Looking for work
Whether you’re looking for part-time work while you study, vacation work or
internships, or graduate roles, you can make use of our range of resources,
information and services to help you find the right job.
Besides the range of
on-campus opportunities you can look in to, you can
also make use of local and regional resources to find
work.
Students based at the Southend campus are allowed to access the South Essex
College
vacancy board as a source for local jobs.
Local resources
Newspapers and adverts
Local newspapers advertise vacancies, usually once a week on a specific day.
We hold a selection of newspapers and you are welcome to
visit the Employability and Careers Centre to look through them.
- East Anglian Daily Times (Suffolk and North Essex) - Wednesday
- Daily Gazette (Colchester) - Thursday
- Essex Chronicle (South Essex) - Thursday
- Essex County Standard (North Essex) - Friday
- in local newsagents and supermarkets. Shops, restaurants, bars and other
street-level businesses tend to advertise jobs in their windows.
Regional websites
Jobcentre Plus
The government agency offering jobseeking information and the
Universal Jobmatch vacancy database
of full-time and part-time work.
Branches are nationwide, but can be found locally in
the High Street, Colchester and Dencora Court, Tylers
Ave, Southend.
Recuitment agencies
Recruitment agencies recruit staff for employers. They deal with all types of
work and some specialise in specific types, for example, IT, manual or clerical
jobs. You need to register with each agency individually and have an up-to date
CV.
We recommend you search for a recruitment agency via the
Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Reputable agencies should be
registered with the REC, and you can search their list of agencies by specialism
and location.
The hidden job market
It's estimated that about 60 per cent of jobs are never advertised – so how
can you tap into this hidden job market?
This is a proactive approach to job hunting that will require you to
research company information. This research might include finding out:
- which employers recruit graduates with your subject;
- when they recruit;
- general company information, for example, business plans, key
stakeholders and target customers;
- the responsibilities of the role you are looking for; and
- what kind of attributes a suitable candidate should possess.
Remember your CV and covering letter should be specifically tailored and
adapted to each organisation and role you apply for. Refer to the
Essex CV for guidance.
Make use of the internet and social media to network further afield.
- LinkedIn: develop a professional
online profile.
- Facebook: join relevant groups.
- Twitter: follow graduate
recruiters.
Remember to manage your digital footprint and be aware that how you present
your personal life online may well be visible - and potentially off-putting - to
recruiters.
Networking is a valuable job search strategy used by students and graduates.
Your contacts may include friends, family, tutors, people you have met through
part-time jobs, work placements and voluntary work. Even if these people may not
be able to help you directly, they might put you in touch with others who can.
Professional associations and organisations, as well as educational
establishments, often run networking events and conferences where you can meet
contacts.
Networking opportunities
The EssexCV pack
Our Essex CV pack takes you through
the CV-writing process from beginning to end, helping you showcase the full extent of your skills and experience, promote yourself to employers and get the opportunity you really want.
frontrunners placements
frontrunners is our original placement scheme that offers students paid work opportunities on campus. We are currently advertising a number of placements to start in the academic year 2013-14
JobsOnline
Start your job search now! Register to join our free JobsOnline vacancy board, making it easier
for you to find part-time work, internships and graduate opportunities, and receive alerts of new vacancies by e-mail.
Big Essex Award
The Big Essex Award is an employability award run by the Employability and Careers Centre. Log your
extra-curricular experience hours, add a little volunteering, and we’ll help you identify evidence and effectively sell your skills.