finding work in the UK as an American with no visa qualifications

Rollerball,

As Frances mentioned.... are you still a student or graduated this past Spring 2004 semester? You are eligible to go thru the BUNAC program which allows you to work full time at basically the job of your choice in England. There is no guarantee that you will get web design work but at least you will be able to live in London, work there full time and get a taste of all the offerings? www.bunac.com

If all else fails, go for your Masters there! I wish you the best of luck.

hi, no, i'm almost 30! so i've  been out of school for like 8 years. yeah i'm doing this all kinda late. but that's why i'm so sure i want to do this now, as i keep waiting and it's still in my mind...so  why not go for it now. yeah i should look into the Masters thing there. wow i've never heard people here in the States be against foreigners working here the way ppl here seem to be towards me or others looking for work in the UK! sounds like the MA thing is the only thing i count on for being able to stay there, and as someone said, could open doors to something more secure in the future there. thanks guys..

I think you'll find that the process (and the attitude toward it) in the US is pretty much the same as it is here.  People do have a problem with illegal immigration, but nobody has a problem with someone coming over here to work or live, so long as they're doing it legally.  So nobody wants to keep you out of the UK--they just want you to come here legally.  Otherwise, you'll just cause yourself huge problems in the long run.

And, I'm sure this is common sense, but keep in mind that a student visa is not permission to live here indefinitely.  If you want to spend the rest of your life (or just a really extended period of time) here, you'll need a work visa, qualify for the HSMP , or find the love of your life in the UK.   

ah yes that makes sense. how can i look legally tho without a visa if it's illegal to look with out a visa? vicious cycle?

You can't come over here, get an apartment, and start a job hunt.  If you're here on a visitor's visa, you're a visitor...a tourist...you aren't here to conduct business of any kind.  If a UK company is trying to recruit you, however,  it's perfectly legal for you to come over on a visitor's visa for an interview and if that company hires you, they'll work with you to sort out a work permit.

ok gotcha. oy, glad i asked. that's what i would've done probably...

Just my 2p: if you can figure out a REALLY American specific quality that a company in Britain might need, it can work out, but it ain't easy. I used to work in the music biz. and before I came here I found a company that exported Brit. CDs to American record stores and the guy who ran it was VERY willing to bring me over 'cause I already new all of the accounts he wanted to sell to. And the attorney we consulted with told us that it would basically be a matter of wording the ad right - basically writing an employment ad that solicits someone with exactly my CV. I didn't end up doing it 'cause the timing wasn't quite right, and I ultimately ended up coming over to do a Master's with the intention of changing careers, but I just thought I'd add that it can be done - it just takes a lot of effort to find the right situation....

hmm ok that is verrrry specific but sounds like it could've worked great for you. i'll have to think about what i could offer that's truly unique and american!