Strategies and Requirements for School Leavers to be Employed
REQUIREMENTS:
1) To have complete knowledge and information on the abilities of school-leavers and the characteristics of jobs (in fields like finance, advertising, journalism, medical field, etc.) offered by employees;
The transition from school to work is often regarded as a ‘’rite of passage’’ in which young people are introduced to the world of labour. This transition process takes place in stages and is a turbulent and uncertain period. First of all, school leavers have to compete for the available jobs with those who have already gained a position in the labour market. Their lack of work experience often forces them to face unemployment. Secondly, school leavers often end up in jobs that do not match their educational qualifications very well. These ‘’job mismatches’’ are, for instance, in some cases the result of incomplete information on the abilities of school leavers and the characteristics of jobs offered by employers.
2) Incorporate literacy and numeracy skills into your programme
A good way of supporting students who experience learning difficulties is to incorporate literacy and numeracy skills into the fun programmes you run.
For example if you have a group of young people who want to run a band night you can work with them on:
- numeracy skills such as budgeting for the event, working out how many drinks to buy, ticketing, counting income, working out how many songs can fit into a play list for each band etc
- literacy skills such as writing a media release, writing information for flyers, writing an evaluation etc.
3) Help and encourage early school leavers back into education
There are a number of programmes which can assist early school leavers such as the Links to Learning Community Grants Programme. This programe assists young people aged 12 to 24 years who have left school early or who are students at risk of leaving school early, and provides them with a range of opportunities to remain in or re-enter mainstream education and training.
4) Helping students prepare for a job interview- Interview preparation
Transitioning from college life to the working world can be a daunting task. Having an approaching graduation with a lack of job prospects can make even the coolest person hyperventilate. Though finding a job isn't always easy, it's certainly not impossible. In fact, job seekers can greatly increase their chances of finding the right job by using the right job searching techniques. Unfortunately, many students don't learn those techniques because they don't take advantage of a great resource that is right there on their college campuses. Career Services departments inside schools help students to enter the working world by providing connections with prospective employers and teaching students and recent graduates job search strategies that work. They can offer a wealth of knowledge on everything from preparing a winning resume to dressing to impress on the interview. "Which suit? Which shoes? Do I need a haircut?" These questions are common pre-interview thoughts, but the audience is rarely taken into consideration. To prepare for the interview, the applicant should be able to answer questions such as, "Do you understand the framework of the company?" or "How would you be an asset to the company?" To answer those in-depth questions (preparation past the outward appearance) in-depth preparation must be completed before the interview. To properly plan for the interview, the applicant should complete a checklist before the process begins. First, when receiving information for the pre-interview process, be sure to ask who will be conducting the interview and their position in the company (i.e. a human resource representative, a manager, or the CEO). To complement the interview process, research the company to enhance knowledge of the internal functions, responsibilities, partnerships, and community involvement. Knowing the background of the company will enhance the applicant’s ability to appropriately respond to questions from the interviewer. Preparation is the key to increasing interview success. Finally, to gain an edge on an upcoming interview, visualize the interviewer and what your future contribution to the company will be. It's important for students to be flexible about their career options. Don't limit yourself to one particular type of employer. Every business needs accounting and computer personnel. Consider a career with the federal government. Many students think government jobs are dull, when in reality the work can be very rewarding. In searching for a job, presentation is critical. Have your resume critiqued by your career services staff to ensure that you've presented your skills in the best possible manner. Your appearance must be professional. Your oral presentation skills are extremely important. Be prepared for behavioral interview questions, be comfortable, and tell "your" story. Lastly, don't take rejection personally, and don't quit! Looking for a job can be a job in itself.
In considering all of the factors that are important to employers as they recruit students in colleges and universities nationwide, college major (a college qualification/ degree), grade point average, and work-related experience usually rise to the top of the list. Granted, the importance of these three factors should not be underestimated and are critically important in the selection of candidates for interviews. However, once an interview (schedule is developed) is set and the day of the interview arrives, there are several factors that are totally within your control that will make the difference in who gets invited for second interviews, and ultimately, who receives the job offers.
5) Practise interviews with students
As employers conclude a day of interviews in the on-campus recruitment program at schools, they are asked to complete an evaluation of the students they interviewed. One of the questions on the evaluation is "What are the top three things you look for in a candidate (for example, grades, experience, etc.)?" Repeatedly, the most popular factors include the following: "motivation", "attitude", "enthusiasm", "energy", "commitment", "eagerness to learn", "excitement", "ambition", "confidence" and others along these lines.
Think about it! You've already impressed the employer with your resume or you wouldn't have been invited to the interview. In preparing for the interview, of course you'll thoroughly research the organization and create a great first impression by being well groomed and professionally dressed. But once the door closes and the interview begins, remember that you hold the power to determine your ultimate success. Realize that you are in control and express yourself so that your enthusiasm, energy and confidence are evident to the recruiter. Then sit back and watch what happens!
STRATEGIES:
1) Work experience within schools ( with the help of European Projects and local institutions that may hire students during holidays or for various periods of time);
2) Find a suitable job in accordance with their level (of characteristics) of (their) education;
The percentage of school leavers working in a job outside their field of education is highest in Italy (47%), followed by Greece (40%). Denmark and Sweden also have a considerable proportion of school leavers with a non-matching job. In the Netherlands, on the other hand, the incidences of job mismatches is lowest (29%). In Finland, Slovenia, Austria, and Belgium the percentage of job mismatches is also relatively low.
In most European countries, women are more likely to be employed in a non-matching job than men. The exceptions are for Belgium, Spain, France, and the Netherlands, where male school leavers are more likely to be working in a job that is not directly related to the field of education attended. The difference is largest in Belgium and the Netherlands, where the likelihood of having a job mismatch is 8% higher for men than for women.
3) Invest in additional education
Two adjustment strategies are possible for school-leavers who have a job mismatch or do not have a job at all. A first strategy to improve the situation is to look for another job. In all European countries - with the exception of Denmark – school leavers with a non-matching job more often look for another job than those with a matching one. In the Southern European countries (Greece, Spain, and Italy) the percentage difference is relatively large. The reasons for this job search are diverse, but it may be expected that job dissatisfaction is one of the main reasons for the job search behaviour of school leavers who work outside their field of education.
A second strategy to deal with job mismatches is to invest in additional training, in order to compensate for skill deficiencies in initial education. It is assumed that if the field of education attended by school leavers corresponds to the field that is required on the work floor, the need for further training is less.
Only in Hungary, the Netherlands, and Slovenia, do school leavers with a non-matching job participate more in continuing vocational training than those with a matching one. Furthermore in
Spain, France, and Italy, there is no association between continuing vocational training and having a job mismatch.
In all other countries the conclusion is that continuing vocational training complements rather than substitutes for the knowledge and skills acquired in initial education (i.e. participation in continuing vocational training is lower among school leavers with a job mismatch than among those with a job match).
4) Work with schools so that students won’t leave school early
One of the best ways to assist early school leavers is to help prevent young people from leaving school early.
Schools are under increased pressure to deal with a range of "welfare" issues affecting young people with very limited resources to manage these issues. For example many schools do not have a full time student counsellor and many schools engage in practices such as suspension without having programs in place to deal with the issues as to why young people are misbehaving or not coping at school.
5) Working with multinationals and offering students their requirements for the labour market
The best way to find out what our local school needs for their students to be engaged is to ask. Most schools have a range of existing programmesand the support they can receive may be support for an existing programmes, rather than the development of a new programmes.
Multinationals may develop a written proposal outlining the programmes and support options they can provide and meet with the school representative to negotiate the type of programmes they can offer. They will outline the educational and social benefits of their programes for the worldwide economy and support options and how their service will be reliable and consistent in its delivers.
Best programmes for early school leavers:
- listen to the views of young people and provide opportunities for them to have their say about program design, management and evaluation
- use a strengths-based approach, acknowledging and building on young people's existing strengths and celebrating achievements
- establish positive and respectful relationships between young people and supportive adults
- build teamwork and cooperation between students
- set fair rules and expectations which are consistently applied
- encourage young people to take responsibility for their learning and behaviour
- focus on skills that are practical and prepare young people for life and work and/or further education
6) Out-smart the employer and competitors
The best way to compete for jobs is to out-smart the employer and competitors. You must market yourself in a way that seems appealing to a possible employer. How would you do this you ask?
- Visit a company you would not work for and sit through the interview. This is your first line of experience and it helps rid you of the nervousness you may have. From here on job searching will be easier. You will find people to be very warm and friendly.
- Know what company is best for you. You should try to find those that will fit your qualifications/educational background. Remember, companies don't waste time on those who are not qualified.
- Have a resume and Keep it Short and Simple (KISS). Use it like it's a flyer that you would send to employers. Remember a job application asks for ordinary information such as education, work experience, and references. You are an "extraordinary person," you have skills, abilities, and accomplishments. Put them on your resume.
- Employers look at a typical resume for 10-15 seconds. If the resume is too long, too wordy, too cluttered, or disorganized – it is disposed of. Typically, a resume is one page long, organized, clean, and easy to look at. This generally tells the employer that a person is qualified and can deliver results.
- Look in your local job centers, local newspapers, online career sites, placement offices of your college, employment agencies, and most of all network with your family and friends. As a major tip, get your resume in before the company advertises.
- Always follow-up with a phone call after you turn in your resume. This shows the company that you have an interest in them. In turn they may have an interest in you and request an interview.
- You already made it half way through with selling yourself on paper. Now its time to sell yourself by your looks and knowledge. Executive business attire is recommended, proper manners, and no attitude.
- When you fill out your job application, only use a basic black ballpoint pen. Print legibly and do not ever put "see resume" on your application. It shows you are lazy.
- Ace your interview by asking questions, taking notes, being prepared, and selling yourself.
- You should always send a thank you letter after an interview. Again, it shows an interest in the employer.
For many students and recent graduates the job market can be frightening because it is un-chartered territory. However, with the right advice you can go from being nervous to confident, apprehensive to self-assured, and a college student to a member of the workforce!