How to get a job in London even if you are not British

Knowing how to get a job is not always easy, especially if you have limited experience in the job market, you are not fluent in the language and if you are new in the country. But there is no reason to freak out! You don’t need to be fluent to get a job in London.

London has plenty of jobs in many fields and even if you feel that your English isn’t amazing, there are loads of people in the same situation as you and there are many jobs in restaurants, cafes and shops. If your idea is to look for a position in the area you used to work in your native country, these are essential to kick start your career abroad.

Your CV is your personality for the recruiter

Recruiters spend on average 3 minutes and 14 seconds examining a candidate’s CV, so keep it brief and be precise.

Finish off with information about your education and list some relevant skills – the computer programs you have knowledge of and other languages you can speak. Read through the document thoroughly at least 3 times to ensure no grammar and spelling mistakes. The recruiters don’t know you; therefore a simple misspelling could sound lame, demonstrate lack of attention and be decisive when choosing a candidate for an interview. Make sure your CV is consistent with online profiles such as LinkedIn.

The importance of the Cover letter

Another important thing to be considered is the Cover Letter. You can find loads of templates online, but just keep it simple. If you know the name of the person responsible for the position, make sure you address it to the person, and if it’s a standard recruitment email then it’s fine to be a bit vaguer with “Sir/Madam/To whom It may concern”.

Name some of your career successes, boast a little bit, portray yourself in a positive light! Let them know if you won an award at university or if you launched something new that benefited your previous workplace. Then, attach your CV, thank them for their time and tell them you look forward to hearing from them.

That’s it! Be honest in your job applications, but don’t under or over sell yourself.

Applying for jobs in London

 One of the easiest ways to apply for jobs nowadays is online. Some of the biggest and best websites include Total Jobs, Indeed and Monster. Not only can you search the jobs on offer in London, but you can also upload your CV and create a profile. Doing this means that companies can also seek you out and contact you directly.

To help in your hunt for a job, another option is to download job search apps to be connected and up-to-date with the latest job vacancies.

Be out there!

Network, Network, Network! Contacts are everything. Staying home, checking back to back job search sites and calling recruitment agencies will only help you that much. You need to get networking. Many people find jobs from people they know rather than traditional means.

Research meetups and events happening in your sector, talk to your friends, family, classmates and everyone you know.

Smaller companies (such as small retails, restaurants or cafes) often place adverts in their shop window.

The interview

1 in 5 recruiters will make up their mind on a candidate within 60 seconds!

It sounds obvious, but get prepared! If you don’t prepare, then you prepare to fail! Spend some time doing research on the company and the role you applied for. You can be asked about the things you like about the company or where you see it moving forward with the help of your skill set. As well as dressing smartly, be punctual as these are things the interviewer will notice.

In the interview take the pressure off yourself, be confident, demonstrate a willingness to learn and don’t forget to make eye contact.

Have some questions in mind for the end, in case they ask if you have any doubt, avoiding ask about the pay and annual leave and all the things you secretly are dying to know.‘What’s your favorite thing about working for the company?’ is a good example; most people love an opportunity to talk about themselves. You can also ask if there is an opportunity for growth within the company.

 Be positive and don’t give up!

 First, remain positive!

If you don’t get an answer after a week, you can send an email asking if the position was closed. If so, and you fail, you can still get feedback on your performance. Either change your CV to make it more attractive or improve your interview skills

Don’t take it too personally if you are rejected or don’t even get a response. We all get a few knock backs when looking for work. The key is to press on!