Satu Kreula, an executive coach working with professionals and executives with international employment, shares some ideas about how expatriate spouses and partners coming into the UK can prepare themselves for job-hunting in today's very competitive employment market.

In the current economic climate, what is the best way to find work? Here are five things that expatriates we work with, who have recently been employed, have had in common.

1) Know what you are looking for

If you do not know what you are looking for, it will be hard to find it. Take time to determine what jobs you are looking for. I hear a lot of people saying that, in this market, you should be happy to take whatever you can get. A potential employee who is determined, focused and interested is far more likely to be employed than someone who just wants a job, so do not be afraid to be focused.

2) Know why you are good at what you are looking for

Once you know what you want, it is good to spend some time thinking through why you would be a great candidate for this type of work. With loads of people to choose from, again, the candidate who is clear about their own strengths and the value they can add to a role is far more likely to be employed. If you find this type of thinking difficult, try reading books like Now, Discover Your Strengths, by Marcus Buckingham, or What Colour is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers, by Richard Nelson Bolles, to help you identify your skills and strengths.

3) Talk to as many people as possible about it

Although it may initially feel as if you do not know many 'relevant' people here in the UK, use the six degrees of separation rule (everyone in the world is connected to one another through six people or fewer). Make sure that everyone you know here knows what you are looking for – never underestimate who they might know. And do not limit yourself to just the people in the UK. We have had a surprising number of people gain UK contacts through their old connections in various parts of the world. A surprising number of roads lead back to London – use them!

4) Learn how things work in the UK

With more potential candidates on the market, you need to ensure you have an advantage over other candidates by knowing how things work in the UK. Make sure your CV is up to UK standards; get advice on this from career professionals or look up a book on CVs. Spend time reading through relevant journals and websites so you know who the players are and what the concerns are in this market. Your uniqueness will come from your international know-how AND your curiosity and ability to show that you are eager to learn and adapt.

5) Keep at it

Before the economy started to take a downturn, there was a statistic flying around that it takes six to nine months to get a job in London. Recent research by Execunet shows that the current timeline is closer to ten months. Be patient and keep at it – it will be worth it!

Satu Kreula is a part of FOCUS, an organisation supporting expatriates and their families in the UK. FOCUS runs a Career Development Programme for spouses looking for advice and support in continuing their careers or changing to something new. For more information, visit www.focus-info.org