Where can I find vacancy information?

There is a number of places where you can find information on vacancies and some of the main sources are listed below:

• We publish vacancies for finalists and graduates on the JOBSonline vacancy database.
• We receive copies of various publications with student and graduate vacancies throughout the year. Come in to pick these up whilst stocks last.
• A number of graduate recruiters visit each year to attend careers events or to give presentations about their organisations and vacancies. Visit the events pages for further details.
• Visit our vacancy information pages for ideas about researching employers and vacancies.
• The national and local press carry a large number of job advertisements, some of which are aimed at graduates. We have some copies for reference.
• Recruitment agencies are commercial organisations who act on behalf of employers with vacancies to fill.

It is important to remember, however, that many vacancies are NOT advertised and you may need to make use of contacts made through friends, family and vacation work or writing speculative letters to employers.

Where can I find information on getting work experience?

There are many different types of work experience including structured work placements organised by large employers, voluntary work, work shadowing, internships, casual work, open days, insight courses and working abroad and the options are enormous. Work experience vacancies are also advertised on our website at JOBSonline.

Speak to Contact Student Volunteers (in the Students' Union). Contact offers students the opportunity to undertake voluntary work in the local community.

• Work placement vacancies are advertised on our website - JOBSonline.
• The TARGETjobs website has a database of employers offering work placements.
• The National Centre for Work Experience promotes, supports and develops quality work experience for students.
• The Shell Technology Enterprise Programme (STEP) organises work placements in small and medium sized companies.

Where can I find information on employers?

Employers expect candidates to have researched their organisation before making an application for a particular job. There are various sources you can investigate to find out more about employers you are interested in applying to:

• We receive copies of the Prospects Directory, Hobsons Graduate Career Directory and The UK Top 100 companies, which give brief employer details and recruitment requirements.
• We also have employer files with details of many of the large companies, particularly ones we regularly liaise with.
• Visit the careers fairs and events to network with employers and find out more about their organisations and look out for insight courses and open days run by companies.

• The Prospects website has an online database of graduate recruiters.
• The Hobsons website has a searchable A - Z of graduate employers.
• The Careers Group, University of London Online Careers Library has useful links job hunting information, including employer directories and also information on employment sectors (with links to employer websites, professional bodies, etc).
• The TARGETjobs website has a searchable list of employers.
• The online employer directories: Kompass Employer Directories and Kelly's Employer Directories have a searchable database.

• Employers themselves will often by happy to supply company information, talk about their company, the industry generally and the job in which you are interested.

I want to take a year out before I decide on a career path. How do I find a job?

Taking a year out after your degree will require a great deal of planning and research and you will need to ask yourself several important questions. Firstly, you need to ask yourself why you want to take time out and then how you are going to make the most of it. What sort of work experience are you going to undertake - work related to your intended career path, graduate level work, casual work to make money so you can travel? For further information download our Guide to gap year/year out after studies.

Another point to consider is whether you are going to stay in the UK or go abroad. The Prospects website is a good place to start your research if you are thinking of working abroad.

You also need to decide whether you want to do paid or voluntary work. Visit our voluntary work in the UK and voluntary work overseas pages for further ideas.

Don't forget to visit the Careers Service where there is further information on taking a year out, voluntary work and working abroad.