Newcastle, one of the UK’s most exciting cities, offers a variety of employment opportunities across a range of industries, from digital and creative to healthcare, education, and finance. Whether you're new to the job market or looking for a change, Newcastle has a wealth of resources to help you find the perfect role. If you’re ready to begin your job search in this vibrant city, here’s a guide to some of the best resources that can help you navigate the job market and secure your next career move.
1. Newcastle’s Business and Innovation Hubs
Newcastle is home to several key business and innovation hubs that not only foster local start-ups but also provide valuable networking opportunities and access to job openings. These hubs bring together a mix of established businesses, entrepreneurs, and job seekers, creating an ideal environment for finding new opportunities.
- The Core at Science Central is Newcastle’s centre for business innovation and digital tech companies. It’s home to Digital Union, which represents the region’s digital industries, and provides regular events and networking opportunities for job seekers in the tech sector.
- The Newcastle Helix is another prime location for innovation, where major organisations in fields like health, digital, and sustainability collaborate. The Helix offers opportunities for graduates, entrepreneurs, and established professionals alike, and you’ll find many local companies looking for talent through its various events and collaborations.
- The BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead offers opportunities in the creative industries, and their events often attract local talent and employers. Many of the region’s arts and cultural organisations also look to the BALTIC for creative collaboration and recruitment.
These hubs not only offer networking and collaborative working spaces but also host career fairs, business events, and workshops. By connecting with the right people and organisations here, you can increase your chances of finding hidden job opportunities.
2. Local Networking Events and Meetups
Networking remains one of the most effective ways to land a job, particularly in a city like Newcastle, where the business community is strong and tight-knit. Whether you’re looking to build relationships with others in your industry or gain insights into potential job openings, local networking events are a great place to start.
- Meetup.com is an excellent tool for discovering local networking events tailored to your career goals. From tech and digital marketing meetups to healthcare and finance networking groups, there’s something for everyone.
- Newcastle Startup Week is an annual event that brings together entrepreneurs, businesses, and job seekers from across the region. This event is ideal for anyone looking to break into the startup world, and it's a fantastic way to meet potential employers in the city’s thriving startup scene.
- The North East Business Network frequently hosts events for professionals looking to expand their networks, whether you’re in sales, marketing, digital, or creative industries.
Getting involved in these local events allows you to meet face-to-face with professionals in your field, learn about new opportunities, and perhaps even secure your next job through direct connections.
3. Newcastle’s Local Job Fairs and Career Events
Job fairs and career events in Newcastle are excellent opportunities to engage directly with employers, learn about local job openings, and even get an on-the-spot interview. These events are particularly useful for discovering opportunities across multiple industries in a short amount of time.
- Newcastle Jobs Fair, held regularly at venues like St. Nicholas' Newcastle or The Sage Gateshead, connects job seekers with employers across a wide range of sectors, from retail and customer service to healthcare and engineering.
- The Newcastle University Careers Service frequently organises job fairs that are open to both students and the general public. These fairs are often targeted at specific industries like healthcare, teaching, or finance, and provide opportunities for direct engagement with recruiters from top local companies.
- For those in the creative or digital sectors, Design-North, a design and tech-focused job fair, offers great networking opportunities and direct access to businesses looking for creative talent in Newcastle.
Attending these fairs not only gives you the chance to meet employers but also allows you to get a sense of the job market and what skills are in demand in Newcastle’s economy.
4. University and College Career Services
Newcastle has two major universities—Newcastle University and Northumbria University—that both offer fantastic job search resources to students, graduates, and even local residents looking for career advice.
- Newcastle University Careers Service provides one-on-one consultations, CV and cover letter advice, and interview preparation. They also host employer-led events where you can meet recruiters and learn about potential job openings in your field. As part of the University’s connection with local businesses, they frequently feature employer presentations and recruitment drives.
- Northumbria University Careers and Employment Service offers a similar range of services, including access to internship and graduate job opportunities. The University’s strong industry links provide access to a range of employers, from creative agencies to large corporations in finance, technology, and health.
Even if you’ve graduated, these services are often open to alumni, making them a valuable resource in your ongoing job search. University career services can help you tap into the vast professional networks these institutions maintain with employers across Newcastle and the wider North East.
5. Volunteering and Internships
Sometimes the best way to get your foot in the door is through volunteering or an internship. Many organisations in Newcastle offer internships or voluntary positions as a way to develop new skills, gain work experience, and make industry connections.
- Newcastle Voluntary Organisations offers a range of volunteering opportunities across sectors such as education, community development, and the arts. Volunteering is an excellent way to get a feel for the city’s work culture and build valuable professional relationships.
- The Newcastle City Council frequently lists volunteer opportunities in the community, which can be a great way to get involved with local initiatives while also expanding your network.
- In the tech and digital sectors, many startups are open to taking on interns, which can sometimes turn into a full-time role. Organisations like Code Club or Tech for Good provide opportunities to volunteer while learning new skills, and they can often lead to permanent positions within these sectors.
Internships and volunteering not only allow you to build a portfolio or CV but also give you a chance to prove your abilities in a real-world setting, which can significantly boost your chances of landing a full-time job.
6. Local Newspapers and Publications
While many people now turn to the internet for job search, traditional local newspapers still hold value in Newcastle. Many companies, particularly smaller businesses or local organisations, advertise job vacancies through regional newspapers and community publications.
- The Journal and The Chronicle are both popular regional publications that feature job listings in Newcastle and the North East. Their online portals often list vacancies across various industries.
- NE1 Magazine, a publication by the Newcastle Business Improvement District (BID), often features local job openings and upcoming business events, and is an excellent resource for anyone looking to stay updated on what’s happening in the city.
These publications are great for finding jobs that may not be advertised through the more common online job boards.
Final Thoughts
Newcastle offers a wealth of job opportunities, but finding the right position in this vibrant city requires a multifaceted approach. By utilising the resources available—from business hubs and networking events to local career fairs, university career services, and even volunteering—you can access valuable opportunities and insights into Newcastle’s diverse job market.
Remember, success in your job search depends not just on finding the right job but on building the right connections, developing new skills, and staying proactive. With its thriving business community, innovative industries, and supportive resources, Newcastle is an excellent place to start or further your career. Take advantage of the resources available to you, and you’ll be well on your way to landing the job you’ve been searching for.