Oxford is a city, located in the UK, with a rich history and a vibrant economy. It is located in the South Midlands and while it is relatively small, it is only around 60 miles from the 3 major cities of London, Birmingham and Bristol. A number of world-renowned universities call Oxford home, along with an extensive range of companies, businesses and industries. So as you would expect, it sees an impressive amount of recruitment activity.
Oxford possesses a number of factors that constitute an attractive location for the recruitment sector. There’s the city’s strong economic output that results in low unemployment and consequently a high level of skills. It also includes a relatively large and diverse population which facilitates the sourcing of candidates with the ideal skills and experience.
In addition, Oxford and its surrounding areas are attractive places to live and work. The city has a beautiful historic centre, a thriving cultural scene and a good range of amenities. It is centrally located for most of mid and southern England and also well-connected to the rest of the UK and the rest of Europe, making the journey for employees to and from an easy one.
As a result of the factors above, Oxford is a very highly contested destination for both job seekers and employers. If you are contemplating looking for employment in Oxford, there are a number of measures you can employ to increase your chances of success.
Firstly, ensure your CV and cover letter are tailored to the specific jobs that you are applying for, don’t just send generic ones, personalisation goes a long way and shows you have made an effort. Secondly, by all means, use online job boards but also contact recruitment agencies local to Oxford to find vacancies as they often know when things are coming up before they are released online. Thirdly, network with people in your industry of interest and attend industry events. Finally, don’t be afraid to reach out to potential employers directly.
With a little extra effort in the right direction, you can find yourself a dream job in Oxford. The city has a huge amount to offer both job seekers and employers, it’s a fantastic place to live and work.
Here are some additional tips for recruitment in Oxford
- Use social media to your advantage. Most companies, businesses and organisations use social media for day-to-day activities but especially to advertise job openings. Follow the companies you are interested in on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to stay up-to-date with their hiring needs and expectations.
- Attend recruitment events. There are a number of recruitment events held in Oxford throughout the year. These events are a great way to meet potential employers and learn about job opportunities.
- If you’re successful or even during the selection process, don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary, it shows initiative and confidence. When you are offered a job, don’t hesitate to negotiate your salary. But don’t overdo it, do some research to find out what the average salary is for your position and experience level.
- Be prepared to work hard. Oxford has a competitive job market, so you need to be prepared to work hard to get ahead. Be willing to put in long hours and go the extra mile.
If you follow these tips, you will be well on your way to finding a great job in Oxford but remember, persistence is key, keep on trying and you are more likely to succeed.
