Time to spread your wings and head for the UK?

Come on board with myOE and we can help you soar. Find out more about living and working in the United Kingdom.

Most people have very similar questions when considering relocating overseas - how do I find a job? How much can I expect to earn? And, where should I live?

But first things first - you will need to find our whether or not you will have the right to work. Unless you are lucky enough to hold a British passport or other EU status, your only other option will be to apply for a visa allowing you to work. See our section on Work Permits and Visas

Employment: What is the market like in the UK?

How long is it taking for people to get work from meeting agencies to getting started?

Anything from 2 weeks to 2 months depending on level and experience. The interview process itself may be more than one stage and last a week or longer. In our experience, those specialising in I.T are currently taking around 6 weeks to find their first contract in the UK, and those with skills in Finance, Accounting and Banking are currently taking around 8 weeks.

How is the current UK employment market?

Generally speaking, the market has slowed down significantly and clients are being more specific with regards to industry, background and systems knowledge. We are still finding however that if you have a good skills base, employment opportunities are still available in the UK. Good people will always find employment even in hard times.

The market is less candidate driven than it has been in recent years. Individuals who will to be flexible on factors such as rate, location, duration and sector are being placed more quickly than those who are very specific.

What is your forecast for the next 3 months and beyond?

Cautiously optimistic, but it is difficult to forecast given the state of the UK economy. We are hoping that the market will stabilise. Clients are still very much recruiting but the volumes have decreased and the process is longer.

How do I get a job?

When you sign on with myOE, we'll put you in touch with one of our UK Account Managers. The Account Manager will work with you and put you in touch with our recruitment partners, who help you to find the right job for your skill base.

Remember - be flexible on your first role, rate and location. You simply need to get a foot in the door. Local experience becomes invaluable when looking for better work opportunities.

How much can I earn?

In general, you will be likely to earn between 10% and 30% more (in Dollar terms) in the UK than in Australia. Many workers new to the UK panic at the low-looking salaries and contract rates, but when you convert the figures back to Aussie dollars, they even out and are often higher than expected. Keep in mind that pay rates in London tend to be higher than other cities and regions within the UK due to the higher cost of living there - factor that in if considering a position in the nation's capital.

Like anything, salary rates will vary according to your qualifications and experience. Here are some examples within certain industries in the UK:

• Basic pay for investment banking graduates varies from £28,000 to £35,000.
• IT Developers and Project Managers with a few years experience can expect to earn from £38,000 to £40,000 and up.
• A newly qualified Accountant (without Big 4 experience) an earn between £20.00p/hr - £25.00p/hr

The myOE team can pinpoint your salary expectations more accurately once you register and give us your details.

What is the cost of living like?

Many people are unpleasantly surprised at the cost of living in the UK. In a recent worldwide survey, London was ranked as the world's third most expensive city to live in. In contrast, Sydney, which is the highest Australian city on the list, came in at only 20th.

But all is not lost. Generally you are earning more money, so that balances out the cost of living. There are smart ways to save in the UK as well. The myOE accounting team can look after you and your earnings so that you get more in your back pocket.

Here are some examples of everyday prices in the UK. You can expect to pay about a third less if you are living outside of London.

For more info on the cost of living, check out Work Gateways or Expat Forum

What will I need to take with me to support my lifestyle?

As a general rule, we encourage people to bring sufficient funds to support yourself for up to two months while you search for employment. Many of the visa categories now have a maintenance requirement, which should give you a good idea about what you can expect to spend whilst waiting for the right job to come along in the UK, this should be between £1,600 - £2,800 UK Pounds.

Where in London should I live?

London is an endless series of interconnected neighborhoods and villages, each with its own distinct character. So choosing your location is very important.

If it's imperative that you live in the most central and fashionable districts of London, the neighborhoods of Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Notting Hill, Soho, and South Kensington are the places to start. If you're looking for more affordable (and less centrally located) housing but don't want to sacrifice atmosphere, check out Battersea, Bayswater, Clapham, Fulham, Islington, and Maida Vale.

Regardless of whether you are interested in renting or buying in the U.K., your first step in house hunting should be to contact an estate agent. With links to many estate agents and neighborhood descriptions Net Lettings is a great place to start.

Two invaluable resources for the London house-hunter are Where to Live in London and London Property Guide, which describe neighborhoods, price ranges, and the London housing market in general. Find them at major U.K. bookstores.

If you are considering living in an area outside of London, here is a link which shows the UK's 200 biggest cities.

Outside of London, we also have quite a few consultants working in these areas which you might want to consider:

Birmingham
Leeds
Glasgow
Sheffield
Bradford
Liverpool
Edinburgh
Manchester