₦airaland Forum

Viruses:
You may not find where it says "you can switch visa category anytime". You can only leverage on the fact that it didn't say you can only switch at certain times as well.

Employers wanting to switch three months to expiration does not mean they think doing otherwise is illegal. I mean why will I give you a visa that'll require you to work legally when you can work legally already.

It's just to keep checking till you see the one that does not mind.

Bourne007:
More of a company policy as opposed to the gov guidelines.
You are allowed to switch to any category at time (Except visas with restrictions eg student).

Thanks for your reply.

Due to this recent news regarding increase salary threshold for sponsorship.

It’s been a mind worrying news anyway when you are initially sure that you could be sponsored on your previously salary, only to to wake up another morning and be thinking of how to meet new salary for sponsorship.

Been applying to various jobs (except private), and was able to get hold of band 6 in the long run, but the lower range of the salary still did not meet the new salary requirement but the upper range does.

How could someone approach current or prospective employer to give sponsorship before the new implementation in April.

Would need advice or guidance on this.

Thanks.

Does anyone know of there is any gov regulations or policy in switching visa.

Most employer do says they normally sponsor 3 months to the expiration of visa.

all effort to find this information on gov.uk prove futile.

Nelsmannnnnnnnn:
To the seniors in the house, please I need tips and help in this Youkay job market.

I've been applying for jobs basically in the finance field both in the private and public sector but I haven't gotten any invite for interview. It's been over six months and no single interview. In fact the only interviews have gotten are jobs related to care.

I have changed tactics severally, and it seems no positive. I have ensured there is no gap in my employment history, I have matched the job requirement to align with my CV, send cover letters, apply directly from company's website but no call for interview. I have over six years experience in finance and accounting, qualified and in managerial position but even if I apply for lower rated finance role, still no call. It's frustrating the hell out of me.

Gurus in the corporate sector here, pls assist and advise. Is there something I'm not doing right?

Hmn with this your experience channel your energy to Civil service jobs (try 10 -15 applications) could get as much as 5 interviews if application is solid and okay hopefully you get one or two yes.

Be vigilant not to apply for those positions that requires security clearance if you haven’t stayed in Uk for the required number of years needed for for the job (most happens with Home office vacancy any way )

Could give NHS a try as well, but would highly recommend the former.

Could check my previous post for more pointers.


Many silent reader came to share their testimony in my dm.

Which you good luck in job hunting.

I think it’s worth sharing this.

ReesheesuKnack:
My take on this: Let her plead, beg, implore , beg and plead with the employer to give her some time to arrange child care.
From my experience of these matters (and based on what you have posted here), it will amount to a massive waste of her time, resources and mental health if she pursues some of the options being mentioned by respondents here.

Posers are:
a. She verbally told employer she would be on mat leave for 9 months? Where is the evidence such a thing was agreed?

b. When she was on a tier-4 dependant visa and working for this employer (note my choice of words, I didn’t use EMPLOYED), did she sign a contract? Was she on zero-hours contract or permanent employment?

c. Was she interviewed before she was given a CoS? What does the transcript of the interview say? Did she agree at interview that she will start immediately? What was the agreed start date at interview?

d. A CoS is NOT a job contract. If the employer decides to revoke a CoS, the employer could cite that the prospective employee provided false (or misleading) information during interview.

Etc…..


In conclusion, tell this woman to beg, plead and plead again and again. She (actually) has no locus standi to claim wrongful dismissal.

lol, you are right, some matters are better resolved that way.

Glad to read this.

ReesheesuKnack:
My take on this: Let her plead, beg, implore , beg and plead with the employer to give her some time to arrange child care.
From my experience of these matters (and based on what you have posted here), it will amount to a massive waste of her time, resources and mental health if she pursues some of the options being mentioned by respondents here.

Posers are:
a. She verbally told employer she would be on mat leave for 9 months? Where is the evidence such a thing was agreed?

b. When she was on a tier-4 dependant visa and working for this employer (note my choice of words, I didn’t use EMPLOYED), did she sign a contract? Was she on zero-hours contract or permanent employment?

c. Was she interviewed before she was given a CoS? What does the transcript of the interview say? Did she agree at interview that she will start immediately? What was the agreed start date at interview?

d. A CoS is NOT a job contract. If the employer decides to revoke a CoS, the employer could cite that the prospective employee provided false (or misleading) information during interview.

Etc…..


In conclusion, tell this woman to beg, plead and plead again and again. She (actually) has no locus standi to claim wrongful dismissal.

lol, you are right, some matters are better resolved that way.

Glad to hear this.

eyesaswide:
Hello Elders, please I need your input in this. Someone I know was on student dependent visa and was working as a support worker. Along the line she got pregnant and went on maternity leave but was not entitled to statutory maternity pay so she got maternity allowance. She has verbally told employer she would stay up to 9 months for her maternity leave. During her leave her visa was about to expire when she approached her employer for the possibility of a sponsorship. Employer agreed and gave her a cos which she has applied for the visa.

Employer is now insisting she resumes immediately, meanwhile she is still trying to arrange childcare and all before the previously agreed time (9 months). Nb employer is threatening to cancel Cos and withdraw sponsorship.

Please how should she approach this?

Maternity is protected under employment law, and employers are required to adhere to regulations regarding maternity leave and rights. This could be considered discriminatory.

Would advise to seek legal advice specializing in employment law or workers' rights.

If you are registered under union would advice to contact them as they might provide you with some advice m.

Could google (skilled worker caseworker guidance’ ) there is an information there that states reason why sponsorship can be withdrawn which I believe maternity is not included.

Could seek advice from CitizenAdvice also I think.

This is just a guess: =>be very sure that you are not at fault in this area probably maybe you utter a sentence or clause regarding resuming earlier if given the COS which might be the reason why the employer asking you to resume.

Ibro2021:
My people. I greet una.

I'm reviewing my psw application and discovered that I entered passport details (including issue and expiry dates) where national identity card was required.

I've also done the declaration part so can't edit any longer. All that's left is to make payment for IHS and application.

What are my options, please? Is this error fatal, and do I have to start another application from scratch?

Thanks.

Complete your application, then download the application as pdf, make your edits on it by cancelling out the wrong info and type or write the correct info and after finishing submit it as an additional document and can include explanation.

Can use the website ilovepdf dot com_or you print out the application form then use pen to cancel our and write.


Edit: follow @ Bourne007 explanation similar process I was trying to explain above

boneruns:
So just to ask the experienced professionals here, can one include in an CV unrelated work experience gained the U.K. while as a student to cover for employment gap? I’m asking because of U.K. experience stuff. I work in retail sector and I can somehow relate what I do to cybersecurity during interviews, but I just do not know if it fits into a CV.

Thanks.

It fits, just bracket it with part time. Don’t need to include location of each role.

Good luck

Westves:
Hello, guys. Friend of mine recently relocated to the UK with his family. From the gory stories he's been feeding me, abroad ain't all that is propped up to be. Freezing temperatures, monthly rent of £600, comparative cost of living, tuition, catering singlehandedly for the family cuz his nursing wife doubles as a student, on top of that, has to raise the sponsorship fee

He hasn't been making much progress with finding caregiver jobs and his options are limited. Can't do construction under this weather. So my question is, what form of trade or occupation can he pivot into before it's too late? My guy is bleeding cash so we are kinda desperate here

I'm sure a lot of guys got easier landing so I'm looking forward to any helpful resource you guys can bless us with. He is a naija graduate, if that matters. Many thanks

Civil service job or nhs job

Check my previous post for guidance and help on how to apply without much stress

Controlv:
Elders in the house, please how do you cut cost on car repairs in this UK?

I was recently charged £630 to replace REAR brake pads, brake disc and and brake callipers on a 2012 Honda Jazz... just rear brakes oo.


I later checked the prices of those parts on ebay and its about one-third of what I was charged at the garage. The price difference looks ridiculous but I'm also concerned about the genuineness of the parts listed on ebay.

Any pointers will be appreciated.


By the way, Honda Jazz is a very reliable car for starters. Drove about 9k in 1 year without any issues; serviced once and replaced rear brakes components. Glad I followed oga Lexus recommendations.

Way to go is having a mechanic that allows you to source for part your self.

Note that, don’t mechanic will now allow you to source once the old one has been removed from the vehicle, best it to know what’s wrong first then source online (eBay) and give to mechanic, they will only charge you for workmanship only.

AntiMCU:
Hi Oga Schoolhike,

I wanted to use this opportunity to thank you.

Got a success mail for the role of an Admin Officer at DWP today all thanks to your tips on applying for civil service jobs as a way of getting into the professional sector.

Was beginning to doubt myself and abilities during this job search: hopefully, this is an opportunity I can build on thanks to you.

Lucky you then, happy to hear that.

I do advice people to start making applications for the next higher role once you get one role, admin should be AO I guess, start applying to EO OR HEO if you don’t mind, since you’ve got one already.

Advice lots of friends this way 2 were able to get another higher role before finishing their AO documentation.

Don’t relax ☺️.

Good luck.

Goodenoch:
That said, you can approach this proactively. In the interview for my current role, they didn't ask me but I knew that was a consideration so when it was time for my questions I asked the ones I had and then said I had an additional point to make which was that I knew that they would prefer someone with direct experience in the organisation and although I don't have that, I have A, B, C direct transferable skills because of my experience doing X, Y, Z.

These things would usually come up in the interview but it also helps to make it explicit. It also shows a high degree of self-awareness and understanding of the organisation's needs.

Hmn, does this quiet often as well, when I’m given the opportunity to ask question, wouldn’t ask question at first, will try to touch on necessary information about the job skills that wasn’t asked during interview.

kwakudtraveller:
Interesting, why not fire the person immediately? Unless they are wasting time on purpose or it’s a legal sensitive matter.

Employers are bound by labor laws and the terms of employment contracts which usually require a fair and thorough process before terminating an employee, especially for serious allegations like gross misconduct. This is to ensure that the decision to terminate is justified and legally defensible.

Dimdim8593:
Good evening everyone
I am currently in the uk working for bank as a financial crime investigator, although I am still on my probation stage.i was suspended for gross misconduct(legitimacy of reference(uk)) I provided for them during my background checks,initially this check came back successful but months into my employment ,I was suspended for the reason above.after fact finding meetings I had with my manger,my case was moved to disciplinary hearing. I am confused as to what to do ,should I resign with immediate effect which I have read that the company can sue for breach of contract as I have a week’s notice or should I go for the hearing and defend myself.
Note:their concerns is for the reference I provided with a company I did bootcamp and voluntary opportunity with. I actually worked on cases with this company with the duration I put in my cv.
Please house help me with advice

Copied and pasted (AI)
“ The situation described is complex and has potential legal implications, so it's important to approach it carefully. Here's some general guidance:

1. Seek Legal Advice: Before making any decisions, it’s crucial to consult with a legal professional who specializes in employment law. They can provide specific advice based on the details of your case and the laws applicable in the UK.

2. Understand the Allegations: Make sure you fully understand the nature of the allegations against you. Clarify what aspects of the reference are being questioned and why they are considered a form of gross misconduct.

3. Prepare for the Disciplinary Hearing: If you choose to attend the hearing, prepare your defense thoroughly. Gather any evidence that supports your case, such as emails, documents, or testimonies from colleagues or supervisors at the company you did the bootcamp and voluntary work with.

4. Consider the Pros and Cons of Resigning: Resigning might seem like an easier option, but it could have implications for your future employment. Some employers view a resignation in the face of disciplinary action unfavorably. However, if the evidence against you is strong, and you believe the hearing might not go in your favor, resigning could be a way to avoid a dismissal on your record.

5. Assess the Impact on Future Employment: Think about how this situation might affect your future job prospects. A resignation or dismissal for gross misconduct could be a red flag for future employers, so weigh your options carefully.

6. Negotiate an Exit: If you decide to resign, you might be able to negotiate an exit that minimizes the impact on your future employment. This could include agreeing on what the employer will say in any future references.

7. Review Your Contract: Check the terms of your employment contract regarding notice periods and the consequences of breaching these terms. This will help you understand any potential legal or financial implications if you choose to resign with immediate effect.

8. Consider the Emotional and Mental Impact: Facing a disciplinary hearing can be stressful. Consider the emotional and mental toll this process might take on you and weigh it against the potential outcomes.

9. Document Everything: Keep a detailed record of all communications and meetings related to this issue. This documentation could be crucial if there are any disputes or legal proceedings in the future.

Remember, each option has its own set of consequences, so it's important to make a decision based on a thorough understanding of your situation, the potential outcomes, and legal advice.”

Well, never underestimate lawyer’s advice in this country even tho it’s not free but might worth it, around 30£/hr here the last time a friend used there service, if you go on to see a lawyer don’t lie tell the truth in all. And seek advice, explore other options as well by consulting AI further, don’t underestimate info from there also, don’t use the free version.

I wish you good luck and hope it get resolved.

jedisco:
We all have our views but you cross the line by depicting us as savages cos a Nigerian did something you dont like. It's called profiling.

lol, Profiling reminds me of Criminal Minds

Poanan:
Hmm, the truth there is bias when it comes to recruitment. He was probably employed because because of the name of that firm and not because of anything. If u decide to put HCAor support worker in your cv, how does that correlate to the work in a bank? What people do is use Nigerian reference like that and still use it to cover employment gap. My classmate she uses her Nigerian firm till date and that is because she still works there but remotely. Using HCA may still be viewed as a gap as it is not in your field for some people. You can list it when doing documentation with the firm cos places like civil service will draw data from hmrc and you have to reveal everything. When putting reference state what you worked there as cos they will ask in which capacity and If it is a bootcamp state it there it is still up experience.my opinion though. Na God de help. Try civil service but even the civil service in recent times, there interview is somehow. They do blind recruitment but during interview they ask you if you are currently working for the civil service? To me that question alone can dictate the score you come out it.

Well, to me as I’ve always said, I do put care (part-time in my cv to fill those gaps), because uk experience is not only about the actual experience it’s also about understanding uk work ethics(you and I know some work ethics that is not allowed here vs Nigeria, eg not discussing family matter at work, reporting any issue not the Nigeria way etc), someone that have worked in care and is applying for say like information analyst in NHS where confidentiality experience is needed can chip that in from his care experience because confidentiality is also very important in care as well and can use that to explain his understanding of confidentiality, Information governance.

As for boot camp or training centre, it doesn’t really make sense to portray them as normal job irrespective of the sector you are applying to (private/ government), you can include them in your education section or if included in your work experience make sure you put into bracket education
e.g
Trainee Data Analyst- Masterschool (Part-Time - Education
That’s how I did mine to avoid misunderstanding,



Also, regarding asking if you are currently employed in civil service during interview, I’m not sure if that is right or not, but if you have any concerns regarding that I think you can raise it, some might ask it not realizing if it’s right or not.

Like asking a pregnant lady (can be any one having a temporary or permanent disability or what so ever) during interviews that does she have any health issue that might affect in undergoing training before starting the (during nhs interviews), an interviewer in one NHS board here in Scotland normally ask that question and another interviewer from another NHS board in Scotland says it’s not right to ask such question, that it should be left for the occupational health professionals to ask during pre employment checks. Meanwhile truth be told it doesn’t sound right because the lady in particular was put in a position whereby she can’t say yes or no (because she doesn’t want to lie) because true true she can’t undergo the training till after child birth, which could have skewed the interviewer assessment.

BoyleEd:
Good evening seniors. Please kindly recommend a standard online bootcamp for a beginner in data science here in the UK. I can work with SQL, SPSS and Excel to some extent. There are alot of them online but I am looking for a good one based on recommendations.
Thank you very much.

Don’t bother with spss, yet,

Start with excel, then sql, power bi and Python if you wish

Most importantly excel (don’t go macro side)

Other tools you need to learn will come later, understand excel very well, never underestimate it,…, most jobs use excel most of the time,

cbn4main:
Seniors in the building, I greet una.

I recently got an interview invite for a civil service role (EO, Finance officer).

For those who have had the experience, what should I expect? What areas am I going to be accessed on? What are the likely questions?

I will appreciate your inputs please.
Thanks

The question you will be asked is inside the job description under behavioral assessment, how how to explain those behaviors using star approach, have at least two ready made scenario for each behavior from your personal experience

Lexusgs430:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394353928718?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=khc_str4q3c&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=qocc3p2OTb2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

lol
😂
Thanks

bigtt76:
What are the possible experiences one can get from civil service here? Any idea? I know that once one get a civil service experience, it improves ones chance more in other sectors especially with big consulting firms or isn't this the case?

I would love the NHS opportunity though but the way is lower than the civil service job and a bit far away from home which could disrupt many things and plans😩. I'm hoping that with the civil service job after it lapses, I could get a shot at the NHS on a higher band.

I appreciate all your thoughts on this.... Pls 🙌🏾🙏🏾

I understand your considerations regarding the civil service and the NHS. If sponsorship isn't an issue, I would indeed recommend the civil service route. The flexibility to switch departments or roles within the civil service is an advantage. There are often new roles advertised weekly, and internal mobility within departments is quite common, offering a variety of experiences and growth opportunities.

NHS also offers valuable experiences, especially in public health and administration, the pay scale can be a bit limiting compared to civil service roles, which Is one of the reason I don’t like NHS (although NHS Scotland pays more ), civil service jobs often provide more flexibility in terms of work arrangements, such as hybrid work options, which might not be as prevalent in NHS roles.

Regarding compensation, a role in the government that pays around £50k can be equivalent to nearly £69k in the private sector when you consider long-term benefits like employer pension contributions. The government's contribution to pensions is significantly higher than the average private sector contributions, which hover around 3-8%, compared to the government's 26-28%.

all in all, a civil service role not only offers a broad range of experiences that are highly valued in various sectors, including consulting, but also provides substantial long-term financial benefits and work flexibility, this could definitely enhance your career trajectory and provide you with a strong foundation to transition into higher roles, even within the NHS later on, if that aligns with your career aspirations.

phemmylink:
Let me give a gist. It's not quite easy to land a job in biomedical science here in UK if you are deviod of UK experience. I am on the register and I keep getting refused sometimes without reason when I apply for UK NHS jobs.

Add UKHSA to your list.

Lexusgs430:
This question is not required....... What do you think a seller would tell you ........ An answer like, the car is starting to show me shege.........😁🤣

lol,
Some still tells you the truth.

By the way, in one of your comment, you made mention of peeling onion (is there a way or method to peel an onion without shedding tears )?

eniola1010:
My boss, m thinking of buying a reliable car of 4k to 4.5k
Which do you think is best and where can one buy from autotrader or fb market.

Plus is it better to go for the likes of toyota or hyundai
Or go for german like golf and the likes.

Cus have hrd too many stories of ppl saying toyota car might be cheap but repairs might be expensive cus the part has to be shipped from china or japan
And have heard ppl say german cars might be expensive but repair is cheap cus parts are in europe and not far from uk

What is ur take pls
I dont mind if others contribute too

P.S i am not a outdoor person i rarely drive, infact i hate driving, m buying the car to increase chances of getting job

The issue of car part being expensive might be true but I’m not convinced with the fact that one particular maker being expensive compare to another, the rule of thumb is that those mechanic still charges the same amount per hour irrespective of the car make, my mechanic do allow me to source parts online and he still charge almost same amount for the car, not much difference in my pay when I changed from mazda to Mercedes,

Most important is to buy a car that won’t be giving you much problems, start from the mot history of the car, age, mileage, reason for selling, how May previous users, how long mot was last done etc,

Come to talk of it, if not for the cost of repair that is way too expensive, we don’t normally think of all this back in Nigeria because the cost of repair is very cheap, repaired just a common mazda Alternator for 250£ (less than 30k before I left Nigeria (mistakenly put wrong fuel in the car also cost me around 120£ ) etc, wanted to get mot done cost me almost 1,200£ to fix the car ( car that still works fine, but must repair cos of mot), happy that the car is off road now self cos of accident, really cost me a lot then

bigtt76:
Good morning my people ....another question, please between a Band 6 NHS job and SEO civil service job, which would you prefer? Context - SEO pays more compared to the band 6 but its a fixed term employment (one year) ...might be renewable.

the decision should align with your personal and professional priorities, If financial gain and a broad range of experiences in a short term are more appealing, the SEO Civil Service job might be the better choice, if you prefer job stability and a career in healthcare, the Band 6 NHS position could be more suitable, consider also the work environment, team culture, and opportunities for future progression in each role.

Less job security in Civil service roles(cos it’s fixed term) but offer a broad range of experiences, which might be valuable for your future career moves,

Viruses:
Sometimes I ask myself whether I'm really in UK or Indian.

Na only once or twice non Indian Dr don attend to me in this country, always indian Drs whether physical or phone appointments.

The prevalence of Indian doctors you've encountered in the UK and the general visibility of Nigerians in various contexts can be largely attributed to the population sizes of these countries. India, with a population surpassing 1.3 billion, and Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with over 200 million people, have significant diaspora communities worldwide. This large population base increases the likelihood of encountering their nationals abroad.

For instance, when considering the healthcare sector in the UK, the Indian population means a higher number of Indian medical professionals working internationally, including the UK. Similarly, the large Nigerian population contributes to a more noticeable Nigerian presence globally. This is not only in positive contributions but also in negative stereotypes, like the association with fraud. It's not that other African countries don't have individuals involved in such activities; rather, Nigeria's larger population size results in more frequent reporting and visibility of such incidents involving Nigerians.

also, countries with smaller populations, such as Zimbabwe or Namibia, each with populations under 3 million, have fewer nationals living and working abroad. This smaller population size naturally leads to their lesser representation in various international sectors or in global news narratives.

So, the probability of encountering individuals from populous nations like India or Nigeria, and the frequency of their actions being reported or discussed, is higher due to their larger population numbers. This demographic context is necessary for understanding why certain nationalities appear more prominently in specific sectors or discussions.

ehizario2012:
I don't know how long you've held your UK license, but £1k for a 1.6 engine is very very reasonable. Thanks for ur response, we'll get there...

Got the Uk license in Nov 2022, added my spouse as second driver with provisional licence of almost 2 years.

Note that it will cost more if paying by installments.

Progressivegee:
I will suggest you use chat gpt to build your CV and draft a cover letter. It's very effective. Try it out

Would advise the plus version for optimum performance and results.

ehizario2012:
You're not wrong. However can u let us in on ur monthly premium range...?

I pay annually.

Last year 1,000£ for Mazda 3 2009 (1.6l) diesel (0 ncb)

This year 1,150£ for Mercedes C 2011 (1.8l) petrol (1 ncb)

Generally insurance premium has gone up even for people with years of ncb,

Lilymond:
Good day my brothers and sisters,

Please I hold a spousal visa tier 2, visa will be activated by 25th of this month. My challenge is that I've been applying for jobs for over a month now and have been getting rejection mails. I want to know if there's something I'm not doing well. I hold a master's degree in public Health Education and bachelor's degree in health education. I'm open to corrections and recommendations. Thanks in advance.

Nb: thanks for all you do here. It's been helpful.

Lots of reasons.

If cv and cover letter are okay and relevant to the job, I think for every 10-20 applications to private companies should at least give you 1 interview.

Civil service should be say like 10 good applications should at least give you 3-5 interviews.

ehizario2012:
I can't agree less though. Driving with extra care is the way to go...

lol, forget extra care oh,

Cos na jejely I parked my car and still got into accident (right-off), person jam the car while parked.

Fortunately no lies on my records, got all my compensation including courtesy car.



Best not to lie at all, the cost of lying is way over what someone can afford and reputation being damaged, could make one’s name to enter insurance black list, I think cifas included coupled with continuous increase in premiums from subsequent insurance because you now have a responsibility to inform other insurance company that’s you’ve had an insurance canceled in the past.

Just don’t lie,

bigtt76:
Please I want to ask - were you given areas of your career for your referees to write in about you or what was the format?

Reference for all job you listed on your cv. Just normal reference nothing special I think, performance, etc

They always ask for character references