Expats Direct

[Republik]

I have been looking at working abroad and there are a few positions I've found on www.expatsdirect.com which interest me. I have completed the registration process and they are now asking for an annual payment of £65.

Has anyone dealt with this company before to help me put my mind at ease. Do all expat recruiters charge an annual membership fee?

[The jiffle king]

Seems a little strange to me as they will be paid by the recruiting company and don't want to restrict the people who will apply.

If you choose to go for the expat option, PM me as I've been abroad for a over a year now and have some things to share (e.g. move your ISA before you go, keep bank accounts open, might be cheaper to get a UK phone and have international calls enabled etc etc etc)

T-J-K

[Republik]

Hi Jiffle,

Expat is definitly interesting me at the moment. Did you use a specific company initially?

[Chilli]

Here in Duabi the serious recruiters work exactly the same as they do in London....ie no such thing as a fee. However, I did have some 2-bit shop tell me how excellent my cv was, and how they couldn't wait to work with me, how exciting everythng was, and ...oh, can I pay them $200 to get thing moving?

[The jiffle king]

I was sent through my company so am not sure, but I know that many of the job search engines have options where you can specify location. Why would you have to pay to apply for a job? Probably can't help on the search for a role too much, except to say that English Language skills are very sought after, but I can help when it comes to the moving process

[spikeyhead]

I'm currently working in the Netherlands, so if you're hading this way then shout

[Republik]

I'm open to anywhere. I fancy a change and would consider anywhere except Iraq/Iran/Afghanistan or Nigeria.

I actually quite fancy a Scandinavian country or Singapore.

[anonymous-user]

Republik, I've worked in Scandanivia and Sing, Scandanvia is expensive you need a lot of money to make it worth while, and the big paying jobs are gone, havn't seen anything worth taking for about 10 years. Sing is great and there are good jobs around, have a look on the Asia section here, John has posted a lot of info there on working in Sing, what field are you in, IT and Telecom jobs appear to be drying up, there is a lot of work in FPSO construction.

[anonymous-user]

Sorry I ment to add, I don't hink expat direct is a agency as such, isn't it more of a news letter tou subscribe to hence the cost? I remember subscribing to somthing with nearly the same name years ago, it was Ok for a year to get build up a contact list and then forget.

[Republik]

You're right. It is more of a job search site with email updates of vacancies that become available.

Singapore is a favourite, I've been quite a few times and love the place. My field is Architecture primarily but vacancies that seem more commonly available are in Building Maintenance and Clerk of Works / Project Management positions. All areas I have a fair few years of experience in.

[AJS-]

Definitely don't touch any agency that wants a fee from the canddiate. Think about it - they make their money from fee to their clients based on a percentage of your salary. Typically around 20% anywhere upto 40% for some very specialist positions. Let's say you earn a relatively modest 30,000 a year and the agency charges it's client 20% that's 6,000. Why on earth would any agency turn away good candidates for 65 quid?

Live in Thailand btw. The agency process works pretty much the same here, and to the best of my knowledge world over.

[XJSJohn]

have a look and see if the jobs are posted elsewhere.

try www.jobsdb.com,http://www.efinancialcareers.com etc etc.