Self-evaluation and reflection
It鈥檚 always a good idea to self-evaluate after an interview, to identify how you could do better next time.
List the questions that you answered well, and those you didn鈥檛. Take some time to improve your answers.
You could also run through your performance with your careers teacher, Learning for Life and Work teacher, or your form teacher.
The importance of lifelong learning
So, you鈥檝e chosen your career path, you鈥檝e got the job you wanted, and you鈥檝e started working. What next?
It鈥檚 time to think about progression. Do you want to move up through the ranks, or sideways into new roles and new skills? The world of work is always changing.
Lifelong learning is how we keep up.
Technologies improve, new roles emerge, and people learn to use their skills in new ways. You shouldn鈥檛 see this as daunting, or overwhelming, it鈥檚 exciting and keeps things interesting.
It also leads to personal fulfilment and increased wages.
On-the-job training
On-the-job training is when a more experienced employee trains you in aspects of your role. This is useful for the company as it means you are trained to do things their way.
It also allows you to put your new-found skills to work immediately and receive direct feedback on how you can improve.
There are several ways that on-the-job training is delivered:
- the employer can send their staff to career development schemes outside the workplace or on courses delivered within the company;
- they can provide mentoring and coaching opportunities for their employees;
- they might provide interactive online training courses that focus on developing the skills of employees.
Off-the-job training
Off-the-job training is learning that you undertake in your own time to keep your skills up-to-date. Employers will often pay for this type of training if it contributes to the success of their business.
Taking this kind of training will help you:
- gain up-to-date knowledge which will benefit the organisation e.g. health and safety, ICT;
- gain different skills which mean you can become more effective and may undertake new and different tasks;
- improve your promotional prospects within the company
- meet employees from other businesses.
Resources to support your preparation
There are a range of organisations that can help you with your job search.
- Learn Direct
- Job centres
- Careers Service Northern Ireland
- Educational Guidance Service for Adults (EGSA)