Operation: Big Ben - Pipe Dream???

[Abe Sargent]

As many of you know, I journeyed to London for a week over the recent holidays and I have to say that I absolutely fell in love with the city.

During the early to mid-70's, my father and mother lived in London for three years while my dad got a degree in divinity from the University of London. They then moved home, and I was shortly after conceived.

I remember growing up and having great grammar, despite living in the tremendously accented southern WV. I remember being teased because I said "Either" "I-ther" instead of "E-ther." I remember reading all of my dad's old Doctor Who novels. Playing some of his old games - like Hare and Tortoise and a London version of Monopoly. It wasn't Clue that I played, but Clue-do.

The years that my parents spent in London filtered into my life in various ways, and now I find myself wistfully longing to return to London. I've never felt so comfortable in a large city before. Remember, I am from the southern coalfield of WV - about as rural as one can get in the continentinal US. Detroit, Pittsburgh, New York, Boston, Cincinnati, Chicago, DC, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia.

I've never felt as comfortable in a large city as I did in London. The people there are genuinely friendly - and that was even outside of tourist areas. I loved every affectation about the place. I love London.

For the past several months I've felt like it was time for me to move on from my current job, but I've not known what I wanted to do. Now, I know. I want to relocate to London.

I did some research and I found out that I need to get a job and then my employer applies for a Work Permit, which can take up to 8 weeks. Once I get a work permit, I then apply and get my VISA. I need a job - it's as simple as that.

Therefore, it is my quest to find a job in London, and then relocate. This dynasty will document my journeys as I try to relocate. Will I find a job? WIll my work permit be approved? Will I succeed or fail? What obstacles will raise their head before me?

Please give me your input and information as I go through this process. It is my hope that those of you with experience can guide and assist me.

Welcome to what may be the last dynasty of this part of my life.


-Anxiety

[DeToxRox]

This is a great idea.

Good luck.

[Abe Sargent]

This is a great idea.

Good luck.


My first reply - thanks!!!

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Okay - let me lay out the beginning of a plan:


I am currently working three jobs. My main job is as the Area Complex Director for a two building residential complex here at Eastern Michigan University. I supervise a staff of 22, control a budget around 1.3 million, have almost 500 residents, run judicial hearings, supervise occupancy, and so forth. This is job number one. I really enjoy this job - especially the ability to set my own schedule to some degree. I can set about 18 hours of my job a week to my own schedule.

Job number two is an adjunct lecturer for the Political Science department here at EMU. I teach the occasional PoliSci class on American Government or Public Administration. I am not teaching this semester, as I am just a lecturer, which means I teach as needed by the department. I taught last semester and I still have the position.

My third job is a freelance writer. I have a weekly column for a major game site (and I am paid) , I write for a major gaming magazine, and I just recently had my first articale accepted for another major gaming magazine.


I have my Masters in Public Administration.


I really enjoy higher education. My search for a job should begin with universities and colleges in London for positions that I enjoy and feel are nice segues from my current jobs and training. Ideally, I'd get a job supervising a residential hall in London for a University. This is my first goal.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Okay - allow me to talk a bit more about what I am looking for:

I was looking at picture of London online and I was feeling an awful pang of nostalgia - like I wanted to get up out of my chair and walk into the picture. I have never been wistful about any vacation site I have ever been to. The only place I feel this sort of love for is West Virginia, but I know that I can't go back there - I've outgrown it.

My love is not necessarily for the entire UK - just for London. Additionally, it's not my desire to end up with some random job on the outskirts of London or in the suburbs. I am not looking for a job at Slough or anything. Just London. My preference, and this is merely a preference, is to get Central London or just outside of it.

Obviously, I'll take a job in London that's not centrally located over no job at all.

-Anxiety

[Eaglesfan27]

I certainly don't want to discourage you, but as someone who has considered this in the past (I've also fallen in love with London on my previous 3 trips there) I believe it is VERY hard to get a Work Permit approved for the UK unless you have some good contacts. My understanding is that you have to be able to fulfill a job that a local could not do. Perhaps those restrictions have loosened in the past few years. Anyway, good luck. I'll be reading with interest.

[Abe Sargent]

I certainly don't want to discourage you, but as someone who has considered this in the past (I've also fallen in love with London on my previous 3 trips there) I believe it is VERY hard to get a Work Permit approved for the UK unless you have some good contacts. My understanding is that you have to be able to fulfill a job that a local could not do. Perhaps those restrictions have loosened in the past few years. Anyway, good luck. I'll be reading with interest.


Obviously, I certainly hope that is not the case :) Note that I will be applying, at least at first, for jobs that require Master's level of education. I can understand rejecting an application for a work permit for a janitor or a cashier or a fast food manager. But a guy who runs a residecne hall at a university that requires a Masters degree? That's quite different I think.


At least I hope :)


I'll go over where I started (I started a few days ago) tomorrow.

-Anxiety

[Emiliano]

Good luck Anxiety! I'll be following this one with interest.

And BTW, do you know that your EMU dynasty is the first dynasty I've ever read? That was a great one man.

[Icy]

Why London with that crap climate, it's always raining there, come to Spain, the sunny country where is easy to get a work permit :)

That was a j/k, i underestand your desire to go there, must be a nice place and looks it was your desire since you were a kid, go for it.

I wanted to visit London with my wife past year, but we had other travels and now she is pregant so it will take some time. About the work permits, it must be hard for a non european, i have friends that moved there for a couple of years, to learn English while working. They had to take the typical inmigrants jobs, at McDonnals, cleaning in restaurants, hotels etc even having university degrees. There is plenty of that kind of work there, but as you said, i doubt you can get a work permit for that kind of non qualified jobs (while is easy in Spain with any kind of contract/job). My friends had no problems, because as Europeans, we can live in any other European country without problems. One of the jobs that has big demand there is the medical staff, every year, a lot of Spanish doctors and nurses who just finished their studies go there invited by the UK goberment for a job in the public sanity as seems they have problems finding qualified personal.

Anyway you could pm Marc Vaughan as he is English and probably knows better how is the situation there and all about the work permits.

Good luck Anxiety, will be reading this.

[Icy]

Dola, here you got some of places to take a look:

http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk (http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/)

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1018721068127

http://www.studios92.com/guide/visas.htm

In the last link i have just read stuff that confirms what i said about medical staff shortage:

The current list of occupational shortages is as follows:


Chartered Clinical Psychologists
Neonatal Nurses
Veterinary Surgeons
Occupational Therapists
Pharmacists
Actuaries

NURSING:
Intensive Care
Pediatric
Mental Health
Neonatal

The list changes frequently. Updates may be obtained by contacting your nearest British Embassy

[Abe Sargent]

Great stuff! Thanks to Emiliano for making me feel all fuzzy and to Icy for great information. Let me get you caught up to the stroy thus far:

I began by perusing the Yahoo! London directory borough by borough, going to every webpage of colleges and universities that I think might have what I am looking for. At those webpages, I then search for job vacancies, or look for their residence life web pages.

A few things I've learned:

Most universities have what are called accomodation offices. This office can supervise residence halls as weel as give info regarding local hostels, host families and whatnot to students. Not every university with an accomodation office has a residence hall.

Most universities call their residence halls something slightly different - halls of residence. Not a big deal, but enough to notice. I want to use their jargon as much as possible.

I haven't hit every boruough yet - I've hit City of London, Westminster, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Greenwich, Lewisham, Southwark, Lambeth, Hammersmith, Kensington and Chelsea and Wandsworth. Here are the nine institutions that appear to have what I am looking for:

Univ of London
Regents College
Univ of Greenwich
London South Bank University
London Metropolitan University
City University
City and Islington College
University of Westminster
Huron University



-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I began by e-mailing each of these institutions the following letter:

Hello:

I am interested in employment in a managerial position with your houses of residence. I am currently in my fifth year as a housing complex director at a public university here in the US, and I would like to relocate to London in a similar capacity. I would like to get more information about London South Bank University and its residence halls. I was hoping that you could send my enquiry along to the appropriate people or send me contact information so that I can do so. Thanks for your time.


Sincerely,


Abe Sargent
Area Complex Director
Eastern Michigan University




Obviously, I change the univeristy's name to suit the letter. I want to find out more about any halls of residence. Do they have professional staff? Is there a central office that oversees operations? Do they have any anticipated vacancies? That sort of thing. What will happen next?


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

The first institution I heard back from was Regent's College. I had e-mailed the accomodation officer my query, and he emailed me back the contact information for a different person who worked with the halls. I e-mailed the new gentlemen, and I haven't gotten a response back yet. This was the middle of last week.

The worst e-mail back that I received was from City and Islington. They told me that they didn't have any halls of residence. I must have misread their website. I guess that leaves just eight possible institutions.

The University of Westminster e-mailed me back the following day. They are the only school to name their housing office something I recognize, instead of accommodations or somesuch. They are Student Housing Services. The e-mail response that I received was simply their own job postings page, instead of any helpful information.

London South Bank University e-mailed me the same information. A gentle pointing towards their own job postings page, and that's it.

Several other institutions still haven't responded after 4 work days. However, I did get one response that was a bit better. Who was it, and what did it entail?


-Anxiety

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm guessing Huron University. Don't keep us in too much suspense.

[Abe Sargent]

I'm guessing Huron University. Don't keep us in too much suspense.


I just got back from lunch, so I'll help you out :)

I received the following e-mal from City University:



Mr Sargent,

Thank you for your email. You can read about City University's Halls
of Residence at www.city.ac.uk/accommodation the site also contains
virtual tours of the student accommodation that we have here in London.

We do not currently have any staff vacancies in our residences, however,
as and when we do recruit we would advertise on the City University
website and also on www.jobs.ac.uk, so you might want to periodically
check these sites for further information.



There are two major interesting bits about this e-mail. Firstly, it's quite friendly and warm. Secondly, it gives me a new and powerful tool: www.jobs.ac.uk

I e-mailed her back to inquire about any anticipated openings. She responded very quickly:


Mr Sargent,


I don't know of any anticipated vacancies at the moment. At the end of
last year our Hall Managers all moved into new roles and we recruited an
Assistant Hall Manager as a result of that process. We don't have a
very high turnover in our Hall Management team, so I would not expect
that we would need to be recruiting again for some time.

Having said that, it's impossible to predict when people might decide to
tender their resignations, so it is probably worth checking our website
once a month or so if you're still interested in a career at City
University.



That's a fine response, and the best I've received yet in terms of information. Now, its time to do more research, this time on my new website!


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I took a look around www.ac.jobs.uk

I quickly surmised that I needed to search by role: professional/managerial and by location: London. I got a list of hits and investigated job postings that seemd like they might work. That's when I found it:

A job posting for a student affairs officer. Housing is in the student affairs field. That's right where my expertise lies. It's not a perfect fit, but it's very close. I checked out the job posting and here is the 411:


* An honours degree as a minimum, preferably educated to Masters level ( I have a Masters)
* A minimum of 3 years experience working within a UK or international educational institution in a similar position (EMU is international from a UK perspective plus we have a large international population, so check)
* Proven record of excellent administrative and organisational skills (of course, so check)
* Experience of academic record keeping and management (I teach a class, soobviously I keep hold of grades and whatnot, plus record keeping on residents and their judicial history, check)
* Experience of Residence Life Programme management (obviously I have tons of res life experience, so check)
* Familiarity with student counselling procedures and resources (Yep, have to do lots of these in a year, so anotehr check)
* Excellent proficiency in written and oral English (I'm a writer, absolutely check)
* The ability to deal sensitively and empathetically with people from a wide range of cultures (obviously, I like to think so, so once again check)
* Excellent computer, communication and interpersonal skills (Sure, check)
* UK/EU citizen or appropriate permission to work in the UK

And here we have a losing proposition. I do not have permission to work in the UK yet. Still, I am not easily discouraged. This is a great position for an institute that resides in Bedford Square - which is right beside the British Museum. Its in a perfect location. The job seems great. I will not be easily discouraged.

This is a branch of Aga Khan University, normally located in Pakistan. They only have a small number of employees and they may not know all of the nuances of British employment law. Therefore, I decide to fire off an e-mail to the contact person in order to find out if I can still apply. I send out the following e-mail:


Hello:

I read your post over at jobs.ac.uk and I am interested in getting more information before I apply for the position. I am currently employed at a large, diverse university here in the US as a housing officer and adjunct lecturer and I am looking to relocate to London. I was reviewing the requirements of the position, and I saw a line that read "appropriate permission to work in the UK." As this is my first time looking to move abroad, I am unfamiliar with what that permission exactly entails. I did some reaserch online and discovered that I would need a work permit in the UK, but that a prospective employer would have to apply for it, not myself. I was hoping that you could illuminate this area of the application process for me. Thank you for your reply.


Abe Sargent
Area Complex Director
Eastern Michigan University



I heard back just this morning. Here was the reply that I received.


Dear Sir,

Thank you for your interest in our Institute for the Study of Muslim
Civilisations however, I would like to reiterate that the Institute is
not in a position to arrange work permit for this position. Hence,
applicants must have permission, in their own right, to work in the
EU/UK.



Ah well. I reply with the following, just in case.


Dear *****:

Thank you for your reply. It is unfortunate that you are unable to consider me as a candidate for the Student Affairs Officer. I believe that you would find me very qualified and I was looking forward to this position. I was hoping that you would be able to hire me and then apply for a work permit on my behalf, but if you are unable to do so, then I understand. Should this situation change, please do not hesitate to contact me as my interest will remain. Thank you again for your consideration.


Abe Sargent
Area Complex Director
Eastern Michigan University


(Please note that I removed the gentlemen's name from the Dear field.)


*Sigh* What else is there?


-Anxiety

[Super Ugly]

Well, this will be an interesting thread and I wish you the best of luck with your search. I was looking into emigrating to the States a couple of years ago but became put off by it being, well, nigh on impossible. Believe me, if we could get our governments to arrange a straight-up swap, I'd do it in a second. :)

I'm worried that you might be limiting yourself in that you're insisting on central London. I didn't study there, but I have a feeling that most students in the city live 'off campus' in either accomodation that's owned by the university or in private housing. I remember meeting someone who went to Imperial, though, and he mentioned something about living in a residence hall somewhere over in Notting Hill. That's another university you could check out, if you haven't done it already.

Outside of London there are lots of campus universities that might be a better bet, and you could quite easily commute from London out to towns like Cambridge and Brighton inside an hour (I went to Sussex University in Brighton, and the halls of residence are similar to what you'd find at an American college). I know that you're set on working in London, and I don't want to discourage you, but it might be very difficult to find what you're looking for.

Oh, and one last thing. If you are successful in making the move, I'd advise against working and/or living in the Tower Hamlets area. It's not a good place to be.

[Abe Sargent]

Well, this will be an interesting thread and I wish you the best of luck with your search. I was looking into emigrating to the States a couple of years ago but became put off by it being, well, nigh on impossible. Believe me, if we could get our governments to arrange a straight-up swap, I'd do it in a second. :)

I'm worried that you might be limiting yourself in that you're insisting on central London. I didn't study there, but I have a feeling that most students in the city live 'off campus' in either accomodation that's owned by the university or in private housing. I remember meeting someone who went to Imperial, though, and he mentioned something about living in a residence hall somewhere over in Notting Hill. That's another university you could check out, if you haven't done it already.

Outside of London there are lots of campus universities that might be a better bet, and you could quite easily commute from London out to towns like Cambridge and Brighton inside an hour (I went to Sussex University in Brighton, and the halls of residence are similar to what you'd find at an American college). I know that you're set on working in London, and I don't want to discourage you, but it might be very difficult to find what you're looking for.

Oh, and one last thing. If you are successful in making the move, I'd advise against working and/or living in the Tower Hamlets area. It's not a good place to be.



Good advice here. One of the things I have to do next on my plate is investigate the outer boroughs of London.

-Anxiety

[3ric]

Another forum member who might have some local knowledge about London is Katon, he did move to the States last year but he's a Londoner (and Chelsea fan)

[Abe Sargent]

As an aside - does anybody know what getting a work permit is like if you are hired by a church? I know in America, if we had the British work permit system, if a church hired a foreign minister, they'd likely get a work permit with no trouble. Are work permits easier for ministries? I'm an ordained minister with a great deal of experience working with youth and I wouldn't mind being a youth pastor.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I've been checking ac.jobs.uk regularly and I've found a few minor jobs, but nothing up my alley. For example, there was an Event Coordinator position. I've done hundreds of programs in my ten years in res life, so I have plenty of experience with that. Then I read the job description and saw that the events here were business conferences. That's not my area at all.

So, I've been striking out on this special website for higher education jobs. I was browsing the University of London website when I came across another link.

www.thesjobs.co.uk

Another higher education job positng website. I searched, but to no avail. It seems pretty bare.

I'll keep a sharp eye out, however.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Alright, let's talk about the University of London.

Here's a quick primer on the U. of L., my father's alma mater, for those unaware. There really isn't a University of London. Instead, there is the Univeristy of London system. There are a bunch of colleges and universities that together comprise the University. Some of these individual colleges and universites run their own halls of residence.

The University also runs 8 intercollegiate halls of residence that allow any students at one of the schools to live there. Today, I called up the International Hall and spoke with the assistant bursar. Here's what I found out.

Each of these 8 halls operates as an indepedent entity. They each hire and supervise their hall on their own. That's eight individual halls within the U of L system that I am going to need to check out. Unfortunately, she informed me that a massive audit is currently ongoing at the U of L and they have a hiring freeze.


So that's where I currently stand with the U of L.


I checked out the job postings page for the central U of L offices as well as the indivudal job postings page for every school within the U of L system. There were no current vacancies. I did not, however, check each individual school to see if they even had halls of residence.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Here are a few To Do items for me:

- Find out if Lewisham College has halls of residence. I couldn't tell from their website.
- Swing through the outer boroughs looking for colleges and universities
- Check out the U of L schools to see which schools have them, so I can send an e-mail or follow up
- I was investigating Middlesex University and then Univ of East London, but their websites do not come up. Try again later.


-Anxiety

[Icy]

Regarding to this:


Dear Sir,

Thank you for your interest in our Institute for the Study of Muslim
Civilisations however, I would like to reiterate that the Institute is
not in a position to arrange work permit for this position. Hence,
applicants must have permission, in their own right, to work in the
EU/UK.
I think that their problem is that they are also foreign themselves (Pakistan?)and probably they don't have the rights to apply for work permits for their staff.

[Abe Sargent]

Hello Kingston University! I was tripping through the outer boroughs (I'll detail my findings later) when I checked Kingston University's job vacancies page. Let's take a look:

Head of Accommodation Services (This would be a promotion, when I was rally seekign a lateral move, but I wouldn't mind. I have tons of experience in this field, and many people with less move up.)

The requirements:

1). Knowledge of development and training of staff (I have loads)
2). Reviewing established procedues and encouraging improvements (This is one of the things that I am always doing - I love to tinker with things and improve them. So far so good.)
3). Ability to allocate and manage resources over a broad area (Easily done)
4). Long term strategic planning and goal setting (I'm one of the few of my peers who has a vision and a quest for what my halls should be like)


So far, I am nailing these. Let's keep going:


5). Ability to manage time and prioritize during heavy workloads. (One of my strengths)
6). Ability to cooperate with others (My evals from my staff say that I am great at build teamwork and a sense of camaraderie)
7). Self confidence and an ability to provide guidance (I'm fine here)
8). Ability to be assertive when appropriate (No problems here at all)


Okay, still looking good. Let's see what other requirements they have:

9). Experience of a supervisory nature in a management environment (Tons)
10). Knowledge of higher education accommodation services (Yep)
11). Up to date knowledge of housing law

Oh no. The last one requires knowledge of British law. Remember, however, I am not easy deterred. Let's take a look at their preferred qualities because up until the last one, I was great for the job.

1). Seeking ideas and input of colleagues. (I usually do this)
2). Highly developed IT knowledge and skills (I'd say I'm fair here)
3). A first degree or equivalent. (I don't know what this means)


I don't know if I have number 3 above, but I'm pretty good as a candidate as a whole. What I need is a basic knowledge and understanding of housing law. If they demonstrtaed an interest in my candidacy, then I could do the research necessary in order to demonstrate basic knowledge and comprehension.


The closing date for this vacancy is on Friday, so I'll likely apply tomorrow.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

While looking for job information at Brunel Univeristy, I came across the following interesting bit of information pasted from their website


Work permits are not issued for unskilled jobs or for certain clerical and administrative positions.

To qualify for a work permit a job must be at the level described below (which will be defined in the Job Description and/or Person Specification for the post, and/or requires the individual to possess (this is not a guarantee):

EITHER - the following qualifications:

· a UK equivalent degree level qualification;

· a Higher National Diploma (HND) level qualification, which is relevant to the advertised post;

or

· an HND level qualification, which is NOT relevant to the post being advertised BUT you must have acquired a least one year of relevant full-time work experience;

OR the following SKILLS:

· 3 years full time experience of using specialist skills acquired through doing the type of job being advertised. This must be a N/SVQ level 3 or above.




-Anxiety

[Chas in Cinti]

Anxiety:

Just so you know... I have worked overseas on a couple of occasions and even had a 2 year Employment Visa (Germany). Usually, companies (again, this is corporate and not academia) do not hire internationals simply because there is a cost and lead-time associated with the permit application. Since there is hardly an employment "boom" going on, I would guess you'd find it difficult to get a position DIRECTLY into London. HOWEVER: it would be easier to take a position with an international organization and "transfer" to London. Perhaps some universities are international? You could then apply with the US business and, using your above methods, negotiate a staff position in London.

Just a thought...

I managed a facet of regional recruiting for a Fortune100 company at one point an time, and even they sent me out with the instructions of NO international hires. Even here in the USA they didnt want to mess with Visas or Permits.

Regards and Good Luck!

Chas

EDIT: Woot! Post #350, just under 5 1/2 years to do it, too... ;)

[Katon]

Another forum member who might have some local knowledge about London is Katon, he did move to the States last year but he's a Londoner (and Chelsea fan)

And a college freshman - which is to say, my total experience of job hunting and shopping for houses is essentially zero. I can't even comment on the local universities, as I was always planning on going to college in the US. I'd be delighted to help if I can, but I'm not sure any of my local knowledge is actually all that relevant.

[Abe Sargent]

I'm in between meeting right now but I have a coupleo fupdates that I'll do when I get back.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Yesterday afternoon and early evening I did several things on my to do list. I posted a few discoveries as I came across them.

I fired off an e-mail to Lewisham College asking if they had halls of residence or on campus housing of any sort. I await a response.

The outer boroughs of London called to me, and I swung by most of them. Here are those I found that had what I am looking for:

Richmond University
London College of Management and Technology
Brunel University
Kingston University


Add these four to my list. I fired off e-mails to the first three and I'll be applying to the open position for Kingston.

I received a response from Brunel, and it's actually quite detailed compared to many others:


Abe
Thank you for contacting me
We are not currently recruiting to any positions in residences at Brunel,
however that may change in the near future with the continuing expansion of our
residential stock. I suggest you look at the Brunel University website under
prospective students for further information on the accommodation we offer our
residents and further details on the University itself. The University also
advertises any job vacancies on our website, so I suggest you check this
regularly for any adverts which may be of interest to you. This will also
include further details on how to apply for each job advertised


I'll update further as I continue to investigate.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

And a college freshman - which is to say, my total experience of job hunting and shopping for houses is essentially zero. I can't even comment on the local universities, as I was always planning on going to college in the US. I'd be delighted to help if I can, but I'm not sure any of my local knowledge is actually all that relevant.


There is something you probably can help me out with. Can you explain to me the various "levels" of education? One job posting mentioned a first deree or equivalent. What is that?


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

There is something you probably can help me out with. Can you explain to me the various "levels" of education? One job posting mentioned a first deree or equivalent. What is that?


-Anxiety


Here's an example from another job posting:



Essential criteria
Educated to degree level (A)

Desirable criteria
Education post degree (A)



-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Apparently there is a power outage at Middlesex University, which is why their website is down. I did finally get ahold of the University of East London, and they meet all criteria. I just fired off my e-mail.


That makes the current institution list the following:

University of East London
Richmond University
London College of Management and Technology
Brunel University
Kingston University
Univ of London
Regents College
Univ of Greenwich
London South Bank University
London Metropolitan University
City University
University of Westminster
Huron University



-Anxiety

[Super Ugly]

A first degree or equivalent. (I don't know what this means)

A first degree is your standard undergraduate bachelor's degree (or its equivalent in the sciences).

As for our classifications, we don't do GPA or letter grades. Instead, it goes like this:

First class (not to be confused with the way I've just explained 'first degree' above) - If you received this upon graduation, you're a smart cookie. Phi Beta Kappa if we had it over here. Very few people obtain a first - I knew of just one girl who made it, and she was smart as hell.

Upper second, or 2:1 - If you're reasonably intelligent and put enough effort in, this is what you're likely to be looking at. Many respectable graduate positions in large companies will ask for at least a 2:1 when you're applying. I'm trying to think back to my days as an exchange student in the US, and I may be a little out, but it probably translates to like a 3.5 ...?

Lower second, 2:2 - This means you probably have brains, but spent too much time in the pub.

Third - You struggled quite a bit.

Pass - Oops. What a waste of three years, huh? But at least you got a degree. Of sorts (one of my best friends got a 'pass' and has found it to be a bit of a millstone. In a way he's better off striking the degree off his record altogether).

Fail - You likely died and the university never realised.

Hope that helps ...

[Abe Sargent]

This is great info Super Ugly. My BA was Cum Laude and a Univeristy Honors Scholar. My Masters was Summa Cum Laude with a 3.96 GPA. So, that should mean they'd really like me.

See, I don't think in America, high GPA means as much to potential employers, so I'll just stress that in my cover letter when I apply later today or tomorrow.


-Anxiety

[Super Ugly]

Yeah, you'll be fine. That would probably translate as a first. I don't think many people understand what GPA is, so just say Cum Laude and they'll be suitably impressed. :)

[Abe Sargent]

Okay - I'm filling out an application, and I come accross the folloiwng fields just after I entered my educational degrees:


Level/Award:
Subjects:
Grade/Class:
Date Awarded:

For my Masters, would the correct responses be:

Masters
Public Administration
3.96 GPA - Summa Cum Laude
August 2001


???


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Univeristy of East London e-mailed me back over the night. Here's her e-mail.


Dear Abe,

The residential services department here at the University of East London has
all positions filled and we will therefore not be able to help you gain a
position here in London.

I would suggest that unless you have already have the right to work in the UK
your best opportunity of gaining employment would be via one of the many
American universities who have campuses in London. Attached is the website
for the association that many are members of www.aasapuk.org

Good luck,


I'll take a look at that website later, but it seemed like she really wasn't interested.

-Anxiety

[Icy]

Univeristy of East London e-mailed me back over the night. Here's her e-mail.


Dear Abe,

The residential services department here at the University of East London has
all positions filled and we will therefore not be able to help you gain a
position here in London.

I would suggest that unless you have already have the right to work in the UK
your best opportunity of gaining employment would be via one of the many
American universities who have campuses in London. Attached is the website
for the association that many are members of www.aasapuk.org (http://www.aasapuk.org)

Good luck,


I'll take a look at that website later, but it seemed like she really wasn't interested.

-AnxietyThat looks like good advice to me, to apply at one of the many American universities who have campuses in London. Probably an American university will be open to hire another American than an English university. Why would they hire an American, have all the work permit problems etc when there are probably enought qualified English guys looking for that kind of job? I guess that the same would apply for an American company, they would hire first another American than one European.

[Eaglesfan27]

I agree with Icy. That appears to be good advice to me.

[digamma]

Just want to say, I'm finding this fascinating and will be following. Good luck!

[Abe Sargent]

I agree and I'll check out the website for more detail later when I have a chance.

I just wanted to also say that I just finished applying for the Kingston Univ Head of Accommodations job this afternoon.

A lot of this depends on what sort of people are making the hiring decisions. Some people love diversity, and would consider an international candidate who is highly qualified to be a great boon to the institution. Others would prefer not to worry about it. I have a great deal of confidence that if I were offered the Head of Accommodations job at Kingston, that a work permit would be easy coming, espeically in light of that information I found at Brunel University's webpage.


-Anxiety

[Chas in Cinti]

That looks like good advice to me, to apply at one of the many American universities who have campuses in London. Probably an American university will be open to hire another American than an English university. Why would they hire an American, have all the work permit problems etc when there are probably enought qualified English guys looking for that kind of job? I guess that the same would apply for an American company, they would hire first another American than one European.

I could have swore I mentioned that a couple of days ago...

;)

-Chas

[Abe Sargent]

I could have swore I mentioned that a couple of days ago...

;)

-Chas

Two of the universities in my list (Huron and Richmond) are American in London, so that advice was followed. Now I may have an additional website tool and reference to help me out!


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Two of the universities in my list (Huron and Richmond) are American in London, so that advice was followed. Now I may have an additional website tool and reference to help me out!


-Anxiety



Feh. I just checked out the website and it was nothing. Just an association of schools that have study abroad programs in the UK and a handful of American schools with branches in the UK - and no way of telling with was which. Obviously, the first list is much larger than the second list. Both Richmond and Huron were on the list. There were no job vacancy postings or anything. This was no help.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Middlesex University has their webpage back up. They have a lot of residence halls and I sent out the typical e-mail. Add them to the list.


-Anxiety

[3ric]

How about these:
American Intercontinental University, http://www.aiulondon.ac.uk/
British American College, http://www.bacl.ac.uk/index.htm
Boston University (London), http://www.bu-london.co.uk/
Delaware University (London), http://international.udel.edu/projects/default.asp
Notre Dame (London), http://www.nd.edu/~ndlondon/londoncentre/londoncentre.shtml
Schiller International University (http://www.schillerlondon.ac.uk/)

[Abe Sargent]

I've been really busy so far today. I have to finish aan article for a magazine since its due Monday and I don't like working weekends. I also have a bt of paperwrok to finish.

I haven't checked out 3ric's websites yet. The only e-mail that I received today was from Kingston U as a receipt that they received my application. If I have time later this afternoon, I'll do a bit more research.


-Anxiety

[tanglewood]

Wow how did I miss this?

I am a first year at King's in the University of London and am more than willing to help out with any information you might need to help you regarding the university system or general London.

One thing that may be different is that in the UK most students live in private accomodation as opposed to halls. This is especially so in London, where halls are almost entirely first years only. Therefore people in the UofL accomodation office spend a great deal of their time helping students find private apartments, advise them on tenating law etc. than actually administering university accomodation.

However, as a first year, I am currently in halls myself this very moment. To be precise Commonwealth Hall, which is one of the intercollegiate halls in WC1 near Euston. So again if there is anything I can do to help you in anyway possible, just say so.

Good luck. :)

[Abe Sargent]

Wow how did I miss this?

I am a first year at King's in the University of London and am more than willing to help out with any information you might need to help you regarding the university system or general London.

One thing that may be different is that in the UK most students live in private accomodation as opposed to halls. This is especially so in London, where halls are almost entirely first years only. Therefore people in the UofL accomodation office spend a great deal of their time helping students find private apartments, advise them on tenating law etc. than actually administering university accomodation.

However, as a first year, I am currently in halls myself this very moment. To be precise Commonwealth Hall, which is one of the intercollegiate halls in WC1 near Euston. So again if there is anything I can do to help you in anyway possible, just say so.

Good luck. :)



Thanks! I may just pm you if anything comes up.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

How about these:
American Intercontinental University, http://www.aiulondon.ac.uk/
British American College, http://www.bacl.ac.uk/index.htm
Boston University (London), http://www.bu-london.co.uk/
Delaware University (London), http://international.udel.edu/projects/default.asp
Notre Dame (London), http://www.nd.edu/~ndlondon/londoncentre/londoncentre.shtml
Schiller International University (http://www.schillerlondon.ac.uk/)


AIU has been added to my list and I e-mailed them this afternoon.

British American uses the Regent's College dorm, so I already covered that.

Boston U was added and emailed.

U Delaware does not have traditional residence halls but apartments, but I emailed them anyway (someone has to supervise them)

Same with Notre Dame

Schiller has just one residence hall as part of a large building that also has offices and whatnot. I still emailed them, because one never knows.


Thanks 3ric - you did good work!

-Anxiety

[3ric]

Thanks - I just googled "foreign institutions london campus" and the very first hit was:
UK Universities and Colleges (http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/ukinfo/alpha.html)
Foreign institutions with campuses in the United Kingdom. American Intercontinental
University [London]; Boston University · University of Delaware [London] ...

[Abe Sargent]

Scratch off Delaware from the list since I recieved the following e-mail over the weekend:


Dear Abe - We don't employ a housing director in London. Instead we
work with a reliable real estate company in London to provide
accommodations for our students.


-Anxiety

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Notre Dame's response:


Dear Sir

Thank you for your enquiry. I am sorry to say that we do not have any openings
in student housing nor do we envisage there being any in the foreseeable
future.



-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I was out sick yesterday, and today I have some catching up to do. There'll won't be too many updates today. I should have sone time int eh afternoon, and if/when I do, I'll do a bit more researching.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Okay - let's take a look at a few things:

A friend e-mailed me a few sites. First up is a job posting for a housemaster for a private Catholic boarding school. I don't really think I could do this job justice, espeically since I might be requried to teach Catholicism. I'm fine at a Catholic University, where there's no pressure to teach catechism or anything, but a boarding school is probably quite different.

http://www.newhallschool.co.uk/home/senior/jobops


Here's a job posting for Coventry U. They need a person to run a new residence hall. The pay is quite low (14-15k) and I do't know what they are talking about when it says this:

You must hold a HCIMA or City and Guilds of London Institute qualification or HND in institutional management and hold or be willing to undertake a First Aid certificate. You should also be willing to work unsocial hours, including weekends and bank holidays. The successful candidate will be required to reside within the halls of residence for which a one bedroom flat will be provided.


Guilds? Unsocial? Any help here would be appreciated.


http://corporate.coventry.ac.uk/cms/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=293&a=14540


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

A few more:

Here's a posting for a job. I can't tell much more than that from teh job posting. Take a look:

http://www.totaljobs.com/Jobseeking/job19934725.html


From the pay scale, I suspect that I wouldn't qualify for that, ever.


Here's a job that's nowhere near the UK:

http://www.higheredjobs.com/international/details.cfm?JobCode=175163944

My friend included it in an e-mail as a joke, becuase I really like the South Pacific history and culture.


-Anxiety

[Chas in Cinti]

My Guesses:

You must hold a HCIMA or City and Guilds of London Institute qualification or HND in institutional management and hold or be willing to undertake a First Aid certificate.

A guild is a collection of similar trade or craftsmen organized for the purpose of regulation and reputation. Think of it as a Union for entrepreneurs... In this case, you need a certain qualification from one of two groups (HCIMA or "City and Guilds of London Institute") OR and HND in Institutional Mgmt (what's your degree in again?).

You should also be willing to work unsocial hours, including weekends and bank holidays.

Unsocial hours represents hours that normal business isn't conducted, don't expect weekends and evenings off. Further, you should expect to be available during most holidays.

Hope that helps...

Regards,
Chas

[Abe Sargent]

My degree is in Public Admin. I wonder if that's okay?

-Anxiety


My Guesses:



A guild is a collection of similar trade or craftsmen organized for the purpose of regulation and reputation. Think of it as a Union for entrepreneurs... In this case, you need a certain qualification from one of two groups (HCIMA or "City and Guilds of London Institute") OR and HND in Institutional Mgmt (what's your degree in again?).



Unsocial hours represents hours that normal business isn't conducted, don't expect weekends and evenings off. Further, you should expect to be available during most holidays.

Hope that helps...

Regards,
Chas

[Abe Sargent]

My friend just e-mailed me and was upset because I used the friend word, so here is what my friend would like me to use:


"Sexy Intelligent Irish Blonde Intimately Aquainted Best Friend Who Is Sorry For Calling You Four Times Last Night"


-Anxiety

[Eaglesfan27]

My friend just e-mailed me and was upset because I used the friend word, so here is what my friend would like me to use:


"Sexy Intelligent Irish Blonde Intimately Aquainted Best Friend Who Is Sorry For Calling You Four Times Last Night"


-Anxiety
Pix plz, k thx ;)

[Chas in Cinti]

My degree is in Public Admin. I wonder if that's okay?
-Anxiety

Me thinks, yes... and what Eaglesfan said... :D

[Buccaneer]

Dear *****:

Thank you for your reply. It is unfortunate that you are unable to consider me as a candidate for the Student Affairs Officer. I believe that you would find me very qualified and I was looking forward to this position. I was hoping that you would be able to hire me and then apply for a work permit on my behalf, but if you are unable to do so, then I understand. Should this situation change, please do not hesitate to contact me as my interest will remain. Thank you again for your consideration.


You might want to soften your tone a little. When I first read that, it came across as being demanding and a little threatening. I know that wasn't your intention.

[Abe Sargent]

You might want to soften your tone a little. When I first read that, it came across as being demanding and a little threatening. I know that wasn't your intention.


How so?

-Anxiety

[Buccaneer]

It sounded as if getting them getting you a work permit was the most important thing.

[Abe Sargent]

It sounded as if getting them getting you a work permit was the most important thing.


Right. How would you change it?


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I have no new e-mails this morning. Many of my e-mails have never even been responded to. Ah well. I head over to the job posting websites to take a look around and see if anything new has been posted.

At first I think I may have spotted something good on one of the job sites, but its for a government housing development project, not university housing. Plus, it's only part time work.

I keep looking.

There's a job to run an entire college, but that's not me. There's another job to head up admissions. Again, not me.

I keep searching.

What do I find?


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Here's a job posting I found:

Student Accommodation Assistant (6 month fixed-term contract)

Residences Section

Salary: Professional Services Level 2b (£19,560 - £22,280 per annum)


We are looking for an Accommodation Assistant to work within our busy Student Accommodation Office, based at our main South Kensington campus. The successful applicant will be responsible for providing full administrative support in the allocation of accommodation to students.

Applicants should possess at least 2 years’ experience in a similar role. You should enjoy working as part of a team, but you must also be able to prioritise your own work and manage your time effectively in response to tight deadlines. You should be able to use your initiative and work under pressure, while retaining the ability to communicate clearly and effectively at all levels.

Good IT skills, including the use of standard software packages including Microsoft Office, are essential for this role. You must also possess both sensitivity towards, and an understanding of, the concerns of students.

*
Application form
*
Job description and Person Specification

If you think you have what it takes to join our team, further details and an application form may be obtained via the links above or by contacting Alison Leeson, Student Accommodation Office, Ground Floor, 15 Prince’s Gardens, London SW7 2AZ. Tel 020 7594 9444, Fax 020 7594 9440 or email [email protected]

Closing date: 27 January 2006



Okay - let's go over the good and the bad.

The good:

- It's in central London
- I am more than qualified

The bad:

- It may not be a high enough level position to qualify for a work permit
- The pay is on the lower end of what I would want
- It's a step down in job responsibility


Incidentally, what does this mean:


Minimum GCSE/equivalent level standard including English


-Anxiety

[Kalypso]

If you are confident enough in your abilities, you may not have to have an employer sponsor you for a work permit. Recently the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region> began the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) which is a point based system of immigration for successful people with coveted skills. In order to be considered, you must reach a score of 65 points based on various factors such as age, highest degree earned, work experience, earning power based on geographical location, any achievements you’ve received in your field, your partner’s education, if you are doctor licensed to practice in the UK (adds a 50 pts) and then some “pass/fail” requirements such as are you fluent in English, do you intend to continue working in your chosen field, etc.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

At the risk of being too bold, I’ve taken the liberty of adding up your points based on the information you’ve provided. You are at a 55, with a few things, if you have them that aren’t apparent, you could be at a 65 or over and eligible for a HSMP work permit.<o:p></o:p>

No harm in seeing if it is an option for you, here is the web site:<o:p></o:p>

http://www.workpermit.com/uk/highly_skilled_migrant_program.htm (http://www.workpermit.com/uk/highly_skilled_migrant_program.htm)<o:p></o:p>

Regards,<o:p></o:p>

[Abe Sargent]

Wow that sounds great! I'm heading over there right now!

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I just did it, and I hit 60 out of 65. :(


-Anxiety

[Kalypso]

Sorry it didn't work out. I'll keep reading and be on the look out for you...

[Abe Sargent]

I came across an interesting position that I am giving serious consideration to apply to:


Here's the link: http://www.mdx.ac.uk/jobs/docs/exe31.pdf


A quick review of the requirements:

Education to A level with 5 years experience or grad level with 2 years experience (grad level with alomst five years, so I'm good).

demonstrable excellance in administration, organization (check)

substantial experience in a personal assistant role (with the WV Senate)

proven ability to communicate orally and in writing (easily check)

ability to work on own (I love it)

Windows and Microsoft experience (more check)

Word processing skills in Word (that's what I write published stuff in, so check)

Web browsing skills (heh, check)

Experiecne in use of spreadsheets and graphical packages (spreadsheets, check, graphical packages from grad school, check)

significant knowledge and awareness of higher ed management (very much check)


Desirable:

knowledge and awareness of higher ed funding (yay! check)



Pluses of the job

- Part of the job allows me to set my own schedule. YAY!
- Very nice salary
- It probably would carry work permit status
- Its in London


Negatives

- I would prefer a housing job
- It's not in central London


Like I said, I am seriously considering applying for this job at Middlesex University.


-Anxiety

[tanglewood]

Incidentally, what does this mean:


Minimum GCSE/equivalent level standard including English

GCSE's are the basic exams that everyone takes at 16. Obiviously, you are ok here. (Just remember: colour, organise, aluminium ;))

Keep looking and good luck. :)

[tanglewood]

Dola

Also I think that, whilst not exactly strugling to make ends meet, living in London on less than £20k would be very hard on the ol' wallet. Perhaps your best sho will be to get a job outside London, but still in the south (like Middlesex Uni) and then after a year try to move into London. Or perhaps move into a new line of work altogether.

[Abe Sargent]

I have filled out the application for the Middlesex U job and will fax it tomorrow morning.

-Anxiety

[JeeberD]

Best of luck with the Middlesex job!

[Chas in Cinti]

Good Luck! We need to see some good results!

Regards,
Chas

[Coffee Warlord]

Heh, wow. Under their little point thing, I'd have 80. 50 points from work experience pays off. :)

[Abe Sargent]

I've been doing some site-hitting today, but so far I've seen nothing. I haven't received any new information.

How long do I want for those institutions who never e-mailed me back before I try again? A large number of the schools that I initially e-mailed have never bothered to respond.

-Anxiety

[Coffee Warlord]

When I get a chance, I'll ask a british coworker of mine if he has any tips/contacts/etc. Who knows, he might have some useful information.

[Abe Sargent]

When I get a chance, I'll ask a british coworker of mine if he has any tips/contacts/etc. Who knows, he might have some useful information.


Great!


-Anxiety

[Coffee Warlord]

Just talked to him, he's gonna give a cousin of his and another friend a hollar to see if they have any insight.

[Abe Sargent]

I swing by the websites to take a look at any new jobs that may have been posted in the last few days.

I came across a nice job, let's take a look:

Student Life Administrator
New York Univ in London

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/jobfiles/PZ663.html

Basically, I plan programs, events for a small group of students which changes on a semesterly basis (150-350) from the USA including attending excursions outside of London occasionally. So, if we take a weekend trip to France, I have to go with them.


Sounds like a lot of fun. Here are the requirements:

* Have a first degree and some relevant work experience. (Yes)
* Have an understanding of the issues facing students studying abroad. (Obviously, I'll be aboard, so yes, plus I've worked with international students here at EMU)
* Have strong organisational, interpersonal and IT skills. (Yes)
* Be able to work with students in a relaxed and flexible manner, including some anti-social hours and weekends away. (Yes)
* Be willing to work on his/her own initiative with little supervision. (Absolutely)
* Be enthusiastic, pro-active and committed, and enjoy working in a small team. (Yes)
* Experience of working in UK or US higher education. (Massively)
* Experience of providing support and/or advice in a professional setting. (Yes)
* Display flexibility in accepting duties and assignments (Very much so)


It seems like everything is a go for that one.

It's a new posting, and it does not close for a while (not until Feb 27). Still, I'll likely apply.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Nevermind. I clicked for further details and it said that they can't or won't apply for a work permit on my behalf. Sigh.


-Anxiety

[RPI-Fan]

Nevermind. I clicked for further details and it said that they can't or won't apply for a work permit on my behalf. Sigh.


-Anxiety

Just curious -- have you gone back through that "self-test" for the work permit to make sure there's NO way you qualify?

I'm not condoning lying or anything of the sort, I just think that's an option you should really make sure you totally exhaust before moving on.

[Abe Sargent]

Just curious -- have you gone back through that "self-test" for the work permit to make sure there's NO way you qualify?

I'm not condoning lying or anything of the sort, I just think that's an option you should really make sure you totally exhaust before moving on.


Yeah, I did. It was sad. Have you taken a look at it? There's only a few areas - education, work experience, etc. to get points in. Now, if I married someone with a Masters, I could get in.

So what are you doing the rest of your life? ;)


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I want to ask this question again, because I am unsure of the answer.

How long do I want for those institutions who never e-mailed me back before I try again? A large number of the schools that I initially e-mailed have never bothered to respond. Where is that line between interested and annoying?

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

The Univ of London weekly job posting is late this week. Its posted every Monday, but there's been no posting this week. They compile the job opening sinto a bulletin and there's a pdf available, but no dice so far, so every few hours I hit refresh - it's interesting.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I came across a job a short while ago to work for Wizards of the Coast - a gaming company in Seattle. I applied. I've applied there numerous times, but I've really gotten much of a sniff. Just my luck if they want to hire me now that I have my eyes set somewhere else :)

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Here's a job opening. See what you think. It's a step down, and I'm unsure about the whole "would it get me a work permit" thing. Take a look:


Personal Assistant to the Head of Residences

Residences Department

Salary £22,870 – £26,120 per annum

The Residences Department is responsible for the management of student accommodation in London, Silwood Park and Wye Campuses.

We are looking for an experienced PA to provide a comprehensive administrative and secretarial support to the Head of Residences. Main duties will involve dealing with correspondence, typing committee papers and reports and arranging meetings.

The successful candidate will have effective interpersonal and communication skills and he / she will be required to provide a first point of contact to a wide variety of staff at all levels, as well as students and external visitors.

At least three years experience as a PA at a senior level is required, preferably in a complex organisation.

*
Application form
*
Job description and Person Specification

Further information is available via the links above.

Completed application forms, should be emailed to [email protected] or posted to Miss Sharine Brown, Residences, 15, Prince’s Gardens, London SW7 2AZ.

Closing date : 10 February 2006
Valuing diversity and committed to equality of opportunity

[Abe Sargent]

Brunel Univ has an open lecturer in politics position. They need someone with a speciality in American government and history. This would be perfect, except that they have a requirment for research.

Seriously, no lecturer positions in America require a research background because they are solely teaching positions. Yet another great position to which I am unqualified.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!!! Finally I've found an ideal job opening at London South Bank University. Let's take a look:


SENIOR RESIDENCE MANAGER - MG8
JOB SUMMARY
Faculty/Department:

Residential and Catering Services
Job Title/Grade: Senior Residence Manager, MG8
Reporting to: Head of RCS
Further information:

We seek a Senior Residence Manager for our student accommodation operation. This is a key role within the Department, responsible for the effective day to day operational management of four student residences, accommodating approximately 1,400 students.

You will possess relevant managerial experience in large/multi site student residential accommodation operation or similar, including soft facilities management. You will have a proactive approach, good communication and organisational skills and the ability to develop and motivate staff. A good working knowledge of MS Office is also desirable.

In addition to attractive working conditions, 26.5 days annual leave and final salary pension scheme, we can offer you an exciting challenge and excellent opportunities for training and personal development.


Whoot! I'm taking a closer look now but I am VERY excited.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Let's take a closer look at this job, shall we?



Selection Criteria (Cut and pasted from a document)

A. Ideally qualified to degree/HND level or equivalent in a related subject eg. Accommodation/hospitality/facilities management. Those applicants with a good record of career progression and relevant personal development will also be considered. (yep)

B. Current or recent responsibility for the operational management of a large (minimum 300 bedrooms) single and/or multi-site student residence, or similar
residential operation. This should include responsibility for provision of soft FM
services. (Absolutely)

C. Experience of leading and motivating teams of staff. (Yep)

D. An ability to demonstrate a proactive approach in providing and monitoring customer focused services. (Yessir)

E. Experience in the production and subsequent monitoring of budgets. (Absolutely)

F. Possession of excellent interpersonal skills. (I like to think so)

G. The ability to organise and prioritise work loads and to demonstrate flexibility when required. (I am super flexible man)

H. A working knowledge of the management of health and safety in a residential environment. (Sure, safety is one of my main concerns)

I. A good working knowledge of MS Office. (I have this)

J. An understanding of and commitment to Equal Opportunities. (Absolutely)


Everything is looking good.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I'm filling out the application for that job, and I came across an interesting question:

Should I call myself Professor in the title field, instead of Mr?

As an adjunct lecturer, would British people find itappropriate to use the professor title? I don't want to appear to presume anything.

-Anxiety

[Chas in Cinti]

Titles are important to the Brits... I wouldnt use Prof unless you had tenure (just my thoughts).

[AlexB]

Lower second, 2:2 - This means you probably have brains, but spent too much time in the pub.


I'm taking a court injunction out against you and sweeping my house for bugs/video cameras as we speak ;)

[AlexB]

Dola

Also I think that, whilst not exactly strugling to make ends meet, living in London on less than £20k would be very hard on the ol' wallet. Perhaps your best sho will be to get a job outside London, but still in the south (like Middlesex Uni) and then after a year try to move into London. Or perhaps move into a new line of work altogether.

Personally I would have thought £30k would be absolute minimum in London, unless of course the job has cheap/free accomodation as part of the package, which given the nature of the positions Anxiety is looking at is not unreasonable.

Just found this today - good luck with the hunt Anxiety - if you need any info just ask, although I am not a Cockney or based in London, I do a fair bit of work there (although I also don't particularly like the place. Fortunatley most of my work is in outside the City itself, so I can just about cope with my weekly visits there!)

[AlexB]

I want to ask this question again, because I am unsure of the answer.

How long do I want for those institutions who never e-mailed me back before I try again? A large number of the schools that I initially e-mailed have never bothered to respond. Where is that line between interested and annoying?

-Anxiety

My job includes sales, and therefore contacting (or often leaving messages/e-mails): it's a tough line. I tend to work on calling again after one week, then missing a week out before trying again if no response. Some people don;t mind, some will happily speak to you/e-mail back immediately when you happen to catch them at a good time, some will just blank you constantly, even if it's part of their job to deal with these calls (e.g. public bodies, universities, etc).

Just go with what you feel comfortable with, if you feel you are pestering the people, you will be less direct than you want to be and not achieve what you want when you do get an answer.

[AlexB]

Here's a job opening. See what you think. It's a step down, and I'm unsure about the whole "would it get me a work permit" thing. Take a look:


Personal Assistant to the Head of Residences

Residences Department

Salary £22,870 – £26,120 per annum

The Residences Department is responsible for the management of student accommodation in London, Silwood Park and Wye Campuses.

We are looking for an experienced PA to provide a comprehensive administrative and secretarial support to the Head of Residences. Main duties will involve dealing with correspondence, typing committee papers and reports and arranging meetings.

The successful candidate will have effective interpersonal and communication skills and he / she will be required to provide a first point of contact to a wide variety of staff at all levels, as well as students and external visitors.

At least three years experience as a PA at a senior level is required, preferably in a complex organisation.

*
Application form
*
Job description and Person Specification

Further information is available via the links above.

Completed application forms, should be emailed to [email protected] or posted to Miss Sharine Brown, Residences, 15, Prince’s Gardens, London SW7 2AZ.

Closing date : 10 February 2006
Valuing diversity and committed to equality of opportunity


This job can be summed up as:

http://www.movieden.co.uk/files/290.jpg

The second job sounds more like your cup of tea, and I agree with the post that says do not use the professor title under any circumstances if you have not officially been awarded it.

[Abe Sargent]

Great info!!! Next question:

If I don't put prof, do I put rev? I am an ordained minster. Do I mention that? In America, that'd be a definite no. What about London?

-Anxiety

[AlexB]

Great info!!! Next question:

If I don't put prof, do I put rev? I am an ordained minster. Do I mention that? In America, that'd be a definite no. What about London?

-Anxiety

Gotta be honest: don't know! I don't know about , generally I would think no, but if it's a long standing private academic institution, it may be different... Gut feeling job I guess: sorry, not much help I know.

[Abe Sargent]

I'm almost done with my application for the Senior Residences Manager for LSBU. It's the best job opportunity I've come across so far, so I've been very careful with the application.

These applications have all been very detailed (The LSBU one is 12 pages long!!). There's no sending in a resume and a coverletter and that's it.

I haven't taken a look at the new job postings today, so I'll do that in a bit.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I found an interesting job at London Met - running an Undergraduate Office. I'm looking more into to see if its something I want to hop on.

-Abe

[Abe Sargent]

Sorry I haven't given an update in a little bit. I have had four floods to take care of this week in my halls, none of them clean, if you know what I mean. I've been super busy as a result.

Nothing new has happened. I haven't found any new jobs, nobody's called or e-mailed me. I'll give a fuller update later when I have a chance. I just got news that the water has been turned back on and that my custodial staff is now cleaning out the mess from the 15 rooms affected....

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I just sent off another Resume and Cover Letter to a gaming company in and near Seattle. Just to keep you up to date.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Just checked U of L and the jobs site for new posting this week, and although I poured though a lot of new jobs - none are housing or student affairs related at all.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I was having problems with finding another job hit. I'd been browsing all of the sites. Then, when I was almost done, I found two interesting hits back to back:

Brunel University: Traning and Quality Manager for Residential, Catering and Conference Services. With over 400 part and full time staff (I'm betting that's mostly students), this job would be to train these staff, and assess their performance. My guess is that it would include things like secret shopper, questionaires, activitites, program, pre-emplyoment training, regular updates to training, etc.

That sounds like fun. One of the things I enjoy most about the ACD position is personnel. This job description seems very focused on hospitality and dining, not so much on the residential side.


The other job is very different. This would be London Metropolitan University. The job is to run their undergraduate office. I apparently clicked on this link prior to today, so maybe I've already talked about it :) Basically, I'd hire the staff, train them, answer questions, do troubleshooting, that sort of thing. The office apparently is a support service for undergrads, including some academic advising, programs, and so forth.

I will do more research on these positions, and I may end up applying for one, the other, or both.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Right now I am in the process of collecting references from all of the supervisors that I currently have in my various jobs (which is four).

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I am not going to apply for the undergrad office supervisor role. After doing further research, it seems out of my area of expertise.

However, the training and quality manager seems solid.

Earlier today, I sent out my application for the Senior Residences Manager position. They wanted a recommendation from all of my current supervisors, so I had to contact my editors at various institutions and get their permission. I secured the last one's permission earlier this afternoon and sent off my application.

One thing I notice is that all of these applications are quite work intensive. It takes a couple of hours to make sure you fill one of these 12 page applications out exactly and correctly. It's not like sending out resumes and cover letters out to every job. Hopefully that means there are less applicants. Unfortunately, it means I have to pick and choose the positions I apply for with care.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Just for fun, I looked in the rest of the UK at that general jobs site (jobs.ac.uk) for any jobs in housing, and I couldn't find any that had been posted in the past three weeks. I thought that was interesting - there's been much more turnover in London than elsewhere.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I started working on the Brunel Univ. Training and Quality position, and then I saw an essential qualification that I did not have, so I decided to not bother applying. In case you are wondering, that qualification was to be certified as a training specialist, and I have no such certification.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I came across an event planner job for City University. It's not what I'm exactly looking for, but I may be willing to compromise.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I am doing my typical Monday scouring of job postings. I opened up seven job postings oiver at jobs.ac.uk, and I am about to check out the individual job information. My hope is that at least one of these jobs meshes well with my skills and interests.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Here are the six job postings I looked at earlier and what my decision on each is. There are six, not seven as mis-staed in the above post:

Job #1). Dean of Students - Huron University. Normally a jump from ACD to Dean would miss several intervening levels of hierarchy, but in this case, Huron as a whole is just 300 students, so its not as much of a promotion. It's still a promotion, though. Huron is an American institution. There's nothing in the list of responsibilities that I couldn't do. Another way to look at it is salry, which is just 26-28k. That tells me that is in my job range. In this case, they have listed no qualifications and don't have a form, they just want a CV (a resume) and a letter of application, which I assume is a cover letter.

This one may interest me.


Job #2). Head of Campus Services - Royal Veterinary College. I was hoping that this job would run a residence hall, but it doesn't. Instead it works with a physical plant to give services to various buildings and such at the college. This is a non-starter.

Job #3). Head of Building Services - Royal Veterinary College. If the first job didn't, work, I pulled up the second. This the same sort of job as above. These are both brand new positions - just created probably in some sort of reorganization.

Job #4). Community Development Manager - Brunel University. In American univeristies, the phrase "community development" is code for programming, events, dinners, and that sort of thing. I would be very good at that, and it would fall within my realm of expertise. In this case, however, the job's title refers to building relationships with the local community, businesses, and such. I had a lot of hopes for this job when I saw the title, but it's about something completely different.


Job #5). Campus Manager - Imperial College. I figured that this could be like the previous two jobs at the Vet College, or more like the sort of job I want. Unfortunately for me, it is more like the Vet jobs than my own. You run a few buildings, like I do, but they are non-residental, instead being medical buildings. That's nowhere near my area of expertise.

Job #6). Events Co-ordinator - City University. This one is much more along the lines of my expertise. For this job, well...here let me give you a quote:

"You will assist with the setting up, co-ordinating and supervising all events held in the University facilities. This includes client contact, customer care and assisting with marketing strategies and customer retention plans. You will be expected to build strong relationships and foster good team spirit with both clients and colleagues within the service and from other departments."


Here are the job requirements, copied and pasted for your consumption:

Person Specification


Essential


1. The post holder will need to display initiative, tact and diplomacy.


2. Educated to Degree level, preferably in a business-related discipline, or with demonstrable, relevant work experience

3. Computer literate, with experience in the use of a computerised booking system and familiarity with the full Microsoft Office Suite.

4. Ability to relate and respond directly to customers needs


5. Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills with attention to detail.


6. Good at anticipating crises with positive attitude to problem solving.


Desirable

7. Experience of working within a service industry, hotels or venue finding agency


8. Experience of marketing strategies, sales targets and statistical analysis



While I don't have marketing strategies experience, I do have statistical training. I have everything else. This may be a job worth persuing.

However, I'm going to begin by taking a closer look at that Dean job.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

If you have any experience with higher ed, then you now that a large number of institutions prefer a large resume (called a CV in England, which I believe stands for Curriculum Vitae). These are large monstrosities four or five pages in length, and even administrative positions get these large resumes. A smaller group of institutions prefer a more business like one page resume. I e-mailed Huron and asked which they would prefer. I also asked if the cover letter and resume could be accepted by e-mail. (The posting is vague on this issue).

I will likely apply for the Dean position.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Upon further review of the job requirements and description of activities, I do not believe that the events co-ordinator is up my alley. However, I am more than certain that I will apply for the Dean position after looking further.


-Anxiety

[Passacaglia]

Hey, just found this thread. It seems really cool, Anxiety, best of luck! Lurker and I talk about moving to London every once in a while, but who knows if we'll actually do it -- kudos to you for actually making the move!

Also, I think it would be hilarious if you ended up at Huron College.

[Abe Sargent]

Hey, just found this thread. It seems really cool, Anxiety, best of luck! Lurker and I talk about moving to London every once in a while, but who knows if we'll actually do it -- kudos to you for actually making the move!

Also, I think it would be hilarious if you ended up at Huron College.


Thanks a bunch for writing. In addition to posts on this thread, I've also gotten pms from a couple of people interested in moving as well. I think many of us in this life often think about moving, but we don't always know where to start or how to do it. I was inpired enough by my family's history and my own vacation to really search, but it was still hard to find a lot of this stuff. There's no one source for this information, so I hope that my collected works will prove helpful.

And that you'll keep reading, of course:)


-Anxiety

[Buccaneer]

Have you not had any progress with the positions you applied for previously?

[Abe Sargent]

Have you not had any progress with the positions you applied for previously?


Nope - none. And in job searching, no news is not good news.


-Anxety

[Passacaglia]

Nope - none. And in job searching, no news is not good news.


-Anxety

I feel your pain on that one. I'm looking for jobs at the moment as well, in two different fields. I'm hoping that I can get a job for a company with offices in London, so I can transfer!

[Abe Sargent]

I e-mailed Huron and asked which they would prefer. I also asked if the cover letter and resume could be accepted by e-mail. (The posting is vague on this issue).


-Anxiety


I received a response from Huron. They'll accept my CV and cover letter by e-mail and any size CV will suffice.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

My regular Monday update:

I check all of the sites and there is nothing worth mentioning at all. I'll work on my resume and go ahead and send it out to Huron, because there's really nothing else available right now.

I haven't heard one word from any job I've applied for.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I received a personal e-mail back from Huron U letting me know that they received my resume and cover letter.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I hit the websites again and found two new postings that might be of interest. I don't think that they will, but you never know. I've marked them both for a closer look later. One is a Policy Officer for a University non-profit organization of London universities. The other is called a "Front of House Manager" for Regents College.

Again, I'll take a closer look and see, but I have my doubts.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I found out about a res hall director job available today. One of my contacts e-mailed me a job description. I e-mailed HR just now with this e-mail:


Dear ***** ********, Director of Human Resources:

I received an e-mail a few moments ago from an associate who was e-mailed by an associate and so forth through at least five or six different people. This is regarding an open posiiton that you have as a Managing Director for a residence hall in London.

By way of introduction, I am an area complex director here at Eastern Michigan University and I am wrapping up my fifth year here and my tenth straight year in housing. Unlike many of my colleagues who have degrees and training in higher education or student development, I have my Masters in Public Administration, where I was training budgeting, accounting, research and statistics, personnel, and organization. I have supervised between 20 and 30 staff each of my years here at EMU, as well as supervising the operation of several residence halls each year. I also have supervised our Assistant Hall Directors, who are working on higher degrees. We treat these staff as professionals, and include them in decision making meetings, let them run their own staff, and more.

I reviewed the attached job descripton and became very excited. I know that you would like my CV and cover letter sent to this e-mail address. I do have a few questions, however:

1). When would you like this information? Would early next week be alright? There was no deadline listed in the attached PDF file that I read.

2). Is it alright if I give my salary requirements in British pounds?

3). I have no working knowledge of UK charities. I'd be happy to study them and do research prior to taking the job. I'd expect to call up various local charities and set up lunches with them so that we could meet each other and develop local contacts immediately. Would this be accaptable? If not, then I appreciate your time, and just let me know.


Thank you for your consideration.


Sincerely,


Abe Sargent




Let's see what happens.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I hit the websites again and found two new postings that might be of interest. I don't think that they will, but you never know. I've marked them both for a closer look later. One is a Policy Officer for a University non-profit organization of London universities. The other is called a "Front of House Manager" for Regents College.

Again, I'll take a closer look and see, but I have my doubts.

-Anxiety


The second job is not down my alley and has numerous requirements I fail to meet.


Job the first isn't really that bad, and it would have been the sort of thing I would have been interested out of grad school, but I am now overqualified, I doubt it would give a work permit, and it's not that much money - that's three strikes too many.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I just got back an e-mail replay:


Dear Abe,

Thank you for your interest in the Managing Director position with IES.
Please send us your cover letter and resume as soon as possible,
possibly early next week is great - even if you do not have experience
with UK Charities. Also, it is acceptable for you to send us your salary
requirements in British pounds.

Again, thank you for your interest in IES.

Human Resources


-Anxiety

[JonInMiddleGA]

Maybe they're just being nice, but I like the vibe of this most recent reply.

[Abe Sargent]

Maybe they're just being nice, but I like the vibe of this most recent reply.


I hope so...

I got a good vibe from Huron, personally. They ended the job posting today, so I hope to hear from them next week. Emphasize hope :)

I think these guys above are a bit desperate. They sent out emails to all of their housing contacts saying that they didn't get good applicants their first time around, and one of my associates forwarded it on to me. They posted on an American job site, and some of the information contradicts itself. In that job posting they say that this is a Masters degree required position, but in the job descrption it links too, it says Bachelor's degree.


-Anxiety

[Buccaneer]

I am familiar with that type of response. It probably means one of two things: the need a pool of qualified candidates to justify EEOP rules or that they are eager to fill the position (which may work against you since hiring you would be more costly and time consuming).

[Abe Sargent]

I am familiar with that type of response. It probably means one of two things: the need a pool of qualified candidates to justify EEOP rules or that they are eager to fill the position (which may work against you since hiring you would be more costly and time consuming).


So, either they won't hire me, or they won't hire me, eh? :)

-Anxiety

[digamma]

I don't know if you have the means, but have you thought about booking a trip to London and adding to your cover letters, "I will be in London from x to x and would love the opportunity to meet with you then."

[Abe Sargent]

I don't know if you have the means, but have you thought about booking a trip to London and adding to your cover letters, "I will be in London from x to x and would love the opportunity to meet with you then."


I'm not sure that is something I could do during the school year. I don't want to say "I'll be in London in May." That's too late. I hadn't thought about it until you mentioned something, so thanks for that :)

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I have several major job developments:

Firstly, I sent out the resume and cover letter to IES just now. I hope that will bear fruit.

Secondly, I checked the sites today and couldn't find anything of interest.

Thirdly, I was contacted and set up a phone interview for tomorrow afternoon. Ironically, it was not from a London university but from one of those two gaming jobs in Seattle that called.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

My phone interview was rescheduled for today. I'll let you know how it goes.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

My phone interview was rescheduled for today. I'll let you know how it goes.

-Anxiety


I was told there are three phases:

1). Talking to this guy on the phone is the first phase
2). Talking to a panel from the company for the second phase
3). Face to face interviewing


I had the first phase today, and he told me on the phone that I will get a call back to schedule the second phase.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Nothing new in the last couple of days London-ward, but the gaming company has scheduled me for a second phone interview on the 21st.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I was doing my typical Monday cruise through websites and I came across something interesting:

Assistant Bursar, Commonwealth Hall
University of London

19-22k

The post is residential (single room) with a 5% reduction in salary. I would assist with the running of Commonwealth Hall in London.


The good:

This is in my field, it is exactly what I have experience with.


The bad:

The pay is low
I don't know if a lower job like this would allow a work permit
The room is only a single, which may no longer be enough space
This would be a serious step down in the ladder, and taking this job would serious damage my ability to get housing jobs in the future.


Still, I wanted to display the fruit of my labor.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Nothing new for the mid-week. No comments about the job posting that I found on Monday eh?

I don't blame ya. It's not a very exciting prospect.

-Anxiety

[AlexB]

Nothing new for the mid-week. No comments about the job posting that I found on Monday eh?

I don't blame ya. It's not a very exciting prospect.

-Anxiety

I read the salary, and my immediate thought was if the salary doesn't begin with a 3, it's not worth your while, either in terms of likelihood of getting a visa, or in quality of lifestyle that will provide in London, unless housing is thrown in for free.

I'm about 30 miles west London, was about 100 miles north previously, and the bare minimum I could see working for me, as a single bloke with not too expensive tastes, is about £28-£30k, plus car. That would give me enough to live pretty comfortably, but not anything to save in pensions, etc.

In London housing and general costs of living are much more, and I would have thought you'd need to add at least 10-20% to that figure, or have housing provided for the position to be worthy of consideration.

[Abe Sargent]

I checked major sites today and nothing new to report.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I was doing my Monday job search and came across this job posting:

Associate Director
Student & Programme Affairs
Sloan and Executive MBA Programme Office

Useful Features

* Send me jobs like this
* Email job to a friend
* Back to Home

New Search

Keywords:

Keyword Matching:
Match All Match Any

Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 (dependent on experience & qualifications)

Closing date: Friday 24 March 2006

London Business School's Vision is to be the pre-eminent global business school, nurturing talent and advancing knowledge in a multi-national, multi-cultural environment. The Sloan, Executive MBA and EMBA-Global Programmes (the latter run in partnership with Columbia Business School in New York) are three of the School's high profile degree programmes. The Sloan/EMBA Programme Office is responsible for the strategic direction, marketing, admissions, and delivery of these programmes.

The new role of Associate Director will develop a strategic and operational programme management plan and lead the Sloan/EMBA programme management team in its implementation. (S)he will act as deputy to the Programme Director in all aspects of student and academic affairs for each of the three degree programmes and their four streams. The Associate Director will provide oversight of the needs of each individual student constituency whilst looking for synergies between the complex structures of the degree programmes.

Candidates for this position will need a first degree, and preferably a postgraduate degree, ideally an MBA. You will need to have gained significant, ie a minimum of eight years, experience at a senior level in higher education or a corporate training and development function.

Other skills/personal qualities required include:

* People management skills (responsible for managing a team of four Senior Programme Managers, each of whom have a direct report).

* Budgetary management skills (responsible for a budget of £1.2m).

* High level communication and relationship building skills.

* Excellent organisation and planning skills.

* Strategic thinking.

* Commitment to customer orientation and service.

* Innovative approach with proven problem solving skills.

Salary commensurate with the role, skills and experience. Benefits include generous holiday entitlement, season ticket loan, contributory pension scheme and excellent recreational facilities, including on-site swimming pool, spa pool, sauna and fully equipped gym.

To Apply: Send a CV and a covering letter, quoting ref. AD to:

Human Resources,
London Business School,
Regent's Park
London NW1 4SA

Alternatively you may email your application to [email protected]

A job description and more information on London Business School can be found at www.london.edu

London Business School is an Equal Opportunities Employer.


It's not exactly my cup of tea in terms of experience, but it does have a lot of things that I like, beyond a livable salary. It'd be a work permit-able job I feel. It'd be something I could easily do. Who knows? I'll take a closer look in a bit.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I have sad news. Today brought the following e-mail to my box:

Dear Mr. Sargent,

The Search Committee met recently to make a final decision on the shortlist for
the post of Dean of Students at Huron University USA in London, for which you
recently applied. I am sorry to tell you that, in this instance, your
application was not successful.

Thank you again for your interest in Huron University USA in London.

Sincerely


Office of the Provost


-Anxiety

[3ric]

Too bad. Was that the best job in this thread you've applied for?

[Abe Sargent]

In London, I thought that I had a real shot at LSBU's Senior Residences Manager. I applied for that job prior to my application being sent in to Huron, so I suspect that I didn't get shortlisted for it, either.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

*Sigh*

I haven't updated this in while, and let me fill you in as to why. I had applied for a job as the Community Manager of HeroClix at WizKids. This would be a great job! The Brand Manager contacted me and we set up our first interview. I made an initial cut down to about 5 or so canddiates in the pool.

He told me during the interview that he wanted to call me again, this time with some additional people interviewing me. This took a week and a half to set up. At the end of the second interview I was told that I had made a cut down to two candidates for the postion.

I was amazed and stunned. For the past week, my heart pounded whenever I thought of the job, and I didn't have the strength to look for other jobs that might be available. Therefore I didn't post here.

Just a few moments ago I received a call from the Brand Manager. He told me that they are putting the position on hold for at least several months. I asked him if he would circulate my information among other open positions at the company, and he agreed that he would.

So, I'm back to square one. I'll go off and take a look at job opportunities that are available in a few minutes and post my results here.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

The first place I head to is the classic jobs.ac.uk website. I discover a fine job.



"Residence Manager (Residential Post)
Residential & Catering Services

£23,843 - £28,462 PA

We seek an experienced individual to take responsibility for the effective operation of our Dante Road student residence, which consists of just over 400 bedrooms located in self-contained flats.

You will assume responsibility for the effective operation of the site including meeting service delivery standards, co-ordinating cleaning and maintenance, monitoring health and safety and working within financial targets. In addition, you will perform on-call duties on a rota basis. In return for this responsibility, a rent-free, self-contained flat is provided.

You will have at least 3 years' experience in a management/supervisory capacity within student accommodation or similar. This should include responsibility for soft facilities management. You will also have a hands-on, customer focused approach and excellent organisational and people management skills.

As well as attractive working conditions, 26.5 days annual leave and a final salary pension scheme, we can also offer you excellent opportunities for training and personal development."

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

That job is the only real one that I find on the jobs.ac.uk site. I start hitting the individual colleges and I notice something odd. The jobs are really poor. I finish my search with Middlesex Univ, the last University in my list.

I would have been really discouraged if I had been actively searching these past couple of weeks. I'll apply for the LSBU job above for sure.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I came across a job today that interested me, but required a driver's license, so I called to inquire as to how strict that requirement was and I was told it was quite strict, so no dice.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Checking once again the websites. No luck so far, and I'm about halfway through.


-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

There's sort of a reverse phenomenon going on here. In America, a lot of housing jobs open up in the summer, but few during the school year. With this job search, there were a lot of good prospects theref or a bit, but few these days. Maybe a bunch will get posted in the next month, as semesters end. That's my hope at least.


-Anxiety

[3ric]

Keep up the good work, hope it pays off eventually...

[Abe Sargent]

I hope so too :)

I just submitted a new application for the LSBU Residence Manager position, which is due on Friday, so I turned it in two days early. [/crosses fingers] Here's hoping.


-Anxiety

[ice4277]

Just checking in...good luck!

[Buccaneer]

Has anyone over there shown the least bit of interest in you? If not, I think I would change my approach. Perhaps take a leave of absense and go over there for a month and provide them with a local (as oppose to a US) to where you can be reached.

[Abe Sargent]

Has anyone over there shown the least bit of interest in you? If not, I think I would change my approach. Perhaps take a leave of absense and go over there for a month and provide them with a local (as oppose to a US) to where you can be reached.


Not yet. I keep hoping though!

I searched today, my typical Monday search, and I found a job. A Deputy Residence Manager. It's a live out position for just 21k. I don't think I could do that. I could probably get away with a live IN position for 21k, but not live out.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I did another sweep through the websites, trolling for job postings of any relevance to my experience, and came up empty.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

Best New Yet Folks!!!!!

I received an e-mail today from Londond South bank Univeristy. I am on the Short List for the Residence Manager position!

Here is the e-mail:

"Dear Abe,

I would like to inform you that you have been shortlist for the above
post and your interview time will be on Monday 8th May 2006 at 2.00
pm.

I look forward to hearing from you. The original is in the post."


Does this mean that I am to call her, or she will call me? What does "the original is in the post" mean? (In the mail, I assume, but what is the original?)

Thanks for your help!


-Anxiety

[AlexB]

Best New Yet Folks!!!!!

I received an e-mail today from Londond South bank Univeristy. I am on the Short List for the Residence Manager position!

Here is the e-mail:

"Dear Abe,

I would like to inform you that you have been shortlist for the above
post and your interview time will be on Monday 8th May 2006 at 2.00
pm.

I look forward to hearing from you. The original is in the post."


Does this mean that I am to call her, or she will call me? What does "the original is in the post" mean? (In the mail, I assume, but what is the original?)

Thanks for your help!


-Anxiety

Apt handle given the tone of the post ;)

We Brits don't like official things being done by e-mail, so will often post (mail) hard copy (i.e. typed letter on official letterhead) as confirmation - this is the what the 'original is in the post' refers to.

Unless stated otherwise, I think they expect you to attend for a personal interview at 2pm on 8th May...

edit: congrats by the way - first shortlist :p

[Abe Sargent]

Apt handle given the tone of the post ;)

We Brits don't like official things being done by e-mail, so will often post (mail) hard copy (i.e. typed letter on official letterhead) as confirmation - this is the what the 'original is in the post' refers to.

Unless stated otherwise, I think they expect you to attend for a personal interview at 2pm on 8th May...

edit: congrats by the way - first shortlist :p


So wait, this is a personal interview? Are they going to be paying my way or do I have to do so myself?


Typically, how many people make the cut for jobs on the initial shortlist?

Wow.

I should call on Monday, shouldn't I?


-Anxiety

[AlexB]

I should call on Monday, shouldn't I?

-Anxiety

Probably best ;)

Doubt very much if they will be paying your expenses - if they do I will be well pissed off, as I've been trying to get them to buy £12k worth of cricket facilities for the past year, and the guy keeps telling me they're skint! So if they can pay interviewees to fly the Atlantic I'll have to have words...

As to the number that make an interview it varies wildly - some will interview everyone of interest, some will ask a certain number regardless of number of applicants: can't help you on that one I'm afraid.

Good luck with this - my guess is they either haven't worked out through the e-mail correspondence that your Stateside, or that the e-mail is a brief standard response fired out to all people they wish to interview, and they have forgotten to amend yours to say telephone interview.

[Kalypso]

Congrats and good luck!

[Buccaneer]

[So wait, this is a personal interview? Are they going to be paying my way or do I have to do so myself?

I find it hard to believe that you would expect the former. It is not a high enough paying job for them to be burden with the cost of interviewing a non-citizen from the US, not to mention the extra hassles of a work permit and such. When we score applicants that are out-of-state, we factor in the extra cost (of moving, time, etc.) into the evaluation. In other words, such a candidate must score that much better (in comparison to someone local) in order to be worthwhile for the company. Good luck, at least it's something.

[Abe Sargent]

I find it hard to believe that you would expect the former.


Really? To fly me on the day before and return me the day after (7th-9th) to somewhere else in the States costs between 600-700 depending on destination. In a quick search, I just found a hotel and flight package to London for the same days for 980, just 300 more and that includes hotel for two nights as well.

It doesn't seem that pricey to me.

-Anxiety

[Buccaneer]

That's true but I doubt the other short-listed candidates would cost that much to interview. But we'll know tomorrow. If they are willing to do that, then that would be a good sign.

[Abe Sargent]

Yesterday was a British holiday so I spoke with the H&R representative on the phone just now. I found it to be very discouraging.

I am one of nine candidates to get this interview, and they will hire one of us. As such, the chance of me being the best candidate is just 11%, by the numbers.

They will not do a phone interview, just a personal one. That means I would have to fly the Atlantic on my own dime in order to get an interview that, at best, I have an 11% chance of being the best candidate.

EVen if I am the best candidate, there is some doubt if they would offer me the job, because of my international status.

And finally, the H&R rep said that the likelihood of me getting an work permit for this job is small. They have applied for work permits for similar jobs in teh past and been turned down.


All of which puts me at a crossroads.

Is this just a pipe dream? Should I send an e-mail to LSBU thanking them for the opportunity but declining the interview? Should I decide to end my hopes of ever living and working in London? Or should I put out a thousand of my own dollars to interview for a job that, frankly, I probably won't be offered and even if I am I probably won't get a work permit for according to this H&R rep?


Is this all just a dream?




-Anxiety

[Buccaneer]

I made the suggestion earlier about "living" over there for a month during the time where they do a lot of interviewing/hiring. You have not been getting a foot in the door because of the distance involved, not to mention needing a work permit. That's 2 strikes against you when they, assumably, have a pool of viable candidates (including meeting EEO criteria) at their doorsteps already. Being over there ready for interviews would reduce one strike against you. As far as the other strike, it all depends how badly you want to do this (i.e., become a UK citizen).

[ice4277]

To tie on with what Bucc said, going over for the interview and spending an extra week or two afterwards putting out some feelers in person would not be a bad idea. It will be costly and time-consuming of course, but to do something like this requires a pretty big investment.

[Abe Sargent]

I would be happy to be there for a few weeks, but the problem is that there are no guarantees that there would even be job openings that I would be qualified enough for in order to get a work permit and an interview.

-Anxiety

[ice4277]

I would be happy to be there for a few weeks, but the problem is that there are no guarantees that there would even be job openings that I would be qualified enough for in order to get a work permit and an interview.

-Anxiety

Have you thought about trying for a job that may not be in your field, but would be more likely to land you a work permit? It could help you get established, and presumably give you more options looking for something more to your liking.

[Abe Sargent]

After reviewing the literature and talking with people with experience in this, the greatest chnace of one getting a work permit lies in experience in the field. They say that it is the easiest to claim that no one applied from Britain as good as the international candidate when that candidate has a lot of experience. That's why I thought a hosuing job would be a good fit, not only do I have tons of experience, which should help me get hired, but I also have tons of experience, which should help me get a work permit.

-Anxiety

[Abe Sargent]

I sent an email to the HR rep asking for a phone interview, if they would be willing. I was waiting for her response before updating this dynasty.

I did not receive it until this morning when I woke up to do the interview. She had e-mailed me today saying no interview over phone could be conducted, which wasn't much of a surprise, really, although I had expected her to get back with me earlier.

-Anxiety