Finding a job in the UK: a guide for foreigners

Overview of the job market in the UK

Despite the UK offering diverse job sectors, decent employment opportunities, and a pool of highly-skilled workers, it still suffers from a skills shortage in several different industries. This presents those looking for work in the UK with plenty of opportunities to land a dream role and secure stable employment.

While the competition for many jobs remains high, with the right experience, language skills, qualifications and professional attributes, you will find that finding a job in the UK is more than achievable. Home to large cities, such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester, which host some of the world’s leading employers, there are a plethora of sectors that you can target.

As of March 2022, the major industrial sectors in the UK in terms of jobs include:

• Retail and wholesale

• Health and social care

• Professional and technical

• Admin and support

• Education

• Manufacturing

• Accommodation and food

• Construction

As you can see, the UK’s economy is largely dominated by services industries. Within these sectors, there are a lot of large-scale companies that take up the majority market share. But, in the UK public sector, organisations still tend to be some of the biggest national employers.

As we mentioned earlier, there are some sectors that are currently experiencing skills shortages, which offer a great opportunity for overseas workers. If you want to improve your chances of gaining employment and have the right skills at your disposal, then the following sectors may be worth close consideration:

• Health service staff

• Care workers

• Chemical, physical and biological scientists

• Civil engineers

• Mechanical, electrical and electronics engineers

• IT business analysts, architects and systems designers

• Architects

• Veterinarians

This by no means suggests you’ll struggle to gain employment in other sectors. Keep reading to find out more details about how to get a job in the UK – no matter your area of expertise.

How to get a job in the UK

There are a number of avenues for finding a job in the UK. Depending on your chosen sector, available resources, and the specific role you’re looking for, a combination of or all of the below options are worth trying.

Job websites

There are thousands of new full and part-time jobs advertised on job websites every single day, with a wide array of choices across a variety of sectors. In most cases, you can simply upload your CV to a particular website and start applying for jobs in just a few clicks.

Some of the leading job websites in the UK include:

• Adecco

• Adzuna

• Careerbuilder

• CV Library

• Everyjobsite

• Gumtree

• Indeed

• Jobsite

• Monster

• Reed

• Totaljobs

Depending on the sector you want to target, there are some more specialist websites available:

• Caterer – Hospitality and catering

• Charityjob – Charities

• Computer Weekly – IT

• Design Week – Design and graphics

• Hays – Management jobs

• Justengineers – Engineering

• Madjobs – Marketing and advertising

• NHSjobs – National Health Service

• Prospects – Graduates

Another website that’s always worth checking is the UK government’s online job listings. Especially for roles that become available in sectors experiencing skills shortages.

Recruitment agencies

The majority of recruitment agencies will often specialise in a particular sector. Agency Central is a good source for finding an agency that will cater to your industry. Here, you will find agencies that act as headhunters to recruit employees for companies and also those that will help you find temporary work (warehouse operatives, cashiers, cleaners etc).

Company websites

Another reliable method is to look at company websites for any vacancies or upcoming opportunities. If a company does not have any vacancies available at the time you want to apply, you can often submit a speculative application, or at least leave your contact details with them.

You can also find out a bit more about the company before you apply by having a look at their “About Us” page.

Networking and social media

Like in every country around the world, the unfortunate reality is that it can sometimes be a case of who you know, rather than what you know when it comes to job applications. Networking is a great way of hearing about job opportunities and befriending people in your chosen sector – trying to establish as many contacts as possible.

Events are great for networking and many of them are now held online, which makes it much easier for those from abroad looking for jobs in the UK.

Social media platforms like LinkedIn are also great for connecting with like-minded professionals. All you need to do is to create an account and start searching for contacts you have made in previous roles, or people that may be able to assist you in your job search in some way.

Self-employment and freelancing

If you have already been granted permission to work in the UK, then you will also have the right to start your own business and register as self-employed – providing you have the right visa. As of November 2022, there were roughly 4.2 million self-employed workers in the UK, so this is a popular revenue stream for many workers in the country.

If you do choose to start your own business, you can either be a sole trader or register as a limited company.

Apprenticeship and traineeships

The best website for searching for apprenticeships and traineeships is the government website. If you are a recent graduate then Prospects’ online search tool is also handy. Either way, it is a chance to get your foot in the door and start your career in the UK – especially if you do not have much experience.

Applying for jobs in the UK

Another key part of learning how to get a job in the UK is understanding exactly how the application process works. The process will obviously vary depending on the job you apply for, but in the main, you’ll need to apply yourself in the same manner and your preparation will not differ greatly.

Simply follow these steps:

1. Start your job search – use the methods we explored in the previous section to start looking for jobs. Your search can be as broad as you want it to be.

2. Ensure you have the right experience and qualifications – once you have found a type of role that is right for you, check whether you have the appropriate experience and correct qualifications for the job. At this point, you will be able to work out exactly what you need to land that dream job and the steps you need to take before applying. With a bit of luck, you will already match the job specification and be ready to apply.

3. Network and research – start reaching out to people in your network, both in terms of looking for opportunities and also gathering supporting documents for your application, like references from previous employers. At this stage, you will be able to research the company you are hoping to work for in more detail. Doing this now will enable you to put together a tailored CV and cover letter for your application, while also finding out whether it is a company you can see yourself working for.

4. Tailor your CV for each application – this will help you stand out ahead of other candidates and show you have put time and effort into your application. The same applies to the accompanying cover letter, making sure you personalise the document and explain why you want to work for that particular company.

5. Prepare for the interview stage – hopefully, once your initial application has been viewed, you will then make it through to the interview stage. This might mean you will have to be in the UK already in order to attend in person, but more often than not interviews can now be conducted online. Make sure you take the time to prepare properly for your interview, so you come across as professional and confident. Think about what questions you may get asked and also come up with questions that you can ask the interviewer at the end.

Types of visas available

All professionals looking for work in the UK will need permission to get a job there, which in most cases will require a working visa. There are a lot of different visas rather than one particular type, so you will need to make sure you are applying for the right one.

Under the UK’s post-Brexit points-based system, there are various routes for getting a UK visa. Here, we will briefly detail some of the main visas that might be appropriate for you, but we strongly recommend you take a look at the UK government website for more information.

• Skilled Worker visa

This allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do a job with a Home Office-approved employer. You will need to have a certificate of sponsorship from your employer, a job that is on the list of eligible occupations, and offer a minimum salary.

You will also need to be able to speak, read, write and understand English. Once approved, your visa can last for up to five years before you need to extend it.

• Health and Care Worker visa

This visa allows medical professionals to gain employment in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care. You will need to be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional, have work in an eligible job and work for a UK employer that has been approved by the Home Office. This includes a certificate of sponsorship from your employer and the guarantee of a minimum salary.

Similarly, you will need to be able to speak, read, write and understand English. Your visa can last for up to five years before you will have to extend it.

• Graduate visa

In order to apply for a Graduate visa, you must already be in the UK. It gives you permission to stay here for at least two years after successfully completing a course in the country.

To apply, you will need to have a current Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa, studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or another eligible course, and your education provider will need to have informed the Home Office that you have completed your course.

• Global Talent visa

You can apply for a Global Talent visa to work in the UK if you are a leader or potential leader in academia or research, arts and culture or digital technology. You must also be at least 18 years old.

To apply, you will need to have successfully applied for an endorsement to prove that you are a leader or potential leader or have won an eligible award. Once accepted, you can work and live in the UK for up to five years.

• Global Business Mobility visa

This visa has five subcategories of visas designed for different types of workers and is aimed at those working in the UK for an overseas employer. They include the:

• Senior or Specialist Worker visa – allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job at your employer’s UK branch.

• Graduate Trainee visa – allows you to come to or stay in the UK to work for your employer in their UK branch. Your job must be part of a graduate training programme for a managerial or specialist role.

• Secondment Worker visa – you are eligible for this visa if your overseas employer is transferring you to the UK to do a job for a different organisation.

• Service Supplier visa – you can apply if you have a contract to provide services for a UK company, either as an employee for an overseas company or as a self-employed professional based overseas.

• UK Expansion Worker visa – allows you to come to the UK to set up a branch of an overseas business that has not started trading in the UK yet.

• Temporary Work visa

In total there are six Temporary Worker visas for which an overseas national can be sponsored to come to the UK. This includes the:

• Seasonal Worker visa – applies to those coming to the UK to work in poultry or horticulture for up to six months. For example, picking fruit and vegetables.

• Government Authorised Exchange visa – for people who want to come to the UK for a short time for work experience or training, an Overseas Government Language Programme or a fellowship through an approved government-authorised exchange scheme.

• Creative Worker visa – people wanting to work in the creative industries. For example, an actor or musician.

• Religious Worker visa – anyone who wants to do religious work in a non-pastoral role or religious order.

• Charity Worker visa – for someone who wants to do unpaid voluntary work for a charity.

• International Agreement visa – for those contracted to do work covered by international law or treaty while in the UK, such as work for an overseas government or recognised international organisation.

Work in the UK for foreigners: additional information

Before finding a job in the UK, there are some other key considerations that you need to factor in.

Job salaries

According to the latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics, the median weekly pay for full-time employees was £640 in April 2022, whereas the median weekly pay for part-time employees was £228.

In April 2022, the national minimum wage and national living wage rates were:

• £9.50 for employees aged 23 years and over

• £9.18 for employees aged 21 to 22 years

• £6.83 for employees aged 18 to 20 years

• £4.81 for employees aged 16 to 17 years

• £4.81 for apprentices aged 16 to 18 years and those aged 19 years or over, who are in the first year of their apprenticeship

Work culture

The UK is renowned for having a strong work ethic, which means those working in the UK should be prepared to work hard and in most instances have to work long hours.

The majority of UK companies and organisations still have a distinct hierarchy, with managers and other senior staff making most of the key decisions. There is often a strong team mentality in the UK, which means that team players will be particularly well suited to working here.

Meetings are usually a staple of UK businesses, and can often be conducted frequently and are time-consuming.

It is not all about hard work. British people are also renowned for their humour and irony, which always suits workers that like to have a laugh while working and value a good office environment. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot more companies now offer remote working as a job perk, offering anything from fully remote-based work to tailored hybrid hours.

Labour laws and taxation

You should always receive an employment contract for any job in the UK, and if you do not then you are entitled to ask for one. The contract will detail all the terms and conditions associated with your job, including details such as:

• Your weekly hours

• Annual leave entitlement: minimum of 28 days for full-time employees – including any UK public holidays

• Notice period. This will vary depending on the length of the period employed by the business.

When you start working in the UK, you will be assigned a unique tax reference number. This 10-digit number is used whenever you have any dealings with the UK Inland Revenue. You will also need to apply for a National Insurance Number before you start working in the UK. This is used for social security purposes and you will need it to claim things like a UK pension.

Qualifications

You can use UK ENIC to find out whether the qualifications you have received in your home nation will carry the same weight in the UK or not, with advice and support offered for the recognition of international professional qualifications.

An alternative method is to contact the professional body that was responsible for your qualifications and check whether your particular qualification will be recognised in the UK.

Language requirements

Being able to speak English is pretty much a necessity when getting a job in the UK. In fact, for a lot of visas, you will need to prove your proficiency in English in order to have your visa accepted. There are very few jobs in the UK where being able to speak at least basic English is not essential.

Not only is knowing English vital in terms of your job, but it will also help you when you are conducting research about how to get a job in the UK – in terms of understanding resources and government websites.

However, speaking another language other than English could massively increase your chances of finding a job in the UK. A lot of UK-born residents cannot speak another language, so having more than one language at your disposal could be a big advantage.

Useful resources

• Agency Central – portal for finding recruitment agencies in the UK.

• Home Office – national statistics about working in the UK.

• UK government job search portal – an online tool to help you find a job in the UK.

• UK government visa information – in-depth information about each visa type for those wanting to work in the UK.

• Working, jobs and pensions – the government department that deals with work and jobs.

If you’ve recently moved to the UK, you may be worried about how to best manage both your time and money. Thankfully, the WorldRemit blog has you covered. Check out our extensive list of informational resources to make the most of your time in the UK.

This communication is intended for marketing purposes only and does not constitute or provide legal, tax, investment or financial planning related advice.