Publishing industry jobs and work permits?

[surgam]

Hi, all --

I'm a US citizen currently in Melbourne, Australia, getting a Masters degree in Editing at a publishing program here. My main ambition when the course is done (December 2006) is to move to the UK and look for some sort of editorial or production job in the publishing industry there, preferably consumer/trade publishing (but I'll take what I can get, naturally).

I looked into the HSMP, but it doesn't seem that I have enough points (my income for the past year has been effectively zero since I've been a full-time student, and I don't have quite enough years of work experience, nor am I an eminent figure in my field, etc.) So I consulted with a solicitor in London this past June (I visited on holiday), who explained to me the procedure for applying for the work permit if I found a job.

I know that I'm definitely qualified for a position of some sort in the industry: I've a broad range of strong skills, a few years' experience in NYC and two master's degrees, including one specifically in the field. The work permit question is my main issue. I reckon I don't have a chance of finding a job unless I'm actually there (for interviews, etc.), so I figured my best bet was to just fly to London in 2007, find the cheapest (ha) place to live that I can, and spend the next 6 months looking for a job, whilst living off my savings.

The problem is, I have no idea how willing employers are to sponsor people for work permits, in the publishing industry or otherwise. Would anyone here mind telling me about their experience with getting a work permit in the UK? Is it something that employers are willing to do? Are they willing to pay for some or all of the cost, or does that usually fall to the employee?

Before I decide to pack everything up and leave Australia (which would mean never being able to come back), I'd really like to know whether I have any chance at all, or if it's just a fool's errand. Any input, thoughts, advice, etc. would be really and truly appreciated.

Many thanks,

-- Alison

P.S. I also contacted one publishing recruiting agency, but they told me that they could only register individuals who already had Home Office permission to work. Does anyone know if that's true for all recruitment agencies, or if any others might take me on?

[sweetpea35]

Hi Alison,

I was able to secure a work permit in publishing in the UK, however, it was very difficult. I am also a US citizen, with a Masters and 3 years of book publishing experience at a senior level in a narrow field. I had gone to the Bologna Book Fair with a previous employer, and met as many UK publishers as possible. I emailed everyone I met asking if they knew of anyone in search of an editor. Two people said yes, and I flew to London to interview. One job was not willing to pay for the work permit or the salary range I was accustomed to. The other job, which I accepted, paid for my permit because it is a senior role, but contractually I will pay part of it back if I leave before 24 months. It's a bit like indentured servitude.

So it IS possible, but very difficult. It took me about 9 months from starting to contact people to actually arriving in London. It has cost me a good amount of money, with the interview flight, arrival flight and now with paying the work permit fees back. Unfortunately, I am leaving my employer. I'm not one to give up, and I want to stay in London, but I need to leave the job.

My advice is, if you have connections or a way to meet people in person, it's the best way to secure a job. It's very rare to find a publishing job that an employer is willing to sponsor a work permit for. I can say in hindsight that perhaps someone willing to sponsor a work permit may be because the job or the employer is difficult. Also, the pay in the UK for publishing jobs seems even less generous than the expected salaries for publishing in the US. So if you are living in London, you'll need a job that pays you enough to manage the high cost of living.

I hope that helps. Good luck!

[surgam]

Hi, Sweetpea. Thanks for taking the time to respond; I appreciate it. That's pretty much what I figured, and I don't think I'd be anywhere near as attractive to employers as you were (as I'm not eligible for senior positions yet). I'm exploring other options now, but thanks again. --A.