A Guide to Finding and Securing a Job In Bristol

Bristol is located in England’s South West and is a vibrant city with an exciting future and an interesting and engaging history. Being the seventh largest local authority in England and boasting a population of just under half a million, Bristol is a great place to seek and secure employment. Whether you are already living and working in Bristol or you are looking to find a job in Bristol and re-locate to the area, we hope you will find this website packed full of tips and ideas on finding a suitable Bristol job vacancy.

Bristol is the economic powerhouse of the South West, thanks in part to its exceptional air, sea and road facilities. It has superb motorway connections from all directions, with the M4 linking it to London and Wales, and the M5 linking it to both the North and South of the country. Bristol International Airport is one of the fastest growing UK airports and around 1 million people live within 30 minutes driving time of Bristol City Centre, making it an attractive place for job hunters.

Impressively, Bristol has recently been crowned “European City of the Year”, and has been credited for its “strong regional economy, dynamic business sector and skilled workforce”.

Major Bristol Employers

Being a large and prosperous city means Bristol can attract major employers to the region. Some of these major employers include:

Airbus
Bristol City Football Club
Bristol International Airport
Bristol University
Bristol Zoo Gardens
Brunel & Ford
Hewlet Packard
ITV West
Imperial Tobacco Ltd
Rolls Royce
Royal Mail
Thunder & Colt

Skills and talents from all disciplines are required for job vacancies within the Bristol area, and jobs are widely available in fields such as:

Sales and Marketing, Engineering, Finance, Legal Professionals, Designers, Retail, Driving, Cleaning, Call Centre, Animal Work, Administration, Child Care and Education, Catering, Nursing and other Medical.

Many of the vacancies advertised within the Bristol area will be available to applicants looking for full time work, although there are a large number of vacancies available on a part-time, temporary, casual or seasonal basis. There are also a number of employers within the Bristol area who look to recruit University Graduates on an annual basis.

This website aims to guide you through these employment sectors so you are better prepared when applying for a suitable job vacancy within the Bristol area.

The jobs market in Bristol is likely to be a competitive environment in 2009 and 2010, with 3.5% of the workforce in Bristol currently unemployed. However, jobs are still being widely advertised by employers in the region and if you look hard enough and utilise all the resources available to you, you should be successful in securing an interview.

How do I find a Job in Bristol?

There are numerous ways to search for a job vacancy in Bristol and this website aims to guide you in the right direction.

Online

Use the internet to search for your next job, it is a powerful too for you to research and apply. There are a wide number of recruitment websites that not only cover Bristol but also the rest of the UK, such as www.monsterjobs.co.uk, www.totaljobs.com and www.reed.co.uk. You will also find great, informative websites online which provide you with advice on securing a job, such as CV writing and interview tips.

Newspapers

If you are resident in Bristol you will have easy access to the local newspapers, many of which advertise job vacancies within the Bristol area. On the days the newspapers run a jobs section ensure you buy a copy. Try the Bristol Evening Post or the Western Daily Press. Don’t forget that these newspapers will also have their own dedicated website and the vacancies advertised in the newspaper will also be advertised online.

Recruitment Agencies

Bristol has a high number of independent Recruitment Agencies based across the city. Chose an agency which recruits for positions similar to your skill base, for example if you are looking for a position in the Finance industry then you should consider contacting Robert Half (www.roberthalf.co.uk), a recruitment agency who specialise in recruiting candidates for employers within this industry.

Job Centres

Job Centres, which are operated by the Government, are a good place for any job seeker to start their search for a job. If you are currently unemployed then you should attend your local Job Centre to register your CV and enquire about any benefits that are available to you, both financial and educational. Bristol has a total of eight job centres located across the city so you should find one that is convenient and easy for you to visit.

Direct with the potential Employer

You may know of a company or several companies based in Bristol who you would like to work for. Check out their website – companies often have jobs advertised on their own websites. Alternatively, write to their HR Manager and express your interest in any upcoming vacancies. Enclose your CV and make sure your letter explains why you would make a good addition to the organisation.

Why should I chose to work in Bristol?

Bristol is certainly a vibrant place to live and work, with good levels of prosperity and plenty of attractions to keep you occupied. It has several excellent areas to shop and dine, and the recently constructed Cabot Circus Shopping Centre means Bristol now ranks in the top ten UK shopping destinations.

In terms of house prices, Bristol is bucking the current trend and is actually seeing house prices increase (July 09). During the first quarter of 2009 house prices rose by 3.3%, making the average house price £189,046. This is higher than the UK average of £158,551. To sustain these prices, employees working in the Bristol area earn slightly above the UK average salary.

With excellent transport links to other cities and tourist destinations within England and Wales and stunning local countryside and continued growth and development, Bristol is becoming one of the most attractive cities in the UK to both work and relax.

We wish you all the best in your search for a job vacancy in Bristol.