Everybody who flees their home in distress and arrives in a new country deserves support. Every refugee and migrant who survived some of the worst living conditions has the right to live again with dignity. 

They should be able to rebuild happy relationships and a productive future. When thinking about seeking employment as a refugee or a migrant, it is vital to consider all the charitable organisations that can support you through the process.

Looking for Refugee Charities and Organisations

An excellent starting point when searching for your first career in the UK is identifying businesses and organisations that actively support refugees.

For instance, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organisation dedicated to saving and protecting lives, building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people.

Organisations like this are committed to help vulnerable individuals and guide them through their refugee status process.

Another fantastic organisation that you can seek support from is the British Red Cross. On their website, you will be able to search and contact your nearest refugee service based on your location.

Seeking Employment Training

Other charitable organisations, such as the Refugee Council, work in close partnership with employers like NHS and Starbucks to support potential candidates throughout their career choices.

You will be able to attend workshops involving preparation to employment, get help completing your CV and train on interview techniques.

Refugee Employment Checklist

If you want to increase your opportunities to find a job, you should keep in mind a few salient tips. Remember, an employer always wants to see a high level of commitment and motivation, regardless of your background. Therefore, this is your most important move.

You can show your potential employer that you are serious about working for them in several ways:

  • Prepare a CV in English – do not worry if English is not your strength. There are plenty of services that will support you through the process.
  • Highlight any engagement in the local community in your CV and motivation letters. For instance, you can mention any voluntary work or membership to an organisation. If you have not carried out any voluntary work in your life, try to identify volunteering opportunities as entry points to the employment world and establish new professional networks.
  • Show your potential employer that you have familiarised with the local job market, together with norms and customs in the workplace.
  • If you are an asylum-seekers, where applicable, do not wait to obtain your refugee status to learn how to write and speak in English or develop any professional skills that would improve your chances of being hired.
  • Get your qualifications and any relevant documentation translated into English.
  • Look for opportunities to obtain certified qualifications.
  • Show your commitment to your potential employer by converting your driving license. If you do not have one, try to obtain one through testing as soon as you can.
  • Attend free online workshops, watch tutorials, and read blogs relevant for the position you are applying for.

Take a look at our job board. There are plenty of jobs for immigrants and jobs for refugees you can explore, as well as refugee jobs in Leeds, refugee jobs in London and numerous other opportunities you can apply for.

You can also take a look at our job for Chinese-speaking people, jobs for Irish-speaking people, or our jobs for Romanian people.