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The process of finding a suitable job begins before you leave school. If you have had careers classes in school these will have given you information on a variety of jobs and helped you to decide what jobs are most suitable for you
If you are still not sure what to do, your Careers Adviser can help. You can contact your him/her at your local Careers Office, JobCentre or Jobs and Benefits Office.
APPLYING FOR A JOB
The usual methods of applying for a job are:–
• to write a letter of application
• to complete an application form – written or electronic
• to telephone for an appointment
• to be sent direct from the JobCentre with an introduction card.
LETTER OF APPLICATION
Many employers require applicants to write letters of application, particularly where the ability to spell accurately and write well may be important to the job eg. clerical work. These letters are often the first stage in the selection process and are extremely important. Those who have sent in badly written, untidy letters may not be offered an interview. If you have to write a letter of application remember the following points:–
• use proper writing-paper and ink or ball-point pen or have it typed
• make sure that your writing or typing is neat and legible, that you do not make spelling mistakes and that your punctuation is correct
• set out the letter accurately, with the correct beginning and ending and make sure the addresses are in the right place
• if you are replying to an advertisement this will indicate to whom the letter should be addressed eg. Personnel Officer or Manager
• a business letter of this kind usually begins ‘Dear Sir’ or ‘Dear Madam’and ends with ‘Yours faithfully’
• If your letter relates to a definite vacancy, start off by mentioning this and say how you heard about it. For instance, you might begin ...
‘With reference to your advertisement in the Belfast Telegraph of 18 July for a trainee cook’
or
‘I understand that you have a vacancy for a junior clerk’.
• next give brief details about yourself – your date of birth, the name of your school and the date of leaving, details of qualifications and any courses taken since leaving school. If you were employed before, state the job(s) and the length of time spent in it (them). You should also mention part-time jobs.
Include your reasons for applying for the job, any relevant activities or interests, names of referees and finally dates and times which would suit you to come for an interview.
• some employers may ask you to send a CV (Curriculum Vitae) which is a detailed summary of your past experience. If so you should attach a short accompanying letter. See leaflet ‘How Do I Write A CV’ in this series.
• always enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope so that you will be more likely to receive a reply.
APPLICATION FORM
If a job advertisement asks you to write for an application form, your letter need only say: ‘Please send me an application form for the post of . . . . . . . . . as advertised in . . . . . . . .’ etc. There is no point in including further details, as you will have to repeat them on the form.
When completing an application form remember to do the following:–
• make a photocopy and practise completing it before copying the information neatly in ink (preferably black) on to the real form.
• read the instructions carefully and answer questions accurately. If it says ‘use block capitals’ make sure you do.
• if you are not sure about personal details check with a parent or guardian – eg. place of birth, it is sufficient to give the town and county.
• most application forms ask for names of referees. Referees are people whom the employer can refer to for information about you. You should give the names and addresses of two or three people who are not related to you but who know you well and are prepared to comment on your character, honesty, attitude to work etc. If you are still at school or have recently left, you could give your principal’s name and if you have a part-time job you could include your employer.
Other possibilities are a doctor, clergyman, councillor, youth leader or magistrate, providing that s/he knows you well.
• be sure you know the closing date for submitting the application and send your form in good time.
ELECTRONIC APPLICATION
Most newspapers and recruitment agencies advertise their vacancies on-line and many jobseekers check and apply for jobs on the Internet. A number of sites also have helpful advice on CVs and interview preparation.
If applying for work using the internet, make sure you have a genuine and secure site before you give personal details. Application details are similar to a written application. Remember to save a copy of your application for future reference.
PHONING FOR AN APPOINTMENT
If possible try to avoid a pay-phone but if you have no alternative, make sure that you have plenty of change and that it’s reasonably quiet. If you are phoning in response to an advertisement, make sure that you know who you should ask for and the details of the job you want to apply for. Make sure you have a pen and paper handy in case you need to note down details of an interview.
REFERRED BY THE JOBCENTRES/JOBS AND BENEFITS OFFICES
JobCentres etc are located in all the main towns throughout Northern Ireland. When you leave school you should go to the JobCentre to see your Careers Adviser. Once you do this the Careers Adviser will know that you are looking for a job and will let you know about vacancies which are notified to these Centres. You do not have to wait for the Careers Advisers to contact you – you may call regularly at these Centres as jobs can sometimes be filled very quickly.
If you are sent for an interview you will be given an introduction card with the name of the person you are going to see and the date and time of the interview. Make sure you give this card to the employer. S/he will return it to the Centre with a note to say whether or not you have been successful.
Do not worry if you do not get the first interview you go for – keep trying. Your Careers Adviser will keep in touch with you and suggest ways which might help you get a job. Remember, once you are in a job you can still talk to the Careers Adviser at any time if you are having problems.
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