Finding a job that matches your skills

When looking for work, think about jobs that match your skills. To do this:

1. Work out what you’re good at (and skills that you enjoy using).
2. Think about skills you have developed through hobbies, training, previous jobs or other experiences.
3. Look for roles where these skills will be valuable.

If you’re not sure what you’re good at, try making a list. People who know you well could help you to do this, or you could use a tool like the National Careers Service Skills Health Check. This free service uses quizzes, jobs skills tests and other activities to help you identify your skills. It will also help you explore your interests and motivations.

Finding work that interests you

You can search for roles, and the skills needed, on the National Careers Service’s job profiles page. Use these profiles to see if a role might be right for you.

Matching a job to your skills

Use results from job skills tests as a starting point for finding a suitable job.

Prospects Career Planner and Job Match are useful if you have a degree or are thinking of taking one. The website offers 2 question-based tests - one which will help you find your ideal career, and another which will match you to specific job profiles.

Finding out more about specific roles

Once you have found roles that may suit you:

Look at job advertisements online

Even if you are not ready to apply yet, you can look at ads on job sites like Monster and Indeed.

If there are any companies you’d like to work for, search their websites for vacancies and look at the ‘job specification’. This will tell you the skills required.

Talk to people already in these roles

You may find these people through:

• social networks like LinkedIn or Twitter
• networking events
• people you know

Job networking tips

Questions to ask yourself

To find out if a job is for you, ask yourself:

• Is this a role you can do now?
• If you are missing any of the skills, is this skill listed as essential in the job specification? If so, you might need extra training.
• Will you enjoy the role?

Scope’s Support to Work offers advice on skills and jobs for disabled people.

Disability-friendly employers