johnnyx0

Learning to network and be an outgoing happy bright spark is hard when you're not used to it. Most of us grew up in a reserved Britain whose watchwords were "Don't talk, don't make a fuss, keep a stiff upper lip" and if you dared speak out of turn or deem to want to better yourself then you were told "who do you think you are!"

Thats very different to the culture here, with it being so much more bold, affable and refreshing. It's a real plus if you can go up to people with confidence and a smile and say "Hi, I'm xxxx, and I do xxxxxxxxxxxx. Can you help me with xxxx xxxxxx?"

I'd always considered myself happy to be a "people-watcher" but now here I'm considered a "wall-flower" and got overlooked too many times for too many opportunities. I'm learning now to change that and force myself to be more & more gregarious and "in-yer-face" in an Aussie kind of way - but still a long way to go as the old traditions don't die easily!

Couple of places & organisations, which are good to network, that I'd strongly recommend:

Local Lions clubs (one in every town). Great opportunity to get to know the local movers and shakers. Lions clubs usually have contacts with major business's and local governments, etc. In addition to doing lots of good things for the community, being a member gives you a good networking base and also looks good on the CV.

Toastmasters clubs (theres one in nearly every town). They help people with public speaking and have regular meetings where they get together and have a social gathering (usually at a pub ) and give speeches. They're really great for improving confidence and also you get to meet lots of movers and shakers. You can go as a guest free and watch for while before joining in and speaking yourself. They give you all the info and tips to help you speak in public - and membership is amazingly cheap.

hunt66

Hiya, we are in the same boat OH has been looking for work for months now, hardly even gets his application acknowledged.
It is hard to network where do you go, the above suggestions may not suit everyone (OH is an electrician) and as he is currently doing the school run he is not able to get to tradies pub hours etc.

Claire

DownUnderPaddy

It is certainly an unfortunate situation to be in if you are a recent emigrant (i.e in the last 12 months). Networking is a slow process when you have to build your entire personal and professional contact base from scratch again. It can be a frustratingly slow process when the economy is going well. In the current environment, even more so.

Keep chipping away and don't give up hope. Best of luck.

ausi dream

Well i have the occasional break from helping my son.

Employers seem to be using them to do one day trial day ( as they so call it) of all the s*h*t jobs they wouldnt do, not paying them and then not getting back to them about the job.

ausi dream

I do so hope you find some thing soon as i only know too well how that feels.
Chin up and persevere.
Best of luck,
ausi.

ausi dream

That's apparently because they only give work to there own.

So i was told by some one.

dave7370

4 weeks and counting.

Lost count of applications.

No interviews.

No replies.

Not much hope.

Chris Ball

I landed here mid october had my electricians license sorted by the end of october and not a sniff at any work yet, my partner also has no work we have 2 kids and never thought we would have to budget for such a long period of unemployment. Probably got enough funds for another 6 weeks and then not really sure what we shall do, possibly sell the car to pay for flights back to UK. i cant even get a job pushing the trolleys round coles as they know as soon as a job in your field comes your way youre off!! I have applied for every suitable job, rang countless companies and driven round for days calling in on sites and still nothing.
Talk about living the dream, its turning into a nightmare.

pommy

stick at it mate. iknow how you feel been here 6 months now given up looking for work me and a mate have started our own bussiness getting some interest now not worth going back much worse there good luck
jim

Alex Hall

The recruitment/job market in Australia is definitely in a decline at present, while it is in a better state that the UK/USA it still doesn't really help those who have been retrenched or are looking for work. I know some good & experienced people who've been let go however companies are trying to survive and are having to make tough decisions. My sister was retrenched however managed to find another job within a couple of weeks, so there are jobs out there.

Have been in Australia now for 2.5 years and dealing with recruitment firms on a regular basis I can say there are jobs out there, it is tough, there is a lot of competition and wages are likely to be less than 18 months ago. I'm looking to recruit an experienced Business Analyst (Sydney) so there are jobs around.

In terms of networking, it is crucial, whether it is meeting people at the gym, bar, local club, shops.. Just talk to as many people as you can and use websites such as linkedin (www.linkedin.com) and facebook and try and connect with as many people as you can as you may find job prospects that have not been advertised or find a wqay to be fast tracked to an interview. For every job the agencies/employers will be receiving a lot of CVs so focus on making your CV stand out and/or very easily allow the reader see what you can offer and why they should interview you.

good luck to all

Alex

easty1976

Good luck mate I really hope you find something soon.

Sally Simpson

Have you thought about relocating within Aus? Would there be more opportunities elsewhere perhaps?
As Pommy suggested, could you set up on your own?

I wish you loads of luck because it must be such a huge worry for you all. K sent.

Joannec2014

I think we're all feeling the same at the moment we all took a huge gamble to come over during global recession, the frustrating thing for me is we should have been here a year ago if not for some scammers that caused the closure of an extra 5 point scheme mid application! Anyway we've been here since 8th Jan although have only been looking since the start of Feb, same story really checking Seek everyday, sent off loads of applications I've had one interview and thats about it. I have to say the recruitment process itself seems to be SLOW I had an interview at the start of Feb and had all but given up hope when two weeks ago I was told I'd made it through to the next stage...two weeks later I've still not heard a thing! Another job I'm interested in has been choosing which candidates to call for interview for three weeks now....I guess I'm saying hang in there you could still be in the running and not realise it! I wish things could speed up a bit and I hope you are all working soon...before day time TV drives us all crazy lol!!!

sram466

If you guys in the inside - onshore facing difficulty looking for job. What chance is there for pple like me on the outside - offshore ever finding one when we land, networking we got none, reference none as well.

Pardon for sounding sooo negative.

r.bartlett

Why would they want you?