Welcome to the Workforce Development Academy Employment Hub.
The Workforce Development Academy are delighted to bring you the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Employment Hub it covers all the areas of support required to ensure you can be successful when applying for jobs in health and social care . It has been designed in collaboration with the organisations that make up our partners across BLMK.
Take a look around the hub to find information, resources, download the pdfs to help, support and advise you. Watch the bitesize videos and career stories from our health and care professional who have shared their expert advice and knowledge.
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Preparation
Preparation is the foundation for a successful job application process. It helps you present yourself as the best candidate for the job and increases your chances of progressing to the interview stage. Preparing for job applications is crucial because it significantly impacts your chances of success, thorough preparation not only increases your chances of getting an interview but also positions you as a proactive and thoughtful candidate. Every job application is a chance to showcase your abilities and fit for the role. Preparation will help you understand the role you are applying for, and the skills required enabling you to tailor your application to highlight relevant skills and experience. A well-prepared application helps make a great first impression on employers, showing your engagement in the role and professionalism. By researching the organisation you can write a more compelling application and supporting statement. Preparation will also help you find gaps in your skills or experience guiding your professional development efforts. When you have more understanding of the role and organisation it will allow you to feel more confident in applying and ultimately more interview ready.
Preparing for an interview is essential because it significantly impacts your chances of success.
Job Hunting
Job hunting, also known as job searching or job seeking, is the process of looking for employment. The immediate goal of job hunting is usually to obtain a job interview with an employer which may lead to getting hired.
It is key to identify the job you are wanting to apply for, thinking and understanding your interests, skills and values identifying the role for you. What areas are you looking to develop in? Why is this role interesting you? What can you bring to the role and what developmental needs have you identified?
Job searching can take time and patience, but using effective strategies can help make the process easier and increase your chances of success.
Download the PDF : Job Hunting
Applying
Applying for jobs allows you to seek better opportunities and advance your career. It’s a way to move to roles with more responsibilities, higher pay, or better fit for your skills and interests. It allows you to find roles where you can apply your skills and knowledge. This not only leads to job satisfaction but also contributes to your professional growth. Jobs provide a source of income, which is essential for financial stability and independence. It enables you to support yourself and your family and fund your lifestyle. The process of applying for jobs, including preparing applications and attending interviews, contributes to your personal growth. It improves your communication, networking, and negotiation skills. Through jobs, you can contribute to society. Whether it’s by providing services, innovating products, or contributing to the economy, jobs enable you to make a positive impact. While applying for jobs can be challenging and time consuming, it’s a crucial step towards finding a role that suits your skills and aspirations.
Interviewing
Are you interview ready? What does interview ready mean…
An interview is an opportunity to showcase your skills and qualifications for the job. Why do you want this job, what interest you?
Interviews can take place in different ways, with the new ways of working this could be face to face, online platforms and video calls. There might be an interview panel asking different questions so being prepared to answer questions regarding your skills, experience and achievements is important. Look into different interview methods to see which one best relates to what you are trying to answer. Interview methods such as STAR, situation, task, action and result can help to structure your answers.
Retention
Retention enables experienced staff to want to remain within health and social care. Retained and experienced health and care professionals contribute to the best quality of patient care, training and developing employees shows commitment to career progression. Knowing there is a clear development pathway and effective retention strategies in health and care will contribute to maintaining a skilled and experienced workforce. Retaining staff is not just about keeping them in their jobs, but also about ensuring they are satisfied, motivated, valued and can perform their roles.
Are you thinking of taking the next step in your career? Have you thought through the training, skills and expertise required for your next step? Have you thought how your current skills and experience can be transferrable into other sectors of care? When seeking roles for progression or different areas of practice don’t forget how important your wisdom, knowledge and lived experiences are.
Look at the BLMK Retention hub for more information: Retention Hub – BLMK ICB (work-learn-live-blmk.co.uk)
Benefits
Before applying for a job, it is always good to consider the range of benefits available when working in health and social care. Benefits can contribute to job satisfaction and help create and support work-life balance. It’s always a good idea to consider the entire package before applying for a job and compare the benefits of different job offers to ensure you’re making the best choice for your personal and professional needs.
The NHS Pension Scheme is one of the most comprehensive and generous schemes in the UK and forms an important part of the overall reward offer for NHS staff. https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/communicating-benefits-nhs-pension-scheme
Common Myths
Myth: You Need a Background in Care to Work in the Sector
Fact: Many care assistant jobs do not require direct experience or qualifications as training is provided on the job.
Myth: As a newly qualified registrant you will have to work in the hospital
Fact: As a newly qualified nurse you can work in any sector, always worth looking at different health and social care job sites and seeing if any newly qualified preceptorship roles are available to apply for.
Myth: There are no opportunities for career progression in health and social care
Fact: There are lots of development opportunities and pathways embedded throughout a multitude of different roles across health and social care. The video catalogue will show many different and varied career pathways.
📢 Top tip, asking questions, researching and understanding the realities of health and social care can help in making informed decisions about pursuing a career in care. It is a career that offers a sense of fulfilment and the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives.
CAREER CONVERSATIONS
FIND THE RIGHT CAREER FOR YOU.
Additional Information and Support. Get Skills for Life.
What do some of the terms and language mean : NHS link to Acronyms and Glossary of terms
If you want to do a Math and English Functional Skills course helpful information : Math and English
The Shaw Trust is a leading employment charity. Each year they support hundreds of thousands of people to achieve their full potential. Shaw Trust
Princes Trust can support to develop the skills and confidence you need to find a job or start a business. Princes Trust
Bedfordshire employment skills academy : Employability Skills
Career guide : Career Advice