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Employment

Finding Your Next Opportunity Starts Here

Looking for a new role can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re taking the first steps in your career, exploring a new industry, or aiming for that next big move, we’re here to make the process easier. In this section, you’ll find practical tips, resources, and tools to help you search effectively, stand out to employers, and land a job that fits your goals. Let’s turn your job search into a clear, confident journey.

If not sure where to start, why not take a skills assessment to gain some insight into what careers might suit you? 

Popular job boards include:

You can sign up to these sites and receive email alerts when an organisation publishes a new job vacancy so you are always the first to know about a new job opportunity.

Magazines, journals and newspapers advertise jobs found in larger newsagents and libraries. Look out for job vacancies in your local newspaper.

Libraries offer internet access which would help with your job search if you do not have access to the internet at home. Local libraries may also run careers events and offer help with job hunting.

Popular job boards include:

You can sign up to these sites and receive email alerts when an organisation publishes a new job vacancy so you are always the first to know about a new job opportunity.

Magazines, journals and newspapers advertise jobs found in larger newsagents and libraries. Look out for job vacancies in your local newspaper.

Libraries offer internet access which would help with your job search if you do not have access to the internet at home. Local libraries may also run careers events and offer help with job hunting.

National Careers Service

National Careers Service know you can feel overwhelmed or confused about how to write a CV, especially if you do not have a lot of work experience.

They have careers advisers that can help you work out what your CV should say and get you on the path to your dream career.

Gov.uk - Job Help

Job Help has advice to improve your CV and job applications, and to help you do well in interviews.

Prospects.ac.uk

Prospects knows CVs are tricky to get right and the success of a job application often hinges on your cover letter. If you're in need of expert CV and cover letter advice then they can help. Discover how to write them, mistakes to avoid and a variety of CV and cover letter examples to help you target your application to the company.

My World of Work

My World of Work can help you create a standout CV. They'll guide you through one step at a time, with hints and tips from their expert careers advisers.

National Careers Service

National Careers Service know you can feel overwhelmed or confused about how to write a CV, especially if you do not have a lot of work experience.

They have careers advisers that can help you work out what your CV should say and get you on the path to your dream career.

Gov.uk - Job Help

Job Help has advice to improve your CV and job applications, and to help you do well in interviews.

Prospects.ac.uk

Prospects knows CVs are tricky to get right and the success of a job application often hinges on your cover letter. If you're in need of expert CV and cover letter advice then they can help. Discover how to write them, mistakes to avoid and a variety of CV and cover letter examples to help you target your application to the company.

My World of Work

My World of Work can help you create a standout CV. They'll guide you through one step at a time, with hints and tips from their expert careers advisers.

Look on adverts and application forms for the “disability confident” symbol 

A black text on a white background AI-generated content may be incorrect.

This means the employer is committed to employing people with disabilities and you are guaranteed an interview if you meet the basic conditions for the job. 

Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.  You can apply for a grant to help pay for practical support with your work 

  • support with managing your mental health at work 

  • money to pay for communication support at job interview as well as specialist equipment/assistive software, BSL interpreter /job coach or travel buddy.  

  • Cost of travelling to work if you are unable to travel on public transport.   

  • Adaptations to your vehicle to help you get to work and physical changes to your workplace. 

If you can get Access to Work grant, this will not affect any other benefits you get and you will not have to pay it back.   You or your employer may need to pay some costs up front and then claim back later. 

How to apply for this grant 

Check your eligibility and then apply for an Access to Work grant 

For mental health support, including a tailored plan to help you get or stay in work.

Check your eligibility and then apply directly to Able Futures or Maximus 

Note: if you have had mental health support through Access to Work before, you cannot apply again. 

Help applying for and interviewing for a job

Visit the National Careers Service for advice on how to find, apply for and interview for a job.

JobHelp offers support creating or improving your CV, how to complete application forms and better interview techniques.  Job Help site also provides information on which sectors are hiring.

Hampshire County Council offers many employment opportunities, which can be found through its dedicated jobs website.

Look on adverts and application forms for the “disability confident” symbol 

A black text on a white background AI-generated content may be incorrect.

This means the employer is committed to employing people with disabilities and you are guaranteed an interview if you meet the basic conditions for the job. 

Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.  You can apply for a grant to help pay for practical support with your work 

  • support with managing your mental health at work 

  • money to pay for communication support at job interview as well as specialist equipment/assistive software, BSL interpreter /job coach or travel buddy.  

  • Cost of travelling to work if you are unable to travel on public transport.   

  • Adaptations to your vehicle to help you get to work and physical changes to your workplace. 

If you can get Access to Work grant, this will not affect any other benefits you get and you will not have to pay it back.   You or your employer may need to pay some costs up front and then claim back later. 

How to apply for this grant 

Check your eligibility and then apply for an Access to Work grant 

For mental health support, including a tailored plan to help you get or stay in work.

Check your eligibility and then apply directly to Able Futures or Maximus 

Note: if you have had mental health support through Access to Work before, you cannot apply again. 

Help applying for and interviewing for a job

Visit the National Careers Service for advice on how to find, apply for and interview for a job.

JobHelp offers support creating or improving your CV, how to complete application forms and better interview techniques.  Job Help site also provides information on which sectors are hiring.

Hampshire County Council offers many employment opportunities, which can be found through its dedicated jobs website.

There are a huge range of apprenticeships available that can help you get into a variety of different fields of work.

More about apprenticeships

There are a huge range of apprenticeships available that can help you get into a variety of different fields of work.

More about apprenticeships

Jobcentre Plus provides a wide range of support to help people prepare for, find, and stay in work. Key areas of help include:

Job Search and Training

  • Guidance on how and where to look for work.
  • Access to training to build skills and improve employability.

Work Experience and Job Trials

  • Opportunities to gain work experience.
  • Job trial schemes that let you try a job while still claiming benefits.

Starting or Running Your Own Business

  • Support for people interested in self‑employment, including guidance on setting up a business.

Support for Parents and Carers

  • Help with finding suitable work while managing childcare or caring responsibilities.

Support with Drug or Alcohol Problems

  • Jobcentre Plus advisers can connect people with specialist services if substance use is affecting work readiness.

Support When You Start Working

  • Information on how to keep some benefits during the transition into work.
  • Guidance on managing the change from benefits to wages.

Support for Disabled People or Those with Long-term Health Conditions

  • Disability Employment Advisers can help with finding work, gaining skills, and accessing tailored programmes.

Access to Work

  • The Access to Work grant may cover:
    • Special equipment or adaptations
    • Support worker services
    • Help with travel to and from work
    • Mental health support
    • Communication support at interviews (e.g., BSL interpreters)

More information

Jobcentre Plus provides a wide range of support to help people prepare for, find, and stay in work. Key areas of help include:

Job Search and Training

  • Guidance on how and where to look for work.
  • Access to training to build skills and improve employability.

Work Experience and Job Trials

  • Opportunities to gain work experience.
  • Job trial schemes that let you try a job while still claiming benefits.

Starting or Running Your Own Business

  • Support for people interested in self‑employment, including guidance on setting up a business.

Support for Parents and Carers

  • Help with finding suitable work while managing childcare or caring responsibilities.

Support with Drug or Alcohol Problems

  • Jobcentre Plus advisers can connect people with specialist services if substance use is affecting work readiness.

Support When You Start Working

  • Information on how to keep some benefits during the transition into work.
  • Guidance on managing the change from benefits to wages.

Support for Disabled People or Those with Long-term Health Conditions

  • Disability Employment Advisers can help with finding work, gaining skills, and accessing tailored programmes.

Access to Work

  • The Access to Work grant may cover:
    • Special equipment or adaptations
    • Support worker services
    • Help with travel to and from work
    • Mental health support
    • Communication support at interviews (e.g., BSL interpreters)

More information