Post: #1

After one of my plans to escape the US faltered, I am working on another plan to GTFO.

I need advice on the job market, particularly in Finance for London. What is the best way to conduct a job search (websites, recruiters), what are salaries like? How much are the taxes?

I have 5+ experience in Corp Finance, degree in Finance as well. I'm targeting relocation by Summer of 2014.

Post: #2

its good

just google finance jobs london, everyone uses these internet websites to recruit like cwjobs, totaljobs etc

Post: #3

Thanks, Bojangles

Post: #4

Relevant:
/thread-14282-...#pid235499

Post: #5

@BostonBMW - How are you planning to relocate to London? Do you have British or EU citizenship? If not, you'll have to find a US company willing to relocate you there. I used to work for a company where if I had stayed a little bit longer I would have gotten that opportunity (though I prefer living in the US).

But anyway, EU/UK strongly protects its domestic labor market. For a company there to hire you directly, you'd have to be so skilled that they can't find a person already there to do the job.

Post: #6

(09-20-2013 12:59 PM)Thomas the Rhymer Wrote:  Relevant:
/thread-14282-...#pid235499

The linked post is clutch. I'll give it a try before heading over there for a visit.

Post: #7

(09-20-2013 01:26 PM)Hencredible Casanova Wrote:  @BostonBMW - How are you planning to relocate to London? Do you have British or EU citizenship? If not, you'll have to find a US company willing to relocate you there. I used to work for a company where if I had stayed a little bit longer I would have gotten that opportunity (though I prefer living in the US).

But anyway, EU/UK strongly protects its domestic labor market. For a company there to hire you directly, you'd have to be so skilled that they can't find a person already there to do the job.

There in lies the problem: I only have US citizenship. You think I should go through a US company and try to relocate through them? How long did you work to get close to that opportunity?

I'm a finance guy, we're dime a dozen around the world, so my skills wouldn't necessarily be unique.

I'm trying to figure all the ways of leaving the US for the UK, so any advice would be appreciated. I have some time (Summer '14) and willing to put in the work to make it happen.

Post: #8

(09-22-2013 07:45 PM)BostonBMW Wrote:  

(09-20-2013 12:59 PM)Thomas the Rhymer Wrote:  Relevant:
/thread-14282-...#pid235499

The linked post is clutch. I'll give it a try before heading over there for a visit.

One caveat to that link however is that the poster who moved to London w/o a job - Laser - is from the UK according to his profile. In that case, the work restrictions that would apply to an American wouldn't apply to him.

Post: #9

(09-22-2013 07:49 PM)BostonBMW Wrote:  

(09-20-2013 01:26 PM)Hencredible Casanova Wrote:  @BostonBMW - How are you planning to relocate to London? Do you have British or EU citizenship? If not, you'll have to find a US company willing to relocate you there. I used to work for a company where if I had stayed a little bit longer I would have gotten that opportunity (though I prefer living in the US).

But anyway, EU/UK strongly protects its domestic labor market. For a company there to hire you directly, you'd have to be so skilled that they can't find a person already there to do the job.

There in lies the problem: I only have US citizenship. You think I should go through a US company and try to relocate through them? How long did you work to get close to that opportunity?

I'm a finance guy, we're dime a dozen around the world, so my skills wouldn't necessarily be unique.

I'm trying to figure all the ways of leaving the US for the UK, so any advice would be appreciated. I have some time (Summer '14) and willing to put in the work to make it happen.

Yeah. Going through a US company seems to be your only viable option. In my case, I would have been able to jump ship by the middle of my third year if I had stuck around.

If your finance skills are marketable enough to get recruited by a global firm based in the US (or at least one with a London office), that may be the best route. Start networking with HR or employees there using linkedin or biz forums, etc.

I knew one African chick who was a beast at Credit Suisse and the London office called the NY office and requested they send over one of their top analysts. She was selected and has been in the UK since.

Post: #10

It's good that you're in finance. London is obviously a global finance hub. The City of London has been competing fiercely with Wall Street to draw business using tax incentives and the like.

Great doc if you have some time to check it out.

Post: #11

you can have my job. Im plotting to leave here as fast as possible

Post: #12

London the new pussy paradise?

Post: #13

still financial capital of the world.

economy seems to be picking up and unemployment is falling.

loads of recruiters which specialise in finance. one called michael page got me my current job.

Post: #14

yeah even recruiting/headhunting is a huge industry there.

it's a good thing you have experience though. my buddy just got out of Oxford and got a job at FS in Credit Suisse - and lives w/ his mom still b/c can't afford own place on his salary. in fs at credit suisse. that's London rental prices for ya

Post: #15

You're either stuck going to a US company and applying for an intercompany transfer visa (which you can only get after working at the main company for 2 years) or going to a startup willing to bend the visa rules and ensure you get one. A Tier II General visa is very difficult to obtain, and the job must first pass something called the "Resident Labour Market Test" to ensure a native, or EU citizen, can't fill the role.

My suggestion: go to a startup. They're very flexible, and if you're talented, will make a huge effort to get you a visa. Some will offer to pay you off the books until the process runs its course. Recruiters/headhunters will also help, but it's a big industry, so try to find a good one.

Having a solid background and a track record of success in the US or elsewhere will do all the work. I thought moving to the UK would be impossible, but here I am, happy as can be, legal, and making a killing.