How to find a job in the UK

Finding a job in the UK is still entirely possible for French and other European citizens after Brexit. However, your job search now involves considering two things at the same time: finding an employer and checking that your immigration status allows you to work in the country.

Before sending out multiple applications, identify your situation: do you already have the right to work in the UK, or will you need an employer that can sponsor your visa? The answer can significantly shape your job search.

Can you work in the UK after Brexit?

Yes, but being a French or European citizen no longer automatically gives you the right to work in the UK. Since freedom of movement ended, you must have an immigration status that allows you to work or obtain an appropriate visa.

You can work in the UK if, for example:

• you have settled status or pre-settled status and your status still gives you the right to work;
• you hold a visa that allows you to work under the conditions applicable to your job;
• you have completed an eligible course in the UK and obtained a Graduate visa;
• you have another immigration status that gives you the right to work.

How to look for a job in the UK

Job hunting works in much the same way as in other European countries: specialist platforms, company websites, recruitment agencies and professional networking. The main difference for an international candidate is the need to target employers that are compatible with their right to work or, when a visa is required, are able to sponsor them.

Main job websites

Several platforms list a large proportion of the vacancies available in the UK:

• LinkedIn for vacancies, professional networking and contacting recruiters;
• Indeed UK for a wide range of jobs and industries;
• Reed and Totaljobs for general job vacancies;
• Find a Job, the UK government's official job search service;
• NHS Jobs for jobs within the NHS and healthcare sector.

In some industries, specialist platforms can be more effective than general job websites. You should also search directly on the Careers pages of companies that interest you.

Recruitment agencies

Recruitment agencies are widely used in the UK, particularly in finance, technology, marketing, administrative roles, engineering and healthcare.

General recruitment firms such as Hays and Michael Page cover a wide range of industries, while other agencies specialise in a particular profession or sector. One advantage is that they may be able to direct you towards companies that are actively recruiting candidates with your profile.

Professional networking

LinkedIn, conferences, professional fairs, industry associations and events in your sector can be an effective complement to traditional job applications.

Networking is particularly useful for identifying companies that are hiring and understanding the skills employers are looking for. However, it does not replace immigration requirements: a professional recommendation does not allow you to work without the required status.

How to prepare a UK CV

A UK CV should be clear, tailored to the role and focused on skills and achievements. One or two pages will generally be sufficient for candidates with relatively limited professional experience, although the appropriate length can vary depending on the profession and level of experience.

You generally do not need to include a photograph, your marital status or other personal information that is not relevant to your application.

Structure your CV around the information that is most useful to the recruiter:

• your contact details and, where relevant, a link to your LinkedIn profile or portfolio;
• a short professional profile if it adds useful information;
• your professional experience, starting with the most recent;
• your education and qualifications;
• your technical and language skills;
• specific achievements that can be quantified where possible.

The cover letter

Your cover letter should complement your CV rather than repeat it. Explain why you are interested in the role, why you want to join the company and which experiences demonstrate that you meet the main requirements of the vacancy.

Our guide to writing a UK cover letter explains its structure and the wording to use in more detail.

Should you mention your visa or right to work in your application?

UK employers must check the right to work of the people they hire. If your situation may be unclear to a recruiter, stating that you already have the right to work in the UK can therefore help avoid misunderstandings.

Depending on your status, you may be able to prove your right to work using a share code generated through your UKVI account or with accepted immigration documents.

If you need a sponsored visa, do not claim to have a right to work that you do not have. Application forms frequently ask whether you currently have the right to work in the UK and whether you will require sponsorship.

What visa do you need to work in the UK?

The visa you need depends on your profile, occupation, employer and personal circumstances. For many professionals recruited from overseas, the main route is the Skilled Worker visa.

Skilled Worker visa

The Skilled Worker visa allows you to work for a UK employer approved as a sponsor, provided that the job is eligible and meets the requirements applicable to the role.

As a general rule, the salary must currently be at least £41,700 per year or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. Different rules and lower thresholds may apply in certain circumstances, depending in particular on the occupation or the applicant's profile.

New applicants must also, unless an exemption or specific circumstances apply, demonstrate English-language knowledge of at least CEFR level B2.

The Skilled Worker visa rules are detailed enough that you should check your occupation, its occupation code and its going rate before assuming that a job offer qualifies for this visa.

Graduate visa

The Graduate visa is available to certain international students who have successfully completed an eligible course in the UK. Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, you do not need to have found an employer willing to sponsor you before applying.

It can therefore provide a particularly useful period in which to look for a job and gain your first professional experience in the UK after your studies. The eligibility requirements, visa duration and options for remaining in the UK afterwards are explained in our dedicated Graduate visa guide.

Health and Care Worker visa

Certain healthcare professionals may be eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa. This route has its own requirements relating in particular to the occupation, employer, sponsorship and salary.

If you work in healthcare, do not simply apply the general Skilled Worker visa thresholds: specific rules may apply to your profession.

How to find a company that can sponsor a visa

The UK government publishes an official register of organisations licensed to sponsor workers. This is particularly useful if you already know that you will need a Skilled Worker visa.

A company's presence on the list does not mean that it will automatically sponsor your application. It does, however, indicate that the organisation holds a sponsor licence for one or more immigration routes.

You can therefore approach your search from the opposite direction: identify companies in your sector that appear on the register, check vacancies on their websites and then determine whether positions matching your profile can be sponsored.

In job advertisements, also look for phrases such as visa sponsorship, Skilled Worker sponsorship or Certificate of Sponsorship.

What is the minimum wage in the UK?

Since 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage has been £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over.

The National Minimum Wage is:

• £10.85 per hour for workers aged 18 to 20;
• £8 per hour for workers under 18 who are above school leaving age;
• £8 per hour for apprentices to whom the specific apprentice rate applies.

These rates are reviewed every year on 1 April. They should not be confused with the salary thresholds imposed by certain visas: a job may comply with the UK minimum wage while still not paying enough to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa.

What are the main employment rights in the UK?

A worker's exact employment status and contract determine some of their rights, but several protections apply widely to UK employees and workers.

An employer must provide the required written information about the main terms of employment. In particular, check the salary, working hours, place of work, holiday entitlement, probationary period and notice arrangements.

For adult workers covered by the general working time rules, the working week is normally limited to an average of 48 hours, although in certain circumstances workers can voluntarily agree to work longer.

Eligible workers are also generally entitled to at least 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year, calculated proportionally where necessary.

Do you need a National Insurance Number to start working?

Your National Insurance Number (NIN) is your personal number used in particular for National Insurance contributions and UK tax records.

Contrary to a common misconception, you can start work before receiving your NIN, provided that you can prove that you have the right to work in the UK.

If you live in the UK, have the right to work and do not yet have a NIN, you can apply for one if you are working, looking for work or have received a job offer.

The process is explained in our guide to the National Insurance Number.

How to prepare for a job interview in the UK

Before the interview, read the job description carefully and prepare several specific examples showing that you have the skills required. Recruiters may ask behavioural questions in which you are expected to describe a real situation you encountered in your professional or academic experience.

The STAR method can help you structure your answers:

• Situation: the context;
• Task: your objective or responsibility;
• Action: what you personally did;
• Result: the outcome you achieved.

Also prepare a few questions about the role, the team, priorities for the first few months or the next stages of the recruitment process. If you require sponsorship, make sure you can explain your situation clearly when the subject comes up.

How to prepare for moving to the UK after finding a job

Once you have accepted an offer and confirmed your right to work, several practical steps may be required to prepare for your move to the UK.

You will need to organise your accommodation, finances and access to UK services. Our guides explain how to find accommodation in London, open a UK bank account and understand how the NHS works.

If you are still a student or are considering studying before working in the UK, you should also check the requirements for the Student visa.

FAQ about finding a job in the UK

Can a French citizen work in the UK after Brexit?

Yes. A French citizen can work in the UK if they have an immigration status that allows them to do so. French citizenship alone, however, no longer automatically gives someone the right to work in the UK since freedom of movement ended.

Can you look for a job in the UK with an ETA?

Visitor status allows you, among other things, to come to the UK to attend a job interview. However, an ETA is not permission to work: you cannot simply start working for a UK company with visitor status.

How can you tell if a company can sponsor your visa?

Check the official register of licensed sponsors published by the UK government. You should then verify that the company actually sponsors the type of role and immigration route relevant to you.

Do I need a National Insurance Number before my first day at work?

No. You can start working before receiving your NIN if you can prove your right to work in the UK. You can then provide your number to your employer once you have received it.

What level of English do you need to work in the UK?

There is no single English-language level required for every job. The level expected depends on the role and employer. Some immigration routes have their own requirements: for a new Skilled Worker visa application, the current requirement is at least level B2, unless an exemption or specific rules apply.

Are French qualifications recognised in the UK?

It depends on the profession and employer. For many non-regulated jobs, the employer assesses your qualifications directly. For certain regulated professions, recognition or registration with the relevant professional body may be required. An official comparison of certain international qualifications may also be requested for some procedures.

How long does it take to find a job in the UK?

There is no average timeframe that is sufficiently relevant to predict an individual's job search. The time required depends in particular on the occupation, experience, location, English-language level and, especially for an international candidate, whether sponsorship is required. It is therefore better to start your search early rather than relying on a standard timeframe of a few months.

Summary

To find a job in the UK, start by checking your right to work and determining whether you need a sponsored visa. You can then tailor your job search and applications to the UK market.

• Use LinkedIn, Indeed, Reed, Totaljobs, Find a Job and specialist platforms in your sector.
• Prepare a clear UK CV and tailor your application to each role.
• If you need a Skilled Worker visa, focus primarily on employers that hold a sponsor licence.
• Do not confuse an ETA or visitor status with permission to work in the UK.
• Check the salary offered against both minimum wage requirements and, where applicable, your visa requirements.
• You can start working without having received your National Insurance Number yet, provided that you can prove your right to work.