Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
Jul 11th 2006 | 10:30 pm
#16
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,997
Re: Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
Originally Posted by rossifumi
I worked nights for about 8 months, some of the most enjoyable times throughout my working life to date. 
Jul 11th 2006 | 10:31 pm
#17
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,940
Re: Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
Originally Posted by nfernand
My advice would be to get a job before arriving here.
Do your CV with an Australian address for better chance.
Jul 11th 2006 | 10:36 pm
#18
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 94,308
From: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Re: Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
Originally Posted by nfernand
I am in Mobile Telco field. Damn it !! Its difficult to get a job which pays $100K. I was lucky I got the job from UK, but I am stuck at my current employer as there arn't any other jobs within Austr. UK and Europe you could easily move arround and even demand in comparison to Ausi.
My advice would be to get a job before arriving here. (Mind you it took me 1 yr to get a job from UK as most employer do reject your CV when they see an overseas address.
Do your CV with an Australian address for better chance.
My advice would be to get a job before arriving here. (Mind you it took me 1 yr to get a job from UK as most employer do reject your CV when they see an overseas address.
Do your CV with an Australian address for better chance.
Its not that easy to get one that pays $35K either mate!!
I wouldn't care how kak the job was if I was being paid that much 
Jul 11th 2006 | 10:38 pm
#19
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,940
Re: Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
Originally Posted by rossifumi
I worked nights for about 8 months, some of the most enjoyable times throughout my working life to date.
Originally Posted by ozzieeagle
There seems to be a real camaraderie amongst night shift workers.
and
Synchronised diving from a scissor lift into the privet hedge. :scared:
Those were the days.
Jul 11th 2006 | 10:53 pm
#20
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,940
Re: Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
Sorry this is repeated from another thread.
This gave me a hearty laugh on Saturday, just the story you like to read before scouring the CareerOne supplement.
I forgot to say that I have been looking outside of aviation, out of the box so to speak.
This gave me a hearty laugh on Saturday, just the story you like to read before scouring the CareerOne supplement.
I forgot to say that I have been looking outside of aviation, out of the box so to speak.
Jul 11th 2006 | 11:18 pm
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,503
From: Riverland, SA - Beds/Cambs/Nhants was home in UK
Re: Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
We debated about coming without a job but points wise we would have struggled as hubbys job isn't a high point scorer.
So we applied for one job in NSW which had been advertised in UK - got quite far along with it in that we nearly came out for a look/interview but it was a slightly different job for hub, slight back step really and also I was worried it was some 6 hrs inland.
In the mean time I'd become a regular surfer in all the internet job sites - one area where Aus match uk, nearly! Anyway found a job which looked really good and closer to coast too!
Anyway to cut a long story short, 2 mths later we visited and hopefully we'll be starting in October, depending on visa!
From reading other posts I feel we've been really lucky and hubs field is in demand - but not on MODL!
Good luck to everyone trying!!
So we applied for one job in NSW which had been advertised in UK - got quite far along with it in that we nearly came out for a look/interview but it was a slightly different job for hub, slight back step really and also I was worried it was some 6 hrs inland.
In the mean time I'd become a regular surfer in all the internet job sites - one area where Aus match uk, nearly! Anyway found a job which looked really good and closer to coast too!
Anyway to cut a long story short, 2 mths later we visited and hopefully we'll be starting in October, depending on visa!
From reading other posts I feel we've been really lucky and hubs field is in demand - but not on MODL!
Good luck to everyone trying!!
Jul 12th 2006 | 12:14 am
#22
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 759
Re: Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
Originally Posted by rossifumi
Love to hear your experiences on this subject be they good or bad, or even experiences you have had whilst employed.
Rejoice or moan like a good 'un.
On a previous thread another member had asked:
Are "a lot" of people finding it difficult to find work?
If so what line of work are they finding it difficult in?
How long have they been looking/out of work?
What level of income are they hoping for/expecting?
What area/state/city?
Whose first up then?
Rejoice or moan like a good 'un.
On a previous thread another member had asked:
Are "a lot" of people finding it difficult to find work?
If so what line of work are they finding it difficult in?
How long have they been looking/out of work?
What level of income are they hoping for/expecting?
What area/state/city?
Whose first up then?
Hubby was offered a job pretty much on arrival - working for some English friends 1 day a week for "beer money". He did that for a while and then a girl at my work mentioned that she knew somebody who was desperate to find welders for his small engineering company. So hubby is now working 3 days a week there doing all sorts - not only welding but also working as a Workplace Health and Safety Officer and a general Mr Fixit
He's only casual but that suits us because it means he can get days off as and when he wants and the pay is slightly better because he gets no paid holiday and sick leave.It's definitely worth talking to anybody and everybody when you get here, mentioning that you're looking for a job and your skills - networking is the name of the game
Jul 12th 2006 | 12:18 am
#23
Gone for Good
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 138
From: Mandurah, WA
Re: Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
We got really lucky. Wife was offered job before we came and so when we arrived I had some "free time". When I finally got around to applying for a job I applied for 2, got interviews for both and was offered both - but only took one of them Doing much the same as I was in the UK, slightly less money, but also less hassle.
Doing much the same as I was in the UK, slightly less money, but also less hassle.
Jul 12th 2006 | 1:28 am
#24
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 457
Re: Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
Originally Posted by rossifumi
Love to hear your experiences on this subject be they good or bad, or even experiences you have had whilst employed.
How long have they been looking/out of work?
Whose first up then?
How long have they been looking/out of work?
Whose first up then?
However, my advice is to not be put off at all as once you're in the market, you're in for good. I get the feeling that ozzies will give you a 'fair go' but its getting that first job that can be a problem. Once u r in and have a bit of local experience, you'll be treated just like any local applicant for jobs u are qualified for. DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET THAT FIRST JOB. Remember (generally speaking) there is a genuine labour shortage here or they would not want migrants in the first place!!!
One other thing i've noticed here - there seems to be a lot more emphasis on referee reports during selection here compared with the UK
Anyone else find that??.
Jul 12th 2006 | 1:35 am
#25
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 854
From: Kirkcaldy Fife to Kingsley Perth
Re: Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
Live Perth and have had no probs finding job.
Myself originally child care worker have had 3 jobs in that field and got offered every job I applied for but crap conditions so gave them all up.
The longest I lasted was 6 weeks in one of the jobs.
Have now returned to aged care which I gave up 12 years ago to persue child care in UK.
Love my job in aged care wages are crap compared to UK but the conditions and hours are far far better and have stuck it for over a year.
Next project is starting a small business with a friend I work with.
Hubby is painter and found work within a week of arriving and his wages have doubled compared to UK and he has good work conditions.
Finishes early FRI and gets pissed
He also is in the process of starting own business as there is such a shortage of Painters here in Perth .
Mags
Myself originally child care worker have had 3 jobs in that field and got offered every job I applied for but crap conditions so gave them all up.
The longest I lasted was 6 weeks in one of the jobs.
Have now returned to aged care which I gave up 12 years ago to persue child care in UK.
Love my job in aged care wages are crap compared to UK but the conditions and hours are far far better and have stuck it for over a year.
Next project is starting a small business with a friend I work with.
Hubby is painter and found work within a week of arriving and his wages have doubled compared to UK and he has good work conditions.
Finishes early FRI and gets pissed
He also is in the process of starting own business as there is such a shortage of Painters here in Perth .
Mags
Jul 12th 2006 | 1:46 am
#26
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,217
From: Poole, Dorset
Re: Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
This is really interesting and its really good to hear everyone's experiences. I hope that we find jobs quite easily when we arrive.
Jul 12th 2006 | 2:55 am
#27
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 243
From: sunderland/victoria/now perth
Re: Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
Originally Posted by rossifumi
Love to hear your experiences on this subject be they good or bad, or even experiences you have had whilst employed.
Rejoice or moan like a good 'un.
On a previous thread another member had asked:
Are "a lot" of people finding it difficult to find work?
If so what line of work are they finding it difficult in?
How long have they been looking/out of work?
What level of income are they hoping for/expecting?
What area/state/city?
Whose first up then?
Rejoice or moan like a good 'un.
On a previous thread another member had asked:
Are "a lot" of people finding it difficult to find work?
If so what line of work are they finding it difficult in?
How long have they been looking/out of work?
What level of income are they hoping for/expecting?
What area/state/city?
Whose first up then?
Jul 12th 2006 | 3:35 am
#28
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 24,249
From: Alloha snack bar
Re: Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
Originally Posted by rossifumi
Love to hear your experiences on this subject be they good or bad, or even experiences you have had whilst employed.
Rejoice or moan like a good 'un.
On a previous thread another member had asked:
Are "a lot" of people finding it difficult to find work?
If so what line of work are they finding it difficult in?
How long have they been looking/out of work?
What level of income are they hoping for/expecting?
What area/state/city?
Whose first up then?
Rejoice or moan like a good 'un.
On a previous thread another member had asked:
Are "a lot" of people finding it difficult to find work?
If so what line of work are they finding it difficult in?
How long have they been looking/out of work?
What level of income are they hoping for/expecting?
What area/state/city?
Whose first up then?
Arrived in Perth on a Sunday,
Met up with an agent I had been talking to from the UK on Tuesday,
Had four interviews on Wednesday. Got offered all four,
Started work on the following Monday on a six figure salary.
No problem finding work in the best city in Australia at the moment.
Jul 12th 2006 | 5:09 am
#29
Fighting my corner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,948
From: Adelaide, South Australia
Re: Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
Originally Posted by ozzieeagle
I've only had two main jobs, in my 26 years here. When I first arrived, I looked up some business contacts from my employers in London. Only to be dismayed to find that they were 1 man bands in comparison to the 150 employees we had at Galbraith Wrightson in London. I then spread my net wider, applying for everything that crossed my path. I temporarily (about 3 weeks) sold Insurance door to door, Probably managed about 3 policies in that time. Then bingo, a small advertisement, in the Herald sun, Stated meter readers required. I thought oh well that will do temporarily, Went for the job, got offered it much to my embarrasement. From "back up in a shipbroking office" to a Gas meter reader in one easy Migration. Thing was, it paid just about the average wage, for a 3-4 hour day. I kid you not, not only that we worked from home, never saw a work colleague, the work got delivered to us. I had stumbled on one of the most sort after jobs outside of the docks in Melbourne at that time. There were days, when I just had to sign a book of completed work, having done two days working, taking about 5 hours the previous day.
16 years that job lasted. Got a Redundancy pay out. I did run a small business whilst doing the meter reading. "be fit hire" which really pushed us along.
After taking the Package in 96, at age of 40, I found a very lax job market. Luckily for me one of my on the road contacts, that I encountered during my meter reading, A postie, had suggested putting my name down at his office in Glenroy. 5 months I was unemployed for, It was the worst period of my working life. Very very frightening. However one day out of the blue, got a phone call from the Postal office saying they wanted someone to start immediately, within next 30 mins they meant. So off I went and delivered parcels for a very short staffed office, luckily right in my old area meter reading area. consequently I did the deliveries in about 2/3rds of the time of a experienced postie driver from outside of the area. The Parcels have gone private in that time. Got offered the contract, but the rates of pay at 90 cents per parcel x 250 per day max (which would take close to nine hours) Without sickpay or holiday pay and supplying ones own van, were just a joke. Luckily Apost wont make anyone redundant without offering 3 other jobs. Now I sit in the easiest job, Night sorting, (but boring i will admit) on the worst hours I've ever worked. Still it pays the average wage, it's a laugh. Plus I would probably have to kill to get the sack.
Serendipity is the name of the game for most Migrants I reckon.
16 years that job lasted. Got a Redundancy pay out. I did run a small business whilst doing the meter reading. "be fit hire" which really pushed us along.
After taking the Package in 96, at age of 40, I found a very lax job market. Luckily for me one of my on the road contacts, that I encountered during my meter reading, A postie, had suggested putting my name down at his office in Glenroy. 5 months I was unemployed for, It was the worst period of my working life. Very very frightening. However one day out of the blue, got a phone call from the Postal office saying they wanted someone to start immediately, within next 30 mins they meant. So off I went and delivered parcels for a very short staffed office, luckily right in my old area meter reading area. consequently I did the deliveries in about 2/3rds of the time of a experienced postie driver from outside of the area. The Parcels have gone private in that time. Got offered the contract, but the rates of pay at 90 cents per parcel x 250 per day max (which would take close to nine hours) Without sickpay or holiday pay and supplying ones own van, were just a joke. Luckily Apost wont make anyone redundant without offering 3 other jobs. Now I sit in the easiest job, Night sorting, (but boring i will admit) on the worst hours I've ever worked. Still it pays the average wage, it's a laugh. Plus I would probably have to kill to get the sack.
Serendipity is the name of the game for most Migrants I reckon.
Good old Aussie Post, eh? I really do miss it sometimes.
Jul 12th 2006 | 10:40 am
#30
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16,623
From: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Re: Finding work in Australia - Let's hear your experiences
Originally Posted by ozzieeagle
I've only had two main jobs, in my 26 years here. When I first arrived, I looked up some business contacts from my employers in London. Only to be dismayed to find that they were 1 man bands in comparison to the 150 employees we had at Galbraith Wrightson in London. I then spread my net wider, applying for everything that crossed my path. I temporarily (about 3 weeks) sold Insurance door to door, Probably managed about 3 policies in that time. Then bingo, a small advertisement, in the Herald sun, Stated meter readers required. I thought oh well that will do temporarily, Went for the job, got offered it much to my embarrasement. From "back up in a shipbroking office" to a Gas meter reader in one easy Migration. Thing was, it paid just about the average wage, for a 3-4 hour day. I kid you not, not only that we worked from home, never saw a work colleague, the work got delivered to us. I had stumbled on one of the most sort after jobs outside of the docks in Melbourne at that time. There were days, when I just had to sign a book of completed work, having done two days working, taking about 5 hours the previous day.
16 years that job lasted. Got a Redundancy pay out. I did run a small business whilst doing the meter reading. "be fit hire" which really pushed us along.
After taking the Package in 96, at age of 40, I found a very lax job market. Luckily for me one of my on the road contacts, that I encountered during my meter reading, A postie, had suggested putting my name down at his office in Glenroy. 5 months I was unemployed for, It was the worst period of my working life. Very very frightening. However one day out of the blue, got a phone call from the Postal office saying they wanted someone to start immediately, within next 30 mins they meant. So off I went and delivered parcels for a very short staffed office, luckily right in my old area meter reading area. consequently I did the deliveries in about 2/3rds of the time of a experienced postie driver from outside of the area. The Parcels have gone private in that time. Got offered the contract, but the rates of pay at 90 cents per parcel x 250 per day max (which would take close to nine hours) Without sickpay or holiday pay and supplying ones own van, were just a joke. Luckily Apost wont make anyone redundant without offering 3 other jobs. Now I sit in the easiest job, Night sorting, (but boring i will admit) on the worst hours I've ever worked. Still it pays the average wage, it's a laugh. Plus I would probably have to kill to get the sack.
Serendipity is the name of the game for most Migrants I reckon.
16 years that job lasted. Got a Redundancy pay out. I did run a small business whilst doing the meter reading. "be fit hire" which really pushed us along.
After taking the Package in 96, at age of 40, I found a very lax job market. Luckily for me one of my on the road contacts, that I encountered during my meter reading, A postie, had suggested putting my name down at his office in Glenroy. 5 months I was unemployed for, It was the worst period of my working life. Very very frightening. However one day out of the blue, got a phone call from the Postal office saying they wanted someone to start immediately, within next 30 mins they meant. So off I went and delivered parcels for a very short staffed office, luckily right in my old area meter reading area. consequently I did the deliveries in about 2/3rds of the time of a experienced postie driver from outside of the area. The Parcels have gone private in that time. Got offered the contract, but the rates of pay at 90 cents per parcel x 250 per day max (which would take close to nine hours) Without sickpay or holiday pay and supplying ones own van, were just a joke. Luckily Apost wont make anyone redundant without offering 3 other jobs. Now I sit in the easiest job, Night sorting, (but boring i will admit) on the worst hours I've ever worked. Still it pays the average wage, it's a laugh. Plus I would probably have to kill to get the sack.
Serendipity is the name of the game for most Migrants I reckon.
My story: it took me 6 weeks to get a job in the same field I left in the UK - if anything at a higher 'grade' and much more money.
I was just about to start night work in security as a backup when I got a call from an agent who'd sped-read my CV and was very excited about my sporting 'background' and a few other details (non IT related) he'd liked the look of. He said "mate, I've got you into an interview tomorrow, it's a walkin".
The next day, turned up for a 5min chat with the blokes, then it was a 5min one with the boss. He said "I can see you're personable". Then he stipulated his rules: "It's 100,000k - I'm not prepared to negotiate on that, if you drink too much at lunch - I ask you go home, if you make a mistake, tell me."
I stayed for 18 months and made some good friends.
