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  2. Employment, training and careers
  3. Looking for work

Finding a job

Despite the difficult economic situation there are still jobs available. However, there may be many competing for the same job and job-hunting can take time. To be successful, you should make the most of your job-search skills. Find out where to look for jobs.

The internet

A good starting point for job hunting is searching the internet. To make sure you keep up-to-date with the latest vacancies you will need access to the internet and have your own email address.

If you don't have access to the internet at home you could check with your local library or Jobs and Benefits office. 

Jobs on the internet are usually advertised on 'job boards'. Some are dedicated to particular positions or industries while others will advertise all types of vacancies.

JobApplyNI.com lists all current vacancies throughout Jobs and Benefits offices in Northern Ireland. 

Some boards may be specific to the area in which they cover.

  • Northern Ireland Civil Service
  • Health Service

You can manage your own account as well as tailoring your job search preferences to suit the jobs you're looking for. You can also create a profile, upload your CV and receive email alerts for new jobs.

Jobs and Benefits Offices

There is a network of Jobs and Benefits offices throughout Northern Ireland where you can get information on job vacancies.

Staff will help you get details of all the support services available to you, including how to join training programmes.

  • Jobs and Benefits Offices

You can also keep up-to-date on local jobs news and Department for Communities services via Twitter or Facebook @communitiesNI.

Recruitment agencies

Recruitment agencies are also known as employment agencies. You will go to a local branch for an interview and an assessment before being taken onto the agency's books. Recruitment consultants then work to match you with the vacancies they have. If you are suitable you will be shortlisted and put forward for an interview.

Hidden jobs

It is estimated that only some of all available jobs are ever publicly advertised, making speculative approaches highly worthwhile. If you are interested in working for a particular employer, write to them or go to their website to see how they recruit.

Newspapers, magazines and trade journals

Newspapers and magazines also advertise vacancies. Business sections and general articles can be useful as sources of information about growth sectors and for contact names.

Most industries have professional associations that publish trade journals, which are useful for finding jobs.

Look on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin and ‘like’ or follow employers you may like to work for.

Careers and job fairs

The Careers Service, local Jobs and Benefits offices and other organisations arrange regular events which give job seekers the chance to speak directly to employers about opportunities.

Jobs fairs are an excellent way to find out about jobs in your area, pick up application forms and even secure an interview there and then. These events can help you to build useful contacts as well as gain industry and company knowledge.

  • Careers events

You can watch the Universal Credit Guide on how to search for work

Watch this video guide with British sign language
Watch this video guide with Irish sign language

More useful links

  • Plan your career
  • Careers
  • Careers Service

Chat with a careers adviser

Careers webchat is available from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.  Outside of these hours, or if all advisers are busy, you can ask questions online.  Before using the webchat service, read the Careers Service’s privacy notice

 Chat with a careers adviser in Northern Ireland

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Looking for work

  • Applying for jobs
  • Careers events
  • Careers in Health and Social Care
  • Careers online support
  • Carers returning to work
  • Extra help starting or staying in work
  • Find a job in Republic of Ireland
  • Finding a job
  • Finding a job if you have conflict related convictions
  • Getting a holiday job
  • Public sector careers
  • Seasonal work on farms and horticulture units
  • Training programmes
  • Volunteering
  • Working abroad

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Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912 
Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

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  • Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about:

  • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
    contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
     
  • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
    contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

 

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

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