Relocation to Singapore because there was no job at home

It is with mixed feelings that I start the packing progress again! Not the suitcase this time but the house, the family, the life and away to Singapore we go - permanently.

Unfortunately, I am no longer able to live in the UK, a combination of wanting a new job that involves less travel and not being able to find the right one on my very own doorstep (which included the whole of the United Kingdom and most of Europe for that matter) - oh and one that pays a decent salary!

Machtech recruitment called me yesterday! Another inane inquiry that lead up the empty road. I told him on the phone, "for one year I have been searching, you have offered me jobs and then I never hear anything, nothing, nada, the trail goes cold". I have called some of these recruitment agencies back and asked them the status of my applications. I get the pat answers ranging from "the guy we need to talk is on holiday", "they are having a meeting next week" and "the final selection process is under-way". And then after a few more weeks have passed - nothing. I called one guy ten times, left ten messages and still nothing. Eventually, one week later, I got an emailed reply that read "they are still considering your application". What were they doing? Using dating technology? No single recruiter ever called me back to tell me the status of my application; not one out of more than I will bother to count. Not one, to their complete discredit!

Faststream, Genesis, Shipping Jobs, Halcyon Recruitment and many other recruitment agencies have all trumpeted and highlighted the growing arena of maritime jobs available, some making statements like "the shipping companies simply can't find the qualified staff". I was out there folks, I was available and eager. I put myself on the market and you came up with squat.

The icing on the cake though is that I sent one letter direct to one employer only. One letter and within a few weeks I had an interview and a few weeks after that I had a job. Makes me wonder what these recruitment agencies are doing all day?

Anyway, I must not grumble. In two months we will be happily ensconced in a new way of life, a new job for me, a new school for the kids and a whole new way of living for my wife. We are excited about it all and are now very much looking forward to it but at the back of my brain it niggles. I had the perfect CV, the ideal experience, I was not asking for top salary and I was willing to relocate at the drop of a hat. So what did not click with these recruitment agencies?