Tips for expats – finding a job in London

Whether you’ve just arrived in London or you’re planning on relocating, the primary thing on your mind is getting a job; so we’ve created a list of things to help you in your job search along with some advice from the experts.

Attracting expats has allowed industries in London to prosper, with small and medium-sized companies often drawing much of their workforce from outside the UK. The influx of people of all over the world means London is a vibrant, multicultural and exciting place to work. Now it’s just a matter of finding the perfect job for you.

Competition for jobs in London is high with hundreds of applicants often applying for a single position so it’s important to make sure you’re using all the resources you have at your disposal. Employer conventions can seem rigid, requiring specific formats for CVs, covering letters and applications. However, once hired, positions are normally well paid and stable.

Advice from a UK recruitment expert

It's a good idea to highlight any international exposure you have had along with any additional languages. Make sure you’re clear as to how fluent you are in additional languages and remember that it’s important to demonstrate a willingness to learn. Clients will usually be swayed by exposure to UK systems so point out if you’ve spent time learning SAGE or Excel etc. in the UK.  We also encourage expats to take advice from their recruitment consultant regarding UK business dress.  What you might wear to an interview in your home country might be different to what’s expected in the UK.

Visas 

To work in the UK you must be eligible and most foreigners will require a work visa. To get a visa, you may have to be assessed under the points based system. The categories are broken down into six main groups, including high-value migrants, skilled workers and temporary workers.

For information on visa types and working policy, please visit the website of the UK Home Office where guidance will be given on types of visa, entry requirements and any other info you may need.

Networking 

Most companies would rather employ someone recommended by a colleague than an unqualified CV applicant.  Particularly, if the companies and roles listed on CVs are not well known in the UK. Contact friends and family in the UK for recommendations and advice but also seek out industry events in the city. Use social media to network for example Facebook groups like Aussies in London can be great networking tools.  Join LinkedIn groups that are specific to your industry and engage with people working in London.

If you’re not sure how to go about networking in the UK then it is best to get some advice from a professional.

Recruiters 

For every job advertised, there may be hundreds of candidates who are all fighting for that same job. Your CV might be great, but it’s not easy to tell the difference between a great one and a good one when it’s sitting in the middle of a giant pile of others just like it. Job boards tend to give you a good idea as to what jobs are out there but purely relying on them often yields few results.

You need something that will make you stand out. Something that will put you in front of the hiring manager that says, ‘Here I am!’ That’s where recruiters come in.

To get your job search started, browse for jobs or contact your local Page Personnel office now.