Cobalt news
Relocating to the UK?
Contracts Team
17/09/2006
What can you expect from the UK property market?
Candidates with surveying or planning experience from overseas have proved a huge hit with UKproperty employers with more and more being sought on a temporary, contract and permanent basis. All sectors of the property industry are currently recruiting including chartered surveying practices, local authorities, government bodies, development companies, and fund managers and are keen to utilise your experience. If you have at least one year’s experience in a property related field, be it property management, residential or commercial valuations, Landlord and Tenant, property administration, development, or planning then chances are, we’ve got a job waiting for you! Membership of a professional body such as the API or NZPI would be beneficial, but is by no means essential to securing good employment in the UK. A willingness to learn the dynamics of the London and UK markets, along with increasing exposure to European sectors will put you in a very strong position.
What do you need to do now?
In order to take advantage of the buoyant market, preparation before your arrival is the key! Obviously, you will need a full and up to date CV – this should include as much detail as possible about the extent and type of property experience you have, such as the type of portfolio and level of involvement. You also need to arrange a valid visa – we recommend taking advice on this although the most common one is the 2 year working holiday visa (WHV) which would allow us to find you work for a maximum of 52 weeks within this period. There is also a Highly Skilled Migrant Visa which you may be eligible for dependant on your skills and age. This would enable you to continue working on the basis that you provide highly sought after skills to the market place. There is also an ancestry visa which you may be entitled to. This is even better and would allow you to work for a longer period of time, normally 4 years. Finally, there is always the possibility of being sponsored by an employer although this is more likely to occur following a period of temporary work.
Once you have got this information together, contact our contracts team AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and let them know your plans for arriving in the UK – even if it is in a few months time, pre-registration with us will enable us to advise on the level and type of roles available, the current job market and possibly even arrange interviews for you on your arrival!
So, what’s it like?
Case Study: Real Estate
Sarah, 33, arrived in the UK in summer 2000 with an Associate Diploma in Real Estate and 7 years experience in commercial property in Australia. She commenced her employment in the UK with a national private practice as a commercial property manager on a three-month trouble-shooting role. This enabled her to gain experience in UK L&T law, which she did with assistance from the partner and team. Although UK law is very different from that in Australia, the information was readily available and easy to pick up. With this invaluable experience under her belt, Sarah was then able to undertake a more senior position within an international practice’s retail department dealing with some of the most prestigious UK shopping centres and precincts. She continues to work on an interim and contract basis in order to get a variety of positions, coupled with time off to explore the UK and Europe. Of her experience over here she comments that she has been “spoilt for choice for opportunities in London, as the market is so much bigger than back home and there is no danger of becoming pigeon-holed in terms of your experience”.
Case Study: Town Planning
John, 32, arrived in the UK in summer 2003 with an Bachelor of Applied Science in Planning and 6 years experience as a town planner in Australia. He commenced his employment in the UK as a senior planner within a greater London Borough council on an eighth month-role. This enabled him to gain experience of the planning UK legislative system, within an area team. Although UK planning is slightly different from that in Australia, the information & training was readily available and easy to pick up. With this invaluable experience under his belt, John was then able to undertake a more complex position within a major applications team dealing with Large residential developments & complex s106 negotiations. He continues to work on an interim and contract basis in order to generate different project & planning experience, coupled with time off to explore the UK and Europe. From his experience over here he comments “I have experienced excellent opportunities in London. The regeneration & work available is so varied and larger scale than back home, so there is no danger of not progressing. The career prospects are huge - London is the place to be if you are a planner”.
Need more information?
For further information on any aspect of seeking property employment in the UK, please contact our contracts team at contracts@cobaltrecruitment.com or on +44 207 808 3300, who will be pleased to answer your questions.