Jobseekers

How to find a job

If you’re looking for a new job, or are soon to be out of work and need to understand your options, this is the section for you.  It contains guidance, views and news about finding a job, interview tips, returning to work, seeking flexible working options, self employment and much more.

Needing a new job is a position that we’ve all been in at some point, and there are lots of reasons why the situation comes up. You might be returning to work after a break, need a more flexible job to fit around your other commitments, or you’re being made redundant.

Try not to worry – there are plenty of roles out there.

In this guide:

• Dealing with being out of work
• Claiming benefits when you are out of work
• How to find a job
• Using a jobsite
• Writing a good CV
• Finding a flexible job
• Recruitment agencies
• Interviews
• Other options if you can’t find a job

Dealing with being out of work

Being out of work can be stressful and can have an impact on your mental wellbeing. So the first step is to be aware of that fact and try to manage your thoughts.

Instead of focusing on the negatives – the reasons why you’re not working, the lack of income etc, aim to stay positive. Look at the potential benefits of taking a new job, the new experiences it will bring, and that it’s worth taking time to find the right thing for you.

Claiming benefits when you are out of work

If you’re unemployed you may be able to claim benefits to help you pay the bills. Jobseeker’s allowance is the main source of income to explore.

The first step is to check you’re eligible. Most people are as long as they’re over 18, have been working as an employee and paying their National Insurance, and live in England, Scotland or Wales. Note that if your last role was self-employed, you may not be eligible.

You may also, or alternatively, be eligible for Universal Credit. To explore the options, visit https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility. Note that Jobseeker’s allowance is only payable for up to six months of unemployment, at which point you should talk to your work coach about the options.

How to find a job

The good news for jobseekers is that it’s easier than ever to search and apply to jobs, thanks to the many internet jobsites. A quick web search will come up with lots of options. There are generic sites, which list pretty much any job, and also more specific sites for certain industry sectors, like healthcare, engineering or banking.

Using a jobsite

Most job sites are designed to be easy to use and give you plenty of search options to find the perfect role. You can search by industry sector, location, skills, salary and more. You’ll then be presented with a list of potential roles, each giving you the important details about the job and the employer.

To apply, you’ll normally need to complete an online form and attach a copy of your CV.

Writing a good CV

Recruiters will start with a pile of CVs when deciding who to invite for an interview. So your CV needs to help them quickly see whether or not your skills will fit the job.

Working Dads has lots of useful hints on how to format your CV and tailoring your CV for flexible roles.

Finding a flexible job

Lots of dads are looking for ways to balance work and family and it might be that you want to find a part time role or other flexibility around your hours or location of work.

Employers are increasingly recognising the value of flexible workers, in terms of productivity, cost and improved wellbeing. As a result there are more flexible jobs available and they’re easy to find on job sites. Most job boards will give you options to search for part-time, home working and remote working jobs by clicking a filter.

There are also specialised sites for flexible jobs – like workingdads.co.uk!

Recruitment agencies

While jobsites might seem the easiest way to find a new role, don’t rule out recruitment agencies. They are all seeking to wow their clients by finding good people for jobs, and are particularly relevant if you’re looking for middle management or senior roles.

Find out the reasons why you should consider talking to recruitment agencies as part of your job search.

Interviews

Once you’re applied to a few jobs, your next step will hopefully be to land an interview. While they can be a little daunting, it helps to remember that the interview is your opportunity to find out if the job is right for you – as well as for the employer to assess your suitability.

Key things to get right for an interview include doing some research on the company, dressing well, arriving early and – vitally – being yourself. There are some useful interview tips in this article.

Don’t expect to get the first job you’re interviewed for, and don’t be disheartened when you don’t. It’s never personal. If you’re unsuccessful, it’s because another applicant just has skills and experience that are a better match for the role.

Other options if you can’t find a job

If you’ve spent several months job seeking and haven’t been successful, there are other work options you could consider.

There might be an opportunity for you to go freelance, for example, or start your own business. A lot of dads find that self employment gives them new independence that they really enjoy, and also helps them balance work with home commitments.

Or, if you like the idea of being your own boss but lack a killer business idea, you might like to consider running a franchise. With this approach, you ‘buy’ a successful business idea and run a replica company in a new area or market. There are a vast range of business types on offer, from professional services companies to pet sitting, art classes to sports coaching.

workingdads.co.uk is here to support you throughout your job searching. For further reading, try the following articles:

• The transferable skills of parenting
• How working dads can achieve their goals
• What are  my rights to flexible working?