If you are seeking a well-paid job you are likely to have to apply in writing and usually provide a curriculum vitae (CV). This is an account of your education, qualifications, previous jobs and anything that makes you fitted for the post. Both the application and the CV need to be compiled carefully and it is advisable that they are typewritten.

You can find advertisements for job vacancies in local and national newspapers, available to read in libraries as well as at your local job centre. Job vacancies are also advertised on many organisations’ websites.

New Deal is a Government programme that aims to give unemployed people, including young people aged 18-24 year olds who have been on job seekers allowance for six months, the help and support they need to get into work. Everyone on New Deal gets a personal adviser who is their point of contact throughout the programme.
For further information on New Deal, call 0845 606 2626, 7am-11pm, seven days a week or text phone 0845 606 0680, 7am-11pm, seven days a week.

Connexions Direct
Offers advice on education, careers, housing, money, health and relationships for 13-19
year olds in the UK. Support is also offered up to the age of 25 if you have learning or
other disabilities. Connexions advisers are available 8am-2am every day. Free helpline
(from landline): 080 800 132 19, or email (via the website). Calls from a mobile are
charged but if you do ring on your mobile, they will call you back. If you email, you will be replied to within 24 hours. www.connexions.gov.uk
Includes web chat. This is not a chatroom. When you click on Adviser online you will enter a one-to-one confidential session with a trained Connexions Direct adviser.

Employment for asylum seekers and refugees
As an asylum seeker you are not now entitled to work in the UK or undertake vocational training unless and until the Home Office grants you a positive decision on your asylum case.

If you have refugee status, exceptional leave to remain, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave you can work in the UK as soon as you have a positive decision from the Home Office but you must first apply for a National Insurance number. This includes the right to participate in vocational training schemes. Details of these are available from your local Jobcentre Plus.

Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities
Crystal Gate, 3rd Floor, 28-30 Worship Street, London EC2A 2AH.
Tel: 020 7448 5420 (voice), 020 7374 6684 (text)
Email address info@eopps.org - www.opportunities.org.uk
A national charity helping all people with disabilities and medical conditions find and retain work.

Shaw Trust
Free helpline: 0800 085 1001
Email: stir@shawtrust.org.uk - www.shaw-trust.org.uk
Supports thousands of disabled and disadvantaged people across the UK to achieve their
personal development and employment aims.

Minimum wage
In the UK there is a minimum hourly wage and employers are not allowed to pay you less. For more information about the minimum wage, you can visit www.direct.gov.uk. If you have any questions about the minimum wage or believe that your employer has paid you below the minimum wage, you can call the minimum wage helpline on: 0845 6000 678

National Insurance number (often called a NINO)
Once you reach the age of 16 and you want to start a new job or start claiming benefits, you will need a National Insurance number. You pay National Insurance contributions (NICs) to build your entitlement to certain social security benefits, including the state pension. You apply through your local Jobcentre Plus, Jobcentre or social security office who will arrange to interview you.
For further information visit www.direct.gov.uk

Under-18s
You can work full-time at 16 but by law there are some places that you cannot work.

You need to remember that you cannot work full-time until the last Friday in June – even if you have turned 16 before this. You are entitled to get the national minimum wage at 16.