Your Guide on Jobs and Finding Work in the UK

The UK holds a special appeal to foreigners looking to migrate or work overseas. For one, it has one of the strongest economies in the world. It is a diverse and multi-cultural population with tremendous opportunities for career growth. It is no wonder that the UK attracts large numbers of ambitious minds to its workforce.

How To Get A Job in The UK as A Foreigner

It is good to know that your home country has no bearing as to whether you need to apply for a UK visa

or not. Citizens from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland will have no need to apply for a visa or a work permit.

How to Apply for a Job in the UK as a Foreigner

Once you have found a job worth pursuing, you will then either fill out an application or send a UK-style CV. Don’t forget to use a heading and keep it relatively short.

How to Write a UK-style CV

• Contact Details: First things first. Do not title your CV with “curriculum vitae” or “cv”. The top of the page of your CV should contain your name, professional title, and contact details. You will need to treat your name as the title instead. Do not include a photo, your age or gender. It is illegal for UK employers to ask for these details.
• Employment History: Start with your most recent employment and include the company name, position held, and dates. Include your achievements and responsibilities.
• Education: Start with your most recent qualification; include university name and details, dates, as well as courses taken with grade. Add relevant awards and internships.
• Secondary Education: School name and address, dates and grades.
• Skills: These could include anything from computer programs you are adept in, languages you can speak with the corresponding levels of expertise, etc.
• Interests and Achievements: Include only those that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
• References: Make sure to add the names and details of two people who can serve as references to support your application. Don’t forget to inform them first as your potential employer might call and ask for information about you.

Cover Letter Tips

A prepared applicant will always do research on the company he is applying for. Try to find out

as much as you can to get ideal results- such as who will be receiving and reading

your letter, the company culture, the sector and any recent trends, their competitors, the

organizations’ aims, and the skills mentioned in the job description.

To achieve a UK-style cover letter follow these local conventions:

• Keep it short, formal, and concise.
• Only use “Dear Sir or Madam” if you really can’t determine their name.
• Explain your reasons as to why you are applying for the job and what interests you about your potential employer and/or company.
• Inform them of how your skills and experience can contribute to their mission.
• At the end, finish with “Yours sincerely”, and sign above your printed name. If you don’t know their name, sign off your letter with “Yours faithfully” instead.

Interview Tips

The second phase of your application process is the job interview. Your potential employer

obviously liked what they saw on your CV and cover letter, and this is your big chance to seal

the deal. It can be nerve-wracking to be interviewed with so much at stake, but always try to

keep cool and collected. The following tips may help win your potential employer over:

• Prepare by doing research on your potential employer and the particular industry you are
• Being aware of the latest developments in your industry makes you a winning bet and shows initiative. It proves that you are actually passionate at what you do and not just after a paycheck.

• Dress appropriately. The last thing you would want to do is to look too casual in front of your

potential employer. First impressions last as they say, so make the right one by dressing appropriately. However, make sure that you don’t overdo it as well. There are many instances of applicants dressing better than their employers, thus sending the wrong message. Find the right balance and make sure that your attire is respectable. You may want to do research first on the company’s dress code to give you a better idea.

• Being punctual is a big thing in any job interview. Consider the commute time to the

office and be sure to make allowances for unforeseen circumstances. A good habit is to

arrive 15 minutes early to give you time to compose yourself.

• Use a firm handshake and wait to be seated.
• Be friendly and engage in small talk as needed.
• Smile; make eye contact with each of the interviewers if it’s a panel interview. Whether you are aware of it or not, your body language says a lot about you and your current headspace. Be aware that all the interviewers are taking down mental notes on how you carry yourself and how engaged you are.
• Ask for clarification when needed. Let them finish before asking your question. Never

interrupt them in mid-sentence.

• Satisfy their queries with concise responses and engage in honest discussion. You may be candid with your answers if the situation calls for it, but be sure to be polite.
• There are certain questions that are guaranteed to come up in any interview, such as expectations, your strengths and weaknesses, etc. It’s best to prepare beforehand for these types of questions, especially if you haven’t had a job interview for some time.
• Speak about previous employment politely; you are allowed to be candid, but not overly

critical of former employers.

• Make sure to ask only meaningful questions. What you choose to ask your interviewer

should stem from what you genuinely need to know to properly evaluate the position. Don’t waste your interviewer’s time.

• Thank your interviewer for their time when done.

Job Opportunities in the UK for Foreigners

In terms of job opportunities, the UK has a high demand for skilled workers in engineering, science and healthcare. There are over 3.5 million foreigners working in the country as of early 2020. Make sure to check on UK government websites to get a better idea of jobs that are in demand.

Minimum Wage and Average Salary

The minimum wage per hour depends on the worker’s age, while the average annual salary in

the UK is around 36,000 GBP (45,596 USD).

Self-Employment

There are several things to consider before you can be classified as a sole trader or self-

employed:

• You run your business for yourself and are responsible for its success or failure; have several customers;
• Are able to determine how, where and when to work;
• Charge an agreed fixed rate for your work; are able to hire people and pay them to help you or to do the work for you;
• provide the main equipment for the job are ultimately responsible for dealing with any unsatisfactory results; and/or
• sell goods or services for a profit (including online)

You will need to confirm whether or not your immigration status allows you to work for yourself

in the UK.

Top Self-employed Jobs in the UK

London:

• Marketing Consultants
• Social Media Consultants
• Make-up artists

Brighton:

• Social Media Consultants
• UX Designers
• Marketing Consultants

Bristol:

• Teachers/Tutors
• Graphic/Web Designers
• Account Managers

Business Culture

UK business culture values punctuality, discipline, courtesy, and politeness. Compared to the rest of Europe, the British are considered less-hierarchical, even if decision-making is made from the top down. Nothing is strictly imposed on employees, instead, decisions are generally presented as guidelines.

What is the Dress Code Culture in the UK?

Expect to dress formally for work in the UK. This means suits for men and suits or dresses for women. Do ask if your company has dress-down Fridays just to be sure that you are not out of place.

UK Working Culture Useful Tips:

• Firm handshakes are the norm.
• Small talk is encouraged but nothing too personal
• The British are non-confrontational and ultra-polite. This means you will have to read between the lines to be sure about what they are trying to say. Don’t be too direct as you may be branded rude.

Maternity and Paternity Leave

When taking a maternity leave in the UK, make sure that you have been with your employer for at least six months.

The good news is that it is 52 weeks off and pay for 39 weeks- quite generous for any country’s standards. Women do have the option of not taking the entire duration, but they must take the first two weeks after they give birth.

While you are on maternity leave and adjusting to motherhood, all leaves and benefits apply such as paid holidays, pension payments and other employee perks. In terms of pay, you will get paid as if you were still at work. Do note that the deductions such as income tax and National Insurances still holds.

Here’s what you can expect when taking a maternity leave in the UK:

• For the first six weeks: 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax).
• For the next 33 weeks: GBP 148.68 (USD 160) or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower).

Paternity Leave and Benefits

Fathers get slightly less. Those who are eligible get two weeks-worth of leaves or the equivalent pay, but never both. Couples may apply for Shared Parental Leave, and this means they share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay during the first year of their child’s life.