Visit My World of Work
Have you visited the My World of Work website? The site is packed full of information, support and advice all about the many different career options that are available to you. Here are some tools that you might find particularly helpful:
- My Strengths – do you know what your strengths are? Maybe you’ll discover something surprising in this short quiz which will help you understand what you do well, what you do often and what you enjoy.
- Skills Discovery – this tool will help you understand what your skills are. This can be really helpful when you’re considering what jobs might be good for you and what you should include in job applications.
- My Achievements – from mentoring at school, to completing a sponsored charity run, or earning your black belt in karate, achievements are things you’ve done that you’re proud of. Keep track of all your successes in the Achievements Library, it’ll be handy to reflect on when you’re building your CV or preparing for applications to college or university.
- A CV builder as well as top tips on applications and interviews, which is super helpful as whether you’re applying for a job for the first time or you’ve been doing it for a while, preparing for a job interview or writing an application can be daunting.
While you’re on the site, you might want to sign up so all of your results and the useful information you discover are in one place! It’s quick and easy to do and only takes a few minutes.
Careers Advice at School
Did you know that every state secondary school in Scotland has a careers adviser? They can provide you with guidance no matter what year you’re in! Throughout school, you’ll meet your careers adviser for lessons, but you can also make use of drop-in times or appointments if you need advice one-to-one. Whether it’s help you need with your subject choices or thinking about what comes next for you when you leave school, the Skills Development Scotland careers service at your school can help!
Drop-in times will normally be advertised around your school or if you’re not sure, ask your teacher. You don’t normally need to book and can just pop in whenever you have some free time within their opening hours. You can also see your careers adviser for more information.
To find out more about the support offered at school, visit My World of Work.
Speak to a Skills Development Scotland Adviser
If you’re no longer at school, you can still access face-to-face support from an SDS careers adviser at an SDS centre or community venue which you can visit to get advice and information about your next career steps. SDS advisers are able to provide information and advice on a whole range of things, for example:
- Career information, advice and guidance on career choices
- Advice on different routes into a career that you’re considering including apprenticeships, training, learning and jobs
- Help and support with writing your CV, completing application forms or preparing for interviews
- Information about what jobs are in your local area
- Support if you are being or have been made redundant (when you no longer have a job because your employer no longer needs to employ someone in that role)
You can also visit an SDS centre to access PCs to search for jobs, attend careers events and find out about what funding you might be able to access (for example, to cover travel or new workwear).
Find out where to meet an SDS adviser close to you here, or give them a call on 0800 917 8000 (freephone Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) to arrange a time to pop in and have a chat.
Call the Helpline
Skills Development Scotland runs a freephone helpline that you can call no matter what age you are or what stage of your career journey you are at. The helpline advisers can offer information and advice and might be a good place to start if you’re not sure where to begin, as they can let you know about other services and support that might be available to you.
- Opening times: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
- Telephone: 0800 917 8000
Skills Development Scotland also run their own Results Helpline, providing young people and their parents and carers with support no matter what their results. At this time, the helpline can offer unique access to information on college and university course vacancies, UCAS Confirmation and Clearing, and advice about jobs, apprenticeships, training opportunities, or staying on at school.
The SDS Results Helpline 2024 number is 0808 100 8000, and is open Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 August, 8am to 8pm, and Thursday 8 and Friday 9 August, 9am to 5pm.