If you have just arrived in London or you are thinking of relocating, the first thing you need to do is look for a job. As this is your primary objective, you need to consider some tips and steps that will help you get into the job market.
London has prospered in all industries because of its appeal to expats. Small and medium-sized businesses will draw more of their workforce from outside the UK. The different people living and working in London have created a multicultural, exciting and vibrant place to live and work. The only issue you need to worry about is finding a job that gets you there, although you should also check out the London price map for areas to live in!
Competition for jobs is high in London and there are hundreds of applicants for each position listed in the city. This is why you have to take advantage of all the resources you have. The conventions employers use may seem rigid with specific CV formats required, applications and cover letters. However, when you have been hired, you will find the positions are stable and well paid.
Advice From Recruitment Experts
When you apply for a job, you should highlight the international exposure you have and the languages you can speak. You need to state how fluent you are in the languages and demonstrate that you are willing to learn. Employers are more likely to consider applicants who have some exposure to UK systems which means you need to point out that you know systems such as Sage or Excel.
It is also recommended that you get some advice from a recruitment consultant regarding business dress in the country. What you wear for an interview in your home country may not be considered acceptable in the UK. How you dress can affect whether or not you get the job.
Know Your Visas
If you want to live and work in the UK, many foreigners need to have a work visa. To get the visa, you will be assessed based on certain criteria. The categories for these visas are broken down into 6 ground including skilled workers, high-value workers, and temporary workers.
For more information about the visa you need and what is required, you should check the UK home office website. They will provide guidance on the different visa types and the entry requirements. You can also find information about the application process.
Networking
A lot of companies in London will choose someone who has been recommended by an employee instead of an applicant. This is particularly true when applying for roles that are not very well known in the UK. To make the most of this, you should contact any friends and family you have in the UK for recommendations and advice. You should also look for industry events in the city.
Social media is a great option when it comes to networking and there are a lot of Facebook groups for expats in London. You should also look at joining a LinkedIn group that is related to your industry. Once you have, you should interact with people who are working in London. If you are not sure about how to network, you should get some advice from a professional.
Working With Recruiters
When a job is advertised, there are hundreds of applications who ate fighting for the job. While your CV may be great, it can be hard to stand out from the rest of the applicants. Job boards will give you a good idea about the jobs out there, but you should not rely on them alone.
If you are looking to stand out of the crowd, you should work with a recruiter. They will provide you with something that makes the hiring manager notice you.