Finding a job in the UK is one of the biggest concerns of many foreigners. They are confused as to how to start and where to begin the search for the right job. They are aware that the UK has lots of opportunities for foreigners, yet they are not sure which way to turn.
If you’ve been wondering how to find a job in the UK, you’ve found the right guide. Get a seat, relax and read to the end. One thing you should keep in mind is that it is easy to find jobs in the UK. There are many job opportunities awaiting foreigners who have the right skills, experience and education.
Requirements for Working in the UK
If you’re a foreigner, you must meet certain criteria to be allowed to work in the UK. Some of the documents you’ll need are:
1. Work Permit or Work Visa
You will need a work visa or a work permit to work in the UK. The kind of job you wish to do will determine if a work visa or a work permit is the right document to apply for.
2. Right to Work Check
Employers take this document seriously. Once you get a job, you will need to show your employers a document that indicates that you are eligible to work. Your immigration status, however, will determine if you will provide a passport with a stamp, an online share code or a sticker received from the Home Office.
3. National Insurance Number
The National Insurance Number (NIN) is a unique number given to people living in the UK. The purpose is to identify people who are eligible to pay tax and for other social security purposes. You must have NIN before any employer will legally employ you.
4. Tax Obligations
As long as you’re employed in the UK, you must pay your tax and contribute your quota to the National Insurance. That means before you start a job, you need to first register for tax and get a unique tax code. You will pay your tax using this unique code.
5. Employment Contract
An employment contract is a document that contains rights, responsibilities, vacation days, working hours and salary. It is mandatory that you have this document before working in the UK.
Highly Demanded Job Areas in the UK
The reason you want to go to the UK is to make life better for you and loved ones. You prefer the UK because it is a place of plenty opportunities and good life for all. Some of the highly demanded jobs in the UK include jobs in business management, engineering, healthcare, IT and sciences. If you are in these fields, living and working in the UK will definitely change your life.
If you’re a good researcher, you can discover fields where the UK is experiencing shortages and needs more professional hands to sustain those areas. Some of the shortage areas are teaching, pharmacy, social care, healthcare and medicine. Foreigners with education and training in these aspects are likely to move to the UK quickly.
Places to Look for a UK Job
As you’re thinking of moving to the UK, many other people are thinking too. As you are making moves to live and work in the UK, thousands of other migrants have the same plan. This makes the job market highly competitive. But don’t let that bother you. There are many places you can find the kind of job you’re looking for. With this, you are sure to get enough options to start your journey to securing a job in the United Kingdom.
Here are some places to do your search:
- The UK national press
- The UK government job portal
- University career pages
- Company career pages. Recruitment agencies
- Job boards
- Websites of the kind of job you’re looking for
- Social media such as Indeed, Glassdoor and LinkedIn
How to Apply for a Job in the UK
Steps to Creating a Standard CV
Moving to the UK means you are ready to upgrade your life. It means you want to leave the local area and live internationally. So the first thing to do is create a CV that meets the UK standard. Some of the items to put on your curriculum vitae are:
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Your personal profile
In this section, you introduce yourself, tell your background, share your career aspirations in two or three sentences. Make sure you write based on the job you are applying for. This will increase the chances of getting the job.
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Your educational history
In this section, you share a list of all your academic institutions such as universities, colleges and schools. Start from the highest (university) to the lowest (high school or grade school).
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Your work history
Share your professional experiences, the jobs you held, their descriptions, dates, names of companies or organizations. List them in a descending order, that is, from the most current to the ones in the past.
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Your skills
Here, you will list all the skills you have acquired over the years. These include language proficiency, computer skills, software expertise and other skills and abilities you think might be relevant to the job.
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Your Interests, hobbies and achievements
In this section, you leave no stone unturned. This is where you show the stuff you’re made of. Remember that thousands of other migrants or foreigners may be targeting similar jobs. Use this section to show your potential employers that you are qualified for the position you are applying for. Highlight relevant hobbies, awards, achievements and interests that are important to the job.
Tips to Help You Secure a UK Job
- Do extensive and intensive research on the role you’re applying for in that organization. Learn everything about that position and prepare adequately to be your best.
- Find out what the likely interview questions will be and practice them. If the company’s website contains information, study and practice them over and over again.
- Write down the questions you will likely ask the interviewer. It is not enough to pass the interview, you also need to ask your own well-researched questions.
- When called for an interview, be there on time even before the interviewers appear. If the interview is online, be already seated before the time. Never appear late no matter the excuse.
- Be relaxed and allow your brilliance to shine. Put on your best personality, polish your grammar and display your uniqueness in front of the interviewers.
Getting a job in the UK is as easy as ABC. But you must understand the kind of job you are looking for. Once you identify your area of interest, the next thing is to do your research, create an attractive CV and then begin to prepare for a successful interview. When you follow the tips, you’re highly likely going to be hired by the first or second UK employer.
Good luck to you!