1. Things you need to think about

2.  There’s good news and bad news  In Merseyside the jobs will come from 4 areas:  The Visitor Economy The Visitor Economy  SuperPort SuperPort  The Low Carbon Economy The Low Carbon Economy  The Knowledge Economy The Knowledge Economy

3.  No-one can expect a job for life.  The average 38 year old will have had 14 jobs  Major companies receive more than six times as many applications as there are employees in the company  There can be over 100 applicants for each job  The best way to stand out is to make links with people or network

4.  You are studying at a college that is in the forefront of preparing students for these job roles  You have the chance to do a work placement  This will help you gain experience, make your mark, be remembered and get references  You will have the opportunity to use technology to create a CV  You can upload your CV to WMC’s Welfare2Work matching service

5.  Research your industry  https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/ Pages/Home.aspx https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/ Pages/Home.aspx  Read the trade press/professional publications  For example  http://www.caterer.com/ http://www.caterer.com/  http://www.hji.co.uk/blogs/2009/03/trade- secrets-for-perfect-hair.html http://www.hji.co.uk/blogs/2009/03/trade- secrets-for-perfect-hair.html  http://www.building.co.uk/ http://www.building.co.uk/

6.  Top skills demanded by employers in the Wirral  Communication skills Do you say please and thank you? Can you talk to anyone you meet? Can you take a telephone message accurately? Can you compose an email in an appropriate format?  Team working Do you look around to see if you can help a colleague? Are you flexible to do a different task without moaning? Are you respectful and listen politely to other peoples’ opinions ?

7.  Initiative Do you look around to see what needs doing without being asked? Do you have enthusiasm? Can you take the lead? Do you take responsibility for what you do?  Enterprise Do you have a ‘Can do’ attitude and a drive to make things happen? Are you aware of how businesses work? Do you look around to see how to make things better

8.  Time management Are you always punctual? Do you make sure you do your work on time? Are you back from breaks or lunch on time? Are you a clock watcher or someone who puts everything into the task and then is pleasantly surprised that the day is so short?  Self-management Do you keep healthy and look after yourself Do you have a good work ethic? Are you honest and trustworthy? Can an employer rely on you day in day out? Are you on your mobile when you should be working? (Not a good idea)

9.  How do I do this?  Make sure your attendance is as near to 100% as you can  Submit all your assignments on time  Take a real interest in your chosen future career  Turn up to all meetings about work placements  Be prepared to travel to your work placement.  When you are looking for work, the DWP expects all Job Seekers to be prepared to travel up to 90 minutes each way by public transport  Remember, we won’t send you on a work placement until you are ready.

10.  Get an insight into your chosen career  Gain experience  Prove how reliable you are  Show your skills and prove how good you are  Meet a future employer  Network  Get a good reference  Have a look at www.careerswales.comwww.careerswales.com > tools And resources > Games and Activities

11.  Enjoy your work placement  You can also upload a CV to Wirral Metropolitan College’s new programme, https://wmc.welfare2work.co.uk https://wmc.welfare2work.co.uk  This is a search programme, which looks at all the other websites, such as Monster, Total Jobs, Fish4Jobs etc  It saves you time and effort.  It matches you with suitable jobs.  It is up to you to apply.  Good Luck!