InterALIA, February 2004

Postcard from London

Co-editor Benita Wheeler is on holiday in Europe. She takes time out from a busy touring schedule to offer a few tips on getting a job in the UK.

In the basement of an ordinary street on the east side of London, not far from Farringdon tube station, is a place that could be of great interest to information workers.

TFPL are specialists in the niche market of recruiting library and information workers for the United Kingdom, Europe and United States. They have been operating since 1988, offering temporary and contract staff placements, training, career counselling and chief knowledge officer summits.

If you are interested in making a move to the other side of the world for a short time (or forever!) have a look at their website. Complete online registration and attach your CV. Staff at TFPL pre-screen all CV's so that only good quality candidates reach their initial interview stage.

I had a fun and relaxed interview with Chris Lewis, a consultant with recruitment services. He advised Aussie applicants need to bring with them a copy of their visa for their records as well.

Once registration and an initial interview is completed, the TFPL team will go to work for you. When a suitable position arises they will contact you and provide information about the job. If you are interested they will send your CV to the client and liaise with them for a further interview.

All paperwork and pay issues, tax etc are handled by TFPL and wages are paid monthly.

Contractors required range from 'core traditional information roles' such as librarians and library assistants, through to web and database administration, content management, knowledge management, records management and archiving.

Client companies that use TFPL's recruitment services include organisations from the public sector, banks, charities and leading law firms in London and across the UK.

'The market is busy, it has really picked up over the past year,' Chris said.

So if you are in for an adventure, hop on the website - then hop on a plane, for the world awaits you. Just remember to bring your thermal underwear and 'mind the gap'!.