Reply to: Live abroad, looking for contracts in Uk

[richclever]

There seems to be a fair bit. I know that php is used a lot in the financial sector and there are some high paid gigs in the City.

Not necessarily looking for one of those for my first contract as the environment will be much faster paced to what I am used to.

Basically I'll do anything as long as the rate is ok, saying that I'm not looking for a particularly high rate anyway as I have accommodation sorted with family if the contract was based in London. It's more the experience I'm looking for.

[max]

From what you have said I reckon it is a problem then.

You don't think it's your areas of expertise? Is there a lot of contract work for php/mysql?

[TheFaQQer]

I can see their point, but it doesn't always work out that way. My brother has contracted at the BBC now for at least 13yrs. he lives in Hull but travels to London every Sunday, returning on a Friday evening. The Beeb have obviously had no problems with this.

I just play up how I've done it since I left uni - never really worked near home much, and it's not been an issue so far.

[richclever]

Because clients discover that people who are living away from home, often move on sooner that those that are a local commute away.

This isn't an agency led requirement, it's a client led one.

tim

I can see their point, but it doesn't always work out that way. My brother has contracted at the BBC now for at least 13yrs. he lives in Hull but travels to London every Sunday, returning on a Friday evening. The Beeb have obviously had no problems with this.

[tim123]

Yeah I live in Yorkshire and have mainly worked either in Edinburgh or the South East, some of the agencies have grilled me about how does my missus feel to me being away etc etc, fortunately I am an ex squaddie who did 13 years so when I tell them that its suddenly no dramas!!

Winds me up as does it really matter?, as long as the contractor does the job and sees the contract out it doesn't matter where they come from.

Because clients discover that people who are living away from home, often move on sooner that those that are a local commute away.

This isn't an agency led requirement, it's a client led one.

tim

[TheFaQQer]

Thanks for all your advice guys.

Is it a good idea to chase up contracts you have applied for? If so is it better to do it by phone or email?

I never do - unless I've spoken to the agent and they've said explicitly "we'll get back to you with a date" for example. Other than that, it's not worth wasting my time or theirs.

[richclever]

Thanks for all your advice guys.

Is it a good idea to chase up contracts you have applied for? If so is it better to do it by phone or email?

[tay]

If dodgy foreigners like me can get contracts in the UK straight off the boat... you wont have an issue.

[NotAllThere]

I've not worked in the UK for nearly three years, and still get many calls from UK agents about UK contracts. Even though I don't want to work in the UK. Perhaps you're experiencing a market sector issue - do other people with your skillset, but UK based, get loads of calls?

[richclever]

Thanks for all that.

I'll make the changes and follow your advice and hopefuly something will turn up.

[TheFaQQer]

Thanks,

Will do that then.

What about my address and the fact that my last 3yrs work has been based over here rather than in the UK?

I wouldn't mention the address on CV, but tell the agent when they ring you about where you live, that you've spent lots of time away from home, don't mind the commute / travel, and that you're planning on returning to the UK soon permanently and are just in the process of selling up in France.

No big deal about where the client is based - mate of mine spent five years in Geneva with no problems getting UK roles when he came back. It's just another client, their location is irrelevant.

[richclever]

Thanks,

Will do that then.

What about my address and the fact that my last 3yrs work has been based over here rather than in the UK?

[darmstadt]

I have my German number on mine and quite regularly get calls from UK agents asking about gigs in the UK. Never any questions about travel as they know that I'll commute weekly anyway. Never took up any offers as the rates are always too low.

[TheFaQQer]

Thanks for the replies guys,

From what you have said I reckon it is a problem then.

Personally I don't have a problem living in the Uk and travelling back here every few weeks, and neither does my wife (she'll ba glad to get rid of me I reckon!!).

What I think will be difficult for me is justifying my experience as most of it has been with French companies, so not putting my address down might seem a little odd to them.

Also, at present my telephone number is obviously on my CV, and it is obvious it is a foreign number. I do have an English 0845 number that re directs to here, but is it wise to have this on a CV instead of my French number.

As a family we are looking to return to the UK in about 18months, and I really want to get my foot in the door in the UK workplace before that happens. Also it's flipping difficult to make a decent living here in France due to very high taxes and contributions.

I would put a UK number on there - whether that's an 0845 number or a Skype number that is an 020 or whatever.

[richclever]

Thanks for the replies guys,

From what you have said I reckon it is a problem then.

Personally I don't have a problem living in the Uk and travelling back here every few weeks, and neither does my wife (she'll ba glad to get rid of me I reckon!!).

What I think will be difficult for me is justifying my experience as most of it has been with French companies, so not putting my address down might seem a little odd to them.

Also, at present my telephone number is obviously on my CV, and it is obvious it is a foreign number. I do have an English 0845 number that re directs to here, but is it wise to have this on a CV instead of my French number.

As a family we are looking to return to the UK in about 18months, and I really want to get my foot in the door in the UK workplace before that happens. Also it's flipping difficult to make a decent living here in France due to very high taxes and contributions.