Working in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a leading global economy with one of the largest GDPs worldwide. It is also one of the most globalised economies and among the world’s largest foreign direct investors.

The UK’s decision to leave the EU saw the pound fall to its lowest level in more than 30 years, while Brexit has also led to labour, food and fuel shortages. That said, it is still too early to determine the long-term impact and extent of the crisis, and much will depend on trade deals and other negotiations in coming years. Many in the private sector are optimistic about the UK’s economic outlook.

Job market in the UK

As is the case in most developed countries, the UK’s economy is overwhelmingly fuelled by the strength of its service sector, which accounts for almost 80 percent of its total GDP. The most prominent service sectors in the UK are banking, insurance and business. Manufacturing is also a significant contributor to the UK’s economy. In addition, many important players in the aerospace industry are based in the UK, and it is also home to several prominent pharmaceutical companies.

Finding a job in the UK

Ideally, it is best to seek employment in person while in the UK, but expats will generally need a visa to enter the UK, and there is no visa specifically for job seeking. While it’s possible to enter on a visitor’s visa, you aren’t permitted to seek employment on this visa. To apply for a work visa, you will need to have a job offer in hand. Naturally, this creates something of a catch-22 situation that is tricky to navigate.

If you're unable to look for work from within the UK, the best course of action is to contact British recruitment agencies relevant to your profession. Networking on websites such as LinkedIn and browsing job portals can also be helpful.

Useful Links

• Gov.uk Job Search
• Reed.co.uk
• Indeed UK
• LinkedIn

Work culture in the UK

The British are typically reserved and pride themselves on good manners and behaviour. Business dealings are generally diplomatic, with everyone making an effort to be considerate and polite. Communication is restrained and directness is avoided, while evasive, cryptic and sometimes humorous statements are substituted for what’s actually meant. You’ll need to become adept at understanding these subtleties.

The business sphere is formal. Dress is conservative, punctuality is paramount and outward displays of emotion are considered distasteful.

Many businesses have moved towards an egalitarian approach where positions parallel each other. As a result, responsibilities and hierarchies can sometimes be unclear, which can be frustrating if you're used to explicit directives and a work culture of hierarchy.