Expert tips to help you land a job in the UK

• In Employment
• 19 Jun 2023, 01:51 AM
• By Technologist Confidant

The United Kingdom, like many other European countries, is experiencing a severe labour shortage, and as a result, the government has introduced a free job portal to attract foreign workers from all over the world, including India. The portal has over 168,081 job listings across various fields and professions, including tech, teaching, construction, and hospitality. Job seekers can use filters to find opportunities in different regions of the UK. This initiative is expected to address the labour shortage in the country and provide employment opportunities to individuals seeking work in the UK.

In 2022, the UK issued 2,836,490 visas, with India receiving the most visas, accounting for 25% of the total. To address the shortage, the UK government has also launched the India-UK Young Professionals Scheme, which aims to attract young graduates from India to live, study, travel, and work in the UK for up to two years. The program allows for cultural exchange and contributes expertise to both economies. The eligibility criteria for the scheme are reasonable, requiring applicants to have a bachelor's degree or above, a minimum amount of savings, no serious criminal convictions, and meeting the English language requirement. The initiative is expected to strengthen the relationship between India and the UK while benefiting both economies.

The UK government's efforts to encourage more Indian migrants are a positive step towards strengthening the relationship between India and the UK. However, looking for a job can be a challenging and often frustrating experience, especially if it is in a foreign country. With thousands of businesses laying off staff and unemployment rates remaining high, it can feel like an uphill battle to find employment. However, there are ways to improve your chances of landing a job. Here are six expert tips for finding work.

Search beyond a 40-mile radius

One of the biggest changes in the workplace in recent years has been the rise of hybrid and flexible working. This means that you don't have to limit your job search to a specific geographic area. Search far and wide in terms of geography. Additionally, if you're interested in working part-time or four days a week, don't let full-time positions put you off applying. Businesses are more flexible than you might think, and if you're the right candidate who can get the job done in fewer days, it makes sense for them to adopt the role.

Use keywords in your searches

When searching for jobs online, it's important to use key words that relate to your skills and interests. Searching for keywords related to a specific skill or industry, such as sales or retail will help the search platform identify what you're interested in and yield more relevant results. Engagement is also key, meaning that you should click on jobs with job titles or companies that you're interested in, so the platform yields more of the same.

Don't wait for a job to be advertised

Not all jobs are made public. Many businesses want to avoid the cost of advertising a job formally and may rely on word of mouth. Utilize your network by letting friends, ex-colleagues, and family know that you're looking for a new position. They may be able to check internal job boards for open roles at their own companies and refer you, or they could know someone else who can help.

Sell your skills, not years

When applying for a job, it's important to focus on your skills rather than the number of years of experience you have. You can showcase your skills and experience via social media sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Look for parallels between your skills and the job requirements and make them obvious in your application.

Get learning

If the jobs you want to require specific qualifications or experience that you don't have, consider taking courses or training programs to fill those gaps. Look for free courses online or volunteer to gain experience. You can also ask to do some work shadowing in companies you'd like to work for.

Celebrate the small wins

Finding a job can be a long and challenging process, especially in unfamiliar territory, and it's easy to get disheartened if you do not see results. Set personal targets, such as a tracker of the number of jobs to apply for in a week or a certain number of cold emails. It's also important to celebrate the small wins along the way, such as landing an interview, receiving positive feedback on your resume or cover letter, or connecting with a helpful contact. Celebrating these wins can boost your confidence and keep you motivated.

Looking for work in a foreign country can be daunting, especially when you don't know where to start. Finding a job is not always easy, and job seekers need to be proactive and strategic in their job search. By using keywords, expanding your job search radius, utilizing your network, focusing on your skills, learning new skills, and celebrating small wins, you can increase your chances of finding your dream job in the UK. The UK government's initiatives to attract Indian migrants are a step in the right direction towards fostering a positive relationship between the two countries while addressing the labour shortage in the UK. So why wait? Start your job search today and take the first step towards a new career in the UK.