Advice – the Etc. recruitment team are on hand to give practical tips on how to progress your career.
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SHOW WILLING TO LEARN AND GROW
Colleges and employers want to see you’ re willing to learn and grow, even if you don’ t have much experience yet. Demonstrate your interest in learning new skills, staying curious and taking on challenges.
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SHOW YOUR PASSION
Admissions tutors and employers can tell when you’ re genuinely interested. Talk about a project you’ ve worked on, a book you’ ve read or a club you’ ve joined that relates to your chosen field.
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NETWORK
Networking and attending careers events can help build contacts with employers. Don’ t be afraid to say hello and ask questions. Showing a confident and enthusiastic approach will make a great first impression.
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TAILOR YOUR APPLICATION
Don’ t send the same generic application everywhere. Customise your CV, cover letter or personal statement for each college, university or company. Avoid any panic by giving yourself time to build a standout application, think quality over quantity, and no AI- it’ s easy to spot!
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PREPARATION IS KING
Research the organisation you are applying to, their history, their future plans and their values. If you get an interview, think of examples of times you’ ve demonstrated teamwork, leadership or problem-solving. Always remember to have some questions of your own.
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EVIDENCE YOUR SKILLS
It’ s not good enough to say I’ m good in a team. Talk about a time you’ ve worked in a team. For example:“ I worked with my friend to set up a cake stall to fundraise for Macmillan. This involved organising who baked the cakes, creating posters to advertise the stall, making sure the stall was attended at all times and paying the money into the charity.”
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DON’ T BE AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT YOUR FAILURES
With failure comes lessons and new strengths. Sharing the things you have overcome shows you can be self-reflective, which is an important quality to colleges, universities and employers.
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BUILD AN ONLINE PRESENCE
Create a positive online presence. Some employers will check social media prior to employing someone.
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BE YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF!
Focus on being yourself, don’ t be afraid to try something new and approach everything with a positive attitude!
Take a closer look: bede. ac. uk neta. co. uk cleveland. ac. uk stockton. ac. uk
Who is the Etc.? The Etc. is made up of Bede Sixth Form College, NETA Training, Redcar and Cleveland College, Stockton Riverside College and Innersummit.
The group offers a wide range of academic and full-time vocational courses, apprenticeship training, adult courses, access qualifications and higher education. And we are rated Outstanding by Ofsted!
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