Advice for an American

tzzt123

Hello everybody.

I was hoping anyone could share some ideas.

About a couple of months ago I posted a question here asking about ideas about getting a job. I know it's really tough here these days, but I do see people getting jobs around me, and I just seem to be applying non-stop with a very low rate of any response at all.

I haven't given up, but the situation just seems ridiculous. The last interview I've had was a phone interview for this big company in London, and as I started talking, the interviewer asked me if I was from America, and then, the conversation went downhill right after I said yes, as if the interviewer wasn't interested once he realized I was American.

Company recruiters seem to be mostly a scam either to dig up details about my previous employers or interviews I am having, and sometimes it's so ridiculous they hang up promising some vague job right after pulled out a little bit of information, or even worse, email me asking me to call them.

I don't know if it's a British thing, but pretty much every email they sent is about an award winning company, looking for the best candidate for the most successful team.

Have all these companies won an award? and if they did, those awards must be pretty lousy, don't they ?

So recruiters are not an option.

Companies seem to be extremely disrespectful too. Some (and really big ones, too) had actually called me for an interview, and when I did, not only that the interviewer was on a holiday, I did do the interview with someone else (who was not ready for me) and promised to call me for a second interview. That never happened, and any attempts I have made to contact back, at least to know what the result is, after an expensive trip to London, were unsuccessful.

It's been months, and that doesn't really do good to my resume too, but even though I studied in one of the best universities in the states, getting a job, and sometimes, ANY job, is very very difficult.

It's at the point where I applied to work for Lidl and Morrison's for ads posted on their windows and never got responded.

On the other hand, I live in Basingstoke with my partner. She has her friends here, but I don't know anyone. Making friends here, seems a little hard these days too. People are very reserved and it's not like you could walk down the town center and start talking to people. There is nothing much to do here too, and at this point I cannot afford spending money on going to the gym or dancing (like I want) and possibly meet people.

I wanted to volunteer - and even that, is a mission of security clearances and qualifications - and to quote the person in charge "I might not pass because I am not from England"

So, you want to volunteer, and even that is difficult.

So, it seems like it's hard to get a job without knowing anyone, and you don't know anyone unless you go somewhere where you meet people, and then you need money for that, and since I've been here for months spending my money, I can't afford it, then I can't meet people, no friends, no job..

and any comments are welcome.

LittleVoice

What sort of work are you applying for?

Southend1

Welcome to Britain in 2013!

It's extremely hard for anyone to get a job right now.

My experience is also that recruitment agencies are pointless. I wouldn't bother with them.

There are a lot of job ads for fake jobs that are just scams - they're normally pretty easy to spot, but maybe not as a recent arrival to the country.

My advice would be to make a list of all the big companies/organisations in the area you want to work. E.g. Councils, hospitals, factories etc. Then look for vacancies on their websites.

You may find only part time, fixed term, zero hours or temporary vacancies are advertised but it's worth applying for them anyway (maybe not zero hours though) as there may be overtime or temp to perm opportunities.

Also ask your partner to check with her friends and colleagues if they know of any jobs available. As you say, it can be easier to get something if you know someone already working there.

As to making friends, we are friendly really! Definitely keep looking into volunteering - some opportunities will need DBS checks but probably only those working with children or vulnerable people. How about working in a charity shop or joining your local community group on a litter pick or refurbishing the local park for example?

claire16c

I'm fairly surprised as I don't live all that far from you & where I live there are people of lots of nationalities employed & you aren't in an area of particularly high unemployment levels.

As London is expensive to travel to, have you looked at Reading? Should be better prospects than Basingstoke. There are lots of jobs there (including many US computer companies) & I have used a temping agency there successfully, and also had a couple of jobs through agencies by putting my cv on cv library. Com

What type of work are you looking for/what's your experience & degree in?

I don't think you should have problems volunteering I think you sound like you've just been unlucky.

ThemeOne

Have you tried registering with agencies for temporary office work? It probably won't pay well, or be interesting, and it may be sporadic but it will be a start, and often can lead to offers of better things from the firms you're sent to.

I think what you're experiencing is the disorientation felt by a newcomer to any country. I remember looking for work in Canada and feeling just as you are. The setup seems similar, even familiar, superficially, but there are so many subtle differences, all of which seem designed to trip up the newcomer.

Plus you don't have the informal networking opportunities you're used to at home, so you're literally starting from scratch.

It would be a good idea to try and expand your circle in Basingstoke. It's an old-fashioned idea, but maybe try some evening classes - they're still a good way of meeting new people, and mention you're looking for work with everyone you meet (though don't be pushy about it).

Also, don't refer to your "resume". I know it'll be second nature, but little things like that won't help your cause!

Prothet_of_Doom

There are any number of charities in the high street who would be happy to offer you a chance to give some of your time.

Wifey works at the CAB sharing reception with a Cross Dressing man and if you read thier website, they try to accomodate those with criminal records, and other employability issues. The fact that you are american is unlikely to put them off. They only pay travelling expences but it would get you out meeting people and help your CV

As for making friends. Get your partner to host a series of Sunday afternoon BBQ's for her closest friends, - bring a burger, a bottle and some salad, and get them to bring partners. Talk to them, and see if you have anything in common. Music, hobbies, films etc ?

As far as Job searching goes, I find the scatter gun approach works. Go on all the job search sites, and put in no search term, up to say 10 miles from from post code. You will get 1000 jobs. Go through and apply for those that you could spin your CV into. It will be 250 applications. Join Linked in, connect with as many recruitment bods as you can. Blog about your job search. make it funny. Someone will decide you are worth a punt.

dandelionclock30

Regarding the gym, the council gyms dont charge that much its about £5.00 per session here. If you are claiming JSA or income support then its a bit cheaper and theres no joining fee here. Could you check that out? You could do dancing there as most places now do Zumba etc. For less than a fiver per hour thats not bad.
Also have you thought about joining a sports club?. Various pubs have football teams and do 5 a side etc. You dont usually have to pay and thats a cheap way to get to know people. If your interested just go into a local pub and ask, if its not that one that does it they will direct you to the right one.
Also if you go to the Library you can get some infomation on various groups that meet etc. Theres all sorts thats free like writers groups/drama groups etc.