Using an agency

Yes. Zepp you have to have a Visa before you get here.  There are ways to make it happen.  BUNAC if  you are just getting out of school.  Student Visa for a Masters or PhD.  You don't have to give up, you just have to work within the law. I think someone gave you a link for a hospitality group.  There are also volunteer organizations... well there are lots of ways to make it work.

so then the only way to get a job is just search online and hope an employer will hire me?

Isn't that pretty much the way to get a job anywhere?

Search online, see if someone will interview you, you are permitted to come to the UK for an interview provided it is already set up.

I hope your dream comes true, I really do-but it's important for you to understand that the UK would rather hire a UK worker, and that quite frankly the UK doesn't want you.  It's nothing personal, it's just that they don't-there are plenty of UK citizens who need jobs, and the UK wants to look out for its own.  
Just because you want to go to the UK to live and work doesn't mean you are automatically entitled to do so.  You have to jump through whatever hoops they want you to jump through, because if you don't you could really find yourself in trouble.  We had a gentleman here who violated immigration law to work-when he was caught and deported they refused to even allow him to re-enter the UK to collect the rest of his belongings.

Having said that, though, there are people who manage to make it happen-through tenacity and by following the laws to the letter.  It does happen.  Just keep your eyes on the prize and remember, you have plenty of time to make things happen for you-it doesn't have to be overnight.  Even if you found a job tomorrow the whole visa process takes some time.

I'm just curious-what is it about London especially?  How many times have you been there?

Don't give up, Zepp, if there's a will, there's a way.

I've only been there once for about a week but I traveled all around western europe and i really fell in love with London.  I'm from a small town in connecticut and at my age 23 (16 mos grad from college so bunac wont work) i want to live in a big city.  I like the fact that i can travel around europe more and its cheap to do so..i mean how cool is it to say that u can take a weekend off and go to paris!  

I'm still sending out resumes and seeing what happens.  I would like to move there in Jan '05 if possible so hopefully some restaurant/hotel will take me.  I dont care if it even pays alot because i got a decent amount saved up (more than most people my age) and dont live too extravagantly.

If nothing happens ill move to manhattan and see what happens there.  all i know is im leaving my job of 4 yrs and conn.  i figure i got nothing to lose but by not trying.  

so then the only way to get a job is just search online and hope an employer will hire me?   I'm beginning to think my dream of working in London may never happen.

If you don't have  a work permit they are  not going to hire you (unless they are the type of employer that does things illegally); it doesn't matter if you search online or anywhere else.

If you don't have a work permit they are not going to hire you (unless they are the type of employer that does things illegally); it doesn't matter if you search online or anywhere else.

If he's applying in some sort of specialised field, there's a chance a company will work out the work visa stuff for him (if he's the best fit for the job).  I can't see that happening in hospitality, though...unless the job is running a swanky hotel chain or something!

So, in other words, Zepp, you can't come to London and look for work--that's illegal.  You also can't apply to agencies from the US as you don't have any sort of work clearance for the UK.  You can apply directly to companies (while you're in the US), but the chances are that, unless it's a very specialised position for which you are more qualified than everyone in the UK and the EU, you won't be considered.  Work permits are issued in pretty exceptional circumstances.

It sounds like your best chance is to head over here for graduate school.  It won't be cheap, but you can apply for US financial aid for study abroad.  It's just a matter of making your circumstances work for you...it won't be easy, but you can get here if you want to (legally!). 

Zepp just a thought.... have you ever thought about teaching English?  While it won't get you to London you can do your training through a place like International House and then apply to go work say in Prague (lovely city) or someplace like it.  I'd say Poland as well since I worked there but with all the new EU regs for the last enlargement you'd have to check out where you can go and who is willing to hire an American.  Yet it could be a way for you to see the world and work a bit.  You would just have to be willing to go outside of "Western" Europe. 

 http://www.ihworld.com/ for International House (great training!)

and http://www.eslcafe.com/  Dave Sperling's ESL/EFL site.  A great resource and you can read up on people who do work legally and illegally.  Just know that if you go the illegal route (despite our warnings) that in today's world you are setting yourself up for problems.  Some people never get caught and then some do.  The one's that do can never return and face jail and fines.  Think of it this way... you are in a country.  You get robbed and beaten or need police help or medical attention what do you do? Perhaps you need a bank account? Or your employer decides not to pay you and leaves you with no money and no place to turn.  You can't rent an apartment on your own.  You can't get a phone.  Well there are just a lot of things to consider.  Do people do it and survive? Yes. Is it smart?  Not really. 

Zepp if you want it badly enough you can make it work.  Just keep asking questions and keep looking for a legal way to do it.  Plus, if all else fails Manhattan is not so bad!   

On a cheery note I met an American living in my city here.  He got to the UK via working on board cruise ships and various other jobs.  I am not sure how he wound up doing it but he's been here for 15 years so far and he is not married and works in hospitality.

That's a really good idea Vnice, some friends of mine are in Japan right now doing just that and having a great time. Another friend of mine did it in Dubai - all that tax free income!

Zepp if you contact an agency over here who specialise in hospitality they can probably advise you whether you would be likely to qualify for a sponsored work permit.

Good luck!

zepp, where in small town ct?  that's where i'm from (in fairfield country)

dude, ax manhattan.  live in Boston.  it's SO MUCH COOLEr

Thanks for all the replies guys.   As for grad school...I have little to no desire to go back to school.  Plus, I wouldnt even know what to study.  I was contemplating getting a teaching degree because it is only 1 yr (I believe?   also- anyone know when semesters begin in london)   

As for teaching english..the only city i would be wiling to live in is london. 

I only mentioned hospitality jobs b/c on the workpermits website (official uk one) there is something called the sectors based scheme which gives work permits just to non eu citizens for hospitality jobs.  and i just said hotel/restaurant jobs b/c i figured my experience could translate well to a hotel job and i figured it would be an "easy" job to get.  Plus, at least it gets me into london and then i could legally search for other work. 

As for teaching english..the only city i would be wiling to live in is london. 

Why?  There are lots of other great cities over here!

...i figured it would be an "easy" job to get.  Plus, at least it gets me into london and then i could legally search for other work. 

Actually, no, you couldn't.  If you come over on a work permit, the permit is good for that job only.  If you quit or get fired from that specific job, you have to leave the country (within 4 weeks, I think).

I know there are plenty of good cities but London did something for me that a dozen cities didnt and I really could see myself living there.   

do u know when semesters begin/end in london...like if i wanted to go for a teaching degree..when is the earliest i could start?  also, does anyone know how a uk teaching degree would translate back in the states?

oh, and to answer someone's question before..im from newington..lived there all my life (not much longer though)

The US/UK teaching qualfications are quite different.  Basically, if you head to the other country with a teaching certification, you'll have to go through the induction/student teaching process again.  Which is exactly why I'm NOT teaching here (oh, and the students!).   

Zepp, you seem to have a few misconceptions about work permits so I refer you to http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/

You'll be able to get accurate information from the horses mouth.

Also, if you are truly serious about moving to the UK, I recommend getting an immigration lawyer who will be able to tell you how you can go about doing it, legally. 


edited for spelling error

Zepp, since you've only been in London for about a week, and you don't have any ties there, maybe you should take a long visit (without going over the 6 month limit on your passport)  before making any permanent decisions.  Spending a week in a city as a tourist is very different than living there.