It’s again the time of the year when form four pupils bid farewell to school and step into the real world. It can be a confusing transition as one has to learn to cope with the sudden change of routine. And then there is the big question: "What now?"
We have gotten a lot of queries from you form four leavers. Please see below for a few pointers and answers.
I am a form four leaver, what should I do now?
The very first thing you need to do is get out of the house. There are opportunities everywhere. You need to learn to spot them. Read the news, follow interesting topics and people on social media. Talk to friends and family members. Go to events and meet new people and introduce yourself. Learn the skill of networking from an early stage!
If you have a passion or an idea of what you want to become, cultivate that. If you cannot afford college, try a shorter course or sign up for an online class. There are vast numbers of free/low cost learning resources online.
If you don’t yet know what you are interested in, explore different options. Read up on employment topics: what do different professions entail, what areas of work are increasing, where are you most likely to find jobs in the future, etc. Learn new skills and develop further those that you find most motivating. You will meet new people and therefore open new doors for yourself.
Most importantly, keep progressing. Each step you take will teach you something about yourself, the world and your potential place in it. Staying at home is the worst part. Do not waste time on useless entertainment, cultivate bad habits and chase dead ends.
I just finished form four, can I get a job?
Yes you can. But don’t just drop your telephone number to places expecting to be handed a job. That is not the way the world works. You are not entitled to anything. Even the best professionals have started from the bottom.
Be active and ask around. Make sure to have a clear and concise CV that represents you. Don’t just list your courses and grades, tell potential employers what it is you can do. Do mention any experience that has taught you something, be it a short internship or helping out at a relative’s business. Never underestimate your potential! It all depends on how you showcase yourself.
Some entry level jobs do not require experience. In this case it is all about the potential. An internship is a great way to get started with your career. We all start humble and work our way up. Nobody is born with qualifications.
Be prepared to work hard and be flexible.
Can form four leavers join Fuzu?
Yes, absolutely. And they should! Even if there might not always be that many entry level jobs available, you can benefit from Fuzu in various ways.
Sign up and create your CV online under ‘MyCV’. This is a good exercise for you to become more aware of your professional starting point. You can then go to the Career Planner and explore different professions. See if you find something that interests you and set it as a goal for yourself. You will then see what kind of steps you have to take to reach it: what skills to learn, and how much work experience and education is needed.
In the Skills section you can improve your chances for a job by learning new things with various free online learning packages. Joining Fuzu is a first step in your professional life!
Remember, your future is in your hands. Best of luck!
