Looking for jobs

You are much more likely to be successful in your job search if you are aware of your talents and skills, of how best to use them and you can identify the kind of environment in which you will enjoy working.

You must do some preparatory work before you start applying for jobs, either advertised or speculative.

Self assessment

The key to making a suitable job choice lies in successfully assessing your past experiences, both personal and educational, and relating these to future employment opportunities.

Opportunities

What sort of jobs do graduates do? How much do you know about different occupations, different employers and the jobs they offer? What sort of skills are needed? What is the training like? Where are the vacancies?

Making choices

No good career decisions emerge without some thought about yourself and some exploration of occupations. You will then have choices to make about which to pursue further by planning a strategy and then applying for jobs. This help sheet is focusing on the practical aspects of your job search - how can you research employers and where are the jobs to be found?

Researching employers

When applying for jobs there are some basic things you need to do:

Research the industry as a whole and develop a feel for the big picture

Who are the key players? 
Is there any controversy surrounding this industry? 
Are the skills, services and/or products in demand? 
Is it a growth area and is it likely to be affected by technological changes?

Gather information about the company

For example - what services, raw materials or finished products does this company provide? 
Who are their customers and who are their competitors? 
Is it large, medium or small? 
How is it structured and have there been recent changes in ownership or structure? 
Is it financially sound and does it have a good reputation? 
What sort of culture does it have and is this an employer I might like to work for?

Investigate your particular job opportunity

The more information you acquire the more confident you will feel in an interview, the better you will be able to demonstrate the skills you have and the greater will be your chances of securing the job.

Information Sources

  • Annual Reports
  • Trade, Business & Professional Publications
  • Directories & Reference Books
  • Graduate Directories
  • Prospects and Hobsons are the two major nationally produced directories, providing information on a wide range of graduate employers.

Newspapers

Journals, magazines and e-bulletins

  • (To download this information you will need Adobe Reader. If you don’t have this on your PC click here to access the free programme).
  • Recruitment & Information Fairs - check the link below and ourWhat's On section
  • Use Internet job sites
  • Knowledge Transfer Partnerships - Knowledge Transfer Partnerships enable recently qualified graduates (known as KTP Associates) to work in companies, managing challenging projects central to the development needs of participating companies.
  • GO> careers@bathspa jobs and employer database
  • Recruitment Agencies - find them at www.rec.uk.com
  • Prospects Graduate - digital magazine advertising jobs, postgraduate study and training 

Speculative Applications

These can be successful but you will need a targeted CV and covering letter.

Current vacancy lists

Prospects Today is published nationally every two weeks. If you are a finalist you could start to look at these from May onwards. Collect a copy from Careers or the Students Union foyer.

Recruitment Fairs

Events where employers are available to talk about opportunities they may have. Held nationally in the summer and autumn terms. Check dates, location and types of fair at www.prospects.ac.uk/links/CareerFairs

Pursue contacts with family, friends, placement hosts and previous employers. Make new contacts by researching employers by occupational sector, and target them with a speculative letter and CV, marketing what you have to offer and why you have approached them.

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