Post
by mulderpf » Mon May 16, 2011 1:40 pm
If it gives you any hope, I made it VERY clear on my CV that I was only in the UK from 2 March onwards. I gave my number before 2 March and my number after 2 March (I bought a pack where they give you a SIM card and give you a number) and the agents were very comfortable with that.
I had a definite interview lined up before I got here and another agent had waited until 2 March to phone me and arrange for an interview the very next day after my arrival.
I probably had contact with about 10 or so agents before even arriving in the UK, although some of them just tried to rip me off with ridiculous salary offers (and then going as far as saying that I don't know the market here and best I take whatever I can get). Overall though, they were all very comfortable with the fact that I wasn't in the country yet - most of them pretty much just treated me as if I was on holiday and would only be able to make certain dates.
It is a great idea to ensure that you have some interviews lined up, but maybe just test the waters to see how things work out before trying the more expensive option of getting a UK Skype number.
It's just my opinion and to be honest, if I could do it all again, I wouldn't even have put my CV up until I actually arrived here. As much as you want to lure agents in phoning you, it ends up being a huge hassle trying to setup interviews from the other side of the world (especially if you don't know where you will be staying or how long it will take to travel from A to B). In fact, the interview I set up while I was still back home, ended up being a 2.5 hour commute across London which I had to do two days in a row while having another interview in Central London.
I'm just saying...rather bring the money you would have used for a divert over to give yourself extra time to look for a job.
Really just my opinion and completely based on my personal experience...your's might be completely different...
