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got married, first flr(m) and brp, life in the UK has started!

Discussion in 'Life in the UK' started by missQT, Oct 20, 2016.

  1. missQT
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    missQT Member

    Hello BFers!

    Got married on 8th Oct, it was a simple wedding, just a few guests, mostly my husband's relatives and only my mum from my side. :D Paul wore a Barong Tagalog I bought from Philippines. All our guests were amazed at it, they like the design on it and kept asking what it is made of.
    Applied my first flr in Sheffield Premium Centre on 17th Oct, indeed the flr is much easier than fiancee visa. The visa centre was busy that day, the UKVI must be earning a lot from 500 quid per applicant :geek:
    I received my BRP yesterday, now reading how to apply for NI number. Should I call the number in gov.uk to book an appointment or just go to the nearest jobcentre? Which is easier?
    Now I'm starting to do job searching and quite nervous about it, dont know if it's gonna be easy and will the employers notice my CV and give a chance even without UK experience. I worked in Singapore for 8 years as Analytical Chemist, i was lucky that I immediately got hired in Singapore when I was still starting there so crossing my fingers it would be the same here in UK. What's the most reliable jobsites here in UK? Please share any job hunting tips. :)
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  2. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Call the number on the NI website as they only have certain jobcentres that deal with new NI applicants. It may be that you will have to go out of your area a little to attend one of these jobcentres, in my wife's case it was about 12 miles away.

    Some good job sites are below;

    Indeed jobs, Jobsite, CV Library and Fish4Jobs.

    Submit your CV to the above sites and see if you get any feedback, remember that you do not have to state your age, sex and nationality on your CV.

    There are a few girls looking for work on the forum, maybe you can swap ideas @firew0myn @Dav3&Ai5a

    Good luck:)
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  3. missQT
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    missQT Member

    Thank you Timmers, will try to post my CV in those jobsites. :)
    Just wondering, if I want to pursue postgraduate degree, am I considered a UK paying student or still I need to pay international student rate? Big difference in tuition fees.
  4. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I have no idea, you would have to make enquiry's.

    I wouldn't have thought that you fall into the international student category as you are now resident in the UK.
  5. firew0myn
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    firew0myn Active Member

    Hi @missQT! @Timmers is right, you need to start posting your CV on the job sites he provided. I submitted mine in the following: Monster, Reed, Indeed, Douglas Jackson, and Cactus Search. The last two are specific to call centre executive jobs so might not be applicable to you. My guess is you already have a cv but my recommendation is for you to submit it to websites who review it for free. This is important because the format they use in the UK is not the same as how we would normally do it in the Philippines. These websites will critique your CV and provide feedback on how you can improve it. They offer services but you don't need to avail them. I submitted mine in several websites to get as much critique as I can. Here are the websites that I used:

    https://www.cvcentre.co.uk/freecvreview.htm
    https://www.thefullercv.com/
    https://www.cvnow.co.uk/
    http://www.thecvstore.net/Free-CV-Review.php

    Be very patient! Don't expect every company you apply to to reach out to you for any type of feedback. This is very frustrating but it is what it is. I always provide feedback to people who apply to jobs I post but because of the bulk of applications that some companies get, they may not have the luxury of time to do this. And also, they use headhunters and recruitment agencies. Speaking of headhunters, find one that specialize on your field of work and reach out to them. They can definitely help you land at least interviews. I was contacted by several but one decided to really help me network myself.

    You might also want to look at taking short courses to get additional skills and certification. All of our qualifications were gained from the Philippines and most of the companies are looking for UK qualifications.

    So good luck and hopefully we get to land our dream jobs soon!
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  6. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I couldn't agree more that you have to be patient, its important to remember two things, number one, its difficult for a British person to secure a job and number two, you are lucky in the respect that you have the support of your husbands, its not like you need a job to put food on the table like a lot of people, so relax and take your time in seeking the job that it right for you. Once you have found that lucrative job it is then you will be able to progress within that company.

    Its really all about getting yourself in front of that person who can offer you that first job.
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2016
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  7. Dav3&Ai5a
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    Dav3&Ai5a Active Member

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  8. firew0myn
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    firew0myn Active Member

    And if we think of something else or try anything, we will definitely share. I think it also helps you know someone who is on the same boat as you may need to rant at times lol diba @Dav3&Ai5a? :lol::lol::lol:
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  9. Dav3&Ai5a
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    Dav3&Ai5a Active Member

    Lol... Completely agree!:lol:
  10. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Worth mentioning too that applying for short term contract work may be an option, my wife was offered 6 months work via an agency (good money too), the term was extended twice before the company she was temping for offered her a full time position. My wife works in HR for a huge company (32,000 people) and she is always delighted to tell me when a Filipino has been successful in their job application usually for a very good job too :)

    Its all about getting one foot in the door I cant emphasise that enough.

    Personally I am confident that you girls will find a suitable job in time, patience is key as already said.
  11. missQT
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    missQT Member

    @firew0myn , thanks for those websites, i definitely need to have my CV checked to suit the UK format.

    I have not started yet but this job searching is really overwhelming, i'm thinking if i want to try any part time jobs to keep me occupied, i'm not choosy and i think it's a good opportunity to get used to the English accent :lol:. I hear different accents here in Yorkshire and i'm struggling, specially when they speak so fast :eek:

    @Dav3&Ai5a , saw your posts about apprenticeship, may I ask which uni will give free orientation about it?

    Thanks to all for the great tips, keep it coming. :)
  12. firew0myn
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    firew0myn Active Member

    You're welcome, @missQT! Or you can also volunteer for a charity org. I am volunteering for Macmillan and it is a great way to meet people and keep yourself occupied.
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  13. Dav3&Ai5a
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    Dav3&Ai5a Active Member

    @missQT.. Was invited to LJMU. They ended up telling me I'm overqualified for the programme. As expected. lol. You'd be the same. Good luck with the job hunt.
  14. joi1991
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    joi1991 Well-Known Member Trusted Member

  15. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    I think this is absolutely the right thing to do while you are looking for a suitable position.
    My wife started in a hotel on a housekeeping job mainly because it's local and we live in a small village.2 weeks ago the receptionist/ hotel clerk left and my wife has been interviewed for the position.
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  16. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    As I've said before, its all about getting your foot in the door, once you're in more opportunities arise.

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