Hi everyone,
Just looking for some, insight, advice or simply a shoulder to cry on.
In short, I have been in the UK for nearly 2 years (July will be the 2 year mark). Originally, I moved over to UK out of pure desire and to hopefully continue my education here. Two years on, I find myself in he same spot i was when i first arrived.
At the start, I was living as an Au Pair with a single Mom in Surrey, which quickly taught me that my relocation process would not be an easy one. Unlike many on UK/Yankee, I didn't have family, boyfriend/hubby, friends here and at the time i thought this was a financial and suitable choice for me. Though the family was nice enough, the children were incredibly difficult and I was little more than a glorified housekeeper.
After some time, I decided to look for work, but instead, found another post as an Au Pair with another family, though this time in London.
Unexpectedly, my job search paid off and i acquired a basic entry level job at Cartier in their flagship store in New Bond Street. All was going well, until they took on a new manager who in my opinion was trying to prove themselves. I know, I know... it's never our fault, but I was above efficient in my role, was told as much by supervisors and all, and was absolutely shocked when they sacked. Not surprising and just to cement my point, within months all the members of my team were made redundant and are no longer employed there.
Anyway, within 4 months I was out of a job and at a crossroads. I was resigned that I would need to return home if i didn't find a job within a couple of months. Luckily for me, the family that I Au Paired for in London were unhappy with my replacement and after some negotiating, I decided to return back in the condition that I would begin looking for work as of January 2015.
We are now reaching mid-year and I have been looking for work for a little over six months with no luck. I have been offered temp roles, that last from mere days to 3 months tops, and very little else. It's extremely frustrating. I have lost count of the number of agencies I am registered with and have been to countless interviews with both agencies and employers. I have a degree in Fashion (which means nothing, it's all about WHO you know in the Fashion industry), I have extensive experience in PA/Administration (albeit, not in a dreadfully corporate field), but it ranges from property to medical and of of course my experience at Cartier, but until now, no offers of permanent, solid work or even contract work.
At this juncture, i am not being picky and have applied to any and everything and considering any role. I have been given a one month notice (now two weeks remaining) by the current family I live with as they have found a replacement and I am absolutely at a loss for words why I still have not managed to find work.
Besides this, because I have been so consumed with finding a job and getting my career off the ground here, other than the couple of nannies I know from the school circles of the children I look after, I have absolutely no social life and have made little to no friends during my time here. Not that my current living arrangements would allow... I live in a greatly armoured house (alarms, bolts, unbreakable windows, etc), there's not a lot of room to come and go as I please.
I try to go out, go to a museum alone... even grab a pint at a pub alone, but it hasn't really amounted to anything.
I feel very alone and am wondering if i'll ever call this place home. I miss my family more than ever these days, not only because of the uncertainty of my future and not having their support near, but also, I recently found out my sister is pregnant and it has led me to feel like I'm missing everything... and for what?! No job, no friends, boyfriend... I'm beginning to question whether the effort of relocating here as been worth it at all. On the flip side, going home would be essentially the same thing, as I'm sure I'd struggle to settle there now and of course find work. What could I answer to "What have you done in the last couple of years?"... I don't think working as a nanny/au pair would add to my qualifications. I feel if I go home I'd have to go back to school and get my Masters as this would probably be the only way to facilitate me getting employment stateside.
But I simply don't know what to do...
Apologies, as this as turned much longer than I initially anticipated. I suppose I'm just looking for some comfort, advice from fellow expats who have faced similar difficulties, at the very least, to feel like i'm not alone...
Thanks for listening...