I'd be happy to work as a paralegal (even with the reduced salary), but I've spoken to some recruitment agents who seem to think my lack of QLD experience will be a barrier to me getting a paralegal position. But I'll keep trying....

I think I am going to have a similar problem - not knowing the compliance regs etc and financial institions is going to be a hinderance - but trying to find out about it all without having inside knowledge is like banging my head against the wall.

I take it you are going to persevere F5??

Well done to your wife for securing a position.

From the people I've spoken to I think people in the trades do find it easier to find work - not surprising really when you see all the property development going on here. There just aren't the big employers for white collar professionals - a lot of people end up starting their own businesses.

I am getting the big impression I am being ignored on here. lol.

I certainly will perservere - being a domestic goddess (!) is great for a while but who would have thought I could get bored with sitting by the pool/on the beach!

LOL - getting a bit mithered to be honest that work is going to be an issue. After readying the probs other people are having its having a bit of a negative impact on the quiet. Something which I am not comfy with as dont tend to be negative.

Sorry - the intention was not to be negative, but rather just to let people know that it could take some time to get a job so have a contingency fund. I'm sure you've been checking the various recruitment websites (my OH got his job via SEEK and a series of telephone/video conferencing interviews, so it can be done) and you could try contacting potential employers (if you haven't already done so) to get details of their selection criteria so you can see if you can do anything from the UK. With hindsight I wish I had done a bit from the UK and not taken it for granted, but I'll get there - it's just a matter of time and more effort.

I wasnt meaning for you being negative - but me... the spin on it has just hit me really. I have emailed people through seek, also emailed companies direct out of the Sunshine Coast website telephone directory. Plus made contacts - but the contacts are in Brissy CBD which would be one hell of a commute..

Its all because I dont have the oz regs under my belt I feel I will have to leave management and have to work my way up again - learning as I go.

It seems like you are experiencing something similar.

im a commercial property legal secretary (18 years) so if you secure a position can i be your secretary!!!!???!

Hi.
We (two kids ,wife and myself) have been up on the sunshine coast for 6 weeks and love it. I found work within two weeks of being here as an engineering manager in the food industry.The company is having great problems finding maintenance engineers to work the pm shift (hours to be agreed but 38 ish ) So there is work out there, we would look at anybody with mechanical or electrical background and qualifications would look at a qualified mechanic too .Good working conditions and environment. 10 mins from Maloolaba or Kawarna. Drop me a line if interested . Having said that people live here and work in the mines in northern queensland fly in fly out 10 on 4 off. Just driving a water (dusting truck) pays 100k and skilled jobs pay more. I know of one chap who was an "office manager" and went up as a driver more than doubled his income in the first few months. You take your choice on how you want to live your life.
The Sunshine coast is about to explode with further expansion with a massive new hospital new railway and lots of new houses (Stocklands seem to be taking over the world up here). Large development on this scale can only mean that jobs continue to follow. I admit that the majority of the area has lots of small companies employing no more than 20 people but there are bigger ones about . From here to the Gateway bridge takes 50 mins so its not two bad to live here and work in Brisbane ! I however came from the uk to get away from that. I like the 10 mins trip to work and even less to the beach.!!
Cheers
Lee

great post Lee!! now if you can find my husband a plumbing/gas engineer job i will be your pal for life!! we were on sunshine coast last year but had to come back (wont bore you with the details) cant wait to get back out there

I'll let you know - at least if I do manage to get a job, you'll have one contact in a local law firm!

when we were out in caloundra last year i had a quick look at the law firms in town and could have sworn i heard banjos playing!!

Biggest thing people miss when deciding to live in these sort of locations (lovely beachside destinations) is that a lot of people commute to work, just like they would if they lived in a georgeous holiday destination in the UK. If you dont believe it get on the highway around 5.30am from the goldcoast, sunshine coast, northern beaches of sydney, coastlines and suburbs of melbourne etc etc etc

Tradesmen for eg will quote work here from hervey bay right down to the NSW border. The boom here was around 2003, work is now more steady than boom and many commute to brisbane daily thats considered normal, just like many office workers commute to brisbane .

You must also remember this area like many popular bits of OZ has been saturated with tradesmen, both overseas and interstate migrants.

Also the obvious fact gold coast and sunshine coast are 2 of australias biggest tourist spots, the main jobs are naturally going to be in the hospitality industry. But would that not be the case in cornwall etc in the UK, same thing really. If you dont want to commute you need to be patient in finding work as a lot of other people will want local jobs or you create your own work.

thanks for some really good and honest information guys.
my OH is a plumber and heating engineer and I am a social worker. I already know that I will have to find alternative work,as my qualifications arent recognised in oz. But I am willing to do pretty much anything. My OH would obviously like to continue with plumbing as that is all he has ever done, where as I have done all sorts of jobs.
does anyone know what work is on SC for youth workers?
bec