Relocating to a new country for work is often an exciting adventure, but also contains plenty of challenges. Difficulties of building new social networks, understanding foreign workplace customs, securing financial stability, finding housing in unfamiliar areas, as well as other obstacles can all be imposed on individuals moving abroad for career opportunities. However, one of the most important hurdles to minimize stress surrounding an international move is preemptively securing employment in your destination location. This critical first step will dramatically empower your transition in countless ways and set you up for what will hopefully be transformative success.
This article will explore expert tips, tricks and best practices for proactively securing a job in the United Kingdom while you are still based overseas in preparation for your planned move. We will provide actionable recommendations on how to thoroughly research the UK employment landscape, tailor your application assets, utilize advanced networking techniques, leverage recruitment specialists, ace remote video interviews, identify promising companies and roles to target, get creative with temporary placements, elevate your personal brand and value proposition, manage legal paperwork necessary to work abroad, as well as set realistic expectations on likely timelines and trade-offs required. Follow this comprehensive career-focused advice guide to smoothly navigate the challenges of obtaining employment in a foreign job market prior to arriving so you can feel confident pursuing this life-changing relocation. The insights within this playbook will help pave the way for you to manifest your goals of secure employment enabling a successful transition to a new life and career in the UK.
1. Research the UK Job Market
The first step is understanding the employment landscape of the industry and location you want to work in. Review market reports, statistics, trends, salaries, and Brexit impacts on hiring. This will help you tailor your search, skills, and expectations realistically. Focus on in-demand fields like tech, finance, healthcare, sales, marketing, construction and manual trades.
2. Update Your CV for the UK Job Market
While the fundamentals of a strong CV remain the same, there are some key formatting differences in the UK to adapt to. For example, include both a cover letter and CV, stick to 2 pages max, list months as well as years for positions, use reverse chronological order, and avoid photos, marital status and other personal details illegal to require in the UK. Tailor your CV profile, skills and experience to match jobs you’re applying for.
3. Create a Good Cover Letter
Cover letters are expected in the UK. They serve as your sales pitch and introduction to show enthusiasm, fit for the role, passion for the company’s work, and background that meets the job requirements. Highlight transferable skills from past experiences, quantify achievements, explain your relocation timeline and legally work status. Keep it to one page.
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4. Search Job Listings Online
Great online resources to find open positions in the UK include Indeed, TotalJobs, CV-Library, Reed, Monster, Jobsite and LinkedIn jobs. Set location parameters, turn on job alerts, and check back frequently as new roles open up daily. Don’t limit yourself to just applying either – you can contact listed recruiters for tips and insights too.
5. Use Recruitment Agencies
Job agencies can advocate for you and match you with available openings suiting your background. Search industry, job type or location specific recruiters approved by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation. Ask if they have existing overseas applicant partnerships to assist those relocating for work. Check reviews and fees before signing contracts.
6. Network on LinkedIn
Expand your professional contacts and companies to follow in the UK on LinkedIn. Join relevant industry or alumni groups and follow key organizations you’re interested in. Share that you are exploring UK-based positions in your headline and summary. Like and comment on others’ content to establish connections that could facilitate referrals or insider opportunities in the future.
7. Prepare for Remote Video Interviews
Expect to interview via digital platforms like Zoom, Skype or Teams rather than flying to the UK pre-move. Set up your device in a quiet spot with a professional background and ensure the video feed and internet connection are high quality. Rehearse commonly asked behavioural and situational questions with a mock interview so you can present confident body language and clear answers.
8. Research Companies You Want to Work For
Target employers you admire with great culture, vision, products, leadership and ethics. Follow their social networks for news of expansion plans signalling potential openings. Study their websites in depth focusing on mission statements, current initiatives tied to company goals and challenges they aim to solve in their industry – these all provide insights on how to pitch your value.
9. Consider Temporary Positions
If you’re struggling to lock in a permanent job pre-relocation, explore UK temp agencies placing candidates in interim contract roles with employers needing flexible staffing support. These fixed-term placements let you gain local experience, grow professional connections and get a foot in the door with notable organizations – all making it easier to transition to a regular full-time position.
10. Apply for Positions Even If Not Fully Qualified
The UK job market is highly competitive, so be bold in submitting applications to roles that aren’t 100% matched in hopes of still clinching an interview. Employers post wish lists, not concrete demands. Highlight adjacent and transferrable competencies you do have from the requirements that are most essential to excel in that job function. Sell yourself on upside potential to grow into the position.
11. Be Prepared to Explain Why You Want to Relocate
Hiring managers will ask why you want to move to the UK and how committed you are to staying long-term if they sponsor your work visa. Be ready to share your purpose-driven reasoning tied to professional development goals, desire for diverse global experience expanding your perspective, interest in the company specifically propelling your career growth,drawn to UK culture or lifestyle perks that align with your values outside work too.
12. Manage Your Expectations
While possible to achieve, it can take dozens or hundreds of applications to secure an offer, so patience and diligent persistence is key in your search before moving. Have contingency savings to support your initial months in the UK. Be flexible – you may need to compromise on job function, level, industry or location at first to get established with foundational experience that empowers future career progression in your field of choice.
Following these proactive steps will empower your preparation, expand possibilities and support ultimately landing impactful employment in the UK smoothly. Time and effort invested early on while still based overseas will pay dividends towards setting up your international move for both short-term and long-lasting success.
