Job Search
Where to start with finding a job! It’s important to look beyond the obvious advertised vacancies as experts say that 70% of vacancies are never advertised and are filled through contacts.
So where to start…
Friends & Family
Talk to your friends and family as some businesses like to find potential candidates through their existing employees. Companies usually prefer to hire someone who their trusted employees can vouch for.
JobCentre Plus
JobCentre Plus is a government-funded employment agency and social security office. Its aim is to help people of working age find employment. Find your local office by visiting: www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus
Recruitment Agency
Some employers do not recruit directly themselves but through a recruitment agency. Many recruitment agencies are specialised and focus on particular sectors. Agencies will regularly and actively search for work on your behalf, so this, of course, can make life a little easier for you if you’re finding hunting for jobs particularly time consuming.
You will find local recruitment agency offices in most local towns and usually they have a strong online presence too.
Jobs Fairs
Visiting jobs fairs is a great start in finding out what jobs are available locally and allow you to meet and talk directly to employers and recruiters. To find out when jobs fairs are happening in your area keep an eye out in local papers, follow your local college on social media and check our news and events calendar for details of the local Find Your Future event and job fairs.
When attending an event, make sure to take copies of your CV with you to leave with businesses of interest. It might be helpful to note down any names and contact details so you can follow up your conversations afterwards. Remember, first impressions count so dress smartly!
Contacting companies directly
Contacting companies you are interested in working for shows an employer that you are interested in them, rather than just applying because there is a job on offer. If you use this approach, make sure you target companies that are likely to be able to use your skills and expertise. Ensure your covering letter and CV demonstrates that you know what the company does and sets out what you can offer them.
Online networking
LinkedIn is a leading networking site to market yourself and look for vacancies. Increasingly it is being used to advertise vacancies, as well as to reach out to possible job candidates. Recruitment agencies also use these platforms to find potential candidates. LinkedIn can help you to get noticed by employers and help you find work, so ensure your profile is up-to-date and check your spelling and grammar! Also ensure your profile picture is professional and appropriate.
Online
Many vacancies are advertised online and there are sites where you can upload your CV so potential employers can contact you if they think you may be a good candidate for the job on offer. It is very easy to get overwhelmed with options when you are searching online for a new job and sometimes difficult to work out if it’s a company advertising directly or a recruitment agency. Therefore, ensure you narrow your searches by type of job, sector and/or area.
There are hundreds of job search websites out there and here are just some examples all of which cover a wide range of jobs:
Top Tips
Sensible email address
Select an address that is professional and avoid using nicknames. Simple addresses based on your name are the best. Webmail accounts which can be accessed from any computer are a good option to avoid missing any email communications from potential employers.
Online presence
Using online networking sites like LinkedIn are invaluable and an opportunity to market yourself but remember Facebook, Instagram and Twitter also allow employers to take a glimpse of who you are, so make sure make sure you know how to make sensitive content private.
Inappropriate photos and information posted on a profile can be damaging. Employers have cited bad mouthing previous employers or making discriminatory comments related to race, gender, or religion as a reason they have not employed a candidate.
CV
Check your CV for spelling and grammar – first impressions count. Ensure your CV is tailored for the job your are applying for – see our CV section for more information on creating a great CV
Personal details
Never provide someone with your bank details before you’ve been through the interview process and been offered a role. Similarly, when writing your CV, details such as your date of birth, National Insurance number or a scan of your passport are not legally required, so there’s no need to include them.
Most employers will not ask for details such as age, gender or race as it is unlawful for them to take these details into account when considering your application. If you are asked about these within the application process, do not feel obliged to answer these questions if you are not comfortable to do so.