Whether you’re a student, a graduate or are employed and considering moving on, finding a job takes time.
According to the latest Graduate Outcomes survey from HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency), over four-fifths (82%) of UK graduates from the 2020/21 academic year were either in paid employment, working unpaid or working while studying 15 months after graduation.
This means that while a range of roles are available for talented graduates, it’s likely you’ll be facing a highly competitive application process. Therefore, being well-prepared could be your key to success.
Discover the steps you’ll need to take to find a job in the UK.
1. Job Boards
A job board is a website used by employers to advertise their job vacancies to job seekers. Job seekers can use job boards to search for new job opportunities
Onboarding refers to the process of providing new employees with the resources they need to transition into their new role with the company. It essentially helps new hires feel more comfortable with their new job, while also giving employers a chance to make a good first impression.
One of the best ways to track down jobs online is to research potential employers. If you have a specific field that you want to work in, use websites such as Kobere Jobs, Google News, and LinkedIn to narrow your search to specific companies.
2. Sign up for alerts
Job Alerts is a free service that notifies you by email when new jobs matching your interests are posted on Kobere Jobs. Every Job Alerts email includes a list of job postings that match the search criteria you selected when you initially set up your subscription.
With Kobere Job Alerts, you get direct notifications on your email address to help you know about the job openings in your desired company or industry from anywhere online. By receiving timely alerts of the most recent job openings, you can stay ahead of other candidates and apply for jobs at the earliest opportunity.
3. Search for jobs online
Use a job search website to get a broad overview of available positions. These sites allow you to search by title, category, keyword, location, and even salary. Some even offer career counseling articles with advice on how to find or change jobs. Thousands of jobs are posted to these sites every day, so be sure to check back frequently.
4. Check an employer’s website
Visit the “Careers” page of a particular company you want to work for. If you have your eye on a job with a certain employer, head to their website and look for a link titled “Careers” or “Jobs” at the bottom of the page. Many companies will allow prospective employees to apply for a position online—sometimes even if they aren’t currently hiring.
Submitting an application online lets the company know that you sought them out directly, which could give you an edge over other applicants.
Working for a company whose values you share can be a very rewarding experience. If you’re fond of a particular company, you’ll likely have an appreciation for the energy and culture found in your new workplace.
5. Recruitment agencies
Struggling to get your dream job? Using a recruitment agency could help you get past the application process and secure the perfect role.
Recruitment agencies help companies fill their vacancies, and help you find a job.
Large companies, in particular, often don’t have time to sort through hundreds of CVs and select the best candidates for interviews.
This is where recruitment agencies come in. When a company gets in contact with them about a new job role, they’ll choose the best candidates on their books to put forward for an interview.
Recruiters save companies lots of time and effort by only putting forward top-quality, suitable candidates.
At the same time, recruiters help candidates get these interviews by optimising their CVs or coaching them for interviews.
In a nutshell, recruitment agencies are the middle man between job candidates and companies.
6. Networking sites
LinkedIn is the largest professional networking site, with more than 700 million members worldwide. It’s a great place to connect with other professionals, search for job opportunities, and showcase your skills and experience. If you do not have a LinkedIn profile, you really should create one.
7. Local council websites
Searching jobs on local council websites sometimes can help you find the perfect job for yourself. You can start from your own council to get started.
8. Hidden job market
The definition of the hidden job market is simple: It’s the extremely high percentage of job postings that are never publicized and are instead quietly filled by internal candidates or referrals.
When looking for a new job, most people apply for roles through recruitment sites or positions that they have heard of through word of mouth. In many cases, employers don’t post ‘word of mouth’ jobs publicly, hiring through unadvertised recruiting. Sometimes, companies opt to recruit for positions internally or use a recruitment agency to find candidates externally.
Hidden recruitment, or the hidden job market, is a term used to describe positions and jobs that employers don’t publicly recruit for. There are many reasons that companies do this, such as saving time and money needed to interview candidates and review applicants. This ‘word of mouth’ method of recruitment allows recruiters to source the absolute best internal candidates, as these employees already understand how that particular business operates.
Some UK’s jobs may require you to take an exam, either before or after getting hired. These jobs are classified as competitive on the job board. Signing up for an upcoming exam is a great way to land a new job in your field.
