How long did it take for you to find a job in the UK? (London advice especially)

So it sounds like (and I could be wrong), based on what you write about the different jobs you've had - you've used the same skillset in different industries (estate agent, legal, financial).  So is it just particular office skills they're looking for rather than knowledge of a specific industrial field?

(sorry for all the questions - but am just becoming VERY interested in the possibility of moving to London and have thus become a packrat for info at this point.  :-)  My boyfriend is pleased but puzzled considering how against the thought of moving to the UK I'd been a couple months back...  ;-))

When you say 'they,' that is an enormous sweeping generalisation.  I can't speak for 'them,' however, I have extremely fast typing skills, and extensive knowledge of computer software, organisation, etc.  Basically I'm a high level secretary.  Pretty much everyone needs one, regardless of industry.  And since I wasn't looking for any particular industry to work in, and I wanted to get to know London, I took whatever sounded good.  In the job I have now, I'm extremely lucky, not only because of what I stated before, but they were looking specifically for someone who could type really really fast and read the guy's handwriting!  They did not care about a legal background - they didn't want a 'legal secretary'.

When you say 'they,' that is an enormous sweeping generalisation.  I can't speak for 'them,' however, I have extremely fast typing skills, and extensive knowledge of computer software, organisation, etc.  Basically I'm a high level secretary.  Pretty much everyone needs one, regardless of industry.  And since I wasn't looking for any particular industry to work in, and I wanted to get to know London, I took whatever sounded good.  In the job I have now, I'm extremely lucky, not only because of what I stated before, but they were looking specifically for someone who could type really really fast and read the guy's handwriting!  They did not care about a legal background - they didn't want a 'legal secretary'.

Ok, thanks for all the info. 

You're welcome. 
(I didn't mean to sound harsh if I did, keep the questions coming if you need to!)

It took me 4 months to find a permanent job in London, but I did temp work up untill then.  I had to start lower than I would have in the States, but I have found that I have moved up much quicker than my British counterparts.  This could just me me or my field, but I do find that there are a number of Americans, Canadians and Aussies who have had a similar experience to mine.