Which sources do you use to look for jobs? There are plenty of players out there so it’s worth knowing a bit about some of the more popular ones in order to decide which will best suit your needs. I’ve focused here on some of the more general ones; specialist sites will focus on specific sectors- and some recruiters advertise directly on their websites.
Increasingly Jobs boards have started to add in additional functionality or services to enhance the job seeker’s experience, with many supporting job search through Apps and Social Media and several including searchable categories for remote working. I’ve outlined below some specific features and benefits.
1. Adzuna
This popular site enables you to search jobs by sector, employer, salary and location – and whether a job is available remotely. You can also upload your CV and see how much you’re likely to be able to earn. The site also has a number of useful blog posts. It’s helpful to be able to spot hiring trends and explore labour market data in specific geographical locations.
2. CV Library
You can register your CV in order to be headhunted by recruiters as well as to apply for opportunities. There is useful information in particular on CVs and cover letters as well as careers advice. There is a guide to UK salaries by job role. There are also some pay-for online courses.
3. Reed
Reed offers the ability to search by sector, location and working from home and offers useful practical posts for job seekers on aspects of the recruitment process. Reed also offers well over 100 free online courses. Some of these are practical and link to job hunting skills; others are specific to particular roles or sectors, in particular shortage areas. They also offer access to paid courses offered by a range of providers.
4. Totaljobs
In addition to their jobs board, Totaljobs offers careers advice and posts on aspects of working life on topics such as wellbeing, equality and relationships at work. They offer CV and cover letter templates and advice on references. You can upload your CV and choose to make it available to recruiters.
5. Indeed
On Indeed, you can also browse the top paying companies by industry and look up company reviews. You can also upload your CV and make it available to recruiters.
6. Monster
Monster also includes opportunities for remote working, company profiles, useful careers advice and practical job hunting posts and a downloadable App.
7. Wikijob
Particularly helpful on this jobs board is access to free practice aptitude tests. You also have the option to pay for more-in depth practice tests. Wikijobs provides a list of key competencies and shows how to provide evidence of these. Careers advice and examples of interview questions and responses are also included.
8. LinkedIn
Whilst you don’t need a LinkedIn profile in order to search for vacancies, it undoubtedly helps. The information you provide in your profile will help LinkedIn to identify more relevant vacancies for you. LinkedIn provides a skills assessment to see how many of the 30 most in-demand skills you have. For a monthly fee you can subscribe to LinkedIn and access thousands of courses all included in your monthly membership. (These include the core skills on their list). N.B You can subscribe for a free month’s trial- just remember to cancel after 28 days so you’re not charged if you decide it’s not for you. (At the time of writing this post the cost was approx. £24.00 a month or £14.99 per month if you pay for a year’s subscription).
9. Remoteworker
As a direct response to COVID, this site focuses specifically on opportunities that are available remotely- so should be open wherever you live, allowing a higher degree of flexibility and customisation than a traditional location-based job. Blog posts focus on remote-working themes.
10. Jobs.ac.uk
I’ve included this site as whilst the jobs are all working within Higher Education, the range of roles, specifically within Professional Services, include a wide range of opportunities at different levels across a range of sectors- so many are not just for graduates. e.g. HR, Finance, Hospitality, Sport & Leisure, Student Support, IT. Some opportunities are available remotely. Careers advice, CV and interview tips are included.
Despite what can seem to be the relentlessly negative portrayal of the UK labour market in the Press, these websites and many others have thousands of opportunities available. As we emerge from Lockdown, markets will gather momentum. While patterns of work may be changing and new jobs starting to emerge, capable people will be needed to fill them.
The most difficult thing is to act. The rest is mere tenacity. Amelia Earhart.
