Be persistent, even if it seems like you are making 50 phone calls
Looking to land a job in the UK's computing sector? Here's how to get started.
If you want to work in IT in London, don't expect to register with a few recruitment agencies then sit around and wait for the phone to ring. Chances are, it won't.
Mark Cox, a senior consultant in the IT section of recruitment firm Hays, says in terms of career opportunities and earning potential, working in IT in the UK offers much more than the IT industries in Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.
But unlike sectors such as accountancy and finance, which are candidate-driven, IT jobs over here aren't going to come to you — you're going to have to go out and get them.
Getting a job in IT
London's IT industry is both enormous and ultra-competitive.
"The rates are good and you can earn really good money, but you have to be proactive," says Cox. "We probably have about 30 or 40 applicants per job.
"If you've just arrived in Blighty, Cox suggests registering with at least five recruitment agencies and calling one of them each day.
"Be persistent, even if it seems like you are making 50 phone calls, because you need to keep in touch with the marketplace," he says.
If you’re already in a job and want to move on, Cox says who you know can be just as important as your skills and experience.
"Network and keep in touch with people you have worked for," he says. But when it comes to landing a job, candidates from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa do have an advantage as employers know their communication skills will be good, he says.
Cox says another factor in your favour is that there are often other Antipodeans and South Africans in the company who have set a good example before you.
Contract or permanent?
If you are on the working holiday visa, you'll most likely only be offered contract work, says Cox. That means you will be earning a higher hourly or daily rate than those in permanent roles, but you won't be paid for bank holidays, annual leave or sick leave.
Contract work can also mean that your employer might only have to give you one week's notice that you're no longer needed, but in turn you’ll be able to let your boss know with only short notice if you want to leave.
If you are on a British passport, a Tier 1 visa (formerly known as the highly skilled migrant visa), or an ancestry visa, permanent jobs will be open to you. Unfortunately, it's unusual for companies to sponsor IT staff for work permits, says Cox.
It's more common for IT staff to go for a Tier 1 visa. If you're qualified in IT, you'll most likely be eligible to get one.
In demand
If you don't already work in IT, you might wish you did when you get a load of these pay packets.
Having the skills listed below will mean you're pretty set for work (and bucket loads of cash) in the UK. C# (a programming language): C# development skills are most in demand, says Cox. "If you have that, you'll be looking at £300-450 per day."
- Dot Net developers: Contract work will get you £300-400/day, Cox says.
- IT Support (1st line of contact): £10-15 per hour.
- IT Support (2nd line): £15-20 per hour.
- IT Support (3rd line): £20-30 per hour.
- Network consultants: £25-40 per hour — more if you have a particular expertise.
- Access programmers (with VBA knowledge): £450-550 per day.
Top tips
Be aware that the 'credit crunch' that's making headlines at the moment may have an impact on your job prospects, especially if you want to work in IT in the finance sector.
Most contractors get paid through an umbrella company or a limited company — which means you'll get even more money as you pay tax at a lower rate.
