Early career advice and resources
If you are at the start of your career, making the transition from school or college into the world of work, the entire Work Horizons site has content which will be relevant. In this section there is also specific advice and resources for people who are relatively young and do not yet have a great deal of employment experience.
The same principles apply to everyone:
- Start by considering what would give purpose and meaning to you
- Research how to be successful in finding a job which enhances the prospects of ultimately having a truly satisfying career,
- Consider whether you could confidently step into the unknown and starting a business
- Whichever route you choose, how to survive in the early days and go on to thrive and soar.
Like the rest of the site, this is not a structured training course. You can methodically work your way, which has a sequence, or you can dip in and out, finding ideas depending on the stage of your progress.
Finding a stimulating, challenging and satisfying career is not an easy task for most people. Some do fall lucky quickly, but most of us have to work at it: thoughts, plans and action.
There are many factors affecting your job search but the main one is you; your attitude, your commitment and your energy. There are factors outside of your control, about which you should not worry, and this allows time to focus on the issues under your control.
Education to Employment – making the major move
There are some major differences in how you will be treated and how you are expected when you move into the world of work from school, college or university. Here are some key issues to consider and act on.
Research, research, research
You can never be too prepared for an interview or assessment centre. If you have a good understanding about the organisation, its culture, the role and even the interviewers, you will be able to mould your answers and the points you want to make
What if I choose the wrong career?
Despite all of the research and thought, sometimes people go into the wrong job or even career. How long should you leave it? How should you approach change?
Your Unique Selling Point (USP)
Although the idea of your 'personal brand' has become a bit of a cliché, it is true that you must be able to describe what makes you ‘You’, and how that differentiates you from other candidates.
Getting past automated application tracking systems
As ever more employers use computers systems and artificial intelligence to filter out the applications that will be considered, you need to know how they work and how to make sure they work for you.
Too few good jobs – so what now?
Many very highly qualified and intelligent people cannot find the job they really want, or at least cannot find it immediately. Some talented people will need to take a different route. Here are some of the routes you may consider.
Differentiation – making the impression
For any vacancy there is the likelihood you will be competing with numerous other people, so what will make you stand out? Here are a few initial pointers to working it out.
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Looking for something different? Return to the full list of resources.
