| How do I find out about jobs? | |
| Labour market intelligence | |
| Test your knowledge | |
| What next? | |
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How do I find out about jobs?
Labour Market Intelligence is essential for making informed, effective decisions about jobs and careers. This part of the seminar is designed to introduce you to the basic concept of Labour Market Intelligence (LMI), where to get it and how to use it to learn:
- where jobs are located
- what jobs are available
- skills, experience and qualifications in demand
- about the Scottish labour market
- why is LMI important for me?
I didn't think it would be so difficult to find term-time work related to my studies. International Student, Edinburgh University It's really hard to find the jobs that I want to apply for without any help from somebody who knows the job market very well. International Student, Strathclyde University I just assumed the job market would be less competitive in Scotland. International Student, Heriot-Watt University I thought finding a law traineeship would be competitive, but I never knew it would be this competitive! International Student, Edinburgh University |
These are just a few comments by international students studying in Scotland. Like many parts of the world, Scotland's job market is fast-paced and ever-changing. Demand for skills quickly changes, new occupations arise and others decline. The job market in Scotland is very competitive—but being prepared and having up-to-date knowledge can give you a necessary advantage.
For more thoughts about studying and working in Scotland from other International Students, read about their experiences in the Case studies section.
What is a Labour Market?
A labour market is not an ‘actual' place—like a supermarket or a warehouse—but it is a ‘notional' place where workers offer their skills to employers for financial compensation. Economists, governments, employers and employees can study information about labour markets—Labour Market Intelligence—in order to make decisions and plan for the future.
What is Labour Market Intelligence?
Labour Market Intelligence, or LMI, is the interpretation of data about the supply and demand of labour in relation to a specific geographical areas. It can tell you:
- where jobs are and how many there are
- what skills and experiences are in demand
- current wages/salaries
- how these things are likely to change in the future
How can LMI help me find a job?
Labour Market Intelligence can give you a competitive edge in finding and securing a job by:
- increasing your awareness of what the key sectors and growth industries are
- allowing you to identify the geographic locations of key sectors, growth industries and occupations that are in demand
- informing you of the things people do in their jobs and the skills employers expect or need you to have
- helping you to identify and target potential employers
What does LMI mean to me?
Test your knowledge now with our online quiz!. There are five general questions about LMI and five questions specifically about LMI in Scotland. You can identify any gaps in your understanding of how LMI can help you and find out more.
