Have you recently gotten a job offer though you had no work permit?

Howdy all,

Is there anyone here who has been in the country with any other type of visa except a work permit, but who has been able to find a job?

I ask because of the unique situation where Home Office won't give you a work permit unless you have an offer of employment, and many firms won't want to hire a person who has no work permit. A catch 22 situation indeed.

On 2 or 3 occassions now, I wasn't called in for an interview because I don't have a work permit (I have a study permit), even though the recruiting person liked my CV and ordinarily wanted to invite me for an interview, but eventually didn't cos of no work permit.

I guess I am trying to see if there is another way/strategy I can go about getting a job.

Many thanks.