During Day 3 we explored some of the employment options available to you. To apply for your first job (or any kind of job), you'll need to have a CV and you may be given an interview to talk to the employer. Let's explore how you can prepare for job hunting and shine in job applications and interviews.

CVs and interviews are your chance to shine!

They let you show employers your skills, passion and potential...

Do you have a CV?

A CV is a document that shows employers your skills, achievements, qualifications and experience. Even if you don’t have much experience yet, you can still create a great CV that’ll help you stand out and secure an interview!

Are you interview ready?

Interviews are your chance to show employers that you’re the best fit for the job. Interviews are usually in person and you’ll likely meet the team, so you can see if you like the work environment and decide if the job is a good fit for you too.

Get ready for first jobs TODAY

Our CV advice can help you write a CV that makes you stand out to employers and get an interview. We also offer advice on how to prepare for your interview, how to make the best impression, and how to calm your nerves.

CV Tips Interview Tips

Explore the interview and CV tips hubs and write down the most useful advice for you.

Why not write them in a table? (writing things down is a proven way to remembering them.)

Useful CV Tips Useful Interview Tips
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Ask yourself:

  1. Do I have an updated CV?
  2. Do I know how to shine in interviews?
  3. Do I know where to find opportunities?

If you're aged 14 – 22 with an interest in marketing and the inclusive sport of horseracing, you can join the Youth Collaboration Group with Careers in Racing. Build skills and confidence as you do everything from co-designing hoodies and videos to understanding what goes on in a racing yard!

Youth Collaboration Group Careers In Racing

Summer Jobs with Haven

Let’s make a SMART goal for your first job…

Making a SMART goal is a good way to achieve your goals, no matter how big or small. You can break down your journey to success into small steps that fit your needs.

A SMART goal is:

  • Specific: What do you want to achieve?
  • Measurable: How will you know when you’ve achieved it?
  • Achievable: How can your goal be accomplished?
  • Relevant: Why is this goal worth the effort?
  • Timely: When do you aim to accomplish this goal?

Example of a SMART goal

“I will spend 15 minutes a week working through the looking for work booklet to explore skills, job hunting, cv, interviews, and preparing for jobs.”

Get the booklet

Try this at home

Use the Get Job Ready SMART goals worksheet from McDonald’s to create some SMART goals that will help you step closer and closer to what matters to YOU.

Get worksheet

Career confidence tip for today

Believing in yourself will show employers how confident you are about your ability and you’ll find it easier to show off your skills and talk about your achievements.

Top tip: Explore this selection of self belief advice to explore how self belief can help and how you can use it to your advantage.

Overcoming barriers

If you’re struggling to find opportunities that interest you in your local area, you can widen your search with virtual opportunities.

Since Covid-19, many employers have started providing work from home opportunities so that you can work remotely. This can make work more accessible for you.

You can search for virtual work opportunities that you can do from home online. If this feels like a good option for you, you might want to brush up on your digital skills too.

Finding first jobs locally

You can find job opportunities in your local area with #CreateYourFuture. It’s like a jobs board for young people!

Sign in to search for first job opportunities in your local area.

Aged 16-30? Volunteer with Youth Employment UK and you’ll gain so much more than something great to put on your CV. (You’ll get that too.) Wherever you live, we’ll help you get involved in inspiring projects around the UK or online.

Stay up to date

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Young people
Schools and careers leaders
Employers
Charter Members
Policy professionals & organisations

Get in touch

Want to know more about ways to get involved? We’d love to hear from you!

info@youthemployment.org.uk

#YEW23 #YouthEmploymentWeek