You can apply to individual jobs.

With Workgateways – you gain access to the whole UK before you leave home, and while you travel!

You can also learn a lot from this site as you plan and prepare for your UK trip. Learn how to maximise your UK job search.

Find out about your industry in the UK; current conditions, job market trends, pay rates to expect and essential tips like getting your UK visa, opening a UK bank account and finding a place to live.

We are a gateway to working in the UK. 

If you’d like to earn pounds in a great job as soon as possible – getting in touch with recruitment agencies who are interested in your experience before you go is great way to get information on how your specific experience relates to the UK jobs market.

The aim is to get your resume in front of recruitment consultants and employers who are specialists in your area. Just one interested agency can be great help in connecting you with suitable employers. If you find that you have the attention of 2 or 3 agencies that seem like they will help you – you’ve most likely done more than enough.

Not all types of jobs are the same – here is a rough guide to the ideal timeframes for registering with agencies and applying to specific jobs. If you have just arrived – register with agencies now!

In general, you should always register with a number of agencies. Applying for specific jobs becomes more relevant as your UK arrival date approaches.

Most jobs listed on this site (or any site for that matter) require you to be going to the UK and have a work visa.

If you apply to a specific job two months before you arrive in the UK, chances are that particular job will be gone by the time you arrive (unless you apply to a job that offers sponsorship) – however, you have not wasted your time. A recruitment consultant who deals with similar jobs now knows you are coming to the UK. On the other hand, registering for a specific job one to four weeks before you arrive could land that particular job.

The timeframes for registering with agencies and applying to various jobs depend on the type of job that you are seeking. Here are some guidelines:

• Teaching
• Medical, Doctors and Nursing
• Accounting, Banking and Finance jobs
• Construction, Engineering
• Town Planning and Legal
• Social Work
• Other Jobs – Bar, Office, Trades, Labour, Hospitality, Sales, Nannies, and Retail

Teaching jobs – ideally up to 6 months years before you go. You can and should register with agencies or apply to specific jobs up to 6 months  before you are planning to be in the UK. The teaching jobs market is dominated by agencies and they often offer a lot of assistance before you go. Sometimes agencies even help in attaining your UK police check.

Medical, Nursing and Doctors jobs – You can and should register with agencies or apply to jobs between 6 months and 1 year before you are planning to be in the UK. Agencies in this job sector usually offer a lot of personal assistance in your preparation to go to the UK. For medical professionals including Nurses, Midwives, Doctors, Pharmacists and others wishing to practise their profession in the UK, registration with an appropriate body is required and agencies often will assist with this. Registration with your professional body can take up to 6 months – so planning is essential. Apply for specific jobs at any time.

Accounting, Banking and Finance, Construction, Engineering, Social Work, Town Planning and Legal professionals;

You can start registering with suitable agencies from 1 year to 1 week before you arrive.

Opportunities in these professions can be filled relatively quickly (even in economic slowdowns); it is therefore a good idea to ensure you remain fresh in the minds of your recruitment consultants for upcoming positions. To do this, keep your information online up to date, especially 1-3 months (2 months is ideal) before you arrive. 

Start applying to specific job posts from about 3 months before you arrive until 2 weeks after you arrive.

Look out for jobs that offer sponsorship; you can apply for these at any time.

Other Jobs – Bar, Live-in, Office, Trades, Labour, Hospitality, Sales, Nannies, and Retail jobs;

You can start registering with suitable agencies from 6 month to 1 week before you arrive.

Through Workgateways, jobs in these areas are generally quick to find. Be sure to start applying to lots of specific jobs about 1 week before you arrive and also after you arrive in the UK. If you would really like to secure a job before you leave home, some agencies offer ‘accommodation and work’ packages.

Workgateways focuses on employers and recruitment agencies that love people from overseas. Quite often the job vacancies the want to fill are shorter term in nature or require someone who is extra flexible. And perhaps the employer or agency is looking to sponsor someone longer term.

No, it does not cost you anything to apply to jobs and to take advantage of the information on Workgateways.

Unless you are a specialist professional, as a general rule it is often quite difficult to secure employment prior to leaving your home country. UK-based employers usually want to meet you face-to-face before they take the associated risks of starting a new employee. There are big advantages to applying to jobs before leaving home. 

From time to time employers will recruit directly from overseas, such as highly sought-after teachers, nurses or specialist design engineers. This is due to very high demand in these areas and often employers will travel to interview. The key to taking advantage of these opportunities is registering with agencies in your field.

Tip: If you do have plans to go to the UK – it is to your advantage to approximate the arrival date on your online file.

For about 95% of people, it is necessary to be going to the UK to get work, unless you are a specialist professional.

In general, your chances of securing work in the UK are dramatically increased if you are actually going. See how I get the most out of my Workgateways job search?

If you are looking for work before leaving your home country, the best way to find work is to identify suitable jobs that specifically state things like “will provide sponsorship” and “interviews will be held in Sydney/Auckland/Cape Town etc.” Apart from Workgateways, look in major newspapers and job sites in your country. You can also register with agencies through Workgateways. Another avenue is to explore employment opportunities with a multinational in your home country and take advantage of any exchange programs or opportunities as they present themselves.

If you are a teacher, nurse or specialist professional you should register with agencies in your field regardless of your travel plans.

Only you, WORKgateways and any recruitment agency with whom you choose to register or through whom you apply for jobs. No one else has access to your information. Be sure to keep your log-in safe! If you forget your username and/or login, please email us.