What Steps Help Ukrainian Refugees Find Jobs in Lincolnshire?
If you have recently arrived in Lincolnshire from Ukraine, you might be wondering how to begin your search for work. Finding a job in a new country can be challenging, especially when you are adapting to a different language, workplace culture and recruitment system. The good news is that there is local support available and with the right steps you can increase your chances of securing meaningful employment.
At The Community Lab Initiative CIC, we specialise in Ukrainian employment support in Lincolnshire. We help with everything from CV help for Ukrainian refugees in the UK to ESOL classes for Ukrainian families and professional networking opportunities. Here is our guide on how to get started.
1. Build Your LinkedIn Profile and Network
One of the most important tools for finding work in the UK is LinkedIn. Many employers check LinkedIn before contacting candidates and having a strong profile can make you stand out.
We recommend creating or updating your LinkedIn profile with:
A professional photo
A clear headline (for example “Ukrainian Marketing Specialist in Lincolnshire”)
The Open to Work feature, which signals to recruiters that you are looking for a role. You can choose to make this visible to all LinkedIn members or only to recruiters, depending on your preference.
An updated location showing where you currently live in Lincolnshire. Many Ukrainian refugees still have Ukraine listed as their location, which can prevent UK employers from finding them in local searches.
Skills, experience and volunteering in the UK
We also invite you to join our private LinkedIn group Learn, Share, Thrive – Grow Your Career with The Community Lab. It is a private group where Ukrainian professionals and job seekers can connect, share opportunities and get advice from others who understand your journey.
2. Improve Your English Skills
Strong communication skills are essential for most jobs in the UK. Even if you have excellent qualifications from Ukraine, improving your English will make job applications, interviews and workplace communication easier.
We offer ESOL classes for Ukrainian families in the UK with a focus on employability. You will learn how to:
Write a professional CV in English
Practise workplace conversations and interviews
Understand job coaching for Ukrainians in Lincolnshire
3. Prepare a UK-Style CV
A UK CV is usually one to two pages long and focuses on skills, achievements and recent work experience. If you are unsure where to start, we provide CV help for Ukrainian professionals in Lincolnshire as part of our employment support service.
Key tips:
Keep it relevant to the role
Avoid personal details like your photo or date of birth
Highlight transferable skills from Ukraine and the UK
If you use ChatGPT for creating your CV, here’s a prompt you might find useful: “I am a Ukrainian professional now living in the UK and I want to create a British-style CV for job applications. Please guide me step-by-step. Ask me for all the information you need and then produce a CV in a UK format. Make sure the CV is one to two pages long, has no photo, no date of birth, no marital status and is focused on skills, experience and achievements. Use British English and keep it clear and professional. Include a short personal profile, key skills, work experience, education, and any volunteering or training in the UK. Also make suggestions to improve my CV for the UK job market”
Once ChatGPT creates your CV, it is a good idea to have a native English speaker review it before you send it to employers. This can help spot language or cultural details you might miss.
4. Search in the Right Places
Use both online and offline resources when looking for work. National job boards are a good starting point, including:
Locally, check noticeboards in community centres, libraries and shops. Many part-time or seasonal jobs are advertised locally rather than online.
If you are interested in starting your own business or becoming self-employed, the Jobcentre network works with NBV Enterprise Solutions who run free workshops across Lincolnshire for people considering business start-ups. These sessions cover practical steps for launching a business in the East Midlands and provide valuable advice for those new to self-employment.
We also share vacancies through our own network and social media pages and run Ukrainian community workshops in Sleaford, Lincolnshire where you can meet business professionals and hear about opportunities first-hand.
5. Volunteer Your Way into Work
Volunteering is one of the most effective ways to improve your chances of finding a job in the UK. We could not insist on its importance enough, as it was through volunteering that we first began our community support for Ukraine before launching The Community Lab Initiative CIC. Many people start with volunteering and later move into paid roles within the same organisation or sector.
By giving your time to a charity, community group or local event, you:
Build valuable UK work experience
Improve your English in real-life situations
Develop new skills relevant to your career goals
Gain references that employers trust
Meet people who may recommend you for paid work
At The Community Lab Initiative CIC, we can help you find volunteering opportunities that match your skills and interests. We meet at Sleaford Children’s Centre on the first and third Saturday of each month where we can guide you towards roles that also benefit your long-term career plans.
6. Be Flexible at First
Your first UK job may not match your past experience but it can be a valuable step. Temporary, part-time or voluntary roles help you gain UK experience, improve your English and build references.
Think of your first job as a stepping stone. It might not be the perfect fit for your skills or long-term goals but it can help you build the confidence and local experience you need to find your “moving on” job, a role that better matches your career ambitions once you have settled and understand the UK job market.
7. Keep Learning and Stay Connected
We are launching an online course to help Ukrainian job seekers in Lincolnshire. To be notified when it goes live, get in touch with us at info@thecommunitylab.co.uk.
You can also join our events to learn about our work and keep improving your career prospects.
Final Thoughts
Finding work in a new country can feel overwhelming but you are not alone. With the right preparation, language support and professional networking both in person and online you can build a rewarding career in Lincolnshire.
If you need Ukrainian employment support in Lincolnshire, job coaching or CV help, contact The Community Lab Initiative CIC today. Together, we can help you take the next step toward your future.