Looking for work in the UK

Looking for work means a lot of reading. Adverts, offers and contracts can all arrive in the same week. The government and a few independent bodies publish clear guidance for each step, and this page points to it.

Where vacancies are listed

The government runs a job search service called Find a job. People use it to find and apply for full or part-time jobs in England, Scotland and Wales. Jobs in Northern Ireland are on a separate service, and the Find a job page on GOV.UK links to it.

Careers advice

The National Careers Service helps people with career decisions, getting a job or progressing in a role. Its skills assessment asks about your interests and shows some careers that might suit you. You can also browse hundreds of job profiles to see what different roles involve, and search for courses near you.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own careers service. The National Careers Service site links to all three.

Checking a job advert is real

Report Fraud, the police reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, says job scams most often start with an advert or a message out of the blue. The people behind them often ask for money up front. They may say it is for equipment, training or security checks, and promise to pay it back.

Report Fraud suggests a few checks before you share personal details:

JobsAware gives free help and advice to workers who may have suffered from scams, mistreatment or unfair working practices.

Fees from recruitment agencies

GOV.UK says recruitment agencies cannot charge you a fee for finding or trying to find you work. An agency can charge for certain services, such as CV writing, training or transport. Before it charges, it must give you full written details of the fee and your right to cancel.

Complaints about employment agencies go to the Fair Work Agency. It replaced the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate.

Before your first day

Your new employer will ask you to prove your right to work in the UK before you start. A British or Irish citizen can use a British passport, or an Irish passport or passport card. The passport can be current or expired. Other people can use a share code, which they get online, or their eligible immigration documents.

A job offer may be conditional, for example on satisfactory references. An employer can withdraw a conditional offer if the conditions are not met. GOV.UK advises waiting for an unconditional offer before you hand in your notice.

Your first weeks in the job

On your first day, your employer must give you a written statement of the main conditions of your job. It includes your job title, your start date, your pay, your hours and your holiday entitlement. A wider written statement follows within 2 months.

If you are an employee or a worker, your employer must also give you a payslip on or before payday. It shows your earnings before and after any deductions.

Acas gives free and confidential advice on employment rights. GOV.UK listed its helpline on 20 October 2026 as 0300 123 1100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Useful links