Finding work in the UK after moving

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Define the search

Choose two or three groups of roles that match your experience, English and available schedule. Record your minimum gross pay, acceptable commute, sponsorship needs and evening availability. Search British job titles by their actual duties rather than only translating your previous title literally.

Check your right to work ↗ and how to demonstrate it before employment starts. A National Insurance number, a qualification and permission to work answer different questions. Include any restrictions on hours or activities when deciding which vacancies to pursue.

Where to look

Start with the government's Find a job service ↗ for England, Scotland and Wales; the page links to Northern Ireland's separate service. Also use selected employers' careers pages, LinkedIn and major job boards. Do not rely on one aggregator: the employer's advertisement may contain fuller terms and a direct application form.

The official guide to finding vacancies ↗ also covers specialist recruitment agencies and professional contacts. Choose a few agencies that actually handle your field and seniority. Ask whether they have a specific vacancy, who is recruiting and where your CV will be sent.

Prepare your materials and routine

Create a core CV and adapt it to the essential criteria of each advertisement. Prepare a short explanation of your experience, project outcomes, any period following relocation and a realistic start date. Keep qualifications, references and a portfolio accessible, but do not send a complete set of identity documents to every unknown contact.

Track the role, employer, link, application date, CV version, stage and next action. Set up several precise alerts rather than receiving hundreds of irrelevant messages. Allocate separate time for applications, professional conversations and interview preparation.

Decide what to change

If there are few suitable adverts, broaden the title, location or related duties. If applications produce no interviews, review how clearly the CV meets the criteria. If rejection happens after interviews, practise the particular questions and examples that caused difficulty.

Do not pay for guaranteed employment or buy equipment through an unknown “employer”. Use JobsAware ↗ for suspicious job advertisements. Official careers support ↗ can help identify the next step; the service and eligibility depend on your UK nation and age.