PegLeg

Whingeing Pom Warning!

Right folks we've been here 3 months now and finding it harder than expected. I found work within a few weeks of arriving although my salary is the same in dollars as it was in pounds and the workload and expectations were a joke. I've now been offered a new position elsewhere and that pay isn't too much better.

My wife after countless job applications has had one interview and no job offers. Most of time she doesn't get a response to an application or if she does it is of the standard variety with no helpful information. Phoning the companies direct gives little info or helpful insight into why she has been unsuccessful even though she has a degree and countless years experience in certain fields. Even trying to get work in retail etc is impossible - they ask for ridiculous amounts of experience and many jobs seem to need licences etc...she is finding it very demoralising and her self confidence is ebbing away! Recruitment firms are a waste of time so far....and not many here to use anyway. And as for calling in on companies - she tried that - no good at all!

Is anyone else experiencing the same problems on the sunshine coast? Any tips/advice would be much appreciated.

Pollyana

Sorry to hear you are having problems, but to be honest there isn't an easy answer to the job-hunting problem. Its not unique to the Sunshine Coast either. In my (nearly) 3 year quest for the elusive permanent job, I have applied for hundreds, all at a fairly low level, admin stuff mostly as none of my extra qualifications are worth anything here - too specialist a field.
Agencies have told me that they won't find me work cos I don't ghave the requisite typing certificates, and while I have applied for over 200 jobs through Seek I reckon I've heard back from 10 of them Even the govt jobs don't always get back to you, and if they do it can be months after you have applied. I gave up on retail when they either wanted years of Aussie experience, or wanted 16 year olds that would only need low pay.
The only advice I can give is to keep trying, apply for everything possible, and don't expect to hear back from any of them - I don't expect it nymore
I hope it gets better for you - just wish I could be more encouraging, but I'd prefer to be realistic for you.

thebears

Hi PegLeg,

Sorry to hear of your difficulty. We have had no such problems in picking up work in fact the opposite. I would say she needs to take a real hard look at
what she is sending out - does she attach a cover letter? Is the CV adjusted for the local market? The agents can be worthwhile if you go in with a positive attitude and listen openminded. Please dont take offence because I would sincerely like to help. Would you like to PM me in more detail what she is looking for and where you are looking?

For those who are finding it difficult (for the initial OZ work experience) why not try working a week without pay. Sounds extreme but it gets you in the door and its not without reward you can then use the experience for the next job. It also sets you apart from the Mob. This worked for me when I first arrived in the UK and got the "you have'nt any UK experience". Of course not something you have to do in the first few weeks. But when cash is drying up and you have to keep the motivation up. It also helps if they have email/photocopier.

Kiwi

BartSimpson

Yes, it took me more then 3 months to get a so called ok job... dont talk about salary or else I will start...
Well I can suggest you something, take any job offered in your field to start with or the other alternative is (if you are long timer here in Oz) change your field.
Sorry about you and for those who are stuck and confused...
But Good Luck to all of you, you shall overcome.
- Bart

PegLeg

The CV is adjusted for each job. A covering letter is attached with each application which is near all cases outlines how we feel she meets all criteria asked for - This is usually taking several hours per application which makes it so frustrating when you don't hear back. The CV is the same template as mine which has been successfull. People in the UK who know what work she has done are amazed she is getting no luck.

She is now doing voluntary help at the local RSPCA (no pay) for a few hours on one day of the week just to get out of the house and meet some people.

Its so frustrating when you can't even get a job stacking shelves or something. It seems every job wants ridiculous experience for shelf stacking or answering a phone.

thebears

What sort of work is she going for?

PegLeg

She has worked in univeristy/education environments in admin/buildings maintenance/student support and even aerobics teaching.

thebears

What sort of admin? buildings maintenance work?

Does she have a salary in mind that she is comfortable with?

Where are you looking? ie Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane?

Bert'n'Stella

So sorry to hear that you're having such trouble. It took me from January to mid April to find work up here. I turned down a few jobs because the pay was just too low. I have since ended up in a position by way of applying for another job which I didn't get. The pay is very good but the job is quite difficult and I am having to do a course at the same time before I can actually do the job (teaching). I think it is very difficult out of the major cities. The average admin job up here pays $30k. My told me I would have no problems getting a job at $45k - when one came up (it still hasnt).

I would say hang in there, but I think you should go with your gut feel - if you think you need to move and that things are unlikely to improve then that's what you should do, rather than getting more depressed. Had I not got this job we would have had to move - for some reason something always keeps us in Mackay! we were also on the verge of moving because we couldn't find a rental - then this place came up at the last minute.......

Chin up tho - if you have each other and your health, then it cant be all bad...

S

devonleas

I believe alot of Emloyers in Australia have had negative experiences with British employees-and this might affect job prospects.

Pollyana

This selection criteria thing is really maddening, I know how she feels. You devote hours - even days - to them and then the employer doesn't even bother to tell you you are unsuccessful.

Bert'n'Stella

Have you tried looking at government jobs? There are about 600 currently available (see http://www.jobs.qld.gov.au/search/joblist.asp). Worksearch is another option (see http://www.worksearch.com.au/jobseek...2&selclass=all) if you haven't already been there/done that.

S

hedgehog

Hi what job do you do?. Just wanted to see which jobs they swap pound for dollar for. Good luck to you both in finding suitable jobs with decent salaries

MikeStanton

I believe most people go through a very similar experience to yourselves. Certainly, when I first arrived, the standard approaches - agents, answering job adverts - provided very few interviews. Which is a reminder to those entering on a skills' visa, the skills might not be in demand where you want to live!

In general, the agencies are beyond useless, even worse than in the UK. Also, I found that Oz employers are very risk-averse ("fair go" is just a myth), with most people being over-qualified for their job.

What I found did work was to contact companies directly. It took a few weeks, but once in, I never used an agent again. BTW, I don't agree with the "have a week free" approach, it's very risky and sends a message that you're desperate.

You've done the hard part getting to Oz, so don't fall at this hurdle

MikeStanton

So, it's just a racist thing, is it?