Work and work visas - what's the best route?

I read the UK embassy info on eligibility for a work visa, but it left me utterly confused. Is there no way to get a work visa in the UK until you've already found a job? 

And if this is the case, doesn't that make UK employers extremely reluctant to hire an American and be stuck with a load of extra paperwork? After reading some of the comments from others on this board, I'm becoming increasingly worried about being able to find work. Particularly since I have a BA in English (aka the most useless degree ever) and had a hard enough time finding decent work here in the States last year.

Also, what about the cost of living? If it costs 300 quid a week for an apartment, there's no way I'll ever be able to live there. Unless I could find some flatmates. And what are the chances anyone will want to have an American they don't know as a flatmate?

i don't think flatmates would be hard, as there are so many people here from so many different countries. 

However you may be out of luck on the work visa thing.  Indeed you can't get here without corporate sponsorship.  I had some very senior people trying to help me get here before i was engaged and they still couldn't convince their company to hire me as they have to do a lot of paperwork and shell out $$. I even offered to pay for the lawyers fees and all....it was just too much.

How far are you out of college?  Look around on this board, people give some options for people just out of college.

And i was an english major too. 

I read the UK embassy info on eligibility for a work visa, but it left me utterly confused. Is there no way to get a work visa in the UK until you've already found a job?

And if this is the case, doesn't that make UK employers extremely reluctant to hire an American and be stuck with a load of extra paperwork?

And understandably so, wouldn't you say?  I mean, there are Brits living in Britain who are looking for work.  Not to mention the EU citizens who are entitled to work in the UK as well.

Not to be rude, but exactly why should it be easy for a US citizen with no real ties to the UK to get work sponsorship in the UK - an infinitely smaller country with infinitely less jobs and its own citizens to worry about first?

(ahem) and lets not forget the spouses of brits who are here cause they love their husband and ARE ANNOYED ABOUT NOT HAVING A JOB YET.  LOL

Sorry, had to throw that in.

As for rents and such, London is incredibly expensive.  Your search for both affordable housing and work might (italicized because there are no guarantees, this is just a suggestion) be easier if you began looking in other cities first.

And you hit the nail on the head when you asked if UK companies aren't extremely reluctant to hire Americans because of the paperwork.  Yes, of course they are.  But just as US companies are reluctant to hire those who have to immigrate as well.

Best of luck to you! 

Not to be rude, but exactly why should it be easy for a US citizen with no real ties to the UK to get work sponsorship in the UK - an infinitely smaller country with infinitely less jobs and its own citizens to worry about first?

You're right, of course. But still...!