Jobs in the UK

Working in the UK

Jobs and education are the two pursuits most likely to bring people to the UK. Professionals will naturally have to navigate the waters of employment, yet many students also look for part-time jobs during their time in the country. In general, working environments are similar to most developed countries, however, differences exist and it is important to consider the terrain before arriving.

Attaining a Visa

Before getting a job, any new arrivals must get visas which allow them to work. Non EU arrivals will have to apply for a relevant visa. There are several different types of visas including: High-value migrants, skilled workers and temporary workers. The UK Border Agency provides detailed information, including information on how companies can sponsor individuals.

Finding a Job

Finding a job in the UK can be quite difficult. The recent recession made a major mark upon the country’s finances and several major banks had to be bailed out by the government. This had a significant knock on effect, and many industries have seen their fortunes fall in the past. This had an impact upon the labour market and it can be incredibly competitive to get a job.

The majority of recruitment occurs through the internet: free classified sites are very popular, as are dedicated job sites which allow users to set up profiles. For service industry jobs it is possible to go door to door to find postings, though this tactic is less successful than in past years. Recruitment agencies also exist, and it is worth contacting them when looking for work.

Like many developed countries, networking is very important. Businesses are keen to hire known commodities, and thus any people arriving should be sure to take careful stock of any connections they have in the UK.

Wages

The minimum wage in the UK is £5.93 per hour (£6.08 as of October 1st 2011). Generally wages for white collar professions start at around £16,000 a year and go upwards to 6 digits. Executives are very highly paid, though not as well as in the United States.

Wages in London are generally higher than in other parts of the country, this owes to the increased cost of living as the City is one of the most expensive places to live in the world.

Benefits

Full time jobs come with an array of benefits. Some firms offer private health care (though the country has free health care), pension plans also exist for most companies as well as significant holiday packages. People working in the UK can expect to receive a minimum of 28 days of paid leave, or annual leave as it is termed.

The default retirement age is set at 65, though this is set to increase in the coming years.

Major Centres

The largest commercial centre in the UK is London. The vast majority of jobs in banking, finance, advertising, technology and PR can be found here. Beyond the City, as it is termed, regional centres such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Bristol are also good for white collar work: Edinburgh and Bristol both have burgeoning high-tech industries.

Service oriented jobs can be found in all corners of the country: jobs in cafes, pubs, shops and restaurants are easy to attain and decently compensated.

Working Culture

The working culture in the UK varies according to geography. In London, people work long hours and employees are expected to spend the majority of their time at work. Beyond the City the atmosphere is slightly less corporate and people seek to balance life and work.

Workplaces are generally quite informal, and many businesses are moving towards casual dress codes. This differs from industry to industry and those involved in banking and finance can still expect to wear formal clothing at all times.

Job Market Prospects

Under the current government, the UK is in for a period of sustained austerity and there have been fears that the economy will slip back into a recession. It is likely that the job market will continue to be weak for the coming years.

Dual Careers (published in The 2017 Expatriate's Guide to Living in the UK)

Dual career couples are couples who both have a career and want to continue to work and progress in their respective fields. Dual career is often an issue for couples raising children, but it becomes a bit more complex when one spouse takes on an assignment abroad. An international move may affect a person’s career continuity; and one of the biggest challenges in a new country is to acquire an understanding of the local job market and all the opportunities that are available to ultimately find a job that one is passionate about and that fits with a new lifestyle. This transitional time will probably be filled with wonder, impatience, frustration and excitement and these emotions will appear in various degrees. Whilst job searching is usually not an easy experience at home, it can be made more difficult when in another country where the methods or approach to job searching may be different.

Before beginning a job search, there are many issues which are important to consider:

• Permission to work in the UK
• Transfer of qualifications
• Possibility of career progression
• Career portability

Eligibility to Work in the UK

When applying for any kind of job, you will be asked if you are eligible to work in the UK and the answer will be crucial to employers as they decide whether or not to proceed to the next stage with your application. All Swiss nationals and Citizens of the member countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) currently have free access to enter the UK, work, study and claim state benefits, although this may change in the face of Brexit. Other nationalities may need a visa to work in the UK. Dependent spouses, whose partners have permission to enter the UK through their work permit, are permitted to work by virtue of their visa. Partner VISAs are also available for the partner of visa holders complying with specified criteria. You will find detailed information on the Home Office website www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

Transfer of qualifications

Depending on the type of qualifications you have, and where they were obtained, you may or may not be able to practice here in the UK. Some areas which may prove more difficult are law, medicine and taxes. For information on how your qualifications may transfer, the UK NARIC (www.nairic.org.uk) is the National Agency responsible for providing information, advice and expert opinion on vocational, academic and professional skills and qualifications from over 180 countries worldwide.

Possibility of career progression

Career progression is often an aspect that is left behind as people are more focussed on getting any job rather than getting the job that would help further their career.

Ongoing learning and career development opportunities are fundamental for career progression and the new skills acquired while abroad should be capitalised upon once repatriated or moved to a new posting.

Career Portability

A portable career gives you the freedom to choose where to live and work without losing your professional identity. Moreover, it gives you the opportunity to have continuity in your career even though you move from place to place.

If you are planning a career change then the international move can be the perfect time and excuse to do so. When considering choosing a portable career it is important to think about: offering products or services with a high global demand; utilising a wide skill set; having universally accepted credentials or degrees; and speaking multiple languages.

It isn’t always easy to get the perfect job, especially when living abroad. Any experience gained outside the home country is incredibly valuable and will make you stand out from the crowd.

Career development has been one of the core services of FOCUS since being founded in 1982.
For more information please visit www.focus-info.org