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As the UK’s largest recruitment company, we are committed to helping Ukrainian refugees rebuild their lives by finding them work. We will use our expertise to share support and advice, and provide access to roles at leading employers. We are driven by finding good work for people, and we are ready to do what we can to help.

If you have shared your details via our chatbot, we will be in touch to provide you with a contact and talk through your options. In the meantime, this page will guide you on things to think about throughout your job search.

Prepare a CV/resume

Many employers will expect you to submit a CV or resume as part of your application. This doesn’t need to be a long document, but it is a good idea to create one which has a record of your work history, education, qualifications and a brief overview of your skills.

What to include in a CV:

• Contact details - Include your full name, current living address, mobile number and an email address. You do not need to include a Date of Birth, but please note that many jobs in the UK will require you to be at least 18 years old. There is no need to include a photograph on your CV.

• Profile - A short (100 words or less) introduction to what you’re looking for and what particular skills/qualifications you have. This can include the industry and types of roles you are looking for. Remember, you can always change the wording in this section to be relevant to the job you are applying for.

• Work experience - List your experience starting with your most recent job first. Include your job title, company name, length of time at the company and key responsibilities (use bullet points to highlight your responsibilities). List as many as you can, but please note that weekend jobs, summer jobs or jobs during your early education are not relevant to prospective employers. An ideal CV length would be one page long.

• Education - List and date all previous education, including professional qualifications. Place the most recent first. Include outcome/grade, and the dates. This section can also include any languages you speak.

Tips for writing a good CV:

• Try to keep it to one page - Recruiters look at a lot of CVs, so they don’t have time to read overly long documents. Keep information relevant and concise to maintain a sensible page limit.

• Choose a simple font - Use a font that is clear and easy to read such as Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman. Use a font size between 10 and 12 to make sure that potential employers can read your CV.

• Use section headings - Section headings are a good way to break up your CV. Ensure they stand out by making them larger (font size 14 or 16) and bold.

• Use bullet points - instead of writing long sentences or paragraphs when detailing your work history and achievements, use bullet points to make precise, factual statements.

• Use spell-check - Have someone proofread your CV or run it through a digital spell checker.

You don’t need to have any particular software installed to create a CV. There are lots of templates online that you can use, including a free service provided by Indeed, which you can access here: Indeed resume templates

Getting ready for an interview

An interview is your opportunity to demonstrate your suitability for a role, your interest in the company and your personality. Being prepared for an interview can help you feel relaxed and confident on the day and ensure you can answer the questions you'll likely be asked.

Here are our top tips for interview preparation:

• Find similarities between your skills and experience and the job you applied for - Make sure you understand the role you are applying for and what skills and experience the employer is looking for. You should contact the hiring team if you need a job description translated.

• Be upfront and clear about your situation - Employers understand everything that is happening. Be honest with the hiring team and let them know if you are facing any issues in the UK (such as finding a place to stay, etc.) or if you need support getting WiFi, a computer or other adjustments.

• Language barrier - If you do not have a good level of English, please also let the hiring team know in advance so they can try to make the right adjustments for you.

• Bring your experience and achievements to the role you are applying for - Prepare a list of responsibilities you carried out previously and focus on the ones that match the role you apply for. Was there anything special about the work you did? Be sure to mention special skills or tasks you could do that no one else could.

• Research the company - If you can, try and learn more about the company ahead of the interview. This will help you have more to talk about and also shows your interest to work for them.

• Practise the interview with someone - You don’t need to rehearse everything you're going to say, but practising responding to questions with a friend or family member is a good way to feel more prepared.

• Plan your travel - if the interview isn’t taking place online, spend some time working out your travel to and from the interview location. This is particularly important if you are new to the area. Figure out the best driving or public transport routes and add a bit of extra time for any delays. It’s ok to be early for an interview, but you want to avoid being late.

• Print out and bring a copy of your CV if you can - If you find yourself getting overwhelmed or confused by a question, you can use your CV to get you back on track.

Questions you could ask at the interview

Employers will usually ask you if you have any questions at the end of the interview. Do use this time to ask questions as it will show that you are interested in learning more about them.

The below are some of the types of questions you could ask:

• What does a typical day in this role look like?

• What plans are in store this year for the team?

• Is there training available?

• What is the working culture like?

Understanding UK work culture

Depending on the role you apply for, many employers consider these skills just as important or even more important than technical expertise:

• Communication - Do express yourself whenever you have an opinion, idea or question. Use translation tools like Google Translate to help get your message across. This will help you build good relationships with your colleagues and avoid misunderstandings.

• Teamwork - Employers will hire people who can work in a team as it builds a good work culture. Good team players are those who help their colleagues and share ideas.

• Time management - Good time management means being punctual and delivering your work on time. Plan your day and create a schedule - ask for support if you have a lot to do. Bad time management affects your colleagues in a negative way and is frowned upon by employers.

• Adaptability - This is your ability to handle various tasks, understand what to focus on and adjust to change. Companies will look for people who want to try new ideas, overcome problems and cope when things don't go as planned.

• Problem solving - Employers want people who can think of solutions rather than complaining about a problem. When faced with an issue, be creative and think about ways you could solve the problem first before looking for help.

• Maintaining relationships - If an issue arises between yourself and a colleague, aim to solve the problem in a polite and professional way so everyone feels respected

• Taking initiative - Taking initiative shows your employer you are passionate about your work. You can do this by being involved in group discussions, putting new ideas forward or solving problems.

Resources

You may use the below links to help you adjust to working life in the UK.

• Duolingo - learn English for free here 

• Office 365 Training in Ukrainian

• Microsoft 365 Modern Workplace Training in Ukrainian

• Microsoft Office 365 Training in English  

• Microsoft 365 Modern Workplace Training in English  

• Indeed resume templates - use Indeed to create your CV online for free 

• NatWest bank account – apply for a UK bank account with NatWest

Please click here to start your application to find a job in the UK.

We wish you the best of luck in your job search.

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