Certain questions that always crop up at interview

For teenagers looking for employment – whether it is a full-time school leaver’s post or a temporary Summer or weekend job – having to undergo an interview may seem very daunting. However, it is worth remembering that the same questions will be asked at almost any interview and it is worth practising and preparing for these beforehand – sitting in front of a mirror, if you think that will help.

Tell me about yourself. On paper, this appears relatively simple as only you will know the answer but it can be difficult knowing where to start and what to say. Try not to waffle and do not go into reams of detail. Do talk about your interests and what you liked studying at school.

What are your strengths and weaknesses? For young people, employers will be looking for attributes such as: reliability, punctuality, good social skills, enthusiasm and a genuine interest in the job. Do not tell a prospective employer that you hate getting up early or that you like to mess around and have a laugh. Try to pick a weakness that can be turned into something positive. For instance, you may say that you can be quite chatty but that you enjoy meeting new people and that you are keen to help customers or that you wish you had better computing skills but that you are hoping to go on some training courses to improve these.

Why do you want to work here? Do some research about the company where you may be working. Talk about having an interest in retail and customer service or wanting to work with animals or having an interest in taking cars and motorbikes apart and repairing them. You can also talk about a convenient location or that a friend or family member likes working here (providing you think this friend would be considered a good worker!)

Have you any questions? This usually comes right at the end. You could say, “No. I think you have answered all the questions I had, thank you.” However, it does look impressive if you do have a question or two. You may want to ask about dress code, specific hours of work or the prospects of moving around the company and/or promotion.

So, to sum it up, be prepared, practise answers before your interview and make sure you turn up at least 5 to 10 minutes before your interview time.

Considering a career in retail

If you have teenage children who are desperate to leave school and academic life behind but are undecided about what they want to do in life, then a career in retail might suit them. There is much more to retail than just selling items off the shop floor and placing money in a till and many youngsters just don’t realise this.

Many retailers offer apprenticeships to young people leaving school. If a youngster is keen to work hard and eager to learn, takes pride in their work, has good communication skills, is happy to be part of a team, can show initiative and has a generally positive attitude, then these are the sort of qualities which employers are looking for.

It is more than possible to work one’s way up in retail, from starting on the shop floor with a handful of basic school leavers’ GCSE grades. Employers look out for employees with a good aptitude to the job and it is possible to move onto other kinds of jobs within retail which may be office based or accounts related, or which may involve working in HR, managing people or tackling logistics. Some jobs may require further qualifications or experience – for instance, fashion buying or brand marketing – but, by then, a young person may feel ready to tackle a university or professional style course in order to obtain the post that they really want.

Education – Finding Career, Curriculum and Role of Recruitment Consultant

Education is very important in every society, however, it is not specifically lucrative sector. Most opportunities in this sector involves teaching, professional training, and lecturing. In addition, there are other roles that the sector offers, including administrative and infrastructural. In some instances, the education recruitment agencies may list other roles such as nursery nurses and exam invigilators as well. Teaching can be challenging in some situations, and calls for patience, but teachers find the job interesting and rewarding nevertheless.
Finding Teaching Vacancy
Education recruitment can be a daunting process, but very critical. It is advisable to research more about the school by looking at their school results, ofsted reports, prospectus and the institution website. You may consider visiting the training centre in order to get an opportunity to speak to the students, experience the dynamics within the institution and interact with the staff. This will help you know the kind of the candidate the organisation is looking for.
Remember you need to have the capability to motivate and inspire, outstanding communication skills and clear understanding of the matter being taught. To be a teacher, you need to meet the set requirements and qualifications. Some of the requirements involves completion of several exams, advanced degree qualifications and specific training courses. Educators start their profession in student teaching positions, which are same as paid apprenticeships. They are awarded salary boost when they complete their entire training.

Is it Worthwhile Getting a Degree?

Nowadays, a large percentage of the population will go to university to attain a degree qualification. But is it worthwhile? There are many arguments for and against gaining a degree. Here are some of the main questions to consider when deciding whether to study for a degree:

  • Do you have a particular career in mind? If you do, find out about the best ways to get into it. You should be able to find out plenty of information online. If you’d be better off gaining experience, you might want to look into volunteering or other relevant jobs as stepping stones towards your goal.
  • Do you want to carry on studying? Ultimately, you should only carry on studying if it’s something you enjoy. If you don’t, there are plenty of other options.
  • Are you happy to take on the financial commitment? University can be extremely expensive. You can get a loan to cover your fees and living costs, and repayments are relatively small, but the downside is that you’ll probably be paying it back throughout the majority of your career.
  • Will a degree further your career? Even if you don’t know exactly what it is that you want to do, a degree will most likely come in useful at some point. You gain transferable skills, and it shows that you’re a dedicated, capable of learning to a high level and can work independently.
  • Do I need a degree for most careers? A lot of employers will now require a degree. Even if they don’t, a degree may give you an edge over another candidate. If you don’t have a particular career in mind, which would require specific training or qualifications, a general degree can be beneficial because it will give you lots of different options for your future.

Training on the Job

With the prevalence of internships and apprenticeships, it’s becoming more common than ever to train on the job. They are available across many different job sectors, offering manual hands-on work right through to office roles. You will often be able to gain a qualification for your efforts. It’s a brilliant way to get into an industry.

You don’t necessarily have to start from scratch to learn new skills at work, however – a career change can often be based on many of the current skills that you already possess. Many employers value experience, even if it isn’t in the exact same field as you currently work. For example, if you can prove that you have worked with a wide range of people and can handle deadlines and a little bit of pressure, these are real-life skills which employers will recognise. Previous experience in the workplace shows that you’re able to apply yourself to new tasks and learn new skills, so don’t be put off from applying for jobs just because it’s not something you have exact experience of. They’ll often be looking for someone to fit into a pre-existing team, and if you can show that you’re able to do this, they’ll be happy to teach you new skills along the way.

If you’re looking for your first job out of university, college or school, again don’t be put off by your lack of direct experience. Many employers are happy to take on new graduates. Show that you’re enthusiastic and emphasise how well you were able to learn whilst in education, and this will get you a long way.