not your friend and this is not a chat!

24. The Big Day – Common Questions • Tell me about yourself • Why did you apply for this job • What are your main strengths/weaknesses • Why should we employ you • How would your friends describe you • Where do you see yourself in 5 years

25. Competency Based Interviews • MOST COMMON NOW • Give me an example of when you demonstrated ………. (skill – problem solving; teamwork; presentation) • These are the competencies this organisation is looking for

26. Be Specific • Do not talk about I would, I could I might!! • Have very specific “on one occasion I did……” examples prepared in advance

27. S.T.A.R approach

28. Questions about Teaching • What strengths can you bring to the school? • How will you manage your classroom? • What teaching methods do you favour? • How will you cater for different abilities? • How will you deal with special needs? • How important are parents in education? • How will you assess your progress? • What are your expectations of the school? • How do you want to develop as a teacher? • What is your priority for your first year?

29. Things to remember • Compose yourself – drink water, breathe slowly • Emphasise the positive – sell yourself • Be enthusiastic – willing to learn • Elaborate appropriately – don’t bore them • Be honest • Show you can get on with people • Seek clarification when necessary • Prepare questions to ask

30. What creates a bad impression • Poor personal appearance • Negative attitude – evasive, using excuses • Lack of interest and enthusiasm • Lack of preparation • Poor knowledge of role • Failure to give concrete examples of skills • Over emphasis on money/rewards • Lack of career plan

31. Other Types Of Interviews • Group • 6-8 candidates • Group observed while discussing topic • Be aware of group interaction • Panel • 2-5 interviewers • Try to identify different roles • Respond to interviewer • Include others through eye contact

32. Learning from the experience • What could you have done better? • What did you do well? • Are there skills you need to develop? • Look for feedback

33. Action Plan/What next? • Skills Assessment • Research Specific Careers/Organisations • Set short/long term goals • Update your CV • Prepare answers to typical interview questions

34. Sources of Teaching Vacancies • National and local newspapers • Teaching websites • Contact TP school • Apply on spec to local schools • www.ateci.ie Association of Teachers’ Education Centres in Ireland • Teaching section in UL Careers website • www.ul.ie/careers • Jobs section

35. Irish www.education.ie www.teachingcouncil.ie www.educationposts.ie www.ateci.ie www.asti.ie www.into.ie www.tui.ie www.teachingjobs.ie www.era-educationrecruitment.ie www.nistr.org.uk www.noredco.com Other www.teach.gov.uk www.tda.gov.uk www.t-e-n.co.uk www.jobs.ac.uk/sector/school www.mps-education.com www.atozteacherstuff.com www.supplyteacheragency.com www.selecteducation.com www.jobsineducation.co.uk www.ttmteach.co.uk www.sabis.net www.medway.gov.uk/teachingcareers Education websites