If you are not currently working and would like to look at the possibility of paid work, voluntary work or training, there are a range of services and resources to help you.

If you are unsure what type of work would best suit you, the careers service might be worth investigating. The National Careers Service have a useful Skills Health check on their site. Doing these assessments will lead to various career and job possibilities that best suit your skills profile.

Why volunteer? There are many reasons people volunteer e.g., to gain confidence, to gain work skills, as an opportunity to meet people, something to put on your CV, or just because you enjoy giving something back to the community.

Click here for more reasons why to volunteer: https://www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering/why-volunteer

When preparing for voluntary work think about what you enjoy doing, who you want to help and what hours you are willing to give. Then get researching to find that special role for you. Use the links below to help you get started.

Helpful links

To find your local volunteer centre, visit www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering/i-want-to-volunteer

Do-it: https://do-it.org/

Aged 14-30: https://vinspired.com/

Local Dorset Volunteer Centres

Bournemouth and Poole: https://www.can100.org/

Dorset: https://www.volunteeringdorset.org.uk/

You can also try the charity organisations websites individually to look for volunteer work. See below for examples.

https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/volunteer

https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/volunteering.html

https://rnli.org/support-us/become-a-volunteer

https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering-for-guide-dogs/

Want to volunteer for Dorset HealthCare? Visit our volunteering page.

A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is an essential part of any job search, not to mention a great way to put all of your skills, experience, and qualifications in one place. In fact, a well-written CV could be the difference between getting an interview and not being considered for the role.

A CV is a written overview of your skills, education, and work experience. It may be used for a variety of reasons, however, the most common of these is to send to prospective employers when looking for a new job.

Although there’s no official CV structure, certain key information should always be included.

Here a few essential things you should aim to cover in your CV:

  • Your personal details (e.g. name, address, phone number)
  • A personal statement (a brief personal summary of who you are and what you’re looking for)
  • Relevant key skills
  • Work experience (listed in reverse chronological order – with the most recent coming first)
  • Education and qualifications (listed in reverse chronological order)
  • Hobbies and interests (if you think they might help you get the job - you don't have to include them)
  • References (often available on request)

CVs fall into two basic categories - classic and skills based. A Classic CV is the traditional version which is more of a historical account, with work history high up the page. This is mainly useful if you feel your recent work experiences are a key selling point. A skills-based puts greater emphasis on your skills, strengths and relevant experiences. This can be particularly useful if you don't have recent work experiences to share.

Some companies want an application form completed (usually online); this Prospects site has some useful advice about this.

Is my CV to long?

The golden rule here is to keep your CV down to two sides of A4 maximum.

Only include what’s going to make you a good fit for the role you’re applying for, and don’t overdo it with unnecessary detail. You can always use your cover letter to elaborate on any skills and experience you didn’t have room for in your CV.

It also isn’t true that you don’t need a CV anymore. Even with the growth of social media and other non-conventional methods, CVs are still an integral part of the hiring process, not to mention a great way to sell yourself to a role.

So instead of filling it with keywords and meaningless phrases, make sure it’s readable – and tailored to the role you’re applying for, you should adjust and tailor your CV for each job you apply for. Also, always ensure your skills are backed up with real examples. That way, you’re far more likely to hold an employer’s attention.

Covering Letter

Usually if you are posting or emailing a CV to a perspective employer you will need a covering letter to go with it. Your CV informs your prospective employer about your skills, experience and qualifications. But a cover letter allows you opportunity to say why all these things make you a good fit for their role. The consensus amongst recruiters is that this should be attention grabbing, but concise. In many ways its more of a tricky, self-marketing exercise than a CV or application because you have less space to highlight why you have got what the employer is looking for. There is some good advice on the Prospects and Reed websites.

Useful Links:

National Careers Service

CV Library- top tips

Creating a Personal Profile

How to Tailor a CV to different jobs

Top 10 Worst Mistakes on CVs

Many companies will use the internet to advertise their vacancies through either their own websites or through recruitment websites, these allow a search of many potential employers in your local area.

In the Dorset area companies may use various recruitment websites, the most common are:

Other sites that might be worth a look are:-

The Bournemouth Echo are still a good place to search:-

Some major employers will advertise on their own websites for example:

Agencies

Recruitment Agencies may also have local offices in your area, where you can register your details with them to look for work. Their role is to find suitable people for the vacancies that the employer has asked them to fill. Depending on the roles you are interested in some agencies will be able to recruit you for a position, forward your information to the recruiter for interview and help improve your CV.

Word of mouth, friends and family

Talking to people in employment can be a great way of discovering opportunities in finding work and many people have changed jobs or found work through recommendations from others.

Get out there

Even though most jobs are advertised online some businesses still advertise for free in stores and shop windows. So don’t forget to look about while you’re out in case something interesting catches your eye. If you know a specific area you would like to work in, see what business of that type are near you, pay them a visit and ask if they have any current vacancies. It is always useful to have your CV to hand as they may ask for this when you enquire. The potential employer also has a chance to meet and talk to you rather than just a name on a CV.

“What do I say about my health problem or the gaps in my work history?” are the most frequently expressed concerns our services encounter when helping people return to work. Knowing what to say – or whether to say nothing – are difficult dilemmas.

Its worth being familiar with the Equality Act 2010 and your legal rights and responsibilities. Except in a few special circumstances, employers are not allowed to ask any job applicant about their health or any disability until the person has been offered a job. This is both during the application process (such as a question on an application form) and at an interview.

Once offered a job it may be to your advantage to bring attention to a disability or health problem, so “reasonable adjustments” can be made to accommodate any difficulties you have. Again, the Equality Act 2010 spells this out. Its also worth being aware of the Government service Access to work that may help facilitate these reasonable adjustments.

Whether it’s for learning a new skill, updating an existing skill or to help build confidence in a work environment, training is a valuable investment to your future.

  • Bournemouth and Poole College – School Leavers, Adult Skills, Apprenticeships, Degree level, vocational and personal development
  • Skills and Learning Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole – Vocational Courses, Personal Development, Health and Wellbeing, Maths and English
  • Bournemouth University – Under-graduate, post-graduate and CPD
  • Kingston Maurward – Kingston Maurward College offers full-time, part-time, apprenticeships and degree level courses (Highter Education) in a wide range of subjects: Agriculture, Blacksmithing, Animal Science & Welfare, Business & Professional, Countryside & Environment Management, Equine Studies, Floristry, Foundation Learning, Horticulture, Arboriculture, Construction, Outdoor Adventure, Public Services, Military Preparation and Sport & Fitness
  • SWRAC –SWRAC is an education organisation helping people who are unemployed, have special educational needs or who are disadvantaged in other ways – all aimed at equipping people with the right skills needed for employment.They offer training activities such as traineeships, supported internships, apprenticeships and employment skills, as well as specialist vocational training in hospitality, construction and the environment – all aimed at equipping people for employment in those sectors.
  • REC (Recovery Education Centre) is jointly delivered by Dorset HealthCare and the Dorset Mental Health Forum, a peer-led charity. It provides education and training for people who are affected by mental health problems, focusing on self-management, self-determination, choice and responsibility. Courses are available to people with personal experience of mental distress and their carers/supporters, friends and family, and also for staff members who work alongside people suffering periods of ill health.
  • Paragon Training - apprenticeships and short courses.