Knowing how to get a job online can be quite a daunting task if it’s something you’ve never done before. The internet has opened up a world of opportunities in terms of jobs, so it can be difficult to know where to start.
In this article, we’ve highlighted some of the most important tips, tricks and sites that we think will help kick start your job search and get you into a job you’ll love.
Job Search Engines
There are absolutely loads of job sites online now including indeed.co.uk, monster.co.uk, cv-library.co.uk and reed.co.uk to name a few.
There are also some sector specific sites that allow you to search for jobs in particular industries like leisurejobs.com for Hospitality jobs or britishwarehousejobs.co.uk for Warehousing.
These sites list thousands of job opportunities and are very easy to use. Simply search for a job title you’re interested in, enter your location, and you’re well on your way to finding your next job. Just upload your CV and a covering letter then you’ll be able to quickly and easily apply for jobs.
You can even sign up to email and mobile notifications so you’re the first to know about brand new job vacancies. Many of these sites offer app downloads so you can search for jobs on the go, too.
Top Tip: make sure you check multiple job search engines when looking for jobs. Different employers will advertise vacancies on different sites and you may find new jobs that you haven’t seen before.
Gov.uk Job Search
The government website has a really handy job search function to help with applying and it’s free for anyone to use.
Browse popular categories or locations or if you already know what you’re looking for, search for what and where you want a job. You can sort by salary range, contract type and hours if you’re looking for something more specific.
Alternatively, if you need to get some training before you apply for a full-time job, consider a traineeship or apprenticeship. The .gov website lists a variety of options to suit everyone’s needs whether it’s a job or training.
Jobcentres usually point their clients towards this site to help with job searching but they also often host job fairs in which job seekers can meet employers in the local areas. These are free events where job hunters can strike up conversations with employers, grow their networks, and gain interview tips and tricks.
Top Tip: tailor your CV for different industries and highlight your skills and experience relevant to each job. By altering your CV slightly each time you apply for a job, employers can quickly see that you have relevant skills rather than going through a long list of irrelevant skills.
Social media
Believe it or not, Social Media can be a fantastic tool for job searching.
There are lots of local job searching groups you can follow so new opportunities near you appear directly on your newsfeed.
You can follow employers on social media to keep up with company news, events and potential job vacancies. This will also give you a chance to do some research into the company which is important if you want to impress employers. Having a knowledge of the company shows that you’ve gone above and beyond when applying for their position.
Social Media can be great for networking with people and employers in order to improve your chances of employment. Get in touch with that old friend who works for a company you like the sound of, they might be able to put in a good word for you!
Top Tip: Make sure your social profile is squeaky clean as employers might check it! Don’t have your party photos as the first thing they’ll see. Think about setting up a new profile specifically for job hunting with a professional profile picture and a bio detailing what kinds of jobs you’re interested in.
Go Direct
More often than not, employers have a dedicated careers page in which vacancies are listed on their own websites. It’s sometimes better to check company sites directly as they might have some vacancies listed that aren’t on any other sites.
Also, companies often have contact details on their websites for the recruitment team. Even if there are no vacancies listed, it’s important to still get in touch as they’re likely to keep your CV on file ready for when they are next hiring. If you don’t ask, you don’t get!
What’s next?
It’s a good idea to make sure you keep track of all the jobs you’ve applied for so you’re prepared for when employers contact you for more information. It’s easy to get confused when you apply for multiple jobs at once and if you have no idea who is contacting you and for which job, it won’t be a very good first impression!
After you’ve applied for jobs online, it’s likely you’ll be contacted via telephone if you’ve been successful. Make sure you always answer your phone in a polite and professional manner just in case it’s a potential employer calling you.
Finally, ensure you have some smart clothes ready for an interview. You might be required for a meeting with the employers at short notice so being prepared in advance will certainly help.
How can we help?
By expanding your job search online, you’ll come across more opportunities than you would normally so it’s really important that you make use of this resource.
As part of our free training courses, our in-house recruitment team can help you with job searching, CV writing and more. Plus, we’re forming links with local employers to help our learners to get back into work.
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