Working in Glasgow

Those intending to work in Glasgow will discover that the city has a thriving economy with a competitive job market. Expats on the hunt for employment should be prepared to go through a rigorous hiring process for any job opportunity.

Job market in Glasgow

In the past, the city's economy relied heavily on manufacturing, particularly the shipbuilding industry. Today, Glasgow's economy has successfully diversified, with services, communications, healthcare, higher education and creative industries among its strong sectors.

Common sources of employment in the services sector include retail and secretarial work, as well as more senior professional and managerial positions. The financial industry also has a large presence in Glasgow and employs a high percentage of the working population, but it is very difficult to gain a position without previous experience.

The outlying areas of the city support a large industrial sector, and skilled workers are regularly in demand. Other thriving industries include engineering, education, and life sciences.

Finding a job in Glasgow

If you're arriving before securing employment, the best sources for job leads continue to be networking and word of mouth. Employment agencies are also valuable tools and are eager to place qualified individuals in temporary and permanent positions. 

With so many applicants for each position, work standards are high, so you should be prepared to put your best foot forward. Sites such as LinkedIn are useful for making connections in the business world.

Bear in mind that to work in the UK, non-UK nationals must obtain a visa and work permit.

Useful links

• Gov.uk
• Monster
• Indeed

Work culture in Glasgow

On the whole, Scots are a friendly bunch and this applies in the workplace, too. Meetings are often started with small talk and pleasantries. It's best not to rush the process, but instead enjoy getting to know coworkers.

Stick to safe, neutral topics during small talk and be mindful of local sensitivity points. Conflating or confusing Scotland with England, for example, is unlikely to earn favour in the office. To learn more about this and other potentially tricky topics, have a look at our page on Local Culture in the UK.