WORKING IN LONDON

How to find a job

Start by looking in local papers, the free Metro paper available at tube and train stations and free publications such as Ms. London or Nine to Five which are handed out when you get off the tube. Lists of jobs ads and employment agencies are available in these.

Websites such as are well worth a look.

Pub and bar or shop work should be found by approaching an individual pub or shop with your CV in hand.

Other than these, you should directly approach employment/recruitment agencies with your CV who may register you if they consider you to be appropriate.

Location - it is very important to consider how far away from home you are willing to work. Check out our Postcodes page for an accurate description of whereabouts a job is located.

Salaries vary enormously in London. Most newcomers or fresh graduates come to London and can easily survive and have a good weekend on salaries just shy of £19k per annum. Anything a little less than this is also manageable, just expect a quieter weekend. More information on salary ranges in different sectors is available in our Moove2London Starter Pack.

Temp or perm?

A temp job could be anything from 1 day to 6 months or more, whereas permanent means that you will remain there until either yourself or your employer calls time on your employment.

Temp-perm jobs means that you are taken on as a temp, with a view to becoming permanent if your employer considers that you are doing well at your job.

Contract work is almost like permanent except that it has a fixed duration and you will not usually participate in the permanent employees benefit scheme.

If you wish to be a temp, either email a temping agency or phone them up and hopefully they will invite you in for registration which consists of typing tests and probably Word/Excel proficiency. You will also need to give past work references or contact details for college tutors.

If you're thinking of the long-term and want to go for a permanent role, then you can either find a job ad and apply for it directly (usually be requesting an application form over the phone or internet) or you can register with a recruitment agency, who will match you up with jobs relevant to your skills and put you forward for interviews.

Either way, be sure to brush up on your interview skills - remember to deal a firm handshake or if all else fails, picture the interview panel naked!