The English are famous for Tea drinking. I can understand why now. The coffee here is disgusting. I have been to coffee shops in 3 different places - London, Leicester and Market Harborough and the coffee was terrible at all 3. The coffee was far too hot, and therefore tasted burnt, and the milk is not airated enough, so no matter what you order, you almost always end up with a flat white.
I have taken to drinking tea...
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Job hunting in the UK
Job hunting can be a fun experience, or it can be harrowing. The current hot skills in the UK at the moment, appear to be ASP.NET/C#, Oracle related, or SAP. If you have those skills £300/day is an absolute minimum in London.
If you can get investment bank or financial experience on your C.V. then upwards of £500/day is not uncommon.
The best thing you can do is apply for a lot of jobs online, using www.jobserve.com, or www.jobsite.co.uk or www.theitjobboard.com.
I would recommend creating a profile on these sites and uploading your C.V. as the recruiters do use this to find C.V's. Get a cellphone and put that number on your C.V. as recruiters prefer to call people, infact most won't email.
The reason you should apply for heaps of jobs, is that it gets your C.V. in circulation to all the recruiters. It's not really like in New Zealand where you want to get a good relationship with one recruitment company, basically there is so many in the UK that you just go where the best job / rate is.
Once you have been posted to a job, the recruitment company you have dealt with, will do their best to keep you with them, as you are a "known commodity".
To maximize your hit rate with the recruiters search engines, make sure to use a lot of buzz words. I for example on the first page of my C.V. have a table with all the skillsets I have used with a rating and a years used column.
The only downside to this is you will get a lot of recruiters ringing, but it's better to have heaps than none at all.
The recruitment process
If you match some of the skills needed, the recruiter will no doubt put your C.V. forward. They have to ring you and ask before they do, and make sure your C.V. hasn't been put forward from another company. 99% of recruiters won't ring back if you aren't going to get an interview. This takes a bit of getting used to, as recruiters in NZ always give feedback. I guess it's a numbers thing, but it can be annoying. If you don't hear back from the recruiter within 2 or 3 days, you aren't going to.
I keep a journal of who has rung and for what job, and the rate and contract length. Potientially, you could be dealing with several recrutiers per day until you find work, so it's important to remember what you have applied for and where and for how much.
Interview process
The interview process seems to vary from role to role. Some companies decide off the C.V. and just want to double check, some companies have a many stepped process.
Usually, they will either set a test, or ask for a phone interview first. Then if you pass this, they will ask you for a face to face interview. Punctuality is not a string point in the UK. Don't be worried if you arrive on time, and you are waiting for up to 30 minutes. My advice would be not to plan more than two interviews on the same day. I planned two interviews within two hours of each other and had to leave the first part way through because I was going to be late for the second if I didn't.
Always wear a suit to the interview. The people interviewing you will more than likely not be wearing a suit, and you'll almost certainly not have to wear one in the job, but wear one anyway to the interview.
Be prepared to do an technical test at an interview. Not all do this, but it is starting to be more common. I personally think they are a waste of time. Most of the ones I have seen are multiple choice type questions. IMHO it is better to set a programming test rather than a multi guess test as it shows more, and most programmers these days don't remember what method names are - intellisense.
Anyway, again if unsuccessful you may not hear from the recruiter, so be aware of that. Typically, you should here back within a week. I usually get a vibe from interviews and ask if I am still in the running, or when I should expect a decision.
I hope these tips are valuable to someone and good luck. There is a world of opportunities contracting in the UK and I highly recommend it. It took me under a week to get my first offer, and I wasn't really trying that hard.
If you can get investment bank or financial experience on your C.V. then upwards of £500/day is not uncommon.
The best thing you can do is apply for a lot of jobs online, using www.jobserve.com, or www.jobsite.co.uk or www.theitjobboard.com.
I would recommend creating a profile on these sites and uploading your C.V. as the recruiters do use this to find C.V's. Get a cellphone and put that number on your C.V. as recruiters prefer to call people, infact most won't email.
The reason you should apply for heaps of jobs, is that it gets your C.V. in circulation to all the recruiters. It's not really like in New Zealand where you want to get a good relationship with one recruitment company, basically there is so many in the UK that you just go where the best job / rate is.
Once you have been posted to a job, the recruitment company you have dealt with, will do their best to keep you with them, as you are a "known commodity".
To maximize your hit rate with the recruiters search engines, make sure to use a lot of buzz words. I for example on the first page of my C.V. have a table with all the skillsets I have used with a rating and a years used column.
The only downside to this is you will get a lot of recruiters ringing, but it's better to have heaps than none at all.
The recruitment process
If you match some of the skills needed, the recruiter will no doubt put your C.V. forward. They have to ring you and ask before they do, and make sure your C.V. hasn't been put forward from another company. 99% of recruiters won't ring back if you aren't going to get an interview. This takes a bit of getting used to, as recruiters in NZ always give feedback. I guess it's a numbers thing, but it can be annoying. If you don't hear back from the recruiter within 2 or 3 days, you aren't going to.
I keep a journal of who has rung and for what job, and the rate and contract length. Potientially, you could be dealing with several recrutiers per day until you find work, so it's important to remember what you have applied for and where and for how much.
Interview process
The interview process seems to vary from role to role. Some companies decide off the C.V. and just want to double check, some companies have a many stepped process.
Usually, they will either set a test, or ask for a phone interview first. Then if you pass this, they will ask you for a face to face interview. Punctuality is not a string point in the UK. Don't be worried if you arrive on time, and you are waiting for up to 30 minutes. My advice would be not to plan more than two interviews on the same day. I planned two interviews within two hours of each other and had to leave the first part way through because I was going to be late for the second if I didn't.
Always wear a suit to the interview. The people interviewing you will more than likely not be wearing a suit, and you'll almost certainly not have to wear one in the job, but wear one anyway to the interview.
Be prepared to do an technical test at an interview. Not all do this, but it is starting to be more common. I personally think they are a waste of time. Most of the ones I have seen are multiple choice type questions. IMHO it is better to set a programming test rather than a multi guess test as it shows more, and most programmers these days don't remember what method names are - intellisense.
Anyway, again if unsuccessful you may not hear from the recruiter, so be aware of that. Typically, you should here back within a week. I usually get a vibe from interviews and ask if I am still in the running, or when I should expect a decision.
I hope these tips are valuable to someone and good luck. There is a world of opportunities contracting in the UK and I highly recommend it. It took me under a week to get my first offer, and I wasn't really trying that hard.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Hello London
Took the train into London today. Madison is not feeding, but is eating solids and water so no real need for concern. She is still not 100%, but much better which is good.
The train to London was easy to negotiate. Basically just find a seat and sit down and wait. We went in about 10am, so it wasn't that full. Did have to sit behind some annoying people having a brainstorming meeting. They were a Media/Marketing Company by the sounds of things but if their ideas were any indication, I wouldn't hire them to sell my dog.
Anyway, once at St Pancras you have to walk to Kings Cross station and take the underground a few stops to Oxford St / Regent St. The Underground really doesn't cater for buggies, so have to manhandle the buggy down escalators etc. It must be a pain to be in a wheel chair and try and get around.
Anyway, Regent St is simply amazing. The noise and crowds are awesome, especially for a Kiwi Boy! I did enjoy it though. The architecture is frankly awesome, and I spent a lot of time just looking at the buildings.
We went to HSBC to open the accounts. This was very easy, although Madison spewed her lunch on the office floor!
We went and had lunch at a typical English Diner. I of course had the English breakfast with pot of tea, for £4.75. Bargain.
After lunch we strolled along Regent St. Went into Hamleys and bought a few items, and then walked down Regent St and Window shopped. Must go back soon.
Took the tube at Piccadilly Station (keep feeling like I'm playing Monopoly) back to St Pancras and home. We had a Lager on the train on the way home, amazes me you can by Alcohol almost everywhere here. Even in the Post Shop!
The train to London was easy to negotiate. Basically just find a seat and sit down and wait. We went in about 10am, so it wasn't that full. Did have to sit behind some annoying people having a brainstorming meeting. They were a Media/Marketing Company by the sounds of things but if their ideas were any indication, I wouldn't hire them to sell my dog.
Anyway, once at St Pancras you have to walk to Kings Cross station and take the underground a few stops to Oxford St / Regent St. The Underground really doesn't cater for buggies, so have to manhandle the buggy down escalators etc. It must be a pain to be in a wheel chair and try and get around.
Anyway, Regent St is simply amazing. The noise and crowds are awesome, especially for a Kiwi Boy! I did enjoy it though. The architecture is frankly awesome, and I spent a lot of time just looking at the buildings.
We went to HSBC to open the accounts. This was very easy, although Madison spewed her lunch on the office floor!
We went and had lunch at a typical English Diner. I of course had the English breakfast with pot of tea, for £4.75. Bargain.
After lunch we strolled along Regent St. Went into Hamleys and bought a few items, and then walked down Regent St and Window shopped. Must go back soon.
Took the tube at Piccadilly Station (keep feeling like I'm playing Monopoly) back to St Pancras and home. We had a Lager on the train on the way home, amazes me you can by Alcohol almost everywhere here. Even in the Post Shop!
Market Harborough: Day 1
Madison was a little better today, but still very hot and not anywhere near her usual self.
We took her to the Doctors in the afternoon. After a little red tape we saw a doctor. She checked Madison out and found she had a temperature of 39C. She prescribed some ibuprofen and administered it straight away. After some tests, it was decided that Madison just had a gastro bug that would clear up in due course. it was a relief.
After that we went for a walk around the town center. Market Harborough is a small town in the Leicestershire region. It is home to about 10,000 people. The main center is typical English rural town, with a High street with shops, and newer areas with the chain stores, like Tescos and Sainsbury's.
The things we did note, is things are very cheap in England. If you convert them to NZ$ then they are similar, but once you are here you earn pretty much $ for £ anyway.
Also the supermarkets have full strength Alcohol! I bought a bottle of Sainsbury's labeled Kentucky Bourbon for £10. Tasted almost exactly the same as Jim Beam.
Anyway, better day today, and off to London tomorrow to open bank account.
We took her to the Doctors in the afternoon. After a little red tape we saw a doctor. She checked Madison out and found she had a temperature of 39C. She prescribed some ibuprofen and administered it straight away. After some tests, it was decided that Madison just had a gastro bug that would clear up in due course. it was a relief.
After that we went for a walk around the town center. Market Harborough is a small town in the Leicestershire region. It is home to about 10,000 people. The main center is typical English rural town, with a High street with shops, and newer areas with the chain stores, like Tescos and Sainsbury's.
The things we did note, is things are very cheap in England. If you convert them to NZ$ then they are similar, but once you are here you earn pretty much $ for £ anyway.
Also the supermarkets have full strength Alcohol! I bought a bottle of Sainsbury's labeled Kentucky Bourbon for £10. Tasted almost exactly the same as Jim Beam.
Anyway, better day today, and off to London tomorrow to open bank account.
Singapore to London
We boarded the 747 to Heathrow at about midday. It was the longest flight I have physically been on, and will be the longest flight. Madison got a high fever about half way in, and we were very worried. At the worst she was 38.7C.
Luckily for us, the cabin crew were simply amazing. We flew Singapore Air, and I can highly recommend them. They went over and above the call of duty. The not only gave us good advice, but kept us calm as well.
Kim's sister Penny was waiting for us at Heathrow. That place is a mad house, and we were glad to get out in one piece! It has 3 lifts to the carpark, and about 100 people waiting at anyone time. To make matters worse the lift is up and down, but it only goes 1 level up or down. To get to the 3rd level you have to walk 100m to another lift. Not a good introduction to a country.
The drive from London to Market Harborough was quick, and managed to sleep through most of it. Madison was a little better, but we were still worried about her, and made it very hard to enjoy the new sights.
Maybe tomorrow will be better.
Luckily for us, the cabin crew were simply amazing. We flew Singapore Air, and I can highly recommend them. They went over and above the call of duty. The not only gave us good advice, but kept us calm as well.
Kim's sister Penny was waiting for us at Heathrow. That place is a mad house, and we were glad to get out in one piece! It has 3 lifts to the carpark, and about 100 people waiting at anyone time. To make matters worse the lift is up and down, but it only goes 1 level up or down. To get to the 3rd level you have to walk 100m to another lift. Not a good introduction to a country.
The drive from London to Market Harborough was quick, and managed to sleep through most of it. Madison was a little better, but we were still worried about her, and made it very hard to enjoy the new sights.
Maybe tomorrow will be better.
Singapore: Day 2
After a reasonable nights sleep we decided to go get some breakfast and see a few sites. Breakfast was a buffet and simply fantastic.
After breakfast we decided to take the hop on hop off bus to the river and do a river tour. After waiting for 45 minutes in the stiffling heat (31C, 90%H) the bus arrived. We got on and it went 500m around the road, turned a corner and let us off!
The river tour was brief, but interesting. Some of the Architecture in Singapore is amazing. We had lunch at an "Amercian Diner" and then went for a tour to Sentosa Island.
Sentosa Island is stunning. It has amzaing views and (artificial) sandy beaches. It's an island by name only as we went there by bus! The tour guide Kamal was great and had us all in stitches. We went to Underwater world, which is very similar to Kelly Tarltons in Auckland, and the Singapore Museum.
The Museum was fairly boring and Madison was mobbed by Japanese tourists in the gift shop for about 15 minutes. One old lady took her off us for a cuddle at one point, which was a little strange!
We got a family photo with a Python outside the Museum and had a "New Zealand Natural" ice-cream. Hokey pokey of course!
The tour ended with a cable car trip back to the mainland, which was good. It gave an amazing view of the port and just how busy the bay's and sea around the port of Singapore is.
Day two finished with dinner in the hotel and early night.
After breakfast we decided to take the hop on hop off bus to the river and do a river tour. After waiting for 45 minutes in the stiffling heat (31C, 90%H) the bus arrived. We got on and it went 500m around the road, turned a corner and let us off!
The river tour was brief, but interesting. Some of the Architecture in Singapore is amazing. We had lunch at an "Amercian Diner" and then went for a tour to Sentosa Island.
Sentosa Island is stunning. It has amzaing views and (artificial) sandy beaches. It's an island by name only as we went there by bus! The tour guide Kamal was great and had us all in stitches. We went to Underwater world, which is very similar to Kelly Tarltons in Auckland, and the Singapore Museum.
The Museum was fairly boring and Madison was mobbed by Japanese tourists in the gift shop for about 15 minutes. One old lady took her off us for a cuddle at one point, which was a little strange!
We got a family photo with a Python outside the Museum and had a "New Zealand Natural" ice-cream. Hokey pokey of course!
The tour ended with a cable car trip back to the mainland, which was good. It gave an amazing view of the port and just how busy the bay's and sea around the port of Singapore is.
Day two finished with dinner in the hotel and early night.
Singapore : Day 1.
We arrived in Signapore without any dramas. Madison was great on the plane and not at all phased. We arrived at 7pm local time, but about 11pm for us, so we were bushed. We went to order room service but the menu had changed, so we couldn't find anything we liked on the menu. Not a good start.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Geek Tip #1
We have known for a while we will be moving to the UK. I have been trying to secure work from here (New Zealand), so I can start not long after landing.
This is impossible I have decided. There are two main reasons for this:
1) The time difference makes it very hard to contact recruiters via phone
2) Recruiters in the UK seem to work maybe 1-2 weeks out from the commencement of the job, so if you tell them you are arriving in say 4 weeks, they ignore you straight away. I guess they have enough people to filter, that you would need to be available ASAP.
Oh and I have found these the best job sites:
The IT Job Board
totaljobs.com
Job Serve (make sure you choose the UK site)
CW Jobs
Market rates seem to vary from place to place, but for a Senior C# developer then 300 quid a day is about minimum for London. Permanent jobs don't pay anywhere near that money. 30-45k per annum would be the norm.
If you decide to contract then it is easier to go through an umbrella company - they basically take care of tax and invoicing etc for you and take a cut (usually percentage) from your wages. I haven't got in touch with any yet, but I will post about it when I do!
This is impossible I have decided. There are two main reasons for this:
1) The time difference makes it very hard to contact recruiters via phone
2) Recruiters in the UK seem to work maybe 1-2 weeks out from the commencement of the job, so if you tell them you are arriving in say 4 weeks, they ignore you straight away. I guess they have enough people to filter, that you would need to be available ASAP.
Oh and I have found these the best job sites:
The IT Job Board
totaljobs.com
Job Serve (make sure you choose the UK site)
CW Jobs
Market rates seem to vary from place to place, but for a Senior C# developer then 300 quid a day is about minimum for London. Permanent jobs don't pay anywhere near that money. 30-45k per annum would be the norm.
If you decide to contract then it is easier to go through an umbrella company - they basically take care of tax and invoicing etc for you and take a cut (usually percentage) from your wages. I haven't got in touch with any yet, but I will post about it when I do!
Top Post
Welcome to my new blog. I intend to post about our Overseas Experience (OE) and post some pictures (or links to) etc, and maybe a bit of help for other developers looking to move to the UK etc.
We leave March 12 2007 and have a 2 night stop-over in Singapore, en route to the UK. We will be based in Market Harborough initially.
I am going to do contracting work over there, trying to find work in the Midlands for a start and when we move closer to London, probably in London.
We leave March 12 2007 and have a 2 night stop-over in Singapore, en route to the UK. We will be based in Market Harborough initially.
I am going to do contracting work over there, trying to find work in the Midlands for a start and when we move closer to London, probably in London.
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