Getting work in London, agency advice etc

Hen_Dawg · 7 Sep 2010 at 22:34

Hi,

I plan to move to London asap and would appreciate some advice.
The starting point for me is to register with some recruitment agencies so would like to know of some which are good and have provided jobs for people in something like my situation. Ideally full time but would do short term as well.

I currently work in Surrey for an insurance company as an account handler. It's not for me (it's insurance ffs!) and I want to get into the technology field. I've also got a languages and business degree.

Aged 28 I've yet to know what exactly I want to do but like many people on these forums I enjoy all things technological (computers, internet, audio, home cinema) and I work naturally with them. Helping develop a great new product or service would be a something I could see myself eventually doing but I'm still very vague.

I'm under no illusion that the job market is really hard so I'm willing to get anything but just want to be in the right type of company.

So, please recommend me some good agencies that specialise in all things tech. Any any other advice at all would be great. (I'm not looking for full on IT)

Thank you

Heliospherez · 7 Sep 2010 at 23:25

Few things to clear up first.

1.) At 28 - why are you only moving to London now ? Most people want to leave London before 35 because they have had enough of it.
2.) Do you feel your prospects are better ?
3.) Do you know the living costs and the agency fees for London ? If you have a monthly rent of £1000 - how does £20 an hour sound (with an agency taking £7 of that)
4.) Are you alone - or moving with someone ?
5.) Any preference (East/West - how far out - Underground access ? )

PapaLazaru · 7 Sep 2010 at 23:30

PASONIX said:
At 28 - why are you only moving to London now ? Most people want to leave London before 35 becasue they have had enough of it.

To be fair, I moved into London when I was 21 and moved out last year at the age of 33. I am really bored outside of the Big Smoke and looking for work back up there now.

Heliospherez · 7 Sep 2010 at 23:32

But why did you move out at 33 ?

You can earn £40,000 a year easily in London and still have no money for family holidays or freetime. It's OK for a single Man - but once a family comes - and a wife (that possibly earns very little or goes part-time ) - it's cutback times.

One of the main reasons most married 35+ move a good few miles outside the capital.

PapaLazaru · 7 Sep 2010 at 23:36

PASONIX said:
But why did you move out at 33 ?.

Moved out to set up a business with two partners. Had to walk away for numerous reasons. Been working in Reading but it is boring me. Life. In Reading.

*edit*

Sorry OP, gone a bit off track. You must be working for Allianz?

I am currently looking myself. I have been looking on Monster & Jobsite & Reed amongst others. They are all linked to agencies anyway and make it a breeze to apply.

alx · 8 Sep 2010 at 00:38

I found Goodmam Masson (www.goodmanmasson.com) recruitment agency to be pretty good, but they tend to deal with more finance based stuff, however they are worth a look.

Also get a LinkedIn account, it's a good way to make contacts but may take some time to get anything meaningful out of it.

Rroff · 8 Sep 2010 at 01:34

Moved to London 21-22ish and was fed up of it by the time I was 26 lol... don't get me wrong I love London but I'd rather be a visitor living there got a bit tedious.

Even more than anywhere else agencies in London treat you like a number, very impersonal, unless you have really desireable skills in an area thats much in demand and then you get the red carpet treatment. So be prepared to really push if you want them to do anything for you. You'd be better off looking for companies that deal in areas you have skills in and approaching them directly to see if they have work.

Hen_Dawg · 8 Sep 2010 at 11:02

PASONIX said:
Few things to clear up first.

1.) At 28 - why are you only moving to London now ? Most people want to leave London before 35 because they have had enough of it.
2.) Do you feel your prospects are better ?
3.) Do you know the living costs and the agency fees for London ? If you have a monthly rent of £1000 - how does £20 an hour sound (with an agency taking £7 of that)
4.) Are you alone - or moving with someone ?
5.) Any preference (East/West - how far out - Underground access ? )

Basically most of my friends are up there, and the woman I love. Plus I visit most weekends anyway as it is way more fun than where I live. I know there is moyer opportunity in some ways and less in others but I definitely want to live and work in London.
I'll be looking for a house share in South London.

PapaLazaru said:
Moved out to set up a business with two partners. Had to walk away for numerous reasons. Been working in Reading but it is boring me. Life. In Reading.

*edi

Sorry OP, gone a bit off track. You must be working for Allianz?

I am currently looking myself. I have been looking on Monster & Jobsite & Reed amongst others. They are all linked to agencies anyway and make it a breeze to apply.

I'd rather not say who I work for but not a bad guess. I'm signed up with reed and monster, just need to update my cv etc.

TMP · 8 Sep 2010 at 11:19

This thread may be use full regarding the living in south London;

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18181782

Clapham / Brixton would be the obvious choices.

Hen_Dawg · 9 Sep 2010 at 18:57

Thanks for the comments so far.

Rroff said:
Even more than anywhere else agencies in London treat you like a number, very impersonal, unless you have really desireable skills in an area thats much in demand and then you get the red carpet treatment. So be prepared to really push if you want them to do anything for you. You'd be better off looking for companies that deal in areas you have skills in and approaching them directly to see if they have work.

Yea, I am expecting that general agencies will be quite impersonal (and my skills aren't hugely in demand) which is why I'm after some help with who best to sign up to who may be more helpful. I plan to take a day within the next month to go into town and get my face in there.

sh4rk said:
I found Goodmam Masson (www.goodmanmasson.com) recruitment agency to be pretty good, but they tend to deal with more finance based stuff, however they are worth a look.

Also get a LinkedIn account, it's a good way to make contacts but may take some time to get anything meaningful out of it.

Thanks, I checked them out and does seem a bit heavily on the finance side. LinkedIn I will definietly check out propery as well.

TMP said:
This thread may be use full regarding the living in south London;

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18181782

Clapham / Brixton would be the obvious choices.

Balham is where my GF lives I need to be nearish that so thought about the Balham/Clapham/Tooting areas.

The housing bit doesn't worry me, it's just getting a job!