UK Job Interview Culture: A Guide for Immigrants

Before the Interview

Preparation is highly valued in UK interview culture:

• Research the company: Know their products, services, values, and recent news. UK interviewers expect you to have done thorough research. See our CV guide for preparing your application.
• Prepare STAR examples: The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is the standard framework for answering competency-based questions.
• Prepare questions: Having thoughtful questions for the interviewer shows genuine interest.
• Know your right to work status: Be clear on whether you need sponsorship or already have the right to work. See our right to work guide.

During the Interview

UK interview culture has some specific expectations:

• Punctuality: Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Being late is seen as very unprofessional.
• Handshake: A firm handshake and eye contact at the beginning and end of the interview is standard.
• Communication style: Be clear and concise. UK culture values understatement; avoid overly grand claims about your abilities. Use specific examples instead.
• Asking about salary: It is generally acceptable to discuss salary, but wait until the employer raises the topic or until you have a job offer.

Common Interview Questions

Expect questions like:

• "Tell me about a time when you dealt with a difficult situation at work."
• "Give an example of when you worked effectively in a team."
• "Why do you want to work for this company?"
• "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
• "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"

For each, prepare a structured answer using the STAR method with real examples from your experience.

Visa and Sponsorship Discussions

If you need employer sponsorship for a visa:

• Be upfront about your situation. Employers appreciate honesty and it saves time.
• Know whether the employer has a sponsor licence. Check the register of licensed sponsors before applying.
• Indefinite leave to remain (settlement) carries no work restriction and no sponsorship requirement, so there is nothing for an employer to sponsor.
• Whatever your status, the employer must still do a right to work check before you start, normally with a share code from your eVisa. A physical biometric residence permit can no longer be used for it.

After the Interview

UK interview culture includes these post-interview expectations:

• Thank-you email: Send a brief thank-you email within 24 hours. This is common practice and shows professionalism.
• Follow-up timeline: Most employers will tell you when to expect a decision. If they do not, wait at least a week before following up.
• Salary negotiation: negotiating pay and benefits after an offer is common in the UK. The legal floor is the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, which apply to everyone working in the UK. See our UK salary guide and our minimum wage guide. If the role is sponsored under the Skilled Worker route, the published salary thresholds for that route apply on top of the minimum wage.

Employment Rights

Once hired, understand your minimum wage entitlements. You have the same employment rights as any other worker in the UK. For more on life in the UK, see our London vs other cities guide and our cost of living guide.

Questions and answers