Investigating job leads is a crucial skill in looking for employment. In order to be successful at finding a range of vacancies you will need to use a variety of methods.
Internet job boards
Job boards like Total Jobs, Guardian Jobs and Jobs Go Public represent some of the best ways to easily find job vacancies. Most printed job opportunities appear online, alongside many more that are only available via job boards. Most websites allow you to upload a copy of your CV and covering letter. This makes applying for vacancies very easy, but you should remember to tailor your CV and covering letter to each vacancy in order to maximise your chances of getting an interview.
A full list of internet job boards can be found in our 'Job seeking resources' factsheet, in the employment factsheets section.
Approaching employers directly
If you can identify a specific employer that you would like to work for then you should approach them directly as only a very small proportion of jobs are advertised on job boards. For example, if you wanted to work for RNIB then it would be far better to check the jobs section of RNIB's website than to check online job boards or newspaper adverts.
Newspapers
Newspapers offer a good range of job vacancies, especially at a local level. It may not be possible for you to access printed newspaper vacancies, either through a vision aid or the support of a friend or relative. If this is the case then you should seek advice from your local Jobcentre Plus or the employment agencies in your local area.
Employment agencies
Agencies are intermediary services that match jobseekers to vacancies. Once registered with an agency they will match your skills and experience to vacancies that may be appropriate for you. For example, people will use an agency to find temporary administration work.
Trade publications and websites
If you are interested in a career in a specific sector of employment then trade publications and websites can be an excellent resource. For example, if you are interested in pursuing a career in marketing there are numerous publications and websites that specifically list marketing vacancies.
Careers fairs
Careers fairs are an excellent way of seeing lots of employers in one day. Careers fairs provide information about job vacancies and how companies plan to recruit for those vacancies.
Jobcentre Plus Telephone Jobsearch
Jobseeker Direct is a phone service operated by Jobcentre Plus. It aims to keep you in touch with the latest job vacancies. This service is available to anyone who is looking for work, and the lines are open weekdays 8.00am - 6.00pm, and Saturdays 9.00am - 1.00pm. All calls are charged at local rates. Telephone 0845 606 0234 for details. Alternatively, you can use the job search on GOV.UK.
Disability friendly employers
There is no certain way to identify specific employers as disability friendly or not. However, if this is an important part of focusing your job search then there are a couple of methods you can use.
Disability symbol
The disability symbol is made up of two ticks and the words 'positive about disabled people'. The symbol is displayed on job adverts and application forms. If an employer uses this symbol, it means they are positive about employing disabled people and will be keen to know about your abilities. The symbol is awarded by Jobcentre Plus to employers in England, Scotland and Wales who have made commitments to employ, keep and develop the abilities of disabled staff.
The five commitments
Employers who use the disability symbol make five commitments regarding recruitment, training, retention, consultation and disability awareness.
These commitments are:
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to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and to consider them on their abilities
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to discuss with disabled employees, at any time but at least once a year, what both parties can do to make sure disabled employees can develop and use their abilities
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to make every effort when employees become disabled to make sure they stay in employment
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to take action to ensure that all employees develop the appropriate level of disability awareness needed to make these commitments work
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to review these commitments each year and assess what has been achieved, plan ways to improve on them and let employees and Jobcentre Plus know about progress and future plans.
Ask at your local Jobcentre for information about employers in your area who have been awarded the disability symbol.
Employers' Forum on Disability
The Employers' Forum is a network of employers interested in developing policies on disability in the workplace. There are around 400 members of the forum, representing 20% of the UK's workforce.
A list of Employer's Forum members can be found at The Employers' Forum website.