Hi All,
Nice replies to the query and hope I can add to them as well
1) What are the chances of me getting a job in UK ?
KP : Many earlier posts on this in general. Specifically, 6 years or so is good but not great and domain experience counts a lot here. This, mixed with your persuasion skills and the mere luck of being picked up by Consultants all add to the overall percentage of getting a job. It's just like anywhere else actually. No facial discrimination of any sorts - if you are good, you are in, simple.
2) What should be the salary I shall expect in current mkt conditions ?
KP : With 6 years exp, you are looking at anywhere between 30k to 45k based on the region you work in. 30k in a nice small town is equivalent to 45k in London City. Obviously you can get more as well if you are in the right place at the right time
3) and how long will it take to get a job ?
KP : It takes long here. Consultants will send their candidates to the company. Company interviews 3, 5 or 15 candidates from all Consultants. Many times, first one is over the phone. A week or so later you get news if you are in for Round 2 which is in person. This maybe arranged for a week in advance based on availability. There may be a Round 3 after this with the final shortlisted 2 or 3 candidates which takes another few weeks. So, you are easily looking at 4 weeks to closure. Note that this is the general process. In cases where they need someone urgently or you fit the role perfectly, things can be finalized well within 5 days itself.
4) Where can I stay during this period, I mean what are the least costly staying options ?
KP : There are extremely cheap places of staying but they are far out and of no use to you. Suggest best place to stay is close to London, on the direct train route in or generally in the South of UK as most IT jobs are here. Wherever you stay, you will have to travel on your own for interviews so based on simple probability, its a good idea to stay in the South.
Disagree that you must pay £200 a week excluding bills. You can find a bachelor pads or possibly share with 1 or 2 people. You can find a decent single bed room or house for about £350 a month, trust me. And I dont mean living like a beggar or in any of the shayd areas with a million Asians around!
Even in cities with good unis you can find places with PG students where 3 people share a huge house and are charged with all bills inclusive. You can get a place with all bills inclusive and hopefully 2 decent roomies for about £200 or £300 a month all inclusive!!!!
Some other tips
1. Do not come now as there is less time for you to get acquainted with your surroundings, setup a base and start job hunting. Most companies take on temp people to cover the XMas period and do not make any permanent offers.
2. There are good signs things are picking up and clearly, it will be a lot better from mid Jan 2010, plus you will also have just 2 months of winter to get through.
3. Decide if you want to get into contracting or perm jobs. This is something many are confused with. Example to help you
You may get a great job paying you £20k for 3 months contract work. After that you have to hunt again. During that contract, if you get an offer from somewhere for a perm job paying £35k a year with good benefits you will not be happy. Having a good perm job in a good company with benefits is anyday better for a family man. Chances of growing in the company, getting trained and availing benefits are all great and such things are not on offer while you contract. Contracting is all about money, nothing else. If you work 3 months and sit at home job hunting for the next 3 months, you actually lose out in the end, so be smart
All the best to you
Cheers
KP
