Before beginning a search for a job, training opportunity or course, you will need to think about the types of vacancies you are hoping to find. If you think in terms of broad job areas, rather than specific job titles this will give you wider opportunities and more possible vacancies as employers often use different titles for similar jobs.
You should consider temporary and part-time work as this could give you experience, is good for your CV, and will provide the chance to make contacts that may know about other jobs. Some temporary jobs may also become permanent.
If you are looking for a vacancy, a lot of job vacancies are advertised:
Careers Centre:
Employers may advertise their vacancies here for young people (around the age of 20). There is usually a self-service display of jobs. For some jobs, careers officers may be able to telephone on your behalf to arrange interviews. Careers officers also offer a counselling and advice service for young people and help in finding training places or jobs.
Employment Service:There are lots of full/part-time/temporary/ permanent jobs advertised in Employment Offices/Jobcentres/Job Shops. Most jobs are local area or within daily travel although some offices hold adverts for other areas. Vacancy cards are displayed on self -service display boards free of charge. Employment Service Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs) offer special services for people with disabilities. This can include advice and help to find vacancies and DEAs will also be able to arrange for guidance and assessment services.
Local Newspapers:Local papers may advertise vacancies daily or on a certain day each week. Adverts may also appear in free local newspapers. Most papers are available in libraries and there may be copies of some papers in Jobcentres, community centres and other advice/guidance centres/shops. Consider placing your own advert in the Appointments Wanted sections of local papers. Local employers are more likely to see these adverts.
National newspaper advertisements:These are often for professional and/or technical jobs. There are usually particular days for the different types of work, e.g. Arts and Media or Scientific and Technical. Specialist newspapers: such as the Times Education Supplement (produced weekly) carry a large number of adverts for teachers, lecturers and other education workers, etc. Jobs advertised in national newspapers are often in other parts of the country.
Use the Internet:There are many job search websites. Some have search facilities allowing you to search on geographical area, by wage/salary and so on. Recruitment agencies also advertise on websites and some allow jobseekers to register on there as well. Find out if your school or local careers centre has Internet access and will show you how to access websites.
Journals/Trade Magazines:Specialist journals published by professional bodies or trade organisations may advertise jobs. These may come out monthly or quarterly and feature adverts on a national basis. Check to see whether these are available in the local library etc.
Radio/TV:Local radio stations sometimes run job advertisements and some independent television channels broadcast job search programmes with regional adverts. Many of these TV programmes are very late at night but if you have access to a video recorder you could tape them.
On their own premises:Some employers advertise their vacancies outside their premises on notice boards or signs.
In the community:Advertisements can be found in community centres. Local shops such as post offices and newsagents often display postcards for those looking for jobs and employers advertising work. This is often for job areas such as cleaning, childminding and gardening. Shops may also advertise their own vacancies, e.g. for retail assistants on their shop windows.
Private employment agencies/ Recruitment agencies:These match job seekers with employers' vacancies. Many specialise in nursing, secretarial, accountancy or catering. Some agencies concentrate on temporary posts while others deal with any. Agencies display adverts in their shop windows and/or display boards for public access. They will also contact people registered with them when vacancies arise.
Many vacancies are never advertised. Tapping into this pool of vacancies involves making speculative approaches. This means contacting employers just in case they have a suitable vacancy or a vacancy coming up. It is likely that you will suffer a number of setbacks and disappointments with this method, as many of your approaches will be rejected. It is still worthwhile investing your time even if there are rejections and you should consider these types of speculative approaches:
- Going to the employers' premises in person to ask if there are any vacancies. It is often called knocking on doors or speculative visits. Take copies of your CV with you to leave if there are no current vacancies.
- You might try ringing up to ask whether there are any vacancies with speculative telephone calls. This method might suit those who feel confident and comfortable talking on the phone. There are some guidelines given in How to Reply to Job Adverts
Send your CV with a covering letter introducing yourself and what you have to offer. These written speculative approaches let people know that you are seeking work and can be targeted at particular employers. The CV advice section gives help with this.
|
|
|
