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How to search for jobs

Looking for a career can feel like a full-time job in itself. Discover where to start, places to look and how to network to get that dream role.

Starting your job hunt

First, set aside some time each week to find vacancies or fill in applications.

Give yourself some tasks to complete each week.

These could be:

  • contacting an employer
  • updating your CV
  • looking on a job vacancy website

Make sure you note down closing dates for vacancies and keep track of what you’ve applied for and when. 

Where to look

There are some different places to look when it comes to job hunting.

Online sites

Our job search is one of the many available – hundreds of new jobs appear online every day.

Look for job sites which are specific to the type of industry you'd like to work in. Check the sites of employers you're interested in working for and take a look at their social media accounts. 

Plenty of sites offer an email alert function too, which lets you know when new jobs are added under the category you’re interested in.

Using LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a great social site to connect with employers and relevant people within the industry you're interested in. You can also set up job alerts for opportunities being advertised on your LinkedIn feed as well. 

Recruitment agencies

Find jobs you might not see otherwise with the support of a recruitment agency. Specialist agencies can also help you seek out jobs in the industry you want. 

They know exactly what employers are looking for – it's their job! 

They're well-placed to find you a job to suit your skills, as well as being a great source of advice and feedback. You can find recruitments online. 

After you contact an agency, they may ask you to submit your CV and arrange a meeting. Give as much detail as you can about your skills, experience and education. Be honest about the salary you're looking for and the types of work you want to do. The more they know, the more likely they'll be to find a job to suit you.

Agencies are keen to fill the vacancies they have, so read over each advert with care and do not agree to apply for jobs you’re not interested in.

Plus, most agencies will not charge for helping you to find work - though some do charge for extra services, like CV reviews or interview prep.

We've got a list of just some of the recruitment agencies out there: 

Word of mouth

There are many jobs that will never be advertised. 

Before they even post a vacancy, employers may look at who they can promote internally or ask colleagues who might fit in the job well. To uncover these hidden jobs, you need to make the first move. 

Approaching a company first

If there’s a company you really want to work for, try approaching them. Research the employer and find someone you can contact directly. 

Send a cover letter and CV highlighting your strengths and explaining why you want to work for them.

But do not leave it at that. Follow it up with a phone call. Be polite, but determined. If there’s nothing coming up, at least you’ve made a new contact and they may keep you in mind in the future.

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Fair Start Scotland

Set up by the Scottish Government, Fair Start Scotland is a new employment support service which helps people living in Scotland to find work.

You can check your eligibility and find out more information on the Fair Start Scotland website.

Go to Fair Start Scotland
female looking at application

Job search

Use our search to find the latest job vacancies across Scotland.

Find a job