UNIT 4: SEARCHING FOR A JOB
Unit content
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Understand how to use sources of information about jobs Sources of information about jobs: sources that provide a personalised service to job seekers or employers eg employment agencies, Job centres; sources that provide basic information about job opportunities eg magazines, newspapers, public notice boards, journals and other publications; other sources eg word of mouth; different types of employment eg private sector, voluntary sector, public sector, self-employment Appropriateness of job vacancy sources: the choice of source could limit or widen the type and number of job vacancies searched for eg using the internet versus using a local job notice board; some sources of employment are specialised or specific to particular job types eg industry publications, trade journals, specialised recruitment agencies; differences between employment conditions in different sectors eg working conditions, salary and benefits, terms of employment, ethics and values of the organisation
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Understand how to relate own skills, interests and achievements to potential job roles Relating skills, interests and achievements to potential job roles: understanding how own skills, interests and achievements could be used in specific jobs; evaluating the specific ‘hard skills’ and ‘soft skills’ requirements of certain job roles against own skills, interests and achievements; knowing why some job roles might be unsuitable; the job role might be an appropriate match even though not all skills and interests are reflected in the job role; some skills or qualifications which the learner does not currently have, could be acquired via the potential job role
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Be able to investigate job vacancies Searching for job vacancies: identifying the most appropriate sources to search for employment based on own skills, interests and achievements; using specific job-searching tools eg searching employment websites on the internet, contacting employers directly, registering with a Job centre, reading local community notice boards; using contact details or instructions in the job advert to apply for the job or find out further information about the job Communicating with employers or the employer’s representative: finding out more information about a job from the employer or the person who placed the advertisement (eg Job centre, employment agency); identifying the appropriate questions to ask to find out the desired information; using appropriate means of communication to find out more information eg fax, phone, email; knowing how to respond to the information received from the employer/employer’s representative
BA034108 – Specification – Edexcel BTEC Level 2 Award, Certificate, Extended Certificate and Diploma in WorkSkills (QCF) – Issue 2 – October 2012 © Pearson Education Limited 2012
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