Deciding What to Do

When you leave school, you will have already spent some time with a Careers Adviser. You will have looked at the options of what you can do and may have made some decisions about your immediate future.

If you have made no definite plans you should register with the Careers Office so that you can receive the help and support you are entitled to. The Careers Adviser will continue to be your first point of contact until you are 18. He or she can point you in the right direction for employment, training, or financial advice.

Use the sample checklist 'Making Decisions' as a starting point for thinking about what you want to do next.

Using your Job Centre and Careers Office?

Your local Job Centre or Careers Office is the best place to start if you're looking for work.

• Under 18
  If you are 16 or 17, you should register with the Careers Office for advice and help.
• 18+
  When you are 18, you can use your local Job Centre.

The Job Centre and the Careers Office have details of local jobs and information about jobs in other town or other countries. They can help you look for full-time, part-time or seasonal work.

Your Job Centre and Careers Office can also help you to learn new skills by advising you about training programmes and they can advise you about starting your own business.

For more information see Resources

Job Adverts

The Job Centre and Careers Office advertise local jobs on their notice-boards. They may also advertise or know of jobs in other areas of the country or in another country. If you are interested in any of the jobs they advertise, ask a member of staff for more information.

Other ways of finding out about jobs are through:

• Newspapers
• Private employment agencies
• Local employers
• Friends

Self-employment

One option when looking for work is to set up your own business. If you are interested in this option, ask for advice at the Job Centre.

Young people aged 18 - 30 may be eligible to apply for grants and loans from the Prince's Youth Business Trust. The Trust is a charity set up to help young people who have a good business idea but no means of funding.

For more information see Resources

Jobs Abroad

If you are looking for a job in another country, check out the following:

For help and advice contact:

• Careers Europe UK
• The European Commission UK Office
• The Federation of Recruitment & Employment Services (FRES).
• Job Centres and Careers Offices:
  Some jobs are advertised here. If you are interested in any of the jobs they advertise, ask a member of staff for more information.

For job adverts look in:

• National newspapers
  These often advertise jobs in other countries.
• Overseas Job Express
  This is a newspaper that advertises job vacancies and tells you about working abroad. It is available on subscription from PO Box 22, Brighton, BN1 6HT.

• Do you need to speak the language?
• Do you need a work permit?
• Do you need a visa?
• Where will you live?
• Is it a temporary job or a long-term answer to your job search?
• How much will you get paid and is it worth it? (This is important if you are looking at holiday work or seasonal work. Make sure you earn enough to cover your travel and everyday living costs!)
• Are you getting any benefits and how will they be affected?

(Contact the DSS, Overseas Branch, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE98 1YX, for advice about benefits if you are going to work abroad).

If you go through a private agency, check out the job, double-check the info, and make sure there are no hidden agendas!