Moving to the UK for a Job – 5 Essential Steps to Get Started

Deciding that moving to the UK is the next step in your career development is commendable. It takes courage, planning, and persistence to move to another country and start your new life there. The UK is a country in a state of flux due to numerous external (COVID-19) and internal (Brexit) factors.

According to Statista, the UK has a population of over 67 million as of November of 2021, with the unemployment rate hovering above 4%. With a yearly population growth of over 0,5%, the UK has become a popular destination for professionals from dozens of niches and specializations. Judging by the Office for National Statistics, by January of 2022, over 75% of UK residents were fully-employed, with the economic inactivity rate estimated at just over 21%. The remainder of the UK population worked either part-time, as freelancers, or were unemployed due to personal or pandemic-related reasons.

Many experienced and recently-graduated individuals are considering moving to the UK as of late as the country reels from the COVID-19 crisis. However, moving to the UK is a process, one which will test just how dedicated you are to moving abroad. Let’s discuss the ins and outs of immigrating to the UK and how you can get started on your new professional journey with Jobs OneGlobe. By the end of this article, you’ll have a good idea of what you can expect from moving to the UK for a new career opportunity.

1. Weigh your Professional Options in the UK

If you’ve set your sights on the UK as your destination of choice, you should familiarize yourself with the job vacancy situation per industry. Different industries naturally have more vacancies than others and as such, you should adjust your employment plans accordingly. According to BBC findings, here are the job vacancies in the UK, August to October of 2021:

• Healthcare – 183,000
• Hospitality – 151,000
• Science – 111,000
• Retail – 91,000
• Manufacturing – 90,000
  
  

These are the top five industries with the most job vacancies open as of October of 2021. Keep in mind that in order for you to qualify for certain professions (healthcare, science, etc.) you’ll need to have an appropriate academic education. For industries like hospitality, retail, and manufacturing, however, certification, referrals, and other proof of skill will suffice. Make sure that you have a clear idea of which industries you’re likely to find work in before moving to the UK to avoid unpleasant surprises on the ground.

2. Check your Visa Requirements Carefully

Moving to the UK will constitute applying for a visa before you can safely live and work there. Different countries have different agreements with the UK and you’ll need to check your visa requirements carefully. There are no clear rules as to how long it will take for your visa to be issued, or whether you’ll run into paperwork complications on the way.

The best way to move forward is to get in touch with an employer who is interested in hiring you and working with them. If an employer is satisfied with your CV, interview, and skillset, they’ll help you get a working visa from their end. Otherwise, it’s best to visit your local UK embassy and inquire about the process well ahead of time. Some employers may not be open to waiting 3-6 months for you to get a visa, so think about this in advance.

3. Look for Great UK Jobs with Jobs OneGlobe

Moving to the UK successfully will require you to find a great job opportunity. You’ll want to be sure of your employment prospects before you plan to move abroad in any case, UK or not. This is why creating a Jobs OneGlobe can be a great first step toward your new career journey. Jobs OneGlobe is designed to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity. This means that we’re here to help you find great work, apply for it easily, and nail your job interview.

You’ll be able to use our professional CV builder to create custom CVs catered to different employers. You’ll also be able to set up personalized alerts about new job listings to keep tabs on the professions you’re most interested in. Most importantly, you’ll gain access to the latest and most lucrative job listings in the UK right now. This is your best option for good employment if you’re thinking of moving to the UK and want to do so as a hired professional.

4. Prepare for Job Interviews Thoroughly

Finding great job vacancies is only half of the work you’ll need to do before moving to the UK. Your job interview will make or break your application, so you need to treat it seriously. To start off, do some background research on your potential employer, their company, and ex-employees online. Find out about who they’re working with, what their reputation is like, and which products and services they’re known for.

There are also several interview questions which are standard in recruitment and you should prepare to answer them properly. Think of how you’d answer questions like “Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?” or “Why did you apply for this particular job listing?”. Employers often want to hear how you speak, think, and make decisions during a verbal interview more than they’re interested in the answers themselves. It’s also the perfect opportunity for employers to test your English language skills before accepting you as an employee ready for moving to the UK.

5. Work on Improving your English Language Skills

Properly using the English language is a must to live and work in the UK given that it is its official language. Data by Statista shows us that 22,1% of London residents speak languages other than English as their native, with 2,9% of the English and Welsh population speaking other European languages as their native. To be fully employed in the UK however, you’ll need to prove that you can use the English language to at least level B1 on the CEFR scale. While certain vocations like healthcare and housekeeping don’t carry the same requirement, most employers will want some proof of English language proficiency.

You can start working on your English skills with OneGlobe Language Learning before applying for official certification at a local language school. OneGlobe Language Learning will enable you to learn English on a daily and through practical, conversational exercises. You’ll also gain access to unique AR learning tools, as well as a language learning app dedicated to kids. These can all be useful as you work on moving to the UK, especially if you plan to do it with your whole family. Before you apply for jobs in the UK, work on your English skills as much as possible to increase your odds of attracting the attention of employers.

LEARN ENGLISH TODAY with OneGlobe Language Learning

Moving to the UK for New Professional Opportunities

There are plenty of great reasons as to why moving to the UK is a good choice if you’re looking for jobs abroad. No matter where you head to, there will be some serious prep-work for you to do before moving abroad. Regardless, your future self will thank you for being open-minded about international job opportunities and trying your hand at moving to the UK.

Use Jobs OneGlobe to look for job vacancies fit for your career plan and CV. Don’t stop looking for opportunities in the UK until you’ve landed on the one that vibes with you the most. With Jobs OneGlobe, you’ll also be visible to prospective employers looking for talent on their end, making it easier for them to reach out to you personally. Here, you’ll never be left wanting more job opportunities, so start looking as early as today!