Jobcentre Plus

New jobs come in here on a daily basis, look around on the notice boards, look online, or ask an advisor to look at their nationwide database for particular types of jobs. Jobcentre Plus can also put you in touch with organisations like local job clubs, training organisations or groups who can help you set up your own business.

Next Step

If you've got a query about jobs, careers, learning or training, you can get in touch with Next Step by choosing the option that suits you best. The focus of the helpline is careers and learning. You can also get in touch with an advisor face-to-face, online or over the phone.

An internship can help you learn skills and build your experience.

Apprenticeships

Doing an apprenticeship can be a great way to earn and train at the same time. Check out apprenticeships information for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Employment agencies

There are hundreds of them in the phone book and they can get you temporary or permanent work. You usually have to fill in an application form and sometimes take a test for skills like typing. After that you should phone daily for vacancies.

Online job sites

Register with these sites, then browse for jobs, put your CV up for employers to see and be automatically emailed about work you might want. As well as signing up for bigger recruitment sites like Monster, Reed and Total Jobs, look for smaller, more focused sites dedicated to a particular profession or geographical area.

Newspapers and magazines

Read the job sections of daily national newspapers; most advertise specific kinds of jobs on particular days. The local rag is handy if you don't fancy moving to get work. Most newspapers list the jobs on their websites as well, or if you can't get a particular paper try your local library. If you want to work in a very specialised field try magazines and journals for that subject.

Local notice boards

Keep an eye out locally for job ads in shop windows, or pinned to notice boards. If they aren't suitable for you, tell your friends about them. Which brings us neatly to networking.

Networking opportunities

Let friends and family know that you are looking for work. They might know somebody useful and pull a few strings or have seen an ad you missed.

The speculative option

Seek out firms you'd like to work for. Check out news stories, the business sections of daily papers or use the internet to find out more. Then call their human resources manager and ask about possible vacancies. If they aren't currently recruiting send them your CV to keep on file.

The university 'milk round'

This one's for the students. Once or twice yearly, the big firms go round UK universities giving talks and trying to sign up the best students for trainee jobs. Attend and remember to do some background reading about the companies you're interested in.

Updated: 17/02/2012