Am I work ready?

Finding a job can take time, but sometimes opportunities come up quickly. 

Jobs are often advertised for a short time and close quickly, so it’s important to apply promptly and carefully.

Employers value young people

Young people may feel that a lack of experience or confidence is a problem. But employers understand and value the benefits young people bring to the workplace. These include:

• fresh perspectives and new ideas
• energy, spark and enthusiasm
• fewer obligations and greater availability

When employers are asked what they look for in younger workers, one thing they always say is that you must be work ready. 

Instant Expert: Visit Barclays Life Skills for more information about how to get work ready.

Getting work ready

To be work ready, employers say that these 5 things help: 

1. Positive attitude (willing to work)
2. Gets along with colleagues
3. Acceptable basic skills (written, number and ICT)
4. Qualifications or evidence of learning
5. Work experience 

All these things help. But you still need to look for the job. 

Take action: Any young person looking for a job in Oxfordshire can sign up for our weekly Hot Jobs newsletter for exciting apprenticeships, training and jobs opportunities.

Get work ready online

It is important to your future to make sure you look good online. 

A good time to do this is well before you are job seeking, like when you are planning your work experience.

Here are our top five tips for getting work ready online:

1. Get a sensible email address for job applications
2. Make sure that your social media looks tidy and professional
3. Take down old content you might be embarrassed by
4. Unfriend people you don't know and any risky contacts
5. Join some professional networks

Good to know: Job Centre Plus can support you from age 16 to look for work and apprenticeships. 

Support from your school

Young people receive Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) about careers at school. This will include things like:

• Careers interviews
• Work experience placement
• Information about apprenticeships, further and higher education and other choices.

You can ask any of your teachers about careers.

Seeking employment or learning? Young people aged 16-18 who are not at school or college can ask for support from the EET Service.  

Support from Training providers 

Some young people need more support to get ready for work or complete their learning. This might be because they have learning difficulties or disabilities, or because there are other pressures in their life, like being a young parent or a young carer.

Local Training Providers can help with flexible programmes.

Experience: As a work experience student I have done a couple things to get ready for work. I have started writing my CV, which is almost compulsory for job interviews, and I have taken a look into careers which interest me, I am good at and also enjoy. I also plan to research into a job’s area and I have already looked at what interviewers are looking for. When I’ve done all this I feel I’ll be ready for whatever comes my way - Isaac, 15