Where to search for jobs cast your net wide

Transcription

1 Where to search for jobs cast your net wide Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity. Oprah Winfrey Insights... This is especially true in today s competitive employment market! The first step towards being prepared for the job application process is to know where to look for jobs. There are many vacancy sources and the more you re aware of, the wider you can cast your net. This article looks at the places where jobs are advertised and gives advice on tapping into the hidden job market. Sources of advertised vacancies Newspapers Daily local and regional papers usually publish the majority of their job ads (which cover their geographical area) on a certain day each week. Some national papers have set days each week where different categories of vacancies are advertised (for example, education jobs tend to be advertised in The Guardian on Tuesdays). Newspapers also advertise jobs on their websites; national newspaper sites include: The Independent The Telegraph The Times The Guardian General recruitment websites There many online job search websites; some (such as Brook Street, Pertemps and Reed) also have high street recruitment agencies. The websites normally allow you to search for jobs by location, industry sector, job title, level, salary and/or keyword. As well as being able to search for current jobs, you can usually upload your details and you will be alerted when suitable vacancies arise. Here are some popular sites although there are many others that specialise in particular kinds sectors of work:

2 Public sector vacancy sites for Civil Service jobs for positions in the NHS advertises jobs in the public and not-for-profit sectors for local government jobs Graduate and professional-level recruitment sites N.B. Some of the general recruitment and other websites listed in this article have graduate sections or allow you to search for graduate-level positions only. There are lots of other sites that focus on particular career areas: International recruitment sites Apprenticeship vacancy sites The following websites allow you to search for suitable Apprenticeship opportunities: for opportunities in England for opportunities in Wales (click on Jobs and Training ) for Apprenticeships in Scotland

3 recommended sites The portal website allows you to search for jobs in specific employment sectors. It provides an independent and impartial gateway to careers-related information on the internet. Once you ve logged on to online, select and then the employment area you re interested in from the list of Career Interests on the left. Some of the external sites that are reviewed (starred) or recommended advertise job and training opportunities. Recruitment agencies Many agencies specialise in certain types of jobs, such as catering or computing, others cover vacancies in all areas of work. Some specialise in temporary work. You can find suitable agencies through Trade associations/professional bodies If you belong to a trade association or professional body, or if you re interested in a career area one covers, you may find that suitable vacancies are listed on their website. To access full listings, you may have to register or become a member. Trade/professional publications Trade magazines and professional journals usually have sections where they advertise vacancies. Publications may be available in print or online format. You may be able to subscribe for a few months while looking for work, buy copies at newsagents or read them at reference libraries. They re a good source of information about jobs in particular career areas. You can find links to a wide range of trade magazines at com/business_and_economy/business_to_business/news_and_media/magazines/trade_ magazines/ Employers websites and notices Many organisations advertise jobs directly on their own websites. Some still post vacancies on noticeboards or in store windows, as appropriate. National careers services National careers services are a source of all kinds of information on finding a job and normally allow you to search for vacancies National Careers Service (in England) Careers Wales Skills Development Scotland My World of Work Career Service Northern Ireland

4 Jobcentre Plus Staff can give advice and discuss government-funded employment programmes. You can search for jobs through the Universal Jobmatch service College and university careers services These may hold lists of job vacancies in your area and can offer advice about job search. If you re a graduate you can continue to use your university careers service for a few years after leaving; if you ve relocated, you can tap into your nearest university service. Recruitment fairs and career events Some recruitment fairs are aimed at graduates; these are usually organised by individual universities, so check out the university in the area where you want to work to get information. Careers events are usually focussed on job opportunities in a certain area of the country or in a particular sector of work. Whatever the event, take copies of your CV with you, dress as you would for an interview and collect as many business cards/ brochures as you can so that you can follow them up at a later date. Social networking sites Vacancies are also advertised through social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn (the professional networking site). The hidden job market If opportunity doesn t knock, then build a door. Milton Burley Depending on the vocational area, it s estimated that between 40-70% of jobs are to be found in the hidden job market. These are positions that are not advertised but are filled by people who have made contact with the organisation in some other way. Speculative applications One way into the hidden job market is to make a speculative ( on spec ) approach to selected organisations. Although a position may not be available immediately, many potential employers (especially small organisations) are happy to hold your details on file in case a suitable vacancy arises. There are various ways to identify employers that you could approach in a speculative fashion. If you have knowledge of a particular area you may already be aware of suitable organisations. If not, you can search through directories such as Alternatively for graduate-level jobs, see To apply on spec, send your CV with a covering letter/ outlining what kind of position you re looking for, why you want to work for the organisation concerned

5 and what you have to offer. (You can find details in the Insights... article CVs and job applications top tips.) If possible, send your application to a named person; if you don t have a contact, address it to the human resources department. It s a good idea to follow up your correspondence with a phone call to check that they ve received your details and to ask whether they have any positions available. You never know, you might be just the person they re looking for and you may not have to compete with others for a position! Networking Networking is one of the most successful ways of finding employment. Ask your friends and relatives to let you know if they hear of any jobs coming up where they work. Positions are often advertised internally through newsletters, notices and the intranet; although these may be aimed at internal applicants, if no one suitable is available, the employer may consider interviewing someone from outside the organisation. Another opportunity for networking is by spending time doing a work experience placement/internship at an organisation. The added bonus is that you can demonstrate your abilities first hand. You can also promote yourself via social media and by attending conferences, recruitment fairs (see above) and other events. A final piece of advice It would be impossible to tap into all the sources of vacancies listed in this article, so home in on the ones that are most appropriate for you and what you want to do. Debbie Steel, Careers Writers Association based on an original article by Charles Humphreys