In an earlier article, I revealed how I had initially worked as a temp to earn much-needed income while searching for skilled work. When I eventually commenced the job search, I quickly
realised that the recruiters were not interested in overseas qualifications.
Most establishments in the UK do not hide the fact that they only recognise qualifications from a select number of countries but preferably UK qualifications. Whether you go direct to employers or adopt the more common route through an agency, the emphasis is on how an applicant is able to demonstrate sought after skills and experience and a lot is done online.
Job hunting requires considerable time on the internet. This can cost a significant sum if done at a
private internet cafe. Most towns, however, have an internet section within their library premises and
while in the Library, it’s always a good idea to pick up modern books on CV writing and interview
tips. You will also find information on enhancing interview skills online but books by good
authors are usually more in-depth.
private internet cafe. Most towns, however, have an internet section within their library premises and
while in the Library, it’s always a good idea to pick up modern books on CV writing and interview
tips. You will also find information on enhancing interview skills online but books by good
authors are usually more in-depth.
I was a regular at the internet section of my local library. After a hard day’s work, I would end up at
the library sifting through job adverts and registering my interest for roles.
the library sifting through job adverts and registering my interest for roles.
Got invitations to attend interviews at a few recruitment firms. These firms are similar to the ones I
worked for at the time on a temporary basis. The main difference, however, is that this group of
recruitment companies often operate as specialist recruiters or have departments that recruit for
specific professionals.
If you ever received an invitation for an initial chat, this is a good sign as it meant that the staff
overseeing shortlisting for the job role has reviewed your CV and found it interesting enough to
overseeing shortlisting for the job role has reviewed your CV and found it interesting enough to
merit an initial chat. The outcome of this meeting would determine whether your application
is to progress past that desk.
Transportation within London and environs can be very costly though the city boasts of one of the
best public transport networks in the world. Trains and the tube are particularly expensive, this is
understandable though as they get you to your destination quicker.
best public transport networks in the world. Trains and the tube are particularly expensive, this is
understandable though as they get you to your destination quicker.
Each time I travelled into London for these meetings, not only did I have to dig deep into my pocket,
it also meant I would miss the day’s work offered by my temporary employer.
After the skilled job search, I would have to contact the temping agency to inform them that I was
again available as my position would have been assigned to another temp.
it also meant I would miss the day’s work offered by my temporary employer.
After the skilled job search, I would have to contact the temping agency to inform them that I was
again available as my position would have been assigned to another temp.
I would often wait days before another call from the temping agency. For more options, I went on to
register with two more temping agencies.
register with two more temping agencies.
The more I got involved in the hunt for a city job, the less time I spent working as a temp and of course the less money I was earning and this, in turn, made it more difficult to afford the cost of transportation to venues of appointments / interviews. Many migrants enter the country with great hopes but end up rotting in menial jobs due to the overwhelming need to keep the regular flow of income going especially when they have dependants back in their homeland perpetually waiting for those money transfers.
I recall being unable to attend an interview with a firm located at the outskirts of the
capital because I could not afford the fare to the venue. The young consultant who arranged the
interview was evidently disappointed and I doubt if he pushed my case any further after that.
capital because I could not afford the fare to the venue. The young consultant who arranged the
interview was evidently disappointed and I doubt if he pushed my case any further after that.
Lack of UK experience was the most common reason a recruiter would give to justify the decision not to engage a migrant.
Time flew by so fast and not long after the start of the year 2008, talk of recession filled the
air. The US economy was hit and then Europe followed. The emphasis in recruitment was now
mainly on applicants who were able to boost sales and generate the much-needed revenue by
businesses.
In that period I signed up as a sales consultant for a life insurance company, also relied on
customer skills and training gained in over a decade practice, to secure lucrative customer
service roles. Ultimately it dawned on me that in tough times one needed to be resourceful in
order to reap rewards. After all, this is a country where commonly found barriers to enterprise
in developing countries are nonexistent.
In difficult times one has to continually reinvent oneself by harnessing skills gained over the years.
service roles. Ultimately it dawned on me that in tough times one needed to be resourceful in
order to reap rewards. After all, this is a country where commonly found barriers to enterprise
in developing countries are nonexistent.
In difficult times one has to continually reinvent oneself by harnessing skills gained over the years.