Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
#16
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Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 58
Re: Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
Thank you, everyone, for all the information and advice. I understand it probably won't be easy, but at least my current employers here have contacts in London and have offered to help me. Of course, that's no guarantee, but everything is set now and sometimes you have to take a deep breath and jump. I have been so unhappy here for so long, and I know going home is the best thing. At least I'm lucky and have family. I will definitely check out the job sites that some of you have so kindly provided. I really appreciate it. Luckily, I do have some UK work experience.
Have to admit I'm somewhat nervous and apprehensive, but I'm sure everyone feels the same way at the beginning.
Have to admit I'm somewhat nervous and apprehensive, but I'm sure everyone feels the same way at the beginning.
#17
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Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 58
Re: Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
Hi Barbara,
The best website for jobs in my opinion is
http://www.monster.co.uk/?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_n=Srch_UK_SK_G_GEN&s_kwcid=TC|210 30|recruitment%20agencies||S|b|6019606602
They have lots of international companies who would appreciate someone with your background.
Best of luck.
The best website for jobs in my opinion is
http://www.monster.co.uk/?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_n=Srch_UK_SK_G_GEN&s_kwcid=TC|210 30|recruitment%20agencies||S|b|6019606602
They have lots of international companies who would appreciate someone with your background.
Best of luck.
#18
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 388
Re: Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
I left the UK in 2004 and returned with my 14 year old daughter and American husband last May 2010.
From the time I'd left school up until 2004 I had worked within the legal field as a Legal Secretary. After we arrived in the US I tried desperately to find work as a Legal Secretary - I never did and ended up working as a Receptionist. Although I managed to find some temping jobs after we arrived back last year I am yet again working as a Receptionist. I absolutely hate the job - it's a very junior position with a very junior salary.
I keep checking for jobs online and with agencies but am being told there just "isn't much around". We're still living with family but I think we've now outlived our welcome - it's going to be a struggle financially - I'm only earning £13,000. Apart from that we only have my husband's US pension.
In the Carmarthenshire area the job market is dire indeed.
From the time I'd left school up until 2004 I had worked within the legal field as a Legal Secretary. After we arrived in the US I tried desperately to find work as a Legal Secretary - I never did and ended up working as a Receptionist. Although I managed to find some temping jobs after we arrived back last year I am yet again working as a Receptionist. I absolutely hate the job - it's a very junior position with a very junior salary.
I keep checking for jobs online and with agencies but am being told there just "isn't much around". We're still living with family but I think we've now outlived our welcome - it's going to be a struggle financially - I'm only earning £13,000. Apart from that we only have my husband's US pension.
In the Carmarthenshire area the job market is dire indeed.
#19
Re: Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
I currently live in Ontario Canada, I got my Permanent Residence in September 2010. I have been looking for a job since..its been 8 months and no luck, it could partly be the fact that I wasn't able to work for 5 years due to immigration reasons and having a child. My Husband has a pretty well paid job $56k a year plus bonuses. He is looking for another job but looks like he would have to take a pay cut to do that!
Everything is so expensive here and pretty shoddy quality from furniture to clothes! The price of milk for example has gone form $3.30 for 4L to $5.40 in some stores in the last 3 years! And Gas prices have gone from $0.67 to $1.30 per liter! Its a wonder we survived on just one income as the wages have not been adjusted to the cost of living and there has been a new tax on some items in a store making it 18% tax!
We are looking to move to the UK in 4 -5 years time and hoping the cost of living is pretty good then!
Everything is so expensive here and pretty shoddy quality from furniture to clothes! The price of milk for example has gone form $3.30 for 4L to $5.40 in some stores in the last 3 years! And Gas prices have gone from $0.67 to $1.30 per liter! Its a wonder we survived on just one income as the wages have not been adjusted to the cost of living and there has been a new tax on some items in a store making it 18% tax!
We are looking to move to the UK in 4 -5 years time and hoping the cost of living is pretty good then!
Last edited by Alfresco; Jun 6th 2011 at 11:22 am.
#20
Re: Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
I left the UK in 2004 and returned with my 14 year old daughter and American husband last May 2010.
From the time I'd left school up until 2004 I had worked within the legal field as a Legal Secretary. After we arrived in the US I tried desperately to find work as a Legal Secretary - I never did and ended up working as a Receptionist. Although I managed to find some temping jobs after we arrived back last year I am yet again working as a Receptionist. I absolutely hate the job - it's a very junior position with a very junior salary.
I keep checking for jobs online and with agencies but am being told there just "isn't much around". We're still living with family but I think we've now outlived our welcome - it's going to be a struggle financially - I'm only earning £13,000. Apart from that we only have my husband's US pension.
In the Carmarthenshire area the job market is dire indeed.
From the time I'd left school up until 2004 I had worked within the legal field as a Legal Secretary. After we arrived in the US I tried desperately to find work as a Legal Secretary - I never did and ended up working as a Receptionist. Although I managed to find some temping jobs after we arrived back last year I am yet again working as a Receptionist. I absolutely hate the job - it's a very junior position with a very junior salary.
I keep checking for jobs online and with agencies but am being told there just "isn't much around". We're still living with family but I think we've now outlived our welcome - it's going to be a struggle financially - I'm only earning £13,000. Apart from that we only have my husband's US pension.
In the Carmarthenshire area the job market is dire indeed.
I know the original OP will be living in London so may not have as many difficulties as those outside the big smoke.
#21
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 388
Re: Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
My daughter has settled in to school and made friends etc etc - I just don't want dragging her around and unsettling her again. Oh I just don't know what the hell to do to be honest with you
#22
Re: Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
Sorry I didn't realise you had a school age child, it is very hard when you live in those pockets of the UK where the work situation is bad and yet other places seem to prosper........
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: london
Posts: 67
Re: Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
Have you decided what part of london you are moving to, you seem very intelligent have you considered starting your own business.
#24
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Joined: Nov 2009
Location: Gastown - East Van
Posts: 413
Re: Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
I currently live in Ontario Canada, I got my Permanent Residence in September 2010. I have been looking for a job since..its been 8 months and no luck, it could partly be the fact that I wasn't able to work for 5 years due to immigration reasons and having a child. My Husband has a pretty well paid job $56k a year plus bonuses. He is looking for another job but looks like he would have to take a pay cut to do that!
Everything is so expensive here and pretty shoddy quality from furniture to clothes! The price of milk for example has gone form $3.30 for 4L to $5.40 in some stores in the last 3 years! And Gas prices have gone from $0.67 to $1.30 per liter! Its a wonder we survived on just one income as the wages have not been adjusted to the cost of living and there has been a new tax on some items in a store making it 18% tax!
We are looking to move to the UK in 4 -5 years time and hoping the cost of living is pretty good then!
Everything is so expensive here and pretty shoddy quality from furniture to clothes! The price of milk for example has gone form $3.30 for 4L to $5.40 in some stores in the last 3 years! And Gas prices have gone from $0.67 to $1.30 per liter! Its a wonder we survived on just one income as the wages have not been adjusted to the cost of living and there has been a new tax on some items in a store making it 18% tax!
We are looking to move to the UK in 4 -5 years time and hoping the cost of living is pretty good then!
I also agree on the quality of goods. I have gone through tens of thousands of dollars on what appears to be garbage products at high prices. Mostly electronic stuff. The way warranties work in North America is also crap compared with UK. The store basically wipes its hands with products after 30 days and sending heavy items back to the manufacturer perhaps over 2,000 miles away is not viable. It definitely pays to get extended warranties here, which are surprisingly well priced compared with those in UK. Also I get 2nd year cover on most things on my credit card, which has save me a load of money and hassle.
#25
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 63
Re: Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
I would totally agree with King Kongs thread .I am a carpenter in the yorkshire area ,work is dire theres little about i know its not the IT industry but i feel the whole job front has slowed down greatly .
I have had very little work in the past four weeks ,an agency contacted me the other day offering me some work at eight pounds an hour for a fully qualified joiner ,which i found an insult .
When i told the agency they must be joking they promptly told me no wonder all the Eastern Europeans are getting all the jobs .
I couldnt believe his reply as long as tradesmen take the jobs at that rate the longer the agencies will continue to pay such low rates ,take away your cost of diesel and replacement of tools etc and its just not worth it .
I know some people will say needs must but thats just taking the p***
I have had very little work in the past four weeks ,an agency contacted me the other day offering me some work at eight pounds an hour for a fully qualified joiner ,which i found an insult .
When i told the agency they must be joking they promptly told me no wonder all the Eastern Europeans are getting all the jobs .
I couldnt believe his reply as long as tradesmen take the jobs at that rate the longer the agencies will continue to pay such low rates ,take away your cost of diesel and replacement of tools etc and its just not worth it .
I know some people will say needs must but thats just taking the p***
#26
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Joined: Jan 2011
Location: The REAL Utopia.
Posts: 9,910
Re: Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
The North definitely seems to be getting hit hard. I know down South all of my mates over there are just as busy as always.
#27
Re: Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
I am looking at retuning to UK at almost 50 and thinking that maybe I can pick a job up to return on the internet, reading this it sounds like I might be in fantasy land!
#28
Re: Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
...Although from my experience, I always had to be in the UK before anyone would look at my CV.
Why do you want to leave S.A. in particular and what do you do for a crust?
#29
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 63
Re: Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
I guess weve just got to ride out the storm and hope theres an end to all of this
#30
Re: Is the job market really as dire as I've been reading?
The reason to leave South Africa probably has more to do with security for ones retired years plus the need for a change! From what i can see here things are changing and its looking a bit bleak. Currently in Purchasing Management for a crust!