Don't Stop Looking For Work
Digital Television
Often referred to as "digiTV", this can give you access to more than 400,000 of the latest Jobcentre Plus vacancies via your television by searching through the "looking local" service. See www.digitv.gov.uk or hit the red button on your remote control, for more information.
Mobile Phone
Information on programmes such as New Deal and financial help with training can be accessed by WAP enabled mobile phones by typing www.direct.gov.uk/mobile into your phone's browser. You can also book a call from a learndirect careers adviser.
Jobpoints
There are some 8,000 Jobpoints available throughout the country, providing access to our full job bank. You can also search vacancies offered by recruitment agencies and online job boards
Online
The Jobcentre Plus website at www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk is linked to the UK's largest job bank, with over 400,000 vacancies at any one time. Alternatively there are over 1,000 online job boards, some focussing on specific towns or cities and others offering a country-wide service. You can find these by typing "job boards" or if you want to be more specific "jobs in retail" (for example) into a search engine.
Of course if you know which companies you're interested in, keep an eye on their websites- they will often list their latest vacancies there. Increasingly employers are using online application forms for vacancies. Remember the same rules as a paper application applies - read the job description and any instructions carefully. Be confident but don't oversell yourself.
The employer may want you to use a certain font type or size and the advert and job description will give you ideas on what skills the employer is looking for. For example if they say they are looking for a "team player", make sure you give an example of how you've worked successfully with other people - and remember this doesn't have to have been in a work environment, it could be helping out at a school fayre or organising an event.
Spell check is extremely useful but remember it is not 100% reliable! Always ask a friend or relative to read it before you press "send"
E-Mail
These days many employers prefer you to e-mail CVs to them. Using Arial 12 point and sending as an attachment to your e-mail is recommended. Make sure your CV is up to date and there are no unexplained gaps.
A covering e-mail note gives you the chance to introduce yourself and make a good impression on an employer. It's important with e-mail to keep it short and to the point but don't forget the essentials such as your name, the job you're applying for and any reference numbers. You could briefly add why you think you're right for this job too if you haven't had the chance in the application form.
Finally, perhaps you are a "cheekygirl@hotmail.com" or a "xyz123pp@hotmail.com". If you have a funny or obscure e-mail address, think about setting up a more professional sounding address for your job applications.
For more information about finding work and help with CVs and application forms, go to www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk or contact your nearest Jobcentre Plus office.
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