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Looking for a job

You can search Britain's largest database of job vacancies, held by Jobcentre Plus online. The jobs and skills search lets you search for jobs, training, career information, voluntary work and childcare providers across the UK.

• Find a job now

There are many situations in which you could be looking for work, and everyone has different needs, skills and responsibilities. There are lots of different kinds of job out there, and a range of help available.

Lone parents

Important changes to benefits for lone parents

On 24 November 2008 changes were introduced to Income Support for certain lone parents.

These changes mean that your entitlement to Income Support may stop when your youngest child reaches the age of 12 if you are only claiming it because you are a lone parent.

Instead, with the support of Jobcentre Plus you will have to make a claim for another benefit and if you are able, you'll be encouraged to look for paid work.

This is one of several changes to the benefit system to help people get the skills for work and move into paid employment.

Options and Choices events

Jobcentre Plus personal advisers run Options and Choices events. This is a great way to meet local employers and to find out what they can offer, what skills they need and how to fit your hours around your family. Options and Choice events give you the information you need to make the right choices for your future and your children's. It's worth going along, even if you're not quite ready to start work - so you can plan your future. Contact Jobcentre Plus to find out more.

• Changes to Income Support for lone parents (money, tax and benefits section)

• Contact your local Jobcentre Plus office Opens new window

Disabled people, people with health conditions and carers

If you have a disability, health condition, have been seriously injured, or are caring for someone, there is support available to you. There is help and advice if you're unable to work, looking for work or may be looking for work in the future.

• Disabled people and employment (disabled people section)

• Caring for someone and working (caring for someone section)

Leaving school or college

Moving from school, college or university into work can be a big step. Even if you have a firm idea of where you want to be, the best way to get there is not always clear. But there are lots of opportunities and help available, including getting the experience you need and financial help for training.

• Work and careers (young people section)

Over 50s

If you're out of work, it can take time to find another job, regardless of your age. However, there are specialist programmes, resources and information available to the over 50's to help you find work or learn new skills.

• Looking for work (over 50s section)

Out of work

Whatever your circumstances, if you are looking for a job or wondering how you can increase the chances of getting the work you want, there's advice and support.

• Find your way back to work

Work that suit your needs

If you can't or don't want to work full time, there are other options. Here are some examples:

• temporary work - you could work in a job for a set length of time, usually as part of a particular project or to fill in for a permanent member of staff
• part-time work - a good way to fit work around other responsibilities while getting money and experience
• flexible working - sometimes employers will agree to flexible working arrangements - this might mean choosing your start and finish times, or working longer hours on some days so you can take more time off
• term-time working - being off during the school holidays could be ideal if you have children and they are at school
• holiday working - a practical option if you're still studying
• job-sharing - sometimes two people can share a single full-time job - look out for jobs advertised as job shares or, if you want to share a job with someone you know, you could always suggest the idea to your employer
• self-employment - working for yourself offers flexibility and the right type of challenge for some people, but you will take on extra responsibility - for example, paying your own income tax
• voluntary work - working without pay is one way to get work experience and find out more about an area that interests you

Other options

If you're out of work, training or further education could be a worthwhile step towards achieving a long-term goal. Training isn't just for people leaving school. There's always the chance to develop a career, learn a trade, or work towards a professional qualification through training.

• Training and learning for work (education and learning)

A Jobcentre Plus personal adviser can give you advice that's based on your personal circumstances, and can help make sure that you get the support you're entitled to. Your adviser might ask you to take part in an interview to work out how best to use your skills and experience. You will also find out if you can get financial help while you're looking for work.

• Contact your local Jobcentre Plus office Opens new window

More useful links

• Benefits and help when looking for work (money, tax and benefits section)

• Jobseekers Allowance (money, tax and benefits section)