Choosing a career can be very difficult. You may have just left school or higher education, looking for a new career, been made redundant or unemployed. Either way, starting your search for a job may be a worrying time. There are lots of things to consider such as:
Financial support for Jobseekers
Benefits
Careers advice and finding the right job for you
How to look for jobs and apprenticeships
CV and interview training
Problems and rights at work
Further support
You can apply for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) when you are looking for work. Gov.uk can help you check if you are eligible and tell you how you can make a claim.
You may be able to access financial support such as clothing, childcare or travel tickets to attend interviews. Communities for Work can give you some advice.
If you are out of work, unable to work, on a low income or need help with you living costs you may be entitled to claim Universal Credit. You can check if you are eligible and find out how Universal Credit works on the Gov.uk website.
You may also be eligible for help with rent and council tax or other benefits. Check the Rhondda Cynon Taf Council benefits website for more information.
Citizen’s Advice RCT (CARCT) also have information online including an online benefits calculator and offer free impartial advice.
Careers Wales give free advice for anyone making education or employment decisions.
If you are looking for inspiration, RCT’s Employment and Education Team have put some information together for you.
Careers fairs can help you talk to employers and find out what is available in your area. RCT’s Employment, Education and Training team may be able to advise you when there is one in your area. You can email them on eett@rctcbc.gov.uk. It may be useful to take your CV along!
Careers Wales also keep up-to-date event details on their website.
Jobcentre Plus can help people over 16 in RCT to find a job or paid training. You are able to visit a local Jobcentre without an appointment. You can find your nearest Jobcentre Plus and search their current vacancies.
Searching for jobs online is very easy. You can also use Gov.uk to search jobs in your area.
You can search for apprenticeships in RCT using Careers Wales website. RCT Council also offer apprenticeship and graduate programmes.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council offer a wide range of roles and careers and allow you to search online.
Youth Engagement and Participation Service (YEPS) have some handy tips for interviews and personal statements.
Competency based questions are very popular for both applications and interviews. You can practice these using the S.T.A.R technique. YEPS offer some tips and guidance on the technique.
Careers Wales can offer support on writing CVs and personal profiles, including example CV’s.
Citizen Advice have lots of information to support you at work with any problems you may have.
The following agencies can help you on a one to one basis to help you to become employed and with issues related to your employment: