Didn’t get the A-level results you needed? Don’t panic!

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If A-level results day didn’t go as you’d hoped - particularly if you were relying on certain grades to get to university - it can feel really upsetting and perhaps even a defining moment in your life.

But don’t worry - not only are there lots of people in the same boat but there are plenty of other options available as you figure out what comes next.

Try Clearing

Is your heart is still set on going to university this year? Your first move should be to try the Clearing process if you haven’t already. It’s a way to get a place on another university or college course if you can be flexible about where or what you study. Move fast - places can get snapped up quickly.

Consider an apprenticeship

Perhaps not getting your expected grades has made you reassess your next move. If so, you might suit an apprenticeship scheme. You train as you work, so it’s a way to earn a salary doing a job and simultaneously gain recognised vocational qualifications such as NVQs, BTECs or City & Guilds.

There are more than 1,500 different apprenticeships to choose from in over 170 industries, so there’s bound to be something to suit your skills and aptitudes. You get to work with experienced people and pick up practical skills and knowledge, while your employer pays for you to learn at a local college one day a week or in block release.

Apprenticeships usually last between one and three years, and when yours is over you’ll be best placed to land a full-time job at that company - or will have boosted your employability to help you land a role at another company in that industry.

Gain experience in the workplace

Apprenticeships can be ideal options if you know the area you want to work in, but what if you haven’t made your mind up yet? To try your hand at different areas you could explore volunteering opportunities with a charity or not-for-profit organisation.

Another smart move is to register with a temp employment business for temporary contracts. This will give you the flexibility to try out a variety of sectors including events (including summer festivals), office work; catering, hospitality and hotels.

Think about the future

When it comes to future employers, it packs a powerful punch if you can prove yourself as the type of person who turns up regularly to work and gets the job done. Any transferable skills gained through temping will help your CV shine, too.

Plus, at HR GO we know that just the process of getting on an agency’s books can be a valuable exercise. It might be the first time you’ve had to compile a CV, think about your strengths for an application letter, or talk about yourself in an interview. In fact, helping first-time job-hunters navigate their way through with confidence is as important to us as the vacancies we end up filling.

Getting some temporary work under your belt will help you widen your life experience and pack your CV with good stuff to make you more job-ready in the long term. Whether you’re planning to make it to uni at some point or want to get other experiences or gain more skills before you take the next step, keeping one eye on your future employability can only ever be a positive move…