Originally Posted by vikingsail

I truly believe in the highlighted. When I was filling in online application forms I was frustrated by that innocuous little box that says 'when can you interview' or something similar. I see it as a big obstacle when abroad. My epiphany was to be proactive so I decided to state I was available in person with at least two weeks notice and otherwise I could also video/skype interview. Can I say this got me an interview? Well no not definitely but I do believe my bold polite statement with the offer of a solution/ alternative worked. I can say that previously I had 'fudged' the issue and got nowhere.

Regarding Skype interviews. For me I had read lots of experiences good and bad on BE re the use of Skype in interviews. I also use it regularly myself so think I am aware of its positives and pitfalls. After testing it pre interview I decided for a number of reasons that I was not comfortable with using it; uncertainty re internet connection, lack of professionalism - not wanting to operate the mechanism while trying to interview or constantly be saying things like can you hear me now! I decided a small amount was worth the gamble on using professional video conferencing facilities. I am aware that can get expensive. I was lucky imho, I found after some searching a place that only charged about $100. Others I found online were quoting $300-400. I thought $100 was fair as it was fairly close to associated travel costs for any interview.

The experience of a video conference facility, which was only a small conference room with a flat screen TV and a 'gun' like camera which swiveled 360' pointing at me was great. It definitely allowed me to focus on the interview at hand as I was not worrying about how I looked, angle of camera, audio etc. All that was taken care of and worked perfectly fine. Despite my genetic hinderances I felt I looked like a TV presenter rather than a family member far away in Timbuctoo trying to say hello. Thats a great effect for exotic war correspondents in Beirut but not the best when your trying to put your best face forward - thats the best simile I can give. I was also able to give a full powerpoint style presentation over the TV/ video link which worked perfectly.

Anyhow thats my experience. It worked for me I hope there are some gems of wisdom others can possibly take from this post. That might sound a bit trite so I would add I have spent nearly 12 months agonizing over job apps and what to do re interviews etc. I have had many dark moments when I thought it was pointless and no one would consider me from abroad, plenty of qualified candidates in the UK, why bother with the added stress of organizing a video interview. What kept me going was optimism. I think I eventually turned my situation around and made the perceived negative a positive and something unique that interviewers would want to participate in.etc

Good luck

Originally Posted by windsong

Thank you, vikingsail, for contributing this very valuable information that gives everyone hope - and has been such inspiration for me that I am now actively trying to find a job over there. My efforts begin today. I am parked in a cafe with my laptop ready to devote a few hours to this project

I was hoping you would stop by this thread and contribute.

Originally Posted by perthhomeschool

Good luck

Originally Posted by windsong

Lo and behold!!! I found the perfect job already - seriously!!! My background is quite unique and so was the job I held for almost 20 years, so I never ever thought I'd find such a job again - and it is the first one that popped up in my search!!!! I truly cannot believe this - now what to do? This is unbelievable!

I am afraid to apply, I think. It's pure disbelief and I need to get over this.

Footnote: It says interviews will take place in February 2013 so the ad is old. It's probaby been filled by now, but this tells me I need to watch for old ads still out there on the Internet. It was very good to see this ad, though!!

Originally Posted by vikingsail

If it popped up in your search you have nothing to lose by following up with a telephone call enquiring whether the job is still open/ accepting applications - you have the perfect excuse it was still posted online?

The job I am currently in was the same. I applied six weeks after the position was stated closed on the internet and here I am!

Originally Posted by sallysimmons

I think it would also depend how in demand your skills are. If you have unusual or particularly valuable skills, employers will be willing to jump through hoops to talk to you, but if you do a job that people here could do, it would seem less likely that they'd want to bother.

That said, I'm a big believer in ignoring 'the norm' and making things happen for yourself - if you try hard enough and get creative about how you approach the search, I don't see why anyone can't be successful.

Originally Posted by AngelaV

When I have employed people in the past, I always took more interest in the cover letter than I did in the CV content. The cover letter gave me an insight into the person applying and how serious they are about the position in question.

I have never contacted someone who sent generic applications to numerous companies. It was always a bonus as an employer when the person applying indicated in their cover letter that they had researched the company and reasons as to why they applied for that particular position.

If it was me; and 2 people were right for the position based on experience etc., and only 1 person took the time to write an exceptional cover letter, I would go out of my way to speak to this person.

Originally Posted by ElizabethK

Angela, a lot of the applications I've done have not given an opportunity to write a cover letter at all and so therefore I cannot sell myself or give any information about myself

Originally Posted by Magpie1

This is how I managed to land my job in the UK from the USA.

I started out just by applying on line and was making zero progress. So I decided to take a weeks vacation to England booked the flights and then contacted a couple of agencies and told them that I was returning to live in the UK and the situation with getting my wife's visa under the new rules. They managed to get me seven interviews during that week. Admittedly I was totally open to location and they stretched from Rochester in Kent all the way up to Wakefield in Yorkshire. So off I went and after a week of interviews I ended up with 2 offers of which I excepted one and start mid April

Now I am just hoping my wife's visa comes through in time so we can travel together rather than separately.

Admittedly I have a specific skill set which probably helped but I was amassed at the amount of interviews they lined me up with.

So it is possible you just have to be determined enough.

Originally Posted by Magpie1

This is how I managed to land my job in the UK from the USA.

I started out just by applying on line and was making zero progress. So I decided to take a weeks vacation to England booked the flights and then contacted a couple of agencies and told them that I was returning to live in the UK and the situation with getting my wife's visa under the new rules. They managed to get me seven interviews during that week. Admittedly I was totally open to location and they stretched from Rochester in Kent all the way up to Wakefield in Yorkshire. So off I went and after a week of interviews I ended up with 2 offers of which I excepted one and start mid April

Now I am just hoping my wife's visa comes through in time so we can travel together rather than separately.

Admittedly I have a specific skill set which probably helped but I was amassed at the amount of interviews they lined me up with.

So it is possible you just have to be determined enough.