In this guide
Career changes and transitions
Looking for work after moving to the UK
How UK right-to-work checks work, how to get overseas qualifications compared, UK application conventions and how to build local experience and references.
Proving your right to work
GOV.UK explains that you need to prove your right to work to an employer before you start working for them. British and Irish citizens can use a passport or passport card. If you are not a British or Irish citizen, you can usually use a share code, which you get online, or your eligible immigration documents, and your employer cannot reject you for choosing documents instead of a share code.
Employers carry out these checks for everyone they hire. Being asked is normal; being asked to pay for a 'right to work check' or a visa by someone offering you a job is a warning sign.
Getting overseas qualifications compared
UK ENIC is the official organisation for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications in the UK. Its statement of comparability explains how a qualification compares with the UK system. Some employers ask for one; regulated professions, such as healthcare, teaching or law, have their own registration routes that you must check with the relevant regulator.
Adapting to UK application conventions
| Topic | Typical UK practice |
|---|---|
| Photo, date of birth, marital status | Usually left off the resume |
| Length | Often up to two pages |
| Name for the document | Usually called a CV / resume in the UK; content matters more than the label |
| Personal statement | A short profile at the top, then experience in reverse order |
| Application forms | Common in the public sector, often with questions about how you meet the person specification |
| References | Usually requested after an offer; contact details not needed on the resume |
Spell out overseas organisations briefly for a UK reader: what the employer does and how large it is, so your experience is understood in context.
Building local experience and references
- Volunteering with a charity or community organisation, which also gives you a UK referee.
- Temporary or agency roles to gain a first UK employer.
- Professional body membership or events in your field.
- Free advice from the National Careers Service in England, or the equivalent services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Early steps after arriving
- Get your National Insurance number if you do not have one; you will usually need it when you start a job.
- Know how you will prove your right to work.
- Check whether your profession is regulated in the UK.
- Rewrite your resume for UK conventions and test it on someone who hires in the UK.
- Identify two possible UK referees.
Common questions
Do I need UK experience to get a job?
Not always, but some employers prefer it. Volunteering, temporary roles and clear explanations of your overseas experience help bridge the gap.
Is it normal to be asked for a share code?
Yes, for people who are not British or Irish citizens. Give it to the employer you are joining; you should never pay a recruiter or employer for the check itself.
Sources
- Prove your right to work to an employerGOV.UK · UK · checked 3 October 2026
- Check a job applicant's right to workGOV.UK · UK · checked 3 October 2026
- UK ENIC: recognition of international qualificationsUK ENIC · UK · checked 3 October 2026
- National Careers ServiceNational Careers Service (GOV.UK) · England · checked 3 October 2026
Put it into practice
Guidance by career stageDrafted with AI assistance and checked against Luceria’s editorial standards. Examples are illustrative, not real people’s results. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.