bal56

A follow up to the Perth v. Melbourne thread which I started a few weeks back...

We're counting down to the end of April when we fly out (house sold, now renting, 3-month notice given) .... but are still considering where to go.

We'd love to settle in Perth as it would suit what we want lifestyle-wise (finances permitting!), and we have several friends there, but from scanning the internet job market and talking to recruitment agents (in the UK and by phone in Oz) I have several reasonable leads in Melbourne and little to nothing in Perth.

I'm wondering whether to try Perth for a few months to see what shows up, and if nothing, to then head for Melbourne (possibly on my own to start with).

Alternatively I could go to Melbourne first, get a job, learn about the Oz job market some more, then try Perth.

To recap, we're a family of seven, with kids 11 and under. I'm in IT but not a techie. My wife is fully occupied at home. By my calcs our finances will stand six months of me not working at all with enough spare for another move or worst-case return to the UK.

Would there be any benefit in me taking a week in Perth a month before we travel out to get a more first hand view of the job market, or am I likely to accomplish little more than some initial face-to-faces with recruitment agents and still not understand whether employers actually want me?

I'm prepared to be flexible with what I do job-wise.

samnrob2

Can not give you any experienced advice, but merely my thoughts on your situation. If I were in your shoes (kinda am, although not having kids my wife can find work too) I'd go to where the jobs are. Once you've got settled and have some $ coming in, then maybe take a rekkie out to Perth. Just look at that first job (potentially) in Melbourne as a means to an end. First opportunity you get to take some holiday, go over to Perth and sus out your options.



Rob

Nibbs

In my experience, agents respond much more positively when you are actually here.

It obviously depends what field you're in but things have improved since I git here a year before last.

You just need that first job, get an Aussie name on the CV oh and a large chunk of luck. The money is cr@p but I'm sure you already knew that. Keep on the SEEK and JOBNET sites and also try the government sites.

Oddly enough, even though I'm earning half what I used to in the UK we seem to be saving money so maybe slalary isn't so important!! We probably don't do as many restaurants and pubs as we used to but life is good for the time being.

Like many things here, I'd suggest you give it a fair go before moving on. That's if Perth is really what you want and it isn't for everyone.

Cheers

worzel

We are in a very similar dilemma, except I am an accountant. I have searched the job sites on the net and found that there are 3 times as many jobs in Melbourne as Perth (but then the population is 3 times the size). I am torn between the dream lifestyle of Perth and the job security (and sports) of Melbourne. At the moment our plans are for a recce visit to both and see how we get on with agents on the ground. But my inclination at the moment is to chase the dream first and look at alternatives as a plan B.

bal56

I've spoken to several recruitment agents in Perth in the last few days who are cautiously optimistic about the state of the jobs market (well I suppose they would be!). The agent with whom I spoke this morning had his 'real life' rather than 'professional' hat on and said that he thought anyone with a positive attitude and a flexible attitude to finding work would succeed in Perth. This reassured me, particularly as he quickly sorted out a role for an ex-colleague of mine. He also said that he didn't recommend me visiting alone a month before we finally land as employers would still prefer to talk when they can see that we are in Oz permanently.

Having said all this, I'm also having several e-mail discussions regarding roles in Melbourne.....

I feel that we'll be in a better position to make a more informed choice of destination in a couple of weeks time.

I'm told the vessel on which ouir belongings were provisionally to be shipped calls at both Perth and Melbourne, but think its probably best to decide on the final destination before they are picked up from the UK!

Shellfish

Hi Bal56

My husband works in IT (SAP developer) and we sort of toyed with the idea of going to Perth but work wise, it's just not an option at the moment. It really depends on what you do, but unfortunately it's really quiet in Perth for IT. My husband did enough travelling in the Uk and living somewhere other than Melbourne or Sydney would mean more travelling which is exactly what we didn't want.

If Perth grows like everyone says then perhaps we can reconsider in a few years but not at the moment.

Quinkana

Well, if I were in your clogs, first I'd nail 'em to the floor and not move a picometre until you had a cast iron job contract.

bal56

Shellfish,
I think I've come across SAP partners in Perth (certainly Oracle).
Have you/your husband already investigated this option?

Shellfish

My husband could get a job in Perth, I think there are quite a few partners there but because he is a consultant, what people have told us, he would be travelling to Melbourne or Sydney during the week because that is where all the work is. This seems to be the experience of guys who have worked in Perth and then decided to move to Melbourne/Sydney. We have been in Melbourne for a year and 7 months and he has spent probably a total of 2 weeks out of Melbourne (Sydney and Canberra) whereas I think if we had gone to Perth it would have been a lot more. On the other hand, we can't speak from experience of working in Perth so it may be a complete misconception.

bal56

That's interesting Shellfish. I'd assumed that I'd land a more 'dynamic' job in Melbourne which would pay more but involve more travelling, and a much worse paying but more home-based job in Perth (or alternatively a slightly better paying project-type role in Perth involving travelling to the mining areas up north).
Your comments have sparked a few more thoughts:
1. Are employers prepared to contemplate one living in Perth and travelling to the east coast
2. Are there any opportunities to start work for an 'east coast' employer and relocate to Perth
I'm a non-techie in Logistics/Supply Chain IT and have experience of both travelling and non-travelling roles (in Europe and N.America).

chr1sarter

What a great thread. I find myself in a similar position. Just left my job in IT as a sales manager for a very large storage company earning a six figure salary, and we are heading to Perth in July, as that is where my Parents and brother live. But looking at the job sites for a similar job in Perth, then there are very few. Its nearly all in Sydney or Brisbaine where the jobs are that i'm specialised in. Going to take the risk and head for Perth fisrt, get my feet on the ground and see what is about. If all fails move to the east coast after 6 months.

I may even change direction in career if Perth is the place for us.

Good luck on your decision.

bal56

Time for a 'Have you had to change career direction when moving to Perth? (how long did it take, and did it hurt) thread methinks...

worzel

I thought about the career change option too. I keep getting drawn to Melbourne when I worry about work then I remind myself why I am emigrating and revert to Perth (or one of the other smaller capital cities). Hell, we will be almost mortgate free if we go to somewhere like Perth so I could get by quite nicely in almost any job.

Failing that I am a systems accountant and did 3 years SAP implementations in my last job so we could always set up together (not entirely sure I am joking)

bal56

I've specified and implemented plenty of interfaces with SAP, so count me in! (I can make tea too, hot or iced).

worzel

Now all we need is someone that can use a projector and someone to do the photocopying and we will be better prepared than most systems implementation teams