How to Apply for Jobs in the UK: CV, Right to Work and Best Job Sites

UK job search guide: CV and cover letter tips, right to work and share codes, National Insurance, DBS checks, avoiding scams and 6 trusted job portals.

Looking for work in the UK can feel like a lot at first: CVs, right to work checks, National Insurance numbers and, for some jobs, DBS checks. This guide explains each step in plain English, then lists the best job portals to start your search today.

🇬🇧 How job hunting works in the UK

Most UK employers advertise jobs online and ask you to apply through a job board or their own careers site. Larger employers, such as supermarkets and warehouse firms, usually have an online form. Smaller businesses often ask for a CV by email.

A typical hiring process looks like this, although the details vary by employer:

You find a vacancy and read the advert carefully
You send your CV and cover letter, or fill in an online application form
Some employers ask you to complete a short online test or questionnaire
You're invited to an interview, by phone, video or in person
You receive a job offer, often 'subject to' checks such as references or a DBS check
You prove your right to work in the UK before you start

Many hourly jobs, such as retail, care and warehouse roles, move quickly. Agencies also play a big part in the UK, especially for warehouse, driving and temporary work.

📄 Your CV: keep it short and clear

A CV (curriculum vitae) is a short summary of your work history, skills and education. In the UK, two pages is the usual maximum, and one page is fine if you're starting out.

Your name, phone number, email address and town or city
A short personal profile of two or three lines about what you offer
Your work history, most recent first, with dates and a few key duties
Your education and any training, such as a food hygiene or first aid certificate
Key skills, such as customer service, teamwork or a full UK driving licence

You don't need to include a photo, your date of birth or your marital status on a UK CV. Use a simple layout, check the spelling and save it as a PDF or Word file.

✉️ Cover letters

A cover letter is a short note that goes with your CV. It tells the employer why you want this particular job and why you'd be good at it.

Keep it to three short paragraphs: the job you're applying for, two or three reasons you're a good fit, and when you're available to start or interview. Change it for each job, as a copied letter is easy to spot. Some online forms have a box for this instead.

🪪 Right to work checks

By law, every UK employer must check that you're allowed to work in the UK before you start. How you prove it depends on your nationality.

British or Irish citizens: you can show a British passport or an Irish passport or passport card. GOV.UK says these can be current or expired.
No passport? A UK or Irish birth or adoption certificate can be used, together with an official letter from a previous employer or a government agency such as HMRC or DWP showing your name and National Insurance number.
Everyone else: you usually prove your right to work with a share code from your UKVI account, which lets the employer view your immigration status online.

To get a share code, sign in to your UKVI account and view your eVisa. A share code lasts for 90 days and can be used as many times as you need, and you can get a new one at any time. You'll also need to give the employer your date of birth.

GOV.UK says that if you have an eligible immigration document, an employer must accept it or a share code, and you can choose which one to use. Some employers also check identity through an online identity service.

🔢 Your National Insurance number

Your National Insurance (NI) number makes sure the tax and National Insurance you pay are recorded against your name. If you live in the UK, you usually get a letter with your NI number shortly before your 16th birthday.

If you don't have one, you can apply online on GOV.UK if you live in the UK and have the right to work here. GOV.UK says it can take up to 4 weeks to arrive, but you can start work before you receive it as long as you can prove your right to work. If you have an eVisa, you can find your NI number by signing in to your UKVI account.

🔍 DBS checks for some jobs

A DBS check is a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. You don't need one for most jobs, but you will for many roles in care, health, education and work with children or vulnerable adults.

Basic: shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions
Standard: shows spent and unspent convictions and cautions
Enhanced: the same as standard, plus any relevant information held by local police
Enhanced with barred lists: also shows whether you're barred from doing the role

The employer normally arranges standard and enhanced checks. A DBS check has no official expiry date, and if you join the DBS Update Service, future employers can check online whether your certificate is still up to date. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own services.

💷 The minimum wage

Almost all workers are entitled to at least the minimum wage. From April 2026, the hourly rates on GOV.UK are:

Age or type	Hourly rate from April 2026
21 and over (National Living Wage)	£12.71
18 to 20	£10.85
Under 18	£8.00
Apprentice	£8.00

The rates change on 1 April each year. GOV.UK already lists £13.21 for workers aged 21 and over from April 2027.

🎤 Job interviews

UK interviews can be by phone, video or in person. For hourly jobs they're often short and focused on reliability, teamwork and how you deal with customers.

Read the job advert again and think of one real example for each main duty
Have your right to work documents or share code ready, as some employers check them at interview
Arrive five to ten minutes early, or test your camera and sound for a video call
Be clear about the days and hours you can work
Prepare one or two questions, such as what training is given in the first weeks

⚠️ How to avoid job scams

Fake job adverts and fake recruiters are common, especially on social media and for remote work. Keep these rules in mind:

Never pay to get a job. Be wary of anyone asking for fees for training, uniforms, visas or 'admin'.
Watch out for fake DBS fees. GOV.UK warns that scammers ask for money for a supposed DBS check. Most real employers won't demand upfront payment, and the old term 'CRB check' is a warning sign.
Don't share bank details or your NI number until you've confirmed the job and employer are real.
Check the employer yourself. Contact them using a phone number or email address you know is genuine, not the one in the message.
Be careful with chat-only offers that skip an interview or come through messaging apps.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you can report job fraud to Report Fraud, which replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101. If you've paid money, contact your bank straight away.

✅ Quick checklist before you apply

Your CV is up to date and saved as a PDF
You have a short cover letter you can adapt
You know how you'll prove your right to work
You have your National Insurance number, or know how to apply
You're applying on the official employer site or a trusted job portal

❓ Common questions

Do I need a CV for every job?

Not always. Many retailers, care providers and warehouse firms use an online form, but a CV is still useful to have ready.

Can I start work without a National Insurance number?

Yes. GOV.UK says you can start before you receive it if you can prove your right to work.

How long does a share code last?

90 days. You can get a new one whenever you need it from your UKVI account.

Do I need a DBS check?

Only for certain roles, such as care, health, education and work with children or vulnerable adults.

⭐ Best job portals in the UK

These six trusted sites cover most of the UK job market, from part-time shop work to full-time careers. Set up job alerts on two or three of them so new vacancies come straight to you.

Indeed UK

Indeed is a large job search engine that brings together vacancies from employer sites and job boards. You can filter by pay, job type and distance, and upload a CV to apply quickly.

Search jobs on Indeed UK ➜