How to use overseas experience in a UK job application

Experience from outside the UK counts. The job is to make it easy for a UK reader to understand.

Last reviewed October 2026 · 5 minute read

1. Explain the organisation

A UK reader may not know your previous employer. Add one short line: what it does, its sector and roughly how big it is.

2. Use job titles a UK reader recognises

If your title was unusual, use the closest UK equivalent and keep the original in brackets. Only do this when the duties really match.

3. Show scale in ways that travel

Numbers of people, customers, projects or percentages are easier to compare than local currency. If you use money, convert it to pounds.

4. Get your qualifications compared

UK ENIC, the national agency for recognising international qualifications, can give you a statement showing how your qualification compares to the UK level. It is most useful when an advert asks for a degree or a set qualification level, or for regulated jobs. You can mention it on your CV. Find out more at enic.org.uk.

5. Lead with transferable skills

Employers hire for skills. Communication, problem solving, managing people and working to deadlines carry across countries. Give a real example of each, the same way you would for UK experience.

6. Prepare to talk about it at interview

Have one or two examples ready that show what you did and what changed because of you. Explain any context the panel might not know in a sentence, then move to your actions.

This guide covers applications only. For questions about your right to work in the UK, check GOV.UK.