Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

I was just wondering if anyone else is finding it difficult to get a job?
I have been here since january and have not even had so much as an interview.
In Scotland i worked with Adults with Learning difficulties and there are jobs advertised but i never seem to get anywhere with them.
My husband is working and that is keeping us at the moment but we would be better off if i was working too.
It is depressing me and making me want to go home, as i had a really good job at home and feel as if they dont even recognize the skills i have over here.:(

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

You will probably need aussie quals unless you are going to volunteer,have you looked at TAFE. Study up on the performance criteria type interviews too, quite an art, have a friend whos a qualified teachers aide, the interview packs/process are quite lengthy with hundreds of applicants and usually in her opinion they already know who they are going to employ. She still only gets casual hours even after all that crap.

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Yep, hubby had the same problem it took him about 4 month to get a job (he's unskilled) sent out about 50 CV's and applied for loads of jobs. Eventually he got a casual job and has just been made permanent. It really knocked his confidence he went on any course he could just so it would hopefully add to his chances of getting a job. It was pure luck in the end.

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Quite possibly they don't :( I don't think it's much different whatever country you were to move to, every country does things their own way and expect applicants to offer the 'right' qualifications. As Jad says, try and do a TAFE course, as well as looking at voluntary work - that always looks good on a Resume.

Even Aus Resumes look completely different from UK CVs so getting 'local' advice as to how yours should look and what it should include would also help.

Good luck and don't give up, it can take a while (or flaming ages in some circumstances).

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Hi Anastacia..... don't lose heart ... unfortunately you'll probably have to get your qualifications recognised..... I was an Auxiliary in the UK but had gone back to college at night and done in job qualifications so that i could go on and do my paramedic training (this was all b4 we decided to come over here) but these qualifications were not recognised here... so i had an appointment with skilling solutions who gave me some info on getting this done.... great i thought ... but there is a downside ... you have to pay for the privilage..... so i can deffinately empathise with you mate.....days at home give you time to think.... makes you homesick.... keep trying ... best of luck :)

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

As others have mentioned you will do yourself a favour by getting to TAFE and doing some sort of course related to your field. I have stressed this numerous times on here over the years - ANY job involved working with adults/kids in a social/community worker/mentoring senario will require some sort of Aussie "retraining" no matter how much experience you have or how many UK quals.
Also by doing a course you will get out of the house for the day rather than being stuck in doors which may or may not be getting you down and homesick and you will get to meet people.

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

you need to get out and about and meet some people
one thing we've found is a lot of work comes from who you know, not what you know - any chance you get mention what you do and that you're looking for work
i know it's hard but try not to keep thinking about how things were "at home" as it really wont help

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

I am a nurse for people with learning difficulties ( RNMH) my qualification is not recognised, I have given up even looking for any work , no-one replies .
Hope you find a job soon , but i feel for you .
Janet

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

What the others have said - Aus is definitely a place where it aint what you know but who you know. If you can find somewhere that you could volunteer then you could get your foot in the door. Charities are often quite interested in mentors or something like that - you could try St Vinnies, the Salvos, Anglicare or any of those organizations and see if they have an interest in adult literacy mentoring. We do have a volunteer service here which supports adults with literacy difficulties but the paid positions tend to be teaching positions and there you have the 4 year teaching degree requirements being a possibility. If all else fails, you could suss out private tutoring.

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

As the other replies have said don't give up hope and try to get on a TAFE course to get Aussie qualifications. In the meantime, alot of others in the same position have got any job that was going. For example, my OH was an experienced fingerprint tech in the Sussex Police. Over here she could not get a job in that field because to be a Fingerprint Officer, you needed to be a serving Police officer. She ended up taking a casual job with Australia post sorting mail at Christmas. Although not fantastic, it gave her a sense of purpose and "an Austrlalian job experience" for her resume'. She has now worked her way up in the Emergency Services dept in Qld.
Best of luck.

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Yes partly because I am terrible at looking for work. I was an intelligence analyst in the UK (civilian) and have managed to get a couple of interviews for potentially good jobs but have stuffed the opportunities up. Good on paper but ---. I have been temping doing mainly mind numbing admin type contracts. Don't know why I am still here really but I do like Oz in other respects.

I have encountered a lot of people over the past 18 months who are working outside their fields. What I find ironic is that I got a skilled visa - i.e., my skills are apparently required here bla bla.

Good luck to everyone having the problem - it also knocks your confidence when you don't get a job that you could do standing on your head blindfolded. Now losing my skills as well as my confidence!

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

[QUOTE=suebrennan;6343368]
Yes partly because I am terrible at looking for work. I was an intelligence analyst in the UK (civilian) and have managed to get a couple of interviews for potentially good jobs but have stuffed the opportunities up. Good on paper but ---. I have been temping doing mainly mind numbing admin type contracts. Don't know why I am still here really but I do like Oz in other respects.

I have encountered a lot of people over the past 18 months who are working outside their fields. What I find ironic is that I got a skilled visa - i.e., my skills are apparently required here bla bla.
[QUOTE]

How did you stuff them up? One reason could be that they had someone who had citizenship, which counts more in intel analyst field due to the sensitive nature of the job. The OH had a similar problem even though she has to type up some confidential reports during emergencies, she cannot fax them as the special fax machine is connected to ASIO, due to her not having citizenship at the time for security clearance to enter the special fax room.

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

I started relief working in schools

I did get this through a friend whos dad recommended me (he taught there) although my girls school also wanted me for relief (i got talking to the registrar who explained the system over here)


This led to me applying for several jobs in schools, that i didn't get

but it did lead to the education dept phoning me offering me a permanent position without interview, which i turned down as i had accepted a long term temp contract with a local school which when it was made permanent i got.

But it was a who you know not what you know!:sneaky:

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

pm shazzamac , she works in this area in melbourne, but is relocating to perth soon, and has a job there.
I know she has done some distance learning here whilst working full-time:D

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

[QUOTE=The Bloke;6343472][QUOTE=suebrennan;6343368]
Yes partly because I am terrible at looking for work. I was an intelligence analyst in the UK (civilian) and have managed to get a couple of interviews for potentially good jobs but have stuffed the opportunities up. Good on paper but ---. I have been temping doing mainly mind numbing admin type contracts. Don't know why I am still here really but I do like Oz in other respects.

I have encountered a lot of people over the past 18 months who are working outside their fields. What I find ironic is that I got a skilled visa - i.e., my skills are apparently required here bla bla.
Yes I am aware that I am excluded from applying for a whole range of jobs as not a citizen yet. But although I can do the dreaded selection criteria - I have not mastered the interview game here. Strange because I used to enjoy the challenge but ----. One I felt was mine - interview went like a dream and it was a low level but good foot in the door but I did not get it and was refused feedback - guess it went to a local?

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

My OH had same problem when he came out after being with the Army in UK....did not have skills that crossed into "real" life....went months trying to get any kind of work then my daughter who was interstate suggested he get a fork lift licence which he did ..we also moved interstate on daughters advice and registered with agencies,,,he then got casual work and was willing to do anything and everything...he worked in steel works..did lead smelter shut downs and even worked night shifts in a bakery...OH the fresh bread every morning was heaven ;)...doing so many jobs helped give his confidence a boost which was flagging...Since returning to Qld after the kids moved back to UK again signed on at agency did a few differant jobs again before finally getting permanant work after working casual with a company for nearly 2 years......hopefully you will find work soon as everyone says aussie qualifications and be willing to try just about anything you can.....Good luck.:thumbsup:

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Hi Anastacia,

Just wondered if you hadtried any of these websites

www.applynow.com.au
www.boystown.com.au
www.nfpjobs.com.au
www.qcoss.com.au

I was a residential social worker (children & young people) for Glasgow City Council for 8 years before we came over. I have a social science diploma though it's not recognised over here. Not sure if your sector is similar in that the jobs are through a number of different organisations over here rather than directly through social services/government. I used the above, along with the usual, for searches.

Good luck, stay positive your skills will be needed and appreciated somewhere!!

Cheers
Mandy

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

What a lot of immigrants dont realise is that in Australia its all about connections. Social networking is huge here, we dont value University education or private colleges that much here. Its pretty much about who you know.

You make friends through sporting clubs, especially if you live near the beach. The local surf lifesaver club has a lot of professional people volunteering for weekends. Many are lawyers, firefighters, corporate professionals ect.

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

ON AVERAGE, how long does it take a migrant to find a job in Australia???

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

You can't really average it. I started working full time just 4 days after we landed. My husband, who's skills we came on, took 9 months and an interstate move. We have very close friends who have the exact same qualifications, are the same age as us and have the same work experience. Both of them found full time permanent great positions within the first month.

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Hi Anastacia,

Sorry to hear that you haven't had any luck as yet on the job front but I'm sure there is something out there for you.

I'm a Learning Disability Nurse (still in the UK) but we're hoping to come over to Melbourne in the next 12 months or so and I'm getting a little worried that my nursing quals won't get recognised once I'm over there.

I hope that all goes well and you find a job soon.

Leah x

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

we was on the Gold Coast last year is was very hard to find work all the jobs we applied for the worse thing was we never got any replies back, they only like to employ causal workers so they don,t have to pay sick pay or holiday pay. My wife is a teacher it was really hopeless for her to find any teaching work at all. I am a chef i did some causal work but i was never happy in the work place. So we came back to the uk if i did go back i will train to do something else. We want to go back to the same place hopefully things will be better for us .

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

It depends on what you are happy doing.

I landed on the Tuesday and was working by the following week. I went and joined a couple of recruitment agency's who called me every day offering me work ranging from a delivery driver, order picking and even some landscape gardening. The pay was not great at around $20 an hour but I met people and showed some of the company's how good a worker I could be and very soon was getting asked for personally at the agency's. I then found a permanent casual job through the agency paying $35 an hour 4 day's on and 4 off and while there heard of a full time job in a refinery requiring no skills. I applied and with references from the agency company's I worked for secured a job. I have been working there since February and will hopefully be on a six figure salary by the end of next year.

So it can be done with no skills, you just have to take what you can get for the short term.

I was told by one of the company's I worked for that they do not like employing people without an Australian track record due to not being able to get rid of them easy if they turn out to be muppets.

So good luck

Bobby

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Yeah, I would agree with the 'who you know' in getting a start and also the prove your worth kinda stuff too.

We're over on a student visa, restricted to how much we can work. Hubbie got a number of a guy who was a friend of a friend of a . . . . anyway he offered his labour free for a coupla days n got offered a job after the first day. This was within the first week.

I think it can be pretty slow going through the aplication process though. I'd applied n got the first job i went for, was confident that I'd got the job after the interview, but they didn't contact me for bout 3 weeks! It also took a coupla months for the blue card to come through too.

Hubbie gets offered full-time work all the time through meeting people tho because of the student visa, can't take any offers up!! Fingers crossed that the same happens when he can take up the offers!

Cheers n good luck everyone!
Mandy

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

when we were in brisbane we found it difficult, now in Perth and its jobs galore, and people are more trusting in interviews and genuine.

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Hi there, if you look at the link below they may be able to help you. They are a state wide based company with branches just about everywhere.

http://www.mssa.com.au/page/contact

Please do not hesitate to contact me again if you need any further info.

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

It seems to be better for general job oportunities in Perth, is that the case? we were in Adelaide and you need a bloody letter from God to get a job!

bluekipper

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

same in Queensland too :rofl::rofl::rofl:


Bobby $35 an hour! I'm a nurse with 7 years experience and only get $30

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

My first job in Australia was through a contact but that was in 2002 when the IT market was flat as a pancake.

Public service is a different ball game. Been there and I am not going back.

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Thanks mandy, i also have a social sciences diploma, didnt realise that they didnt recognise it.

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Thanks everyone for all your help and encouragement and all the links

Anastacia:thumbsup:

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Every industry in WA has a shortage of workers - some more than others. You would have no problem finding a job in Perth.

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

we came over on a sponsored visa so I had a job to come to.

H was a reinsurance broker in City of London before we left. He registered with some agencies to do general insurance admin work (way beneath his skill level). He took a 2 week holiday relief job and stayed 18 months. This probably took a month to get.

After that he was in work more or less constantly with short term contracts (his choice) for 3 years til he changed career big time to become a plumber.

Sometimes ANY aussie work experience is good on a CV- relevant or not!

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Hi, we've been here since Nov 07 and activly looking for work since Jan 08. I have had a few interviews but no luck yet. Found out today that i didn't get to the 3rd stage of the process for Bunnings. :(
I have changed my cv 3 times now, the last time my neighbour who works for centre link helped me. i love being here and would not dream of returning to the UK but if hubby and i don't find work soon we may not have a choice.
I used to work as an IT tutor, teaching computer courses and literacy and numeracy and my quals count for nothing here. I have looked into doing a training and assessors course here but can't realy justify the $1000 it will cost. I was hoping to get a job and pay for it that way rather than using our savings.
My neighbour suggested that i do a youth community service course as i like working with young adults but again that's going to cost.:(
I am feeling realy down at the moment and don't know what to do for the best. If we return to the uk we will be worse of as we'd be homeless and jobless.:eek:Oh well i'm sure something will turn up. If i tell myself that often enough i may even believe it.

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Sounds good:thumbsup:

Found Adelaide very much about who you know,not what you know!

bluekipper

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Hi Pomster,
Do you mind me asking at what age did MrPomster change career and how long it took to do the plumbing?

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Yes, I did a 12 hour shift each day and was paid $24 for the first 7 hours, then time and a half for the next 2 hours and finally double time for the last 3 hours, I also worked every second weekend at time and a half on a Saturday and double time on a Sunday. Over a month it worked out at around an average $35 per every hour worked.

I worked it out at almost $80,000 per year if I had stayed there.

It is a sad state of things that someone doing the demanding job you have is paid less that me, who has no qualifications whatsoever.

Bobby

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Like I said on my earlier post, register at every recruitment agency in the phone book, and take anything that they offer you, thats if you think you are able to do it. That will get you meeting people and company's, then if you show you are a hard worker a door will open for you. In most cases it is not what you know but who you know.

Good luck

Bobby

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

I have never been to Adelaide so cannot judge it. All I know is that it struggles to retain the people living there - hence all the special immigration programs they have. Whereas all the other major cities are expected to grow significantly in the near future, Adelaide is expected to only grow very slightly. Maybe your experiences are one of the reasons why. I also think Adelaide has an image problem with the rest of the country - you meet very few Aussies who have anything good to say about the place.

Re: Anyone else finding it difficult to get a job??
 

Oh its a lovely place, very country feel to it, not a lot happening, so great if you love all that!

was`nt my cup of tea unfortunately, looking for more job prospects, not nice after yrs of working to have been unemployed for mths when arriving, especially when you can turn your hand to different types of jobs, met so many ppl who say one thing but mean another! I have a handful of fond memories of Adelaide tho, so not a complete loss, just want more, not a lot to ask is it, And when I say more ,Im not talking money,Im not materialistic at all, I mean more oportunities to get jobs.

bluekipper