Navigating the UK job market as a Nigerian requires more than just a good CV. It’s about cultivating a set of core employability skills that make you stand out to UK employers. Whether you’re aiming for a career in technology, finance, or healthcare, here’s a guide to help you land that professional job and set yourself up for success.
Top Employability Skills Employers Look For:
These are the skills UK employers expect, regardless of the sector. Brush up on them to improve your chances of securing a job:
- Logical and Critical Thinking
- Creativity and Analytical Skills
- Creative Problem Solving
- Leadership Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Personal Effectiveness
- Commercial Awareness
- Report Writing Skills
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Presentation Skills
- Emotional Intelligence
- People Management
- Communication Skills
- Negotiation Skills
- Influencing Skills
- Research Skills
- Decision Making
- Time Management
Retrospection Time!
What would you score yourself on these skills?
__ / 18
We hope you get to develop the ones you do not possess yet. Start working on them and watch your employability improve!
Possible Job Roles in the UK for Nigerians
With the right skills, you can land a role in several industries. Here are some sectors with a high demand for skilled professionals:
- Business Consulting and Support
- Construction
- Education
- Engineering
- Finance and Insurance
- Health and Social Care
- Information Technology
- Manufacturing, Transport, and Storage
- Professional and Technical Roles
- Retail
Where Are the Jobs?
Certain industries have a higher demand for skilled professionals in the UK. These sectors are thriving and offer a range of job opportunities:
- Business Consulting and Support
- Construction
- Education
- Engineering
- Finance and Insurance
- Health and Social Care
- Information Technology
- Manufacturing, Transport and Storage
- Professional and Technical Roles
- Retail
Tips for Landing Your Dream Job
Finding your dream job requires strategy and persistence. Here are some tips to help you stand out:
- Research the Top Companies: Look into the 50-70 top companies in your field of study and past experience.
- Attend Job Fairs: Network within your community and beyond to create opportunities.
- Invest in Upskilling: Continuously develop your skills to match the job roles you’re targeting.
- Build Your Personal Brand: Make sure your CV, Cover Letter, LinkedIn, and job board profiles (like CV Library, Job Serve) reflect your best self.
- Connect with Recruiters: Engage with recruiters, hiring managers, and company representatives.
- Visit Career Pages: Regularly check the career sections of your targeted companies for job openings.
Some of the Top Companies Offering Sponsorship
If you’re looking for companies that sponsor work visas, here are some leading ones to keep an eye on:
- NHS
- Barclays
- Ernst & Young (EY)
- HSBC
- KPMG
- McKinsey & Company
- Rolls-Royce
- Unilever
- Deloitte
- Aldi
- GSK
- Amazon
Where to Look for Jobs:
Finding the right job board can speed up your job search. Here are the top UK job sites:
- GOV UK – www.gov.uk/find-a-job
- Total Jobs – www.totaljobs.com
- Indeed – www.uk.indeed.com
- CV Library – www.cvlibrary.co.uk
- Hays UK – www.hays.co.uk
- Randstad – www.randstad.co.uk
- Reed – www.reed.co.uk
- Monster – www.monster.co.uk
- LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com
- JobServe – www.jobserve.com
PS: Keep Pushing!
If you don’t land a sponsored job immediately, consider taking a part-time or full-time job with a company that won’t sponsor you while continuing to pursue your dream role. Don’t give up, keep building your skills and connections!
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Good luck! Your success story is just around the corner.
