UK Job Search - Where to Start??

Hi everyone!

My husband and I are looking for jobs in the UK, Scotland specifically.  I am an attorney, and part-time university professor.  He is in sales and marketing, with a strong interest in renewable energy.  We have a preschool-aged child.  Does anyone have any ideas about where to start looking for employment? 

Thanks for your suggestions! 

Alisa (and Thom)

Are you an EEA or British citizen?? You might find this hard-going, if you aren't.

A few ideas of where to look:
Linkedin
The Guardian Jobs
Indeed.co.uk
A list of companies already registered to sponsor visas: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-workers
You could try their websites....

Hi there,

Yes, I'm aware this is likely to be difficult...  Thanks very much for your suggestions for places to look for work!  I notice you're in York.  I lived there for six months on a university exchange, several years ago...  Loved it!

Alisa

Hi Alisa

Before I got engaged, I was looking for a Tier 2 sponsor myself. It's already been said, but yes, it is very difficult! I found Recruiters did not want to help me at all with needing a sponsorship.

As a university professor though, it may be easier as most major universities are licensed to sponsor and welcome applications from anybody, as long as the position pays over a certain amount (the normal is £20,800 but I have found some universities aren't willing to sponsor you unless you're applying at a certain pay grade. As a professor though this shouldn't be too much of an issue!)

I would look into Universities really and if you are unsure, look at the Tier 2 sponsorship list (A very large PDF page that can be found on google!). Even if you don't go the university route, I think it is easier to get a consideration if the company is already licensed to sponsor.

I hope this helps a bit! Just going off my own experiences

Even if you don't go the university route, I think it is easier to get a consideration if the company is already licensed to sponsor.

Not really - it's easier for the company to be able to issue Certificates of Sponsorship, but that doesn't make it any easier for you to meet the requirements for them to be allowed to sponsor you.

To be eligible for sponsorship, either the job has to be:

1. listed on the Tier 2 Skills Shortage List: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/423800/shortage_occupation_list_april_2015.pdf

Or

2. the company has to carry out the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT), which means they have to advertise the job for at least 4 week across the UK and entire EU and they have to be able to show that they could not find a single suitable UK or EU applicant before they are allowed to offer you a job. With 500 million people in the EU, it has to be a pretty highly skilled or specialised job for there not to be a single qualified person.

On the plus side though, a university professor is more likely to be working in a highly skilled/specialised field than someone in another profession, so it may be easier to get sponsorship.

The exemption to this is if you have a degree from a UK university and are still in the UK on a valid Tier 4 visa... in which case they can just hire you and sponsor you for a Tier 2 visa without needing to meet either of the two requirements above.

Hi,

I'm not surprised...  I thought there would be some kind of test to justify hiring a non-UK citizen.

I like the idea of contacting the Universities directly.  That's probably the most practical things to do.   

Other suggestions will also continue to be welcome.

Thanks!

Alisa

Hi Alisa,

You could also look into the possibility to invest and open your own business here?

http://www.workpermit.com/uk/tier-1-visas-entrepreneurs.htm

Also, what kind of Law specialization are you skilled in? I have family and friends who are Lawyers/Solicitors and although the industry has seen a lot of consolidation etc, there are still always new pockets of legal knowledge needed as things move along. I used to work for a US software house making legal practice management solutions (chances are you might've used it!) so have a 'bit' of an interest in this area. If there's any way you could offer a 'USA and UK' connected consulting service for your current or any new legal specialization, that'd potentially have good demand !

Good luck !

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Hi Dennis,

Thanks for your reply.

I am definitely more solicitor than barrister, but I do appear in court from time to time...  I'd be delighted to provide any potential UK employers with my C.V.!

I have experience in several practice areas, but the most expertise in the areas of: environmental, business/corporate, and estate planning (Wills, Trusts, etc.) law.  I have an additional graduate degree in environmental law and policy, so that is definitely a strong area of interest.  I'm not sure I would be qualified to practice in the UK; I had thought that teaching was a more likely option.  I was thinking: comparative law, U.S. law/politics/government, comparative environmental law, business law and ethics (I already teach that course to graduate students at a local university...).  I'm pretty imaginative, I just need to find a platform.

Thanks for your interest in my situation.

Cheers,

Alisa

Hi Alisa,

There's plenty of solicitors in the UK, jobhunting etc and/or working in the 'usual' areas of Law. In short, those areas are saturated so competing with them and trying to find an employer willing to even consider overseas candidates isn't going to work for you realistically.

Either way, teaching or practicing in employment, you'll most likely need to convert your US qualification to the equivalent UK one, which will then make the prospect of employment in either direction better.

Good luck !

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!