Working in the UK, share your thoughts

[gelmarg]

I am presently working here in the UK, so far the job is satisfying and the salary is much higher. The downturn is the british & scottish accent, its bloody difficult to understand :)

Share your thoughts and personal experiences about working and living in the UK.

[Herr_Starr]

I am presently working here in the UK, so far the job is satisfying and the salary is much higher. The downturn is the british & scottish accent, its bloody difficult to understand :)

Share your thoughts and personal experiences about working and living in the UK.

The cost of living is nothing to write home about either. Where in the UK are you?

[faux_ph]

I am presently working here in the UK, so far the job is satisfying and the salary is much higher. The downturn is the british & scottish accent, its bloody difficult to understand :)

Share your thoughts and personal experiences about working and living in the UK.

What kind of British accent? If you haven't noticed it yet, may iba't ibang British accent. So far, ang na-distinguish ko pa lang ay yung London at Liverpool accent. Don't mention the Welsh,Scots, di ko pa ma-differentiate.:lol:

Where in UK? Cost of living is very expensive particularly sa London. I commute thru the Tube for an hour just to go to work in London. Compensation is average for the UK professional level or American equivalent ( 5-6 times my PhP wage). Communication, particularly oral communication, is still a bit hassle for me dahil nabubulol ako.:D Written communication, no problem for me. My drawback in working is the contrasting industry practice from the one I used to which is the Philippine and/or American practice. That's why a lot of my time is allotted just to study and adjust my work practice to the British industry practice.

[gelmarg]

Right, cost of living in London is one of highest among major cities in the world. Though I'm not from London I know how it feels to live there :)

I didn't realize that there are different British accents, I thought they all pronounce water as "watah" & car as "cah" :lol: much worst when talking to a Scottish, now I understand why Mel Gibson changed his accent when he played the role of Sir William Wallace in the movie "Braveheart".

Same situation that I have in the office, written communication often saves my day, thanks to IT. :)

[gelmarg]

The cost of living is nothing to write home about either. Where in the UK are you?

I'm from East Midland.

[faux_ph]

I'm from East Midland.

saan sa midlands? I was in Lincolnshire a month ago after the earthquake. Our firm did a rapid damage assessment on Gainsborough and Market Rasen, I was part of the survey team.:)

[jefoy]

good day to all!!! Ask ko lang how can you apply for a job in UK? IM a Senior Software Engr(JAva)

[gelmarg]

saan sa midlands? I was in Lincolnshire a month ago after the earthquake. Our firm did a rapid damage assessment on Gainsborough and Market Rasen, I was part of the survey team.:)


We were in Lincolnshire a week before the earthquake happen, we visited the Lincoln Castle and Lincoln Cathedral, some scene in the movie "The Da Vinci Code" was shot in Lincoln Cathedral :)

I'm from Derbyshire, East Midland.

[gelmarg]

good day to all!!! Ask ko lang how can you apply for a job in UK? IM a Senior Software Engr(JAva)

Engineering professionals (like Civil, Structural, Mechanical & Electrical) with good experience can get a job here in the UK, especially those with previous experience working in British/American companies.

Though I'm not sure about software engineering, try searching in www.justengineers.net, goodluck :)

By the way I'm an engr. too (Civil/Structural).:)

[faux_ph]

^^what firm? Halcrow? Buro Happold? Atkins? WSP?

[taco_girl]

Engineering professionals (like Civil, Structural, Mechanical & Electrical) with good experience can get a job here in the UK, especially those with previous experience working in British/American companies.
By the way I'm an engr. too (Civil/Structural).:)
how about other professions?do they stand a chance for employment in the UK?

[Mazzipino]

how about other professions?do they stand a chance for employment in the UK?

I've lived here in London all my life, what specific professions do you want to know about?

In general at the moment, London is pretty crowded, with that in mind im sure you can imagine what the job scene is like. There have been several debates amongst gov't members regarding the influx of foreign workers from Eastern Europe.

Reason being is that, they would glady do the jobs that us Brits 'prefer' not to do and they would also do it for cheap. So that leaves more people battling for job positions and its often the people with exceptional vocational qualifications that get the posts!

Being from abroad, specifically Philippines, I'd say you stand an equal chance to others when applying for jobs, but it all depends on how companies view the level of education in the Philippines and also how they view any level of work experience.

Then, there's the interview to pass aswell... think alot of employers here employ the Simon Cowell way of thinking, so get practicing! :lol:

[gelmarg]

^^what firm? Halcrow? Buro Happold? Atkins? WSP?

I prefer not to disclose here, we might be working on the same company :)

[faux_ph]

^^ok lang. Magkalayo naman tayo, di naman kita maisusumbong.:D PM mo na lang kung ayaw mo i-disclose sa public.:) Pero I doubt na pareho tayo ng firm kasi kilala ko (or at least I know the names) nung mga Pinoy na katulad ko ng pinapasukan na opisina sa iba't-ibang offices throughout UK.

[gelmarg]

how about other professions?do they stand a chance for employment in the UK?

I would say YES, as long as you got the right skills and experience. Not all brit. job interviewers are as critic as Simon Cowell, his job in the entertainment industry requires him to behave like that :)

What is your profession if you don't mind me asking?

[ysai13]

hi, I think most of you here were already masters degree holder. And working in U.K is a tough dream for me. I am not yet a registered nurse, nor a graduate of any degree. umabot din ako ng 4th year college, (BSN) kulang lang nlng ng isang sem. but if you would ask me why not pursue my last term in college (its a long story). anyway, i wanted to work in U.K, but I dont have any specialty. ano po kayang work ang pwede ko gawin? Im willing to work in a hotel or airlines kung pepwede. saan po bang trusted site ako pwede mag apply? or may alam po ba kayo pano? thanks po..

[gelmarg]

hi, I think most of you here were already masters degree holder. And working in U.K is a tough dream for me. I am not yet a registered nurse, nor a graduate of any degree. umabot din ako ng 4th year college, (BSN) kulang lang nlng ng isang sem. but if you would ask me why not pursue my last term in college (its a long story). anyway, i wanted to work in U.K, but I dont have any specialty. ano po kayang work ang pwede ko gawin? Im willing to work in a hotel or airlines kung pepwede. saan po bang trusted site ako pwede mag apply? or may alam po ba kayo pano? thanks po..

Hi ysai13, yes you can still find a job here eventhough u are not a registered nurse. There are pinoys here who have not finished college and yet they have a good job. Fluency in English communication (oral & written) is a big factor.

Website for jobs in hotel & airlines industry? I have no idea.

[ysai13]

^ thanks po sa reply. what kind of job you think that i can apply for? my problem is, how to get there. haha! i think i need an employer to get there and work as well. madali lang bang makakhua ng visa dyan kung may u.s tourist visa na ako?

hope may makatulong sakin dito. thank you po.

[faux_ph]

^^you need to have a work permit to be able to work in UK unless you are a citizen of member of EU. Work permit is issued by employers so you have to be accepted first by the company you intend to work for before you will be able to work in UK.

Another way to be able to secure work permission is to be a spouse of work permit holder. If you applied for a visa as dependent of the original work permit holder (i.e. spouse), you will be able to work legally in UK.

[ysai13]

^ where can I find employers? do you know any? thanks po.

[gratchie]

Hi, i have a job offer in London. The office is situated in Wardour St. Soho, London. Anybody living/working around that area? Do you think 60k per annum salary is enough? Do you have to drive around London or will the subway suffice? I know the cost of living in London is quite expensive, but how much do you normally have to pay for the flat rent? I would really love to hear your experiences working/living in london. Your opinions much appreciated.

thanks,

[faux_ph]

Hi, i have a job offer in London. The office is situated in Wardour St. Soho, London. Anybody living/working around that area? Do you think 60k per annum salary is enough? Do you have to drive around London or will the subway suffice? I know the cost of living in London is quite expensive, but how much do you normally have to pay for the flat rent? I would really love to hear your experiences working/living in london. Your opinions much appreciated.

thanks,

wow! £60k per annum, ok na ok yun! Soho is pretty much nasa central London so if you live along the area, pwede mo lakarin. Most people here naglalakad lang, mahal kasi ang mag-car dahil merong congestion charge pag nagda-drive ka sa London. Pero pag medyo malayo tinitirhan mo, accessible naman ang Tube (subway). Typical cost ng mga one-bedroom flats ay £700+/mo sa central London pero mas mura sya pag papalayo ka sa Central. Mas maganda kung maghanap ka ng makakasama ka sa bahay para makatipid.Kung di ka marunong magluto, taga ang pagkain kasi minimum ng pagkakain ka sa labas ay £5+ sa McDo, pag sa resto £10-15.

[gelmarg]

Hi, i have a job offer in London. The office is situated in Wardour St. Soho, London. Anybody living/working around that area? Do you think 60k per annum salary is enough? Do you have to drive around London or will the subway suffice? I know the cost of living in London is quite expensive, but how much do you normally have to pay for the flat rent? I would really love to hear your experiences working/living in london. Your opinions much appreciated.

thanks,

Hi Gratchie, 60k/annum is a good offer. Cost of living in London is high, but it would'nt be a problem when you're earning 60k/annum. You would rather worry more about the cold weather up here :) . May I know what is your profession?

[faux_ph]

^^hey di na masyado malamig sa London. Nagpapatay na nga kami ng heater sa gabi eh. :D

[jordansantos23]

Engineering professionals (like Civil, Structural, Mechanical & Electrical) with good experience can get a job here in the UK, especially those with previous experience working in British/American companies.

Though I'm not sure about software engineering, try searching in www.justengineers.net, goodluck :)

By the way I'm an engr. too (Civil/Structural).:)

hello po sir gelmarg, my dad is a civil engineer and may experience na rin po siya sa american company pero he transferred sa japanese company. gusto ko lang po malaman if may age limit po ba ang engineers diyan po sa UK? my dad's age is 56. thank you very much and have a nice day.:)

[faux_ph]

^^I have a colleague who's already past 70 and some on their 60's, many in their early 50's and late 40's(btw I'm also an engineer). Good thing about working here is there's no age discrimination. Being older in this practice is always an advantage because of the implied experience you bring to the table.

[jordansantos23]

^^I have a colleague who's already past 70 and some on their 60's, many in their early 50's and late 40's(btw I'm also an engineer). Good thing about working here is there's no age discrimination. Being older in this practice is always an advantage because of the implied experience you bring to the table.

wow, that's very good to here po. paano po makakakuha ng job dad ko jan? for example po e wala kami diyan sa UK. nasa algeria po kasi dad ko. paano po mag-apply? kailangan po ba nandiyan siya personally? thank you very much sir for the reply.

[faux_ph]

wow, that's very good to here po. paano po makakakuha ng job dad ko jan? for example po e wala kami diyan sa UK. nasa algeria po kasi dad ko. paano po mag-apply? kailangan po ba nandiyan siya personally? thank you very much sir for the reply.

see previous post:
^^you need to have a work permit to be able to work in UK unless you are a citizen of member of EU. Work permit is issued by employers so you have to be accepted first by the company you intend to work for before you will be able to work in UK.

Another way to be able to secure work permission is to be a spouse of work permit holder. If you applied for a visa as dependent of the original work permit holder (i.e. spouse), you will be able to work legally in UK.

I have a met a fellow Filipino engineer who was able to secure a work permit from his employer just from an online application to the company he is currently working, way back from his native town in Iloilo. Your father might give a try applying online.*okay*

[jordansantos23]

^^ maraming salamat po sa walang sawang pagsagot sa tanong ko.:)

sabihin ko po agad sa dady ko. thank you ulit. god bless.

[gelmarg]

hello po sir gelmarg, my dad is a civil engineer and may experience na rin po siya sa american company pero he transferred sa japanese company. gusto ko lang po malaman if may age limit po ba ang engineers diyan po sa UK? my dad's age is 56. thank you very much and have a nice day.:)

Hi jordansantos23, most engineering companies here exercise equal opportunity i.e. they hire people based on skills and qualifications; not by age, skin color & gender.

Tell your dad there is no harm in trying. Good luck.

[clintv]

Hi, In demand ba ang web design sa UK? Ang gagaling nila mag design siguro design talaga craft nila kasi even sa fashion leading sila.

[clintv]

up up up and down and move it all around!

[cybersofter]

hi there

question lang, i have a cousin. sabi nya may visa na daw sya but i'm not sure if it's a working visa or a student visa. mejo nagdududa lang ako kasi sabi nya mag-aaral daw sya don then at the same time sasahuran sya ng company??? she's a nursing graduate by the way kaso di pa nakakapasa ng kahit anong nursing exam...

do you think legal yung napasukan nya? sigurado na kaya na makakapunta na sya ng london since she already has a visa? any idea about sa job na sinasabi nya?

[faux_ph]

^^Student visa is not bad as you think. I have met a fellow kababayan who is in a student visa but works part-time on a restaurant. The drawback for a student visa is that you are limited for working hours per week (I'm not sure about the numbers) and that you should enroll a certain amount of courses per sem to maintain your status.

So yes, it is legal but I'm not really sure if the description you mentioned is exactly what I have in mind. Better check them out for sure. :)

[c0Rinthian]

I just got an offer sa UK, GBP 40K PA ang basic, sa Reading ang location- OK na ba ito? o kailangan ko pang makipag bargain?

[faux_ph]

^^For an engineer 40k is excellent offer. I assume you're a senior level engineer cos you can't get that offer for a junior-mid level engineering position, even for greater London area. Reading is an hour train-ride away from London, medyo probinsya parang Bulacan although meron naman ding city/town center so the cost of living is way lower than London. Try mo pa'ng i-bargain, no harm in trying.

Parang kilala ko yang kumpanya na yan, ah. Foster Wheeler? :)

[c0Rinthian]

Thanks! :) btw, I'm not an engineer, certified bugaw (aka recruitment consultant), sige- i'll try to push my luck :D

[gelmarg]

I just got an offer sa UK, GBP 40K PA ang basic, sa Reading ang location- OK na ba ito? o kailangan ko pang makipag bargain?

40K P.A. is a good offer, grab the opportunity before other nationalities (South African, East European, Pakistani, Indians, etc..) get the chance.

[schizo_me]

Thanks! :) btw, I'm not an engineer, certified bugaw (aka recruitment consultant), sige- i'll try to push my luck :D

pano ka po nakahanap ng work ? thank you

[mobiusmike]

oo nga... saan ba makakahanap ng job openings dto? hehe

[jemrusalem07]

mga sir i'm a senior software engineer I.T. 5years experience, can you help me find a company where I can apply for UK/Ireland? I had already experience to work before at Europe but only by work deployment, mga 3 months plus lang po... I tried applying at online site but they are asking me if I am eligible to work in EU and I am not. Maybe you can refer me a recruitment company that may entertain my case of application po. I would appreciate your comment sir. Thank you in advance!

[rainstorm0308]

hello everyone i'm new here and i found this place because i'm looking for people who can tell me how it is working in the UK. I also want to know if it is legal to go there through a travel agency my employer recommended so I can get a working visa. Yes i have already an employer who wanted me to go there, and i am already completing my requirements in the agency, i just wanna make sure i won't get in trouble when i get there before i pay the fees. I just can't believe how easy this is...some advice please..the travel agency is Mark Travel Agency Platform 12 Paddington Station, London W2 1HA UK...and the website is www.markstravelagency.synthasite.com are they legit?

[jay08]

my cousin is an industrial engineer, are there many job openning for industrial engineers? is there a way you can get an immigrant staus just like in the states?

[fraudster]

Hi all,

I'm also new here. Im currently working as an associate for a german invesment bank for less than a year here in our native country. I used to work for 4 yrs. with the countrys leading fastfood chain. and i've been having some thoughts about migrating/working in UK. what would be my best advantage in getting there? and how do I go about it? thanks.