1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Tips for looking a Job in UK

Discussion in 'Life in the UK' started by portia, Feb 9, 2016.

  1. portia
    Offline

    portia Member

    I know most of us who have just landed in the UK and we need Tips on how to get on with getting a job.
    I will be sharing my experience with the Job Hunting to give everyone more Tips and Ideas about this journey.

    1. you can check Indeed.com (as per a friend recommendation)
    2. update your CV
    3. put references (make sure the person you will be putting on your CV knows about it)

    any inputs are welcome :)

    the Job hunt starts Now :)
  2. Maharg
    Offline

    Maharg Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    My wife volunteered in a charity shop at first. This gave her experience and also someone to give as a reference later.

    She was a bit crazy for a job, and sometimes walked into shops just to ask if they needed anyone.

    The job she eventually got was one that I actually applied for online in her name. When they called her for an interview she didn't even know she'd applied!
    • Like Like x 2
  3. Dav3&Ai5a
    Offline

    Dav3&Ai5a Active Member

    I will probably miss my job here as I am not sure if I'll be able to do there what I do here and will have to work my way up again. But I'm optimistic and will see when I get there. Good luck in your quest, @portia
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2016
  4. florgeW
    Offline

    florgeW Lady Mod Senior Member

    My thoughts about this (currebtly working in a construction/fm company as ops admin):
    1. Never expect to get the same job and the same position that tou have in the Phils. Even if you have a title or a license, it wouldn't matter as it is not a UK qualification. I was a Trainer for prof dev in phils but can't do the same as I would have to get a CIPD certification. Too expensive for me as I was also saving up for visa fees (ILR and Citizenship).

    2. Get a UK qualification even if you feel that you don't need it. I got enrolled to this online course (business and admin) and had placed that on my cv on top of my Phil qualifications.

    3. Get work experience by volunteering. But beware that this may lead you to a career in retail sales which you may not enjoy so be cautious as well. I didn't volunteer. I just accepted the first office job offeeed to me even if it was only paying me minimum wage. That has given me the UK work experience that I needed to get the jobs I chose.
    • Like Like x 3
  5. florgeW
    Offline

    florgeW Lady Mod Senior Member

    My thoughts about this (currebtly working in a construction/fm company as ops admin):

    1. Never expect to get the same job and the same position that you have in the Phils. Even if you have a title or a license, it wouldn't matter as it is not a UK qualification. I was a Trainer for prof dev in phils but can't do the same as I would have to get a CIPD certification. Too expensive for me as I was also saving up for visa fees (ILR and Citizenship).

    2. Get a UK qualification even if you feel that you don't need it. I got enrolled to this online course (business and admin) and had placed that on my cv on top of my Phil qualifications. It gave me chances to get interviews and wven if I had to do it countless of times, it was good practice.

    3. Get work experience by volunteering. But beware that this may lead you to a career in retail sales (especially of it is to volunteer in charity shops) which you may not enjoy so be cautious as well. I didn't volunteer. I just accepted the first office job offered to me even if it was only paying me the minimum wage. That has given me the UK work experience that I needed to get the jobs I chose.
  6. Timmers
    Offline

    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    My advice on finding work in the UK is as follows;;

    1. Try to find work in the UK along the same lines as you were doing in the Philippines, easier than completely have to learn something new and you may start work in the UK further up the ladder which of course means more money.
    2. When writing a UK CV there is no need to include picture, DOB, sex and Nationality.
    3. Do not include references on your CV, state that references are available on request.
    4. Use English spelling on the CV not American.
    5. If you have a Philippine degree get it accredited by UK NARIC, even if the degree is not deemed the equivalent of a British degree it may be equal to a HNC/HND which in itself is a higher qualification which may help you find a better job.
    6. Look at online courses where you can gain a British qualification, my wife just completed a Prince 2 Project Management course and she enjoyed the experience immensely, and for those of us that are self employed the cost of the course can be put through the books of the company :)

    Just relax and take your time finding work, remember you do not need to take the first job on offer.
    • Like Like x 2
    • Informative Informative x 1
  7. Maharg
    Offline

    Maharg Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Or, if you don't have a degree because your family couldn't afford to send you off to university, forget all that, get a job in retail and enjoy meeting real people.
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
  8. Timmers
    Offline

    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I think whatever work the loved ones find will see them in a better environment and certainly have more employment laws on their side compared with the Philippines. Good for the loved ones to make new friends at work too, and you can both moan about your day when you come home.

    More money coming into the household certainly makes for a better life for all, its a win win situation and gives you more financial security :like:
    • Like Like x 1
  9. Maharg
    Offline

    Maharg Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Very true.

    It is worth remembering that an awful lot of people in The Philippines will never get the chance to go to university, even if they are twice as bright as many who do.

    Also, with reference to an earlier comment, there's no reason why working in retail should be any less enjoyable than being stuck in an office all day.

    My wife works in retail, is doing very well for herself there and enjoys her job. I'm very proud of her, how hard she works and what she has achieved with it.
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 2
  10. KeithAngel
    Offline

    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    my missus made everyone in the fils green with envy when she got hired by KFC (or Killing F£$%&G Chickens as i call it) she has od,d now though:)
    • Like Like x 1
    • Funny Funny x 1
  11. Timmers
    Offline

    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    It is my intention to retire early and get a couple of days work at a supermarket collecting trolleys or B&Q as a service assistant, both ways I can socialise with people.
  12. Maharg
    Offline

    Maharg Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I can almost see you now in your orange B&Q apron, Timmers. :)
  13. Timmers
    Offline

    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I really fancy it, no stress, might have to get a doctors letter though regarding the overalls, which reminds me, I cant work at ASDA because I don't like the uniform :)
    • Like Like x 1
  14. AndyRam
    Offline

    AndyRam Banned

    Stress also depends on who you work for. If the boss is an eejit then it's not going to help.

    If you want no stress, I can't think of anything better than looking after a park. Did it years ago and loved it.
    • Like Like x 1
  15. aposhark
    Offline

    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    Getting money is often a really important objective to newly arrived Filipinos and I would suggest getting a N.I. Number first and working for an agency doing whatever it takes to earn money over time.
    It will then be less stressful to ponder what is the next step for a career.
    My wife did this when she first arrived and she met other foreigners to the UK who were doing the same job as her.
    Lots of people have good qualifications from their own country that are not useful here in the UK.
    • Like Like x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
  16. portia
    Offline

    portia Member

    great tips guys...note this is not only for me but for everyone who will be and who are going through the same scenario as mine...I would love to share my experience with the job hunt to give more tips to everyone..

    keep them coming :)
    • Like Like x 2
  17. florgeW
    Offline

    florgeW Lady Mod Senior Member

    Oh, don't get me wrong re working on retail. I have nothing against it but won't personally go for it as it is tedious for me and would definitely not enjoy it. I have had tiangge's before in Phils and had been in trade fairs and Christmas markets but didn't work for me. It takes a whole lot of patience dealing with customers face-to-face and I don't have that. Lol... I also
    met quite a few Pinays who work at Primark, Monsoon, and Select and they said they'd rather have something else but it pays the bills. To each his own I guess.

    Bottomline, expect the unexpected and come in a clean slate.
  18. Pobreng Englishera
    Offline

    Pobreng Englishera Active Member

    #4 though.. :rolleyes:
  19. Timmers
    Offline

    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    We do not like American spelling in the UK, or at least I don't :)

    Some people reading your CV may think you have made a spelling mistake not realising that the spelling is American.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  20. Pobreng Englishera
    Offline

    Pobreng Englishera Active Member

    I was just being funny. I know because Chris don't like it either. Especially when I play them in scrabble. :oops:

Share This Page