1. Unit 7 Career Planning

2.  This unit is very practical and will help you thinking about the future whether it means looking for a job or applying for higher education. You will develop a career plan in which you will:  Determine your skills and interests  Research different jobs  Identify training needs  Devise an action plan  Cost the plan and find sources of funding

3.  The first stage of any career plan is to assess your skills and interests. There are many ways in which this can be done.  You must conduct a variety of original research and analyse it to identify your key strengths and weaknesses.

4.  Introduction Write a paragraph in which you explain what a career plan is and why it is important. Use the following to help: http://mappingyourfuture.org/planyourcareer /plan.htm http://www.careers4graduates.org/direction/ dcarplan.php http://www.prospects.ac.uk/features_career_ planning.htm

5.  Log on to www.fasttomato.comwww.fasttomato.com  Log on if you have used the site before and can remember your username and password.  Go to need a log in - if you have used the site before and can’t remember it or if you are new to the site. Enter fast track code: SJFH  Record your username and password you may wish to use the site again.  Complete and print off the finished questionnaire.  Remember: When entering your qualifications put the highest you realistically hope to achieve  Create a table which summarises your main strengths and weaknesses.  Use the site to generate career ideas. Keep these for Task 2

6.  Explain what is meant by 360 Degree Feedback.  http://www.appraisal360.co.uk/ http://www.appraisal360.co.uk/  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/360- degree_feedback http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/360- degree_feedback  Complete the 360 Degree Questionnaires on an appropriate number of people, who know you. This may include parents; teachers; friends; employers; sports coaches etc. You should be aiming for 5 or 6 people to make it worthwhile.  Analyse your results – giving examples to support your comments and try to expalin reasons fro them.

7.  Find your previous recent school reports. Do not use reports from Year 7 !If you cannot find them, you should have a pretty good idea what your reports said.  Summarise the main strengths and weaknesses, both subjects and study skills.

8.  When you are developing a career plan or applying for a job or training programme, you may need to send a CV (curriculum vitae). A CV is a way of presenting your qualifications, skills and experience in writing – concisely and clearly. There's no one correct way of writing a CV.  A CV is your chance to 'sell yourself' to an employer. As first impressions count, take care with the content and presentation. Producing your first CV can be daunting, but here are some tips to help.  Wordprocess your CV so that it can be easily updated.  Keep the length to either one or two sides of A4.  Your CV should be clear and well presented. Use headings and bullets, and an easy-to-read font. Double- check facts such as the titles of qualifications you have achieved, as well as spelling and grammar.  Include your name, address, telephone number(s) and email address; there's no need to include other personal details, such as your date of birth.  Describe your education and qualifications, skills and work experience, other achievements and any relevant interests.  Emphasise any relevant skills you have developed through work experience, voluntary work or through your interests. Be as specific as possible.  List the qualifications you will be taking and the dates, possibly with predicted grades.  You can put, 'names of referees are available on request', rather than name them on your CV. Get permission before giving the names/contact details of referees

9.  Write your own curriculum vitae.  There numerous websites that will help you here are some templates and examples to help:  http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/J obseekers/Helpapplyingforajob/DG_173655 http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/J obseekers/Helpapplyingforajob/DG_173655  http://www.businessballs.com/curriculum.ht m#cv_writing_tips_examples_templates http://www.businessballs.com/curriculum.ht m#cv_writing_tips_examples_templates