1. Understanding the Print Industry
Career development plan
Unit 11: Learning outcome 5
Name:_________________________

2. BTEC Level 3 Diploma in
Creative Media
Production
PROJECT BRIEF
Aims
The aim of this project is to enable you to prepare a personal career development plan. It will
help you focus on what you would like to do as a career and get you to examine what steps
you can take to help you reach your goal. The aim of creating the plan is to help you see
where you can develop the skills you need to work in industry.
Tasks/Notes
Finding work in any industry can be difficult and the media industry is no different. It is a
highly competitive industry and employers have the pick of the crop when it comes to
recruiting.
This task is designed to give you an understanding of the job market, to reflect on your
current strengths and any skills gap you might have. Finally, you will prepare application
paperwork which is often the first thing an employer sees from an applicant. This will allow
you to show off your understanding of the media jobs market and also produce professional
career development material.
Task 1: (P5, M5, D5)
Find a range of job adverts for a job or jobs that you would like to do. Record the places
where you searched and found the information from such as the internet, national press and
trade publications. It is important that you read the job descriptions and requirements to help
you with other tasks in this project.
Task 2: (P5, M5, D5)
Complete the Career Development Plan hand out. This should be a reflection on your current
strengths and weaknesses before moving on to a detailed plan of how you will achieve your
goal. You should refer to the job descriptions that you found to help you with this task.
Task 3: (P5, M5, D5)
Produce a curriculum vitae (CV) in response to one of the job adverts. You may have to
embellish your experience and qualifications to ensure that you produce a CV which is
appropriate for your chosen role.
Task 4: (P5, M5, D5)
Produce a personal statement in response to one of the job adverts. This will go alongside
your CV as an application. Again, you may have to embellish your qualifications, skills and
experience to make your letter appropriate for your chosen job. Your statement should be no
longer than a single side of A4. It should be appropriately formatted and no spelling or
grammar issues. You should sell yourself to the potential employer, highlighting all the skills
and experience that you have which they can use.

3. Assessment
In order to be assessed for this assignment you must complete the following work and
submit it by the required time. Below are the stages with the corresponding assessment
criteria as outlined in the unit specifications.
Task
Grading Criteria
Pass
1, 2, 3 & 4
Deadline
Merit
Distinction
P5 prepare personal
career development
material using basic
formal language.
M5 prepare carefully
produced personal
career development
material using
generally correct
formal language.
D5 prepare personal
career development
material to a quality that
reflects near
professional standards
consistently using
correct formal language.

4. Writing a CV
What is a CV?
A CV is a short list of facts about you and your work history, skills, qualifications and
experience. A good CV is essential when looking for work and it is worth spending time
getting it right so it sells you to an employer.
Your CV should:
• be neat, typed if possible and to the best standard you can achieve in content and layout
• be short, 2 sides of a sheet of A4 paper is normally enough
• be positive, it should emphasise your achievements, strengths, successes, and
• make a good impression. This means presenting the facts about yourself in a positive way.
How to use your CV
Send your CV with a covering letter or email asking companies if they have any current or
future vacancies.
Use your CV to help you remember all the dates and information you need each time you
need to fill in an application form.
When applying for jobs by phone it can help if you are asked to give more information about
previous jobs.
Having your CV with you while you’re waiting to be called in to an interview can help refresh
your memory. You can also leave a copy with the interviewer if they do not already have one.
Recruitment agencies may sometimes ask to see your CV before you can register with
them.
What to include
There is no set format – how you present your CV is up to you. However, you should include
at least the following:
• your name
• your address
• your phone number
• your e-mail address (if you have one), and
• your career history
Put your most recent job first and include dates. Employers will be more interested in what
you have done recently. Emphasise the skills and experience you have gained across those
jobs (for example, skills in dealing with customers or communication skills).
You don’t need to include your date of birth
Laws on discrimination mean that you don’t need to put your age or date of birth on your CV.

5. Here are some examples of what you may want to include:
A personal profile
This is a short statement at the beginning of your CV to sell yourself – your skills, experience
and personal qualities. You could include positive words such as “competent”, “adaptable”,
and “conscientious”.
Tailor the statement to the requirements of each job that you apply for, so that you make it
clear to the employer that you’re right for the job.
Achievements
Mention things you did well in your past jobs which could be relevant to the job you’re
applying for.
Qualifications and training
Include any qualifications and training from previous jobs (for example, training in health and
safety or a certificate in food hygiene). Put the most recent first and include any
qualifications that you got from school or college.
Interests
These can support your application if your hobbies and leisure activities highlight
responsibilities and skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Perhaps you belong
to a club or a society which you organise activities for, or you use leadership skills or
teamwork.
Other information
If there are gaps in your CV it can be helpful to include this. If you had a career break
because you were caring for children or elderly relatives, make this a positive thing and think
about the skills you used doing this. If the job you’re applying for is different from what
you’ve done in the past, explain why you’re interested in the new type of work.
References
It’s good to have two or more people who can provide a work or personal reference. Ideally,
one should be your most recent employer. If you haven’t worked for a while it could be
someone who has known you for a long time. It should be someone who can comment on
your qualities in relation to the job. You should ask the person to agree to this beforehand.

6. CV template example one
Susan MacDonald
1 Sample Close, Samplewell, Sampleshire SA21 5SA · Tel: 01000 123456 · Email:
smac@.com
Personal statement
Now my children are in full time education I’m looking forward to returning to work. As a
parent I have developed lots of new skills to care for young children, for example,
communicating, planning and organising. I’m highly motivated, work well as part of a team
and have a caring personality with some excellent work experience gained by volunteering
at the local Home-start. I’m now looking for a position in social care to develop a career.
Key achievements
• Successfully completed my Home-start volunteers training course, including CRB check
and being matched with my first family
• Received personal thanks from a young mother for helping her to cope and to see a clearer
future
• Completed a first aid course
Experience
Home visiting volunteer, Home-start (2008 – 2011)
• Responsible for visiting families at home who are in need of some support.
• Listen to individuals’ needs and assess how I can help them and improve their situation.
• Provide a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on and someone to laugh with.
• Help people to keep appointments or access local services or just ‘connect’ with their local
community.
• Provide an extra pair of hands to help people cope with everyday parenting situations, or
practical help with activities like playing or reading stories.
• Provide a regular progress report to Home-start offices.
Sales assistant, River Island (2001 – 2005)
• Serving and advising customers, giving information on products and prices, helping
customers to find the goods they want, advising on the availability of stock.
• Taking payment by cash or card.
• Stacking shelves or displaying goods in an attractive way.
• Promoting any special offers or store cards.
• Ordering goods that are unavailable.
• Handling any complaints or passing them on to a manager.
Disabled riding school volunteer, Cowley Stables (2000 – 2001)
• Interact with the disabled children to ensure they have a lovely time.
• Led pony and rider around the arena continuously conscious of ensuring a safe
environment.

7. Education
Pemborough Secondary School (1996 – 2000)
• 3 GCSEs passes (Grade C or above in English, Maths and Food Technology)
• RSA 1 and 2 in Customer Service
Interests
I enjoy reading, listening to music, helping out at the local Brownies and spending time with
my family.
References
David South, Manager Claire Grey, Brownie leader
Homestart 1st Sampltown Brownies
Sample Street Sample Street
Sample Town Sample Town
LZX 1XX LZX 1XX
Phone: 000 0000 0000 Phone: 000 0000 0000

8. CV template example two
Mark Sample
2 Sample Close, Samplewell, Sampleshire SA21 5SA · Tel: 01000 123456 · Email:
msample@.com
Profile
I have 15 years experience in the construction industry as a labourer, plant operator and
bricklayer. I am physically fit and I am used to working at heights when required. I have
experience of small build and large scale construction projects on which I have also assisted
other tradesmen such as joiners, plumbers, electricians and plasterers. I am competent and
precise with all site duties undertaken.
Key achievements
• Achieved an on-site health and safety award
• I voluntarily maintain the local youth football club ground
• Worked on the construction of the new Wembley stadium
Work history
• Windsor Construction, Plant operator and bricklayer (2007 – 2010)
• Gants, Labourer (2006 – 2007)
• Jessops Recruitment Agency, Various construction roles (2004 – 2006)
• Goodall and Leigh Construction, Bricklayer and Plant operator (2000 – 2004)
• Pete Bold Plastering, Plasterers mate (1999 – 2000)
• Jones Homes Ltd , Apprentice Bricklayer/ labourer (1997 – 1999)
Qualifications and training
• Experienced Worker Practical Skills Assessment (EWPA)
• Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) valid licence to drive construction plant
machinery
• City and Guilds (6217-08) Basic construction skills: multi-crafts
• Full UK driving licence
Interests
I play football for my local team and support the local boys and youth football team. I also
enjoy making wooden garden furniture and socialising.
References
Nick Hanson Charles Windsor Jnr Recruitment Consultant Site Manager, Windsor
Construction
Sample Street Sample Street
Sample Town Sample Town
LZX 3XX LZX 3XX
Phone: 000 0000 0000 Phone: 000 0000 0000
Career Plan

9. This first section is designed to help you think through your current strengths and
weaknesses in relation to the job of your choice. It can be written quite informally, the
detail will come in the next section.
Career Goals – What do you want to be?
In the future I would like to work within the media industry. Particular areas I am interested in are photograp
Areas of strength – What skills do you currently have that could
help you in your future job role?
I am creative
I have a good eye for photography
I am quite talented with creative writing and English
I enjoy photography and English
I am interested In the news and current affairs
I have an understanding of current trends and of what people want
Step 1: Setting your Objectives
What would you like to do as a job?
Photojournalist
Photographer
Journalist
Something in marketing (re-branding and brand partnerships)
Areas for Development – What sk
experience will you need to gain to
future job role?
Time management and meeting dea
Improvement and increase of know

10. Why do you want to do that as a job?
I would like to do this as a job because I believe some of the situations and events I would be
able to report would be incredibly interesting and exciting. I also understand the importance of
reporting events; especially things such as war and famine in far off countries as increasing
awareness can sometimes help to bring about help or change. I would like to be able to
contribute to this.
Step 2: Asses your current position
What are your strengths? What do you do well and how will this help you in your future
career? You should refer to the job adverts to help you with this.
My photography skills will help with this job as I will be able to capture quality images
My interest in and knowledge of current affairs would help me as I would be able to gain a
better understanding of what it is I am shooting and allow me to shoot better.
I have quite good “out the box” thinking and that can help when thinking of ways to re-brand a
company or of what partnerships would work well.
My creative writing is quite good and I enjoy English.

11. Which skills, knowledge and experience do you need to develop and gain to help you be
successful in your chosen career? Why will you need them? You should refer to the job
adverts to help you with this.
Working on my ability to analyse information efficiently and keeping informed and up to date
with world news of the last 24 hours in enough detail that I would be able to write about it.
My work ethic (even on things I am disinterested in) and ability to meet deadlines can be
worked on.
Step 3: Review your options
Which skills, knowledge or experience could be worked on quickly, on the course you are
doing and in personal time?
Knowledge in the areas I am interested in can always be improved by following the news and
researching certain areas I find specific interest in.
I can learn techniques and skills on my camera relatively quickly and easily.
I can work on my computer skills on post-production programmes such as Photoshop quite
quickly; I have recently purchased it at home and so will be able to practice it easier.
Continuing to develop my thought processes thinking about alternative ways to promote or brand
a certain company.

12. Which skills, knowledge and experience will take you longer to gain? Where could you
gain some of these things? Investigate specific job roles, employers and courses you
could use to gain new skills.
I need to get a degree for most of the jobs so this will be something useful to attain in my future.
Developing interviewing skills.
Developing creative writing and getting my point across through written English.
I need to work on my public speaking as meetings and proposals will be something I may need to
carry out in some of the jobs.