The Grammar School for Girls Wilmington

If you have considered carefully and your option choice is to enter full time work when you leave school then you should start planning your job search strategy at the same time as other students are making their UCAS applications.

If you know that you definitely want to enter employment but don't know what you want to do, a useful starting point would be to search for occupations based on subjects, qualification levels and interests. Go to www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/

An additional source of job profiles can be found at www.learndirect-advice.co.uk.

If you want to find out more about individual occupations then there are numerous books and resources available in the Careers Library.

Unless you are prepared to move away from home, and can afford it, your employment options are going to be limited to what is available locally or in London. All cities and towns have websites which include information on the major employers based there. This will enable you to carry out background research if you decide to apply for a job at a local company – and research is vital in getting you ahead of other applicants.

If you are considering starting your own business then it would be useful for you to talk to experts in this field. Helpful tips and information can be found here and here.

Here are six major websites you might like to use when looking for work:

1. www.worktrain.gov.uk
2. www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
3. www.fish4jobs.co.uk
4. www.jobuk.org
5. www.jobsite.co.uk
6. www.sector1.net

1 & 2 are maintained by the job centre network and are continually updated every time a job becomes available. They are both very simple to navigate and have sections on occupational information, advice on writing CV’s and completing job applications.

3 is a website bringing together all the vacancies notified to the national and local press. It is also updated continually and has useful occupation sections.

4 provides a job search facility and a full UK job agency directory with website links.

5 is another job search website which will email you details of jobs as they become available

6 is a website which brings together advertisments for jobs in the public sector, eg local authorities and hospitals.

Training and Modern Apprenticeship

You may wish to enter an advanced modern apprenticeship when you leave school. Local training providers can be accessed through: http://www.connexionskentandmedway.co.uk