Clarity Learning and Development

Writing the business case for training - CIPD Event

CIPD Colchester and Ipswich Group: Writing the business case for training

Wednesday 27 January 2010 with Nick Parker from The Writer

Marks Tey Hotel, Marks Tey, Colchester - 7.30pm (with tea/coffee/biscuits available from 7pm)

Every organisation uses words. Which is why it’s amazing that most business writing is so boring. Every boring piece of writing is a missed opportunity: an opportunity to persuade, to cajole, to touch, to surprise. For HR this is even more important – because what we do is all about people. Persuading people. Reassuring people. Getting the best from people. And yet too often our writing can be formal, or distant, or get bogged down with jargon. So, how do we change it?

Nick Parker will get us thinking about these things – and perhaps even doing a bit of writing, too.

Nick works at The Writer (www.thewriter.co.uk). The Writer does three things: writing, training, and language consultancy. Nick trains people to become more creative, more effective writers at work. He’s recently worked with people like BT, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Hay Group, Absolute Radio and English Heritage.
As well as helping clients write everything from PowerPoint slides to annual reports, he’s also written for everyone from Viz to Radio 4. He wrote a monthly column for Director magazine, debunking business jargon. And he also wrote a book about toast.

If you would like to attend this Event, please confirm by email to brian@bluestarhr.co.uk by Monday 26 January. Please note the venue for this event is the Marks Tey Hotel, Marks Tey, Colchester.

Standing out from the crowd

Article appeared in the East Anglian Daily Times on 6th January 2010

The jobs market is more competitive than for years. According to a survey from Kaonix published in September, the average number of applicants for every job has doubled in just a year. At the same time the number of jobs advertised fell by 69 percent over a two year period.

Official Government figures suggest that unemployment levels are hovering just below eight percent across the UK.

Jackie Clifford, managing director of Clarity Learning & Development, lecturer at Suffolk New College, author, coach and trainer, says that it is more important than ever to make your job application stand out from the crowd.

She said, “Put yourself in the shoes of the person screening those piles of job applications. What would you want to see if you were them? Make sure that an employer can quickly and clearly see that you are ideally suited to the role.”

Jackie says there are simple rules to follow:

Do your homework BEFORE you start preparing your application

Carefully read the advert, job description, person specification and company information. Then do your own research. Nothing demonstrates more clearly your commitment to this job. If necessary go into your local library and do that extra online research.

Then make notes about your experience, knowledge and skills. Make sure you address the points in the advert, demonstrating how you match up to what the company is looking for.

Then use your notes to prepare your application.

Give clear evidence of what you have achieved in your working life that matches the job requirements. Don’t forget to include voluntary work and work in the home. These are part of your experience and may contribute to your overall suitability for the role.

Using phrases such as “whilst working at… I was able to… and that demonstrates that…” will help to signpost your reader.

If you are filling in an application form – follow instructions to the letter!

Use the right colour ink (usually black), answer all the questions as fully as you can and be factually accurate.

If you are preparing a CV, tailor it to the job

Keep it short, clear, simple and relevant. Wherever possible, talk about achievements, not tasks.

Always include a covering letter

Use it to outline why you are applying for the role, why you want to work for this company (use your research to help you here) and finish with a positive statement about your relevant experience.

“Remember that the person reading your application is trying to assess whether to spend time interviewing you. So give them all the information they need to make that decision,” Jackie said.

Their key considerations are likely to be:

• Does this person have the qualifications to do this job?
• Has this applicant demonstrated that they have the skills, knowledge and experience to do this job?
• Have they demonstrated that they have the right attitudes?

For further help, a good place to start is http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/helpwithyourcareer/findingajob/jobads.htm

“Whatever you do, put the time and effort into preparing your application. Your prospective employer will notice it. But thoroughness at the application stage will also help you to prepare for the next stage – the interview,” Jackie added.

EDITORS NOTE

Jackie Clifford is the Director of Clarity Learning and Development. She also teaches on the Certificate in Personnel Practice at Suffolk New College.

Jackie has worked in recruitment, human resources management and training for over 20 years. She is an author, lecturer, coach and trainer who works with organisations and individuals to help them achieve their business plans and work-related goals by learning the right skills, knowledge and behaviours.

Jackie can be contacted via info@claritylearninganddevelopment.com.

The survey was carried out by Kaonix Solutions Limited, a privately owned company and one of the UK's leading and most innovative recruitment technology businesses.