Living and Working in the UK Jomo Ladepon-Thomas

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 • • 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 5

Curriculum Vitae (CV) • • 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 6

CV (Cont. . ) • • • 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 7

CV Profile • • • 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 9

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 10

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 11

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 – – Do not lie Do not be rude Do not read direct from notes Do not criticise a previous employer 12

Prepare for the Job Interview • • • 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 14

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 15

UK Skills Shortages ref. www. ukba. homeoffice. gov. uk • • 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, – • • • 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 16

Graduates • Average Graduate wage is £ 27, 000 according to • www. milkround. com • or £ 25, 000 according to Association of Graduate Recruiters • ( 2009 figures). • • • For more information : www. prospects. ac. uk – Official U. K Graduate Careers site www. top 100 graduateemployers. com 17

How to recognise your Qualification • For recognition of qualifications, contact NARIC • • Learning the language • • www. naric. org. uk www. britishcouncil. org University courses in the UK § www. thecompleteuniversityguide. co. uk 18

Employment Law in the UK • 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 19

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 20

National Insurance Number • You must apply for a National Insurance Number when you start work • 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 • • 21

JOBS IN THE U. K Not advertised 36% Jobs Advertised 64% Percentage of jobs advertised Annual Employer Survey 2009

Where are the jobs advertised?

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 24

Work placement opportunities § § § www. placement-uk. com www. work-experience. org www. targetcareers. co. uk www. get. hobsons. co. uk www. internuk. com 25

Accomodation in the UK § Average monthly rental charges: • Apartments/Flats: £ 450 - £ 600 = (€ 513 -684) • Houses: £ 500 - £ 800 = (€ 570 - 912) • Rooms: £ 200 - £ 350 = (€ 228 - 399) • Deposit + 1 month’s rent in advance • Council Tax – local tax on accommodation • • Bills– water, gas, electricity & telephone Flats and houses • Out of London average £ 500 month 1 -bedroomed flat • London £ 1, 000 month average 1 -bedroomed flat • • Room in a shared house in London £ 100 -£ 160 per week www. rightmove. co. uk www. yell. com 26

What is the most popular meal in the UK? Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding? Fish and chips? Indian cuisine?

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