Where to Find Jobs in Brighton

Brighton is a city that is young, vibrant, and full of energy, with two universities to supply the workforce.

The biggest employers in the city are the NHS and American Express.

As well as doctors and nurses, The Royal Sussex Country Hospital and Brighton General hospitals, plus the various clinics, also employ catering and administration staff. That would include chefs, kitchen-porters, managers, secretaries, receptionists, and cleaners.

Brighton is notorious for wild parties, and every weekend there are admissions to A & E, so there is a strong demand for nurses.

American Express have their European headquarters in Edward Street. Telecommunications is a field that seems to be growing, as many companies find it a cost effective way to market and communicate their businesses.

You only need to look around and see the businesses that are flourishing to get an idea of the types of jobs available in Brighton.

The city has a thriving socialising community, so restaurants, cafés, and bars are also major employers. These businesses are always recruiting chefs and bar-staff as sometimes the work is seasonal and therefore the staff turnover may be high.

Other major employers are supermarkets. But the companies are responding to demand, and as more and more people tend to be single and living alone in Brighton, the big companies have decided to cater for this market. Hence the rise of the mini-supermarkets. That would mean managers, cashiers, and security staff.

Despite all these potential jobs in Brighton, it is still very difficult to find employment in this city. The vast number of jobs available has encouraged more people to settle here from out of town in search of work. This in turn has made employers more and more sophisticated in their recruitment process.

Employers always want someone with experience. Bar -work, for example, isn't as simple as it may seem. It's difficult to get into as a first-timer. Would-be employers now ask you what your speciality is, as in what cocktails you can mix. It's no good saying you want to learn on the job. They want someone they don't have to train or monitor 24/7. Some jobs are known to have about 20 applicants per advertised vacancy.

One sure way to get ahead in the game is to volunteer your time and skills. This is beneficial in two ways.

1. It keeps you from sitting around at home, as this will eventually lead to late nights and late mornings. Before you realise, you're still in your pyjamas at 3pm. Every day that you are out of work, your motivation takes a dip. You won't necessarily be aware of this. The first couple of weeks or so you are full of hope. You think this is Brighton, and you're bound to find work soon. Then the couple of weeks turn into a month, then two, then six... In extreme cases, long-term unemployment can lead to depression.
2. It keeps you from the coffee shop or pub. This habit starts out with good intentions. You get dressed, try to look somewhat presentable, walk out of your front door, get some fresh air, hang about in a places where you can either observe life or interact with other people. This is actually good for the first few days; not so good if it avoids your real goal - finding a job.

Both scenarios can be avoided if one takes up voluntary work. You can volunteer in pretty much any field that doesn't put anyone's health or safety at risk. It'll not only fill your time, but you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you've contributed to the community, and that someone out there is benefiting from your skills.

And of course, voluntary work looks very attractive on your CV. Potential employers will see that you have motivation, empathy, and refined skills. Even if the voluntary work was in a completely different field to the one you are hoping to work in, you still score points.

This brings you back to your original goal - to increase your chances in a job market that has far more applicants than vacancies.