Making yourself more employable
It’s impossible to know exactly what a potential employer is looking for and even with the most professionally written CV, you can’t control whether you get invited for interview or not or, if you are, whether you’re successful. However, there are ways that you can increase your employability and stand out during the application process.
Volunteering
Many organisations offer volunteering placements including Scout troops, Libraries and Cardiff and Vale Credit Union as well as local charity shops. Opportunities such as these provide experience, knowledge and the chance to develop transferrable skills that will enhance your CV and provide key examples to use during interviews. Giving up your free time to volunteer shows a commitment to working and gives you the opportunity to trial a variety of roles to help you find what you enjoy.
Upskill
Adding extra qualifications and training to your CV not only expands your knowledge set, it also shows potential employers that you are driven, organised and make the most of your time. Numerous organisations offer accessible, flexible training, including one and two-day courses as well as evening classes. In addition, the variety of courses available enable you to personalise and tailor your experience, enhancing your employability in a more focused way. Training courses can be a great opportunity to gain a wide set of skills, providing a strong foundation for taking the next steps towards employment.
Make your passions even more productive
Rather than simply listing pastimes in your CV, try to think about how you can use these interests in a more constructive way. For example, instead of stating that you enjoy reading and/or writing, consider starting an online blog and write the link in your CV. This highlights your written communication and analytical skills. Using your passions in a constructive way builds interesting examples that display your personality and transferrable skills.
Attend employment events and jobs fairs
These events giving you the opportunity to meet with local employers in person and discuss your experience and skillset face-to-face. Through this, you are also able to learn more about what the various roles entail, as well as possibly introducing you to new roles that you hadn’t previously considered. You’re also able to ask questions about the recruitment process, such as whether a CV is required and what skills and experience they’re particularly looking for.
Practice your interview technique
Ask someone you trust to research relevant interview questions and conduct a mock interview. These are useful for identifying areas of improvement without the fear of not securing the job and gives you the opportunity to create a better response. Similarly, if you notice any skill or knowledge gaps you can be proactive and focus on developing examples to overcome this.