Hi all,
I am a software developer with 2-3 years of experience (full-stack), looking to get a job in the UK (specifically London). I will be eligible for the working holiday visa.
As the UK is opening up, I felt that this was a good time to get a role. The economy should be booming and work should be plentiful.
Would be good to hear from people who have moved to London, how they went about it and how they secured a role.
Thanks!
Wages in the UK from my experience are far less than those here in Australia.
I feel the OP is going to be trading down.
Especially when the WA economy is currently rated one of the best in the world.
Thanks for your comment. WA economy is mainly mining based. Industries outside mining get average wages.
At the moment with 2-3 years of Software Dev Exp, I am unable to break the 90K barrier. I know Sydney/Melb pays higher but I am comparing Perth to London in software dev.
I feel London has the edge in Overall opportunities and I get to exp new lifestyle.
Looking at job ads a lot at 400 pounds a day which would trash my AUD Salary.
Sydney is soooooooooooooooo boring.
Wholeheartedly disagree. Fantastic city with so much to explore and do and see and enjoy. It's subjective.
Okay. I was born here. I've seen it all and done it all. The beaches don't interest me anymore because they're filled with posers and people with cameras who like to ruin everyone's privacy and peace.
Bit hard to leave Australia at the moment unless you are a sports person or a millionaire or have compassionate reasons.
If you have a job offer you can
partner had offer for job in Canada
Aust government refused permission to depart
To run a seasonal bootcamp or full time offer for IT?
Unlikely OP will get a job offer while still in Australia with only 2-3 years experience. And even then, in the current climate of the government letting someone go overseas for a wedding and bringing back covid they'll be cracking down a lot more. A working holiday visa is saying "I want to go overseas on a holiday and might work a bit", no way it'd fly right now.
I wouldn't pick London for a working holiday right now anyway. Too expensive, a lot of people still working from home (and you won't be able to find a nice home environment to work from for cheap, or you'll be sitting alone in the office on a Friday).
I'd find a job in Australia that allows for 100% working from home and move somewhere on the coast for 12 months. Would be a much more pleasant time.
I am planning for 4-6 months from today when the UK Economy will open up. The UK is vaccinated even more than Australia.
I want to make the most of this - https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57008220
I will have my 2 doses of COVID vaccine this month so should be easy to travel for me.
I just want to experience a new lifestyle compared to Au. London would also have more job opportunities in my area
@Cynicaloflife: New lifestyle? Go for it, can't recommend it enough. More job opportunities? I wouldn't be so sure. Remember that the boom is coming after a bust, there are plenty of people out of work there looking to get back to it. Plus you're on a working holiday, why would they hire you over a local? International hires are a pain, international background checks are more expensive and take longer and there's always a feeling that your experience isn't up to 'local' standards. I'm sure you'll find work, but I wouldn't bet on it being easier than here.
I wouldn't bet on getting there this year either. Australia isn't going to just create vaccine passports and let you take off anywhere, there will be ever expanding bubbles and reasons for travel. From the people I've talked to (I know a few in govt bodies) the northern hemisphere will likely be off limits until 2022 unless the vaccine is incredibly successful globally. The government also doesn't want to let some people travel while others are still waiting to get vaccinated (it's a bit unfair that most under 40s will struggle to get a vaccine this year yet the oldies will be able to travel around).
Just making sure you're not setting yourself up for disappointment. On the plus side if it goes pear shaped you just come home again, nothing really lost while you're young, everything to be gained. But I'd start looking at job vacancies and maybe even talking to talent agencies soon about what they would want and whether they're seeing growth in the market, just to make sure.
@freefall101: London is the FinTech capital of the world and was just about overtaking New York in FinTech prior to Brexit. I have a FinTech background.
Australia is booming way more right now than pre-covid and I am hoping that UK does the same. The pent up savings should go a long way.
Yes, I agree why they would hire me over a local but I am keeping my fingers crossed for the June Trade Announcements which may abolish the visa restrictions and allow free movement of people. But that 2 year visa is heck of a lot better than nothing.
I will have my second dose of Pfizer in 2 weeks and so there should be no reason why I cant get out of the country.
I know LinkedIn and Glassdoor are good for job agencies. I am specifically looking for jobs at companies that can sponsor - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/…
Do you recommend any talent agencies? Would prefer if they hired Australians in the past.
@Cynicaloflife: How'd you score the first dose of Pfizer with a fintech background and out of uni? Unless you're 50 years old on graduation…
@freefall101: lols
that wasnt even a bust, the real bust is coming around the corner
all the CEOs are bailing, its a sign. look at bezos and gates
dont do it, its not like how it use to be
i know people out of work for months now, and the city is no longer recognisable due to mass influx of people
They call it Londonistan for a reason now
Londonistan
So? We call it Bankstown and I love Bankstown. All my habibs are there.
Son don't do it.
Stay in a shitty hostel or dos on a couch till you get a job then find rental/flat share after that. I went over twenty years ago and got a job before I went, mind you it was an it boom back then. 400 squid a day and 2.7 and to gbp… living like a king… kebabs, curries, ………. and pints every night
Gbp is so weak, and economy sucks so now it’s pointless from a financial perspective, and with COVID is it even possible. I’d stay in oz, the weather sucks too
Not withstanding the current situation, London is a fantastic city if you've got money … if not, it can absolutely horrible.
Most accurate answer
I loved living in London for a few years, but I also love living in Melbourne, for completely different reasons
London - Ultimate travel hub, really good night life and social scene (pubs are full any day of the week), big city feel that excites people. Fun place to do a few years for work.
Australia - infinite better quality of life, infinite better weather.
You'll probably end up coming back - but its a good place to experience.
In all the aussies of london pages on facebook etc you'll see a mass of aussies exiting the uk. Its not great over there atm. BUT if you do have a definite job lined up you may be able to make something good of it.
People are saying europe is "opening" again but i just dont buy it. Cases are still rampant around the globe and theres a few mutations floating around. I have a cousin in germany and they arent close to reopening
I think your cousin is a little misinformed: for example:
https://www.stern.de/gesundheit/coronavirus--hamburg-legt-oe…
https://www.haufe.de/amp/recht/weitere-rechtsgebiete/strafre…
Wait a while.
Just curious, but can one undertake work like this on a WHV? It used to be that any whiff of career pursuit could see you turned around at Heathrow.
Whilst that didn't specifically happen to me, it did to a friend though, the company I worked for panicked when they realised I was on a WHV and transitioned me to a 1 year "training" visa when they couldn't secure a proper working visa for me (even after advertising unsuccessfully through the EU for candidates).
London is very dangerous and a miserable place on the whole. Anything that isn't tied down or actually held on by you will be stolen.. and even if you have something in your hands it might be yanked away by a gang of moped or bicycle thieves. And if you get into an argument with the wrong person you could end up stabbed with a knife.
So now that you know to be hyper aware of your surroundings anywhere in London, especially alone, there are some positives. It's a place where being single and 30-something is very normal. Lovely architecture and historical buildings. Great cycle paths especially along canals (but avoid busy roads lest a lorry wipes you out when turning).
Tip #1: get a National Insurance number as soon as you can, it is like a Tax File Number in Australia.
Tip #2: get a bank account. You will play chicken and egg with getting some proof of address, everyone will want it but getting it in the first place is ridiculously difficult.
Tip #3: find a doctor on the NHS. You will probably have to register with a GP that is actually taking new patients. But in London expect that you'll have to wait 2-4 weeks for an appointment when you do need a doctor. Fun fact, if you're ill and need medical assistance you're best off visiting a walk-in clinic at a hospital (different to ER which is for emergencies) because you've got no hope of being seen quickly by a GP. Medical in London is very very poor, much worse than Australia.
Once you get your NI number, a bank account, and registered with GP things will be a lot easier.
Finally tip #4: get a good coat. Winters are cold. If you have only lived in the likes of Sydney or Brisbane you really won't be prepared for the cold. A good coat makes a lot of difference.
Have any software developers/IT Professionals from Australia with similar experience to myself migrated to London? It would be grateful if you could share your story or message with any tips on how to go about it. Ideally I would like to secure a role before I move over.
I know many have messaged to avoid it but its an opportunity for me to experience a new culture/lifestyle and more job opportunities in my domain. I would like to make the most of it whilst I still have the opportunity present.
I will also be waiting till June when they announce the new UK-Australia FTA . Hopefully they might abolish the visa required to work in the UK.
whilst I still have the opportunity
Why do you think you only have an opportunity now? If you wait longer, you'll have more years of experience = easier time getting a job, and covid will be over. Now is the worst time you could choose.
The visa is valid for people under 30 and I am slowly creeping up to that age :/
Similar to how Australia now has a labour shortage, UK should be the same - https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/business-57…
Highest economic growth since WW2.
looks like youre in luck - theyve signed the FTA
Wow, you are very optimistic. The Federal Govt has said Australian international borders will be shut well into 2022. I think you will have a lot of trouble finding a job not being on the ground especially given your lack of experience, let alone getting out of Oz.
The competition with 2-3 years experience is going to be nothing like you've experienced here in Australia. The UK and Ireland have gone through a recession 12 years ago. When the economy was getting a flogging, the majority of skilled workers were constantly looking to enhance their skillset as the competition for employment escalated. Work ethic has changed, people work harder than ever as you don't have the luxury to move around as freely as you do in Australia.
From a cost of living perspective, London is on par if not more expensive as living in Sydney CBD and your wages will be lower. Also note there is no superannuation, you have to pay from your gross wage into a pension.
Living in that side of the world for 30 years, I can tell you that you work for 48 weeks of the year to get a few weeks holiday in the sun, something you won't see much of for 6 months of the year.
Saying all that, I would still go for the experience, especially if the company is going to sponsor you and provides sufficient perks to assist you with the transition.
I actually prefer cold and wet weather and dislike the sun. I avoid going out in the sun when the temp is > 25 degrees.
Any chance I could message you regarding a few specific questions?
Happy to answer any questions you have mate.
You messaging is turned off
What do people think of this plan in 6-9 months time? The world should be a bit more normal right?
Also, what's view on the job market. Seems like good time to find roles in Australia lately due to closed borders. Would it be a hot market in London?
London job market right now is bleak, i know people out of work since the pandemic began til now.
Way too much competition over there, willing to work for peanuts too.
Is that for IT?
See this - https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57008220.amp
I am happy to take a pay cut too haha. I need a new change in life.
In 2-3 weeks, Boris should announce a new trade deal which should bring about increased mobility hopefully.
I went in 2008… guess that was too long ago?
The UK seems to be roaring back - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-18/u-k-labor…
When the WA borders open, a flight to London is certain.
Moved FROM London to Sydney. Never going back. So much happier here in every single aspect of life.
You're clearly not following the situation closely enough. The economy is absolutely terrible and only going to get worse.
Never let someone stand in front of your dreams but I would not recommend it.