12 Tips For Job Hunting in London

The 12 most important things I learned about job hunting in London

London is exciting, full of surprises and opportunities. I was looking to work there as a product manager. The first thing I learned: Job hunting in London is very different. I’d love to share my experiences, so here are my twelve insider tips for you:

#1 Experience is more important than your degree or any certificates.

You need to be able to show them that you can get the job done in the best way possible. Most of the time the companies won’t ask you for the university you studied at or the degree you got or certificates you earned. It’s all about experience. The downside is: Companies love to see that you’ve already worked in London, that you had your work experience in London. The question that arises: How are you supposed to start to work in London when you haven’t already worked in London?

#2 Your chances are best when you have already worked in London.

Like I explained above, that’s how it is. But the question that arises: How are you supposed to start to work in London when you haven’t already worked in London?

#3 If you apply for a job that was posted you get a reply to your application very quickly.

Versus if you send a speculative application your chances are very low to get a reply. At least that was the experience I made. None of my speculative applications led to an interview or even a reply. Whereas all of my other applications led to a reply. The reason behind this could be that companies have their own recruiters to do the work of finding new people and they’re having the time to respond to applicants.

#4 Many companies let recruiting agencies do the work of finding new talent.

Recruiting agencies are the intermediary between companies and job seekers. The recruiter’s job is to bring together talented people and companies looking for new talent. I heard that many job seekers let recruiters help them finding a job. That’s how it works: Job seekers talk to recruiters (specialized in their field e.g. Design, Development, Marketing etc.), send them all their documents and recruiters contact them when they hear of a job opportunity that could be a possible match. Then they invite the candidates, interview them according to the requirements of the company and connect candidate and company in case of a match.

#5 Connections are key! Network, know people, get introduced.

One of the most important tips I heard at a talk about how to get a job in London was: ‚We wouldn’t hire or purchase without a recommendation from someone we know’. You know what that means! Go to events, talk to people, show your skills, tell everyone what you’re looking for, network. Connections are the key to a job in London. That’s not only what I experienced but also what people told me. Your network hears of new job opportunities and can recommend you. Get people to introduce you to others. The best thing I heard happening is this story: Someone had a job interview. The company was very impressed with the candidate but was looking for a different profile. So they decided to recommend the candidate via a special Email-list used for recommending candidates to all companies they had close relations to. That’s amazing, isn’t it? So go out there and make yourself known!

#6 Try to get many interviews! As knowing the right people is everything, the guy interviewing you could be the one leading you to your next job!

Yes, that’s what was I just explaining above: The best thing I heard happening is this story: Someone had a job interview. The company was very impressed with the candidate but was looking for a different profile. So they decided to recommend the candidate via a special Email-list used for recommending candidates to all companies they had close relations to. That’s amazing, isn’t it? So go out there and make yourself known!

#7 Expect to do many rounds of interviews and assessments!

The experience I made was that you’re not getting a ‘Yes, you’ve got the job’ after the first interview. There are many rounds and things to do before that happens. I don’t want to scare or bore you, but that’s how it will work: You send an application. Hopefully you’ll hear back and get the possibility to talk to the company (or recruiter). Either you’ll talk via phone or via Skype – it’s all about getting to know you and to check the most important things. Then there’s a first interview – you’ll probably talk to an HR person or team leader. Then there are more rounds following – you’ll talk to the team leader of your field, the team members, the COO and/or CEO and possibly to some expert consultants who check your skills. Then you’re probably assigned a task or project. Or you’re even asked to work at the office for a day. Then there possibly is an interview with an HR person again, telling you the final decision. Sometimes companies also do pub visits together at the end of the process and before starting the job, or go for dinner to get to know the new team member. How much time will this process take? It could take weeks (like up to 6 weeks, one week between each interview) or it could take place on one or two days. I had interviews taking up to three hours at one company on one day. I talked to the General Manager, Head of Design, Head of Development, team members and the CEO one after each other. That was hard! You have to tell your story over and over again and try to sound excited again and again and try not to get tired. So many rounds are normal and doing assignments is as well.

#8 Skype-Interviews are the new normal

Maybe that’s not new to you, but interviewing via Skype is normal. Even if the office of the company is just around the corner. Being just around the corner I once suggested to come over to grab a coffee but was only offered a Skype interview. And here comes a very important point: Put your headphones on! It makes you look more professional. People think you’re working somewhere in a co-working space. I once talked to a company without headphones on and they immediately asked me if I was at home.

#9 It’s not unusual to do a test-projects or test-task or even a test-day!

When I told people that it is normal to do test-projects or even test-days in London they were kind of shocked. You don’t only do little test-tasks, which could be part of a normal hiring process. No, you also get to do a little project! In my case I had to do some research and write a report. They told me it shouldn’t take me more than eight hours. Eight hours! That’s one working day! I heard that someone had to do a redesign of an app, or the whole concept for an app. And I also heard of a ‘test-day’. Someone had to stay at the company, do a project together with the team and in the evening present it to the CEO and the team. Expect to be assigned something, they want to see how you work.

#10 Expect a temporary contract at first

If you’re applying for a normal full-time job, you’ll probably get a temporary contract first. You’ll work there for some time and if they’re happy with your work you’ll get a permanent contract. During the time of your temporary contract you can get fired very quickly, but you can also leave very quickly.

#11 Work on your LinkedIn profile!

Everyone in London has super polished and filled up Linkedin profiles. They have many recommendations and approved skills. It’s hard work, but your chances are better to get a job if you get people to write you a recommendation and to approve your skills.

#12 People change their jobs very quickly

It’s not unusual that people change their job quickly. I heard people say: Start the job, why not, if you don’t like it, you can quit during the first weeks without any problem. On the one side that’s a really flexible system but on the other side you need time and commitment to get to know a product and a company to do great work and if you change quickly and often that’s not possible. I also talked to the CEO of a company and he said it’s a big problem. Recruiters call his talented people everyday and try to convince them to change to a different company for some more money. Turnover of staff is part of the daily business in London companies have to deal with.

I hope my tips are helpful for you! What are your experiences with job hunting in London? Do you agree with me? Do you want to add something? I’m curious to hear your stories!

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