Job seeking

Effective job seekers use many techniques to find their next job. Use our tips to make a success of your job search.

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Looking for a job can be a long process, so start straight away. There's no time like the present.

1. Don’t narrow your options; widen them. You may limit your options if you're too prescriptive about the sort of role you’re looking for. For example, consider that some companies may use different names for roles from those you are accustomed to, so don’t be rigid in your search terms.

2. Think laterally, broadly and be flexible. If you're a chemcial scientist looking to work in marketing or sales, it's worth broadening your search to more than one sector. It’s unlikely you'll secure your dream job at your first attempt.

   Consider any jobs that may help you build your skills or experience to get you to the next step; or – if you don't know what you want to do – try different things. You'll need to be resilient; try not to take rejections personally, and consider how you can make the next application more successful.

3. Get organised. It's a good idea to record who you’ve applied to and for what job. Also, keep a record of all of your letters and CVs, but make sure that you tailor these to each new role. This will keep you organised, and save you time in the long run.

Watch our job search webinar series

Learn practical techniques and tools to maximise your job search strategy, explore your options, create a successful CV and utilise LinkedIn to widen your network. 

• Job search strategies
• Create an effective CV
• Get the most out of LinkedIn
• Getting back into the job market
• International job searching
• How to work effectively with a recruitment agency

How to search for advertised roles

You will need to consider how you search for job adverts. Most people will start with an online search; you may have thought about using a recruitment agency (or two) but you should also consider using your networks – that is, who do you know? 

Chemistry job websites

Chemistry World Jobs

Chemistry World Jobs is a job site dedicated to chemistry and the chemical sciences. Browse more than 50 sectors within the chemical sciences across academia and industry. If you're looking for an internship or placement then search the Chemistry World Jobs internship board. SMEs are frequently overlooked but they offer valuable learning opportunities and we provide grants to support SMEs who want to host interns. Search our Enterprise+ companies directory to identify innovative UK employers in the chemical sciences.

Other specialist sites

Environment & energy

ENDSjobsearch

EnvironmentalJobs

GreenJobs

For Purpose Jobs

Oil and Gas

Nuclear (or Nuclear Graduates) 

UK Atomic Energy Agency graduate scheme

Health

Pharmaceutical

Medical communications

National Health Service or NHS Scientist Training Programme

Regulation

Regulatory affairs

Health and safety

Other areas

Coatings, paints and inks

UK Civil service (policy, regulation, data etc)

Intellectual property / patents

Academic

Finance

Science communication

Data science

Job searching with a disability

Evenbreak

Disability Jobs

Find a disability-confident employer

Further information, advice and support is available via Scope

Other useful sources

• Online job boards such as Indeed, Adzuna, Joblift, LinkedIn, Total Jobs SimplyHired and Neuvoo
• Business and employer directories; for example, Labhoo – directory of scientific companies and UKSpa: directory of science parks in the UK
• Industry publications
• The Recruitment & Employment Confederation: to help you find recruitment agencies
• Professional bodies and associations
• National, regional and local newspapers
• Networking
• Events
• Work for us

These lists are by no means exhaustive but are designed to get you started.

Build & manage your contacts

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Who do you know?
• Who have you met at work, through work or via social activities?

Build your professional networks by attending our events, and through online tools such as LinkedIn. And get in touch with your contacts to tell them you're looking. For more tips listen to our webinar on how to maximise LinkedIn. 

If you're interested in work in a different field, be clear about the sorts of job that interest you so you get to hear about unadvertised roles.

Recruitment agencies

Recruitment agencies are important when searching for a new job. For example, they may have jobs that aren’t openly advertised, so joining an agency could open up other opportunities. 

Recruitment fairs

There’s a lot that you can do online, but the real benefit of attending a recruitment fair is the personal contact that you can make with potential employers. It’s your opportunity to make a good impression in person and to start building a rapport with companies and organisations that interest you. You may also meet other job seekers who have interesting information and insights, so treat it as a networking opportunity.

Make sure you do some preparation work before you go; this article tells you how.