While your local jobcentre and online job searches are a great place to start, don’t limit yourself when looking for your next job.
Here are some places you should try as part of your job search:
- Send out your CV to companies you would like to work at. Make sure you tailor you cover letter to say why you are getting in touch with them, what kind of job you are looking for, and why they should hire you.
- Company websites or visit them in person – Not all employers recruit in the same way, some only advertise vacancies on their own website, where you may be able to apply online. Visiting potential employers in person shows how keen you are and you may be able to leave a copy of your CV. This will be your first chance to make a good impression – so make sure you are well presented and prepared.
- Newspapers and trade journals – Find out what day your local paper advertises jobs and make sure you pick up a copy. Trade journals are magazines or newspapers about a specific trade or industry, like IT or manufacturing and will likely advertise job vacancies in that field.
- Word of mouth – Speak to your family and friends to ask if they know of any vacancies, this could help you get to know about potential jobs early and they may even be able to introduce you to the recruiting manager.
- Job fairs – Check with your local jobcentre or in newspapers for local job fairs. Job fairs are a great place to speak to lots of recruiters all in one place and find out more about careers you might not have considered.
- Social media – Look on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn and like or follow employers you may like to work for. Your local jobcentre may have their own Twitter feed advertising vacancies and local events to help you back to work. You can also follow @JCPJobsPlusMore to learn more about national employment opportunities and career information.
- Social media can be a helpful tool when looking for jobs, but make sure your online presence isn’t hurting your chances of getting a job.
- Apprenticeships – Find out what is on offer www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
- Self-employment – Search online for www.gov.uk/browse/business or find out about more opportunities:
- England – www.nationalenterprisenetwork.org
- Scotland – www.bgateway.com
- Wales – www.business.wales.gov.uk