Looking for your first job or a career change?

Start by thinking about the things you're good at and what you enjoy
doing. Speak to your family and friends to see which jobs they think
would suit you. Most hobbies or skills can be transferred into a job:

• Like talking on the phone? You might be suited to a career in customer services or as a receptionist.
  
• Enjoy planning nights out for you and your friends?
  Why not get a job in event management or as a personal assistant, where
  you will be organising things?
  
• Love playing team sports? You might find a job achieving team goals, such as one in retail or sales, rewarding.
  
• Like getting to the bottom of problems? A job in finance could be a good option for you.
  
• Do you enjoy babysitting? A job in childcare, such as a nursery nurse or teaching assistant, might be right for you.
  
• Got the travel bug? How about a job in tourism or one where you're not stuck in an office, such as a driver or engineer?
  

Once you have a specific job in mind, try and talk to someone who works in that area to find out what their role involves.
If you're worried your qualifications might be letting you down or you fancy a career change, there are training courses available that can help you get a foot in the door.

Find jobs the easy way



Once you've worked out what you want to do, you need to
arm yourself with as much information and as many tools as possible to
help you in your jobs search.



Looking through job search results can take time, so here are some tips to help you find what you're looking for:

• if you know exactly what job you want, use the advanced search
  
• add details about your preferred working hours,
  contract, minimum salary and industry sector - the more information you
  provide, the more relevant the jobs you are sent will be
  
• look out for 'Be first to apply' jobs - they appear
  when you do a search and, as the name suggests, no-one else will have
  put themselves forward for them yet
  

If there aren't many jobs matching your search, try and
ask yourself why. Are your salary expectations unrealistic? Will you
need to commute, rather than work locally?

Be patient; it can take a while to find the right job.
Try not to be disappointed if you don't see something straight away.
There's nothing wrong with having a dream job but try and keep an open
mind and be flexible.

Stay positive too. Make a list of all your good points
and achievements - it will remind you how great you are if things get a
bit tough.

Applying for jobs



Applying for jobs can be time consuming but your application is the only chance you'll get to make a good first impression.

Follow the tips below for an application form that is neat, effective and error-free.

• Always read the job description thoroughly before you start.
  
• Plan what you want to say before you write anything.
  
• Make sure you follow any instructions carefully, e.g. write in black ink.
  
• Take your time - you might make mistakes if you rush or are distracted.
  
• Ask someone else to have a read through before you send it off.
  

A cover letter is a brief summary of why you think you
are the right person for a job. Here are some tips to help you catch the
employer's eye.

• Keep it short and factual.
  
• Talk about why you are interested in the role and what you can offer the company.
  
• Highlight the relevant skills and experience you have.
  
• Don't include a minimum salary unless they ask you to - you can negotiate that at a later stage.
  
• Thank them for their time and for considering your application.
  
• Make sure you tweak your cover note for every job you apply for and keep copies of them all, for future reference.