Finding a Job

Finding a Job Online

Job Boards

Online job boards are websites that list a large number of job vacancies. Some advertise across a broad range of industries, whilst some advertise only for specific sectors. You can submit a digital CV with many of these websites. Your application can also be accompanied by a digital cover letter. There are many job boards that let you sign up to receive email alerts when new job openings are posted. You can customise these for:

  • full-time, part-time or temporary work
  • work in a particular location
  • jobs that match your skills and experience

Popular job sites are Indeed.com, Reed.co.uk, Monster Jobs, and Total Jobs. You can also search for jobs on LinkedIn. If you don’t already have a profile, view our page, setting up LinkedIn, to get started.

Find a Job Service

The Government’s find a job service has access to a huge range of vacant roles, from agriculture to logistics, public sector to digital and creative. Their accompanying service, Job Help has a massive range of resources to help you find a job. You can use it to find out about local recruitment events, training schemes, companies you can contact regarding work, and how to retrain into a role to fill a skill shortage.

Recruitment Agencies

Recruitment agencies help employers fill job vacancies with the right people. You can connect with agencies for jobs that aren’t advertised in the media or online. Many agencies specialize in certain industries, such as healthcare or engineering. Check out their website first to see what kind of jobs they advertise. Recruiters know what companies are looking for. 

It is also possible to be registered with multiple agencies simultaneously. Doing so increases your chances of finding a job. When using an agency, you should:
 
  • Make sure they have vacancies for the type of work you’re seeking
  • Interview with the agency as if you were interviewing for a job
  • Tell them when you are available and stay in touch
  • If you don’t get a job, ask for feedback
  • Consider temporary work, as this is often what leads to permanent employment
  • If you have any special skills – such as touch typing, languages, or computer coding – let them know

Sites like Agency Central can help you find a recruitment agency in the sector you’d like to work in.

Glassdoor

Glassdoor is a career website that gives you a good insight into what it’s like to work for a particular company. You can search for a company you might be interested in working for and view information including reviews from staff, average salaries for various roles, and how many people work for them.

Glassdoor also has its own job board, allowing you to search for jobs and research the company all in one place. Getting an idea of the kind of company you’ll be working for is invaluable. Remember, the process of finding a job is to make sure that the company suits you as well as vice versa!

Job Fairs

Job fairs are traditionally held in exhibition centres of hotel conference rooms and consist of a number of employers who are actively recruiting. It’s a great way to really talk to someone about the role (and you tend to score a free pen or two!).

There’s been a big move to holding virtual job fairs in recent years. Virtual recruitment fairs have some similarities to traditional face-to-face recruitment fairs, for example, they provide virtual stalls so that you can visit employers you’re interested in.  They may also have workshops on things like CV writing and interview preparation.

Before a virtual job fair takes place you’ll be able to access the employers that will be present. It’s a good idea to research these companies so that you know which ones you’d like to prioritise talking to on the day.

Some employers will conduct video interviews with you. Do your best to make an impression. You should present yourself professionally to potential employers. Look well-groomed and wear something smart. During the interview, you will be viewed as someone who may represent your company in the future.

Get Networking

Networking is the process of finding out about job openings by using the people you know and the people they know in turn. Networking is about building relationships through your contacts. Your network can include:
 
  • friends and family
  • work colleagues and others they work with
  • people you know on social media
  • employers you’ve contacted directly
  • recruitment consultants

Networking is a great way to hear about job vacancies before they’re posted to job boards, allowing you to get your application in first. It’s also good to let your contacts know that you’re actively looking for work. Networking can give you an insight into what it’s like working at a particular company and can help you get recommended for a job. By building a good network, you can also turn to them for support later on in your career.

The networking process works both ways. Make it clear you have something to offer as well. Consider helping someone who asks for advice, for example. This could be as simple as pointing them to an online article.

At first, networking can seem intimidating. Ask the person to tell you something about themselves if you feel nervous or shy. This shows them that you are interested in them and takes the pressure off of you.