How Do You Find Journalism Jobs in the UK?

I'm relocating to the UK in July, where I will apply for my first UK passport (my mother was born there and I'm finally reaping the benefits of my right to dual citizenship). In the meantime, I'm trying to get a feel for what kind of jobs are out there in the field of journalism.

I've seen so many positions advertised for journalists that are really more like content writers for brands, etc. ex: journalist for UK transportation company, journalist for leading psychology group

I am having a hard time finding positions in news writing. I've registered with Trinity Mirror and BBC as they have their own recruiting groups. But does anyone know of any other places to look? Perhaps any headhunters/agencies that specialize in journalism and communications?

I do have a degree in journalism from the US, but the UK also has various qualifications that we do not require. Should I start working toward them on my own, or are they usually paid for/sponsored by an employer?

I have a flight booked for July 1 and, without many leads, I'm starting to get nervous. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

Jillian 

I'm relocating to the UK in July, where I will apply for my first UK passport (my mother was born there and I'm finally reaping the benefits of my right to dual citizenship).

To clarify, you'll need to apply for your UK passport and receive it before you leave the US, because otherwise you'll need a work visa and a secured job in order to move to the UK (and journalism jobs are almost impossible to get a visa for because they are not in demand).

You will need to present your UK passport to immigration when you arrive in order to be allowed into the UK as a UK citizen and to be legally allowed to work in the UK.

To clarify, you'll need to apply for your UK passport and receive it before you leave the US, because otherwise you'll need a work visa and a secured job in order to move to the UK (and journalism jobs are almost impossible to get a visa for because they are not in demand).

You will need to present your UK passport to immigration when you arrive in order to be allowed into the UK as a UK citizen and to be legally allowed to work in the UK.

Are you sure this is correct? After speaking with the UK Boarder Agency, I was advised that there are two routes, one for applications within the UK and one for applications from outside of the UK. The only requirement is that you are able to stay for the 8 week period that it takes to go through the process. (you get 90 days on a US passport, I believe?)

You can apply from within the UK as long as you have a UK address.

Things that will be difficult:

Getting a lease without a visa/UK passport
No access to NHS treatment
No work until you can prove right to work in UK
Will be nearly impossible to open a bank account, etc.

So it can be done but will save a TON of hassle if done before you move.

Page 1, FAQ

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/250169/passports-guidance-booklet.pdf

For jobs, not having UK experience and UK qualifications will make finding a job more difficult. You need to figure out how to leverage your US experience as being more valuable than someone with UK experience.

Not to mention that you have to actually get into the UK in the first place.

If you're moving to live and work in the UK, but you don't have a UK passport, then you will need to either prove that you are a UK citizen some other way, or you will need to have a work visa.

Or if you enter as a visitor (a visitor visa is 6 months, not 90 days), you will have to prove that you are not coming to live or work in the UK, that you have a return ticket, enough money to support yourself for the trip and you have a job, home and a life to return to in the US.

Chances are if you come to the UK with no UK passport, no other evidence of your claim to UK citizenship, and no ties to show you will return to the US, you will be refused entry and put on a plane right back to the US.

You might as well just apply for the UK passport now, in the US, and move to the UK as a UK citizen with no issues at all.

I have a flight booked for July 1 and, without many leads, I'm starting to get nervous. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

If you have a flight booked for July 1, how are you planning to demonstrate to the immigration officer that you have the right to move to the UK without a UK passport?

You can apply from within the UK as long as you have a UK address.

Things that will be difficult:

Getting a lease without a visa/UK passport
No access to NHS treatment
No work until you can prove right to work in UK
Will be nearly impossible to open a bank account, etc.

So it can be done but will save a TON of hassle if done before you move.

I am applying from the UK as I have to gather several of the required documents and pieces of information from relatives that still live there (information about grandparents, etc).

That said, my relatives have offered to give me a place to stay should I choose to apply for my passport while in the country.

If I'm not mistaken, bills in my name at that residence should count as proof of address.

In country, passports are expected to take about 8 weeks. I'm financially able to take that amount of time off while I establish my right to work.

Unless there's an error in my plan (in which case, please DO point it out!), I am mainly asking about finding work in the journalism field.

I have years of experience in the US, but am lacking the network in the UK to find a new position easily.

Does anyone know of any agencies/headhunters that specialize in journalism? Any advice in that department?

The biggest problems I see are:

1.  Getting into the country in the first place.  As you will be without UK passport, do you have other concrete evidence of your UK citizenship?  You need to have this sorted out first.

2.  Having luck finding a job without authorization to work in the UK, nor being physically present in the UK.  It is a common experience that most employers will not even look at you unless you have evidence you can legally work in the UK.  Since employers can be fined £10,000 for each employee they hire without documentation, they can be VERY hesitant to offer jobs/interviews to people without the necessary paperwork in hand... even if you are going to get it, and are entitled to work. 

IMHO you should apply for your uk passport before you leave the US. All the documents you need can be applied for from the US - parents birth certificates etc. so you can apply, receive your Uk passport and then legally move to the UK.

I don't understand why you need info regarding grandparents? Can you please elaborate?

Also, how do you expect to get bills in your name at a residence in the UK?

Please be aware that asking questions about your chosen field of employment is irrelevant unless you have permission to work in the UK.

I don't understand why you need info regarding grandparents? Can you please elaborate?

Grandparent information is required for a first-time UK passport application. It's just dates and places of birth, though, no documents required.

Sorry to the OP for the daft question, Historyenne has put me right.