Where to start?

I've been in the UK for about 4 years, I have my residence card and I'm looking to get my national insurance number soon. I don't have much experience at all, and my resume is thin.

How hard is it to find a job here? My husband works from home online and we applied for residency as self sufficient. I did make a CV and I applied for about 10 different places and no one even called back. I don't know if I should mention that I am American or that I can work here. I don't know what they were put off by.


Can any one give me insight on what to do?

On my CV I've made it clear that my visa carries no employment restrictions and that I am eligible to work in the UK. If you apply for a job using an online application, they'll ask you those questions early on.

If you don't have much experience and are looking to beef up your CV, you could try volunteering. This will give you some UK experience and a UK reference which will definitely be assets in the job search. However, while volunteering is an excellent way to go, it's become really competitive in the recession or at least it has in Shropshire.

I went to one of my local charity shops recently (it had just opened) to pick up an application form and they had actually run out of them in less than 24 hours of being open. The woman had said they had a ton of people come in looking to volunteer. They also passed me over for the role because I didn't have UK references. So, that was a bit of a catch-22. I wanted to volunteer for many reasons including gaining a UK reference, but I couldn't volunteer because I didn't have a UK reference. One of my UK relatives is also having a lot of trouble finding even volunteer work. Your experience might be different though and it's definitely worth a shot.

I have been trying to volunteer for the Red Cross for quite a while - just because I like them. I did it back in the US because of all of the hurricanes back in the 00's. Great people.

Listen...I don't even know if it is possible anymore....I think they just want donations (which is understandable I guess)......

I have been trying to volunteer for the Red Cross for quite a while - just because I like them. I did it back in the US because of all of the hurricanes back in the 00's. Great people.

Listen...I don't even know if it is possible anymore....I think they just want donations (which is understandable I guess)......

It's definitely possible! A friend of mine has recently started volunteering for them, and she's really enjoying it. I wonder if it might be area-specific though (we're up in Manchester).

I have been trying to volunteer for the Red Cross for quite a while - just because I like them. I did it back in the US because of all of the hurricanes back in the 00's. Great people.

Listen...I don't even know if it is possible anymore....I think they just want donations (which is understandable I guess)......

One of the people who runs first aid classes in Norwich is a volunteer - You've probably checked out this link, but I thought I'd post it or the OP: Red Cross - Volunteer for us

Another good volunteer search site: Do-it - Volunteering made easy

Thanks so much Jennie and Panda.

I like little "mini thread jacks" that sort of take the heat out of a situation....feeling guilty tho as this nice person is looking for job advice....sorry. 

I've been in the UK for about 4 years, I have my residence card and I'm looking to get my national insurance number soon. I don't have much experience at all, and my resume is thin.

How hard is it to find a job here? My husband works from home online and we applied for residency as self sufficient. I did make a CV and I applied for about 10 different places and no one even called back. I don't know if I should mention that I am American or that I can work here. I don't know what they were put off by.


Can any one give me insight on what to do?

Without you giving much information as to what your actual experience is and what jobs you have applied for it is difficult to give anything but the most general of advice.

It's not an easy job market right now and the relative ease of getting a job will depend on where you are located.

My advice would be to get some help from a job adviser who would be able to tell what you are doing well and where you need to improve. Do a search of your local council to see what is available. Here's an example from Hartlepool. Your local area may also have a 'job/work club' aimed at women as well. Your local CAB should be able to point you in the right direction if you need assistance.
Actually here are some specific links for you (if you are still in Hove):

City Skills and Job Shop
Brighton and Hove Jobs

sonofasailor, don't worry about it! I'm glad my thread is helping

hellopanda, I've moved twice actually. I'm in Edinburgh now!

hellopanda, I've moved twice actually. I'm in Edinburgh now!

Well google is your friend in this case. I'm sure in such a large city there will be places to get support with your job search.

You know I went through a very long period of unemployment, and I finally got a job working at a market stall (which is unbelievable cold in the winter). What sealed the deal was that I had taken and passed my Level I food hygiene certificate thingy. I was the only applicant who actually had the certificate (£19 via the internet).

This is neither here nor there except that there are scads of certificate thingies for a lot on industries. If for instance you wanted to give carpentry a shot (for example - just pulling that out of my hat) and figured to get started as a general labourer, they offer things like Work Place Safety and Basic Principles of Heavy Lifting. Some are offered online and are pretty basic. But it gives you a little bit of an advantage that you have a piece of accredited paper showing willingness or whatever.

A shop assistant might think about Intro to Customer Service...

As you move up they get more expensive, but again if you are looking for a start just the intro level looks better than nothing.

I have since got back in my field, but yeah it might be a thought - without spending a large sum on training.