School Year 12 & 1st year college students, interested in jobs & work opportunities

September - December

• If you are still unsure about your career choices, arrange interviews with school, college, careers, guidance or Connexions advisors.
  
  
• Start preparing CVs, cover letters, application letters, application forms, research possible employers, and find out where jobs advertised - information available at the Jobsearch section of this website
  
  
• Discuss possible work experience options with your tutors, which will help your career decisions as well as your course needs.
  
  
• Consider temporary work, voluntary work, work shadowing or work experience related to your future career choice. Any job will give you useful skills & experience. Keep a record of your work & get a reference if possible when you leave. More information from the voluntary sector and work experience sections of this site.

• If you are still unsure about your career choices, arrange interviews with school, college, careers, guidance or Connexions advisors
  
  
• Start planning for work experience or work shadowing, which will suit your interests and will help with career options, if you haven't already done this.
  
  
• Make sure your Progress File is kept up to date, including your work experience report & achievements & interests outside college.
  
  
• Attend any workshops, classes or activities on jobsearch skills.
  
  
• Attend any careers & skills events & fairs, (e.g. Skill City, Gt. Manchester) for ideas and prepare for them before you go with careers advisors or teachers if you can.

• Decide which referees you will choose if needed for course/job applications and ask their permission. If you need advice, discuss with a careers or guidance advisor.
  
  
• If you are looking for work, check for vacancies on college noticeboards, careers centres, local newspapers, JobCentrePlus, and on the Internet from April onwards.
  
  
• Complete your Progress File before the summer break.
  
  
• If you are looking for permanent work, register for work at Connexions, your local JobCentre or JobCentrePlus or careers office. Consider asking about further training and qualifications at any job you apply for.

• Consider how your studies are going & consider further education for work related courses, if you don't get the jobs you want.
  
  
• Consider temporary work, voluntary work, work shadowing or work experience related to your future career choice. Any job will give you useful skills & experience. Keep a record of any work details & get a reference if possible when you leave.
  
  
• Check your tax and insurance situation with your careers advisor, the Inland Revenue or contact your local Tax Office

• GCSE results: 26th August 2004
  CCEA results (Northern Ireland): 24th August
  GNVQ results: 11th March 2004, 26th August 2004
  AS, A2, AEA results: 11th March 2004, 19th August 2004
  AVCE results: 11th March 2004, 19th August 2004
  A-level results: 19th August 2004
  International Baccalaureate: January for November session, July for May session
• Review your options, discuss results with careers or guidance advisors.

Thanks to Wayahead-Careers Connexions, Better Choices, City College Manchester, Manchester University & UMIST Careers Service, University of Kent, who contributed to the career calendars. Updated April 2004.