Careers > Finding a Job
How to Find Job Vacancies
Finding a job can be a tough and gruelling process, especially if you’re in the early stages of your career and have little experience to present to potential employers. Half the battle is putting yourself out there and showing an interest. Jobs aren’t always going to find you. But, the more exposure you give yourself, the more opportunities that will come your way.
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There are multiple approaches to looking for a job, and it may take a combination to find a role that’s right for you. Therefore, before you start, it’s important to narrow down the type of role you are looking for and identify the must-haves. Below are some points you should consider, but be mindful that you may need to make compromises depending on the job market.
Ask yourself the following:
1. Do you have any salary requirements?
Consider your current situation. Is there a base salary that you need to earn due to your personal circumstances?
2. Where do you want to be based?
Some roles involve travel, others will be fully remote, there will be some which offer a hybrid approach and others which require you to be in the office five days per week.
3. Working hours
Not all roles operate on the standard 9-5. Decide if you want to work flexibly.
4. Do you want to continue your studies?
Many companies offer apprenticeships; levels 6 and 7 are equivalent to a full bachelors and masters.
Don’t put your energy into applying for every job; it is important to select roles you are applying for based on your must-haves and take time over each application.
If you’re unsure on which career is right for you, head to our ‘My Career In…’ page (linked below) and read insights on a range of roles, written by those who have already experienced them.
Below are five ways that you can find your next opportunity.
Online Job Boards
Many sites will do the hard work for you, compiling job opportunities into one place. You can use filters to narrow your search and help find a job in your chosen field, as well as sign up for job alerts.
In many cases, you create an account on the website and can upload your CV to complete an application without having to use your potential employers’ careers page. Whilst this can be an efficient way to apply in a short period of time, make sure you’re tailoring your CV to the different roles instead of attaching a generic copy.
Networking Sites
Spend time creating a strong LinkedIn profile. In December 2021, LinkedIn had over 33 million users in the United Kingdom (Statista, 2022). By building a standout profile and creating the right network, you open yourself up to a range of insights and opportunities.
You can also set your profile to ‘open to opportunities’ and give further information about the type of role you are looking for.
Careers Fairs
A careers fair is an opportunity to meet a range of employers and/or recruiters, all within a couple of hours. If you are attending a careers fair at your university, employers will often bring along previous graduates who will talk to you about their experiences and give you a sense of what the role entails – something which isn’t possible with online job boards. Where possible, try to get a list of the companies attending prior to the day of the fair, this way, you can prepare some questions for your top picks.
You can often find career fairs at universities, schools or by searching Google for fairs in the local area.
Recruitment Agencies
Recruitment agencies help organisations to find the right people for their vacancies. In most cases, you will complete an online form detailing what type of role you are looking for, alongside your skills and experiences. They may also invite you into the office for a short interview or have a telephone conversation before putting you forward for any opportunities they have on their books that would suit you.
Some agencies will specialise in certain industries, so it’s best to find one that is specific to your field.
Approach Employers Directly
If you have companies in mind, you can also approach them directly. Many organisations will have a careers page on their website with contact and application forms. You can also reach out via email, phone or networking sites. Contacting the right person will be crucial to success. Be prepared to answer some application questions and send over a CV.
References
Statista. 2022. Share of LinkedIn users in the United Kingdom (UK) as of December 2021, by age group. [online] Available at: <https://www.statista.com/statistics /278322/age-distribution-of-linkedin-users-in-great -britain/#:~:text=United% 20Kingdom%20LinkedIn% 20users%202021%2C% 20age%20group&text=In%20 December%202021%2C%20LinkedIn %20had,25% 20and%2034%20years%20old.> [Accessed 23 February 2022].
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