Where to look for work in the UK

Where to look for work in the UK - legal aid

The UK continues to be an attractive place to find work for candidates from around the world. However, for foreigners, the employment process in this country can be difficult. We will tell you more about who has the right to work in the UK without a special permit, what documents are required for employment and what are the features of the UK labor market.

Who can work in the UK without a work permit?

In Great Britain, only citizens of the country have the right to work without a work permit. After Brexit, EU citizens will also need to obtain a visa to work in the UK. The only exception is people who lived in the UK before the Brexit decision. These foreigners had to apply for "settled status" by 30 June 2021, which allows them to live and work in the UK as citizens of the country without the need for a work permit.

What documents are required for employment in Great Britain?

Representatives of other countries of the world who wish to work in Great Britain must obtain a visa. There are many types of work visas in the UK (around 27), so it is important to choose the right visa before applying.

The most common work visas in Great Britain include:

• A skilled worker visa allows a foreigner to be sponsored by a chosen company and move to work in the UK. To apply for this visa, the UK company must provide a confirmed job offer. Not all professions are suitable for this visa; it can be obtained by police officers, medical workers, scientists, engineers, IT specialists, psychologists, lawyers, journalists, etc. Features of the visa: it is issued for a period of up to 5 years, after which you can apply for permanent residence. Fluency in English must be confirmed. The visa is canceled when the employer changes.
• The medical worker visa is designed specifically for doctors, nurses, social workers and other medical professionals. As with the skilled worker visa, a confirmed job offer is required before applying. Visa features: issued for up to 5 years. The visa is canceled when the employer changes. It is possible to move with the family. After five years, you can apply for permanent residence.
• The Global Talent visa allows leaders and talented professionals in the arts, culture, technology or science to immigrate to the UK. In order to submit an application, it is necessary to obtain confirmation confirming the status of a leader in one's field. Features of the visa: allows to live and work for up to 5 years. You can extend your visa or submit documents for permanent residence.

Confirmation of English proficiency

To be employed in the UK, you must prove that you can speak, read, write and understand English at B1 level of the European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR). To do this, you need to pass English language proficiency exams, such as IELTS or TOEFL.

Citizens of certain countries, such as Australia, Jamaica and the USA, are exempt from these requirements.

Features of the UK labor market and popular vacancies

Despite the fact that Great Britain offers decent employment opportunities, the country still experiences a shortage of highly qualified specialists. This gives a chance to many foreigners to apply for the desired place. Although the competition remains quite high, with the necessary experience, qualifications, professional qualities and language skills, finding a job in the United Kingdom is quite possible.

The main sectors of the UK economy, where the largest number of jobs are concentrated, include retail and wholesale trade, health and social care, administrative and support activities, vocational and technical industries, education, manufacturing , food industry and construction. The economy of Great Britain is dominated by the service sector, where the largest number of companies, both national and international, are concentrated.

The biggest personnel shortage is felt among:

• Health professionals such as doctors and nurses;
• Social workers;
• Chemists, physicists, biologists;
• Civil engineers;
• IT professionals such as business analysts and system designers
• Architects;
• Veterinarians.

If you want to improve your chances of employment in the UK and have the right skills, consider these sectors.

Most foreigners in the UK work as programmers, business analysts, sales agents, content specialists, operations managers, delivery drivers, etc.

There are several effective ways to find a job in Great Britain:

• Internet platforms - thousands of new vacancies in various sectors appear every day on specialized sites. You can upload your resume and apply in just a few clicks. Popular portals: Adecco, Adzuna, Careerbuilder, CV Library, Everyjobsite, Gumtree, Indeed, Jobsite, Monster, Reed, Totaljobs and others. Specialist sites: Caterer (hospitality and catering), Charityjob (charity), Computer Weekly (IT), Design Week (design and graphics), Hays (management), Justengineers (engineering), Madjobs (marketing and advertising), NHSjobs (National Service health care), Prospects (jobs for university graduates).
• Company websites - check the websites of employers you are interested in. Vacancies are often published there, and you can also leave your contact details if there is no recruitment at the moment.
• Social networks - social networking platforms are useful for communicating with professionals and expanding your network of contacts. Create a profile and start looking for people you've met before or who can help you with your job search.
• Self-Employment and Freelance - You can also start your own business or register as self-employed if you have the appropriate visa. There are around 4.2 million registered self-employed workers in the UK by 2023, making it a popular way of earning for many.

If you decide to start your own business, you can register as an individual entrepreneur or create a limited liability company.

How can a foreigner apply for a job in Great Britain?

Here are the basic steps to apply for a job in the UK:

• Job search: Use various job search methods, such as online platforms and recruitment agencies.
• Check Experience and Qualifications: Make sure your experience and qualifications match the job requirements.
• Collection of documents: Prepare necessary documents, such as references from previous jobs.
• Prepare a resume and cover letter: Create a resume and cover letter for each job opening, personalizing them for a specific company.
• Interview preparation: Prepare for interviews, which are often conducted online, think about possible questions and prepare your own questions for the employer.

The role of a solicitor when looking for work in the UK

The role of a solicitor when looking for work in the UK is essential in providing legal analysis and support in all aspects of the process. The lawyer helps to conduct a legal analysis of the situation, including a legal audit of resumes, documents and contracts, as well as performs a legal analysis of possible problems that may arise during employment. A legal audit of the situation allows you to check compliance with the requirements of local legislation, which is critically important for ensuring successful employment and avoiding legal risks.