Jobseekers tips

Here are some tips for each stage of your job search.

We support residents to gain the skills and training to make the most of opportunities in the borough. Provide your contact details to the Employment and Skills Team and a member of our team will get in touch with you.

If you don’t know where to start, you can use this short quiz to match your personality with industries. You may also have a look at roles available at the Council.

Training and learning always help you get better chances for the industries or sectors that you are interested in. Qualifications and awards show employers your skill level recognised by notable awarding bodies.

Understand skills and experience required for roles and find courses available from National Careers Service website.

It is really important to have an up-to-date CV for job applications. You will also need to be able to adapt it to different roles to give you the best chance of getting an interview.

Templates and tips are available online to help you with the layout and content and you can personalise the templates to make it stand out more. Some roles may require you to apply online instead of sending a CV. Application tips are available online as well:

Have you ever found yourself trawling through different job sites and not ending up applying for anything? We can give you advice on where and how to start looking so that you can use your time more effectively. Contact us and let us help.

It can be daunting if you haven’t attended an interview for years, or it’s your very first one. Doing as much preparation as possible will help you to feel calmer and more confident at the interview.

You should read the person specification and job description. They will indicate the sorts of skills, abilities and experience you may be asked to give examples of. It is always good to research the employer so you have an understanding of what they do, as well as thinking about any questions you have.

You may be required to complete a psychometric test or verbal reasoning test. You can make use of the tips and tools below:

Check out your Maths and English skills level

It may not always be the easiest transition into work. If you feel overwhelmed or need further support, you can contact us so we can share some useful advice or tips with you.

For those just starting their careers, some companies may offer in work mentoring to help you get the most out of a new placement or role. They can share useful information at work or wisdom for life. Don’t hesitate and establish the connection with your mentors or colleagues at work.

Are you getting all the help you’re entitled to?

Further help and support may be available to you depending on your circumstances.  To visit the websites and find out more, use the links below.

Here2Help – Make sure you’re getting all the financial support that you are entitled to, including food, essentials, access to the Internet and energy bills.

Solihull Family Information Service – Provides information and advice to parents and carers looking for childcare, activities and support services, as well as early education entitlements and government help with childcare costs.

Stay informed of the latest career events and information in the borough with our information page for Mainstream / SEND.

What are your plans for post-16?

  • Further studies:
    • A Levels are subject-based qualifications usually taught in classrooms and assessed by exams
    • Vocational Technical Qualifications (VTQ) such as BTEC or Cambridge technical are practical qualifications designed to give you the skills and experience you need for a certain job
    • T Levels are 2-year programmes that give you a mix of learning in the classroom and placement with an employer so you can learn what a real career is like while you study
  • Apprenticeships are real jobs that combine work with training and study so that you can earn a wage and gain a qualification and work experience
  • Options for young people with SEND