Job Search Support
Job search is a broad term and refers to the activities involved
with searching for appropriate job vacancies, making the initial
job application, and then preparing for interview or the selection
process used by an employer. Job search support is therefore the
support and guidance employability agencies can provide to enable
individuals to identify the types of jobs that suit them, complete
a good quality application form and/or CV, and prepare them for the
selection process. The level of support individuals need across
each aspect will vary from person to person.
Breaking the different aspects down by stage, first comes
finding job vacancies. These are advertised in a variety of ways
and locations, such as:
- Universal
Jobmatch website.
- Recruitment agency websites.
- National and local newspapers.
- Community notice boards and shop windows.
- Word of mouth and through local networks.
It is important that people looking for jobs and employability
agencies keep abreast of these different sources of vacancies.
However, this can lead to a wide range of job vacancies being
sourced and these need to be sorted to identify those that meet an
individual's circumstances. Considerations will include an
individual's:
- Skills.
- Qualifications.
- Experience.
- Interests.
- Income requirements and expectations.
- Travel arrangements, etc.
Once an appropriate job has been identified, the job application
process can include:
- Submitting a CV.
- Completing an application form - which are increasingly
online.
- Preparing a covering letter.
- Contacting the employer for more information.
There are a range of resources and supports available to help
people with the above so that their applications are of a high
standard. These include:
Based on the initial application, employers may then hold
interviews or a selection process to pinpoint who they will
recruit. This process may involve:
- One-to-one (informal) interviews.
- Interviews in front of a panel.
- Group exercises and role play.
- Psychometric testing.
- Work trials.
Again there are a wide range of resources and supports available
to help people prepare for these recruitment processes. These
include: