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Worried that you might not find a job? According to Kris Richards of recruitment consultants On Assignment, the news is good: there are plenty of companies, especially in the engineering, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, keen to take on bright, committed school-leavers.

• DO YOUR HOMEWORK – if you are interested in a specific industry, find out which companies are involved, where they are based, and what their focus is.

• CONTACT THE COMPANIES direct, check national newspapers and job sites, but don’t forget your local newspapers, says Richards – they can be a good source of job ads. And talk to scientific recruitment consultants as they may be able to help.

• FOLLOW ALL THE USUAL rules when applying for jobs – make sure your CV is relevant to the post you’re applying for, and write a good covering letter that explains something about yourself and what you have to offer.

• BE PREPARED TO start low and work your way up – getting a foot in the door is the most important thing.

• IF YOU KNOW where you’d like to work, consider temporary summer employment as it gets you into the company, shows you are keen and gives you practical experience.

• THINK ABOUT an apprenticeship. This lets you earn while you learn in anything from animal husbandry to engineering. You don’t necessarily need experience, the training is free, and a job is much more likely at the end of it all.

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