Not sure what I'm doing wrong with respect to job hunting

In a mere three weeks, we're moving to Colchester, Essex.  My husband has dual citizenship (American/Irish) and the rest of us (myself, daughter, niece) have EEA Family Permits to get us started.  My husband needs to work to exercise his treaty rights.  I want to work and have a masters level education.  We've prepared CVs and are applying to a variety of jobs of which we feel we have qualifications.  Nonetheless, we've been getting a stream of "sorry, you haven't been shortlisted", etc.  Lovely rejection letters, but we're wondering what we're doing wrong -- or if it's just better to wait until we arrive.

I would love to get any and all advice on this matter.  Trying not to get too discouraged...and will to do a wide variety of work.

Honestly, I think it's most likely because you aren't in the UK yet. It's usually much easier to get interviews and establish communication with companies if you are in the UK, with a UK address and phone number.

A couple of other thoughts:
- Have your CVs been tailored to fit the UK style of CV?
- Do you mention on them that you have the right to work in the UK?

If not, these could also be reasons for them perhaps being passed over, as companies have to jump through a lot more hoops if you don't have the right to work - so if they think you don't, then they may not even bother taking your application any further.

It's also the dreaded "don't have UK experience but need someone to give you a shot to get experience".  Unfortunately sometimes one needs to go for entry level positions to get that first opportunity.  But wait until you are here and given it a good shot before that.

We are more than willing to go entry level or apprenticeship.  I'm retiring from over 20 years of civil service work for state government in the environmental regulatory field.  I'm willing to be a barista, or take on an internship/apprenticeship position. 

We know we'll have to "pound the pavement" and also join some clubs to get to know people.  Just getting a bit anxious and feeling a bit dejected.

We are more than willing to go entry level or apprenticeship.  I'm retiring from over 20 years of civil service work for state government in the environmental regulatory field.  I'm willing to be a barista, or take on an internship/apprenticeship position. 

We know we'll have to "pound the pavement" and also join some clubs to get to know people.  Just getting a bit anxious and feeling a bit dejected.

You've got the right attitude.  It'll happen!   

Thanks for the words of encouragement.  It's been awhile since I've been out-of-work and in the "pound the pavement" mode. 

Maybe it's just the IT kind of work that I do, but in my experience all jobs are found on the internet through recruitment consultants.  And those guys won't give you the time of day unless you are here and ready to work .  Anything else is a waste of time for them.   

Wait till you get here and everything will fall into place. 

Maybe -- I don't do IT work.  I've been searching online with all kinds of recruitment companies.  It's true that my qualifications don't exactly mesh with the UK qualifications, so if they are using a straight formulaic approach, I'm not going to fit the criteria.

Yeah -- probably best to wait until we get there.  In mid-September there's a big job fair so we've got that marked on the calendar to go to that.  I also think there are other employment services in Colchester where we can go and work directly with folks to make sure our CV and everything is aligned with UK verbiage.