For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

May I offer one piece of advice. I should state that we are all great at giving advice and totally crap at taking it but here goes.

You can do as much homework as you like on locations, property and so on but for those that don't have a job to slot into that may prove to be the straw that breaks the camel's back so to speak.

If you are a nurse, engineer or in IT then you should be fine but if you have a more unusual background then you may be in for a shock - both careerwise and financially. All I am saying is please do your homework on the type of opportunities available to you BEFORE you get on that plane.

Good luck!

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

It depends on how blinkered you are before moving down under.

I knew that I would have to accept a massive pay cut by moving here. That wasnt my reason for emigrating.

I do/did however see the massive potential for migrants wanting to start up for themselves when settled.

As I am typing this, I am sat outside on my deck overlooking fantastic views, listening to the cockatoos, rosellas & frogs in the local pond. Thats one of the reasons I moved. To get away from the non stop lifestyle in the UK & Europe, and get a life back.

I feel that I have succeded so far. What job do I have ? I sell flowers. Not exactly IT or a doctor.

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

:thumbup:

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

I agree. You'll find that many people assume that they can slot into the same occupation immediately after getting off the aircraft, and refuse to take anything else if they can't, or when they are told that they have no Australian experience blame employers, then spit the dummy and go back to the UK.

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

I think you should also be prepared to take any job,, or something you would never consider bk in the UK, to bring in the dollars.

Just be prepared that the job you may have here in the UK to what you would like in OZ may never happen!

Bluekipper

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

Just popping back onto BE for a couple of weeks. How are you settling in to life down under?

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

Have to agree. I work in IT in the UK, not sure how long I want to carry on doing this for when I get to Aus, that's the whole idea of the move. However when we arrive, my wife and I have agreed whoever gets any job offer will take it, the other has the kids until we get ourselves sorted.

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

Thats what we did,,also once your in work, atleast you have something Australian to put on your CV!

Not very easy in some parts of OZ to get anything let alone the job you have done for many years & are qualified in!!!

Bluekipper

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

but...but...what about the sun? the beaches? the laid back mortgage-free lifestyle?
uproot, take a massive pay cut and listen to the frogs? ahh the joys of australia.

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

I assume Australia isnt/wasnt for you.

BTW, I dont live near a beach, and I do still have a mortgage like most expats here, but I have a life, and yes it is pretty laid back.

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

Well that is what I have done over the past 2.5 years - every kind of crap imaginable and I bored and restless - I have even walked out of a couple of jobs rather than end up in jail. And I am still here because I love the weather and the outdoors and the scenery (especially in FNQ) and the space and the lack of pollution but I am very broke and seriously over doing very boring work when I can get it. I have also lived like a backpacker since this time last year (all my crap that I bought when I arrived is rotting in storage in Brisbane) and I have been to Broome, Perth, Sydney and Cairns. So the move has been financially and careerwise a complete disaster but I AM STILL HERE FOR NOW.

I just thought if I could help even one potential migrant learn from my mistakes and lack of research then the post would serve its purpose.

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

I have been applying for jobs for months now and haven't even had an interview. I had a decent job in the UK, I researched everything to death before coming here and knew that I would have to go for jobs that I wouldn't normally. STILL no job. My OH is a tradesman and got his job through word of mouth. It's tough and more than a little soul destroying at times.

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

Sorry to hear about your situation and thank you for making me feel a little bit better.

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

I agree that you should do as much research as you can before you leave. Although I have to say that we've now been here for 2 months & I don't think any amount of research actually prepares you fully for the move - especially with the current financial economy

For the 14 months between us deciding to move and actually boarding the plane, we constantly looked on job websites, sent our CVs to agencies and researched areas of Perth. We found loads of reasonably priced rentals & also great jobs with higher wages than we were on in the UK but as soon as we arrived everything had changed.

We actually got our visas based on James's profession (1st class machinist) but he hasn't been able to get any work & has now taken a massive pay cut to become a trainee in a different field

I accepted the 1st job I was offered even though I knew it wasn't for me, I left there after 4 miserable weeks & have luckily managed to get myself a job that I think is perfect for me, starting in the new year.

If you are constantly comparing to your life in the UK then you will never be able to settle. We earn less now but we also spend less entertaining ourselves as we can go to the beach for free, wander around Kings Park, exercise by running around the river & use the free equipment in the park

I don't regret the decision to move at all & don't think we could or would have done anything differently if we had the chance.

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

I read your post in what I believe is the spirit that you intended, in that you are trying to do everyone a kindness in reminding people that there are risks and these risks can be lessened by researching re jobs before the move is made, so that at least you can have a realistic idea of what type of jobs are available and salaries that go along with it.

You've clearly had a bad experience, but as you say, you're still here plugging away and fingers crossed something good will come up for you! 2009 may just be your year :thumbsup:

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

I don't live near the beach either and I also have a mortgage etc. We are better off financially though :thumbup: OH is doing the same job as in the UK, but for more money and I'm just about building up a really good reputation with employers by doing temporary jobs for a recruitment agency. I'm now on more than I used to be too (I told the agent I wanted a pay rise and got it :lol:)


Absolutely, people really should research before they get here - I'm constantly suprised how much people leave until they get here :confused: That's not a dig at you Sue, just an general observation over the years. :)

I agree, took me 6 months to get anything at all. Plenty of interviews, but no work. I really was ready to give in.

I hope you have more luck in the New Year :)

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

Totally agree

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

Hi Worzel :)

Been here 6 months now and its been a struggle to be honest.We're here for a couple of years regardless and then take it from there....thats all you can do really.

Lee :thumbup:

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

Should have come to Perth mate! What's been the struggle - work,homesickness?

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

Work is the main thing..more chance of pooing in the queens handbag then getting a job here :mad:

Perth !???! :rofl:


Lee :thumbup:

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

I'm a teacher and found it almost impossible to get any sort of information or offers from employers before arriving here (Brisbane) However, within a few days of stepping off the plane was inundated with job offers (contracts initially) and now have a lovely house in a fantastic suburb and a permanent job 5 mins drive away.
We only arrived at the end of July but came with the idea that we were determined to make the move work whatever. If we'd based our decision on information gained in the UK, we'd never have moved here!!

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

Same situation with us too. My OH was a plumber for 18years and yet employers just didn't want to know, and he started applying for other jobs and still no joy. In the end he got a number from a kiwi guy we met, it seems it's not always what you know nut who.... you need to get out and meet as many people as possible as you will need some of them one way or another....

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

As a professional (accountant) I found companies falling over themselves to offer me a job. But my wife does admin / clerical and struggled for months. Employers are reluctant to offer newly arrived poms a job when a large proportion will quit to return to the UK or decide working for a living doesn't fit with their vision of heaven that Australia is supposed to be - I know lots of women who did that. The important thing is to get a job, any job even if it is stacking shelves in Coles to have that on your cv and someone to give you a reference. Then after a while you can start looking for a job that you want rather than need.

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

I am glad that I am not the only one finding it hard on the job front. I really thought that after over 23 years in administration, I would have no problem finding work in Brisbane - wrong!! I am not even getting an interview which is very frustrating as I take time and pride over each application. I am hoping though that the New Year brings me more luck, and hope the same for all of you out there in the same boat.

Just one more gripe. What do recruitment agencies actually do? Anyone?

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

Occasionally they take you out to lunch - to 'Thank You' and get to 'meet you' as a very pretty girl told me.

:thumbsup:

They can be crap - but at the end of the day, it might well be harder to get a job in some industries *without* them.

Re: For those that have yet to make the move ---
 

Hi a tip that seems to have worked for my wife is dont put your age on your cv and only put whats realvant on your cv dont make it over complicated you can get involved at the interview.

Australians are lazy most will only pick up the first 3 applicants cv and if there too thick to many pages its means its to much trouble to read so u dont get a interview.

An also u will find the same jobs advertised keep putting your cv in as they do not keep any on file.

I have 29 years experience as a commecial vehicle bodybuilder and went for a job were i was interveiwed by a 20 year old girl lol lol lol when i asked how much the pay was she replied $15 per hour she wasnt impressed when i told her what she could do with that i was expecting $40.

The pay scales are poor here on the Gold coast but if you move towards Brisbane the pay gets better.

My wifes got 25 years catering experince c&g coming out of her ears and she was "lucky" to land a job as a manager at Sizzler $19.50 a hr lol lol lol what a joke but thats how much it pays