5u5an

Not shallow and self-important, just realistic! My friends was wondering why she was being past over for promotions into customer-facing roles, and she dressed older than my mum (who's 62!) Fact: women who wear makeup earn more money. The idea is that women who take care of themselves take care of their work, stay up with the times etc. You may live in a utopia but I don't, it's not fair but when are most things.

I was trying to be diplomatic but here's the deal - Australia has a very sexist stereotype. IT is very male dominated. I'm young and blond, with a high-pitched soft voice and the body of a playboy bunny. I've worked damn hard at projecting a confident and capable professionalism in a male-dominated workplace, from how I hold my head when listening to people, to not touching my hair or even applying lip-balm at my desk. There is a whole branch of psychology devoted to this stuff ladies - and it's worked very well for me. I wanted to know the lay of the land in Sydney before I got there, that's all.

As I said, and has been previously posted by others, what goes down in tropical Brisbane, doesn't go down well in Melbourne. Just trying to learn ladies, no need to scratch

Kooky.

Perhaps you're right, No 15. I sincerely hope so.

chris and tracy

We're two 30-something IT professionals who've been in Melbourne for a few months. We recently started working for two different banks at their headquarters in the city so I can offer my first impressions.

I find that everyone in my office dresses very professionally. There are more dresses and skirts on the ladies and fewer ties on the men than there were in the UK but its still very smart with suits and jackets for everyone. (The A/C is freezing!) I don't have any dress down days but the other bank has them every Friday.

When walking in, I wore trainers or flip flops and change into heels on arrival. (I now cycle in and shower and change at the office).

Interested in your decision to contract - in my experience of IT in Melbourne there are a smaller number of contract vacancies and the salaries aren't very different to the permanent roles - very different to the UK.

I'm still working on what the best stores are to buy work-wear but I guess that will come with time.

Best of luck to you
Tracy.

Peepster

Where do I begin with this. Can I please join the 'I sincerely hope this is a wind-up' group please?

BadgeIsBack

Well I admire your form. But in IT, the Australian stereotype is larger than the reality. There are always more men around than women.

Well hope it is true - good on her. Nothing nicer than a woman with a good figure, dress sense, and brains, to boot. I think women are too quick to put themselves down.

BadgeIsBack

Pictures....will sort this one...

DeadVim

I love going against the flow ... I share a (small) office with 6 women and 2 men.

The blokes are directors and rest are software development/training.

I think their cycles are all in sync but some days it is tricky to tell ...

(Back to the plot) I prefer to come in psuedo-smart (no jacket or tie ... shesh ... in this weather?!) the others tend to be smart-casual ... I suppose ... what do I know ... I'm a bloke

BadgeIsBack

Aren't women very competitive? If I discovered other women in my office were cycling 'synchronously' (get it?) with me I'd be seeing red.

DeadVim

They are a quirky but personable bunch actually ... I've worked with far worse blokes ....

5u5an

There's nothing wrong with knowing what positives you have to work with, but these can also be negatives too in the wrong context. Would it make everyone feel better if I pointed out a few flaws...you know... just so everyone can feel better about themselves... There's too much false humility on these forums and I'm just not that fake.

I'm not winding anyone up, just getting peed off with the sarci responses. Thank you for all those who gave genuine responses they have really helped me.

AlanEll

I just hope the doorways are wide enough in Oz!

No 15

You're boring me now.

AlanEll

Oh come on you must know that the 'figure like a playboy bunny' is going to get up some peoples noses. And i'm a red blooded (married) male who appreciates a decent looking woman as much as the next man.

5u5an

The original quotation is from Trinny & Susannah in their body shape bible and details the pro's and considerable cons of dressing this body shape successfully without appearing either 5 months pregnant or too burlesque. I think they go for the sexy secretary look in the end - which wouldn't help my case for a professional look By the way I'm a very short version and I've said nothing about my face... so don't feel too put out.

:P

No 15

Ha ha, I bet she is a big fat lardy. Women who really do look like that rarely describe themselves as such (if they have any class they certainly don't)