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Fancy finding out how to start your own business? 

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Fancy finding out how to start your own business? 

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You can access free support with starting up/growing a business through ‘Build A Business’:

The contact for Rochdale is Michael Carter – Michael.carter4@rochdale.gov.uk

Michael can support people aged 16+ but you have your National Insurance Number.

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Home - Build a Business Greater Manchester

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Build A Business is aimed at small businesses, entrepreneurs and anyone thinking of starting their own business. It's running across all 10 Greater Manchester authorities, offering tailored help to support new businesses.

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Use the filter to find out something fantastic that you could join. Check out opportunities that will help build you skills and confidence.

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Discover fun and enriching activities beyond the classroom at Reach Rochdale! Explore your interests, develop new skills, and meet new people. We offer a variety of extracurriculars for all ages and i…

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Apprenticeships - need a reminder of what they are? 

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Apprenticeships - need a reminder of what they are? 

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This 7 minutes video offers a clear explanation of what apprenticeships are and how to explore them as an opportunity for you.

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The Apprenticeship Assembly Film - Amazing Apprenticeships

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Watch this film, perfect for assemblies and educational settings, and discover the benefits of apprenticeships.

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Interested in accounting, technology or business?  PwC offering some insight/virtual work experience. 

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Interested in accounting, technology or business?  PwC offering some insight/virtual work experience. 

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Are you interested in accounting, business or technology and want to explore what a career could look like in those industries? PwC’s Virtual Insight Programme will give you the opportunity to learn about their different business areas through interactive sessions. You’ll hear from those who joined PwC straight from school or after university, as well as build your employability skills and receive support on how to approach job applications for the future.

You’ll need to be in Year 11 and meet the eligibility requirements in the job description.

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Applications for our Virtual Insight Programme 2024 are open for a second round.

Our Virtual Insight Programme (running 29 - 31 July 2024) provides opportunities to gain lots of valuable skills and explore your career interests and options with PwC. You may be interested in doing an apprenticeship, going to university, or a combination of both. Perhaps you're still not sure, and you simply want to find out more about PwC and the different areas that you could join. Our Virtual Insight Programme will help you answer these questions by giving you a glimpse into our different business areas. You'll also hear from our people who joined through a range of student pathways and programmes and meet our recruiters.

Through our interactive sessions, you'll get to experience our different business areas such as Audit, Consulting, Tax, Technology and Operate to find out what it means to be an expert in that area. You can also take part in a variety of skills sessions which will build your personal and professional skills, preparing you for future applications and for the workplace.

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Virtual Insight Programme at PwC | Early Careers | PwC UK Careers

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Our Virtual Insight Programme provides opportunities to gain an insight into PwC and professional services whilst enhancing your employability skills.

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Some large companies or career bodies host online virtual work experience opportunities. Check out the Youth Employment Works site for links to learning opportunities.

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Opportunity Finder - Youth Employment UK

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Developing essential skills for the world of work

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Developing essential skills for the world of work

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Check out this link to consider how you can develop your skills ready to impress a future employer.

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Apps for Good is preparing students for an ever-changing world, offering free creative tech courses for you to deliver in your classroom.

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Want to gain experience for a career in the NHS?

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Want to gain experience for a career in the NHS?

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NHS Careers North West have established an e-learning programme with partners that offers you an insight into the variety of NHS careers. You can take part in e-learning modules that boost your chances of excelling when you apply to positions and on completion you have an impressive e-learning portfolio plus certificates.

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NHS NW eLearning - Home - Careers in Health and Social Care

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Welcome to Summer Term Year 11 careers information Padlet. This page will provide all the information you need to help you get ready for your next phase of learning and training.

Please remember that you remain a student at Holy Family College until 27th June 2025. We will support you beyond this date if we can.

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You will have had your EXIT INTERVIEW with Mrs Ames.
We still aim to address any needs you may have, to make sure you have a smooth journey from leaving Holy Family to your exciting new place of learning.

Thank you for your feedback - this will be used to benefit students in the future.

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You can continue to get support from Xello Careers Platform using the login you used in School. Your Sixth Form or College may also support your career planning through Xello.

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WORRIED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? YOU CAN STILL GET SUPPORT FROM YOUR CAREERS ADVISER! 

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WORRIED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? YOU CAN STILL GET SUPPORT FROM YOUR CAREERS ADVISER! 

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Your school careers adviser has changed (Cherry Hughes is being replaced by Daniela Petrillo). Daniela is keen to speak to you if you have any concerns about your next step. See contact details on the attached flyer or ring Daniel directly on Mobile: +447587230420 or danielapetrillo@positive-steps.org.uk

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GCSE Results Day is Thursday 20th August 2026.

After your last GCSE exam your work is done so don't spend time panicking about your Results. There are some useful tips in the article above to keep you calm in the run up to Results Day.  The article also prepares you for picking up your Results and managing what to do with your grades when you have received them.  If you Results do impact on your plans, contact Daniela Petrillo, your new careers adviser on Mobile: +447587230420

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GCSE results are released on Thursday, 24 August 2023. While schools get them the day before, students can collect their results on the Thursday morning, usually at about 10am depending on your school.

If you're collecting your grades on this day, it will probably be the first time you've ever picked up formal exam results.

The grades you get can help you progress onto A-levels or whatever further study you choose, so there's no getting away from the fact that it can be a stressful day. But it's important to stay as relaxed as possible ahead of GCSE results day, so focus on enjoying yourself over summer.

Read our guide on how to calm your GCSE results day nerves.

If you're feeling anxious about results day, focus on looking after yourself - especially in the few days before. Whenever you start to feel stressed, get some exercise to help clear your head. It doesn't have to be a massive gym session. A quick jog or a brisk walk will do the job.

Be mindful of what you're eating as well. Steer clear of junk food and aim for healthy food such as nuts and veggies. It will help keep your blood sugar levels on an even keel and give you a more positive mindset.

With the school or college routine quickly becoming a distant memory, late nights can easily become the order of the day. But it's no fun feeling half-asleep on a day when you really need your wits about you. Try to get some early nights in the run-up to results day, so your sleep pattern gets back to normal in time for the big day and the new academic year.

When the day arrives, make sure you pack your mobile phone so you can give your parents a call after getting your results.

Pack a bottle of water and some tissues. Make sure you eat breakfast before you head down to school so you're not running on an empty stomach.

Imagine your best and worst case scenario, and think about whether you're happy to experience whatever 'success' or 'failure' means to you on your own or with friends.

Some students nip off to a toilet cubicle to open their results, others rip them open in front of their friends and teachers. Everyone's different, so make sure you're not peer-pressured into opening your results with friends if you're not feeling comfortable or confident.

It's best to be somewhere at school to open your results, so you can get advice from your teachers if you need it. But you can always take them home to open them if you prefer.

You might find there's a photographer from the local newspaper wanting to get snaps of celebrating (and commiserating) students. If you're camera shy and private, you might want to avoid the hustle and bustle. If not, go and get your face in the paper!

When you first look at your results, GCSE English and GCSE Maths are the key qualifications to look out for. In the GCSE number grading system a 4 is likely to be requested as a minimum by schools and colleges if you want to move on to study at a higher level. Some courses may ask for higher grades so check carefully.

If you missed out on the grade 4, especially if it's by a narrow margin, the first thing to do is to speak immediately to the head of the sixth form or college you hope to attend.

You might want to consider applying for a review of marking, otherwise most schools and colleges will require you to resit your exams alongside your post-16 studies.

Most schools and colleges will offer classes to prepare you to retake these GCSEs or they will offer alternative courses. If classes are not available, it may be worth checking with other local colleges to see if they offer additional classes.

Again, the best course of action is to speak to the head of the sixth form or college you have applied to. Many colleges give you an offer where you'll need certain grades to be able to enrol.

In some cases the entry requirements may be 'informal', and so you may be let onto the course regardless. But this isn't always the case.

If you have missed your college requirements, there are a number of different paths you can take. You may retake one or more subjects to help boost your overall grade, or if you think there was an error with the marking of your paper you can apply for a review of marks.

Retaking exams or getting your paper reviewed are two methods to potentially improve a GCSE grade you're not happy with.

You can retake English and Maths GCSE in November but will have to wait until the next summer to resit any other GCSEs.

A common question asked is, which retake mark will count? You will receive more than one certificate and so will be perfectly entitled to say that you achieved whatever your highest grade was in the subject.

But you will have to declare all marks to universities via Ucas as you will need to declare all certificates.

Reviews of marking are available for a short period of time after you have received your results - but please note that once you have received a grade from a review, it is final. Your original grade will not count, even if it is higher.

Whether or not you apply for a review of marking or to be entered for retake should depend on a number of different factors.

Opting for a review is costly and may result in your mark going down as well as up. Also, the way reviews operate means that marks will only be adjusted if there is a 'significant error' by the original marker.

Because of this, reviews are best used when you feel you did much better in the exam than your mark suggests. The best advice is to discuss your options with your subject teacher who will be able to give you the best advice.

Here are a few possible scenarios below along with the suggested actions:

I didn't perform as well as I could have done in my exams due to outside circumstances
A retake is likely to be the best option for you, providing you feel that studying for the exam would not have a negative impact upon any other studies.

I found my original exam extremely difficult, and I didn't understand the content very well
In this case it is especially important to speak to your subject teacher. They may advise you to focus on your other exams rather than retaking or they may be able to offer you extra sessions to prepare you for a resit.

You usually have to pay a fee to either retake an exam or to have your paper reviewed, although your centre may choose to pay these fees for you. The cost of retaking or reviewing is dependent on the exam board in question, so you should speak to your examinations officer to make sure you have all of the information you need.

For the most up-to-date information about fees, it's best to check directly on the exam boards' websites.

The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has published its guide to post-results services. It contains comprehensive information on the possible actions that can be taken once you have received your results and can be found on the JCQ post-results services page.

Not sure you fancy going into further education? If you decide to take an alternative route, there are a number of different options for you to explore.

You might do a vocational course (such as construction, childcare or engineering) rather than completing A-levels. Alternatively, you may want to go straight into the world of work and get an apprenticeship or seek employment.

Here is our guide to all of the post-GCSE routes and options, from academic to vocational and occupational qualifications.

You can also get some great advice on apprenticeships and careers and employment in the forums.

Collecting your GCSE results is a nerve-wracking time; you'll probably find yourself surrounded by grinning mates who have aced their exams - but there's always likely to be a few people frowning over some less-than-ideal results.

People often find there are one or two subjects where their GCSE grades have slipped a little. If that happens to you, try to focus on the positive grades you've got. English and maths aside, having one or two lower GCSE grades is unlikely to hinder you in the future.

If you performed below your expectations overall, again you shouldn't worry. As long as you get into the courses and sixth form of your choice, it's time to look forward rather than dwelling on your results.

If your results went well... Congratulations! It's time to celebrate, relax and plan for what comes next. Either way, good luck on GCSE results day.

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GCSE results are released on Thursday, 24 August 2023. While schools get them the day before, students can collect their results on the Thursday morning, usually at about 10am depending on your school. If you're collecting your grades on this day, it will probably be the first time you've ever picked up formal exam results.

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Our Pass applications opens in May
Our Pass gives Greater Manchester’s 16-18 year olds and care leavers aged 18-21 access to free bus travel and reduced tram travel. You can travel to your post-16 destination by free bus travel and discounted Metrolink travel across Greater Manchester. It also provides access to a wide range of Exclusive freebies, discounts and to experience what the region has to offer and boost your social mobility.

You will become eligible to be an Our Pass holder on 1st September, but to enable you to apply in time to receive your card before the end of August, apply as soon as you can (from May onwards).

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Preparing for College - Introductory Days

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Preparing for College - Introductory Days

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All the local colleges offer support to get you ready to learn.  Remember, you are usually only in college for two years so you need be in the right mindset as soon as you start your course.

Most colleges offer introductory days - if you have applied check your portal for an invitation.

Book time in your well deserved summer break to do small chunks of preparation. Check out the links to colleges below and click on the one you expect to go to.

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Bury College have created the above site to give you an overview of life as a Bury College student and how to get the most out of your time at College. The resources will give you a head-start in your studies and contain information to complete prior to joining the College. If you have an offer, make sure you book on to attend one of the following introductory days.

Year 11 Introductory Day (A Levels) Tuesday 23rd June 2026

Year 11 Introductory Day (T Level and Voc) Wednesday 24th June 2026

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Hopwood Hall - preparing you for success

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Hopwood Hall - preparing you for success

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If you have had an offer from Hopwood Hall College - you will be invited to the New Taster Day on 1st July (Tuesday). The taster day gives you the chance to meet your tutor, student colleagues and for you to know where you are going when you start at College. Follow the link above for recommended preparation. YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR INVITE BY EMAIL SO MAKE SURE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS HAVE YOUR UP TO DATE CONTACT DETAILS.

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Hopwood Hall College and University Centre

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How to Apply - Hopwood Hall College and University Centre

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There’s a place for everyone at Hopwood Hall and applying for a course couldn’t be easier. Just follow these simple steps to join us and start an

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Holy Cross Sixth Form will be hosting a new student day on in June 2026. This is an opportunity to get introduced to the subjects you have listed on your application form (and allows you to discuss a possible change if required). You can also test out your home to college journey and meet people (who may become close friends). On GCSE Results Day (or the day after) an enrolment time and date will appear on your application portal. You will need to take a UK passport or a UK birth certificate to the appointment to prove your eligibility for a further education course. * If you haven't got the required grades for your offer, DON'T PANIC! Staff will be available to support you to look at alternative options.

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The application deadline for September 2023 has now passed. Students can still apply however, but any applications received now will be placed on a Waiting List and late applicants are asked to email Admissions@holycross.ac.uk to provide details regarding the timing of their application. Late applicants are not routinely offered an interview and without additional information, late applications will remain on the Waiting List.

Before you start college life at Holy Cross you will have completed our applications process managed by the Admissions team. The Admissions team will oversee the following key stages:

the online application

your interview

your formal offer

and your enrolment to college

When you apply, you will create an 'application portal' through which future communications will be managed. The e-mail address and password you use for this will be very important, please keep these safe.

Queries

If you have any queries at all regarding your application please contact the Admissions Team. We are available during Term Time, 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Thursday and to 2.15pm Friday, or you can email us on admissions@holycross.ac.uk.

Admissions Team:
0161 762 4510 admissions@holycross.ac.uk Log-On to Your Application Forgotten Password for Your Application?
Useful Links

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Sixth Form Admissions Process - Holy Cross College

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The application deadline for September 2023 has now passed. Students can still apply however, but any applications received now will be placed on a Waiting List and late applicants are asked to email Admissions@holycross.ac.uk to provide details regarding the timing of their application.

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Rochdale Sixth Form College student support

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Rochdale Sixth Form College student support

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Contact the Sixth Form if you require additional support.

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Individualised support: supporting you to achieve your potential

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Cardinal Langley - pre course preparation

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Cardinal Langley - pre course preparation

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Below you will find some Pre-Course reading materials and tasks to help you prepare for life at our Sixth Form. We hope you find these useful while you are currently observing social distancing. If you would like anymore information, please don't hesitate to contact either the members of staff linked to the work or sixth@clrchs.co.uk.

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Looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship?

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Looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship?

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Alert your new careers adviser if you are looking for apprenticeship opportunities (Daniela Petrillo Mobile: +447587230420

danielapetrillo@positive-steps.org.uk). Keep checking the GOV UK Find an Apprenticeship site as well as the apprentice pages on Bury, Hopwood Hall and Oldham Colleges websites. Brush up the C.V. you developed in Year 10 and approach local companies asking if they intend to offer any apprentice opportunities. Make sure you have a back-up plan such as a college course (you can continue to apply for apprenticeship opportunities while you are on a college course gaining relevant knowledge and experience).

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Register your profile, search vacancies and apply for an apprenticeship - you must be 16 or over

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Webinars to support apprenticeship search and applications

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Webinars to support apprenticeship search and applications

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Amazing Apprenticeships regularly host webinars supporting students (and their parents) with everything related to apprenticeships. There is the option to register for a webinar event or look at past webinars

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Webinars & Workshops - Amazing Apprenticeships

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Writing a quality application for an apprenticeship

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Writing a quality application for an apprenticeship

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Check through these slides from Springpod if you want top tips on applying to apprenticeships or other job opportunities.

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How to write a quality application for an Apprenticeship

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Apprenticeship Opportunities in Engineering, Technician, Operations, Customer Service, Social Care, Assistant Teaching, Early Years, Recruitment and Administration roles...

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Apprenticeship Opportunities in Engineering, Technician, Operations, Customer Service, Social Care, Assistant Teaching, Early Years, Recruitment and Administration roles...

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Rochdale Training deliver a range of apprenticeship standards. They advertise apprenticeship opportunity vacances on their website. In addition, Rochdale Training regularly offers short programmes to support people seeking apprenticeships relevant employability skills and experience.

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Apprenticeships We Deliver | Rochdale Training

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Interested in Hairdressing Apprenticeships 

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Interested in Hairdressing Apprenticeships 

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Michael John Training in Manchester host regular open events to view their Hairdressing & Barbering Academy. Michael John Training works with salons across Greater Manchester to deliver apprenticeship training. They accept applications from school leavers and support you to approach salons who may have apprenticeship opportunities.

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Interested in auto mechanics or transport/warehouse apprenticeships

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Interested in auto mechanics or transport/warehouse apprenticeships

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Mantra Learning based in Middleton work with local employers offering automotive and logistics apprenticeships. They host regular events where you can book on to find out more about the standards they offer and how you can apply to them.

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Mantra Learning is a leading training provider to the Logistics and Automotive sectors offering Apprenticeships and Short Courses.

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Boost your chances of an apprenticeship and employment 

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Boost your chances of an apprenticeship and employment 

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North Lancs Training Group (based in Bury Centre) host a 12 week programme to boost your skills and experience. If you prove your commitment to their programme, the Group will support you to secure work experience.

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On the Study Programme there are 2 routes, Employability Skills and Traineeships both available at our centres in Accrington, Oldham or Bury. Both routes include maths and English qualifications (if you don't already have GCSE grades 4 - 9) and are full-time programmes which means parents/guardians will be entitled to child benefits. After an initial induction and assessment period, you can decide the best route for you.
The Employability Skills route

* Supports you to get ready for the workplace, further learning, or an Apprenticeship by developing your employment skills along with maths and English.

* It is a 34 week programme with work experience from week 13 to develop your vocational skills.

* You will work towards achieving a City & Guilds qualification in Employability Skills.

The Traineeship route

* Supports you to develop the skills for an Apprenticeship through work placements and support provided at one of our 3 centres.

* It is a 24 week programme with work experience from week 3 to develop your vocational skills.

* You will receive a reference from your work experience employer which you can add to your CV.

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Study Programme - North Lancs Training Group

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What is the Study Programme? The Study Programme Team deliver two exciting pre-apprenticeship programmes; Employability Skills and In-centre Traineeships from... Read more "

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You can get excellent experience as well as money through part time work.  Some employers can fit in hours around your other commitments such as college.
Target employers who are likely to recruit students to work part time/unsocial hours.  Showcase your skills and talents with your C.V. (if you haven't got a C.V. follow the Barclays Life Skills link above to create one)

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Online CV builder – create a CV for free | Barclays LifeSkills

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Create a CV that stands out with our free online CV builder. Get started today!

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If you need to speak to someone in School about your wellbeing, you can contact Mrs Meuse, Pastoral Officer for Year 11 on the school number: 01706 36067 or contact via email: Mrs Meuse: jmeuse@hfch.co.uk.

You can also join Kooth - an online platform supporting young people with their health. It provides really valuable information and you can also access online support while remaining anonymous.

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BBC Bitesize have lots of helpful articles......

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Whether you're deciding what to study, taking your exams, planning a career, or just curious, we're here to explain the world of work, with advice from people who've found the right path for them.

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On GCSE Results Day (or just after), you will be able to enrol at the college or sixth form of your choice, if your grades meet the conditional offer you have been given. The enrolment date and appointment time will be indicated in your application portal or emailed to you (so make sure the colleges have your up-to-date email address and that you regularly check your emails). If you haven't met the conditional offer given to you, talk to college admissions as they may support you to look at alternatives.

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Finance if you are going to study at a sixth form or college

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Finance if you are going to study at a sixth form or college

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If your family are on a reduced income or if you are in care/leaving care, you may be eligible to apply for free meals and/or a bursary while you attend a college.  You will need a bank account.  Paste the link to the college you have applied to in your browser or search your college website direct for details of eligibility and how to apply:

https://burycollege.ac.uk/full-time/student-resources/bc-financial-support

https://www.hopwood.ac.uk/college-life/financial-support/

https://www.holycross.ac.uk/sixth-form/student-support-and-information/student-centre/

https://www.rochdalesfc.ac.uk/118/financial-support

https://sixth.clrchs.co.uk/parentsstudents/16-19-bursary?

Please note that funds are limited so as soon as you can apply, do so.

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Further learning maybe part of your journey to applying for higher or degree apprenticeships.  These are valuable work opportunities where employers offer workers the opportunities to study for higher or degree qualifications.  They are popular opportunities, so consider developing experience to support applications.

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To be eligible for a higher apprenticeship, you need to be:

aged 16 or over

living in England

not in full-time education

An apprenticeship is a real job, so you'll also need to meet any other criteria set out by the employer. Entry requirements are different depending on the employer and the industry you're going into.

If you don't already have GCSEs in English and maths, you generally need to take Functional Skills as part of the apprenticeship, which is an alternative to GCSEs.

Some employers may be looking for people who have taken relevant subjects or apprenticeships. For example, a lab-based apprenticeship may require a science A level.

To find out what level might suit you, look at current apprenticeship vacancies and their entry requirements. You'll then be able to decide if you might be more suitable for a different level.

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To be eligible for a higher apprenticeship, you need to be: aged 16 or over living in England not in full-time education An apprenticeship is a real job, so you'll also need to meet any other criteria set out by the employer. Entry requirements are different depending on the employer and the industry you're going into.

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Greater Manchester Combined Authority have launched an online advice site that supports you to explore important issues such as the environment, health & well-being, politics & citizenship, relationships, work & study, finance AND career planning.

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Useful information to help you prepare for adulthood.Made with young people in Greater Manchester, for young people in Greater Manchester.

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Further support around developing your C.V. 

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Further support around developing your C.V. 

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BBC Bitesize have a suite of articles to support you applying for opportunities.

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Whether you're applying for a full-time job, a summer job, work experience or an apprenticeship, you'll often need to share a CV with the company or business who wants to hire you.
A CV is a document that includes information about yourself and why you're a good fit for the role. It presents your skills and qualifications effectively and clearly.

Writing a CV is a skill, but a good one can help you stand out from the crowd.

In this CV Toolkit, we'll take you through everything you need to know and help you make a great first impression.

CV stands for curriculum vitae. That's Latin for your 'course of life' and that's basically what the document does. It tells people who you are and what you've done up to the point of applying. You'll also see it called a résumé.

What should your CV include?

You DO NOT need to include your age, date of birth, nationality or whether you're married. Employers shouldn't consider those things when deciding to offer you an interview. You also don't need to include a photo.

Only include your social media handles if they are relevant and professional. If you use social media as a portfolio and that's important for the role you're applying for then it's a good thing to include.

What should your CV look like?

There's no need to try and stand out with jazzy fonts and fluorescent paper. Your CV should be clear and easy to read.

Your CV should:

Be no longer than two pages

Use an easy-to-read font like Arial or New Times Roman. The font should be black and sized between 10-12

Use headings and bullet points. Keep the layout simple and make it easy to read

Use plain language.

If you're sending your CV as an e-mail, you should name the file something relevant to the employer, not to you. So "James Bond - Secret Agent Role" not "MI6 CV - V007".

Your personal profile is a few lines about who you are and why you're right for the job. You get to shout about your skills, interests, and career goals.

This section should be brief. There are other parts of the application where you can go into some more detail, like the cover letter. The personal profile is more like an elevator pitch. If you had one minute to "sell" yourself for the role, what would you say?

It's a good idea to tailor this to the job you're applying for. You can look at the job description and highlight any skills that match what the employer is looking for.

The key to this is to talk about transferable skills. It's very likely you won't have done the exact tasks the job you're applying for requires, but you can still mention skills you have developed that make you a good fit.

These could be technical skills, like software you know how to use, or more general skills like problem solving, creativity and staying calm under pressure. These are known as hard and soft skills.

A key skills section on your CV is a quick and easy way to show employers you've got what it takes to do the job.

There's no need to go into too much detail here. You simply need to list your key skills with words and phrases that describe what you can do. These could be soft skills, that can be used in almost any job such as "highly organised", or hard skills, which are usually specific to the job like "graphic design".

This section should go near the top of your CV so the reader knows your skillset from the off.

In practice, it will look something like this:

Problem solving

Time management

Active listening

Attention to detail

Photo editing for social media

Research.

The skills you list should be relevant. Make sure you read the job description carefully and make note of any requirements for the role. For example, you don't need to highlight IT skills if you'll never sit at a computer.

You can also do some research about similar jobs online and see what skills might be useful. If you think you can demonstrate that you have those skills, then add them to your CV.

Take a look at this article to help identify skills you might not know you had.

AI is reading your CV

Some employers use automated systems to filter CVs. These systems read and rate candidates, often using AI, before a human ever looks at the document. If a job you're applying for is using one of these then your key skills section is especially useful. The system is scanning for key skills so make them easy to find.

We'll look at how to identify and talk about your skills later in this toolkit.

Here, you will list out your formal education history. Start with the most recent and work your way backwards. Employers don't need to see anything before secondary school so this section may be short for you.

Here's what you should include:

Qualifications

The school, college, or university you attended

The dates you attended.

You can also use this section to mention any other training or abilities you have such as:

Knowledge of any other languages, including sign language

Any software tools you know how to use

First aid training

Academic awards or scholarships

Duke of Edinburgh awards.

The education section is simple and factual. If you don't have much/any work experience, then your education history should appear below your introduction. If you have some work experience then add that section first.

Here, you can include any work experience you have. This might include paid work, volunteering, or work placements. Begin with your most recent experience and work backwards.

Here's what you should include:

Your experience can show reliability, mindset and transferable skills, even if it's not specific to the job role you're applying for. When talking about what you did there, try to highlight achievements and demonstrate the skills that your new role would require.

Remember, you can include any work experience you've done through school. If you don't have any work experience yet then focus on your key skills and interests section.

Most employers will ask for a reference to find out about your previous experience.

Ideally the reference will come from someone who knows you well and can provide positive feedback about you. A previous manager or trainer is perfect.

If you don't yet have any work experience, you can also ask:

A teacher

A leader of a sports team or volunteer group

Someone respected in your community.

If you have permission, you can add these to your CV but you don't need to. The employer will ask for your references either way.

Make sure to ask for permission before sharing any references' contact details.

Beyond the basics, there are other sections you can include in your CV if you want to communicate other skills or tell employers more about you.

These are optional. There's no need to try and cram in everything there is to know about you into two pages. You want your CV to be as clear and easy to read as possible. You only need to include them if they are adding something.

They can be useful if you don't have any work experience or if you want to introduce skills that you don't have formal training or experience in.

Hobbies and interests

It's common to include a section on your CV that talks about relevant hobbies and interests. This can be a great way to personalise an application and point towards your broader skillset.

There are lots of things that can go in this section, such as:

Travelling

Musical instruments (and what grade you've reached)

Local sports teams you play for

Any artistic interests (like photography)

Volunteering

Clubs you belong to

Charity work.

Be specific. Where do you volunteer? Do you have a role in any of your clubs? If you love running, is it road or cross-country?

You don't need to include things like "hanging out with friends" or "gaming" in your hobbies section. This doesn't tell your employer anything about you and just takes up valuable space.

Only put things that are genuine interests in this section. You may be tempted to add things that you think the employer wants to hear but you're better off only including things you feel confident about. There's no point saying you love rock climbing in your CV, only to say you're afraid of heights in the interview.

Check out this video to see how activities outside of work can put you a step ahead.

Achievements or accomplishments

Another way to talk about your interests is to list some key accomplishments within work, education, or everyday life. These can be large or small, but they will demonstrate work ethic and should communicate something about the kind of person you are.

It may look like this:

Young Angler - Club president

Head boy/girl

First-aid trained

Proficient in Makaton

Won first prize at Anywhere Arts festival

Completed a sponsored swim.

You could also mention other extra-curricular activities at your school or in your community that you've taken part in. If you've helped out at open evenings, sports tournaments or local events then feel free to mention them. They can show skills like organisation and trustworthiness.

The things you do outside of the school environment can really set you apart. They can show commitment, a desire to keep improving and the ability to work towards your goals.

When employers read your CV, they're looking for things that will show that you can do the job well. This might be technical knowledge that's necessary for the work, evidence that you're good with people or simply signs that you have a strong work ethic.

You can break all these things down into different skills. You may be able to rub your belly and pat your head at the same time, but this is unlikely to be useful to an employer. A good skill for your CV tells the employer something about what you can bring to the job.

What kind of skills do employers want?

You'll sometimes hear skills divided into soft skills and hard skills.

Hard skills are usually technical and specific to the job. You may need special training or education to be able to do them. They include:

Video creation

Copywriting

Software skills

Foreign languages

Social media.

Soft skills are more general but no less sought after. They are often social or interpersonal. These are developed at home, in education and at work. They are usually transferable skills that can be applied to almost any job. They include:

This doesn't mean that hard skills are difficult and soft skills are easy. Employers value both and you'll want to develop a mixture of the two.

You may not have any work experience yet, but you can still develop your skills through extra curricular activities and volunteering. This will make your CV more interesting and appealing to employers.

You'd be surprised how many skills you already have. Some things that seem to come naturally to us are valued by employers. Focus on finding ways to highlight those things.

There are different opinions on the most effective style to use in a CV. It's essentially a piece of persuasive writing so a lot depends on the readers' preference.

That being said, there are always things you can do to make your writing more readable, and your profile stand out.
Do you prefer reading huge blocks of text or short, snappy sentences? Do you like wading throo spellng mistakes? Do you like it when a writer takes a really, really, really, really long time to get to the point?

You already know what you like. Most good writing is just good sense. But here's some tried-and-tested tips to make your CV more readable and engaging.

Start your sentences with an active verb e.g. "Took cash payments..." "Wrote a short story..."

If you're still working in a role, write in the present tense e.g. "I work...". If it's a previous role, write in the past tense e.g. "I worked..."

Use headings and bullet points to guide the reader through your CV

Use a simple and clear font like Arial or Times New Roman

Your CV can be written in third person or first person. Just make sure you keep it the same throughout

Ask someone you trust to read your CV and double check your grammar and spelling.

Take a step back and imagine reading your CV for the first time. You could also try recording yourself reading it aloud and listen back to it. What do you learn about the person? Would you hire them?

Let's look at all this in action.

You can apply this advice to anybody and any job, from superheroes to supermarket cashiers. If you're struggling to see the wood for the trees, let's head to Sherwood forest.

Here's what the CV for Robin Hood might look like. Take a look and see how each element we've talked about works on the page. You can apply this same format to your own CV using our template in the next section.

CV template

If you're less confident structuring your CV on the page, you can use the customisable template below to help you.

Feel free to practise using this template with the challenge below.

Sometimes writing about ourselves feels strange. It can often be easier to write about someone else. Have a go at this challenge to put your CV knowledge into practice.

Think about your favourite fictional character. Someone that you know a lot about. It doesn't matter who it is; this is just for you.

Now, imagine that character is applying for a job today. Maybe Spiderman needs some part-time work while he's at college, or Dracula's looking for a more ethical career choice.

Write up a CV for your character using the sections we've outlined in the toolkit.

Have fun with it. If you don't know something, then make it up. The idea is just to write a fun CV for your favourite character.

Now that you know what makes up a great CV, you can start to tackle your own.

Whether you're applying for your first job, looking for work experience or seeking an apprenticeship, you can use this toolkit to write a CV that makes you stand out from the crowd.

Remember the skills you outlined earlier in the toolkit. Use the personal profile, key skills and experience section to mention the important ones.

Include:

Whether you're applying for a job, a scholarship or to get into your dream university course, writing a cover letter and CV is a real art.
We've asked our experts to give us their top tips on how to put together a successful application.

"If you were writing a cover letter, the main thing I would say is it needs to be exciting enough to compel the reader to want to read more about you. So, if it's applying for a job, they'll need to want to look at your CV, having read your cover letter."

"Two key things to consider in that personal statement is why should we choose you as a student, and why do you want to study this course? So, you really need to think about your motivation. What's inspired you to want to study this course?"

"It's really easy on a cover letter or a CV to say, 'I've got excellent communication skills,' or, 'I'm a great team player.' But you have to back that up with real experience that you've got. So, it could be, 'I've got great communication skills, as evidenced by my time in the debating team,' or, 'I'm a great team player, as evidenced by my work experience or my part-time job.'"

"Employers want to see somebody who's unique, somebody who's different, so they want to see that come out either on paper in your CV or in an interview."

"It needs to be short, snappy and sweet, because they might be reading hundreds of these things."

"The days of the generic CV are over. You can't write your CV, expect to hand it into 100 different jobs and expect that to work. You might get lucky, but the reality is now that employers are more demanding. So, yes, 75% of your CV will stay the same, it'll be the education, work experience, your personal details. But the other 25%, which might be something like a personal profile, it might be a skills profile, it might be you changing, maybe, the subjects you've studied in school or what you learned within that, are the absolutely essential parts to making an effective CV. You need to speak to that employer and explain to them why you are ideal. And if you put a generic CV, it's very hard to do that. Take the time to understand what the employer needs, then take the time to understand how you meet those skills, and you'll be on to a winner."

CVs and applications: Top tips

Make sure your cover letter is short and snappy - an employer will be reading hundreds of them, so if something's not necessary, don't include it

A good cover letter will make the reader want to know more about you. It is, first and foremost, a good piece of writing that tells your story

Employers want someone who's different, with distinctive skills

But different doesn't always mean 'quirky'! Think of the industry you want to work in: if you're applying to work at a prestigious law firm, a colourful CV might not go down well!

Generic CVs don't work: they need to be tailored to the job you're applying for

While 75% of your CV (such as your personal details, education and work experience) will remain the same, the other 25% (for example: a personal statement, a key skills section or the more granular details about what you studied for a certain subject) needs to be relevant to that job

Look at the job description and what the employer is looking for, and match that with your experience

Give concrete examples. It's easy to claim you've got excellent communication skills, but you need to back it up with evidence. Did you volunteer at a help line, or work in customer service? Or were you part of a debating team? Say it!

If you're applying for a place at uni, they will want to know: why should we choose you and why do you want to study this course?

If you're invited for an interview, your prospective tutors might ask you questions about books, films or anything else you may have mentioned in your personal statement - so don't lie, and do your research!

Of course, it goes without saying: spellcheck your application and make sure your grammar is impeccable.

As you sit down to write or send your CV, you may find that you've still got some doubts.

This is entirely normal, so we've asked career coach Mark Anderson to give his hot take on some of the most common.

Mark is an award-winning career coach with over 20 years of experience supporting both adults and young people. Mark is dedicated to helping individuals make good decisions about their career and find fulfilment at work.

"I have no skills or experience. What do I write about?"

You may not have work experience, but you do have skills. Skills aren't just things we learn on the job. We gain them in all sorts of ways, like school, extracurricular activities, hobbies, and volunteering.

For instance, if you've guided parents and students during an open day at your school, it highlights your communication skills and willingness to assist others. An exceptional attendance record shows reliability.

You can also ask people that you trust, parents or close friends, what they think your best skills are. Often, they recognise things in us that we can't see for ourselves.

And remember, it's never too late to take part in activities that can enhance your CV in the future. So, if you've been thinking about volunteering, joining that new club or finally trying out that hobby, go for it!

It can feel a bit embarrassing to write about yourself. You may not know how you'll come across or worry that you'll sound like you're bragging.

Remember that your only job is to understand the skills that the employer needs and show that you have them. You'll never be able to sum yourself up entirely, and you don't need to, just tell them why you would be great for the job.

When you apply for a job, you'll be sending your CV to someone who knows nothing about you, and yours will be alongside a bunch of others. If you don't tell the employer who you are, who will?

It's a habit you'll develop throughout your career. Writing about yourself can boost your confidence as you reflect on your skills and achievements. It can also help you identify practical steps to make your CV even better in the future.

First of all, congrats! The hardest part is over. Now, carefully review your CV for any spelling or grammatical errors. If you have someone that can check it over for you, that's even better.

Then ensure your CV is tailored to the job you're applying for. Double-check the job description and make sure you're hitting as many of the key skills they've outlined as possible. If you're applying to different types of jobs, you'll need a CV for each.

Make sure to follow any guidelines for submitting your CV. You'll likely need to include a cover letter as well. Send your CV as a PDF file to maintain the format and prevent any amendments and give the file an appropriate name for the employer.

Congratulations. You're ready to take your CV out into the world. Remember to keep adding to it as you develop your skills.

Add this toolkit to your My Bitesize and return to it whenever you're updating your CV to double check the advice or guidelines.

You can go back to any section any time you like but here's some quick links to the CV basics, our templates and our guide to skills.

As you start applying for roles, you'll need to include a cover letter with your CV. This is a short introductory letter that explains why you're perfect for the role you're applying for.

You can learn everything you need to know with our cover letter toolkit.

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Career toolkit: How do I write a great CV? - BBC Bitesize

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Everything you need to know to write an engaging CV to land your dream job.

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WANT TO BOOST YOUR EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS? 

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WANT TO BOOST YOUR EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS? 

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Barclays Lifeskills Springpod platform offers you the chance to learn and develop skills that employers require. There are hours of useful resources to check out and once completed you can boost your C.V. with certificates that are downloadable.

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Enhance communication skills - top up your C.V. 

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Learn how companies such as PURE ENERGY GO apply written communication in their marketing and emails, how to choose the most appropriate types and use them effectively.

This module is free to take and you will be able to download a certificate of completion at the end.

You'll need around 60 minutes to work through this module. You can return to complete it later but we recommend working through it in a single session. There will be an opportunity to test what you've learnt towards the end.

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SkillSet Module - Written Communication with PURE ENERGY GO

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VIDEO - essential skills employers want beyond GCSE grades? 

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