As unemployment dips how can you get on the employment train?

Following tough times, it is great to see that unemployment is reducing.

Following tough times, it is great to see that unemployment is reducing. With so many people applying for job vacancies, it is important that you stand out from other applicants. The good news is that there are some great ways to boost your CV and make yourself more attractive to potential employers. Below we cover a number ways to get ahead of the competition, including, topping up your qualifications, proofreading your CV, choosing the right hobbies to include on your CV and writing an awesome covering letter.

Top up your qualifications

Extra qualifications look great on your CV for a number of reasons. If you have been out of work then it shows potential employers that you have used your initiative to fill your time and work on your personal development and your career. However, if you complete a qualification whilst in work, it shows employers that you are serious about enhancing your career.

There are plenty of courses that you can study from the comfort of your own home. Studying from home means that you can fit the course into your busy schedule, no matter what else you are balancing. Studying at home instead of attending a college allows you to save time and money on travelling to college. You still get excellent tutor support, but you can work at your own pace, with your own career goals in mind.

Whether you are looking to top up your existing qualifications or set off on a whole new career path, there are plenty of courses to choose from, including, training to become a Teaching Assistant or a Health Care Assistant. What’s more, at home courses with NCC Home Learning are accredited, meaning you can get a nationally recognised qualification which looks great on your CV.

Include your hobbies or volunteer work

If you spend your weekends mountain biking, you maintain a blog or have any other relevant hobbies then be sure to include them on your CV. It shows potential employers that you are well-rounded and have other skills that can be transferred to the workplace. It also helps to reveal more of your personality. You can get creative and include hobbies that are relevant to the job you are applying for so that they reinforce your application instead of just filling in blank space. For example, if you are applying for a role in journalism then including your blog would be a great fit, and if you are applying for a position as a personal trainer then your marathon running would fit in perfectly.

If you have spent any time volunteering then think about the responsibilities you have within your volunteer work. If you volunteer in a charity shop then you are likely to be handling cash, serving customers, dealing with complaints and rotating stock. If you are the president of a charity organisation then this shows that you have great management skills.

Proofread your CV

This is the easiest thing to do, and yet it has a big impact. Having a well written, grammatically correct CV will show that you have paid attention to detail and taken the time to complete the task correctly. Ensure that your CV is proofread, paying particular attention to the grammar and spelling. Print out a copy of your CV and read it out loud to yourself – this will help you to spot anything that doesn’t read correctly or any rogue spelling mistakes. It is also a good idea to ask someone else to review your CV as a fresh pair of eyes can often spot mistakes you have missed.

Write an awesome covering later

When applying for any role, your covering letter is the first impression that a potential employer gets of you, and you may only have 30 seconds to impact the reader. Covering letters should be tailored to the specific role you are applying for, and this gives you a great chance to stand out above the competition. Your covering letter should be typed with an easy to read font, and kept to one side of A4.

What should a good covering letter contain?
● The hiring manager’s name, if known. If not, Dear Sir/Madam will suffice.
● The position you are applying for.
● Why you feel you would be a good fit for the position – make sure to reference the skills listed in the job description and refer to your CV to show that you have these skills.
● Your interest in the role – why do you want to work for the company and why you want this particular role.
● A closing statement- you could indicate that you would love to have an informal chat to discuss this role, or, that you are looking forward to hearing back.

These tips will help you to get ahead of the competition when applying for job vacancies.

Visit www.ncchomelearning.co.uk to search for courses that will develop and improve your CV with the intention of “Getting that job”.

Good Luck with the Job Search!