Anyone on WHV in London finding it hard to get work?

Hi,

I've been in London since March 07 on my WHV (from NZ), and I was working after a week of getting here. Luck maybe! I had a friend whoses an Accountant and she had a little trouble getting work here in the last mth, and she's been here before! It took her over 3 weeks to get a job.

I not think it's a problem only being able to work the 12mths, companies really don't seem to mind. Also I interviewed for my current role while I was in my last role and as long as I turned up for the day the company didn't mind. It also seems that your 1st role is the hardest to get as well.

Also remember that it's really hard to find flats in London that don't cost the earth.

With regards to temp agenices it depends on what type of roles your looking for?

If I can help with any other questions let me know :-).

Hope this helps a little, Good luck.

It comes as no surprise to me that someone finds it hard to get work. Some locals also find it hard to get what they consider a decent job. Doesn't the same apply back in Australia?

It sounds like your expectations were out of line with reality. Plenty of Aussies spend their WHV time in the UK working in a bar for peanuts. Some people find better paid work but it's unrealistic to think everyone will. You also aren't likely to find lots of WHVers posting here saying how hard they find it. People tend to post about their positive experiences and gloss over the disappointments. They read about others doing well and avoid mentioning their problems out of embarassment.

Then there is the language issue. Unless you are fluent in Dutch, expecting to find 'real' jobs is pretty unrealistic.

Hi, thanks very much for your helpful reply. It's reassuring to hear companies will hire you despite the WHV. What are your plans post-March?

I am happy to temp or take contract work in receptionist/PA/secretarial roles (which I have experience in) while I look for other positions, my background is in online content/fashion/writing which I would prefer to focus on in the long term. Any links or further advice would be appreciated.

Thanks so much for your words of wisdom Wayworn, I can't help but note your tone and it's why I've stayed away from the Thorntree. Too much of it to be honest.

You wouldn't know me from a bar of soap so why you are speculating about my expectations or my skills is laughable.

Also I would say people do post about their negative or more 'real' experiences to help or warn others, just as people who have done well would be too busy being out there living their good experiences to sit and post about them.

If you have secretarial and reception experience you shouldn't have any trouble finding temp work in the UK. Getting that first assignment can be a bit difficult, because the agencies don't know what you are like or how reliable you are (and there ARE people who DON'T turn up for assignments) but remember to register with a few agencies rather than just one and make sure you have a contact number so they can get a hold of you. And if they don't offer you something the day you register, keep hounding them. I worked in Crewe and Manchester when I was over there (left in Nov 06) and was never out of work. The fact that you are on a WHV shouldn't make any difference at all.

Have to agree with Wayworn (BPguru?) and to be honest it is bordering on arrogance that you expected to get work in Amsterdam without speaking the lingo.

Head to Kangeroo Valley, West London and get a job in the Red Back or somewhere like that... ;o)

You will be fine.

Seriously- those skills are always in demand as long as you don't mind taking jobs at first that may not be the most fun/most interesting/highest paid but get some london/uk experience and you will be fine. Temp agencies in the UK are very familiar with WHVers.

Just remember to take along your passport, cv, contact details of referees(esp email addresses), and bank account details to the agency when you go for your interview.

Set up your UK account asap so your pay isn't delayed into your account.

... Plenty of people work in Amsterdam without knowing a single word of Dutch. Most international companies list English as the company language so you definitely have a chance.

I don't think you would be able to continue living here after your WHV ends though (which is why most companies don't want to hire you as you cannot commit for more than a year) as immigration is very strict and no company will want to go through the work permit process for someone with secretarial/reception experience (sorry but have to be brutal!).

Have you tried Adam's Multilinguals? They sometimes have temp reception and secretarial openings.

Thanks so much KoalasRule, sneakerfish and rainbowmoonstone. I'm very organised so will make sure I persist with the agencies when we get there, and will be happy to take on any kinds of jobs at first (or beyond). That's reassuring that WHV shouldn't be too much of a setback like here (no offence taken rainbow, my experience in other fields is much stronger than secretarial but I added that to confirm that I am able to work temp admin roles.).

I've tried Adam's, I've tried them all. Worst are Undutchables. Actually they finally did contact me back about two jobs but not in my line of work, ha!