How do I get a job in London?

Question

I just got home from seeing "Sicko," and my mom and I are now planning to move to London next year after I finish college. She has terminal cancer and simply cannot get the treatment she needs in this country. And I've always wanted to live in London!

I'm looking for tips on how to go about moving and getting a job over there. I worked as a proofreader/editor for four years, have a strong background in writing, and will graduate next year with a bachelor's degree of fine arts (interior architecture, with minors in graphic design and in art history). I would love to get a job working for a design magazine over there, like something along the lines of Metropolis over here.

Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I would also consider moving to surrounding cities, especially if there is a design magazine HQ in the city.

Answer 1

I would suggest you seriously reconsider moving to London unless you are very wealthy. London is probably the most expensive city in the world for Americans considering the dollar exchange rate. Currently the X rate is 2 dollars for 1 pound. Plus everything in London is very expensive without currency considerations. I was recently in London and could not believe how expensive it was now.

Answer 2

Write to all magazines or publishing companies in England, job applications telling you are relocating to England or even to the town they are based.
Also contact any firm you think you might be able to work for in other fields.
Stress how good you will fit in the team, supplying knowledge they do not yet have.

You will need a working permit, and they are hard to get for most people, so contact the UK embassy as soon as possible, they might have the information on-line.

Housing in and near London is expensive, that is to two hours traveling from the center of town by any means of transport. You might want to live in an other part of the country, if the medical services are good there. Many other towns also have university connected hospitals, some maybe even better specialized in your mothers needs.

Once you live in the UK you can relocate with much less effort, and as the whole world wants to live and work in London, they get a lot of people applying from other countries.

Go to all on-line vacancy sites, job agencies and so on, to check where you might be needed.
Do also consider working freelance in your field, if there is a market that way. (It might be your only option if you can not get a working permit.)

Answer 3

Try to find a job before actually moving to London. Send you resume to as many job agencies as possible. And do get in touch with the British embassy for the work permit. Quite difficult to get one, competition is strong among the locals and the EU citizens as well (don't need a work permit). Consider working and living outside London (surrounding area). Try and look for an Internet forum gathering Americans who moved to London or the UK. I am sure they can share their experiences.

Answer 4

I agree with the first answer. If I were you I would move to a smaller city, many Americans find England expensive.

With regards to get a job just apply for one like everyone else does, you have experience and a degree so it shouldn't be hard.

Answer 5

I suggest you retrain as a plumber and go there to fix their water system.
If you live in the USA you will be used to having daily showers. These are almost non existent in the UK , they tend to be rubber fixtures on a bath tap and most normal showers have no pressure. Be prepared to smell.