I have been looking for work for 6 months now. After reading quite a few posts, it seems everyone here is very intelligent and helpful, so I thought I'd give it a try.

I am from South Africa, lived in London and moved to The Netherlands for a brilliant contract with an international company. After 14 months they cut all their contractual staff. They told me the day I went on leave in December.

I have tried every agency, company, contact possible - and still no luck! I don't speak fluent Dutch and I think that is to my detriment. I have a Dutch boyfriend here & now dread the fact that I have to go back to the UK (not sure if it's any better though!). So if you have any employment ideas related to my skills, any feedback would be appreciated! Thanks!!

10 years overall experience in the IT sector
2 years experience in computer training, MS Office, internet etc
6 years experience in IT Project Support. Supporting IT implementations, working in the project office. Plans, scheduling, tracking etc
Can easily do PA/secretarial work
TEFL English course qualified - 6 months experience teaching in S America

Oh lordy...I'D hire you if I could! You sound fabulous!

What kind of feedback have you received from agencies or employers, if any? Have you at least been invited for interviews?

Have you looked into freelancing TEFL perhaps with a focus on business communications? Just brainstorming here...

Oh wow thanks!!!

I have had 3 interviews. One of them was filled internally, one wasn't in a good location to get to by public transport and the last one I was their 2nd choice!!

When I go for roles, be it secretarial, admin support - they either say I'm too over-qualified, or they want someone with more specific skills, or they want DUTCH - that is the main problem!! They also say people aren't hiring. I can't even count how many roles I've been put forward for. It's just so disappointing..

YES - so looking down the TEFL road. Thanks!!!

Good idea.

Yeah, it's like Christmas time for employers out there right now...they can afford to be fussier than ever before. Good luck Julzie...

Can you work as IT Project and Development Manager? There is an opening with the company I work with, but in London, UK?
If you are interested I will PM you with the details. It is a large international comapny.

I really appreciate the feedback, but unfortunately I haven't got to management level yet. The role sounds too senior. If any IT Project Support/co-ordinator roles come up at your company please keep me in mind.

Sure, I'll keep you posted.

I have experience with IT Project management and actually looking at moving back to Europe. England would put me closer to my dutch bf .. lol .. which will make him very happy!!
haha .. I think ..

I will PM you on Monday then when I get to my office and send you position details and how to apply,

I have to say, I'm a Business English teacher and have worked for several companies, some since 2005, and I have not had a single hour of work since April. I've been in contact with all of them, and they reckon they'll have stuff in September, but it isn't promising!

Yikes! You're kidding! You're always the one I hope will chime in with advice when people ask about freelance English teaching!

Thanks for the update, jen...Hope you're hanging in alright!

CW any news from your side? I will share my story in a few days, for now I will tell you that I have fired recruitment agency (well it is actually the company I work with that got rid of them as they are redundant now). I will provode more details in a few days.
I will also try find some advice for interviews (although I know you probably have plenty of them).

Try energy companies, there shoud be still activity there, althought it is little bit slow now, but never mind.

Same-o, same-o, WRC. Apparently there are only three companies out there...I think I'm up to my fifth CV being forwarded to one of them...

I got a job in Canada with one company in 2006, although they had my resume since 1994!

That's a tad longer than the usual "six months on file" isn't it?

"Thank you very much for your application. At present time we don't have any openings that match your skills and experience. We will keep your resume on our file and contact you should a suitable opportunity arisis".

Do you reckon you could teach young kids English? Its a so-called "hot item" at the moment.

It's something my Dutchess is very interested in going. She approached the basisschool/primary school/elementary school/whatever it's called where you come from about teaching English to the kids in the BSO (the daycare and after-school care thingy) and they were very enthusiastic about the idea. She's got no experience - my own kids don't even speak English - and was planning on using some teaching method developed for young kids. Since she spoke to them, one parent has asked her whether she could give lessons to their 6 year old.

But (can you start a sentence, let alone a paragraph, with "but"?) the real money is in giving private lessons to older teenagers.