United Kingdom Job Seeker Resource Board
The objective of this job board is to provide information and links to get you started with your job search.
For more information on emigration-related employment, please contact:-
Migration Bureau, or Visa Centre, or Four Corners Immigration
Immediate Job Vacancies
Please use the links below to access current job vacancies. Please note that most employers require candidates to be present for interview and to be able to start work within 4-12 weeks of the date of application.
www.monster.co.uk
Find Local Employers and Recruitment Agencies
Use the link below to search for employers and recruitment agencies in your destination city/region.
General employee information
Use the link below for information on United Kingdom employment law, holiday leave and other entitlements, public holidays etc.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/index.htm
Get to know the United Kingdom
For news and information about the United Kingdom and its cities and regions visit www.migrationnews.com.
How to prepare your CV/Resume
Before you start the job search process it is essential that you prepare a professional Curriculum Vitae (CV) fitting the local UK style. The main difference with UK CV's is that they are usually limited to just 2 sides. They contain a brief description of your role followed by bullet points that highlight your particular contributions or successes.
Your CV should contain the following headings;
Personal Details
- Name
- Address
- Phone and E-mail address
- Nationality (IMPORTANT - clearly state your visa status)
Personal Profile
Outline your skills and qualities, work background and achievements. Be brief - you can highlight examples of your skills in later sections.
Education and Qualifications
Indicate dates and certificates/diplomas/ degrees attained. IMPORTANT - where possible indicate the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- High School/Secondary School
- Tertiary e.g. University/College/Polytechnic
- Short courses (indicate specific skills acquired)
Career/Work History
(Indicate dates; Month and Year. List your current job first.)
- Company / Organisation Name
- Position
- Responsibilities (Describe your duties, job content, position in organisation, staff supervised, projects/challenges completed, promotions. Also, describe the activities of your employing organisation, e.g. industry sector, market standing, size, turnover, etc.)
Additional Information
- Professional memberships, clubs, societies etc
- Relevant computer and technical skills
- Relevant professional training
- Highlight achievements (be specific)
Hobbies/Leisure Interests
These should be kept brief and say something positive about you to a potential employer e.g. team sports, cultural interests, creative hobbies, competitive hobbies.
References
Name, Position, Address and contact details of two former employers.
Job Search Do's and Don'ts
It is never easy searching for a job from overseas. Here is a summary of the do's and don'ts for overseas jobseekers.
Do
- Visit the various UK job websites BEFORE deciding to emigrate to familiarise yourself with the job opportunities in your field.
- Start applying for advertised job vacancies from OVERSEAS, but only 1 to 12 weeks before a possible start date.
- Send a “cold” letter of application and C.V. to EVERY potential employer and recruitment agent in the city/region of the United Kingdom you intend settling in to let them know that you are available.
- Prepare your C.V. in the UK style and write a short but clear covering letter confirming that you have been granted visas (or that you have been assessed as eligible and are in the visa application process).
- Provide a UK postal address and UK mobile phone/email address in your C.V. where possible.
- Make a positive impression in the interview, be flexible and have copies of your residence visas and references available for employers to sight.
Don't
- Apply for job vacancies OR visit the UK for job interviews more than 1 - 12 weeks away from a possible start date. Employers will not be interested.
- Expect everything to work like home. Be flexible and willing to fit in with local ways of doing things.
- Expect a job at the same level or higher than you had overseas. You may lack UK local knowledge and may need to take a step back in order to advance later. Wait one year.
- Expect a job offer in the first week.
- Over negotiate the contract with your first employer. Be flexible and understand that employment law and contract terms may be different in the UK.
Interview Do's and Don'ts
Research the company
Great sources of information are the internet, your consultant, relevant industry publications and the company’s own publicity material. Understand how many offices they have, are they domestic or international, what markets they work in, what size are they, what products and services do they offer and who are their competitors? Some useful sources are:
Use your research to help you prepare a few questions that you would like to ask during your interview ie;
- Is the company launching any new products or services?
- What training and development programmes are available?
- What is the company looking for in a successful candidate ?
Understand the job you are applying for
Know the department you will be working in and the responsibilities you will have.
Match yourself to the job
Assess your past experience and qualifications and see how they correspond to the job you are applying for either directly or indirectly. In this way, during the interview, you can explain why you are suitable for the advertised role and demonstrate this with past examples. Make sure that you can expand on your CV as the interviewer is highly likely to refer to it.
Prepare some answers
There are certain questions that you are probably going to to be asked so you can help yourself by preparing possible answers that reflect your skills, experience and technical knowledge. Don't panic if you aren't asked the specific question. There is a good chance you can use the information in answer to another similar question. Typical questions you could be asked include:
- Why do you want to work for us?
- What are your qualifications?
- What are you looking for in your next career move?
- What salary are you looking for?
- How have you handled a problem at work?
- Do you have any weaknesses?
Present yourself well
Remember first impressions are everything. Your appearance should complement the industry that you want to work in, which will probably mean ‘corporate’ wear. A smart, dark suit, unobtrusive accessories and a general well groomed appearance will help your chances significantly. You should also think about your general demeanour. Employers want staff who are positive, pleasant and polite.
Day of the interview
Ensure you know where you are going, how you get there and who you are meeting. Make sure you know how to pronounce correctly the name of your interviewer. Prepare your clothes the night before and leave yourself plenty of time for the journey so that you arrive early and have time to collect your thoughts before the interview starts. When you arrive, a smile and a positive handshake are great ice breakers.
During the Interview
Don’t worry if you are nervous, it’s natural and can often work in your favour because it keeps you alert and on your toes. Remember the interviewer has already decided you are likely to be a suitable candidate, now you have the opportunity to prove this! Try and manage the interview and remember the research you have done on how your past experience corresponds with the job description.
Interview Do’s
- Be conscious of your posture and look interested and attentive.
- Be concise with your answers, stick to the point and if you're not clear about what answer they are seeking, repeat the question back to make sure you have understood it correctly.
- Compose your answers, speaking clearly and at a moderate pace.
- Sell yourself. Relate your expertise to the role, defining what you will contribute to the company. Make sure you give real life examples.
- Be honest.
- Be positive, even if you’re not 100% positive about the role. Leave them with a good impression and then if a better job comes up in the future, they will think of you first.
Interview Don’ts
- Interrupt the interviewer.
- Enquire about salaries in the first interview.
- Be over confident and pushy.
- Show lack of enthusiasm or passion for the role.
End the interview positively, letting the interviewer know if you are interested in the role and asking what happens next.
