Yet another marriage Q

[maryashley]

I apologize for what is likely a very repetitive question; reading back entries and tagged entires has not answered my specific questions. It may be too late for the following consideration, but ya'll appear to be some of the most helpful help I could ask for and have been so in the past

Comments

[anerise]

read this (pdf) leaflet: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/residency/publicfunds.pdf... )

FYI

[raketje]

(financial help from family/friends is no longer allowed.)

I used my mom as a partial sponsor when I got my marriage visa 10 days ago, and they accepted it.

Re: FYI

[anerise]

ah, the key there is *partial*. If the ECO thinks that you are solely relying on third party support (ie, no income at all, no savings, dirt poor but you have a letter from Mum & Dad), then that's where problems arise. If the ECO doesn't think that you are necessarily relying on third party support in order to survive, then your application may well get approved. Sorry that I didn't make that distinction :)

[maryashley]

That leaflet was extremely helpful. I still want to contact immigration to be sure of this - getting married then trying to trot off to the UK only to find out it won't work, so instead of being 3,300 miles away from my boyfrined, I'd be 3,300 miles away from my husband, sounds pretty shit - but that really answered my question.

[caramel_betty]

Also, do I really have any hope of finding employment, minimum wage or elsewise, in the UK, as an American? Is there any way I can search prior to venturing over there? I of course have searched the traditional online outlets (monster.co.uk; journalism.co.uk; etc) but virtually all of those jobs are geared towards professions; which I am not, yet.Assuming you have a visa that lets you work (and others know far more about that than me), yes. Most of the places putting things into the big online job engines are usually looking for something more than minimum wage, however

[maryashley]

That helps a lot. What, would you say, are the characteristic differences of a C.V. and the American resume? I'll have a look at a few C.V.'s again to see what's different; just curious.

[caramel_betty]

When short (1-2 pages), there's not a great deal of difference. You don't usually want to go over 2 pages for a simple job application. Also, there are very few hard and fast rules - most suggestions can be bent to meet the needs of a particular person

[beatlescowgirl]

This forum talks about CVs: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?board=63.0

Also, I just saw that you added me so I added you back; sorry for the delay! :b

[ocicat_bengals]

I found work within two weeks and I'm old as dirt. There are plenty of temp agencies out there who will refer non-professionals. You'll find a job. Student funding is a loan, although its a bit tricky what the government defines it as. If he has no income other than this, its going to be hard to prove he can support you because most students can barely survive on the little they are loaned themselves without a job. It really makes it stressful for those applying. I was a wreck, so good luck and fingers crossed. Another problem I might see in your future is if you do decide to live abroad after he graduates, or whatever, it affects your visa status. Every time I come back to the UK, they question how long I've been out for. I think the maximum is two years.

[raketje]

On both my student visa and my marriage visa, I've had agencies falling over themselves to get me work. I've never had a dull moment, even just temping. I'm currently attempting to find a permanent job instead of doing loads of temp stuff, but it's taking longer cos I'm being picky. I want the right job, in the right area, with the right pay if I'm going to be in it for a while.

Either way, as an American, I've had no problem finding work. But 9 times out of 10 it will be easier to get something through an agency. Besides, you'll make more money.

[maryashley]

Is there any place I can go to get more info about these agencies? Do I just walk into them? Do they have websites? Typing in "temping agencies" to a search tends to bring up more Monster-esque sites, and I doubt I'll be developing any web developer skills in the next three months. :}

I'm very nervous about just heading over there blindly with some cash in my pocket and being like, "hey! American wanting a job!" - feels like it could go belly up pretty fast, hah.

[raketje]

Try Adecco firstly. There is probably also a Reid and possibly and Office Angels. I'm not sure what agencies are in that area. But if you look on those offices main sites, it'd probably be a good starting point.

[bloodofareptile]

I'm very nervous about just heading over there blindly with some cash in my pocket and being like, "hey! American wanting a job!" - feels like it could go belly up pretty fast, hah.

I did just that! It worked fine for me.

The three I have dealt with are Reed, Adecco, and Office Angels.

From a worker point of view, I have used Reed and Adecco. Reed was a lot slicker in general, but Adecco was head and shoulders above in finding me jobs. I got my first job through them within like two days of signing up.

From a hiring point of view, I use Reed and Office Angels. Reed seem equally disinterested from the other side of the fence. Office Angels are a bit bizarre - they come around and bring me presents and food (bribes!) quite often, but don't pay the staff I get through them anywhere near as much as the other agencies pay theirs.

[shoreview3]

Just out of curiosity, which university do you plan to attend?

I came to Newcastle last September to get my MA from Newcastle University. I immediately started looking for a job. As an American, I was curious as to the response I would get from employers. I managed to land a job through the university job shop (a great resource if you are a student there), though my other applications never got any response.

I think finding a temp agency would be very beneficial for you. Also, it's a matter of being persistent. I was told by someone who lives here that it is best to phone up an employer after you submit a cv, not only to make them aware of your application but also to explain that you have a work visa so there are no misunderstandings or assumptions made simply because you are from out of the country.

There are TONS of shops, pubs, and restaurants in the city. If you really want to find a job, you will! =) Good luck!

[maryashley]

I was accepted conditionally (~ whether or not I finished my bachelor's this semester, which I will) to Northumbria, but really looking at the degree plan there, it doesn't look like something worth the extremely high debt it's going to acrue. Journalism masters are notoriously worth very little in the 'States, at least. A more specific American masters' program has presented itself which can be at least partially completed on-line, therefore I'd be paying in-state tuition and living and working abroad.

How do I find a temp agency? As I said in an earlier response, can't seem to find much on the 'net but maybe I'm not using the proper phrasing or something. Do I just stroll in once I live there, hand over a CV, and smile and wait for a job? Sounds way too easy!

[shoreview3]

I understand your frustration. Uni here is VERY costly!! I am getting a creative writing degree and have found both here and in the states that it is nearly impossible to find a job that involves "writing". It's almost necessary to get a "regular" job...while you keep looking for a job that will actually use the skills you have earned