Finding employers

If you are in a competitive field or are finding it difficult to find vacancies you can try to contact employers directly about the possibility of working for them. This is known as making a speculative application.

To make a speculative application you will need to identify employers in your sector, occupation or chosen location who you want to work for. 

Finding employers within a sector

Professional associations

Associations such as the Law Society or the Institute of Engineering and Technology have details of member firms on their websites. You can also search the Directory of British Associations (available in the Aldrich and St Peter’s House libraries) or the Trade Forum Association.

We have professional associations listed on our section on specific occupations.

Graduate scheme directories

Even if you are not applying for a graduate scheme, graduate scheme directories have the details of companies that are recruiting. The Real Prospects Directory and GET Directory are available to take away from the careers centres and our partner colleges. 

We also have sector-specific careers publications in areas such as engineering, finance, construction and law.

Employer directories/databases

Employer directories list employers within a sector.

General directories available online or for reference in university/public libraries:  

• AlljobsUK.com
• Applegate Directory
• Hoovers Online
• The Job Crowd
  100s of employers reviewed by employees
• Kompass
• Kelly's Industrial Pages
• Key British Enterprises
• Who Owns Whom
• DIAL Industry

For not-for profit organisations check the directory of all registered UK charities on the Charity Commission website.

Graduate employer directories, available online or at the careers centres include:

• The Guardian UK 300
• Ireland’s Top 100 Graduate Employers
• Target Jobs: Employer Insights
• Times Top 100 Employers - not available online. Hard copies at all careers centres.

Sector-specific publications, for example:

• Hollis PR & Marketing Handbooks
• Willings Press Guide
• Consultant Engineers 500
• Environmental Consultants Directory
• Solicitors Regional Directories
• Benn’s Media UK.

Details of directories within specific sectors are listed under occupations .

Information for international graduates

A register of Tier 2 and Tier 5 sponsors is available from the Home Office website.

Finding employers within a geographic area       

Careers Services at other universities

Other university Careers Services usually have local careers and labour market information and may produce directories of local firms. A list of UK university careers services can be found on the Prospects website.

Local councils

Local councils often have business or economic development areas with information about local industry/employers. See Directgov’s A-Z of local councils.

Local libraries

Search the catalogues of local libraries for business directories.  To find local library services, check your local council's website for details.

Once you have identified the employers you want to apply to, you need to make a speculative application.