Anybody worked or working in London?

[MichaelW]

Hi all,

I was just thinking the other day, that there might be some real money to be made by doing a stint of work in London in a senior position. I'm already an executive in a manufacturing company and an ex-Management Consultant, so thought my skill set should be portable. I've worked in the UK in the past on an ancestry visa and liked it at the time.

So, anyone out there who can help me find a job? i.e. What agency links have you got for me, or specific contacts that have worked for you?

I'd like a job paying circa 100,000pds pa and London based. Thought I'd see what was out there and then make a decision.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Cheers,
Michael.

 

[gman]

hi

you can try searching or asking on the lonelyplanet website,

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/categories.cfm?catid=30

one agency in the uk is www.reed.co.uk

good luck

 

[MichaelW]

gman,

Many thanks. I googled and came up with that reed website. It seems pretty good. I did a search on my field and sent the CV in for one job just to test the waters a bit.

Thanks!

Michael.

 

[alexlee]

Here are a couple that I've used in the past:

www.michaelpage.co.uk

www.robertwalters.co.uk

www.goodmanmasson.co.uk

www.martinwardanderson.co.uk

Regards
Alex

 

[xena]

For anyone moving to London, for a fee these people will help you set up there:

www.1stcontact.co.uk

I have dual citizenship with both Oz and UK so have no need for their services, but a few of my friends have used this site.

The rules on banking/tax/leasing a flat are a bit different to here, takes a bit of getting used to.

Good luck!

Xena

 

[tonyd]

By some strange twist of fate, I'm also looking for some info about living in London.

Am I right in thinking that the cost of living in London is effectively the same as Sydney, but in pounds rather than dollars?
i.e. £100k in London will give you the same lifestyle as $100k in Sydney?

Some great URLs posted.

I looked briefly at the 1stcontact site.
They claim a 2 page CV is preferred in the UK!
4pt font?

cheers, Tony

 

[alexlee]

By some strange twist of fate, I'm also looking for some info about living in London.

Am I right in thinking that the cost of living in London is effectively the same as Sydney, but in pounds rather than dollars?
i.e. £100k in London will give you the same lifestyle as $100k in Sydney?

Some great URLs posted.

I looked briefly at the 1stcontact site.
They claim a 2 page CV is preferred in the UK!
4pt font?

cheers, Tony

For a CV, the shorter the better. Just be brief. I can get away with 2 pages and I had 4 jobs over 8 years the last time I wrote a CV (last year). The idea is, you elaborate on your job in the interview. No manager ever wants to read 6 page CVs.

As an example: A Maccas meal costs around £4 ($10), a plate of pasta at a normal restaurant is about £8 ($20). Pint of beer at a normal pub = £3 ($7.50). Cocktail = £6+ ($15+). Transport is more expensive (weekly travelcard - bus and tube - £22 or $55) and rent and utilities / council taxes are pretty pricey.

If you make $100k in Sydney I doubt you'll make £100k in London, though.

If you're going to work on a contract, 1st Contact is good for tax solutions up to about £50k in yearly pay. After that, there are better ways of structuring your tax.
Alex

 

[stretchy]

If you're going to work on a contract, 1st Contact is good for tax solutions up to about £50k in yearly pay. After that, there are better ways of structuring your tax.
Alex

And what would they be?

Those IT contracts in london look mighty tempting, specially if I could get rid of giving a fat chuck to the tax man. I could pay the mortgage off in a couple years if I send the $$$ back home

 

[alexlee]

I talked to a group called DMS Solutions. Sounded good, but I haven't used them so I can't guarantee anything. Didn't end up using them as I took a permanent job so I can't structure my tax (5 weeks annual leave, though).
Alex

 

[tonyd]

I talked to a group called DMS Solutions.

These guys I assume...
http://www.dms-london.co.uk/

Interesting reading.
Thanks Alex. I have a better idea of the cost of living now.
I'm looking at a Quant position which is a career change for me.

Beer is cheap!

cheers, Tony

 

[sue78]

GBP100k is a lot. Executive salary is considered to be about 45k +

I temped as an Executive Assistant for a high ranking government official who reported directly to a Minister and he was only on about $60 k p.a

I also did a stint at an IT company and even the secretaries there get paid so much more. Average wage was about 50k but senior consultants could earn up to 150k.

My friend (only 23 y.o at the time) is a Project Manager specialising in Peoplesoft. She gave up her AUD$100k per year job to do work working holiday in the UK. Took her about a mth to find a job. Had a phone interview at 8am and hired on the spot, working for a company in germany. Her package was car, salary of 550 pound a day and 100 pound a day for expenses!

She's such a stinge though!! stayed with me for over a mth and I had to share my bed with her, didn't help me out with the rent and bought me a cheap dinner when she left. I paid 100 quid a week for a tiny room in zone 1 Euston (best location although next door was a brothel, downstairs was a convenience store, next door to the brothel was a bakery and on the corner was the Pub, The Rocket....lovely! Oh and when I went to Amsterdam for a holiday and expected to stay at hers, she told me she was busy that weekend!

 

[MichaelW]

GBP100k is a lot. Executive salary is considered to be about 45k +

That executive salary seems a little light on IMHO. I've already sent the CV over now for a management consulting role paying between GBP80K and GBP100K so we'll see what comes of it. The agency seemed pretty impressed and sent the CV up the line to the client.

BTW, that "friend"of yours is about as tight as I've ever heard of. I tell you what, if I get the job in London then you're welcome to come stay with me any time you like. But, if its a small flat then you might be sleeping on the lounge...

Cheers,
Michael.

 

[alexlee]

That executive salary seems a little light on IMHO. I've already sent the CV over now for a management consulting role paying between GBP80K and GBP100K so we'll see what comes of it. The agency seemed pretty impressed and sent the CV up the line to the client.

Agencies are ALWAYS excited about your CV. The pound signs are flashing in their eyes. Wait until you do some interviews in London before you get too excited. I have to say £80 - £100 IS pretty high. Anyone making £100k in London would expect $150k base + in Sydney.

Michael, can I ask how old you are and how many years experience you have? Because I'm thinking from my level and you may be much higher up the food chain.
Alex

 

[MichaelW]

Alex,

I'm 35 and have 15 years experience in IT and Supply Chain Management. I've already done 5 years as a senior Management Consultant in Australia and am currently an executive for a manufacturing firm on an AUD $140K package. Nothing special, but maybe London really is calling!

Cheers buddy,
Michael.

 

[alexlee]

I'm 35 and have 15 years experience in IT and Supply Chain Management. I've already done 5 years as a senior Management Consultant in Australia and am currently an executive for a manufacturing firm on an AUD $140K package. Nothing special, but maybe London really is calling!

Well, in your case £80 - £100k is certainly achievable. Jobs at my level (8 years post grad, investment bank accountant) only pay about £60k perm and maybe £350 a day contract. My equivalent in Sydney would be about $100 - 110k package + bonus.

The thing about London is that because there are lots more big companies there are more mid to high level jobs. In my case, for example, there might be 10 investment banks in Sydney that has my sort of job, but there would be 100 in London. Of course, there are 10 times more candidates too so it evens out.

I have to say, on balance between income, tax and living expenses, Tokyo is actually better than London! Of course, in London you get the European travel.
Alex

 

[sue78]

oops, I meant Munich! Amsterdam's in Holland.

Cheers Michael! my husband's Brit so we just stay with his family. Will probably go and show off the baby later this year.

goodluck with your job hunting

 

[MichaelW]

Of course, in London you get the European travel.

Alex,

You read my mind! This is a key reason why we're looking to relocate for a while. Of course, the extra dosh won't go to waste either if we can afford to not spend it all.

Cheers mate,
Michael.

 

[Stewie]

Check out the following website for the 2005 Cost of Living Study; http://www.finfacts.com/costofliving.htm

Taken from the website;

2005
Rank City
1 Tokyo, Japan
2 Osaka, Japan
3 London, United Kingdom
4 Moscow, Russia
5 Seoul, South Korea
6 Geneva, Switzerland
7 Zurich, Switzerland
8 Copenhagen, Denmark
9 Hong Kong, Hong Kong
10 Oslo, Norway
11 Milan, Italy
12 Paris, France
13 New York City, United States
13 Dublin, Ireland
15 St. Petersburg, Russia
16 Vienna, Austria
17 Rome, Italy
18 Stockholm, Sweden
19 Beijing, China
20 Sydney, Australia

The website also contains a comparison in price of everyday items, which will help you get a feel for the cost of things in London compared to Sydney and elsewhere.

BTW will PM you later as I too am into SCM and am looking to move on from my current employer - I would like to chat to you about opportunities in Oz. I also have a POC in London that may be interested in your CV - no promises though!

 

[grubar30]

Alex,

I'm 35 and have 15 years experience in IT and Supply Chain Management. I've already done 5 years as a senior Management Consultant in Australia and am currently an executive for a manufacturing firm on an AUD $140K package. Nothing special, but maybe London really is calling!

Cheers buddy,
Michael.

That's some solid stats mate...good luck with it all.

 

[MichaelW]

That's some solid stats mate...good luck with it all.

George,

Nothing special really... Just a bit of good luck, backed by a decent education and a driving will to succeed. I'm a passionate kinda guy and always push myself way outside my comfort zone. That's the only way to grow right!

Accept no compromise!!



Michael.