How to find a job in the UK
Quick start: agency (Pertemps, Adecco) → shifts tomorrow → paid every week. Salary from £12.71/hour. Construction with CSCS — £13–20/hour. Security with SIA — £12–18/hour.
🎓 On a Student visa? Limit 20 hours/week during term, full-time during holidays, cannot be self-employed. Guide for students →
What documents you need for work
| Document | Why | How to get |
|---|---|---|
| Right to Work | Proof you can work in the UK | Share Code on gov.uk (if eVisa) or eVisa |
| NI Number | Correct tax | Apply online or by phone. Guide → |
| Bank account | Receive salary | Revolut in 5 minutes → |
| Certificates | Access to certain jobs | CSCS, Food Hygiene, SIA → |
| CV | Resume in English | Google Docs templates, see below |
You can start work without an NI Number. NI Number is for taxes, not for the right to work. Without it you will have Emergency Tax (~40%), but after you get NI, HMRC will return the overpayment.
Where to look for a job
| Resource | Type of job | Good points |
|---|---|---|
| Indeed.co.uk | Everything | The biggest job site in the UK |
| Reed.co.uk | Everything | Many jobs, easy filters |
| Caterer.com | Hospitality | Restaurants, hotels, cafes |
| Totaljobs.com | Everything | Large aggregator |
| Office, IT, management | Networking + jobs | |
| Facebook groups | Everything | «Jobs in London», «Russians in UK» |
| Agencies | Warehouse, construction, cleaning | Quick start, paid weekly |
| Walk in | Hospitality, retail | Go with CV to restaurants/shops |
Tip: For a quick start — agencies (Pertemps, Adecco, Blue Arrow). You register, get shifts the next day. Paid weekly. Then look for a permanent job.
Popular sectors for migrants
| Sector | Need English? | Need certificate? | Salary/hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warehouse (Amazon, DHL) | Minimal | No (Manual Handling — a plus) | £12.71–14.50 |
| Kitchen (Kitchen Porter) | Minimal | Food Hygiene — a plus | £12.71–12 |
| Cleaning | Minimal | No | £12.71–13 |
| Delivery (Deliveroo, Uber Eats) | No | No | £10–15 (variable) |
| Construction | Basic | CSCS required | £13–20 |
| Hospitality (waiter) | Medium | Food Hygiene — a plus | £12.71–13 + tips |
| Security | Medium | SIA required | £12–18 |
| Care worker | Medium | DBS + Safeguarding | £12.71–14 |
Salaries — how much they really pay (2026)
| Job | Per hour | Per week (40h) | Per month (before tax) | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage (21+) | £12.71 | £508 | £2,203 | £26,436 |
| Warehouse/cleaning | £12 | £480 | £2,080 | £24,960 |
| Construction (CSCS) | £15 | £600 | £2,600 | £31,200 |
| Security (SIA) | £14 | £560 | £2,427 | £29,120 |
| Hospitality + tips | £13 | £520 | £2,253 | £27,040 |
* After tax (Income Tax + NI) from a yearly salary of £24,000 you keep about £20,500. More about taxes →
CV — how to write it for the UK
- Format: 1–2 pages. No photo. No date of birth. No marital status. UK CV is only about work.
- Structure: Personal statement (2–3 sentences) → Experience (most recent first) → Skills → Education.
- Language: English. Simple sentences. Action verbs: managed, delivered, organized, assisted.
- Templates: Google Docs → Template gallery → Resumes. Or Canva (free).
- For jobs without experience: Emphasise soft skills: punctual, reliable, hardworking, team player, willing to learn.
Worker rights in the UK
- Minimum £12.71/hour (21+). £8.60 (18–20). Employer cannot pay less
- Payslip every pay period — written breakdown of salary is required
- 28 days paid holiday per year (including bank holidays) for full-time
- Maximum 48 hours per week — if more, you need a written opt-out (voluntary)
- SSP (sick pay) — £123.25/week from the first day of illness
- No discrimination — by nationality, accent, religion, gender
- Auto-enrolment pension — employer must pay into a pension (3% of salary)
- Cannot withhold salary — only legal deductions (tax, NI, pension)
If your rights are violated: ACAS 0300 123 1100 (free). Citizens Advice — citizensadvice.org.uk
Taxes and payslip — how to read
| Line in payslip | What it is |
|---|---|
| Gross Pay | Salary before tax |
| Income Tax | Income tax. 0% up to £12,570/year, 20% above |
| National Insurance | Social insurance. ~8% above £242/week |
| Pension | Pension contributions. ~5% (3% employer + 2% you) |
| Net Pay | What you receive |
| Tax Code | 1257L = standard. BR = Emergency Tax (bad!). W1/M1 = temporary |
Tax Code BR or 0T? This is Emergency Tax — they take about 40%. Apply for an NI Number as soon as possible. After you get NI, call HMRC (0300 200 3300) and ask them to fix your tax code. They will return the overpayment.
Full guide on taxes: how they are calculated, how to get a refund, P45, CIS for construction workers — Taxes in UK in simple language →
Frequently asked questions
Can I work without an NI Number?
Yes. NI Number is for taxes, not for the right to work. Without it you will have Emergency Tax (~40%), but they will return the overpayment after you get NI. Apply in the first week.
Where can I find a job fastest?
Agencies (Pertemps, Adecco, Blue Arrow) — registration takes one hour, shifts the next day. Warehouses, cleaning, packing. Paid weekly.
Do I need English for work?
For warehouse, kitchen, cleaning, delivery — minimal. For construction, hospitality (waiter), care — basic. For office — good.
How much can I earn in construction?
£13–20/hour with a CSCS card. £600–800/week with 40–50 hours. You need a CSCS Green Card (£88–108, 2–4 weeks). More details →
What to do if they do not pay my salary?
1) Write to the employer in writing (email). 2) If they do not respond — ACAS 0300 123 1100 (free). 3) Employment Tribunal — free to file a claim.