Due to the competitiveness of the UK job market, many candidates wonder how to find a job quickly and still secure a satisfying role. Casually applying may not be enough; for many industries, you need a well-thought-out strategy to stand out among hundreds of skilled applicants.
This can be particularly nerve-wracking when considering the rapidly shifting trends in recruiting. Nowadays, candidates have to adapt to software screenings, AI interviews, and numerous selection rounds that scrutinise them to the highest degree.
To help you overcome all this and get hired in the UK, we’ve compiled a guide with tips on finding a job and securing an interview. Follow it closely, and you won’t feel quite as lost in the job-hunting process.
Key Takeaways
To find a job in the UK, you should define what you want, develop a job search plan, select platforms you want to use, and create a strong application.
You can also take advantage of your professional network, improve your skills, volunteer to gain new connections, and prepare answers for common interview questions.
Once you’ve completed your interview, follow up with a thank-you message and exercise patience throughout the entire process to avoid getting overwhelmed.
How to Find a Job That Matches Your Skills and Goals
To find a job that matches your skills and goals, you need to make a plan, create a strong application, use job boards and your professional network, work on your skills, and prepare for an interview.
Below, we’ll examine these and other job search tips for UK companies in more detail:
#1. Define What You’re Looking For
Before you start searching, you should specify what you’re looking for.
Consider the industry you’d like to be employed in, the roles that appeal to you, the ideal salary range, and the type of company you can see yourself in. Also, decide whether you’re open to remote and if you have any non-negotiable expectations of your new workplace.
It’s a good idea to write all this down so you can easily review it during the job-hunting process. That way, you’ll find it much easier to decide whether a certain role suits you or if you need to keep searching.
#2. Make a Job Hunting Plan
The job hunting process can be time-consuming, especially if you have other responsibilities to tackle at the same time. Therefore, you should make a plan and decide on the number of jobs you want to apply to per week or the number of hours you can spend on job search each day.
Since you’ll likely be applying to many different positions, you might find it helpful to keep track of your applications using spreadsheets. This way, you won’t accidentally submit your CV to the same company twice, and it will be easier to see who rejected you, who invited you for an interview, and whose answer you’re still waiting for.
#3. Create a Strong CV and Cover Letter
The best job application advice we can offer is to create a strong CV and a cover letter for each position you’re applying for. These two documents are your first contact with recruiters, so they must represent you in the best possible light.
To ensure this is the case, pay attention to the following:
Key Tips for a Strong CV and Cover Letter
Relevance. Your CV and cover letter have to be relevant to the role you’re applying for, preferably containing the keywords found in the job description. In other words, you can’t use a one-size-fits-all application; you can create a basic one, then tweak it before each submission.
Template. The template you choose for your application can significantly affect your chances of being hired, especially if recruiters use the application tracking system (ATS) for pre-screening. In such cases, you need an ATS-optimised template, which is readable, visually appealing, and sure to pass the initial scan.
Clarity. Recruiters should understand who you are and what you offer, even after they briefly scan your CV. That means you shouldn’t complicate things and write long paragraphs explaining your achievements and skills. You should also pay attention to your grammar and spelling; they are the hallmark of professionalism.
If you need more help writing a CV for UK jobs, browse through our blog. We have plenty of tips for various industries and career levels.
#4. Use Top UK Job Boards and Portals
Most job seekers nowadays use LinkedIn for job hunting, but that doesn’t have to be your only option. In fact, it might be beneficial to diversify your search, as some companies post their advertisements on specific job boards instead of relying on the most popular sites.
So, if you’re based in the UK, you could focus on the following job portals:
Job Portals
Reed
CV Library
Monster
GOV.uk
These are some of the best job sites in the UK, so they can help you find positions in your vicinity and introduce you to the right employers.
#5. Leverage Your Network
If you’ve worked in the same industry before, you likely have a network of people you can turn to for help. Reach out to them on social media and ask for open positions and recommendations. Even if they don’t have any at the moment, there’s a chance they’ll remember you next time they come across an opportunity.
However, if you’re changing the industry, this might be somewhat trickier. You won’t have connections you’ve naturally formed over the years of employment, so you’ll need to put some effort into building them.
The best way to achieve this is to visit industry-specific events, conferences, courses, and workshops. These events are designed to connect people in the same field, so if you attend and keep an open mind, you’re sure to make new acquaintances.
#6. Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn will be one of your main tools for job search, so you need to consider how it represents you to potential employers. Are all your crucial skills and most important achievements clearly listed on your profile? Have you positioned yourself as an expert in a particular niche? If not, it’s time to put in some work.
Here are a few optimisation tips to help you with the job search on LinkedIn:
LinkedIn Job Search Optimisation Tips
Choose an appropriate profile picture, preferably taken by a professional photographer. Your profile picture is the first thing employers see, so it needs to leave a great impression at first glance.
Don’t leave the About section empty. This is your opportunity to tell your story, so take your time to personalise it and show why you’re the employee everyone wants to hire.
Add your skills and experiences. Also, make sure to include bullet points under each work experience, explaining your responsibilities and highlighting key achievements.
Request recommendations from past employers. Having others confirm your value is a huge green flag, so consider carefully whose endorsement would be particularly beneficial.
Grow your network. Add connections, reach out to other professionals, and share content; all this will help you reach a wider audience, which can lead to exciting business opportunities.
#7. Research Potential Employers
Researching a company you’re applying for is a given, but you should also look into potential employers and recruiters. This can be particularly useful when writing a cover letter, as you can personalise it to appeal to the person who will read it.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should stalk their private social media accounts or try to find out their personal information. Stick to their professional online presence: LinkedIn profiles, employee descriptions on the company website, or work-related social media. This should be enough to gauge the kind of approach they might respond to best.
#8. Apply Smart, Not Just Often
Although you should aim to send several applications a week, applying to every position you come across won’t give you the desired results. On the contrary, prioritising quantity usually means that you won’t have time to customise each application, leading to lower success rates overall.
So, try a strategic approach instead. Focus on quality over quantity; send five applications in a week if that’s all you can manage, but ensure they are well-researched and carefully crafted.
Also, keep in mind that the same approach won’t work for all companies and industries. Read about other job seekers’ experiences and ask those who are already employed in your desired field for advice. That way, you’ll find out what kind of CVs bring the best results and which channels to use to receive a response.
#9. Consider Upskilling
Job search can take some time, which you can use to bolster your CV and make yourself more employable. Don’t sit around and wait for an interview invite; work on the skills that are in high demand in your field.
This includes refining the skills you already possess and gaining new ones that might be useful in your future job. If you don’t know exactly which skills you should prioritise, browse job listings for your desired field. Focus on the requirements section; the skills listed there are the ones you should work on.
Sometimes, upskilling may involve signing up for a new course to gain expert knowledge, like in the case of some software or languages. Other times, you’ll be able to learn enough on your own. Either way, consider this an investment in your future, and don’t hesitate to do what it takes.
#10. Try Volunteering
While you’re in the process of finding a job, you can occupy yourself with volunteering, which can lead to unexpected career opportunities. Ask around your community to see where you can contribute and show up regularly; you’ll meet many new people and gain valuable skills to add to your CV.
The new connections that you acquire through this experience might help you find a job, especially if you prove to be reliable, helpful, and disciplined. Furthermore, the place where you’re volunteering might offer you a paid position if you demonstrate that you’re hard-working and willing to learn whatever’s necessary.
#11. Prepare Interview Questions
You can begin preparing for common interview questions even before you receive an interview invitation; the earlier you start, the more confident you will feel. Look up the most frequently asked ones for your field and formulate your answers after you’ve conducted sufficient research.
While you’re at it, make sure to practise answering out loud in front of a mirror or in a mock interview with friends or family members. Candidates who do this tend to make a good impression on recruiters, as they sound and appear more confident.
Of course, some interview questions will be company-specific, so there’s no need to prepare for those until you receive an invitation. However, if you practise answering others in advance, you’ll be able to fully focus on them afterwards and come up with satisfying answers.
#12. Follow Up With Recruiters
Recruiters appreciate follow-ups after the interview, as these demonstrate genuine interest and enthusiasm. You don’t have to write anything groundbreaking; a simple thank-you note will suffice and likely boost your standing among other candidates.
After that, you can write another email inquiring about the selection process if you don’t receive a response in two weeks. Don’t be pushy, though. If they don’t respond to you, focus on another company instead.
#13. Be Patient
Finding a job isn’t easy, and the entire process can take a mental toll on you, especially if you aren’t currently employed. As your savings begin to dwindle, you’ll likely start getting impatient, which can, unfortunately, lead to blunders.
Remember that stressing over job hunting won’t attract a new job faster, but diligence and a calm, strategic approach might. Rejections may sting, but you can survive them, and each one can be used as a learning opportunity for your next application.
Also, don’t forget to take a step back from time to time. It’s easy to start spiralling into negative thoughts if all you do all day is browse job boards, research companies, and tailor your CV. Take care of yourself, too; go outside, meet up with friends, catch up with your favourite show. You’ll return to job hunting with renewed energy that will help you see opportunities you might have overlooked.
4 More Tips for Successful Job Hunting
Aside from the ones mentioned, here are some more tips to help you successfully apply for jobs:
Improve your online presence. Most employers don’t want to hire someone with a questionable internet history, so make sure that yours is squeaky clean. Check your social media, remove content you don’t want them to see, and set your profiles to private. Also, Google yourself and see what information comes up.
Leverage AI. AI tools can speed up the process of writing an application or even help you prepare answers for a job interview. Feel free to use them as a crutch, but don’t rely on them fully. They often create generic content, which doesn’t do well with recruiters.
Reach out to employers personally. If your sights are set on a specific company, reach out to a recruiter and ask them for advice on getting hired. Don’t be pushy, but don’t be afraid to send them a message, either. It might put you on their radar, which could pay off in the future.
Don’t place all your hopes on one company. It’s best to have several options ready, so that you don’t feel too disappointed if one of them rejects you. You’ll be able to quickly move forward, knowing that you still have a good chance to get hired elsewhere.
Create a Compelling CV Within Minutes
If you need extra help finding a job, use our CV builder to create a customised application for each new position you’re applying for. The process is simple: follow the instructions, enter your information, select the design and template, and submit the document to your employer within minutes.
However, if you don’t want to fully rely on our builder, you can use our CV examples instead. They can serve as inspiration for your application and guide you towards an excellent result.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, our tips on how to find a job will prove useful in your search and help you land the position of your dreams. Feel free to tweak them when necessary, though, as there certainly isn’t just one way to approach job hunting.
And remember, our builder, along with our CV templates, will help you with the most important part—getting noticed by the employer initially. Simply select the one that suits you best, submit it, and wait for the results!
How to Find a Job FAQ
#1. Is it normal to struggle to find a job?
It is normal to struggle to find a job; after all, the competition is often fierce, and your skills and experience alone may not be enough to set you apart. A lot depends on luck, too; if you don’t have it, you might find it difficult to get hired. However, none of that is a reason to give up. Focus on the positives and continue to work on yourself. With time, you’ll likely land the job of your dreams.
#2. How to find a job immediately?
To find a job immediately, you should develop a strategy that maximises the benefits of job boards, utilises your professional network, and highlights your strengths and achievements. However, be aware that no approach is foolproof, so you may still need to exercise some patience.
#3. How do I get a job with no experience?
To get a job without experience, you should highlight the strengths that you do possess, such as particular skills, traits, and knowledge. Don’t focus on the fact that you’re inexperienced; emphasise your adaptability and desire to learn, instead. Also, apply for entry-level jobs for starters, as these typically require little to no experience and are more likely to hire you.
#4. Should I write a new cover letter for every job?
You should write a new cover letter for each job, as your application must be tailored to meet the specific requirements outlined in the job description. Of course, this is a time-consuming process, so you don’t have to start from scratch each time. However, make sure to change enough details to avoid sounding generic.
