A Complete Guide to Finding a Job in the UK
Finding a job in the United Kingdom can be a difficult task, especially if you are not familiar with the local job market. This guide will tell you how to find a job in the UK.
Insider Tips for Finding a Job in the UK
Britain is famous for its strong economy, fair social security system, and one of the highest wages in Europe. Therefore the country is a kind of "magnet" for those who are looking for a stable high-paying job.
Although it is not so easy to find a job in one of the local companies, it is worth trying. Experts will tell you in detail about the opportunities in the UK, how to find a job and what salary you can expect to get.
Do they really need us in the UK?
The country's unemployment rate has been declining each year — it is now 4.1%. The United Kingdom is the EU's leading nation in terms of issued residence permits. However, it should be noted that the job competition is fierce.
If you're a skilled professional with in-demand qualifications and talents, you'll have no trouble finding work. Furthermore, British businesses are extremely picky; when selecting a prospect, they consider a wide range of criteria: education level, employment experience, personal accomplishments, recommendations, language abilities, and so on.
It's preferable if your speciality is listed among the professions in short supply, such as coders, engineers, scientists, creative individuals, etc. The HSMP program (now - Visa Tier 1) is the most lucrative way to find work if you are highly trained.
Low-skilled job seekers in the agricultural, culinary, and hospitality industries are especially sought after. However, in the latter case, it is critical to calculate the prospective remuneration and working conditions carefully: income in England is not so low, but living here is not inexpensive.
Job Finding
The best way to find a job in England is to come to the country on a student visa and look for work opportunities while studying. However, if this is not possible, another option is to search for jobs independently.
Most of the available jobs for foreigners in England are located in London, but there are also good opportunities in other parts of the country, such as the southeast. It may be more difficult to find work in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Even if you don't have a formal education, your English language abilities, experience, and knowledge may make you attractive for numerous employment opportunities in England.
To improve your chances of finding work, it is a good idea to research companies you are interested in and check their websites regularly for job postings.
Another option is to look for internship opportunities, which can give you a taste of working in England and help you make contacts in your field.
The Internet
To begin, you must join up with the UK Government Portal. You can then add your CV to the database and get alerts by email when new jobs become available. If you want to, you can also hire professional resume writing services to create a top-notch resume for you.
The portal also offers job opportunities for both employers and freelance workers alike. Not only does this site provide you with updates on new openings, but also valuable information about legal issues relating to working abroad The JobCentre is a good resource for finding employment in Northern Ireland. Fish4Jobs also serves all of Ireland.
Other resources for finding jobs in the UK:
• Reed.co.uk
• Monster
• CW Jobs
• Jobsite
• Adzuna
• TotalJobs
• Exec-appointments.com
Other Ways
Recruitment agencies: Many recruitment agencies in the country can help you find a job. The Recruitment & Employment Confederation website has a complete list of these agencies. You can also find information about various training courses and employment specifics on this website. Some of the more popular recruitment agencies include Manpower and Kelly.
Employment Exchange: Jobcentre Plus is an organization that helps people find employment in the United Kingdom. There are offices of this organization in all British cities, which you may visit in person while staying in the Kingdom. Jobcentre Plus can help you find a job that matches your skills and experience.
Apprenticeships in the UK
An internship is a great way to learn about a country and its culture, as well as to gain the skills and experience that British employers are looking for. Internships may be found in nearly every professional sector. But to participate you have to meet a number of requirements:
• Age: 18 - 35 years old
• Language skills: IELTS 4.0 or 6.5 (for students and professionals respectively)
• Resume
• Diploma in higher education
• Recommendation letter (from university, from work)
There are internship programs available for both working professionals and university students. The program involves 12-24 months of study and pays a salary to work professionals. They must take an exam and receive a certificate of advanced training at the conclusion of the internship. In addition to fulfilling the criteria above, potential interns should complete an online interview with a company representative.
Look for upcoming internships at the following resources:
• CI.
• Intern Group
• Internship UK
• Foreign Students
• Student Job
• GoAbroad.com
Requirements for Foreigners
There are certain requirements for working in the United Kingdom for people who come from abroad.
English Language Proficiency
One of the main requirements for foreigners who want to find a job in England is the ability to speak English at a B1 level or higher on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages scale. Other accepted certificates that show your proficiency in English include TOEFL, IELTS, UCLES, ILEC, ICFE, BEC, and FCE. Speaking a second foreign language fluently can also be a great asset.
Resume
If you decide to apply for a job in one of the English companies, get ready to work hard on your resume - it should be free of any cliches and tailored specifically to each organization you apply to. You should also have at least two people who can vouch for your skills and give positive references.
Make sure you include a cover letter with a concise explanation of why you are interested in working for the company and how the organization would benefit from having you join its staff. If you're not sure how to write a cover letter, some experts can help you create a professional and effective one. Be sure to check cover letter writing service reviews to find the best company for your needs.
Recognition of Qualifications
Education received outside of England typically needs to be officially confirmed to be valid within the country. You can check if your documents meet local requirements through the National Recognition Information Centre. Once you have done this, you will be able to find employment opportunities in England
The Process of Getting a Job
In general, the employment process consists of several steps:
1. Arrangement with the employer. You submit your resume, have an interview, verbally discuss the terms of cooperation, and agree that you are a good fit.
2. Labour market test. Two-stage advertising of your vacancy by the employer in local media: if none of the local or EU citizens responds within a month or does not match the company's requirements — the employer has the right to hire you.
3. Apply for a sponsorship certificate. This is also the employer — the document guarantees your integrity for the duration of the contract with the company. The company must have a sponsorship license in order for the certificate to be issued.
4. Work Visa. If you have a contract and certified invitation from the employer, as well as the sponsorship certificate (CoS number), you can safely apply to the embassy for a visa. Note that the contract is also a regulated document, which must contain a number of data: an indication of a two-month probationary period, wages, paragraphs about insurance, pension, holidays and days off, and a four-week paid vacation.
As you can see, finding a job in the UK is not an impossible task. It is important to have the right preparation: to master the English language at a sufficient level, to prepare a CV, cover letters, translation, and confirmation of the documents, and to find an employer. But most importantly - have a profession that is in demand in the country, as well as work experience in their speciality.
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