What is job search?

It is important to find out about the job search process in the UK if you want to find employment. It may be very different to the system that you are familiar with. The system in the UK involves finding a position, applying for that position and if you are selected, having an interview. The job search system can vary by profession so it is important that you speak to an adviser or find out more if you want to work in a specific area.

The job search process in the UK can take a long time. It is important to remember that you can use the skills, experience and knowledge from abroad in the UK. Click on the links below for more information:

	Key Skills
	Where to find job vacancies
	Networking
	Supply Teaching Agencies

 

 

 

 

 

Key Skills

What are the key skills that employers look for?

As well as skills specific to a particular job, employers will look for employees with key skills. Key skills are abilities that employers want all their employees to have. They are transferable in employment, learning and life. If you change career you can use your key skills in your new area of work. Key skills include:

• Communication skills
• IT
• Numeracy
• Working with others
• Problem solving
• Improving your own learning and performance

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Where to find job vacancies

How do I find job vacancies?

A number of national newspapers have ‘Education’ supplements and there are also websites that have lists of current vacancies in Education divided by sector.

Websites

• Talent www.talent.ac.uk/jobs.asp
• Reed www.reed.co.uk/education/
• eteach www.eteach.com/
• fejobs www.fejobs.com
• The Guardian www.jobs.guardian.co.uk
• The Times Educational Supplement www.tesjobs.co.uk
• The Times Higher Educational Supplement www.thes.co.uk/

Newspapers

• The Guardian (Tuesdays)
• The Independent (Thursdays)
• The Times Educational Supplement (Fridays)
• The Times Higher Educational Supplement (Fridays)

Other places to look

• Websites of individual HE and FE institutions
• Local Authority websites

Jobcentres

You do not have to be receiving benefit to use the resources available at the Jobcentre.

• Jobpoints - A Jobpoint is a touch-screen computer available in Jobcentres which has thousands of job vacancies. Just choose the sort of job you are looking for and a list of vacancies will come up.
• Internet - You can also search for Jobcentre vacancies on their website www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk . 
• Telephone Jobseeker Direct on 0845 6060 234 - To talk about any vacancies with a Jobcentre Adviser. They can tell you about vacancies in your area, send you application forms and sometimes arrange interviews. 

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Networking

What is networking?

Networking is meeting people that can offer you advice and information about your area of work and introduce you to others in the area. These people are known as 'contacts'. Many people find their first opportunity through networking. Once you have identified an employer, you can make a speculative approach for a voluntary or paid position.You may not be able to rely on the traditional networks so it is important that you are active in creating your own network in the UK. A careers adviser could help you to develop your list of contacts which could include:

• Friends and family
• College tutors
• Other people in your area of work
• Key employers in your area of work
• Professional bodies

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Supply Teaching Agencies

What is Supply Teaching?

When schools have temporary teaching vacancies, they sometimes turn to supply agencies to find suitable candidates. Supply agencies keep lists of people who are looking for temporary work in schools (either covering teachers’ absences due to illness for a few days or covering longer-term absences such as maternity leave for one or two terms). Candidates looking for work contact the supply agencies directly. They are interviewed, have their qualifications checked and undergo a CRB check .

For primary vacancies a candidate would need to already have QTS. However, for some secondary vacancies, particularly in shortage subjects such as mathematics and physics, schools are sometimes willing to consider candidates who do not have QTS but who have studied their subject to degree level. If appointed, the candidate would be paid as an unqualified teacher. You can work as an unqualified teacher for up to four years but will need to gain QTS during this period if you want to continue teaching.  For more information about the four year rule click here.

Points to consider

• As a supply teacher you will regularly be going into unfamiliar surroundings so you will need to be confident in dealing with new staff and pupils.

• Behaviour management is sometimes a problem for regular classroom teachers but can be even more challenging for supply teachers who do not know the class well.

A guide to supply teaching in London with more advice and information can be downloaded here. 

Some teaching recruitment agencies:

Protocol
http://www.protocol-education.com

Eteach
http://www.eteach.com/

Reed
http://www.reed.co.uk/education/

TeachLondon
http://www.teachlondon.com/

Teaching Personnel
http://www.teachingpersonnel.com/

A-Star Teachers
http://www.astarteachers.co.uk

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