Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

We live in Mandurah, got here on 136 skills visa, (cook) i managed to get some hours at the local TAFE working as a cook, the hours advertised were from 7 - 3.30, i got to the interview and was told that its 7 - 1.30, the 3.30 was in case there any functions on. I agreed to the post, and started, all was fine until the 'manageress' (more like lioness!!) started to poke her nose in all my pans of food. i could go on about her wanting me to cook a bechamel sauce with milk and just cornflour, and asking (no telling me!!) to cook FROZEN chickens, when i refused it was such an issue, but i am going off the point. :frown:

She then decided that because I managed to get the meals out on time, she would cut my hours, WITHOUT any discussion, she said on a friday afternoon to look at the rota because she has changed some of the staff hours for the following week. Mine was cut to finish at 12.00 !!! what cook finishes work at the crucial service time???? she was just so rude to everyone, all the delivery drivers seemed to dislike her so much because of her lack of manners. I eventually couldn't take the crap any more so i told her i was finishing work at the end of the week, "the job isn't what i thought it would be" after her trying to work out what my problem was, i ended up telling her about the lack catering knowledge across the board, and my hours being cut. she was stuck for words, and i eventually left.... :p

Since then i can't get ANYTHING, in the UK I was an office manager and worked in accounts doing all the company books, total control of the accounts, running all the admin etc....i have applied for literally dozens of jobs, and i haven't had a look in...I have actually got a spreadsheet going so i can keep up with where i am up to. The hours on offer are either 15-20 hrs a week, and with the mortgages etc here i need to be clearing $500 per week. i was offered a job the other day but the hours were for 20 hrs, then i went to a Dr's practise yesterday and was offered the job, but the money was CRAP, the office manageress, told me she was sorry the salary was so bad, and i would be better off probably going to K mart and picking my hours...!!!! but i really don't think i could even do that!! she said the women there had been there for over 10 years, the newest has been there for 5, and they don't ask for a wage rise.... what!!!! why????? perhaps they don't need it with the big investment they are sat on at home,,,, (i sound really sore, but i am not, good luck to them)
I am getting really depressed with the thought that i am not wanted, the only conclusion i can come up with, is that women here generally work part time, (and thats great if you don't have a big mortgage... due to the house prices etc) I also have an 11 yr old that i need to think about in school time, all our plans have gone to pot, we thought that i could get a p/t job, and have enough money coming in for a small mtg,, its just too much:confused:
anyone any answers?? I was thinking of going on a medical receptionist course , but whats the point for $15+ per hour???

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

Dont really know you or your situation, but, have you ever thought about setting your sights a little higher, and perhaps, applying for a job that maybe you could 'grow' into? After you have 'sold' yourself at the IV of course! :)

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

I am never sure if people realise this before they arrive but a massive amount of jobs employ people as casual, cutting your hours about to what ever suits the employer. Some reports say up to 40% of jobs are casual ( which is interesting when we say we have incredibly low employment, because you are considered employed even if your only getting 2 hours a week! )

Cant help with job suggestions, thought perth was supposed to have a war and peace size job vacancy section:confused: if its like here tho, most of those jobs are woop woop or so casual they dont pay enough to bother with.

Considered creating your own work, we found it was the only way to make a living here.

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

a thread close to my heart. have a look at my threads about the very same thing...............

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=427065

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=430735

i have posted on other threads about the same thing. what can i say? i know
exactly how you feel. my sister did the medical receptionist thing, and has just jot a job where we live for 3 days a week. still, it has taken here months to find that job. i dont know the pay, sorry.

it is so fustrating, this lack of job opportunities. i didnt expect a job to fall into my lap, but i did not expect to find it so hard. it is so demoralising and makes you feel like crap.

i applied for everything and anything, and am still applying now. sorry, i cant offer any words of wisdom on this, just words of 'keep going, thats all we can do'. fingers crossed. the 2 day a week job i now have (casual), has come from me dropping off my resume at the local airport when we first got here in august. they contacted me a couple of weeks ago and asked me to call in for an interview. but, 2 days a week isnt enough financially. we need more.

i have sent you some good luck karma, hope it helps. fingers crossed.
xx

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

I know exactly what you mean. I applied for over 50 jobs when we landed here. Most of them I didn't hear back from, the few that I did were either very poorly paid or stupid hours. I eventually applied for a job in Woolies. I had the interview (which was hilariously way over the top!:rofl: ) and when I refused to work on a Saturday (my husbands day off) but I could work every other day of the week, they said "No thanks" and that was that! I felt like yelling at the woman "I used to be an accounts executive ffs! And I was prepared to stack your bloody shelves for a pittance....your loss!!!"

I gave up looking in the end. I go to uni instead. Keeps me busy;)

Good luck to you in your search.:thumbup:

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

lol.....i am on the coles job website. i am now in the "coles group talent pool", and am currently awaiting further instructions from them, when a suitable position arises :D

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

Fluffy, thanks for the vote of confidence, i am beginning to think the opposite to that, maybe i am looking a positions that are beyond me.

And to TraceyW, I can just see myself in your shoes at Woolies, i went for an interview last week at the local school for a 'catering managers' job, there is virtually no cooking involved, just bagging pies etc, making some sandwiches and the usual basic food stuffs, i went in wanting to make an impression, i want to make a difference to school meals here, i have a passion (like jamie o!!) wanting to get wholesome food in the kiddies bellies, i think there is a real market for it here, anyhow, i was interviewed by 4 !!!! people, 2 off the parents committee, the current manager, and the principle of the school. What a farce!! i could have done the job on my head, 17 yrs experience of cooking from huge functions to industrial catering. The questions they asked were all written down, none of them looked at me when they asked me in turn their questions, and i answered them all straight away, with no problem. I was asked if i had any questions at the end, and i asked the salary. To which the current manageress said, oh well i never did it for the money (WTF!!!) again $15.odd per hour at a 27 hr week, and no pay in the hols because its classed as casual..... what a fiasco. And the best of it is i wasn't even successful!!!

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

What "salary" do you expect a school canteen to pay?

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

[QUOTE=TraceyW;4553890]I know exactly what you mean. I applied for over 50 jobs when we landed here. Most of them I didn't hear back from, the few that I did were either very poorly paid or stupid hours. I eventually applied for a job in Woolies. I had the interview (which was hilariously way over the top!:rofl: ) and when I refused to work on a Saturday (my husbands day off) but I could work every other day of the week, they said "No thanks" and that was that! I felt like yelling at the woman "I used to be an accounts executive ffs! And I was prepared to stack your bloody shelves for a pittance....your loss!!!"

QUOTE]

As they work on a 7 day rotating roster, why should you have expected to only be able to work on the days you wanted? It would have been made positively clear to you in the job description when you applied for the position. IMO, from your attitude, you thought the job was beneath you and would hve probably quit before Saturday anyhow. As for not hearing back from many applications, most employeres usually only respond to those that they consider that fulfils the criteria that was set out.

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

Hello The Bloke
Well you are obviously a man hey. Well let me put it to you that if you cant get a flexible job that fits round the kids etc especially at a place where they work til midnight, well us mothers should perhaps just stay at home and sponge off the government then?
I find it difficult to believe that when Tracey said she couldnt work Sat but could work the Sunday and every other day that her hours could not be accommodated. Surely there are workers that would prefer to work til midnight during the week and not have to work a Saturday for example. They are pretty unflexible and cannot relate to the real lives of applicants. People have to pay child care during the week and isnt it a bit mean of you to suggest also that Tracey cannot at least spend 1 day with her hubby? There are a lot of people who need flexibility and cannot work certain hours. Your comments about how much a school cook should be paid are also uncalled for and i would hope that most schools would pay slightly more for a good cook. If you worked out how much $15 per hour for 27 hours was over the year and also not paid for holdays then she is certainly probably better off sponging from gov. Is that what you would prefer?
Anyway you made me a bit angry with your attitude. All i hope is that you are never in a situation where flexibility is needed as i am sure if you were your attitude might change:curse:

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

[QUOTE=The Bloke;4554690]
Aaaahhh The Bloke. What an arrogant and condescending attitude you have. Right back at ya babe....you're an Australian man. Says it all really.

I would've thought, after the crap your wife has had to put up with here, you would have half a brain that understood just how difficult things can be.

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

just wanted to say that if money is that much of an issue here, surely $15 + an hour is better than the nothing that your getting at the mo???



and before you all jump on me, i'm english not aussie, and have applied for 8 jobs, had responses from them all, one interview, awaiting the outcome! and am in consideration for 2 more!

But perhaps i fitted their selection critieria that they required!;)

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

getting a job at $15 and hour would be a bonus. congratulations on the applying for 8 jobs and having responses from them all. i have applied for jobs numbering 3 figures, had replies back numbering about 20, and had about 8 interviews. i have well surpassed the criteria on about 98% of the jobs i have applied for, as i am not afraid of applying for jobs that are beneath my capabilities......................but needs must. my sister made a comment to me this week, i cant see you helping old folk out in their homes, she says, cleaning them etc. i am willing to do what is necessary to obtain some employment, but it just isnt happeninga. maybe you are lucky, maybe i am unlucky, but it aint happening here, even though i am an astute person with qualifications and give my employers 110%, have had 4 jobs in nearly 25 years, and have excellent references.

by the way, are you alan or sam?

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

Finding school hours jobs here is NOT easy. Scan the part time job ads, most will say must be available 7 days a week, and they dont say it but its usually at the employers whim, if and when they want you. This does not just apply to unskilled, we know plenty of nurses, teachers, etc, who all get called in at 10 minutes notice, and 3 kids or not! you are expected to be there, say no a few times and they simply get someone else. Dont think men are exempt either, plenty of men employed casual too.

There is very little understanding of women needing school hours jobs, you want a job you work when the boss says so. A lot of employers would find it laughable if YOU suggested the hours, being employed if and when 24/7 is considered quite normal here.

I'll give you an example a friend of ours is a teachers aide, she juggles 2 schools, she has 3 kids, shes never had a rota, its always on call, usually around 8.15, for a 8.35 start:eek: however she does not find it unusual or ridiculous, shes an aussie and just accepts thats the way it is, never been any different so why should she question it, she probably thinks I'm the mad one for seeing a problem with it. Anyway every day, she gets up and gets ready just in case they call, she never plans anything in case they call, they had all sorts of hassles with childcare as you book it on a regular basis not casual, so they sold their house and moved right next to the school, they dont want to live there but if whe wants to keep the jobs thats what she had to do, I personally consider that a hell of a sacrifice for around $300 a week which is the average she says it works out to.

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

Just a thought soon be there have you thought about setting yourself up in business? Sounds like with your catering skills you could set yourself up in any number of businesses from sandwich van (do they have them in oz? - you could serve healthy fresh boxed salads?) to catering for large functions weddings, business meetings etc? With this you could work around your own hours and kitchen hence looking after the kids and perhaps emplying another unfortunate brit to drive the van? Applications on an email to ..... :)

Good luck in whatever you decide to do - I am sure the job you want is round the corner.

Jodie

PS Karma sent

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

Sam, and have been applying for jobs in schools, which i have did back in the Uk and have qualifications for!
but am also in WA so not sure if that has some bearing on it SB?

I hope you get something soon, i know how demoralising it can be, i was in that situation 8 years ago in the UK (dont know why i have found things so much easier over here and others find it the other way around? )

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

i think you are lucky then, whether it is because you are in WA, I dont know? i too have qualifications and experience from the UK as a teachers aide, but that has had no bearing on job applications. i have also got many qualifications, including computer courses, and over 17 years experience in the travel industry, and again this has made no difference. maybe you have a super covering letter? who knows? but, there are many people who struggle to get anything out there. my ideal job is to work in a school, but with all the parent helpers, why should they employ teachers aides?

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

i see your point SB, parent helpers don't seem to be as prevelant over here for some reason.
I've been lucky enough to have a few days relief in a secondary school, which i managed to get through a recommendation from a friends dad (whos a teacher at that school) i have found that its definately who you know over here and not really what you know! daft i say, you'd think experience and qualifications would stand on their own ground but not necessarily so in Oz.

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

Thanks so much for the vote of confidence, i don't have the 'balls' to start something on my own, i really wish i did,
and to 'the bloke'..... thanks for looking down on us, just like the rest of them.. what a complete tosser, you obviously think that 'school dinner ladies' are paid enough, well not in my book. City and Guilds, apprenticship, hands on knowledge all count for nothing then, well done on getting an A in your man management skills.
We (my OH & I) were laughing about the job adverts wanting people with skills and customer service etc... then when you try and deal with the people who actually write these adverts out, they don't know the first thing about customer service, they don't seem to get it that i could be a potential customer one day, and so I would definitely think twice about going there after the service i received.... dur..doesn't take a lot to get that right!!

Thanks again to all who understand, and all of us that are in the same boat, lets keep positive, there are more good people than bad!!!:p

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

sent you a private message hun.

Hubby has had to retrain and it has just taken us 7 weeks from start to finish for him to get a job. We were just talking about this a week or so ago weren't we SB.

Something will come along hun. Lots of us are in the same boat

hugs Lace xxxx

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

me or soonbethere on the pm? cos if it was me, i havent got it :D

what has p retrained as lace?
are you still working at IGA?

love to you all honey.
xx

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

well you cant move in my childrens school for parent helpers. i was doing 3 mornings a week, with 2 groups of children. they had their own files for me, and i had objectives to meet. i can no longer do that, as i have this 2 day a week job, and i dont know the days. why should schools employ teachers aides if they have all these 'helpers', even if some of them dont know what they are doing. i understand it is more of a case of who you know rather than what you know, as most of the aides i have spoken to havent got any qualifications at all.

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

:p :p :p I got one, I got one!!
thanks for the support Lace!
SB good luck, things can only get better, and think what it would feel like if we were in blighty, raining, cold, and pennyless, looking for a job, any job.
Someone on here had a message "same s**t different bucket" how right they are! x

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

.............yep, although i had a great job in the uk as a teachers aide and O/H was earning decent money :D

we will get there, i know that. its just so fustrating on the road there,

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

LOl she got one lol

yeah I rang you SB.. how did the interview go?


I know what you mean about the teachers aide. I was doing this in the UK. The jobs are like rocking horse Shit here lol.

He trained in security and got a job at the Airport but it took 7 weeks for him to get it and a lot of nail biting. :eek:

There are some jobs from coles in Broome soonbethere lol

not too far away then

Lace xxx

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

I'VE GOT AN INTERVIEW- I'VE GOT AN INTERVIEW!!!
:o sorry, just couldn't help myself there! I applied for this about 2 1/2 weeks ago, and thought they weren't interested in me, anyhow totally out of the blue i got the call last night to ask me to call in today at 12.00. (sounds like they had started someone, and it didn't work out??)
I will let you all know how it went, fingers crossed-( oh- its an admin role in a physio nearby ......)
I've never been excited for an interview before, I have never been nervous for an interview either, lets hope i keep my cool !!! :D whats happening to me!!!:oh my:

Feet on the ground, deep breaths......

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

I think it takes them about that long to get through the applications ;)

Good luck :)

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

I wish you well for the interview later, I have yet to look for work, am waiting till we are settled in our own place, but it sounds like it could be fun and games to come!!!!

Shirley

(May just go for my original idea and work from home - Anyone NOR Perth needs legs waxed, eyebrows tinted & shaped? :D )

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

yipeeee she has an interview thank bloody god

come on girl you can do it.

Shirley will be calling you soon just have to lose another few kilos and then I'll be ready miss money penny lol

My works phoned me back up and gave me a job back without the bitch of a manager she has been sacked. There is a god!! lol

gppd luck hun xx

lace xxxx

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

[with regards the comments from the Bloke, its unfortunate you made those comments about the lady, i wish people would think before they open there mouth, its as though the "Bloke" put his mouth into gear before engaging the Brain.??

If the lady spends time with her family on a saturday thats fine we all have a life you know. As for the comments about canteen lady's your well out of order there mate, i hope you are NOT a Thatcher supporter because it appears the comments where a direct derogatory dig a females in general and belive me mate your on your own there, imagine facing all these females on here, you will be like the "Lone Ranger".

arthur

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

Hi there,

We are hoping to be moving to Perth later this year. Reading this post has made me worried about finding work for myself. My other half is an Engineer, and I am an Accounts Payable Clerk. We have no children so I would be looking for full time. Does anyone know how easy it would be for a Pom to get a job as an account bod?? I see loadsa vacancy's advertised, but if agencies are anything like over here, then they don't exist :frown:

Thanks for you time

Tracey

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

Just to add a positive job story...

I am an Office Manager/Accounts, extensive experience but not qualified accountant. I applied for roles in Perth on seek.com.au, had several call backs straight away, the only slight sticking point was lack of experience of BAS, PAYG and Super, oh and they LOVE MYOB over here :D . Met with an agency on the Thursday, had an interview on the Friday and permanent job offer that afternoon, it literally took me less than a week, I was flexible on salary with the agreement it would be reviewed after I had gained a little Aus experience. Maybe I found it easier because I was looking full time? (No children to worry about, yet)!

For people who are still looking in Perth, I know a couple of people in recruitment and they reckon they have loads of jobs but just can't find the people, am happy to pass on contact details for anyone here who is interested...

p.s this isn't meant to sound smug in any way whatsoever, just wanted to give a positive example!

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

After a long fruitless search for work. i found an add for a house keeper in one of the local resort complexes no exp needed! I tele had 1/2 a days traning, got the job. I get paid per room and pay is depending on size of room. Only work i could find, i work part-time and earn approx 250 dollors a week.
Keep trying, i worked for the Police in the UK, and if i told my collegues that i now make beds and clean bathrooms( including toilets) they would be shocked. But what can ya do! Best of luck....:D

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

Please engage your brain before opening mouth. The person in made it quite plain that she did not want to work on a roster that involved Saturdays, which was part of the job requirements, and was not prepared to be flexible. FFS the rosters are usually rotating anyway, so she most likely wouldn't be required every Saturday. If she knew of the required hours, why apply? BTW Woolies is not a canteen, it is a supermarket chain where staff are required to work on rosters, that is if they really want the job.

Also, I am not being degrogatory to females, it is just I am getting sick of people male and female, who complain that they cannot get a job, simply for the fact that they can't get the chosen position immediately and will not take any job, no matter how tedious, lower in pay than they are used to etc., then come on BE and whinge about it. Over the years there has been many, with a few only giving it a couple of months before going back to the UK citing lack of employment as a reason. If you had bothered to check some of my older posts, you would see that I have actually tried to help with websites etc. One poster lasted 7 weeks in Brisbane, left for the UK after the Gov't position he applied for didn't contact him immediately after he posted his job application. I actually told him that it may take several months to get even to the stage of interviews. Personnally I do not real give a monkey's what you think, I was expressing an opinion.
FFS my OH worked sorting mail for Australia Post when she first came out.

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

[QUOTE=TraceyW;4554772]I just tell it like it is......:)

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

Thank you for that. That has made me a little more confident. I too have extensive experience in accounts, but am not qualified. I am not too fussed on salary and don't expect top dollar, am well aware I have to prove myself first.

PS - You don't sound smug, its nice to hear success stories as well :)

Thanks again.

Tracey

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

time for a reality check ;)

$15 an hour isnt a poor wage i`m a sparkie with 20 plus years experiance
i started on $22 an hour ( the going rate whilst waiting for a full licence )

your kidding yourselve if you think you can come over work on a casual basis and dictate the terms of your employment

the blokes reply ?
from personal experiance over the last six months
pretty spot on i would say

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

Whilst I would totally advocate accepting whatever job you're offered, if you need it (beggars can't be choosers) there is also a problem for some people, especially women I think, who end up being totally overqualified for the jobs they apply for.
For example, there are plenty of ladies out there who have degrees, qualifications and professional experience, but after having children they either can't or won't work full time hours. They end up applying for jobs in schools, or part time office jobs - and the employers chuck their CVS immediately because they expect that am experienced graduate won't stay in the job. If this hypothetical woman did get the job, she would probably be tearing her hair out in no time because of being mindnumbingly bored. After a short while, her selfesteem might be at rockbottom. Alternatively when she is continuously rejected from jobs that are way below her, she still loses all confidence in her own abilities and self worth.
What is the solution?! It almost seems as if the only way to have a decent job and kids is to have your job secured before becoming pregnant, then you can go back to it. (even that is not guaranteed).
If anyone has a magic solution, do share!

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

..........well i have been on here and whinged. is that okay with you? we have been here over 7 months now. i have applied for many many jobs, sometimes 6 a day, and all sorts of jobs. coles/funeral directors/health care worker/pizza delivery driver/admin jobs, all well beneath my capabilities, as well as the jobs that i am qualified to do (i have qualifications and experience). i am sick to death of applying for jobs, a job at the post office? chance would be a fine thing.

people are on here to express their experiences. it is a sounding board. do you kinow how demoralising it is to hear that you are not good enough to deliver a pizza? i think not. my self esteem is rock bottom, this makes life harder for us. it makes life difficult at home, with both my husband and my kids. i feel like crap :mad: if coming on here and letting rip helps, then i will do it. it doesnt help me to hear how easy it is to get a job............IT EFFIN ISNT!!!! not for me, and not for other people, out there. it isnt for the want of trying, it isnt for the want of only applying for jobs that i want (who wants to shower and toilet old people anyway, i certainly dont :curse:).

so, please, a little sympathy rather than 'telling it like it is', because from where i am sitting (and my poor family that have had to take the brunt of my inability to gta job) it is like it is, far from it :(

Re: Another work (or lack of work) horror story.......
 

I totally agree, they will bin your application if you are overqualified as they will know that you are only filling in time until a better job comes along, my suggestion would be to tailor your CV to fit the job and not over sale on a lower spec job, just add a couple of bonus points in.

Have you registered with any agencies, this is what I did when I first decided to work and worked in the city which gave me some Aussie experience and finally applied for a job at the local hopital which I got and have been there 14 months now 2 full days a week at $20.5 per hour as a Admin officer. Have just applied for another job within hospital 5 days a week 8-1.30 and have an interview next Tuesday. I really work hard on my CV to tailor its needs and also especially in gov jobs or similar I make sure that I address the essential and disirable criteria, even when I dont meet it for eg I have been able to type upto 75wpm but as I dont do this much anymore my speed is more 50wpm they where asking for at least 60 wpm and rather than lie and say I meet that (cause some places test you) I explain that I have acheived this in the past but due to the fact that I havent been typing a lot lately my speed has declined and I am sure that within a short time I will meet and exceed the required speed. This way if I do get tested and fail they know why.

Try hospital websites for job openings and large firms as most of them will have websites with jobs on them. Where I work at Gosford Hospital they provide staff with holiday childcare which costs about $30 per day (+excursions some days) and this is usually from 6.30 to 6.30 or there abouts. Also if you have young children they have a list of approved childminders which health staff are given priority for (even us admin girls) and I know a lady at work pays approx $160 per week for her 1year old full time.

Jo