[thelist] Working in Europe

[Steve Cook]

Having moved from the UK to Sweden 3 years ago my main piece of advice would
be: DEFINITELY arrange your job and preferably your accomodation BEFORE you
move out.

When I moved, I had a place to stay, but no job. I assumed that it would be
pretty straightforward to get one and as it turned out I was lucky and
managed to land one fairly quickly, but even then it surprised me how long
it took (4 months). With the current economic climate I would suggest that
it is even more important than ever to arrange everything up front. Be
prepared to visit a few times before you move, you can book a whole set of
interviews within the same 2-3 day period, travel out and do your interviews
then travel home again.

If you don't know the language, then I would recommend starting an evening
class while you're still in the UK, or alternatively aim for
British/American companies who use British as their company language. Here
in Sweden it's very common for Brits to work at Volvo for a few years and
still not be able to speak any Swedish (lazy blighters!).

Look into the requirements for living in the country. Despite the EU
arrangement, many countries still have requirements that you be registered
as resident in the country for tax purposes etc. In Sweden I had trouble
getting a residents permit until I was employed full time.

I can't help with agencies or anything I'm afraid, but I hope this general
advice is of some help. Moving country is intensely exciting / stressful /
fulfilling / irritating / mindopening! In my case I would say it's probably
the best thing I've ever done, though I've spoken with people who've been
utterly miserable as well!

Good luck!
(BTW, I don't think this is particularly offtopic! People move country to
pursue other job choices. Seems like quite a good subject to me ;-)


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> -----Original Message-----
> From: Graham Bird [mailto:gbird at cambridge.org]
> Sent: den 25 februari 2002 10:21
> To: thelist at lists.evolt.org
> Subject: [thelist] Working in Europe
>
>
> Hi,
>
> I know this is off topic but...I work in the UK and I am
> looking for new
> work in mainland Europe (preferably Holland) - does anyone
> have any advice
> on making this sort of move (e.g. handy contacts, agencies, etc.).
>
> Cheers,
>
> Graham Bird