Moving back to the UK
I am currently based in the USA having been transferred here in 2001. I am now looking to move back to the UK and wondered what your experts might advise in terms of managing the job hunting process given that I am currently still in the USA. My main areas of experience are in the - pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical research, universities, hospitals and retail sectors. I am a CFIOSH, RSP and hold one of the two most recognised certifications in business continuity. In my case the US version. In my last position I was Director of Corporate Safety & Business Continuity for a national US retailer.
Shirley Parsons of Shirley Parsons Associates writes:
As someone returning to the UK you will need to re-establish old and forge new contacts to make people aware of your availability. Networking is the key to this and you should contact as many of your previous colleagues/friends/relatives etc as possible to let them know your plans. Nowadays most opportunities are advertised on the web, so keep your eyes peeled. Also remember to contact specialist recruitment companies; as well as being in touch with the market place, they may have confidential roles that can’t be advertised. Make it clear on your CV that, despite your recent work record, you are British and, therefore, have no visa issues. Also include your availability, preferred locations and whether you would consider an interim role. In the first instance it may be possible to arrange a telephone interview, but it’s also worth investigating video conferencing facilities in your area. Finally I would suggest allocating a couple of weeks to come over and fill it up with as many meetings and interviews as possible. This will involve considerable planning and commitment, but it will give you the momentum required.
Aine Flood, Senior Manager at Hays Health & Safety writes:
There is a shortage of senior applicants in this field and the demand for professionals with your experience is buoyant – there are always roles for specialists of your calibre. It is important to first determine your career objectives for your next role. You have a broad range of experience, but do you have a preference for the next sector you work in? Make sure you are clear about what you are trying to achieve with your career move. Next, you need to decide whether you will be able to take sufficient time off to job hunt in person. A trip to the UK would always be the preferred option so that you can meet with prospective employers. Not only does it give employers the chance to really gauge whether you are suitable for the position, but you also need to feel comfortable with the working environment and it will give you the opportunity to meet colleagues and get a feel for the office. A recruiter could help you to maximise your time in the UK by scheduling a series of interviews over a relatively short timeframe. If this is not an option and you cannot take the necessary time off, speak to your current employer to ascertain if you can transfer back with them, as they might even pay for your relocation costs. Another option if you want to pursue a career with a global company is to see if they are willing to carry out a first interview at their US offices, followed by a video interview with the UK. Employers are increasingly using video conferencing facilities to accommodate jobseekers who are looking to cross international boundaries, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Tom Primrose of Macdonald & Company Property Ltd writes:
Securing a position in a different country is always going to have its share of complications for obvious reasons. Essentially, if you are looking at obtaining a senior level position in the UK it is almost certain that you are going to have to attend at least one if not 2 or 3 interviews in person. There are several ways of organizing this which will minimize the obvious cost and effort involved with securing a position abroad. The first and most popular is to get in touch with a recruiter (if you are using one) and get them to declare your interest to several companies / opportunities. The recruiter should make the companies aware of your situation and ascertain how serious would they be in progressing your application. Once you are sure of their reciprocal interest you can book a chunk of leave with a view to interviewing at several places, in these cases it would be very wise to suggest a teleconference with each company first in order for both parties to get a preliminary understanding of each others terms and dynamics. This goes some way to assuring that traveling costs are only incurred if both parities hare on the same wavelength.
With regards to the cost of getting back to the UK, most companies will be reluctant to pay for a Trans-Atlantic flight for a potential candidate unless there is a better than average chance they are going to employ you so expect to fund the first one yourself. This is not always the case and will also be influenced by the strength of other candidates who have been short listed for the position but particularly in today’s economic climate, companies are looking to minimize expenditure. However, if a return visit is required then it is definitely worth asking if they would consider it.
With the advancement in technology, it is becoming increasingly popular to conduct meetings using video conferences – this is by far the most cost effective way of doing it but may not suit a large portion of employers. It is also worth remembering that it can be very tricky to perform under the pressure of a professional interview using this medium if you’re not use to it.
As with anything, the key to a smooth transition is good communication. Make sure everyone you are dealing with is very clear on your requirements and in turn, try and be as flexible as your circumstances will allow.
