By Steve Taggart
We have teamed up with CV-Library to discover the top things to consider when looking to work in London.
“With more green space than any other European city, a thriving economy, a low crime rate and a roaring cultural scene, it is no surprise that London is the place to be”, Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, recently said. However, one vital point he forgot to mention is the countless job opportunities that this flourishing city has to offer. With more than 3,000 new jobs created within the city of London in March 2015 alone, and an increase in the number of jobs by 25 per cent year on year, many are tempted by the hustle and bustle of the Nation’s capital.
If you are thinking of making this change, it’s time to arm yourself with London’s latest employment stats. Our latest findings show:
Whilst job opportunities are in an abundance in the city of London, and salaries are a lot higher, it goes without saying that living costs are also greater than in any other UK towns and cities. Whether you plan to commute on a daily basis, or want to relocate to London, here are a couple of things that you should consider:
Your Competition
With a population consisting of a staggering 8.63 million individuals, naturally competition for jobs will be fierce. CV-Library holds the Nation’s largest candidate database, containing over 1.5 million CVs from London alone. In comparison, the entire North West region of the UK (including Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds) contains only 1.1 million CVs. With significantly more candidates competing for jobs in the capital, its essential that you stand out from the crowd.
Housing Expenses
The housing market is famously more expensive in the capital than anywhere else in the UK; in terms of both buying and renting. Currently, the average rent for a one-bedroom property in London is a steep £1761.50 per month, and an astounding £2450.50 for a two bedroom premises. With the average rental price across the UK coming in at £918.00 per calendar month, it’s at least £843.50 more expensive per month to live in London!
Transport Costs
The most popular method of transport in London is the Underground. Whether you will commute to London on a daily basis, or travel into work from another part of the city, you will most likely use the Tube. With the price of a monthly TravelCard for zones 1-6 set at £225.10, this comes in at a whopping annual cost of £2,344! It’s important to remember that this is only the cost for the Tube – have you considered your train fare from your home-town into London? This can take your journey costs up by thousands more pounds! Compare your current cost of your commute to the charges of travelling to London – it is likely to be a lot more and is a fundamental cost to be taken into consideration.
Entertainment / Social Expenses
It’s easy to become caught-up in all the new and exciting changes that a new job can bring, but it’s important to make sure you can afford to sample all of the eclectic restaurants, attractions and night-life that London has to offer! If you are considering a meal out, it’s worth noting that a two-course meal can cost between £12 – £20 upwards, a small bottle of beer will be roughly £4.00 (or more) and a cocktail can vary from £7.50 to in excess of £20.00 dependant on the bar! Don’t forget that these are just the general costs of socialising… London has many other attractions to visit such as the theatre, concerts and Thames cruises that you should be sure to budget for!
As a culturally rich hub which presents endless opportunities, London is your oyster! You will never tire of things to do and places to go, and given the ever-growing pool of vacancies that the Nation’s hub presents., you’re likely to find yourself a job to meet your requirements. When it comes to applying for roles or accepting job offers, make sure you have considered all aspects, but ultimately, make sure that the role encompasses everything that you wanted.
