Jobs in the UK: A Comprehensive Career Guide

13th Jun 2022

If you are looking to work in the UK, you’ll want to know what the UK jobs market is like. This article will provide lots of information on how to find work, where to look, information on full time and part time work and the recruitment process.

Introduction

In 2022, the UK’s jobs market is better than it has been for a long time. The demand for workers is far exceeding supply which has created an influx of vacancies across all sectors. Employers are responding to the shortage of workers and are becoming increasingly creative in their efforts to fill open vacancies. Some are offering part time staff more hours, others are offering incentives to new starters and there are a few businesses who are increasing pay rates to attract new candidates. There are also signs that the older workforce may re-enter the world of work as the cost of living continues to increase.

Main Section

The public sector in particular is facing some unique challenges. While pay has risen in finance and business by 9.8% on average, public sector pay increased by only 1.9% according to The Guardian newspaper. With inflation expected to enter into double digits in 2022, this is increasing the pressure on already squeezed public sector employees. In the coming months there may be a significant shift with many people giving up work in the public sector and moving to the private sector. There are certain industries in the UK where there is a shortage of employees including:

· Business services – Market research, Human Resources (HR) and analysts

· Construction – Project managers, planners and surveyors

· Education – Teachers in the primary and secondary stages

· Engineering – Civil engineers, product and process engineers and electrical, chemical and mechanical engineers

· Healthcare – Paediatricians, nurses and medical radiographers

· Hospitality – Chefs and Baristas

· IT - Analysts in cyber security, SEO marketers, software developers and systems engineers

· Social care – Social workers and counsellors

UK employment rate in 2022

Statista have reported that from December 2021 to February 2022 there was a marked reduction in the unemployment rate. Rates of employment was largely unchanged. The total hours worked also increased. In the UK, the employment rate is approximately 75.5%. The number of job vacancies according to the Financial Times reached a new high of 1.3 million in the first quarter of 2022. The state of the labour market further raises the challenges faced by the Bank of England as it tries to bring inflation under control as workers look for employment with higher wages to address the rises in the cost of living.

Difficulties of getting a job in the UK

Although the jobs market is filled with vacancies, there are several reasons why you may run into difficulties when it comes to finding employment.

The Job Search Process is Complex

Sometimes the job search process is more complex than simply tailoring your CV to the roles you apply for. Employers have their own systems and ways of recruiting , which can be difficult to understand and navigate. It’s not always easy to understand what recruiters or employers want.

You May Not Have the Right Skills or Experience

Even if you have the right qualifications, you may not have the specific skills or experience that employers are looking for. If you're applying for roles that are above your current level, it can be difficult to demonstrate that you have the potential to do the job. Sometimes job seekers fall into a vicious cycle of not being able to get a job without specific skills but not being able to gain the skills because you cannot gain employment to learn them.

There Might Not Be Many Suitable Roles

Even if you're qualified and have the right skills, there may not be many roles that are a good match for your experience and career goals. This can be particularly true in niche industries or if you're looking for senior-level positions.

The Jobs Market is Competitive

Even with the number of vacancies that are available, the jobs market is still incredibly competitive. Candidates may have the same or similar skill set, experience and qualifications which makes the talent pool so big that the recruiter has lots of choice. It can also make it difficult to stand out from other candidates, even if you are well qualified.

Misleading Job Adverts

Some job adverts can be misleading, promising roles that don't exist or are very different from what is actually on offer. This can waste your time and effort, and leave you feeling frustrated.

Companies are Selective

Companies can be selective in who they hire, and they may only be looking for the perfect candidate. This can make it difficult to get your foot in the door, even if you're a good fit for the role.

How to apply for a job in the UK as a foreign worker

In the UK, the job application process usually starts through the submission of a CV or an application form. A CV should not be any longer than two A4 pages and cover letters where requested no longer than a page in length. Networking is an important element of securing employment in the UK as many vacancies are filled through word of mouth referrals. If you can, start connecting with recruiters in the UK and let them know that you are seeking employment.

If you live outside of the European Union or European Economic Area, you will need to secure a work permit to work in the UK. Immigration will depend on a points based system and you must undertake research to ensure that you meet the requirements of immigration and visas before you start applying for a visa and work.

Requirements in terms of migration, visa, qualifications

The UK has been an attractive destination for migrants from all corners of the globe for many years. In recent years there have been a number of changes to securing employment in the UK due to leaving the European Union. The rules for applying for visas are much stricter than they once were. If you are a British citizen, you don’t need a visa to work in the UK. It is only when you have citizenship that you have the right to settle in the UK. For citizens of a Commonwealth country, there may be some exceptions to the visa rule. That said, even if you have an exemption, you can only stay and work in the UK for six months after which time you must apply for a visa permit. The UK government website has lots of information and guidance on how to apply for a Visa and walks you through the steps of how to apply. There are many types of working visa that can be obtained to work in the UK and the type you need will depend on the nature of the employment you seek.

In the UK, certain professions will require candidates to have a minimum level of education, skills and qualifications to apply. This will for example include careers in the medical profession, accounting and law to name a few. If you want to enter any of these professions in the UK, check what the qualification requirements are.

Definition of part time and full time jobs and where to find them

In the UK you may be employed on either a part time basis or full time. Full time work is usually a full working week of 35 hours or more. The typical work week is Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. However this can vary significantly depending on the employer. Some employers may ask you to work shifts which will extend beyond the traditional Monday to Friday working pattern. For part time work, there isn’t a specific number of hours that indicates you are working part time. Usually it’s below 35 hours a week.

Full time and part time jobs can be found in many places in the UK including:

Jobs Boards - There are many online and offline job boards where you can search for vacancies. Examples include Jobsite, CV Library and Reed.

Recruitment Agencies - Recruitment agencies can help you find a job that's a good match for your skills and experience. They can also provide advice on how to improve your CV and increase your chances of getting hired.

The NHS - The National Health Service is one of the largest employers in the UK, with over 1.3 million employees. You can search for vacancies on the NHS website.

Local Authorities - Local authorities are responsible for a wide range of services, from waste management to social care. Many offer full and part-time employment opportunities.

The Civil Service - The civil service is the UK government's administrative arm, and employs over 400,000 people. You can search for vacancies on the Civil Service website.

Teaching - There is a shortage of teachers in the UK, so there are often vacancies available. You can search for teaching jobs on the Department for Education website.

Retail - Retail is a popular sector for part-time and full-time work. Many major retailers such as Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda have online job portals where you can search for vacancies.

Hospitality - The hospitality industry covers a wide range of businesses, from hotels and restaurants to bars and clubs. You can search for hospitality jobs on websites like Caterer and the Institute of Hospitality.

Care work - There is a growing demand for care workers in the UK, as the population ages. You can search for care worker vacancies on websites like NHS Jobs and Social Care Jobs.

In demand, highly skilled jobs

As we have already seen, there are employment shortages across many industries in the UK, but the following six job areas are in particular demand:

Programmers and Software Developers - There is a shortage of programmers and software developers in the UK, so there are often vacancies available. You can search for these roles on websites like Jobsite and Reed.

Cyber Security Specialists - With the increasing threat of cybercrime, there is a need for skilled cyber security specialists. You can search for these roles on websites like Cyber Security Jobs and IT Security Jobs.

Health Services - The health service is one of the largest employers in the UK, with over 1.3 million employees. Vacancies in health services include nurses, doctors, dentists, radiographers and counsellors.

Architects - Architects are in demand due to the growing construction industry. You can search for architectural jobs on websites like the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Architecture Association.

Graphic Designers - Graphic designers are in demand due to the growing digital marketing industry. You can search for graphic design jobs on websites like Dribbble and Behance.

Physical Scientists - Physical scientists are in demand due to the growing renewable energy industry. You can search for these roles on websites like Energy Jobline and Renewable Energy Jobs.

How to get a sponsorship in UK

The Skilled Worker Visa is a sponsorship system whereby you need an offer of employment from a UK employer before you can apply. Employers participating in this initiative must obtain a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence. This allows them to issue what is known as a certificate of sponsorship which enables the applicant to obtain the required visa. There are many sponsor licenses available to organisations which apply to different types of jobs and industries.

To obtain a sponsorship in the UK, as you are browsing for vacancies, look at whether the organisation offers sponsorship applications. You can also look on the Government website which lists the registered and licensed sponsors.

When applying for a sponsorship, there are certain criteria that you must fulfil and information that you should provide to support your application.

Recruitment process and procedures

The recruitment process and procedure for UK employment will vary depending on the employer, but as a general rule it will follow this process:

1. Application - The first step is to submit an application, which can be done online, in person or by post.

2. CV Screening - The employer will then screen the CVs to shortlist candidates for interview.

3. Interview - The employer will invite the shortlisted candidates for interview.

4. Offer - The employer will make a job offer to the successful candidate.

5. Acceptance - The candidate will accept the job offer and start working.

Tips to successfully apply for a job in the UK

Applying for a job in the UK can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, you can apply for and secure employment in your chosen industry. These top tips can increase your chances of success:

Find a specialist recruiter - There are many specialist recruitment agencies in the UK that can help you find a job in your chosen industry.

Identify the correct visa - Make sure you have the correct visa before applying for jobs in the UK.

Network - Build up your network in the online space. Use platforms such as LinkedIn and start writing content to share your expertise.

Create a strong CV - Your CV is your first chance to make a good impression, so make sure it is well-written and free of errors. There are lots of organisations available to help you write your CV and will advise on CV writing best practices.

Research - Explore the companies and job titles that you want to apply for and become familiar with the requirements that employers are looking for.

National Insurance Number and UK Bank Account - You will need a National Insurance number and a UK bank account to work in the UK.

Practice Interview Techniques - In order to succeed in an interview, you need to practice your interview technique. This includes being able to articulate your experience and skills, as well as having good answers to common interview questions.

The UK is a great place to work, with many opportunities available across a range of industries. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success when applying for jobs in the UK.

Employment rights and benefits

All workers in the UK have certain employment rights and are entitled to certain benefits. These rights and benefits include:

The right to a minimum wage - All workers in the UK are entitled to a minimum wage, which is currently set at £7.50 per hour for those aged 25 and over, £7.05 per hour for those aged 21-24, £5.60 per hour for those aged 18-20 and £4.05 per hour for those aged 16-17.

The right to paid annual leave - All workers in the UK are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave per year.

The right to paid sick leave - All workers in the UK are entitled to paid sick leave if they are unable to work due to illness or injury.

The right to maternity, paternity and adoption leave - Parents in the UK are entitled to a range of leave entitlements, including maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

The right to family-friendly rights - Workers in the UK are entitled to a range of family-friendly rights, including flexible working and shared parental leave.

The right to fair dismissal - All workers in the UK have the right not to be unfairly dismissed from their job.

The right to a pension - All workers in the UK are entitled to a pension. Employees must be enrolled in a pension scheme by their employer and will make contributions towards their pension.

For further information and advice on the rights of UK employees, you can visit the ACAS website.

Conclusion

Working and living in the UK offers many great opportunities. The jobs market can be competitive, but if you undertake the right research, prepare a strong application and prepare well for interviews, there is no reason why you can’t secure and sustain a long term career in the UK. This guide has walked you through the process of gaining employment in the UK. You should feel confident about where to look, the importance of writing a quality application and your rights as an employee.

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