Finding a job · Finding a job Getting work You have lots of options when you’re ready to get...

Finding a job

Part of the Department for Work and Pensions

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This leaflet is only a guide and does notcover every circumstance. We have doneour best to make sure that the informationin this leaflet is correct as of August 2011.

It is possible that some of the information isoversimplified, or may become inaccurateover time, for example because of changesto the law.

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FFiinnddiinngg aa jjoobb

ContentsGetting work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Types of work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

To look for work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

How do I apply for a job?. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

About CVs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Filling in forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Getting ready for your interview . . . . . . . 11

At the interview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

If you need an interpreter . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Stay safe when you go to an interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Self-employment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Working in Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

How Jobcentre Plus can help. . . . . . . . . 17

Work trials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Learning and training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Why learn and train? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

learndirect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

UK online centres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Employability skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Connexions/Careers Service . . . . . . . . . 20

Work and childcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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If you have a disability or health condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Can I work or do training if I am getting Disability Living Allowance? . . . . .22

Can I use an interpreter to make myself understood at an interview? . . . .22

Should I say I am disabled when I apply for a job? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

What is the disability symbol?. . . . . . . . . 24

Help when you're in work . . . . . . . . . . 25

Tax credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Your working rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

National Minimum Wage. . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

National Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Find out more. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

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Finding a job

Getting workYou have lots of options when you’re readyto get work or change your working pattern.

If you haven’t worked for a while, you mightwant to spend some time getting used tobeing back in a work environment. Or, youmight want to find training to help you get the right job.

Getting back to work, changing jobs orstarting work for the first time are good waysof meeting new people, making new friends,improving your skills or learning new ones,and increasing your income.

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Types of workThere are lots of options when it comes tofinding work. As well as working full-timeyou could consider the following.

• Part-time work. You could work a certainnumber of hours or days each week to fitin with other things you do.

• Job-sharing. Sometimes, 2 people canshare one full-time job, so you both work part-time hours.

• Term-time working. You could be offduring the school holidays.

• Voluntary work. You could do unpaidwork to learn more about a particular joband learn new skills. This could then helpyou get a paid job.

• Flexible work or ‘flexitime’. This might mean choosing the times when you startand finish work, or working longer hours onsome days so you can take more time off.

• Self-employment. You may be able towork for yourself.

• Agency work. You could work for a setlength of time in a full-time or part-timejob. This might be to cover for someonewhile they are away from work. This isalso called ‘temping’.

• Holiday working. You could get a jobduring the holidays if, for example, youare studying at college.

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Finding a job

To look for workIf you are looking for work, you can search our list of jobs online atwww.direct.gov.uk/jobsearch

Or you can call us on 0845 606 0234(textphone 0845 605 5255) to find outwhat jobs are available.

Or you can use the touchscreen Jobpointsin our offices.

There are also other ways of looking for work.

• Your local paper will regularly have a jobssection.

• You can search for jobs on lots ofdifferent websites.

• Write to or call a company you would liketo work for to see if they have any jobsavailable and send them your CV (seepage 9). You could also look at theirwebsite.

• Go to an event where local businesseswill be looking for people to work forthem. Take your CV when you go. You can find out about jobs events inyour local paper or on our website.

information on call charges – see page 31

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• Ask people you know – they may knowof available jobs at their workplace ormay have heard that a company islooking to employ someone, or knowsomeone who is looking for some help.

How do I apply for a job?There are many ways to apply for a job andeach employer decides how they want youto apply. This includes:

• filling in an application form

• sending a CV

• writing a letter

• applying online

• speaking to the employer on the phone,and

• going to the employer’s place of work.

Many employers will ask you to fill in anapplication form, send them a CV or askyou to write to them, so you should beprepared to spend time making sure you do these things as well as you can.Remember, these give the employer theirfirst and most important impression of you.

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Finding a job

About CVsA CV is short list of facts about you andyour work history, skills and experience. It is important to have a good CV when you are looking for work and it is worthspending time getting it right so it sells you to an employer.

Ideally, your CV should:

• be neat – typed if possible and to thebest standard you can achieve in content and layout

• be short – 2 sides of a sheet of A4 paperis normally enough

• be positive – it should focus on yourachievements and strengths, and

• make a good impression. This meanspresenting the facts about yourself clearly and positively.

There is no set way to write a CV and thereare many places which offer help on writinga CV, filling in an application form anddoing well at an interview. You could gethelp from:

• the internet

• books, and

• your Jobcentre Plus adviser.

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Filling in formsFollow these simple rules for filling in forms.

• You may be asked about your ‘personalhistory’. Prepare a CV.

• Always follow the instructions (forexample, whether you have to write incapitals or fill in the form in black ink only).

• Fill in the application form in pencil first,or write your answers on a separatesheet of paper. Check your spelling.

• Fill in every section of the form you need to.

• Don’t write more than you need to.

• Talk about yourself. Say how you'vespent your time while you have been outof work. Include any voluntary work orcourses you have taken.

• Do your research. Find out a bit aboutthe company and make sure youranswers fit the job you're going for.

• Be honest – don’t make anything up.

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Finding a job

Getting ready for your interview• Think about what you should wear foryour interview. It may be fine to wearcasual clothes but they should be smartand tidy.

• Work out how to get to your interviewbeforehand and how long it will take youto get there. If necessary, ask theemployer for directions, bus routes ordetails of where you can park your car.

• If you are unemployed and getting aqualifying benefit and need to travel along way to an interview, you may beable to claim back your costs throughJobcentre Plus. Ask an adviser aboutthis before you travel.

• Find out a bit about the company – whatthey do, who their clients are, and thinkabout how you could fit your skills tomatch the job.

• Think about the points you want tomake. Write them in a list that's largeenough to read easily so that you canrefer to it during the interview.

• Remember the papers you might need totake with you, such as your CV, birthcertificate, qualifications or examcertificates and references.

• Think about any questions they mightask you and prepare possible answers.

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At the interviewGive yourself plenty of time to get there.Arrive 5 or 10 minutes early so you're notflustered when the interviewer calls you in.

At the interview you may meet more thanone person. You may be asked why youwant the job and what skills you have thatare suited to the job. Your Jobcentre Plusadviser can give you an idea of what yourinterview will be like and what you can doto prepare for it.

You should always dress smartly for yourinterview. Make sure you turn up on timeand that you know a bit about the job andthe person or company you would beworking for.

If you need an interpreter If you have trouble speaking or hearing,you could get someone to interpret for youin an interview. We can arrange this as partof our Access to Work programme. Askyour Jobcentre Plus adviser to tell youmore.

• Take a deep breath before you go in tosteady your nerves.

• Smile when you enter the room andmake lots of eye contact with theinterviewer and try not to fidget.

• Take a moment to think about youranswers – employers don't mind a short silence.

• Speak clearly and don't waffle.

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Finding a job

• Sell yourself. Be positive and don't worryabout referring to your list if you need to.

• The interviewer may ask if you have anyquestions at the end of the interview. If they have covered what you planned to ask, tell them ‘You've covered all Ineed to know, thank you.’

• Before you leave, thank the employer for their time.

Stay safe when you go to an interview Most job interviews go to plan. However,it’s always your responsibility to protectyour safety. You should remember thesefew simple commonsense rules whengoing to interviews.

• Find out as much as you can about thecompany or the person the interview iswith.

• Sort out how you will get to the interviewand back.

• Tell a friend or relative where you aregoing and what time you expect to beback.

• For jobs that offer accommodation withthem, always check out theaccommodation before accepting thejob. If possible, don't go alone to viewthe accommodation, even if this means afriend or family member has to waitoutside for you.

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• If the interview takes place outsidenormal working hours, try to arrange forsomeone to meet you there afterwards.

• Make sure the interview is at thecompany's place of work or in a suitablepublic place.

• Don’t allow the interview to take place inyour own home.

• Never give an employer your personalfinancial details until you actually get afirm job offer.

• Don't talk about personal matters thathave nothing to do with the job.

• Don’t agree to continue an interview overdrinks or a meal, even if it seems to begoing very well.

• Don't accept a lift home from the personinterviewing you.

If you have any concerns (for example, youthink that the company is offering too muchmoney for that particular type of work), oryou are not sure about the company, ask aJobcentre Plus adviser for advice.

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Finding a job

Self-employmentBecoming self-employed can help youmake a living by working for yourself, if youhave the right business idea and want tosucceed.

Contact:

• England – www.businesslink.gov.uk

• Wales – www.business-support-wales.gov.uk

• Scotland – www.bgateway.com

for ideas of where to go to for help, fromplanning a business and getting the moneyto start it, to making sure you have enoughto live on while you get it going.

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Working in EuropeYou could consider working in another partof Europe.

Jobcentre Plus is part of a network of public employment services called EuropeanEmployment Services (EURES). You can usethe website www.eures-jobs.com to:

• look for jobs (some of the vacancies willbe marked with a blue flag which meansthat the employer is particularlyinterested in recruiting workers fromother European countries)

• register your CV and match your detailsto available jobs

• find information about each of the EUcountries to help you make informeddecisions about living and working inanother country, and

• get information about education andtraining opportunities throughout Europe,with links to higher education institutionsand details of courses.

www.eures-jobs.com

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Finding a job

How Jobcentre Plus can helpWe provide a wide range of advice andsupport to help you get a job.

You may need to have been claimingbenefit for a certain length of time beforeyou can use some of our services. This isso we can help people return to work who may find it more difficult to get a job.

However, you may be able to get helpsooner if you:

• have a health condition or a disability

• need help with reading or writing, or

• have just come out of prison.

Work trialsA work trial gives you the chance to try outa job. You’ll carry on getting your benefitswhile you’re on a work trial – it is a way offinding out if a job is right for you.

At the end of your work trial, you may beoffered the job. If you are and you take ityou may still be able to get some benefitsand tax credits.

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Learning and trainingWhy learn or train?If it’s been a while since your last job, youhave been in the same type of work forsome time, or you are starting a career, it isworth thinking about doing some training or taking a course. Learning or training canhelp you:

• build on the skills you’ve already got

• get new skills, and

• get qualifications that employers arelooking for.

All these could increase the range of jobsyou can apply for. We can help you decidewhat sort of training is best for you, and tellyou about help with course fees, transportcosts or the cost of looking after yourchildren while you’re training.

You can find out more about learning and training:

• through learndirect

• from a Jobcentre Plus adviser, or

• at your local college.

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Finding a job

learndirectThe learndirect advice service is a telephonehelpline that can give you advice abouteverything to do with learning.

It doesn’t matter what you want to learnabout, for example, computers, local historyor business, or if you want to learn to reador write better – learndirect can help youfind out more.

The learndirect advice service is for all adultsin England and Wales. If you live in Scotland,learndirect scotland provides these services.See page 34 for more details.

UK online centresUK online centres have computers you canlearn how to use, or you can use them toget access to the internet. The staff arefriendly and offer support – many peoplewho visit the centres have never used acomputer or the internet before. You canwork at your own pace and people will bethere to help you.

There are over 6000 UK online centres togive you as much help as you need to getstarted. You can find them in all sorts ofplaces, like community centres, churches,schools and libraries, and some are evenmobile. Currently, there are only UK onlinecentres in England.

UK online centres are for everyone but aremainly for people who are quite new tousing computers or the inout more see page 34.

ternet. To find

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Employability skills An employability skills programme can helpyou if you need to improve your reading, ornumber skills – or if English is not your firstlanguage. You will improve your work skillsand may get a recognised qualification thatcan improve your chance of finding a job.Ask an adviser to tell you more.

Visit www.direct.gov.uk for more information.

Connexions/Careers Service Connexions provides young people with a wide range of advice, from information on careers, to information on relationships,benefits and personal developmentopportunities. Further information includingcontact details for your nearest Connexionsis available on the Connexions Directwebsite www.connexions-direct.com

If you live in Scotland, visit the Careers Scotland website www.careers-scotland.org.uk

If you live in Wales, visit the Careers Waleswebsite www.careerswales.com(www.gyrfacymru.com)

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Finding a job

Work and childcareIf you are starting work or training and youhave children, you may need to think aboutwho will look after them. Even if your workor training is during school hours, youmight still need to think about schoolholidays and what would happen if yourchildren are sick.

There are lots of options for childcare. Tofind out more visitwww.direct.gov.uk/childcare

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If you have a disability or healthconditionIf you are disabled or have a healthcondition, there is a lot of help and supportavailable to help you find and keep a job.

You may be getting Employment andSupport Allowance or other benefits. If not,you should ask an adviser about anybenefits you can get while you are lookingfor work.

You can also find out what will happen toyour benefit once you start work. Once youare in work, you may be able to get WorkingTax Credit.

Can I work or do training if I am gettingDisability Living Allowance?Disability Living Allowance is a benefit that can be paid whether you are in or out of work or training, providing your careor mobility needs meet the requiredentitlement conditions.

Can I use an interpreter to make myselfunderstood at an interview?If you are disabled and you have troublespeaking or hearing, you could get someoneto interpret for you in an interview. This ispart of our Access to Work programme. Ask your adviser to tell you more.

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Finding a job

Should I say I am disabled when I applyfor a job?You must always mention your disability if it might risk your own, or other people’s,health and safety.

An employer is allowed to ask you abouthealth and disability when you apply for ajob. But this is only one of many thingsthey will ask before deciding to offer aninterview or job.

If the employer does not ask you about yourhealth or disability, it is up to you whetheryou tell them.

If you are asked about health or disability,try to:• answer in an honest way

• say how your disability might affect you at work

• say if it would have no effect on you at work

• talk about your abilities, and

• say why you think you are the rightperson for the job.

If you sign a declaration saying that you donot have a disability when in fact you do,this may affect your job at a later date.

It is worth remembering that if an employerdoes not know you are disabled, they cannotdo anything to help you succeed in your job.

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What is the disability symbol?The disability symbol is awarded byJobcentre Plus to employers. The symbol iscircular, usually green, with 2 ticks and withthe words ‘positive about disabled people’.

Jobcentre Plus decides whether anemployer, who applies for it, can use thedisability symbol. Employers who areawarded this symbol can then show it onjob adverts and forms, like applicationforms. This makes it clear that they haveagreed to work positively with disabledpeople and help them stay in work.

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Finding a job

Help when you're in workTax creditsIf you find a job and you earn a lowincome, you may be able to get tax credits.This may mean that you get extra money.

You could get either of the following.

• Working Tax Credit – which is for peopleon a low income. It can include help with some childcare costs if you havechildren. The amount you get dependson a number of things, such as youryearly income and the number of hoursyou work.

• Child Tax Credit for people who look after a child or young person. GettingChild Tax Credit and how much you getdepends on a number of things, such asyour household income and the numberof children you have at home and theirages. See page 36 for details of how tocontact the tax credits helpline.

Housing Benefit and Council Tax BenefitHousing Benefit is to help people on a low income pay some, or all, of their rent.

Council Tax Benefit is to help people on alow income pay some, or all, of theirCouncil Tax.

If you are on a low income you may beentitled to these benefits even if you areworking. Your local council deals withclaims for both of these benefits. Contactyour local council for more information.

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Your working rightsEverybody should be treated fairly at work.The law gives you certain rights at work.These include the right to:

• a National Minimum Wage

• ask for more flexible working hours

• maternity leave and Statutory MaternityPay

• paternity leave and Statutory PaternityPay

• adoption leave and Statutory AdoptionPay

• Statutory Sick Pay, and

• unpaid leave to care for a young ordisabled child.

Visit www.direct.gov.uk for more information.

National Minimum WageThe National Minimum Wage is set by thegovernment to guarantee a minimum hourlywage. It is reviewed every year.

If you do paid work, you should be paid atleast the National Minimum Wage.

There are different levels of National MinimumWage depending on how old you are.

Visit www.direct.gov.uk for information oncurrent rates.

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Finding a job

National InsuranceYou pay National Insurance so that you canget certain benefits when you need them –and so that you can get a State Pension.The amount of National Insurance you paydepends on the kind of work you do andhow much you earn.

If you are in work and you earn enough,your National Insurance payments willcome straight out of your salary – you donot have to do anything. See page 36 forcontact details to make general enquiriesabout National Insurance.

Find out moreThis section includes contact details for arange of people who can help you. You canalso look in your phone book or searchonline for help available locally.

To find out how to contact Jobcentre Plusvisit www.direct.gov.uk or see our entry inthe phone book.

To look for workIf you’re looking for work, you can searchjobs online at www.direct.gov.uk/jobsearch

Or call Jobcentre Plus on 0845 606 0234(textphone 0845 605 5255) to find outwhat jobs are available.

Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday9am to 1pm.


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If you want to work in another European countryFor more advice about working in Europecontact the International Jobsearch Advice Team.

Phone: 0113 307 8090(Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm andFriday, 9am to 4.30pm)

EURESwebsite: www.eures-jobs.com

Training and educationYou can find the contact details for yourlocal college in your phone book.

learndirect If you live in England or WalesPhone: 0800 101 901 (this includes atextphone service and lines are open 7am to 11pm, 7 days a week) Website: www.learndirect.co.uk

If you live in ScotlandPhone: 0808 100 9000

Website: www.learndirectscotland.com

UK online centresPhone: 0800 77 1234 (8am to 10pm 7 days a week)

Website: www.ukonlinecentres.com


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Finding a job

ApprenticeshipsIf you live in England

Phone: 08000 150 600

Website: www.apprenticeships.org.uk

If you live in Scotland Phone: 0845 607 8787

Website: www.scottish-enterprise.com/modernapprenticeships

If you live in WalesPhone: 0800 100 900

Website: www.elwa.ac.uk

Connexions /Careers Service If you live in EnglandPhone: 080 80 13 2 19

Website: www.connexions-direct.com

If you live in ScotlandPhone: 0845 850 2502

Website: www.careers-scotland.org.uk

If you live in WalesPhone: 0800 100 900

Website: www.careerswales.com(www.gyrfacymru.com)


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Pay and benefitsNational Minimum WagePhone: 0845 6000 678(8am to 6pm Monday to Friday)

Website: www.direct.gov.uk

National InsuranceFor general enquiries about National Insurance Phone: 0845 302 1479

Textphone: 0845 915 3296

Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk

Or visitwww.direct.gov.uk/nationalinsurance

Tax creditsTax credits helpline: 0845 300 3900 Textphone: 0845 300 3909

The lines are open from 8am to 8pm. Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits


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Finding a job

Call chargesCharges were correct as of the date on theback of this leaflet.

Calls to 0800 numbers are free from BT landlines but you may have to pay if you useanother phone company, a mobile phone, orif you are calling from abroad.

Calls to 0845 numbers from BT land linesshould cost no more than 8p a minute with a13p call set-up charge. You may have to paymore if you use another phone company, amobile phone, or if you are calling fromabroad.

Calls from mobile phones can cost up to 40pper minute, so check the cost of calls withyour service provider.

TextphonesOur textphone numbers are for people whocannot speak or hear clearly. If you don’thave a textphone, you could check if local library or citizens advice bureau one. Textphones don’t receive textmessages from mobile phones.

yourhas

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Directgov provides information from UK governmentdepartments on all sorts of topics. To find out moreabout help getting back to work, visit

www.direct.gov.uk/jobseekers

Jobcentre Plus is committed to applying the principles of equal opportunities in its programmes and services. Produced by Jobcentre Plus, part of the Department for Work and Pensions

ISBN 978-1-84763-210-4DWP1017 | v1.3 (August 2011)

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