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My Nationality is Holding my Qualifications Back
I am a 32 yo. portuguese, and moved to London 19 months ago. I have two degrees, one in BA in economy and sociology, and a Master Science in Regional Development and strategies. I have 4 years of public sector in Business Development and 4 years in private sector in Project Management.I can speak 6 languages and have 4 articles published, however i can not get a PROPER job.
I get two answers, over qualified for less qualified job, or without UK experience for jobs within my qualification range.
Since last 18 mounth i am working in a gambling shop.
How can i improve my situation ?
Comments
What a waste of your skill and talent !
The recruitment industry should be ashamed to have allowed you to slip through the net so easily.
Your language skills alone should guarantee you a proper job at the very least.
Unfortunately you have not specified what it is you want to do and whereas that is not imperative, it is certainly helpful.
I would advise you to start having discussions with agents and companies about your language skills. There are very few professionals who possess them and most business these days requires some level of international work.
Language is your USP. If any agent or company doesn´t spot that immediately, they are not worth your time or effort.
Charlie - December 1, 2006 5:53 AM
You don't say where in the country you are living? I know that certain parts of the UK won't give a highly skilled person from a abroad a chance without UK experience, so I would say that if you are not already living in London or Manchester, you move there and try again.
That said, if the sector you are looking to work in has 'hot spots' in the UK, get yourself there. I once found a post for a highly skilled Zimbabwean gent, as he has concrete management experience and I knew of a company in Sheffield who had looked for this skill for more than 6 months without any success... Had there been a UK born person out there with those skills, he wouldn't have even been intereviewed, but as his skill was so rare, he landed a highly paid job within 3 weeks of arriving in the UK. Know your markets, research where you want to be online and stay motivated! If there is a agency that specialises in your field, approach them and noone else - Many recruitment agencies are beholden to one or two nation employers and if they have policies that are less than 'inclusive' you will continue to slip through...
Good luck!
Fiona - December 21, 2006 10:30 AM
I had a similar experiece when I first came to the UK. I eventually came to the comclusion it was all down to the agents I was dealing with. 90+ percent of agents are a waste of time dealing with if you don't have UK qualifications and experience. Simply because they are only looking for keywords in your CV. I think it is true that agents spend approximately 30 seconds reveiwing a CV. And it shows.
The above was proven when I recently went job hunting. Used this one agent who has a different approach to the majority. And got a job offer for a job in a totally different industry that enabled me you use my existing skills.
Paul Lawrence - December 23, 2006 8:03 PM
I am english, I have several technical and managerial qualifications.I speak 4 languages, and I have never had a proper job in this country either. This is how britain treats skilled people. I am too old to emigrate now, but my advice to any skilled person is to get out and go to a civilised country while you can.
P F Roberts - December 24, 2006 10:40 AM
over qualified .... you need to work out exactly what you are good at. why do you need two degrees , how is that going to help you get a proper job. Maybe you could start a buisness.I know many people who don't know what they want , I studied for a degree and it didnt get me a proper job, really you need to write down what you want out of a job, location salary what are your actual skills? There are hundreds of careers advisers you sound like you should invest in one, with the money you earn from your current job! julie Kins
julie kins - December 27, 2006 2:26 PM
I feel for all of you.
I am in a similar situation. I have unsuccessfully been looking for a job for 3 years.
Just because I am Russian and I am 47.
I have a degree as a TEFL and NVQ3 as a Piano Teacher( both with Distinction) and obtained the comparabilities of my qualifications against UK standards. So what?
All I have is a couple of hours as an accompanist which I got by word of a mouth. I was a voluntary Teaching Assistant at an Infant School in order to get some work experience in this country but it hasn't helped.
When I had interviews I was often told how talented I was to hear later that I was unsuccessful.
In Russia I worked at the Grammar School and was one of the best leading practitionersin my province. I was my son's teacher of English and he received the best result in English Literature exam in his class ( a foreigner! ) after being in England only 4 months. Do you think I can be trusted to teach Literacy at an Infant School after that?
It is so disheartening that employers are not bothered to see the advantages I offer.
They are scared to be politically incorrect. They are scared to have their own view.
Larisa Anthony - December 28, 2006 9:47 PM
Larisa, are you sorry about your situation and want to get back to Russia? that is just injustice, may be you could try yourself in some other field? i'm an italian and i work in one pizzeria in London as a waiter, and at the same time i have a degree in agricolture... i live here because i hope to do something else in my future
Katerina Pizzuti - January 10, 2007 10:14 PM