Big Ben. Information about London

Big Ben is the most representative tower of the City of London and is home to one of the largest mechanical clocks in the world. Big Ben is the name by which the tower is known worldwide, but officially this name is due to the main bell, which weighs about 13.8 tons (the first one weighed 16 tons but it broke and was replaced).

The construction of Big Ben began in 1843, after the Great Fire of London on 16 October 1834, which seriously affected the Palace of Westminster. Charles Barry was in charge of the reconstruction project, which added the tower to the palace and designed it in a Victorian Gothic style.

The monument is 96.3 metres high and sits on a 225 square metre base. Each clock face of Big Ben is 7.5 metres long and the hands are of great length; the hour hand is 2.7 metres long while the minute hand is 4.3 metres long. The watch's numerals are no slouch at 50 centimetres high.

The clock is known for its reliability, as it has rarely stopped working. Even after the bombing of London during the Second World War, the clock has not altered its punctual reputation one iota.

Location: London SW1A 0AA, Reino Unido - Telephone: +44 20 7219 4272

Underground: Westminster, Circle, District and Jubilee lines.

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Palace of Westminster. Information about London

The Palace of Westminster is the current House of Parliament of the United Kingdom, home to the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

The neo-Gothic style building is located on the north bank of the River Thames and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It is built on the site of the old palace, which was devastated by fire in 1834. Only the Jewel Tower, the Crypt and St Stephen's Cloister were saved.

The new Palace of Westminster was begun in 1840 and completed in 1870, at which time the famous Clock Tower or Big Ben was added.

In addition to Big Ben, the Victoria Tower, erected in 1860, stands out. It is the place where the records of the House of Lords and the House of Commons have been kept since 1497.

The oldest part of Parliament is Westminster Hall, a huge hall dating from 1097 that has witnessed important events such as numerous state trials, ceremonial speeches by the crown and banquets.

Location: London SW1A 0AA, Reino Unido - Telephone: +44 20 7219 3000

Underground: Westminster Station on the Yellow (Circle), Green (District) and Grey (Jubilee) lines.
Bus: Lines 3, 12, 53, 53, 87, 88, 148, 159, 214, 453, 510, C10.

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The job interview - How to Prepare For an Interview

Job interviews

This is the most important stage in the selection process, so it is essential to get it right, as you rarely get a second chance to make a good impression. Here are some guidelines to help you prepare for this important first contact.

Firstly, try to find out as much as possible about the company you are applying to; it is a good idea to check their website and find out something about the products and services they offer, where they operate from and how many people work there.

You also need to make a good impression, so pay particular attention to the way you dress and your general physical appearance. For office work it is recommended to dress formally (a suit), men should wear a tie and women should wear only a modest amount of perfume, make-up and jewellery.

Plan your travel to the interview venue in advance to ensure that you arrive in good time, about 15-20 minutes early, and allow for possible delays en route. Punctuality, presentation and motivation are very important factors.

During the interview your level of English should be sufficient to express yourself clearly. It is advisable to bring an identity document with you. You should try to be relaxed and answer questions confidently and with as much integrity as possible.

It is fine to smile, but the contact should remain professional. Each question should be answered as fully and clearly as possible. If a question is not well understood, it may be asked to be repeated or clarified. Good communication skills are very important.

Interviews in most companies usually last about 30-40 minutes and there may be one interviewer or a panel of two or three. In this case, the panel will usually be chaired by the head of the department to which the vacant post belongs or a representative of the human resources department. Psycho-technical tests (20-30 minutes) are sometimes accompanied. The style of the interview may vary. Some interviewers open the interview with questions such as "tell me about yourself", which will allow you to speak for a significant part of the time. Make sure the panel members get a sense of your suitability for the job and the value you can bring to the company.

Don't monopolise the interview, don't give negative information if you are not asked and above all don't criticise your last employer. It is useful to show that you have bothered to do some research on the company. The key is to turn negative information into positive.

Unless asked by the panel, do not explain what motivated you to apply. There is very little discussion of non-professional issues. However, you can give examples of voluntary work you have done. You do not have to give details of your interests outside work, unless you use them as examples of your ability to do a task in response to one of the questions.

Typical questions include asking the candidate to give examples of when they have been in a situation with a particular problem and how they have solved it.

The main rules for applicants are that they should be professional, polite, stick to the facts, present themselves correctly, be motivated and be on time.

To recap, these are the ideas you need to be clear about:

1. Qualifications and professional experience are very important, but what is vital is what the British call "aptitude". The positive disposition of the worker.
2. Learn as much as you can about the company before the interview.
   Practice answers. Think about what the interviewers might be interested in about your professional or personal experience and prepare your answers.
3. Dress appropriately. Physical presence can be a determining factor in a decision that will be made in a short period of time.
4. Watch your body language. Do not cross your arms or legs, it indicates insecurity or defensiveness. Always look the person asking the question in the eye. During the answer, move your gaze between the different members of the panel.
5. You should not give the impression of being shy or too forward. Being in the middle ground is the best way to get it right.
6. Let the employer know at all times that you are not afraid of pressure situations.
7. Don't try to convince them that you know how to do everything, it is better if you can convince them that you have the ability and willingness to learn.

⇒ How should I write the CV? - Practical advice on the CV

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How should I write the CV? - Practical advice on the CV

Preliminary questions to consider

1. Are you able to explain why you are better than other similar candidates?
2. How can your skills benefit the hiring company?
3. In the current situation, what type of industry or profession would benefit from your professional potential?
4. What are your job requirements (salary, working hours, location, etc.) and how are they affecting the job search process?
5. Which companies would you like to work for and why?

Tips for writing your CV

It is usual in the UK for a CV to be no longer than two pages, but if you can keep it to one page it will be even better.

Do not attach a photograph. (unless specifically requested).

Normally, a specific profile or career objective section is included in which in 3 or 4 lines you explain who you are, what you know how to do and where you would like to work.

Much more importance is given to the skills, competences and knowledge acquired through professional practice.

Make sure your CV is well structured and presented. Remember that if a CV is difficult to read, it will often be discarded and forgotten.

It is very important not to make spelling mistakes. If possible, ask someone to check your grammar and spelling.

Do not use coloured paper other than white and avoid using elaborate fonts.

Personal details (address and contact details) should appear at the top, followed by a brief summary of your education and qualifications.

You should then list your work experience, presented in reverse chronological order (i.e. your last job at the top of the list). For each job you have held, give a brief description of the position, including responsibilities and what it involved, as well as any results or achievements you have had.

List, in no more than three lines, a list of your personal activities or hobbies. If you have done social or voluntary work, it is worth mentioning this. List any languages you know and any training courses you have taken.

Normally, you should give two references (once you have passed the interview stage). Sometimes one reference is required to be academic and the other personal or character reference. References are a very important part of the recruitment process; 74% of employers contact the companies listed. The CV should include the positions, names, addresses and telephone numbers of two people who can provide references.

The CV should be accompanied by a cover letter (a "covering letter"), typed on a DIN A4-sized sheet of paper. The typical structure of a covering letter might be as follows: the first paragraph explains the reason for the letter, the second paragraph provides information on previous experience and education, and the third paragraph gives other information relevant to the position and your availability for an interview. UK companies usually reply quickly; if they do not reply within 4 weeks, it is advisable to call to make sure they have received your application. Remember that recruitment consultants and employers receive hundreds of CVs, so it is important that your cover letter stands out.

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Where to do language exchange in London

Language exchange is a great way to socialise while learning a language with a native speaker or someone with a good command of the language. In London there are several options for every day of the week.

Sheephaven Language Exchange: The event is free. From 18h until 21h. at The Seephaven Bay, an Irish pub in Candem. The event is organised by Begonia Romero. There are also pub quizzes on Mondays which is also a good opportunity to practice your English. https://ift.tt/Z8VAQCF

Euroclub Language Exchange : MeetUp : Spanish-English. From 18.45h. Visit their website or Facebook page for more information. 020 7723 1050. It's not free, membership costs £12 for a 6 month subscription if you are unemployed and £20 otherwise. Sometimes they change dates so keep an eye on their Facebook page or MeetUp. Depending on the day they have other language exchanges such as Italian, German and French. https://ift.tt/SDktzYA

London language exchange: The event is free of charge. From 19.30h. 020 7498 4931. Join their group to participate. https://ift.tt/EIvoSTN

London exchanges: Free event. Starts from 19h at The Phoenix pub which is very close to Oxford Circus. https://ift.tt/xNWv0J5

Mammoth London Language Exchange | Meetup. Free event at the Zoo Bar. From 18.30h until 23h. At the entrance you have to say "Mammoth Language Exchange" to get a wristband and be allowed access to the reserved area downstairs and you can leave your coat free of charge. Bring ID with photo. 020 8395 4123, 020 7839 4188 ---- https://ift.tt/C1kMvq2

UK Coolege of English: They meet on Fridays from 18:15h to 19:30h. Join the weekly event on their Facebook page called "conversation club". https://ift.tt/4B5tRag

The free Saturday Language Exchange Group: English, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese. From 2.45pm to 5pm. Happy hour from 15.00h. 020 7389 9933 ---- https://ift.tt/y0XSgi1

Londres language exchange: From 18.00h. 020 7735 8129 ----- https://ift.tt/EIvoSTN

London Social Network – International language exchange: From 3pm. 020 7930 1885. Happy hour from 5pm ----- https://ift.tt/UrlHM5z

Other resources

The website https://ift.tt/0bVhfca works as a social network where users register and offer/seek someone to have conversations with.

On MeetUp you can find other language exchange groups. https://ift.tt/iOKnJAR

On the notice board of the Instituto Cervantes in London you can find information about Spanish-English language exchanges.

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What documentation should I bring with me to the UK?

If you intend to go to the UK to work, it is advisable to bring the following documents:

♦ Valid passport. Please note that if you are travelling with a Passport that you have reported lost or stolen to the Police, even if you have subsequently recovered it, from the moment of the report, this document becomes invalid and CANNOT be used for travel. The British Police are very strict in this regard and will immediately confiscate the Passport at entry control and it cannot be recovered, requiring the issuance of emergency travel documentation.

♦ Criminal Record Certificate: This is mainly required for professions related to childcare or health care. It can be requested through the website of the Ministry of Justice.

Important: When the criminal record certificate is to be effective abroad, it needs to be legalised. The country of destination of the document must be indicated in the application (single legalisation or Hague Apostille). However, as of 16 February 2019, in cases where the country of destination is another EU Member State, negative criminal record certificates and documents issued by Civil Registries, including consular ones, are exempt from legalisation or apostille.

♦ Academic and professional qualifications.

♦ Professional references (letters of recommendation from companies or institutions in which you have worked, stating the position of responsibility held, period, etc.).

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Health Care in the UK

If you live in the UK you are entitled to free medical care through the National Health Service (NHS).

In the United Kingdom, you are insured under the National Health Service (NHS) by virtue of residence rather than by registration with the National Insurance Scheme. In principle, those who are ordinarily resident in the country are entitled to be users of the system.

European citizens who are lawfully resident before 31 December 2020 and their family members will be entitled to free NHS care provided that they apply for settled status under UK regulations before 30 June 2021.

If you arrive in the UK on a visa you have to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application and will be able to access NHS services.

The UK will cover healthcare for the first three months of life for babies born in the UK whose parents have been legally resident in the UK for more than six months. The government requires parents to have a visa for more than six months and to apply for the visa for their newborn child.

If you do not have health insurance, you will be charged 150% of the standard NHS fee for any care you receive.

Each region of the UK has its own NHS body. The differences between regional health services are mainly structural and in how some of the services are delivered.

The following information is primarily aimed at Healthcare in England.

GP registration

To receive medical care in the UK you need to register with a General Practitioner (General Practice-GP). You can choose your own GP although they have some autonomy in accepting or not accepting patients if they do not live in the local area or if the practice is too full. In this case you should try another GP in the area.

Hospital care

You will usually need a referral from your GP for most hospital treatment, except in emergencies.

Hospital treatment is free if you are resident in the UK.

The services and treatments listed below are free to all NHS Hospitals in England, including overseas visitors:

• A&E services - but not emergency treatment once you have been admitted to hospital.
• family planning services - but not termination of pregnancy or treatment for infertility.
• Treatment for most infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Treatment required for a physical or mental condition caused by torture, female genital mutilation, domestic violence or sexual violence - this does not apply if you have come to England to seek this treatment unless you have applied for, or been granted, asylum status.

Emergency Services (A&E), Walk-in centre or Minor injury unit (Minor injury unit)

A&E (Accident and Emergency): deals with life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, chest pain, respiratory distress, severe bleeding, severe allergic reactions, severe burns, etc. Not all hospitals have an A&E department.

Walk-in centre and Minor injury unit: for urgent but non-life threatening medical care such as sprains, cuts, bites and stings, ear and throat infections, skin infections and rashes, eye problems, coughs and colds, high temperature in children and adults, stomach pain, vomiting, etc.

S1 certificate

If you are lawfully living in the UK before 31 December 2020 and hold an S1 certificate, for example because you receive a state pension or certain 'exportable' benefits from your home country, or if you are a frontier worker (someone living in an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, and working in the UK) you will be able to access NHS care as long as you continue to be ordinarily resident in the UK.

You will need to register your S1 certificate in the UK to access NHS care in the same way as a person who is ordinarily resident:

Overseas Healthcare Services
NHS Business Services Authority
Bridge House
152 Pilgrim Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 6SN
Email: Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.

If you do not have an S1 certificate, you can apply for one when you reach State Pension age, as long as you are still resident in the UK. You can apply to your national social security authority (EU, Norwegian, Icelandic, Liechtenstein or Swiss competent authority for health insurance).

Pharmacies

Pharmacists are experts in medicines that can help you with minor health problems. As health professionals they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for minor ailments, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, stomach problems and aches and pains.

If symptoms suggest that it is something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. For example, they will tell you if you need to see a GP, nurse or other health professional.

For some types of medicines, you will need a prescription from your NHS doctor.

Costs for medical care - Prescriptions

In the UK there is no co-payment for medical or hospital care, except for dental care, where you have to pay fixed amounts per treatment which are set annually by the Department of Health.

For prescriptions you will have to pay a fixed amount (currently £9.35 per prescription, regardless of the price of the medicine), unless you are exempt from paying.

There are special conditions for the chronically ill or those who need a large number of prescriptions, for which there are quarterly or annual ceilings. A number of groups are exempt from this co-payment, such as the over-60s, under-16s (18 if they are students), pregnant women (or those who have given birth in the previous 12 months) and if they receive any income-contingent benefits.

These charges apply only in England, having been abolished in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Prescriptions issued by another country

From 1 January 2021, a prescription issued in an EEA member state (EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland can be dispensed in the UK if the prescriber is a member of a recognised profession that has the legal right to issue such a prescription in the country where the prescription is issued.

Fuente: Ministerio de Trabajo España

More information:https://ift.tt/EsWdke1

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