I was in my first job since moving to Perth for over 3 years which I enjoyed, left that one and started one in the city - that didnt work out (office bully bitch/monkey pig saw to that) and I left that one and was out of work one week but in that week got 3 interviews and after the medical etc, I started the new job this Monday and so far I love it, nice people, nice office, twenty mins from my house and I look forward to going in.

But the job I had in the city with 'all frills and benefits' was easily the worst job I have had in years, well organised company, but one woman was allowed to run it, she is a PA and has been there so long she is part of the furniture and people are scared of her - even managers - I got to the stage in the month I was there, when I heard her voice I felt sick and all the health insurance and benefits in the world didnt compensate.

And the day I left there I felt as though a weight had gone off my shoulders, despite crapping myself about how I would pay the mortgage, and I consider myself very lucky to have the job I have now. Seriously, suffering that bully was worth it to work where I do and with the people I work with.

Some tales there..............Its not great in the UK, unemployment up again today.......make do and mend is what my old gran used to say!

Would any of the unemployed ranks on here consider driving a black and white cab if they were in the Brisbane area? I ask because i think it will be my way of putting beer on the table? Or is it classed as a job not many would consider, BTW, i have driven taxi's before in the UK in my Uni days!

Gosh , just been reading this, truly hope everyone gets summit soon (note to self, to never whinge about my job again!)

For sure.Good luck to all those looking.It certainly cant be easy.

If it came down to it I'd try the cabs, yeh.

A lot of hassle though, especially at night ... I think a nice day-shift at the local IGA would do me.

As it stands it would be a shame to junk 20 years IT experience so the search continues ... bear in mind I haven't been looking for the whole year

Met up with a few of my old business contacts for lunch today.
I was doing the old networking jaunt and reminding them to keep their ear to the ground for me.

They couldn't believe one of the jobs I had applied for and said they would rather have no job..........so I am trying.

Got knocked back for the Moderator role then?

Good luck mate, keep your chin up, you still have all the best things in life, good health..........

I would rather be out of work over there than here, winters starting to show now, and its only August, cold at night, wet today, very much like Ms Moon?

It's hard work tho' especially when dealing with agencies. I've 20+ years ICT and am getting tired of self important agency staff with no knowledge of IT contacting me about completely inappproriate roles, or else telling me I have 'no experience'

Too scared to drive far in Brisbane due to general standard of driving, so cabbying is out for me!

I hear that, I avoid agencies as much as possible.

I've snagged a part-time IT Support role for a small business out of the local paper. 10 minutes to drive if they need me, ideal ... The money isn't great but neither is the stress

That's great news!

I plan on having a job soon - I call this Plan errrm M probably by now! I've just delved into the murky world of recruitment agencies, one of which who after glancing at an email I sent with my resume told me ever so helpfully based on my many years admin type work that they had a lot of work involving heavy machinery! I replied telling them that I could suppose that "heavy machinery" is almost certainly heavy, would that knowledge increase my chances of work in that field? They didn't see fit to reply Bugger 'em!

However, I am having coffee with a different firm tomorrow for a "chat" as she found me hilariously funny. I was aiming for professional but *shrugs* if it got a laugh that's no bad thing!

Good luck, if comedy is what gets you in then so be it!

Let's face it, most jobs require a decent sense of humour ... Especially office jobs ... If I can avoid seeing another spreadsheet I'll be a happy man ...

Another rejection today on the basis of overqualified.

I understand the thinking but it just pisses me off when I have written (downgraded) my resume to match what they are asking for and still it's no good.

Same here Bix.
I applied for loads of jobs and i am only just getting replies now, it's been over a month with most of the applications i posted?
I had a phone call yesterday afternoon - 4.40pm to be precise (that's the give away)...
'Hi paul, listen we went through your resume again and again, and it's not good news you are just to qualified for this position. Myself and the manager agreed that if you are ok with it keep your resume on file for a month or so, and see if we can fit you in somewhere here'.
I was just grateful of any reply, sad not to be given a go, even though i had made it clear at the interview i was more than prepared to start at the bottom, not a problem?

It's ticket for this ticket for that, then theres the must have two years on the job here experience? System no fair mate.
It's almost like it's geared up to bleed your savings dry knowing that you would be left with no option but to bugger off where you came from

Just out of interest ..... which parts of Oz are you struggling to find employment and in what industries? It seems to be really busy where I am - firms just can't find the right people.