Helpful Hints For Job Hunting In London
There are a lot of job opportunities in London if you know where to look. Here are some helpful hints for job hunting in London.
Whether you've already moved to London and are looking for employment, or if you want to learn how to get a job before you move, it's certainly no secret that the market is incredibly competitive in the city.
An average of 32 top-tier candidates apply for a single position in London, which is at least three times the number of applicants for jobs in other cities in the United Kingdon.
Especially if you're a foreigner, you need to familiarise yourself with the process of job hunting in London. Even those UK citizens born outside the city will need to adjust their CVs, pay close attention to job requirements, and ensure that London truly is the right place for their particular area of expertise.
In this post, we'll tell you everything you need to know about how to move to London without a job, or how to find a position that better suits your skillset.
1. Ensure You Have a NIN
If you're looking for London jobs for expats, the first thing that you'll need to do is ensure all your documentation is in order.
You'll need to apply for your National Insurance Number, or NIN for short, if you want to work in London. You should also research to see whether or not you'll need a work permit or visa in the UK. (Should you be hired, the company will likely sponsor your visa).
Finally, we suggest that you get in touch with the UK National Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC) to get any vocational training and certifications you've earned recognised within the UK.
2. Analyse Your Skills and Credentials
Next, it's time to evaluate your skill set and think about the jobs you want versus the jobs you're genuinely qualified for.
While of course, your educational and professional backgrounds are important, don't neglect your soft skills, as well. Highlight work you've done that required excellent communication skills, collaborating with other departments, or coming up with creative solutions to problems.
Remember that you may need to start at a lower-level position than you'd like in order to get your foot in the door at your dream company.
3. Improve Your CV
Keep in mind that a London CV may be a bit different from resumes on the American job market.
You'll need to list your contact information, an executive summary of your past experience and skills, any additional languages you speak and include your website address.
You will likely also need to provide the contact information of any references you include along with your application, along with a brief list of hobbies and interests, if required.
4. Register Your CV on a London Job Board
Once your CV is ready to go, it's time to post it on a London job board and browse through available positions.
Job boards allow you to search for both temporary and permanent positions in a variety of fields including accounting, education, construction, IT, and engineering. You can even sort through opportunities according to your desired salary range.
By registering your CV, you'll allow recruiters to contact you directly should they find you a competitive candidate for a specific position.
5. Sign Up to Receive Job Alerts
Once you've registered your CV with a job board, don't just wait for the right opportunity to present itself to you.
Sign up with a job board to receive London job alerts when a position at your dream company becomes available. This way, you know you'll be among the first candidates to apply for the job you're interested in.
6. Make Industry Connections
In the capital especially, sometimes landing a job is all about who you know - so get networking in London!
However, if you were born outside of the city, your current personal network may not be as big as you'd like. Now is the time to start looking for industry meet-ups, send out an introductory email to leaders in your field, and to keep an eye out for industry conferences and other events.
Remember that, in expanding your professional network, you'll be much more likely to learn about upcoming job opportunities at the top companies before they're publicly listed.
7. Prepare for Your Interview
One of the most important aspects of job hunting in London is to adequately prepare for your interview.
Ensure that you understand the exact qualifications that the position requires -- and demonstrate that you've mastered those qualifications in your interview. You should also research the history of the particular company you're interviewing with. Come with questions about their typical client base, the company's pain points and plans for growth, as well as what the office culture is like.
Take a look at some interview questions and be certain you have answers prepared.
8. Follow Up
Make sure that you follow up with your interviewer within 24 hours of your initial meeting.
This email shouldn't contain any questions about when you'll hear back or whether or not you got the position.
Instead, thank the interviewer for their time, make a brief reference to a point of discussion you covered, and let them know that you're always available for future questions -- or positions -- they may have.
Are You Ready to Start Job Hunting in London?
As we hope you've learned from this post, the process of job hunting in London is fairly similar to the application process in other parts of the world.
You'll need to ensure that you're applying for positions that are a true fit for your skillset and past work experience, sign up for job alerts and register your CV on a UK job board, and tweak your CV for every position you apply for.
If you plan on moving to London, we suggest starting your job search as soon as possible. If you're considering switching careers but staying in the city, now is the time to enrol in certification courses and expand your professional network to make yourself a more competitive applicant.
Ready to find the perfect job in London?
We're here to help make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.
Begin by browsing through our London job board today.