Job searching, CVs and interviews
Applications, CVs and interviews
From CV and cover letter tips, to great places to start your job search, the information on this page will support you to get started.
Applications, CVs and covering letters are the first thing an employer sees about you. If they are uninspiring and difficult to read, what will an employer think about you?
The purpose of these documents is to persuade an employer you have the correct knowledge, skills and abilities to do the job. This is the first step towards getting an interview, therefore you need to make sure that they positively showcase what you have to offer.
CV and application guide
Solent Careers has created a useful guide full of top tips. The aim of this guide is to support you in creating a CV that is professional and showcases your skills, ability and experience to a future employer. The guide provides information on researching the employer and analysing the job description to help you produce a targeted and professional CV.
The second half of the guide supports you with completing application forms including what each section requires and why an employer is asking you for that information.
You can find more advice about CVs and applications on Solent Careers Online.
Want to speak to a member of the team
You can Book an appointment on our Solent Online Learning page or email careers@solent.ac.uk
If you have been invited to a job interview, congratulations! This means your CV or application form was successful and your potential new employer wants to find out more about you.
There are more tips to increase your chances of interview success on Solent Careers Online.
Star method
You may wish to practice using the STAR method to respond to interview questions especially competency-based ones. This method supports you to structure your examples and confidently respond to questions. Target Jobs has some examples of how you can put the Star method into practice.
LinkedIn is a great way to grow your professional network and discover professional opportunities. Solent Careers can help you build a great profile that highlights all your skills and experiences. We can also review your profile and offer feedback on how to improve.
We recommend you review the below resources to get you started:
LinkedIn Learning - how to rock your LinkedIn profile
How to build your personal brand on LinkedIn
The 10 reasons you need a LinkedIn profile
Once you’re all set up we can show you all the amazing tools and features LinkedIn has to offer and how you can use it to maximise your career success.
Email us for personalised feedback on careers@solent.ac.uk.
Jobs websites and employers
Here are some websites and employers who might interest you in various industries and sectors. We have included a selection of websites and companies that Solent Careers think you might find helpful but please make sure you do not limit your jobs searches to these sites as there are many others you might find useful.
Southampton Business directory (use this directory to find out which companies have a branch in Southampton)
Southampton Jobs bulletin (this bulletin is updated every two weeks with live opportunities in Southampton)
Campus Jobs (our jobs right here on campus, use your Solent email and password to log in) -
Solent Careers part-time work (Solent Careers very own jobs board on Solent Careers Online, use your Solent email and password to log in)
General websites for TV and film opportunities
Local businesses for TV and Film opportunities.
General websites for fashion and arts opportunities.
Local businesses for Fashion and the Arts opportunities.
General websites for IT and tech opportunities
Local businesses for IT and tech opportunities
General websites for law opportunities
Local businesses for law opportunities
General websites for business, finance and marketing opportunities
Careers in Audit - https://www.careersinaudit.com
E Financial careers https://www.efinancialcareers.co.uk/
Simply Marketing Jobs - https://www.simplymarketingjobs.co.uk/
HR Jobs Personal Today https://jobs.personneltoday.com/
PR week Jobs https://www.prweekjobs.co.uk/jobs/
The Drum https://apply.workable.com/the-drum/
Marketing week https://jobs.marketingweek.com/
Event Industry News https://www.eventindustrynews.com/category/event-industry-job-vacancies
Local businesses for business, finance and marketing opportunities
Enterprise - https://careers.enterprise.co.uk/
B and Q - https://www.bandqcareers.com/
Yo telecom - https://yotelecom.co.uk/careers/
Clevertouch - https://clever-touch.com/clevertouch-careers
Ordnance Survey - https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/careers
Digital agency network - https://digitalagencynetwork.com/agencies/southampton/
Quilter - https://careers.quilter.com/
Carnival - https://www.carnivalukcareers.co.uk/
PWC - https://www.pwc.co.uk/careers/early-careers.html
Starling Bank - https://www.starlingbank.com/careers/
General websites for opportunities in maritime
Local businesses for maritime opportunities
General websites for sport and exercise opportunities
Local businesses for Music and Entertainment opportunities
General websites for sport and exercise opportunities
The British Association of Sport and Exercise Science
Local businesses for sport and exercise opportunities
Bookmark Volunteering (Online)
UN online Volunteer (Online)
Another great way to find employers is through an agency. Recruitment agencies work with companies to source candidates that meet their needs. Use the below link to find agencies in your industry:
Agency central - https://www.agencycentral.co.uk/
Speculative applications find businesses in Hampshire
You may not find the role you want advertised, but did you know many jobs are not advertised. Often those who are successful in securing a job contact the company they would like to work for directly, with a well-crafted CV and cover letter. Use the links below to find out more about speculative applications and to discover businesses in Southampton you may wish to contact speculatively.
Find out more about Speculative applications
A-Z directory businesses in Southampton
Labour market insights Southampton
Using social media to find jobs
You have likely heard of LinkedIn, but do you know you can use all your social media platforms in different ways to find opportunities. Check out these links below to find out more:
Things to think about when contacting employers and taking on opportunities for your safety
- Check out the company online. Does the company look legitimate?
- Does the company have a website – does the website look up together?
- Can you find them on LinkedIn – do they have many followers?
- Check review sites, such as Glassdoor to see how others have rated this company as an employer.
- Speak to a member of the Solent Careers team, or your academic if you have any concerns.
- Never give any money to a company for an interview or job opportunity and watch out for scams.