UK Graphic Designer (print) considering working in SG

[andyisavinit]

Hi everyone. Very good forum this, full of opinion and advise. I would like to here what people on here think about my plans.

It's early days really as I'm yet to apply for work. I'm very experienced and consider myself a talented designer/creative artworker. I've been very successfully freelancing in London and the South East, England for 3 years. (got my own ltd co.) and have a good cv. As I'm in and around london, the pay is good, about £250 per day. But I'll have to go back to full-time if I do want to work in sg, and realise that salaries won't match what I'm on here.

I've got a family, wife and two kids (kids 4 and 2) that will need supporting in Singapore. We're considering the move because of the cycle of life (rut), that we're in in the UK; commute, work, commute, weekend (rain), commute etc... We want to be a bit adventurous and live overseas for a few years while the kids are at a good age to do so. I don't own a house here in the UK or have any ties really.

Anyone a graphic designer? Or know people working in ad/design agencies. Would be good to here there thoughts about the industry there, as my research shows that the industry is quite vibrant. But not sure about expat opportunities and how easy/hard they are to come by. ie how strong is the local talent?

Obviously there are loads of aspects to relocating a family; but my thoughts are first to get my cv out there hope for some interviews and everything will stem from there, especially if I get an offer. Any good recruitment agencies that specialise in design/creative people? I've found talent2, the talent business and aquent.

What could a senior designer realistically expect as a salary?

Oh and visa's...from what I have read, if I wanted to come over for say 2 weeks for interviews (if I manage to secure a interview), am I right in thinking that just with a UK passport I could enter the country to look for work as long as I don't work. So no need for any visa?

Any advise and thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers

Andy

[andyisavinit]

To answer my own question about salaries - 2-3k per month - 4k if I'm lucky?

After a bit of research that seems about right, and renting a 2 bed apartment/flat is about 2-3k also. Hmm not adding up well so far. I need to do more research.

[ceej1979]

Hi everyone. Very good forum this, full of opinion and advise. I would like to here what people on here think about my plans.

It's early days really as I'm yet to apply for work. I'm very experienced and consider myself a talented designer/creative artworker. I've been very successfully freelancing in London and the South East, England for 3 years. (got my own ltd co.) and have a good cv. As I'm in and around london, the pay is good, about £250 per day. But I'll have to go back to full-time if I do want to work in sg, and realise that salaries won't match what I'm on here.

I've got a family, wife and two kids (kids 4 and 2) that will need supporting in Singapore. We're considering the move because of the cycle of life (rut), that we're in in the UK; commute, work, commute, weekend (rain), commute etc... We want to be a bit adventurous and live overseas for a few years while the kids are at a good age to do so. I don't own a house here in the UK or have any ties really.

Anyone a graphic designer? Or know people working in ad/design agencies. Would be good to here there thoughts about the industry there, as my research shows that the industry is quite vibrant. But not sure about expat opportunities and how easy/hard they are to come by. ie how strong is the local talent?

Obviously there are loads of aspects to relocating a family; but my thoughts are first to get my cv out there hope for some interviews and everything will stem from there, especially if I get an offer. Any good recruitment agencies that specialise in design/creative people? I've found talent2, the talent business and aquent.

What could a senior designer realistically expect as a salary?

Oh and visa's...from what I have read, if I wanted to come over for say 2 weeks for interviews (if I manage to secure a interview), am I right in thinking that just with a UK passport I could enter the country to look for work as long as I don't work. So no need for any visa?

Any advise and thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers

Andy

There are a lot of big design companies in SIngapore. It's a very competitive industry. Just because of how many new enterprised pop in Singapore every single year.

Seriously, the city skyline changes every six months.......

I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing. As I have friends in the industry who are expats. But at the same time it's also a vibrant local market, and lots of local grads are increasingly going for this kind of thing.

My friend got a very high paid design/graphic design job when he moved out, for a company called Peco/Pico? design. Can't remember the spelling.
They hire expats.

However, he did move out 5 years ago, when the industry was a bit younger, so I have no idea how it has changed since then

[ceej1979]

To answer my own question about salaries - 2-3k per month - 4k if I'm lucky?

After a bit of research that seems about right, and renting a 2 bed apartment/flat is about 2-3k also. Hmm not adding up well so far. I need to do more research.

As for salaries, not to get your hopes up, but your probably way off with your estimates

2-3'000 a month is what they would probably pay a local graphic designer straight out of University.

My friend's a senior designer and earns over $8000 a month. However, he is pretty succesful and established in Singapore, and this has been built up over 5 years.

Either way, if you were taking even a mid level design role, I'd say you'd be looking at least 3500-$4000 a month. You may be looking at $5000+ for anything remotely senior.

[andyisavinit]

Thanks ceej. Good to here that, that's a bit more encouraging. I was starting to think that the whole idea was a non-starter. I'd class myself as high-middle/senior here in UK.

I've just finished my cv/resume so will contact the recruitment agencies, hopefully get some interest and I suppose only then will I find out what people are prepared to pay for me.

Don't suppose your mate would be willing to chat with me via email? Just so I could get a bit of a feel for the kind of sg creative design working life and culture. A bit cheeky I know, so no offense taken if you'd rather not ask.

Another thing:- Unless I had a very specialised skill and was in very short supply, are the days gone of doing deals with companies for say helping with schooling fees, flights back home and airconditioning bills. I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself but my dad used to work in borneo for shell back in the mid 80's and he keeps going on about such extras.

[ceej1979]

Thanks ceej. Good to here that, that's a bit more encouraging. I was starting to think that the whole idea was a non-starter. I'd class myself as high-middle/senior here in UK.

I've just finished my cv/resume so will contact the recruitment agencies, hopefully get some interest and I suppose only then will I find out what people are prepared to pay for me.

Don't suppose your mate would be willing to chat with me via email? Just so I could get a bit of a feel for the kind of sg creative design working life and culture. A bit cheeky I know, so no offense taken if you'd rather not ask.

Another thing:- Unless I had a very specialised skill and was in very short supply, are the days gone of doing deals with companies for say helping with schooling fees, flights back home and airconditioning bills. I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself but my dad used to work in borneo for shell back in the mid 80's and he keeps going on about such extras.

Hi Andy

I'm actually in the middle of the recruitment process myself (well I have a job already, I'm just waiting on the visa decision) so I know what it's like.

I actually went into it thinking the same sort of thing to be honest. Basically, that it would be a nice sort of idea, but I wasn't putting up much hope of getting anything! But the job market was a bit better than I thought in the end.

This time last year it was terrible apparently, with the recession. But I think it's starting to pick up again this quarter (well according to my sister in law) so it may be a good time to look into it. Well a better time!

It's actually my cousin who's the designer. Just typed friend out of habit! Meant cousin. He went out there as basically a graduate - well he had maybe 1-2 years experience.

He did very well out there. He's a senior designer these days I think. And has bounced about a few different companies in the last few years. Although, bizarrely, he's now back at the very first company who brought him out!

I can certainly send him your e-mail. I don't want to give his out, as I'm not sure he'd want me to - and I'm relying on him a lot when I move out, so don't want to get in his bad books! But he may well drop you a line when he has some time.

I can probably give you some information though, as he generally never shuts up about it all!

As I said, Singapore is in a real sort of capitalis boom at the minute. Seriously, has to be seen to be believed. Just none stop progression, new business, new buildings and growth it seems. Think sort of Dubai. A tiny place with big ideas.

So there is a lot of business in design over there it seems.

The impression I get, from what he has told me is that there are a lot of pretty big design companies over there, all in huge competition with each other. Sort of a real battle for business.

It's very aggresive over there. Almost cut throat. All the companies vying for the same deals.

Not sure how it's like in the UK, but it seems to me that every deal they go for is a huge battle with rival companies. He's constantly doing presentations, and sales pitches to try and get business.

Sounds a bit Gordon Gekko! But a lot of the design is real big corporate deals it seems. Well, for the big companies. He's been doing a lot of work for LG, Sony, Tiger Beer and things like that.

So, I'm not convinced they really do "small" or "medium" design companies over there! Almost certainly not. It's such an aggresive capatalist market that the giants seem to just dominate it.

It is more corporate than the UK I think. Just big designers working with big companies.

Working culture - as it sounds, it's more conservative, and probably high pressure over there. Bosses, and clients in general seem to be much more demanding than in the west.

They don't suffer fools gladly, and you sort of live and die by results and performance.

At the same time though, this culture in general brings a much higher quality of life than in the UK, I've found, in my past trips over there.

You work hard. But the lifestyle is probably worth it all in all. It's a very beautiful, clean, safe place. No crime whatsoever really (seriously, you could walk around for a week, and not even see anyone littering), the food is amazing, and it's surrounded by tropical beaches and resorts. The kind of places considered luxury trips in the UK, are pretty affordable if you are based over there - Bali, Indonesian Islands, and places like that.

So it's probably a bit more demanding. But the lifestyle rewards are really worth it.

Salary - as I said, $2500-3000 a month is really sort of "local new grad" territory in regards to salary. I'd imagine if you did get a job you could be looking for possibly double that. I'm not an expert on design salaries, but I know it's a good wage out there. As I said, my cousin is on closer to $8k I think.

Extras - think you have it right. Probably depends how much they want you! I tried to get flight allowance, rental allowance, with my job offer, and didn't get anywhere! - but that's more than likely just the fact that I'm not hugely experienced, and was actually rather surprised to even get an offer!

But a lot of people on here basically say that's it's not out of the ordinary to get travel and accomodation allowance, as well as other things.

I think it's a case of whether they are treating you as an expat, and they are bringing you over specifically as they really want you. Or they are just a company who fancy giving an eager person a break, and give you a job with them. I was kind of the latter!

Applying - yeah, agencies is a good idea. I would really recommend going directly to the companies as well though. I just spent a lot of time e-mailing their HR departments, and telling them my circumstances, and what I was hoping to do, and enquiring whether they could offer me any opportunities that way.

You have to remember that they are a country of negociators/barterers! They really like the person-person stuff, and really value good networking and discussion. You may well impress them more by going to them personally - as in e-mailing HR or something, than just sending CVs into agencies.

This is the company my cousin works for by the way. He works with a lot of other expats there. As you can see, they currently have 2'500 staff, so it's what I kind of said - just monster companies, all batling each other. Very corporate!

http://www.picoworld.com/eng/index.php

[amarettoSour]

i work at one of the creative agencies here in Singapore. can't help you with salary estimates (I don't know either, i'm new to the industry), but here's what I did last year when applying from overseas: get your portfolio online if you haven't already as they rarely read CV/resumes, make sure a google search of your name will pop up favorable results, and find a way to contact the creative directors directly (their emails are usually easy to guess).

don't worry about whether they have an opening or not. it seems that they rarely post vacancies online anyway, without first utilizing internal reference and networks (for example during the couple months that i've been with agencies i've gotten office emails asking if we know someone who might be a good fit for a recently vacant position).

I got a couple interviews with the more well known agencies and eventually got my job last year despite the economy being slow and all, and despite me not having any previous agency experience.

[ceej1979]

i work at one of the creative agencies here in Singapore. can't help you with salary estimates (I don't know either, i'm new to the industry), but here's what I did last year when applying from overseas: get your portfolio online if you haven't already as they rarely read CV/resumes, make sure a google search of your name will pop up favorable results, and find a way to contact the creative directors directly (their emails are usually easy to guess).

don't worry about whether they have an opening or not. it seems that they rarely post vacancies online anyway, without first utilizing internal reference and networks (for example during the couple months that i've been with agencies i've gotten office emails asking if we know someone who might be a good fit for a recently vacant position).

I got a couple interviews with the more well known agencies and eventually got my job last year despite the economy being slow and all, and despite me not having any previous agency experience.

I agree 100% I got next to nowhere through agencies. It's actually a bit of a hassle for agencies to recruit globally, so if they can find a reason to throw your CV in the bin, they will. You could get the same applying for any job in the traditional way - it's expensive, and time consuming for companies to bring in expats.

As I said,I got my offer from simply approaching the people directly, and talking to them about what I was looking for, and what I could do for the company.

The job I got offered wasn't even available, or being advertised. They just seemingly liked me so much, through our chats, that they wanted to find something for me within the company. And it went from there.

They of course hire people through the normal avenues. But I'd really suggest trying to e-mail them directly - maybe start the coversation by just approaching them and simply asking for advice on the market? and then go from there?

Either that, or get into a bit of networking. Not sure if design has sort of business forums, and things like that, but I'd definitely get involved if it does.

I'd apply by traditional routes AND by trying to get a bit of chat/banter going with people already working in the company. HR people, managers, and people like that.

As an example, I sent my CV to an agency, and they told me that I wouldn't be considered for the job I wanted, because of my location and experience.

I approached the same company myself a month later, and got an offer within 5 weeks of dialogue, without even interviewing.

[ceej1979]

Thanks ceej. Good to here that, that's a bit more encouraging. I was starting to think that the whole idea was a non-starter. I'd class myself as high-middle/senior here in UK.

I've just finished my cv/resume so will contact the recruitment agencies, hopefully get some interest and I suppose only then will I find out what people are prepared to pay for me.

Don't suppose your mate would be willing to chat with me via email? Just so I could get a bit of a feel for the kind of sg creative design working life and culture. A bit cheeky I know, so no offense taken if you'd rather not ask.

Another thing:- Unless I had a very specialised skill and was in very short supply, are the days gone of doing deals with companies for say helping with schooling fees, flights back home and airconditioning bills. I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself but my dad used to work in borneo for shell back in the mid 80's and he keeps going on about such extras.

You have to remember how agencies think. They have a date they have to get a person into a job by, on many roles.

Hiring you - by the time you've organised a way to interview, and organised your move - you could be looking at 6-8 months from applying to actually starting.

As stated, reccomend going the agency route. But also try and go for jobs that don't actually exist.

As in approaching companies, and just discussing yourself, and your desire to work over there.

You may have better luck, by the fact that, if they like you, they may well just create a job for you to take

[snehmv]

i work at one of the creative agencies here in Singapore. can't help you with salary estimates (I don't know either, i'm new to the industry), but here's what I did last year when applying from overseas: get your portfolio online if you haven't already as they rarely read CV/resumes, make sure a google search of your name will pop up favorable results, and find a way to contact the creative directors directly (their emails are usually easy to guess).

don't worry about whether they have an opening or not. it seems that they rarely post vacancies online anyway, without first utilizing internal reference and networks (for example during the couple months that i've been with agencies i've gotten office emails asking if we know someone who might be a good fit for a recently vacant position).

I got a couple interviews with the more well known agencies and eventually got my job last year despite the economy being slow and all, and despite me not having any previous agency experience.

Hi,
I am a Graphic Designer recently relocated from India, I have been applying for jobs online and have hardly got calls from any of the design firms. Do you have any contacts where you can help me out as it has been quite some time now. my email id : snehmv@gmail.com
Online portfolio : www.snehamlounge.com these are few of my works. It would be really great if you can help me out with something......

[snehmv]

Thanks ceej. Good to here that, that's a bit more encouraging. I was starting to think that the whole idea was a non-starter. I'd class myself as high-middle/senior here in UK.

I've just finished my cv/resume so will contact the recruitment agencies, hopefully get some interest and I suppose only then will I find out what people are prepared to pay for me.

Don't suppose your mate would be willing to chat with me via email? Just so I could get a bit of a feel for the kind of sg creative design working life and culture. A bit cheeky I know, so no offense taken if you'd rather not ask.

Another thing:- Unless I had a very specialised skill and was in very short supply, are the days gone of doing deals with companies for say helping with schooling fees, flights back home and airconditioning bills. I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself but my dad used to work in borneo for shell back in the mid 80's and he keeps going on about such extras.

Hi Andy

I'm actually in the middle of the recruitment process myself (well I have a job already, I'm just waiting on the visa decision) so I know what it's like.

I actually went into it thinking the same sort of thing to be honest. Basically, that it would be a nice sort of idea, but I wasn't putting up much hope of getting anything! But the job market was a bit better than I thought in the end.

This time last year it was terrible apparently, with the recession. But I think it's starting to pick up again this quarter (well according to my sister in law) so it may be a good time to look into it. Well a better time!

It's actually my cousin who's the designer. Just typed friend out of habit! Meant cousin. He went out there as basically a graduate - well he had maybe 1-2 years experience.

He did very well out there. He's a senior designer these days I think. And has bounced about a few different companies in the last few years. Although, bizarrely, he's now back at the very first company who brought him out!

I can certainly send him your e-mail. I don't want to give his out, as I'm not sure he'd want me to - and I'm relying on him a lot when I move out, so don't want to get in his bad books! But he may well drop you a line when he has some time.

I can probably give you some information though, as he generally never shuts up about it all!

As I said, Singapore is in a real sort of capitalis boom at the minute. Seriously, has to be seen to be believed. Just none stop progression, new business, new buildings and growth it seems. Think sort of Dubai. A tiny place with big ideas.

So there is a lot of business in design over there it seems.

The impression I get, from what he has told me is that there are a lot of pretty big design companies over there, all in huge competition with each other. Sort of a real battle for business.

It's very aggresive over there. Almost cut throat. All the companies vying for the same deals.

Not sure how it's like in the UK, but it seems to me that every deal they go for is a huge battle with rival companies. He's constantly doing presentations, and sales pitches to try and get business.

Sounds a bit Gordon Gekko! But a lot of the design is real big corporate deals it seems. Well, for the big companies. He's been doing a lot of work for LG, Sony, Tiger Beer and things like that.

So, I'm not convinced they really do "small" or "medium" design companies over there! Almost certainly not. It's such an aggresive capatalist market that the giants seem to just dominate it.

It is more corporate than the UK I think. Just big designers working with big companies.

Working culture - as it sounds, it's more conservative, and probably high pressure over there. Bosses, and clients in general seem to be much more demanding than in the west.

They don't suffer fools gladly, and you sort of live and die by results and performance.

At the same time though, this culture in general brings a much higher quality of life than in the UK, I've found, in my past trips over there.

You work hard. But the lifestyle is probably worth it all in all. It's a very beautiful, clean, safe place. No crime whatsoever really (seriously, you could walk around for a week, and not even see anyone littering), the food is amazing, and it's surrounded by tropical beaches and resorts. The kind of places considered luxury trips in the UK, are pretty affordable if you are based over there - Bali, Indonesian Islands, and places like that.

So it's probably a bit more demanding. But the lifestyle rewards are really worth it.

Salary - as I said, $2500-3000 a month is really sort of "local new grad" territory in regards to salary. I'd imagine if you did get a job you could be looking for possibly double that. I'm not an expert on design salaries, but I know it's a good wage out there. As I said, my cousin is on closer to $8k I think.

Extras - think you have it right. Probably depends how much they want you! I tried to get flight allowance, rental allowance, with my job offer, and didn't get anywhere! - but that's more than likely just the fact that I'm not hugely experienced, and was actually rather surprised to even get an offer!

But a lot of people on here basically say that's it's not out of the ordinary to get travel and accomodation allowance, as well as other things.

I think it's a case of whether they are treating you as an expat, and they are bringing you over specifically as they really want you. Or they are just a company who fancy giving an eager person a break, and give you a job with them. I was kind of the latter!

Applying - yeah, agencies is a good idea. I would really recommend going directly to the companies as well though. I just spent a lot of time e-mailing their HR departments, and telling them my circumstances, and what I was hoping to do, and enquiring whether they could offer me any opportunities that way.

You have to remember that they are a country of negociators/barterers! They really like the person-person stuff, and really value good networking and discussion. You may well impress them more by going to them personally - as in e-mailing HR or something, than just sending CVs into agencies.

This is the company my cousin works for by the way. He works with a lot of other expats there. As you can see, they currently have 2'500 staff, so it's what I kind of said - just monster companies, all batling each other. Very corporate!

http://www.picoworld.com/eng/index.php

Thanks for the information about Picoworld website i have applied to them online. fingers crossed....... please let me know if you have any other contacts for GRaphic Design...

[snehmv]

Thanks ceej. Good to here that, that's a bit more encouraging. I was starting to think that the whole idea was a non-starter. I'd class myself as high-middle/senior here in UK.

I've just finished my cv/resume so will contact the recruitment agencies, hopefully get some interest and I suppose only then will I find out what people are prepared to pay for me.

Don't suppose your mate would be willing to chat with me via email? Just so I could get a bit of a feel for the kind of sg creative design working life and culture. A bit cheeky I know, so no offense taken if you'd rather not ask.

Another thing:- Unless I had a very specialised skill and was in very short supply, are the days gone of doing deals with companies for say helping with schooling fees, flights back home and airconditioning bills. I know I'm getting a bit ahead of myself but my dad used to work in borneo for shell back in the mid 80's and he keeps going on about such extras.

Hi Andy

I'm actually in the middle of the recruitment process myself (well I have a job already, I'm just waiting on the visa decision) so I know what it's like.

I actually went into it thinking the same sort of thing to be honest. Basically, that it would be a nice sort of idea, but I wasn't putting up much hope of getting anything! But the job market was a bit better than I thought in the end.

This time last year it was terrible apparently, with the recession. But I think it's starting to pick up again this quarter (well according to my sister in law) so it may be a good time to look into it. Well a better time!

It's actually my cousin who's the designer. Just typed friend out of habit! Meant cousin. He went out there as basically a graduate - well he had maybe 1-2 years experience.

He did very well out there. He's a senior designer these days I think. And has bounced about a few different companies in the last few years. Although, bizarrely, he's now back at the very first company who brought him out!

I can certainly send him your e-mail. I don't want to give his out, as I'm not sure he'd want me to - and I'm relying on him a lot when I move out, so don't want to get in his bad books! But he may well drop you a line when he has some time.

I can probably give you some information though, as he generally never shuts up about it all!

As I said, Singapore is in a real sort of capitalis boom at the minute. Seriously, has to be seen to be believed. Just none stop progression, new business, new buildings and growth it seems. Think sort of Dubai. A tiny place with big ideas.

So there is a lot of business in design over there it seems.

The impression I get, from what he has told me is that there are a lot of pretty big design companies over there, all in huge competition with each other. Sort of a real battle for business.

It's very aggresive over there. Almost cut throat. All the companies vying for the same deals.

Not sure how it's like in the UK, but it seems to me that every deal they go for is a huge battle with rival companies. He's constantly doing presentations, and sales pitches to try and get business.

Sounds a bit Gordon Gekko! But a lot of the design is real big corporate deals it seems. Well, for the big companies. He's been doing a lot of work for LG, Sony, Tiger Beer and things like that.

So, I'm not convinced they really do "small" or "medium" design companies over there! Almost certainly not. It's such an aggresive capatalist market that the giants seem to just dominate it.

It is more corporate than the UK I think. Just big designers working with big companies.

Working culture - as it sounds, it's more conservative, and probably high pressure over there. Bosses, and clients in general seem to be much more demanding than in the west.

They don't suffer fools gladly, and you sort of live and die by results and performance.

At the same time though, this culture in general brings a much higher quality of life than in the UK, I've found, in my past trips over there.

You work hard. But the lifestyle is probably worth it all in all. It's a very beautiful, clean, safe place. No crime whatsoever really (seriously, you could walk around for a week, and not even see anyone littering), the food is amazing, and it's surrounded by tropical beaches and resorts. The kind of places considered luxury trips in the UK, are pretty affordable if you are based over there - Bali, Indonesian Islands, and places like that.

So it's probably a bit more demanding. But the lifestyle rewards are really worth it.

Salary - as I said, $2500-3000 a month is really sort of "local new grad" territory in regards to salary. I'd imagine if you did get a job you could be looking for possibly double that. I'm not an expert on design salaries, but I know it's a good wage out there. As I said, my cousin is on closer to $8k I think.

Extras - think you have it right. Probably depends how much they want you! I tried to get flight allowance, rental allowance, with my job offer, and didn't get anywhere! - but that's more than likely just the fact that I'm not hugely experienced, and was actually rather surprised to even get an offer!

But a lot of people on here basically say that's it's not out of the ordinary to get travel and accomodation allowance, as well as other things.

I think it's a case of whether they are treating you as an expat, and they are bringing you over specifically as they really want you. Or they are just a company who fancy giving an eager person a break, and give you a job with them. I was kind of the latter!

Applying - yeah, agencies is a good idea. I would really recommend going directly to the companies as well though. I just spent a lot of time e-mailing their HR departments, and telling them my circumstances, and what I was hoping to do, and enquiring whether they could offer me any opportunities that way.

You have to remember that they are a country of negociators/barterers! They really like the person-person stuff, and really value good networking and discussion. You may well impress them more by going to them personally - as in e-mailing HR or something, than just sending CVs into agencies.

This is the company my cousin works for by the way. He works with a lot of other expats there. As you can see, they currently have 2'500 staff, so it's what I kind of said - just monster companies, all batling each other. Very corporate!

http://www.picoworld.com/eng/index.php

Thanks for the information about Picoworld website i have applied to them online. fingers crossed....... please let me know if you have any other contacts for GRaphic Design...

[andyisavinit]

Some interesting posts, thanks for that. I'll pm you ceej with my email so you can ask your cousin if he minds getting in touch. Also stop people nicking possible agency/job links!

I agree with you about just getting my cv out there and even if their not advertising keep working at it. I'm yet to contact the recruiters as I've only just finished my cv and online cv. Interesting that some may only look at on-line cv's (so glad I went to the effort of doing one).

And appreciate that from initial contact to me working full-time could take time and I hope that doesn't go against me. I'm not tied to a full-time job here as I'm freelancing - so in principle I could be on a plane and be working in a week or two, but that's a pretty scary prospect but one I think I'm going to have to get my head round if I want it to happen.

Where are you from ceej and amaretto btw? did I say I'm from the uk and a mid-senior designer.

Please post CV's in the classified section of the site an not on the forum. Please read the stickies at the top of the forums. - moderator

[andyisavinit]

Any one know anything about my visa question? Can I look for work and attend interviews with no visa at all, just a uk passport?

[sundaymorningstaple]

If you are holding a UK passport, you should be able to waltz over here and gain a 90 day Social Visit Pass by asking for it. (30 days is normal but often they will give the 90 day visa without asking for it) - pays to ask though. Other than than, you just need a return ticket, your body, enough clams to see you through your stay, and a lot of fortitude. Looking for a job and attending interviews is not a problem at all. Working without a work visa is a problem, so please, do not be tempted to freelance.

Good luck.