Is job hunting in the UK really that different? Do you have any specific tips?
Posted by Rhama1@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 32 comments
Good evening, guys!
I have a few questions. Here in Brazil, there are many different resume templates to send to companies; companies in the UK are probably more strict about this.
I'd like to know if there's a specific template I prefer. I'm entering the job market now and only have experience as a museum educator, and I'd like to try my luck in the British market. Do you have any tips that could make this process easier? Although Google provides limited information, I still prefer reading from people who have experience both as British and non-British individuals.
bright_sorbet1@reddit
Are you living in the UK and do you have the right to work here?
If your answer is no, you stand almost zero chance of getting a job in the UK. And even less chance if you're going for museum work which is incredibly sought after and competitive with no shortage of Brits wanting those jobs.
If you are in the UK and legally entitled to work - then a simple, clear ATS friendly layout.
We do not include photos or ages on our CVs.
Rhama1@reddit (OP)
Not at the moment, I still live in Brazil. I'm looking for remote work; my professional experience is as a museum educator, having worked in that field for a year. I'm seeking something like technical support or even administrative assistance, if possible in a home office setting.
bright_sorbet1@reddit
You won't get a job. You're absolutely wasting your time applying.
Museums won't sponsor visas and they aren't going to spend time and money sorting out tax and payment issues to you.
They also don't need you. There are plenty of people in the UK wanting those jobs.
Rhama1@reddit (OP)
Eu não procuro emprego em museu. O que apontei é que a minha experiência profissional foi nessa área! Contudo sei que a possibilidade de conseguir algo é somente indo pessoalmente.
bright_sorbet1@reddit
And what I'm telling you is that spending time writing and sending CVs to entry-level jobs in the UK, when you live in Brazil and don't have the right to live and work in the UK is a complete waste of your time.
There are lots of young people in the UK struggling to get jobs. They will easily be able to fill the job with someone who IS allowed to work in the UK.
They aren't going to jump through hoops, and incur additional costs, to hire someone in Brazil with very little experience.
It would be far better for you to focus on getting work in Brazil, or moving somewhere you can legally work.
Bloodbuzzbrazil@reddit
If you don't have right to work, your applications will be going in the bin unfortunately. You don't have any experience in a profession that is in demand here.
Rhama1@reddit (OP)
I understand. The issue is that working from home makes things easier, but when it comes to searching in person, it's more bureaucratic because of the work visa that needs to be issued by the consulate.
bright_sorbet1@reddit
Most UK companies will avoid hiring in Brazil because it’s too complicated, too risky, and too expensive for one hire. If they get it wrong, they can face fines, back pay, and legal trouble under Brazil’s strict labour laws. Add tax risks and extra admin (often needing services like Deel or Remote), and it’s simply far easier and cheaper to hire someone in the UK.
I'm not being mean when I say you won't get a job. I'm just trying to stop you from wasting your time. Job hunting is time consuming. And you will get absolutely nowhere.
The only way you'd have a tiny chance is if you had a really niche skill or were highly qualified in finance or tech.
Museum admin can be filled by 18 year olds on minimum wage. They aren't going to jump through hoops to employ you.
Bloodbuzzbrazil@reddit
Everyone wants to work from home, it's not an easy thing to get. You are much better off job searching in Brazil where you have the right to work, or other BRICS countries. You have almost no chance in the UK currently
Rhama1@reddit (OP)
I believe the situation is the opposite. Job opportunities here are quite limited, and I think it makes things much easier if I'm there in person.; BRICS is more helpful in terms of trade, because actual jobs are getting worse and worse, and choosing a job is even harder... Working from home here is very difficult.
Bloodbuzzbrazil@reddit
I live half the year in the northeast of Brazil, there are jobs but you need a good education and experience. And it's the exact same in the UK. The UK job market is very very tough, and as you have no right to work or much experience, there isn't much chance really.
Straight_Support_681@reddit
You need to check whether your job is eligible for visa sponsorship first before even getting to the CV stage. You can use tools like the UK Visa Sponsorship Checker to see this information for the jobs you're applying to.
ActionBirbie@reddit
One thing I've seen on foreign CV's: Too much personal information like a photo or an address or a date of birth. These things are not only unnecessary, but might easily get your application binned.
Rhama1@reddit (OP)
Oh, really. Here they often request that candidates include photos in their resumes, depending on the position.
shortercrust@reddit
It’s actually seen as inappropriate here and big companies will immediately remove or obscure the photo. A lot of that’s down to anti discrimination laws - you’re not supposed to care about all the information you get from a photo.
Historical_Project86@reddit
The resume template to use is the one which AI can read, so keep it simple. Also if it's a PDF then copy all the text and paste into notepad to check that it's still readable. What I have:
Name, aspirational job title 😄, phone, email, linkedin profile
Summary - why I am so awesome.
Experience, most recent first and probably only go into detail with the first 2.
Skills - keywords of why you are so awesome and all the apps and concepts you understand
Education - just University/ies.
Umar_AM9@reddit
Anything simple and clean, don't need fancy fonts or anything like that
Rhama1@reddit (OP)
This actually helps. I've seen in so many videos that companies are too specific. I have a very different work experience from others, because having been a museum educator is different, even though it helps me in my experience with customer service.
Long-Woodpecker-1980@reddit
The advice I always followed was keep it succinct. Two pages, ie the front and back of one page, is the target.
No words should be wasted. Everything is there to make you look like a perfect fit, so use key words from the job description when discussing your own work experience
Grouchy-Put-5677@reddit
Not sure how it works in UK but, here in US we all get filtered out if we're not satisfying the ATS system, which is basically a filter that cross-matches your resume with job description, if you score less than the acceptable score, you get immediate rejection before a real human sees your resume.
Rhama1@reddit (OP)
I understand. I saw on TikTok that many people end up programming their resume with a keyword precisely to avoid this situation.
Grouchy-Put-5677@reddit
I literally did the same thing lol after those changes I get no immediate rejection at least
Rhama1@reddit (OP)
I definitely need to learn this. Lmao
Grouchy-Put-5677@reddit
not sure if you're interested but you check my profile you'll see there
Rhama1@reddit (OP)
Thank you, I will try to look for a job opportunity in the USA. Even though it might be twice as difficult because I'm Brazilian.
Grouchy-Put-5677@reddit
We have colleagues from all around the world, so I am sure you'll get a chance! What's your profession?
Rhama1@reddit (OP)
I am currently a psychology student looking for a job that allows me to work remotely temporarily.. I'm still just starting to enter the job market.
srm79@reddit
I wouldn't really bother with a CV or Resume, most applications are online and require you to complete an online application form.
It's more important to have STAR formatted descriptions of your transferable skills and behaviour profiles using real-life examples.
Have a look at civil service, council, universities, banks, etc., job sites
Rhama1@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much!!
Anxious-Bottle7468@reddit
Feel free to style it how you want. Do not include a photo or your age though.
bright_sorbet1@reddit
This isn't necessarily good advice.
A lot of larger companies now use ATS software. And some layouts are far superior to others when it comes to being read by ATS.
Definitely stick to simple layouts that are know to be ATS friendly.
If you're not a designer - just stick to a clear and simple CV.
If you're a designer - and applying for design jobs, it may be beneficial to use a slightly more creative format - BUT not at the expense of readability.
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