This document provides guidance on personal development planning, job searching, writing CVs and cover letters, and preparing for interviews. It discusses developing self-awareness through understanding one's interests, strengths, and career goals. It also outlines conducting a SWOT analysis and creating a development plan. Advice is given on researching the job market, sourcing jobs, and meeting basic requirements. Directions are provided on writing an effective CV and cover letter, including suggested structures. Finally, the document outlines steps for preparing for an interview, including self-reflection, research, and practice.
4. Self Development Plan
A Personal Development Plan (PDP) enables
learners to identify key areas of learning and
development activity that will enable them to
either acquire new or develop existing skills and
behavioural attributes for the following purposes:
enhance performance in their current role
address anticipated changes in their current role
address career aspirations towards a future role
5. Job Market Know How
What is the current conditions
Check with your knowledge about Job
Market
Sourcing of job
What are the basic requirements
7. How to write a good CV
Start with writing your name and address clearly.
Make sure your email add and contact number is
there
If you use your personal statement it needs to be
short, punchy and targeted at the skills required
for the job you applied for but if you are not sure
leave it out and sell your cover letter
State your education qualification from the recent
one
State your work experiences from the recent one
8. How to write a Good CV
State about your interest
State about your relevant skills
At the end put your personal information
(fathers name, mothers name, permanent
address etc.)
Reference is not always mandatory to
mention if not asked for. You can write
reference is available on request
9. Suggested structure for a covering
letterFirst Paragraph
State the job youre applying for.
Where you found out about it (advert in The C newspaper etc. - organisations like to know which of
their advertising sources are being successful)
When you're available to start work (and end if it's a requirement)
Second Paragraph
Why you're interested in that type of work
Why the company attracts you (if it's a small company say you prefer to work for a small friendly
organisation!)
Third Paragraph
Summarise your strengths and how they might be an advantage to the organisation.
Relate your skills to the competencies required in the job.
Last Paragraph
Thank the employer and say you look forward to hearing from them soon.
If you start with a name (e.g. "Dear Mr. X) you should end with "Yours sincerely". If you start with "Dear Sir
or Madam" you should end with "Yours faithfully".
10. Emailed letters
Put your covering letter as the body of your email. It's
wise to format it as plain text as then it can be read by any
email reader
Emails are not as easy to read as letters. Stick to simple
text with short paragraphs and plenty of spacing. Break
messages into points and make each one a new paragraph
with a full line gap between paragraphs. DON'T "SHOUT"
(WRITE IN UPPER CASE!) Your CV is then sent as an
attachment
If you don't know the name of the person you are writing to,
it's probably best to use the formal Dear Sir or Madam and
to sign off Yours Sincerely or Yours Faithfully
12. Preparation for the
Interview
Step 1: The Self-Interview
Know your strengths & weaknesses
Determine your employment interests; what do
you want to do and why
Reflect on your values; whats most important to
you
Be prepared to cite several examples of
experiences, accomplishments, successes
13. Preparation for the
Interview
Step 2: Research
Review employer website/literature
Develop targeted questions concerning employer
and job
Attend Informational Meetings with friends or
known person who worked for that org/be involve
with some seniors
Be sure you know what the company stands for, its
culture, and why you want to work for them!
14. Preparation for the Interview
Step 3: Practice!!
Review common questions
Schedule mock interview
Prepare list of questions
Be alert to body language & eye contact
SMILE
15. Preparation for the Interview
Step 3: Practice!!
Speak clearly; listen carefully
Identify your motivation point for this job
Fix your salary expectation as per market
availability and your KS
Identify positive and negative points of your
personality and get preparation to face it
positively