Are You Job Ready Quiz Quids in! magazine and employment project Clean Slate have come together to give people looking for a new job the chance to swot up on what employers are looking for. Click Next to get started! How’s your game face? You bump into a friend of a friend who you know runs an outfit you would love to work for. What do you say to yourself? TweetShareShare5 Shares a) 'They probably don't want to be disturbed but I'll make a mental note to ask my friend to introduce me. I'll send a note next week' b) 'I'll ask them if they have any jobs going. I'd take anything. That'll go down well.' c) 'C'mon, you know what you want and what your ideal employer is looking for, just give 'em the pitch - you know, the one at the top of your CV' d) 'I wish I was the kind of person to stick my neck out in situations like this. I'm just too shy.' Think you got skills? You are at an interview and the employer asks you about your strengths and weaknesses. How do you think you would respond? TweetShareShare5 Shares a) Mind goes blank. I'd be able to think of lots of weaknesses but I always struggle to see the good things in myself b) It would be no problem: I've thought about loads of skills I have that any employer would want from a new employee c) I'd stick to the shortlist I've put on my CV for a job like this and back it up with good examples d) I'm good at thinking on my feet so I'm sure it would be fine. I'd come up with a good balance of strengths and weaknesses so they get to see the real me Preparing for battle? You see an ad in the paper for a job you're pretty confident about. Now what? TweetShareShare5 Shares a) Tidy up my CV so it's right for this job, target my personal statement to show I mean business and think about what I'll want to ask at the interview, it's not a tug of war, after all b) See what I need to send in, get my CV in the post (or emailed) and write a cover note saying how much I want the job c) Stare at it. Stare at it some more. And maybe find someone who can help me get started d) Circle it and have a think. Come back to it in future if I think it’s right for me Skeletons in the closet? There's something in your past that has either upset a previous employer or kept you out of work for a while. How do you plan to deal with it? TweetShareShare5 Shares a) It will only be a problem if they find out. I'll prove myself before it ever comes to light then cross that bridge when I come to it b) I'll face it head on and bring it up at the end of my interview. It's best to get these things out in the open c) I'm not sure what to do. It's in the past and I don't want to worry the new boss or they might choose not to employ me d) It's not great but I know where to get help if I need it. All the boss will need to know, if it comes up, is that I can get the job done - I might just need them to be flexible, that's all What’s the Plan, Stan? You've decided to make the change. You know what you need to do over the next year and you've given a friend a month by month account of what that entails. Three months later they say: 'C'mon, be honest, how are you getting on? Honestly.' TweetShareShare5 Shares a) I'd smile... an embarrassed smile, I've done a few things but I'm not as far along as I wanted to be b) I'd change the subject. I know what I'm like and I'd be surprised if I had done anything by then. I guess I just don't feel motivated by goals c) I'd smile... a big, smug grin as I'm pretty good at working to a plan. I'd be well on my way, I reckon d) I'd be able to explain why my plans never seem to go as I hope. I'm sure I'll have made progress but these things work themselves out in their own time Work-Life Balance? How do you feel about the idea of having a job doing things you love, like hobbies, or working with people you love, like children, for example? TweetShareShare5 Shares a) I believe work should be kept separate from the things I like doing b) I can't imagine a job where I get to do the things, or work with the people, I like most c) Do a job you love and you'll never feel like you've worked a day, that’s my attitude d) All that matters is I have a job that pays. The work and whether it makes me happy doesn’t matter Tied Up in Red Tape? You have found a vacancy you’re quite excited about but the application pack includes an equal opportunities form and a load of information about policy and procedure. How do you feel about it? TweetShareShare5 Shares a) It looks like a lot of red tape and I bet the job is going to involve loads of hassle, which puts me off b) I don’t understand it but at least the employer seems professional c) It is reassuring to know I’ll be judged fairly against other jobseekers and I suspect they are careful to do the right thing with staff, at least as far as the law is concerned d) I don’t want to read it or fill it in – it’s none of their business and they might use what they find against me Having Your Cake and Eating It? If you were offered help, here and now, to organise the training you need and plan your next steps towards your dream job, what would you say? TweetShareShare5 Shares a) I have a really clear idea of where I want to end up and it would be great to get some help to build on what I'm good at and work towards something I'm passionate about b) The idea of a dream job is more of pipe dream: I just want a job that pays me well, whatever that is, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make for me (and my family) c) I have no idea what I want, or what I have to offer, so I’m not sure how anyone can help me d) All I need is help with my CV and making applications – I just need a jobClick submit to find out your results! TweetShareShare5 Shares
