What Ways Can I Find and Secure a Tier 2/Skilled Worker Job in the UK?
Finding a suitable and well-paid role with an employer can be arduous and lengthy, but with a change of approach, the process can be made much easier. For those who wish to come to the UK to find skilled work, the challenge is greater because, in most cases, they are not physically present in the country. Not only are there issues of different time-zones, but there may also be language barriers which need to be overcome. In this article, we will explain some of the tips and tricks we recommend that our clients use to find and secure a Tier 2/Skilled Worker role in the UK.
Tip 1) Focus On UK Sponsor License Holders
It is not uncommon for foreign nationals to spend their time applying for roles in the UK and to either be rejected or not hear back at all. While it is easy to think that you are simply not suitable for the role, it is more likely the company are not registered to recruit foreign nationals, and hence automatically remove all such applicants at the very first stage. This does not mean that an employer in the UK who is not a sponsor won’t love your CV and application, and decide to apply to become a license holder. This does happen, especially if the employer is keen to take you on and there are no other candidates ‘in-country’ with your skills, qualifications, experience, or sheer suitability.
The register of licensed sponsors is available on the Home Office website and contains (as of the time of writing), over 30,000 employers who are set up and looking for skilled migrant workers. The list shows the name and location of each business and the type of visa route they can accept applications for.
Tip 2) Ensure You Are Applying For Roles For Which You Can Secure A Visa
Another common mistake is applying for roles for which you cannot secure a work visa. The Home Office produce a full list of all occupations which are eligible for a Skilled Worker visa, including the standard occupation code (SOC), job type, and related job titles. There is no point applying for roles which are not on this list as your visa application is likely to be rejected.
Tip 3) Tailor Your CV And Application To The Type Of Role You Are Looking For
We often see that foreign nationals who are struggling to find a role in the UK use CVs and covering letters which adopt too much of a ‘scatter-gun’ approach; i.e. using one CV to target a range of different roles. What is more effective is to tailor your CV and covering letter to the occupation you are targeting. By specialising, you will attract more interest from recruitment agencies and employers. Where possible, make your CV industry-specific, so if you are applying for an IT role, perhaps in the health industry, make it clear that you have specific experience of healthcare IT projects.
Tip 4) Register With Recruitment Agencies Specialising In Your Sector/Occupation
Rather than registering with twenty or thirty online recruitment agencies, it is often better to find a smaller number of specialist recruiters who you can develop a strong and trusted working relationship with. The best way to do this is to pick up the phone and establish some rapport with them. Speaking to people tends to put you foremost in their mind, and separate you from anyone who they have only ever liaised with via email.
Tip 5) Develop Your Linkedin Profile And Presence
In the internet age, one of the first steps any employer or recruitment agency will do is to look at your Linkedin profile. They will look to ensure it matches what you have included in your CV and application information. We recommend making your Linkedin profile as complete and attractive as possible. Where possible, show that you are an integrated and active member of your occupational community and that you have a wide range of professional connections and recommendations. Linkedin is also a great way to track down and connect with those who are responsible for hiring in your sector/occupation.
Tip 6) Look For ‘In-Demand’ Roles
You will have a greater chance of filling a role in an ‘in-demand’ occupation or ones for which there is a shortage of supply. The shortage occupation list published by the Home Office is a useful resource, as it shows all shortage occupations by country (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). There is also a considerable lack of supply and enormous demand for roles in the healthcare and education sectors – so much so, there is a dedicated healthcare shortage occupation list.
Tip 7) Leverage Online Job Search Resources
There are a wide range of online job search resources and some of these are designed to help you find sponsored work. For example, just by searching ‘tier 2 jobs’ in Google, you will find a large number of roles for which the recruitment company and/or employer are actively seeking workers from outside of the UK. Also typing ‘Tier 2 Sponsorship’ into large job search sites such as Indeed.co.uk will provide a list of possible jobs you can apply for.
Wrapping Up
By taking a strategic approach to your job search, you will boost your chances of finding a role in the UK. Remember that when you do, it must also pay at least £25,600 or the going rate, and it must be in an eligible occupation. If you need any assistance with finding work, and then securing a work visa, speak to an Immigration Lawyer in the UK. They often have a wide network of contacts in the recruitment field which they can put you in contact with. As they say, it is often not ‘what you know’, but ‘who you know’, and by making connections in the UK, you will increase your chances of finding your dream job.
