Skip to main content

Job searching, CVs and interviews

Applications, CVs and interviews

From CV and cover letter tips, to great places to start your job search, the information on this page will support you to get started.

Solent Futures are happy to support you in person and online you can drop by our advice desk open Monday to Friday 12.30-3.30pm Find us in The Workshop (JM108), just off the main atrium of the Spark , or email us on solent.futures@solent.ac.uk and a member of the team would be happy to help.

I need to create a CV, complete an application form, or write a cover letter - how do I do this?

Applications, CVs and covering letters are the first thing an employer sees about you. If they are uninspiring and difficult to read, what will an employer think about you?

The purpose of these documents is to persuade an employer you have the correct knowledge, skills and abilities to do the job. This is the first step towards getting an interview, therefore you need to make sure that they positively showcase what you have to offer.

CV and application guide 

Solent Futures has created a useful guide full of top tips. The aim of this guide is to support you in creating a CV that is professional and showcases your skills, ability and experience to a future employer. The guide provides information on researching the employer and analysing the job description to help you produce a targeted and professional CV.

The second half of the guide supports you with completing application forms including what each section requires and why an employer is asking you for that information. 

Download it now

You can find more advice about CVs and applications on Solent Futures Online.

CV360 on Solent Futures Online

Upload your CV and gain instant feedback and see your score against 50+ checks that get checked within the recruitment process. Make improvements based on the feedback, upload again and see your CV improve!

Upload your CV to CV360

Want to speak to a member of the team 

Visit our advice desk for a CV review Find us in The Workshop (JM108), just off the main atrium of the Spark Monday – Friday 12.30-3.30pm and we can provide a CV review to make sure you are selling your skills in the best way. 

My tutor has asked me to create a living CV, what is this?

The skills you learn on your course should be reflected on your CV. Solent Futures has developed a programme called 'The Living CV' which guides you through the process of translating your course learning outputs into employer friendly language.

Look out for information on the Living CV in your course pages. You can talk to your tutor about the Living CV and get help identifying and writing your collection of CV outputs.

The Living CV programme is on Solent Futures Online. To find out more information, you can access it using your student log in and password.

Go to the Living CV programme

I have an interview - how can I prepare?

If you have been invited to a job interview, congratulations! This means your CV or application form was successful and your potential new employer wants to find out more about you. You must prepare for an interview by researching the company and preparing your answers to commonly asked questions.

Interview360

Experience a mock interview online and gain feedback and tips on how to improve your performance. Choose from many different types of interviews including competency based, strengths based and behavioural. You can also customise your own questions or take an AI (artificial intelligence) interview where you upload your CV and are asked questions about the content!

There are more tips to increase your chances of interview success on Solent Futures Online.

Star method

You may wish to practice using the STAR method to respond to interview questions especially competency-based ones. This method supports you to structure your examples and confidently respond to questions. Target Jobs has some examples of how you can put the Star method into practice.

Find out more about interviews on Prospects.

How do I use LinkedIn to find a job and build a network?

LinkedIn is a great way to grow your professional network and discover professional opportunities. Solent Futures can help you build a great profile that highlights all your skills and experiences. We can also review your profile and offer feedback on how to improve.

We recommend you review the below resources to get you started:

LinkedIn Learning - how to rock your LinkedIn profile

How to build your personal brand on LinkedIn

The 10 reasons you need a LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn for jobseekers

LinkedIn etiquette

Once you’re all set up we can show you all the amazing tools and features LinkedIn has to offer and how you can use it to maximise your career success.

Email us for personalised feedback on solent.futures@solent.ac.uk

Jobs websites and employers

Here are some websites and employers who might interest you in various industries and sectors. We have included a selection of websites and companies that Solent Futures think you might find helpful but please make sure you do not limit your jobs searches to these sites as there are many others you might find useful.

Part-time jobs

Southampton Business directory (use this directory to find out which companies have a branch in Southampton) - https://visitsouthampton.co.uk/business-directory

DWP Find a job - https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/search?cti=part_time&loc=81035

Southampton Jobs bulletin (this bulletin is updated every two weeks with live opportunities in Southampton) http://access-southampton.co.uk/jobs-bulletin/

Retail choice - https://www.retailchoice.com/

Campus Jobs (our jobs right here on campus, use your Solent email and password to log in) - https://solentfutures.careercentre.me/u/ourdu5b5

Solent Futures Online part-time work (Solent Futures very own jobs board use your Solent email and password to log in) – https://solentfutures.careercentre.me/u/xrd1pxx3

Solent Creatives (creative opportunities only for Solent Students, see what is on offer now) - https://www.solentcreatives.com

TV and film

Fashion and the arts

General websites for fashion and arts opportunities.

Fashion United - https://fashionunited.uk/career-centre/

Fashion workie - https://www.fashionworkie.com/

Drapers Jobs - https://www.drapersjobs.com/

Creativepool - https://creativepool.com/jobs/

Design week - https://jobs.designweek.co.uk/

Arts jobs online - https://www.artsjobsonline.com/

Arts Culture and media jobs - https://www.artsculturemediajobs.com/

Arts jobs - http://www.artsjobs.org.uk/arts-jobs-listings/

Arts professionals - https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/jobs

The stage https://www.thestage.co.uk/jobs/theatre-vacancies

Local businesses for Fashion and the Arts opportunities.

Mayflower theatre - https://www.mayflower.org.uk/about-us/careers/

Mast Theatre - https://www.mayflower.org.uk/about-us/careers/

Hampshire Cultural Trust - https://careers.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/

Fatface head office (Havant) - https://www.fatface.com/careers

Local government and NHS jobs

General graduate and placement job searching sites

Recruitment agencies

Another great way to find employers is through an agency. Recruitment agencies work with companies to source candidates that meet their needs. Use the below link to find agencies in your industry:

Agency central - https://www.agencycentral.co.uk/

Speculative applications, social media and personal safety

Speculative applications find businesses in Hampshire

You may not find the role you want advertised, but did you know many jobs are not advertised. Often those who are successful in securing a job contact the company they would like to work for directly, with a well-crafted CV and cover letter. Use the links below to find out more about speculative applications and to discover businesses in Southampton you may wish to contact speculatively.

Find out more about Speculative applications - https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/cvs-applications-and-tests/making-speculative-applications-graduate-jobs

A-Z directory businesses in Southampton - https://1stdirectory.co.uk/counties/hampshire/page1/

Labour market insights Southampton - https://ed.ted.com/on/iy0sdfYy

Using social media to find jobs

You have likely heard of LinkedIn, but do you know you can use all your social media platforms in different ways to find opportunities. Check out these links below to find out more:

Instagram - https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/using-instagram-for-job-searching-v2/

Facebook - https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/facebook-job-search

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a511260/searching-for-jobs-on-linkedin?lang=en

Things to think about when contacting employers and taking on opportunities for your safety

  • Check out the company online. Does the company look legitimate?​
  • Does the company have a website – does the website look up together?​
  • ​Can you find them on LinkedIn – do they have many followers? ​
  • ​Check review sites, such as Glassdoor​ to see how others have rated this company as an employer.
  • ​Speak to a member of the Solent Futures team, or your academic if you have any concerns.​
  • ​Never give any money to a company for an interview​ or job opportunity and watch out for scams.

 

 

    Related content