How to find a job in London

Learn all about the job market in London. In this guide, we’ll tell you all about what to expect when you work in London and tips on finding a job in London.

Ellie

4 minute read

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Updated on 15 Aug 2024

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Working

London is the heart of the UK in many ways. It’s a multicultural haven with a thriving job market attracting thousands of internationals yearly. London is a great place to experience British culture, join a large expat community, and embrace the vibrant nightlife scene. But with the excellent quality of life you’ll experience in London, there’s a high cost of living.

You’ll need to find a job in London to fund your lifestyle. So, let’s examine the job market in London, how much you should expect to earn, and some tips to help you land your dream job.

London has an incredibly diverse and thriving job market. The most prominent industries in London include:

• Finance: London is considered one of the best places in the world to work in Finance. Financial services make up almost 5.5% of the UK’s GDP.
• Business and administration: Over half a million people work in business and administration in London. This industry works closely alongside financial services.
• ICT: ICT is a crucial industry that works closely with the business and financial sectors. From tech engineering to IT support roles, there’re plenty of jobs in ICT in London.
• Health and social care: Healthcare services in London occupy about 20% of the total NHS budget for England. Healthcare workers are essential and in constant demand in London.
• Hospitality and tourism: Almost 20% of the UK’s hospitality and tourism workers work in London. Finding a job in this industry is typically pretty easy in London, as there’re often shortages.

The job market in London can be pretty competitive, with many people relocating to London for work. If you’re coming from abroad, you may need a job offer to get your work visa sorted, so start your job hunt early. As an international, your best bet in finding a job before you get to London is to look at vacancies with international companies like KPMG or PwC or for international start-ups looking for people from your home country.

Generally speaking, how easy it is for you to find a job will depend on your previous work experience, your education and your English language skills. As English is the primary language spoken in the UK, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll need a second language for most jobs. However, you’ll need to be able to speak English fluently for most jobs.

The amount of money you’ll earn in London will vary greatly depending on your education, experience and industry. According to Statista, the average salary earned in London is about £3,233 per month. With an average cost of living in London at about £2,169 per month, that’s a pretty comfortable salary.

To give an idea of how the average salary in London will vary between industries, take a look at the following salaries, established by Glassdoor.

Although London has a thriving job market, it’s also incredibly competitive. Landing a job in London can be quite a task. Some of the best ways to find a job in London are by applying online, networking, and using recruitment agencies or professional associations. Let’s take a look at each of these options.

Applying online

Applying online is perhaps the most affordable and effective way to look for a job in London as an international. As the majority of UK work visas will require you to already have a job offer before moving to the UK, applying online is one of the best methods for you. You can apply from your home country before making the move and send many applications at once for a better chance of success. Some of the best online job portals you can use in London include:

• Total
• Indeed
• Monster
• Glassdoor
• Reed

Using an online job portal allows you to filter available jobs by your skills, experience, and salary preferences.

Networking

If you’re already in London and want to find a new job, networking is an excellent way to do so. Search for events specific to your industry and job fairs, and use LinkedIn to connect with those in similar positions. Networking isn’t for everyone, it can take a lot to put yourself out there, but it’s an excellent way to find a great job and meet like-minded people in London. Companies in London will often offer referral bonuses to their employees, so you'll meet people who are motivated to help you find work.

Recruitment agencies and professional associations

An excellent way to find the perfect job in London is to register with a recruitment agency or professional association specific to your industry. Agencies and associations will connect you to jobs in your industry in London, and can find lucrative job offers that may not be made publicly available.

Agencies and associations also provide extensive support during your job search in terms of resources, advice, and assistance with completing your job application.

We’ve collected some of the top tips for finding a job in London to help you hit the ground running with your job search.

• Send plenty of applications: The job market in London is competitive, so you’ll need to send plenty of application during your job search. The more you send, the more likely you are to hear back from at least one.
• Develop your skills: Certain skills are crucial in nearly all industries. Before applying, be sure you’ve excellent problem-solving, reasoning, and leadership skills to enhance your CV. Research other skills that are particularly useful in your desired role and start developing them to increase your chances of being hired.
• Model your CV as they do in the UK: The expectations for your CV will vary a lot from country to country; it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Look into how to design your CV in the UK before applying, and adapt your CV accordingly.
• Don’t panic: Companies often receive hundreds of applications for certain jobs, so processing them can take a while. Don’t panic if you don’t hear back right away or if you don’t receive an update on your application. If you’re really curious about a particular job or company, it’s best to contact the HR team of that company for an update.
• Prepare for your interview: Before your job interview, it’s a good idea to prepare some answers. Think of instances where you handled difficult situations well, and prepare your own questions to express your interest in the role.

So there you have it! All you have to do now is start applying for jobs in London. Once your job is sorted, it’s time to find the best place for you to live in London and enjoy the London lifestyle!