Each year from June onwards the numbers of job hunters swell as thousands of young people leave school and college to test their luck and skill in the market-place. Whatever educational course you are studying you are probably busy during your final year, but don't leave your job hunting to the last minute or you'll find yourself competing with many more people than you need to. Begin your search for employment by writing to companies in the January of your final academic year. Let the world know that you are eager to find employment and tell everyone when you will be available to start. Remember the old saying about the early bird.
Scottish Certificate of Education
These school examinations are taken in a variety of subjects in Scotland. There are two grades of SCE. Standard, previously ordinary grade SCEs, are usually taken at 15 or 16 years of age and students are awarded certificates graded from 1 to 7. Passes at grades 1, 2 or 3 are considered to be equivalent to GCSE passes. Higher grade SCEs, sometimes referred to as revised higher grade SCEs, are usually taken in a range of subjects at 16 or 17 years of age. Successful students are awarded passes at A, B or C grades. A pass at A or B grade is regarded as the equivalent of an A level GCE pass. Two grade C passes are regarded as equivalent to one A level GCE pass.
Scottish Vocational Educational Council
SCOTVEC is responsible for the design and accreditation of a wide range of job-related courses and modules of further education in Scotland. Levels of study range from non-advanced courses through to Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) and professional development awards. The qualifications are frequently structured around modules and units similar to NVQ qualifications which are available in England and Wales. The Council also produces a Record of Education and Training (RET) on which all SCOTVEC awards are recorded for each candidate. There is a highly developed range of distance learning packages in SCOTVEC subjects.
Selection tests
Many organizations use selection tests in their recruitment process. Sometimes they want to measure your technical skill and aptitude for the job. Electricity companies, for example, usually test would-be apprentices for their mathematical skill and understanding of the general principles of electricity. They also test for color blindness. Confusing red and green cables could have catastrophic results! They aren't looking for experts but they need to know that you have a good basic understanding of the subjects and an ability to learn more. Police forces and prison services put their candidates through a series of examinations which test physical well-being as well as general knowledge. The armed forces have a wide range of tests which they apply to candidates depending on which branch of activity they are aiming for. At officer level, practical tests and challenges are used to determine leadership qualities. Some factories require candidates to complete tests to indicate how well developed their hand and eye co-ordination is. Many companies give prospective secretaries a keyboard and simple bookkeeping test. Careers officers are usually able to advice on which companies expect candidates to undergo a selection test.
When you are invited to attend an interview, you are usually asked to phone the company to confirm that you will attend. If you feel that you may be asked to take a test, it will do you no harm to ask when you phone to thank them for the invitation to the interview.
Written tests are usually time-limited. You get a number of questions to answer in a relatively short time. Success depends on your ability to answer the questions quickly and accurately. Don't worry about not answering all the questions in the time given. Many of the tests are designed to ensure that it would be extremely unlikely for anyone to achieve this. When you are doing such a test, keep up your pace by skipping over any questions which are too difficult, concentrate on answering those which you find easy and then come back to the harder ones if there is any time left at the end. When you are asked to take a test, apply the same rules as if you were going for an interview. Dress appropriately, arrive early, try to stay calm and be pleasant to whoever you meet.
Short listing
Short listing is the process which employers go through to reduce a large number of applicants to a small number of people they would like to know better. It can be a difficult job and the initial screening processes can be brutal. Some employers, for example, refuse to consider applications which are untidy or carelessly prepared. Don't, for example, expect to get an interview if you spell the manager's name wrongly or if you change of the color of ink halfway through your letter. If your job application isn't neat, what are you telling the employer about your interest in the job he has to offer?
Some employers arrive at their shortlist by comparing each application against their ideal. They discount any which don't appear to meet their requirements. This method can often reduce 30 or 40 applications to a more manageable pile of five or six who may be worth inter-viewing. Employers usually take up references on these and may use the information they receive to discount one or two more.
It is important to understand two things about the short listing process. First, you can be sure that if you are shortlisted your application is being treated seriously and you are a real contender for the job. Second, and perhaps more important, if you aren't shortlisted it is probably because you didn't give the employer enough information. If this job is perfect for you, let the employer know. He's not a mind reader and the application form alone will not be enough to tell him how good you are. Put a letter in with your application and let your skill and enthusiasm shine through - don't sell yourself short.
Support groups
When you are trying to get a job there are a number of good reasons for getting together with other people in the same situation. Support groups can offer practical help and encouragement. You should be able to obtain information about local job clubs from the Job center. Some job clubs have telephones, computers and word processors available for use. Here, you can put together a standard curriculum vitae, letters of application, and speculative enquiry letters. Many job clubs also organize mock interviews and offer training in interview technique. They also maintain libraries and lists of employers' names and addresses. Best of all, meeting other job hunters enables you to dispel the damaging sense of isolation that unemployment encourages.
Local colleges frequently play host to self-help groups of unemployed people and organizers are also able to offer reduced price admission to a range of courses which can increase or update your skills. If you need support in basic skills, the local college should be able to help here too. Some professional institutes may offer services to unemployed members.
Further information
If you are considering self-employment there are a number of organizations which offer support. The framing and Enterprise Council (TEC, or LEC in Scotland) or your local Chamber of Commerce should be able to put you in touch with them.
Details of all local job clubs, local colleges and voluntary groups in your area are available in public libraries.
