Advice from those who were able to get hired !

So to the point about volunteering I have a question then.

Does any volunteering count or does it have to be related to something?  Is volunteering in a shop acceptable if I am looking for a professional job or should I be looking to volunteer in something office related?  

I just find all this really hard to believe when I have friends from other European countries who got jobs just fine in their fields and none of them worked in volunteer roles initially and some didn't have UK office experience either.  I'm not saying responders here are lying, just that this is a far sicker economy than it appears on the surface.

I came to the UK for work, so a bit different.  But I live near Basingstoke.  Have you looked into working in Reading?  There are loads of tech companies in Green Park (by Madjeski Stadium), Winnersh Triangle, Oracle has a huge facility in Reading.  Lots in Bracknell too.  Recruiters are frustrating but try to get in front of as many as possible.  Some (ok, most) will be flaky but you just need the right fit with June or two and good things will happen.  It does usually take time though.  The job market doesn't move as fast as the US.

Hi there

I have organised a careers fair on the Isle of Man, which takes place tomorrow. I know for a fact that the below company is looking for IT developers and such. I also believe you don't have to live on the Isle of Man to apply…(although it is an awesome place to live).

Give it a shot..might work who knows.

http://www.plan.com/careers.php#

When I started looking for work after receiving my FLR (M) visa in August, I applied for anything and everything I felt that I could actually have qualifications for. I didn't hear back from most places I applied. I think I got one rejection email. Employers are a LOT pickier over here for who they hire, they want you to have taken classes, gotten certificates, etc for rolls you are applying for. Which is quite a bit different than back in the US.

I eventually got asked to do a video interview with a really great company, than a phone interview and the final, in person interview and I wasn't hired. Really bummed me out that weekend. So I went on another apply for absolutely everything listed on the job search sites and got called the next day to come in for an immediate interview. I got hired and started work the day after my interview. It's been...interesting. At least I have a job though. It's not something I want to do long term. It has NOTHING to do with my degree and I do feel underpaid. But hey, it's a job.

this is a far sicker economy than it appears on the surface.

Extremely so.

I've been here for over a year now. Currently living in Basingstoke, a pretty slow and boring town about an hour away from London. Finding a job has been a nightmare since I've landed and although I haven't given up,

Oh yeah - forgot to mention - I have an EU passport, so working permit is not the problem.

Just make sure you have an up to date EHIC from your own EU country if you aren't working and check what that covers because an EHIC is not insurance. As an EU citizen, we are not allowed to use another EU countries healthcare system for free unless we are in work in that EU country. On the weeks we don't work, we are billed. If we have a non-EU citizen with us, they are billed too on the weeks we don't work even if they are working because what they can have is based on what their EU citizen is doing.

Most EU countries check before they give free treatment to EU citizens and their dependants and ask for payment if they aren't in work. The UK wasn't set up to check before, but in 2013 changes were made to HMRC and now the new system for the NHS of checking who to bill for treatment and medication, will start in 2015.

The other problem you may have is that we have to be a "qualified person" to be exercising our EU free movement rights to live in another EU country. The UK is now talking about deporting those who aren't a qualified person. As EU citizens we can visit another EU country for 3 months, but after that we have to be a qualified person to live there: worker, student or self sufficient. Those latter two groups are not allowed free healthcare and have to prove they have health cover, nor can they claim any welfare from the EU country they move to. There is some leeway with remaining to job hunt in another EU country, but just for a few months.

However, the EU judges changed the law this week which will stop job searching EU citizens claiming income based benefits from another EU country. It seems when we move to another EU country, we will have to be more like a self sufficient qualified persons until work is found i.e. arrive with savings and a comprehensive sickness policy, or EHIC if our own EU country will cover us for most of any treatment needed.

The execption to all the above is the separate agreement the UK and Ireland have made between themselves. Irish are treated as Brits when they move to the UK and Brits are treated as Irish when they move to the Island of Ireland.

However, the EU judges changed the law this week which will stop job searching EU citizens claiming income based benefits from another EU country.

The "EU judges" did not change any "Law". They made a ruling on existing language.

It is not a blanket ban on EU migrants claiming benefits; it is not within the European Court of Justice's remit to change or make laws or issue "bans".

This ruling revolves around Elisabeta Dano, a Romanian woman who the Court agreed could be denied access to a subsistence allowance available to jobseekers because she isn't actively seeking work. The Court also said Ms Dano and her son could not claim a right of residence in Germany because they do not have sufficient resources to support themselves. She does receive child benefit.

There is nothing particularly new here, nothing was over-turned. These restrictions could have been put in place in any EU Member State and if someone had complained, it would have percolated up through the system to a similar ruling.

Our Government could have been restricting certain non-contributory benefits to those not actively seeking employment all along under existing rules.

The "EU judges" did not change any "Law". They made a ruling on existing language.

It is not a blanket ban on EU migrants claiming benefits; it is not within the European Court of Justice's remit to change or make laws or issue "bans".



There is nothing particularly new here, nothing was over-turned. These restrictions could have been put in place in any EU Member State and if someone had complained, it would have percolated up through the system to a similar ruling.

Nothing particulary new? It was a major change.

Our Government could have been restricting certain non-contributory benefits to those not actively seeking employment all along under existing rules.

We have been and get taken to court lots of times over welfare changes for EUs and either win or change the UK laws to get what we want. It was all little steps, but this is a massive step. Benefit tourism has ended.

The UK was being taken to court for limiting out of work benefits and now that restriction of out of work benefits can be changed in UK law too, to no income based benefits for out of work EUs. The ruling also means we don't have to give the same to those who haven't contributed to the UK, which is good news for planned welfare changes i.e. pensioners welfare changes.

It was the out of work benefits that were a problem and this is sorted. The in work benefits are sick benefits were not a problem because the changes for those started with welfare trials and welfare changes, in 2008. Those changes that didn't make it to law with that government, were continued and brought to law by the present government. In work benefits, or out of work benefits, all claimants will now be treated a jobseekers are now. Many claimants will soon work for their welfare after the courts ruled that legal and housing/mortgage benefits will be time limited. One of the biggest changes are perhaps going to be for the self employed claimants who will see their benefits reduced. In work benefits, not a problem anymore.

EU free movement is great but it needs tweaking and has been over the years. But this ruling has made it so much easier for EU countries to stop those who arrive, don't work and claim.

Germany is now on board with deporting EU citizens and in some cases, banning them and laws are already going through in Germany so that is expected to get taken to court by someone too. Both main political parties in the UK agree with deporting EUs, with Labour saying that any immigrant who comes to the UK and is then found gulty of a crime, should be deported. It's not surprising it's Labour who wants that as they made a law when they were last in government, to make it easy to remove UK citizenship .

Try recruitment agents and request CV feedback. Here is one of the main IT portals:
http://www.jobserve.com/gb/en/Job-Search/

I'd also look at the main professional qualifications cited in advertisements in your field and talk to agents about the professional qualifications most in demand.

As was mentioned by PB, BCS might be a place to start:
http://www.bcs.org/

One of many professional IT qualification places:
http://www.learningtree.co.uk/

You could consider a professional CV writer once you get agent feedback.

Independent contractor body:
http://www.ipse.co.uk

If you want to be a contractor, you may wish to consider setting up your own company:
https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation

To find an accountant:
http://www.icaew.com/

As a last resort, what about a Master's that includes work placement?
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/postgraduate_study.htm

Best of luck! 

The UK was being taken to court for limiting out of work benefits and now that restriction of out of work benefits can be changed in UK law too, to no income based benefits for out of work EUs.

Of course the UK was being taken to court - that is how broadly defined ideas like Freedom of Movement are clarified. This is what happened in Germany. The Court agreed with Germany's interpretation that a person must be actively seeking work. What exactly that means is going to more than likely require much more study, and will no doubt be addressed by either the EU legislative process - or more probably - by Member State ministerial dealings. Court cases will arise when a person shows they have applied for jobs.

The principle of Freedom of Movement whereby a person can migrate and look for work....and is entitled to the same level of benefits as locals still stands. These restrictions seen in Germany could have been enacted at any time by any EU Member State.

Ultimately, it will fall to the Member States, and I am assuming this will include the UK, to find a structure to show that EU emigrants are indeed not actively looking for work....or we will see the judicial process repeated. I predict that is what will happen.

If you recall, France had a recent purge of Romanians* - concocting some sort of "voluntary" return system. It seems to have passed muster.

*Purge of Romanians....and to think granddad got his leg blown off in the Ardennes to stop that sort of thing.....

And if I can.....

You do know that "benefit tourism", like Nessie or Father Christmas, doesn't really exist, don't you? The DM makes it up. Like their ghost photos and Parisian stalking tigers.

I wish I had some good advice, but it's not the easiest to find a job here. I just now found an "OK" job after two years. I am applying for ILR in a few days so almost two years... I have had a terrible time with jobs here. My husband who did not work 8 years previously (due to a legit reason) makes double what I make a month and landed a job a month after looking for a job with no work history in 8 years and no schooling/training.

I did software QA in the US and have sent my application off everywhere. I would never get calls back and one recruitment agency told me they would never give me a job. I asked why and they said I had been out of my job field for too long. (I came on a visitor visa for 6 months before fiance, then waited 8 months on fiance visa until I got FLR and could start working) Honestly I don't think this was the case. I've redone my CV more times than I ever have in my entire life while here. No one interested. Jobs clearly qualified I'm told they will contact me when something that suits me comes available.

After the first year I started looking into cleaning jobs. I got an hour a day cleaning job and when I got my interview they lowered the pay they advertised for. I thought, whatever, at least it's something to put on my CV while I find another job during the day. That job ended with me having to work off the clock to get all my work done, health and safety violations, never got a copy of my contract. Then when I put my notice in the cleaning company said I had to give a months notice when that was not correct legally. Then I was bullied back into work after my quitting period because as the boss put it, she would be more likely not to withold my seconds month's pay and not sue me for damages.

Had a 2 hour cleaning job in the evening- that was OK. Didn't pay enough to pay for the bus there, so that was a 7 mile round trip walk each day. Got a week job at a factory which isn't good for someone with back issues and carpal tunnel. I didn't meet quota. Only one of six people on our team did, so I was let go the first week.

Got an interview at a book binding place. I was excited. Ten minute interview and they asked no questions just told me about their process. I asked if they wanted to know anything about me. No. Never heard from them again despite emailing to say thank you for the interview. They hired someone. Saw the same ad two months later. Reapplied, never heard from them again.

Got desperate and applied for a place cleaning port a potties. They waited three weeks to mail the contract to be signed so that it fell on a Saturday and I would start work on the Monday. There was a handwritten note that said don't worry that I didn't get a handbook etc and to just sign it to save time. They were not going to supply gloves, ppe etc. Found out online they were going to pay a pound and some change more an hour via a website. I asked them about it. They said they put that ad up 10 years ago... despite the website only being up the last two years and the ad being new. I declined the offer.

Got a three day job as a cleaner at a hotel. Answered the ad but it was the case where they legally had to put up the ad even though someone was being hired within. So I got hired for another cleaner job there. I thought they pay was at least minimum wage, no. It was per piece work. If you did 4 hotel rooms an hour you got 5.60? an hour. After three days I quit. The majority of the workers were Polish and could not understand English. The boss would talk to them in a pleasant tone to their face while calling them lazy and rubbish etc. etc. They could not understand a word of the abuse. It was uncomfortable, I couldn't handle that and the work anymore. It was so hot in the hotel in the summer a few girls almost passed out. After how we had to clean the rooms I will never stay in a hotel again. Never got paid for the three days.

Applied to deliver leaflets. I make about 1-2 pounds an hour depending on my route, amount of leaflets, if you have flats with flights of stairs etc. At least it keeps me busy and active. Also got a job the last three weeks as a cleaner at a factory. It's owned by immigrants. They pay me more than minimum wage and I work 25 hours a week. This by far is the best job I've had here. And people are nice to me there.

And this current company? I will probably stay there till I die. I kid not. Pays at least minimum wage and they are nice there?! I know it sounds sad but after two years... this is amazing to have found such a nice place.

I read stories here where some expats find a good job right away and I have no idea how it's done. I'm not criticizing them, I'm happy for them actually. I just have no idea. Maybe it's down to area, people hiring (their views on hiring foreigners) etc.

Anyway, I better be off... I need to go deliver leaflets


Edit: Almost forgot my cleaning job before the factory job I have now: You can search: "Can employers change hours after you've signed papers?" in this forum to see that mess.

I guess I'm not alone, then? I've been in the UK since March 2013 and have not found a single thing. I've been to agencies, job centres, sent out CVs left and right and have had only two interviews so far. It doesn't help that this part of the country is pretty sad for work (Norfolk).

I did get a call for an interview last year for a great job in London, but my wife and I decided what was the point to come all this way here and be apart 5 days a week. Plus, I'm not sure how that would look to the UKBA since my wife and I would be living apart most of the week. Now I wish I would have gone for it.

This is incredibly frustrating. I looked online at the city I'm from in the US and there are tons of jobs in my field - not a gigantic city but a University town. I've done all the things people here have said they have done - re-write CVs, apply for anything, etc. Just one dead end after another. One job agency sounded real hopeful and kept saying they would call me back on Monday - of course they never did and I gave up following up. I'm so angry now that I'm determined to keep calling every couple of days just so they can find me something to get me out of their hair!

My ILR application comes up in March 2015, and though I'm under the old rules, I really hoped to have a job by then. This really is affecting my self esteem and feel I'm slipping into a bit of depression. Even the places I thought I could be of help volunteering with my skills were dead end.

Well, looks like I'm not alone, huh?

I feel the pain! It took four months to secure employment in Hampshire but stayed away from Basingstoke. I had good luck in the Winchester/Southampton/Portsmouth areas.

I indicated on my CV that I had full right to work in the UK with Leave to Remain as the spouse of a UKC. Once potential employers realised I was living in the UK to stay and not just work, matters sorted out quickly. During my search I applied for internships, apprenticeships and volunteer positions within my field.

Best of luck to everyone during the struggle. xo

Just put it on my CV.

Why did you stay away from Basingstoke, by the way ?