Preparing for a job interview in the United Kingdom

CV and cover letter

The Curriculum Vitae (CV) requirements and cover letter guidelines generally differ from one country to another. Hence it is best to conduct thorough research about them and know what you should include in your CV and cover letter when applying for jobs in the UK. You should also adapt your current documents to the required UK standards.

Good to know:

British employers prefer CVs to resumés. CVs are slightly longer (but no longer than a two-sided A4 page) and more detailed.

CV

There are fewer rules when building your CV in the UK compared to other countries. The primary objective of your CV is to showcase your education, professional experience, and skills, make them attractive to potential employers and HR managers or recruiting agencies, and highlight your biggest successes in a clear and concise manner.

Tip:

Edit your CV often, depending on the job you are applying for. For example, don't hesitate to delete information from your CV that is not relevant to the particular job you are applying for. Also, don't expand on details regarding experience that date back to more than ten years.

Here are some basic guidelines for creating an outstanding CV:

• Use graphic design platforms such as Canva to create modern CV templates depending on your work sector.
• Include in your CV your contact details, a short personal statement at the beginning of the document, education, work experience in reverse date order (starting from the most recent), skills (i.e., hard and soft skills), and interests or volunteering experience.
• Use bullet points to explain your responsibilities in each role briefly.
• Besides using professional language and avoiding cliches, a CV should not have any spelling or grammar mistakes. You can ask a friend to have a second look before sending it out.
• Save your CV as a .pdf file to make sure it can be opened on any computer regardless of the software it uses (e.g., Microsoft, Mac, etc.).

Important:

Don't include your date of birth or photograph on your CV unless you apply for an acting or modelling job.

Read also Working in the UK

Cover letter

Most UK job applications, with just a few exceptions, require a cover letter to accompany your candidacy. A cover letter is an A4 document (shouldn't be longer than one page) sent as a complementary document to your CV. Hence, the information on the cover letter shouldn't repeat what you have written on the CV. However, it should tell the employer why you are the best candidate for this job, why you are attracted to it, and what you will bring to the team. Non-native English speakers may have difficulty writing a spotless cover letter in English for the British labour market. Here are some tips as a starting point for an exceptional cover letter:

• Include your personal details at the top right-hand side of the letter (same format as the CV).

• Make the first paragraph as captivating as possible, as it is critical. Many employers won't even go beyond that.

• Your cover letter should be on a single page, and the vital information should be in the first quarter. So, if employers do not complete the reading, they will still grasp the essential points early on.

• Highlight skills and experience relevant to the job you are applying for.

• Seek the help of a native English speaker to help proofread your English. Even if English is your first language, a second pair of eyes is always helpful!

Useful links:

For jobs and career advice: UK National Career Service.
 

How to apply for a job in the UK

The most acceptable and reasonable way to apply for a job in the UK is by emailing or applying via a jobs portal. Some industries like hospitality (e.g., hotels, bars, restaurants, etc.) might require in-person application. If you want to be proactive, calling or emailing to inquire about any job openings is acceptable. Your job application email must contain a short introduction about you, your motivation for applying for this job, and why you consider yourself the best fit for this position. This will serve as the snippet for your cover letter, and if the employer does not read it, they will still know what it contains. Give your email a precise subject line that will clearly state your intention, keeping in mind that this is what an employer sees to decide if and when they will open your mail.

The job interview in the UK

The pattern differs in the UK, but it is normal to have a 45-minute interview with up to three people (especially for big companies) asking questions about your profile and the position you want to fill. Some companies hold their interview in stages and with more interviewers involved in the interview process, so you might need to come back for a second or third round.

Whether a face-to-face interview or a video interview, preparation is critical to performing well and, hopefully, landing the job. Before showing up for the interview, research the job's sector, the company (especially its ethics, vision, and mission), the responsibilities of the role, and the people who will be interviewing you (usually stated in the interview invitation). Typically, at the end of the interview, interviewers leave some time for candidates to ask their questions. You will make a good impression and show genuine interest in the job if you ask a couple of questions about the role or the organisation, so we recommend you prepare those in advance.

Tip:

If you are a new expat in the city, plan your journey to the interview location and check public transport options and timetables to ensure you arrive on time.

Tip:

To find information about the company, visit its website and LinkedIn page, check its reviews, and read press releases and news stories.

Practice generic answers

No matter how progressive or innovative a company is, during the interview, they will ask some of the common and traditional interview questions (e.g., Tell us about yourself; Why do you want to work for us? What are your greatest strengths?). Even though these questions may sound familiar and simple, consider that you will be under pressure during the interview, and stress may affect your performance. Hence, we highly recommend you practice your answers and prepare beforehand. You can create a list of bullet points with the most important things you would like to bring up at the interview for each answer. You don't have to memorise a whole answer, just the main points you will elaborate on in front of the interviewers.

Tip:

The interviewer will converse with you in English, so make sure you also practice your answers in English, especially jargon specific to your profession.

Stay calm during the interview

At the interview, answer at your own pace. You are not on trial; consider the interview a conversation and an opportunity to discuss yourself without interruptions! They invited you because of your impressive CV, so be kind to yourself and be calm. If you are unsure whether you got a question right during the interview, don't risk it by giving an irrelevant answer. Instead, take time and feel free to ask for clarifications or encourage the interviewer to reword the question. You can also use this tactic to earn precious time to think about what you want to say and how to construct your answer.

Bring out your personality

An interview is not all about your CV, your qualifications, and previous experience. Interviewers are also looking for people who will match the company's culture and bring something extraordinary to the team. Smile, and add a little personality to your answers.

Don't talk money (yet)

You shouldn't mention the salary unless the interviewers mention it because you don't want to come across as money-minded.

COVID-19 considerations:

COVID-19 showed that remote employees are more productive and happier, even though they work longer hours. You can ask the interviewer about the company's policy regarding remote work and flexible working hours.

Ask for feedback

After the interview, sending a thank you mail to your interviewer is polite and professional. This will help them keep your profile in mind and encourage further contact. You can send it on the day of the interview or after about a week if you get no feedback. Even if the interview yields no result, see it as a learning process, and remember to ask the HR for feedback on what you can improve. This is deemed reasonable in the UK. Critical feedback will help you concentrate and improve in your next opportunity.

COVID-19 impact:

As a result of the pandemic and the multiple lockdowns, many people saw their careers stagnating. People got redundant, put on leave, or suffered the implications of other cost-cutting measures their employers had to take amid COVID-19. Many graduates couldn't obtain any work experience or start their internships, which were postponed or cancelled. Hence, there may be employment gaps in CVs. Employers will be understanding and empathetic as long as they see that you used this downtime for personal and professional development by taking the initiative to attend online events, do online courses, volunteer in your community, or undertake a new hobby.