What is Mackay like?
Sep 12th 2008, 12:15 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Pelican Waters, QLD
Posts: 5
What is Mackay like?
Hi,
We arrived in Australia last September and settled in Caloundra.
The area is great - fantastic beaches - and the kids (16, 14 and 11) seem to have settled quite well.
But I can't get a job. OH has a job and he is not happy there. He also has to travel to Caboolture as he had no joy when applying locally.
So we were wondering if anyone is in Mackay and what the job and rental situation is like there? OH is a boilermaker and his mates at work say there is work in abundance for him and the pay is a lot better than round here.
How easy would it be for me to get a job? I'm a Medical Secretary/Receptionist. I have had a few interviews but was always told that as I'd not used the software they use here I wasn't suitable. So I went off and did a course which included using the software - and have now been told I don't have the experience in Australia. I'm in a no win situation and it is really depressing me. I've been to resume writing workshops and followed every piece of advice but now I'm not even getting interviews!
We don't really want to move from the area as the kids have made some good friends. Also we came here just as our eldest was a few months from finishing his GCSEs in the UK so it worries me moving him again as he is nearly at the end of Grade 11 and will finish Grade 12 next year.
I didn't want my first post to sound like I'm the ultimate whinging pom but I don't know any more what to do for the best. We are 'comfortable' here but I can't ever see us ever being any more than that or owning our own home if I can't get work.
So are we just in the wrong area?
We arrived in Australia last September and settled in Caloundra.
The area is great - fantastic beaches - and the kids (16, 14 and 11) seem to have settled quite well.
But I can't get a job. OH has a job and he is not happy there. He also has to travel to Caboolture as he had no joy when applying locally.
So we were wondering if anyone is in Mackay and what the job and rental situation is like there? OH is a boilermaker and his mates at work say there is work in abundance for him and the pay is a lot better than round here.
How easy would it be for me to get a job? I'm a Medical Secretary/Receptionist. I have had a few interviews but was always told that as I'd not used the software they use here I wasn't suitable. So I went off and did a course which included using the software - and have now been told I don't have the experience in Australia. I'm in a no win situation and it is really depressing me. I've been to resume writing workshops and followed every piece of advice but now I'm not even getting interviews!
We don't really want to move from the area as the kids have made some good friends. Also we came here just as our eldest was a few months from finishing his GCSEs in the UK so it worries me moving him again as he is nearly at the end of Grade 11 and will finish Grade 12 next year.
I didn't want my first post to sound like I'm the ultimate whinging pom but I don't know any more what to do for the best. We are 'comfortable' here but I can't ever see us ever being any more than that or owning our own home if I can't get work.
So are we just in the wrong area?
Sep 12th 2008, 12:10 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2008
Location: MACKAY, QLD !!!
Posts: 59
Re: What is Mackay like?
Hi,
We arrived in Australia last September and settled in Caloundra.
The area is great - fantastic beaches - and the kids (16, 14 and 11) seem to have settled quite well.
But I can't get a job. OH has a job and he is not happy there. He also has to travel to Caboolture as he had no joy when applying locally.
So we were wondering if anyone is in Mackay and what the job and rental situation is like there? OH is a boilermaker and his mates at work say there is work in abundance for him and the pay is a lot better than round here.
How easy would it be for me to get a job? I'm a Medical Secretary/Receptionist. I have had a few interviews but was always told that as I'd not used the software they use here I wasn't suitable. So I went off and did a course which included using the software - and have now been told I don't have the experience in Australia. I'm in a no win situation and it is really depressing me. I've been to resume writing workshops and followed every piece of advice but now I'm not even getting interviews!
We don't really want to move from the area as the kids have made some good friends. Also we came here just as our eldest was a few months from finishing his GCSEs in the UK so it worries me moving him again as he is nearly at the end of Grade 11 and will finish Grade 12 next year.
I didn't want my first post to sound like I'm the ultimate whinging pom but I don't know any more what to do for the best. We are 'comfortable' here but I can't ever see us ever being any more than that or owning our own home if I can't get work.
So are we just in the wrong area?
We arrived in Australia last September and settled in Caloundra.
The area is great - fantastic beaches - and the kids (16, 14 and 11) seem to have settled quite well.
But I can't get a job. OH has a job and he is not happy there. He also has to travel to Caboolture as he had no joy when applying locally.
So we were wondering if anyone is in Mackay and what the job and rental situation is like there? OH is a boilermaker and his mates at work say there is work in abundance for him and the pay is a lot better than round here.
How easy would it be for me to get a job? I'm a Medical Secretary/Receptionist. I have had a few interviews but was always told that as I'd not used the software they use here I wasn't suitable. So I went off and did a course which included using the software - and have now been told I don't have the experience in Australia. I'm in a no win situation and it is really depressing me. I've been to resume writing workshops and followed every piece of advice but now I'm not even getting interviews!
We don't really want to move from the area as the kids have made some good friends. Also we came here just as our eldest was a few months from finishing his GCSEs in the UK so it worries me moving him again as he is nearly at the end of Grade 11 and will finish Grade 12 next year.
I didn't want my first post to sound like I'm the ultimate whinging pom but I don't know any more what to do for the best. We are 'comfortable' here but I can't ever see us ever being any more than that or owning our own home if I can't get work.
So are we just in the wrong area?
We will be in Mackay in 2 weeks, as I will be working in Sarina. Having spoken to people who live there, the feeling seems to be that Mackay is starting to Boom with work etc..
I will keep you posted when we land -
Steve
Sep 13th 2008, 12:32 am
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: utopia within my head
Posts: 1,990
Re: What is Mackay like?
Hi,
We arrived in Australia last September and settled in Caloundra.
The area is great - fantastic beaches - and the kids (16, 14 and 11) seem to have settled quite well.
But I can't get a job. OH has a job and he is not happy there. He also has to travel to Caboolture as he had no joy when applying locally.
So we were wondering if anyone is in Mackay and what the job and rental situation is like there? OH is a boilermaker and his mates at work say there is work in abundance for him and the pay is a lot better than round here.
How easy would it be for me to get a job? I'm a Medical Secretary/Receptionist. I have had a few interviews but was always told that as I'd not used the software they use here I wasn't suitable. So I went off and did a course which included using the software - and have now been told I don't have the experience in Australia. I'm in a no win situation and it is really depressing me. I've been to resume writing workshops and followed every piece of advice but now I'm not even getting interviews!
We don't really want to move from the area as the kids have made some good friends. Also we came here just as our eldest was a few months from finishing his GCSEs in the UK so it worries me moving him again as he is nearly at the end of Grade 11 and will finish Grade 12 next year.
I didn't want my first post to sound like I'm the ultimate whinging pom but I don't know any more what to do for the best. We are 'comfortable' here but I can't ever see us ever being any more than that or owning our own home if I can't get work.
So are we just in the wrong area?
We arrived in Australia last September and settled in Caloundra.
The area is great - fantastic beaches - and the kids (16, 14 and 11) seem to have settled quite well.
But I can't get a job. OH has a job and he is not happy there. He also has to travel to Caboolture as he had no joy when applying locally.
So we were wondering if anyone is in Mackay and what the job and rental situation is like there? OH is a boilermaker and his mates at work say there is work in abundance for him and the pay is a lot better than round here.
How easy would it be for me to get a job? I'm a Medical Secretary/Receptionist. I have had a few interviews but was always told that as I'd not used the software they use here I wasn't suitable. So I went off and did a course which included using the software - and have now been told I don't have the experience in Australia. I'm in a no win situation and it is really depressing me. I've been to resume writing workshops and followed every piece of advice but now I'm not even getting interviews!
We don't really want to move from the area as the kids have made some good friends. Also we came here just as our eldest was a few months from finishing his GCSEs in the UK so it worries me moving him again as he is nearly at the end of Grade 11 and will finish Grade 12 next year.
I didn't want my first post to sound like I'm the ultimate whinging pom but I don't know any more what to do for the best. We are 'comfortable' here but I can't ever see us ever being any more than that or owning our own home if I can't get work.
So are we just in the wrong area?
Sep 13th 2008, 12:34 am
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: utopia within my head
Posts: 1,990
Re: What is Mackay like?
Sep 13th 2008, 9:09 am
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2008
Location: MACKAY, QLD !!!
Posts: 59
Re: What is Mackay like?
I am a Construction Engineer and I will be working in Sarina as the site I am on is there. Its a goods yard for QLD rail that is currently being expanded. Not sure which part of Mackay we are going to live in yet, but we have shortlisted some property to look at
Ste
Ste
Sep 13th 2008, 9:14 am
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 314
Re: What is Mackay like?
We are heading to Mackay!
Ste and Framac know this.....
We are still waiting for the house to sell.....Seems a nice place...but we aint been there yet.....
HKA
x
Ste and Framac know this.....
We are still waiting for the house to sell.....Seems a nice place...but we aint been there yet.....
HKA
x
Sep 13th 2008, 9:23 am
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 314
Re: What is Mackay like?
Plenty of viewers no offers.
Folk wanting to buy are waiting for theirs to sell....
HKA
x
PS You Ste and Franny will be the first to know when it sells believe me.
Oh, and Franny better have bought a Barbeque by then! Cheap skate barsteward....new house built for him....after the flood...no barbeque!
Folk wanting to buy are waiting for theirs to sell....
HKA
x
PS You Ste and Franny will be the first to know when it sells believe me.
Oh, and Franny better have bought a Barbeque by then! Cheap skate barsteward....new house built for him....after the flood...no barbeque!
Sep 13th 2008, 9:26 am
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2008
Location: MACKAY, QLD !!!
Posts: 59
Re: What is Mackay like?
Plenty of viewers no offers.
Folk wanting to buy are waiting for theirs to sell....
HKA
x
PS You Ste and Franny will be the first to know when it sells believe me.
Oh, and Franny better have bought a Barbeque by then! Cheap skate barsteward....new house built for him....after the flood...no barbeque!
Folk wanting to buy are waiting for theirs to sell....
HKA
x
PS You Ste and Franny will be the first to know when it sells believe me.
Oh, and Franny better have bought a Barbeque by then! Cheap skate barsteward....new house built for him....after the flood...no barbeque!
Bon voyage party tonight so it will be bad heads tomorrow.
Ste
Sep 15th 2008, 4:53 am
#10
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Mackay QLD
Posts: 14
Re: What is Mackay like?
Hi,
We arrived in Australia last September and settled in Caloundra.
The area is great - fantastic beaches - and the kids (16, 14 and 11) seem to have settled quite well.
But I can't get a job. OH has a job and he is not happy there. He also has to travel to Caboolture as he had no joy when applying locally.
So we were wondering if anyone is in Mackay and what the job and rental situation is like there? OH is a boilermaker and his mates at work say there is work in abundance for him and the pay is a lot better than round here.
How easy would it be for me to get a job? I'm a Medical Secretary/Receptionist. I have had a few interviews but was always told that as I'd not used the software they use here I wasn't suitable. So I went off and did a course which included using the software - and have now been told I don't have the experience in Australia. I'm in a no win situation and it is really depressing me. I've been to resume writing workshops and followed every piece of advice but now I'm not even getting interviews!
We don't really want to move from the area as the kids have made some good friends. Also we came here just as our eldest was a few months from finishing his GCSEs in the UK so it worries me moving him again as he is nearly at the end of Grade 11 and will finish Grade 12 next year.
I didn't want my first post to sound like I'm the ultimate whinging pom but I don't know any more what to do for the best. We are 'comfortable' here but I can't ever see us ever being any more than that or owning our own home if I can't get work.
So are we just in the wrong area?
We arrived in Australia last September and settled in Caloundra.
The area is great - fantastic beaches - and the kids (16, 14 and 11) seem to have settled quite well.
But I can't get a job. OH has a job and he is not happy there. He also has to travel to Caboolture as he had no joy when applying locally.
So we were wondering if anyone is in Mackay and what the job and rental situation is like there? OH is a boilermaker and his mates at work say there is work in abundance for him and the pay is a lot better than round here.
How easy would it be for me to get a job? I'm a Medical Secretary/Receptionist. I have had a few interviews but was always told that as I'd not used the software they use here I wasn't suitable. So I went off and did a course which included using the software - and have now been told I don't have the experience in Australia. I'm in a no win situation and it is really depressing me. I've been to resume writing workshops and followed every piece of advice but now I'm not even getting interviews!
We don't really want to move from the area as the kids have made some good friends. Also we came here just as our eldest was a few months from finishing his GCSEs in the UK so it worries me moving him again as he is nearly at the end of Grade 11 and will finish Grade 12 next year.
I didn't want my first post to sound like I'm the ultimate whinging pom but I don't know any more what to do for the best. We are 'comfortable' here but I can't ever see us ever being any more than that or owning our own home if I can't get work.
So are we just in the wrong area?
We live in Mackay and my husband is a Boilermaker. Its true your OH would have no problem getting work and very good pay here in Mackay.
Regarding yourself I really dont think you would have a problem either its more about being reliable. I know that I have seen quite a few jobs for medical receptionists as my sister in law is in that field and they may be thinking of coming to Australia so it is something I look at. I dont know if its just medical side you would want to do but you would not have a problem getting receptionist/secretary work.
You also have to look at the fact that if your getting depressed then maybe it is time to move to somewhere that can offer both you and your OH the work.
About the kids I cant really advise you on that but Im sure they would prefer you to be happy.
Hope you decide whatevers right for all of you
Sep 27th 2008, 11:50 pm
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: utopia within my head
Posts: 1,990
Re: What is Mackay like?
Plenty of viewers no offers.
Folk wanting to buy are waiting for theirs to sell....
HKA
x
PS You Ste and Franny will be the first to know when it sells believe me.
Oh, and Franny better have bought a Barbeque by then! Cheap skate barsteward....new house built for him....after the flood...no barbeque!
Folk wanting to buy are waiting for theirs to sell....
HKA
x
PS You Ste and Franny will be the first to know when it sells believe me.
Oh, and Franny better have bought a Barbeque by then! Cheap skate barsteward....new house built for him....after the flood...no barbeque!
Oct 12th 2008, 11:22 pm
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2008
Location: MACKAY, QLD !!!
Posts: 59
Re: What is Mackay like?
We are now here in Mackay
Started work and move into our house in Glenella on Wednesday. Love the place......Too Easy.
Started work and move into our house in Glenella on Wednesday. Love the place......Too Easy.
Oct 13th 2008, 10:09 am
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: utopia within my head
Posts: 1,990
Oct 13th 2008, 8:36 pm
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 314
Re: What is Mackay like?
Glad to hear you have arrived Ste...
Hopefully we wont be long behind you....
HKA
x
Hopefully we wont be long behind you....
HKA
x
