This one line sums up my story.
I came to London in mid Feb 2009 from New Zealand. Before coming I had done my extensive research about what will be my plan of action from the time I arrive at Heathrow. When in my home country I had contacted people using the gumtree dot com website for my accommodation. So, I had a place to go to straight from the airport.
Websites like Google maps can help you heaps in finding your way in unknown cities. And London specific websites like www.tfl.gov.uk helped me with the exact tube routes to my destination in London.
I started to pay 500 pcm (per calendar month) as rent (incl. all bills and Internet) + food + travel. My place is located in Zone 2. I agree, 500pcm is a figure at the higher end if compared with other accommodation options - but I did not want to compromise on my standard of living and also wanted to stay as close to the city as possible.
First week - My daily routine was to apply for as many jobs as I possibly could using websites like monster, reed, jobserve, etc. My first week of application highlighted a few drawbacks with my cv which I later corrected based on feedback from this forum and a couple of other agents I was speaking to.
Second week - My newly created CV was out in the market and I noticed the increased number of responses from agents. I use to get an average of 2 genuine calls per day in the second week. The agents use to phone me and talk to me about the role and then upon my approval forward my cv to clients.
Third week - I actually followed-up (phone) with agents who called me in the second week and had put forward my cvs to clients. Most of them told me that my cv was either not short-listed at the client end or the client has a lengthy process to short-list cvs which will take some more time.
I also kept on applying for other new jobs as soon as they got listed on various jobsites.
Fourth week - Three agents call me to tell me that my cv has been short-listed by their clients and they'd like me to do a phone interview first. I then managed to clear the phone interview with two clients. The thrid client asked me to do a psychometric test of which the results were pleasing. In the same week I attended face to face interviews with two clients.
Fifth week - (Monday) In my inbox I get an offer with a contract from one of the interviews I did in week four. I was happy to see the offer - my joy knew no bounds! Then I followed-up with the other two agents and told them that I already have an offer and would like to see what their clients can offer - to be able to make an informed decision.
(Monday - afternoon) The agents sensed that they're going to loose me as a potential candidate who can win them their bread. They rushed things with their clients and by the same evening one of the agent fixed me up for a second-round (HR) of interview for Wednesday (same week). Similar was the case with the third client - I got an interview call within the same week.
As I already had an offer with me, I asked the other agents upfront - Can your client beat the package that I have already been offered? If yes, then I will go ahead with the second round of interviews. Otherwise - let us not waste anyone's time. Unfortunately, they couldn't offer me a better package.
Sixth week - My first day at work.
My profile: 5 years of IT Infrastructure Support experience with Messaging, Portal/Appn Servers, Business Intelligence. I also hold half-a-dozen industry certifications in the technologies/products I work with.
Tourist: In my first few weeks - I use to transform into a tourist by evenings. I can say I have seen all attractions in the central city of London in the last month. My routine was simple - Apply for jobs during business hours and become a tourist after 5pm and weekends. This kept me motivated and also kept my life exciting during my period of uncertainty.
What's your valid question???? What r you try to show????