Certifications and IT jobs/Salaries - Americans Working in the UK

Author

Americans Working in the UK

Kraftschlag

2002-10-02, 2:30 am

Hello all,

I am an American who is going to be looking for work in the IT field in the UK shortly. I was wondering if there are other Americans on the board who have made this move and could give me some pointers (I already have the British Embassy website memorized so you don't need to fill me in with all of that rubbish

or anyone in general who could tell me which companies have been or might be "friendly" enough to sponsor an American to work there.

I have 3.5 years doing technical support, an A+ certification, and am working on Windows 2K Server MCP right now.

I've checked out www.monster.com, www.jobserve.co.uk, and technojobs.co.uk, and I think it is called www.1stjobsuk.com, and mostly they are recruiters.

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks

RichardJW

2002-10-05, 4:17 pm

Forget about the recruiters they will be useless to you. Where in the UK are you planning on moving too? It is pretty grim time to be looking for a job in the UK. You will have difficulty I imagine getting a job even with your 3.5 years experience though it could depend where you work/worked and the exact calibre of the work you do. More certifications could be helpful. If you are planning on 1st moving to UK and then looking for a job then I advise not - you will need a LOT of finances. However, you conducting your job search from US is a near fruitless task.

Kraftschlag

2002-10-06, 3:48 pm

[B]Forget about the recruiters they will be useless to you.

Yes, for the most part. I have had a few recruiters tell me no worries about getting me a work permit though when I'm ready to move and a position fits. (course you've got to find the position, lol).
but grim times indeed from what I hear

It is bad enough in the US, especially in my area. But all over Europe their stocks are all relying on US stocks..

Where in the UK are you planning on moving too?

Either Manchester or a little bit north of London (Midlands where it is not as expensive to live as London)

It is pretty grim time to be looking for a job in the UK. You will have difficulty I imagine getting a job even with your 3.5 years experience though it could depend where you work/worked and the exact calibre of the work you do.

I did technical support. I worked for a company that made software for real estate companies. People would call me for help on the software so I've gotten familiar with various errors pertaining to Microsoft, ODBC, TCP/IP, etc. I want to find a job similar to that as I really liked doing it, but I would also like something along the lines of maybe assistant network administrator. (You know, they don't expect you to walk in there and know everything, but you are working with the head guy too as a backup and can learn on the job as well).

More certifications could be helpful. If you are planning on 1st moving to UK and then looking for a job then I advise not - you will need a LOT of finances.

I travelled to UK on vacation last year and I also looked for a job back then. but that was when things went haywire, bad economy, began, etc. But I got my feet wet and I got to learn that immigration and work permits is not a piece of cake like the british Embassy makes it out to be

However, you conducting your job search from US is a near fruitless task.

So what do you advise then? And don't tell me to stay in the US

RichardJW

2002-10-07, 8:46 am

I don't know

I'll be thinking about it and let you know!

RichardJW

2002-10-09, 5:26 pm

This is a recipe but no guarantee: get more certifications - while you do this get more capital and begin your search in the US with companies that also have HQ's in England. They are more likely to sponsor but this will be mostly for people they already have as employers unfortunately. This will give you an idea at least of the market. At this point you may consider broadening your search outside I.T. in areas less economy afflicted albeit on temporary basis if you are very keen on I.T. . Also do this if you moving to UK is a given. You see it is faraway best to go to UK job already in hand but barring this you will have the advantage of being in the UK but the way I see it not generally advantaged after all because you have to get a job where they are willing to sponsor the work permit unlike nearly everyone else. Also, you will not be able to claim social security. So I warn you in these respects. Good luck.

Kraftschlag

2002-10-09, 8:06 pm

Thanks for your input Richard. I have been doing that as well. I will most likely have to relocate within the US BEFORE entering the UK for that reason, plus the fact, most companies in Cincinnati are not on the bus line so...most likely want to relocate to the east coast where there are more companies and better public transportation

Thanks

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