The aim of this post is to help people and french people to find a job in the UK. (Comment trouver un travail à Londres?)
I came 2 months ago with the wish to find my new job in London. And last Friday, I finally found it!
How to find a job in London that match your interests and competencies when you are french and not very familiar to the English recruitment process?
First, I must admit that I had the chances to have some good French friends who were living in London for 4 years and who have help me understand the keys of the London’s job hunting. Then, it takes times…
1/ Elaborate the winning CV
English CV are not looking the same as the French ones, they are much more details and show more on your competencies. I like the “skills section” that allows you to make the brief sum up of what you want recruiters to remember about you.
2/ Register with job boards
My favourite one is definitely Monster. Even so I have registered with about 12 job boards, Monster is the one that really has helped me getting interviews.
3/ Obtain interviews/chats with the right recruitment agencies
Most of the recruitment agencies I have been “working” with came to me. But the ones that were the most interesting, I found them by looking for job offers on the Web. When I looked at job offers, I was not applying to the offers that interest me but instead I was going to the recruitment agency website that advertises the job to get registered with them.
If you are a professional, ambitious person and if you have some experience in the market research industry and want to grow your career in that field, I would hardly recommend you to register with the agencies that have really helped me find the job that suited me! All of those recruitment agencies are very available, very professional and helpful: Ashwood Associates, EMR Group, Major Players, Quest Search and Selection.
4/ Make the most of the exchange with the recruitment agencies.
It’s really important that the recruitment consultants gain a good understanding of your interests and competencies. They will be more equipped to “sale” you and will offer you jobs that suit you! Do not neglect those interviews. You have to be well prepared and look professional . Consider those interviews as a practice before the “real” ones. Recruitment consultants have to understand that you are a good applicant. They have no interest to present somebody unprofessional to their customers.
5/ Accept all the interviews you can get
Off course if they are matching your needs: don’t go to an interview if you are not motivated at all. You will waste your time and the time of the company recruiting. I have done around 7 interviews with companies, each one really helped me to define more precisely my dreaming jobs and to improve my answers and preparation for THE ONE. Moreover, if you give good impression to the companies, the recruitment agencies will have good feedback and will be more intend to offer you interesting job and will be more able to talk about your qualities to other companies.
6/Be confident and prepare for the interviews
- Know who you are
- Learn to talk briefly about your experiences.
The questions to ask you: Why have I done this job? What are the key learning and competencies I have acquired trough that experience.
-Know what you want.
Easy to say harder to do. Take the time to think about it. What did you like about your last experiences? What are the thinks that interest you? What kind of job do you want? What are the key criteria for you: Career Path, Work environment, be close to home, Responsibility, Manage, Analyse, Money,… Rate your priorities. The more you are clear about it, the more you will have the chance to match them!
- Have a good understanding of what is involved in the job position
Enhance your knowledge on the company by taking a deep look at what they do, what are their current issues and how they work. Write any questions you are asking you: either you ll find an easy answer on the web, or you will have great questions to ask during the interview.
- D Day : Be confident, prepared
Be as confident as you can, your preparation will definitely help you feel more confident during this important day.
Plan your journey, take your time… To be in a hurry will not help you to perform your interviews.
7/ THE INTERVIEW
They are a lot of literature giving advices on how to perform so I ll be very brief. I strongly recommend you “Job interviews: top answers to tough questions by John Lees”.
Be motivated: Smile/ be professional but friendly/ Ask all the questions that will help you have a better understanding of the role/ listen carefully to the questions asked/ Be specific in your answers/ Thanks people for the time they took to interview you
8/ During you journey back home
Think about how went your interview. Think about your hot thoughts! and write it down. It will help you: remember useful information they gave that you might need for next interviews, improve your answers to unprepared questions (unfortunately it will always remain unprepared answers), know clearly what are the pros and cons for this job. Call the recruitment agency: don’t forget that they have the same goal as you do: get you the job!
9/ Accept the right position in the right company
Well done, you have perform during the interview and you have a job offer!! Don’t be to quick at accepting it!
We all know that this is very enjoying to be offered a job but you have to try to stand back: Is this job matching who you are and what you want? (see 6/)
10/ Congratulations and good luck with your new job!!
PS: I have tried to not be too specific in my recommendations in order to be as helping as I could be. Nevertheless, If you don’t find the answers you are looking and you feel like I could help, feel free to ask, I will be more than happy to help!
