Find Jobs in the UK: Practical Guide for Job Seekers
Searching for a new job can feel overwhelming, but a structured approach helps you move from browsing listings to securing interviews. This guide explains where to look for vacancies, how to improve applications, and which platforms and local services often help job seekers in the UK. The aim is practical: improve visibility, match your skills to roles, and manage the application process more efficiently.
Where to search for job openings
Start with a mix of national job boards, sector-specific sites and employer career pages. General boards such as industry-agnostic platforms provide volume, while niche sites focus on specialised roles (IT, healthcare, education, trades). Company career pages often list vacancies earlier than aggregators. Set up email alerts and saved searches to reduce time spent checking listings manually. Combining sources helps you see more opportunities and catch roles that fit your experience.
How to tailor your CV and profile
Customise your CV for each role: match key skills and terminology from the job description, highlight measurable achievements, and place the most relevant experience near the top. Keep an online professional profile (for example on a professional networking platform) current and aligned with your CV. Use concise, outcome-focused bullet points and avoid generic phrases. A targeted covering note of a few short paragraphs that connects your experience to the role’s priorities improves the chance of progressing to interview.
Using networking and local services
Personal contacts and local services can uncover unadvertised roles. Attend industry meetups, online events, and alumni or professional group sessions to make connections. Local services include job centres and community employment programmes that offer advice, training, and sometimes subsidised placements. Recruiters and specialist agencies can also be useful for sectors with frequent hiring. Treat networking as building relationships rather than immediate job requests — referrals often lead to interviews.
Applying efficiently: strategies
Prioritise quality over quantity. Identify roles that closely match your skills and prepare tailored applications for those positions. Use templates for CV and cover letters but adapt them per vacancy. Track applications in a simple spreadsheet with dates, contacts, and follow-up reminders. Apply early for roles with rolling recruitment, and keep files of role descriptions and interview notes to prepare if contacted. Time-saving tools like browser autofill and document templates help keep consistency without creating generic applications.
Interview preparation and follow-up
Prepare examples that show your abilities using a structure such as situation, task, action, and result. Research the organisation’s mission, recent news, and the role’s team where possible. Prepare thoughtful questions about priorities and next steps to show engagement. After interviews, send a concise follow-up message reiterating your interest and a relevant point from the conversation. Keep a record of feedback and common questions to refine responses for future interviews.
Job platforms and providers
| Provider Name | Services Offered | Key Features/Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Indeed | Aggregated job listings, alerts, company reviews | Large volume of listings across sectors; email alerts and simple application process |
| Professional networking, job listings, recruiter outreach | Combines profile visibility with job postings; networking and referrals useful | |
| Reed | Job board, CV services, career advice | Strong UK presence with sector filters and localised roles |
| Totaljobs | Job listings across industries, employer profiles | Wide UK coverage and tools for job alerts and application tracking |
| Glassdoor | Job listings and employer reviews, salary insights | Company reviews and interview insights to help preparation |
| GOV.UK Find a job | Public sector and government vacancies, application guidance | Official platform for public sector roles and apprenticeships |
The providers in the table are established services in the UK job market. Features can change over time; evaluate platform suitability based on the roles and sectors you are targeting.
Conclusion
Finding a job often requires combining proactive search, well-crafted applications, and relationship-building through networking and local services. Use a mix of general and specialised job platforms, tailor your CV for each role, prepare for interviews with clear examples, and keep organised records of applications and outcomes. With steady, targeted effort you can increase the likelihood of finding roles that match your skills and career goals.
