Do some research
Find out about the employers and types of job you’re interested in:
- Research the industry or sector – find out more about a range of sectors on our Sector page
- Take a look at the websites of companies you’re interested in – find out what it’s like to work for them, the sorts of jobs they have and the skills you need
- Follow key employers on social media – it’s an easy way to keep track of what a company is doing and big events they are involved in. They may also advertise vacancies on social media
- There are websites where you can see reviews of different companies and what it’s like to work for them
Skill-up and boost your chances
By working out your job goals, outlining the skills you have and finding out more about the type of work you want, you should be ready to start looking and applying for jobs.
But you may have also discovered some areas where you have gaps in your skills or experience. Don’t worry, be honest about where you have gaps – nobody knows everything and filling the gaps might be straightforward. And it’s always good to invest in yourself and learn new things. Here are some options for ways you could boost your prospects:
- Develop your skills – take a look at our Skills pages to get you started
- Think about volunteering to build your workplace skills and experience – find out more about how volunteering could be the ‘secret sauce’ for getting a job
- Use your local Jobcentre – if you are claiming Universal Credit, your Work Coach will have information and advice on local opportunities for training, work trials and work experience. Find out more about Jobcentre Plus
- If you’ve just left school or college and don’t think that you have the experience employers are looking for, work experience could give you the boost you need. Find out more in our Quick guide to work experience
Go to next page ‘Step 3 – prepare your CV and covering letter’ →