Living and
Working in the
UK
Jomo Ladepon-Thomas
EURES Adviser
What do you think of when you think
of the UK?
London ?
U.K LABOUR MARKET (Dec. 2010)
• Employment Rate was 70.4 % (-0.3)= 21.16 M People
• Unemployment Rate was 7.9 %(+0.2) = 2.50 M People
• Total Pay (including bonuses) up by 1.8 % on year
• Regular Pay (excluding bonuses) up by 2.3 %
Looking for a job in the U.K
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Develop your job search
Plan what to do next
Preparing a very good CV for U.K employers
Understand how to answer tough interview questions
Job application process
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
– 2 Pages in length
– Typed
• Online Job applications
• Online Job interview
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Curriculum Vitae (CV)
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Makes the task of selection easier for the employer
Use clear, structured layout
No more than two pages
Always have a short, clear personal statement
Show your skills and achievements
Tailor & include relevent information to the Job
Quantify facts where possible
Use positive action words
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CV (Cont..)
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Date of birth NOT required under UK law
Use plenty of spacing
Write in reverse date order
Use a clear typeface / font
Put your ‘name’ in the header
– so it appears on both pages
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CV Profile
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Professional profile
An enthusiastic and professional Web Designer,
who enjoys being part of, as well as leading, a
successful and productive team.
Quick to grasp new ideas and concepts, and to
develop innovative and creative solutions to
problems. Able to work well on own initiative and
can demonstrate the high levels of motivation
required to meet the tightest of deadlines.
Even under significant pressure, possesses a strong
ability to perform effectively.
Applying for jobs online
• Think carefully
– Try to research for a job using alternative job titles
• For example
– Personal assistant instead of Secretary
• Check the closing date
– Do not waste time applying if it might be too late
• Read TERMS and CONDITIONS
– Be sure to apply on a secured Website (Https: )
before you input your personal details
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Applying for Jobs online
• Beware of false jobs
– Not all jobs are ‘real’
• Do not be a SPAMMER ( sending CV to all)
– Avoid sending your CV to MULTIPLE companies
• Make sure you prepare well
– Print and check your application form off-Line before sending
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Applying for Jobs online
• Do NOT become invisible
– You should call the employer after one week
to check if your CV has been received
• Check your E-mail jobs notifications and
– If the Jobs you receive do not match what you
are searching for then UNSUBSCRIBE from the service
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Job Interview Advice
• What to do:
– Dress smartly
– Examine the job description and compare with your CV
– Think ahead !
• Prepare some answers to possible questions
• What NOT to do
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Do not lie
Do not be rude
Do not read direct from notes
Do not criticise a previous employer
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Prepare for the Job Interview
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Find out more about the employer
Think about questions you may be asked
Take your ID to the interview
Do not sit down until you are asked to
Look interested with good eye contact
Be confident and smile occasionally
Do not interrupt
Ask for a question to be clarified if you don’t understand
Do not give a long answer in reply to a question
How to answer tough Interview
questions
• Why were you sacked from your last job ?
– Do not blame someone
• Instead say that there was a personality clash
• What are your greatest weaknesses ?
– Convert a weakness into a strength
– For example:
– I like to work with urgency so I push people too hard
• How do you explain this gap in time in your CV?
– ‘This time was used for training’ is better than saying
to employer that you were unemployed
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How to answer tough Interview
questions
• What relevant experience do you have?
– Focus on explaining how your skills and experience
fit well into the job on offer
• Do you think you are over qualified for the job?
– « Assure the interviewer that you will not leave soon »
– I want to make best use of my skills doing work that I enjoy
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UK Skills Shortages
ref. www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
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Production Works and Maintenance Managers
Biological Scientists and Biochemists
Physicists, Geologists and Meteorologists
Social Workers in family services
Secondary School Teachers in Maths, Physics, Chemistry & Biology
Teachers in Special Needs Schools
ENGINEERS –Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Design,
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Production Process, Planning & Quality Control
Medical Consultants (various)
Medical & Dental Technicians
Speech & Language Therapists
Dancers & Choreographers
Agricultural Trades
Pipe Welders- 3 years plus exp.
Metal Production & Maintenance Fitters
Overhead Line Repairers & Cable jointers
Butchers & Meat Cutters
Chefs & Cooks
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Graduates
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Average Graduate wage is £27,000 according to
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www.milkround.com
or £25,000 according to Association of Graduate Recruiters
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For more information :
www.prospects.ac.uk – Official U.K Graduate Careers site
www.top100graduateemployers.com
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How to recognise your
Qualification
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For recognition of qualifications, contact NARIC
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Learning the language
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www.naric.org.uk
www.britishcouncil.org
University courses in the UK
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www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk
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Employment Law in the UK
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National Minimum Wage
£5.93 The main rate if you are age 21
£4.92 If you are age 18 - 20
£3.64 If you are age 16-17
The Working Week 35-48 hours full time
If you work 5 days a week – 28 days Holidays
Salary is paid monthly or Wages weekly
Minimum 30 minutes lunch break during
working hours must be granted
www.direct.gov.uk
www.tuc.org.uk
www.acas.org.uk
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Income Tax in the UK
• Basic rate: 20% payable from £0 - £37,400
• Higher rate: 40% payable from £37,401-£150,000
• 50% Rate for earning £150,001
• Self employed people pay their own tax
• http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/basics.htm
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National Insurance Number
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You must apply for a National Insurance Number when
you start work
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If you have worked in the UK before you do not need
a new number
Phone 0845 600 0643 to apply
Phone 90 545500 Northern Ireland to
apply
www.nidirect.gov.uk
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JOBS IN THE U.K
Not
advertised
36%
Jobs
Advertised
64%
Percentage of jobs advertised Annual
Employer Survey 2009
Where are the jobs advertised?
32%
Jobcentre plus
29%
Local newspapers
13%
Online agencies
11%
High street agencies
9%
Industry specific agencies
7%
Own website
National Newspapers
4%
Trade Press
4%
Careers Service
2%
Government Schemes
1%
Jobs Fairs
1%
Where to find work
• www.direct.gov.uk/en/employment
• User friendly job search facility
• Jobseeker Direct Tel: 00 44 845 6060 234
• Self service computers in Jobcentre Plus offices
• Internet Job Sites e.g
• www.jobsite.co.uk
• Private Employment
Agencies
http://www.rec.uk.com/jobseeker
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Work placement opportunities
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www.placement-uk.com
www.work-experience.org
www.targetcareers.co.uk
www.get.hobsons.co.uk
www.internuk.com
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Accomodation in the UK
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Average monthly rental charges:
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Apartments/Flats: £450 - £600 = (€513-684)
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Houses: £500 - £800 = (€570 - 912)
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Rooms: £200 - £350 = (€228 - 399)
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Deposit + 1 month’s rent in advance
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Council Tax – local tax on accommodation
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Bills– water, gas, electricity & telephone
Flats and houses
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Out of London average £500 month 1-bedroomed flat
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London £1,000 month average 1-bedroomed flat
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Room in a shared house in London £100-£160 per week
www.rightmove.co.uk
www.yell.com
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What is the most popular meal in the
UK?
Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding?
Fish and chips?
Indian cuisine?
Thank you !
www.eures.europa.eu