How to Find a Job in London
London is one of the best places to land a job in today's economic landscape. Read on to learn how to find a job in London.
Did you know that London's employment rate stands at 74.7 percent as of 2021? When it comes to finding a job in London, you have to be tactful and savvy to succeed. That's because London attracts thousands of people worldwide looking for employment opportunities.
As foreigners flock to London, the city's job market is highly competitive. You'll have to compete with well-prepared and highly-qualified people to find work. No matter the competition you face, we're here to guide you on how to find a job in London.
London is a large, vibrant city inhabited by diverse communities from different parts of the world. The city boasts large numbers of networking opportunities and business communities. It is also a financial district with different industries that suit your employment needs.
Finding a job in this big city isn't as impossible as many people think. You have to know where to look and prepare yourself for the job market. In this guide, we'll discuss important factors to consider in your job hunt:
Choose The Industry You’d Like To Work In
London's job market spans various industries that cater to different employment needs. It's important to check whether your industry of choice is prevalent in the city. This factor will help you determine your chances of finding jobs in London that match your skillset and ambitions.
The financial sector is the most prominent industry in the city. It employs more workers than any other sector in trading, underwriting, and banking.
Other notable industries include manufacturing, property, legal, tourism, and retail. Pharmaceutical, advertising, private healthcare, electronics, and apparel industries are also booming.
You’ll find visual art, film, music, and design opportunities if you are a creative person. London is also a great place to work at a startup or small business.
Pick Out at Least Three Companies You’d Like to Work for
Build a strategic plan to help you get noticed by companies you’d like to work for. Familiarize yourself with their core values and align your ambitions to them. You should also reach out to some of the key figures in the companies and inform them about your interest.
Research at least three companies that pick your interest before sending your resume to them. Learn about their hiring process and check whether they have vacancies that you can fill. Remember to interact with the employers on social networking sites.
If any hiring managers or supervisors reach out to you, introduce yourself to them. Ask them about their workplace policies and prove why you are an excellent fit for their company.
Some companies prefer to hire local candidates only, while others accommodate anyone. Check whether your dream company offers relocation bonuses if you plan to move to London. The relocation bonus will help cut your moving costs.
Create an Outstanding CV and Maintain an Online Presence
An outstanding CV will help you stand out in the London job market. Your resume should grab the employers' or recruiters' attention to increase your chances of getting hired. Use it to sell your strongest accomplishments and skills for a project or position.
Your CV should follow the UK's standard CV format for it to get to your potential employers. Foreign workers in London should hire a London-based CV provider to tailor their CV to the required standards.
Create a concise, readable CV that lists your experience and skills. You may also use a unique format, bright colours or graphics depending on the industry you want to work in. Attach a cover letter to the CV to give your job application a great boost.
Make as Many Connections as You Can
Since many employers rely on word of mouth to let people know about vacancies, networking can improve your employment chances. Make connections through professional networking platforms like LinkedIn. These platforms allow you to interact with individuals in the same industry.
Join a meet and greet community of people with interests or skills like yours. Through these communities, you'll meet people who are aware of London job vacancies related to your skills. A group member may even recommend you to a company once you get acquainted with them.
Make friends or acquaintances in every professional event you attend. Remember to take their contact information and inform them about your dream job. If they are willing to help, they may connect you to a reliable recruiter or employer.
Enlist the Help of Recruiting Agencies
Recruiting agencies match employers with the best talent at a fee. Since London has a large job market, several recruiters operate in the city. A recruiter will give you expert advice on the job market and help you network on a large scale.
When hiring a recruiting agency, focus on building a relationship with them. You can demonstrate your skills and experiences with them later. Prove to them that you are a driven person and the best fit for the job position.
Recruiters expect you to be transparent and sincere about your past skills and experiences. They also need you to give reasons you are different from other candidates. Above all, observe humility and be authentic.
Check Career Websites and Job Boards
Job boards are a great place to find job vacancies advertised for the public. Use job search engines to discover job boards with vacancies in your industry and location.
Job boards and career websites require you to submit your most updated CV for consideration. They also allow you to add job-specific keywords, qualifications, and skills that align with an advertised position. These edits can make you a more favourable candidate to potential employers.
Set up alerts for particular job positions on the job boards to be updated about new vacancies. When setting up these alerts, use both niche and general job boards to get a wide range of options in your inbox.
Attend Job Fairs
Use search engines to find job fairs targeted toward your industry of choice. Check the organizations or companies attending the fairs to determine whether your potential employer will be there.
Carry your CV and business cards to the job fair and use them to sell yourself as a potential candidate. You should also be accommodating to any interviews with recruiters to increase your chances of getting hired. Depending on the event, some companies may interview candidates who meet their requirements on site.
Use Cold Calling
Cold calling may help you get noticed by a recruiter or employer if your dream employer doesn't make any job listings. Make cold calls to people in the company you'd like through email or phone. You can get their contact details on their official website or local business directories.
Expect varied responses when making the cold calls and be polite when addressing each one of them. If you're lucky to get a response, introduce yourself and state your reasons for making the cold call.
Some employers and recruiters have zero tolerance for cold calls since they deem them unprofessional. They may blacklist you from working with them in the future if you use this approach to get their attention.
Be Accommodating to Job interviews
Job interviews can increase your chances of getting noticed by an employer or recruiter when looking for a job in London. The interviewer will expect you to show up on time, be presentable, and be prepared for the interview. They will also want you to demonstrate your knowledge of the potential employer, your industry, and the job position.
Be willing to go for interviews as soon as you get shortlisted for a particular job position. Thank the recruiter or employer for inviting you to an interview via email or phone once you get the request.
You should also prepare to travel miles away from your current location to attend the interview. The interview outcomes will help you decide whether or not to move to London.
If you have to travel a long distance to attend the interview, check whether networking events are being held during the interview period. After completing the interview, you can attend them to broaden your chances of getting a job in the city.
Be Open to Temporary Employment or Internships
Depending on your performance, a short-term contract or temporary job in London can lead to a permanent one. During your brief tenure at a company, you get to meet people who'll help you secure better employment opportunities in the future.
You can find a temporary position or contract work through a recruitment agency. If you're graduating from a higher learning institution, you may sign up for an internship to build your work experience. Volunteering can also help you interact with key figures in your industry.
Need Help on How to Find a Job in London
Job hunting in London's competitive job market can be challenging if you don't know where to start. Employers in the city have different expectations and requirements for their potential employees. With these tips on how to find a job in London, you can now pursue your career in the city with confidence.
Allow Just London Jobs to help you find your dream job in London, whether part-time or full-time. Our jobs service connects talented job seekers to employers. Let's help you work for your dream company today.