Job hunting in the UK can be a daunting prospect, especially if you are new to the country. However, with the right approach and a few tips, you can speed up your search and maximise your chances of success.
Monster is a good choice for finding work in the UK, with the site regularly listing up to 2 million positions. It also offers career advice and a range of tools.
1. Go Online
Many people begin their job search in the UK by searching online. There are hundreds of sites available, with different filtering options and search algorithms. Some also offer courses and career advice.
Various websites allow you to create a professional profile. LinkedIn is a particularly popular site in the UK, with its social features and ‘connecting’ functionality. Having a profile on LinkedIn can be beneficial as it can help you find jobs and provides a platform to showcase your skills and experience.
The UK has 5 million plus jobs and many websites that list them. Some are free, such as Monster UK and Adzuna. These sites will send your CV to the relevant employers and match you with jobs that fit your skills and qualifications. They also have useful tools such as ‘ValueMyCV’ and ‘Resources’ that can help you with your job search. They also offer paid options such as Premium Business, Sales Navigator Pro and Recruiter Lite that provide extra business insights, better search, hiring and recruitment tools and more monthly messages.
2. Networking
If you want to maximise your chances of finding work in the UK, it’s vital that you network as much as possible. Take advantage of any contacts you may have in the country, or consider joining associations and governing bodies that relate to your industry – these can be great sources of information about the market and where to find opportunities.
There are also a number of large job boards that list vacancies in the UK, including Reed and Indeed. The latter is particularly comprehensive, with the ability to filter jobs by region, sector and trending topics. It also has a handy feature that allows you to see how many people have applied for the position you are interested in. A more basic option is Monster, which provides minimal filtering options but does offer a high volume of jobs. It also lets you set up job alerts. Both sites are free to use.
3. Applying with a Recruitment Agency
If you are looking for a job in the UK, the most important thing is to have the right qualifications and experience. You also need to be very persistent and leave no stone unturned when it comes to your job search. The competition is high, but if you have the right skills and language ability, then finding a job in the UK is not impossible.
Many companies outsource their recruitment, so keep an eye on company websites and social media channels for vacancies. Some will even indicate that they are open to speculative applications. It is also worth a membership of professional organisations, such as the Charterted Institute of Marketing or the Institution of Civil Engineers.
There are also government-run online job searches and Job Centers on the high streets of larger towns, where you can browse vacancies in person. It’s best to apply with a recruitment agency that specialises in your sector, such as IT or retail.
4. Attending Events
If you’re looking for a job in the UK, attending events and networking is an excellent way to make new contacts. For example, the UK Careers Fair allows you to meet employers in 70 + locations throughout the country.
There are also opportunities to attend workshops and webinars that can help you with your search. In addition, you can also join professional organisations depending on your field. For example, civil engineers can join the Institution of Civil Engineers and marketing professionals can join the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
The London Tech Job Fair is a great opportunity to meet with reputable businesses looking for candidates in the sector. The event is free to attend and provides students, graduates, and jobseekers with the chance to chat to recruitment experts about their CV and career aspirations. It’s not unheard of for recruiters to offer positions on the spot at these events – provided you are well-suited to the role.
