On July 11, 2024, the AccelerateBLK Employability Support Programme recorded another buzzing event at the Heart of Midlothian FC Innovation Centre.
- Previously, we concluded the series on how to craft a winning CV. Participants were supported with many CV formats and samples that could be used as a guide while they write their CVs for job applications.
- Participants learnt the importance of tailoring their CVs to specific job roles. This involved customising contents to highlight relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that align with the job description. Understanding how to match their qualifications to employer’s to increase the chances of an interview effectively.
- Participants learnt how to emphasise clarity and conciseness. Participants were taught how to present their information in a clear, easy-to-read format. This includes using bullet points for key achievements, maintaining consistent formatting, and avoiding unnecessary jargon.
- Participants were guided to show the significance of quantifiable achievements and they also learnt how to showcase their impact using metrics and concrete examples.
- Another crucial aspect covered was the personal branding section of the CV. This included crafting a compelling profile statement or summary that succinctly conveys a candidate’s unique value proposition and career objectives.
- Finally, participants received guidance on avoiding common pitfalls, such as including irrelevant information, grammatical errors, and overly long CVs.
The workshop was able to provide practical tips and best practices to ensure participants’ CV became polished and professional.
This week, we covered;
- Cover Letter Structure
- Writing a convincing statement of purpose
- LINKEDIN OPTIMISATION
In addition, we were honoured to host Lizzie Winfrey from Smart Works Scotland for our July series, providing tailored support to our 12 available female participants. Lizzie offered invaluable insights into the benefits of her charity, enhancing the learning experience for all attendees whose had colleagues and friends that could benefit from the offer.
The session was expertly anchored by Odunayo Ogunsanwo, who focused on the theme of corporate social media visibility for job prospects. Participants were guided on how to effectively utilise social media platforms to enhance their professional presence and job search strategies.
Attendees were able;
- To learn critical skills, including how to write a convincing cover letter and statement of purpose
- To create a compelling LinkedIn profile
- To leverage corporate social media for career advancement.
These practical sessions provided participants with the tools they need to improve their job applications and professional branding.
Additionally, Lizzie from Smart Works Scotland shared some of her charity’s benefits, including providing high-quality interview clothing and one-on-one interview training sessions. Participants learned about the charity’s scope through www.smartworks.org.uk, which offers personalised styling advice and practical interview coaching to empower women to succeed in job interviews and change their lives.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. 85% of participants realised they had been creating cover letters and statements of purpose of lesser quality, which might have contributed to their previous job application rejections. This revelation underscored the event’s value in enhancing their employability.
Damilola Adu, a Digital Marketing Expert and one of the participants described the programme as an amazing experience so far. ‘This fourth week of the programme has continued to build on the momentum, providing ethnic minority community members with essential digital and data skills needed to access opportunities within the ecosystem.’
We continue to call on organisations willing to offer support to our participants. Interested parties can reach out via email to Programme Lead – Odunayo.ogunsanwo@thedatakirk.org.uk.
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