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British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   Moving back or to the UK (https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/)
-   -   Different continents but same baggage. (https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/different-continents-but-same-baggage-371888/)

Mercedes May 8th 2006 12:56 pm
Re: Different continents but same baggage.
 
Originally Posted by Ian12
I think it is: "your qualifications are not recognised/understood by potential employers?" If I was a psychologist no problems. I used to work in a hospital department and supervised psychologists but psychotherapy is not really that developed in Australia. We said we would give ourselves 2 years before we made a decision. Well, we have 6 months left. Much as I love the sunshine, the pool and beaches we can't just retire.
This link may or may not be of help you, since the person also is from UK, she may be able to offer some tips/ideas, who knows.

http://www.tracieokeefe.com/

these other links may be of help to you also if you haven't tried them already

www.aasw.asn.au/adobe/about/CPE_appelated.pdf
directory.jayde.com/health_mental_health.html

www.usenature.com/nsw.counselling.htm
www.psychotherapy.com.au/trainingguide_providers.asp
www.somaticpsychotherapy.com.au/
www.sydneywellbeing.com/body-psychotherapy.html
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/depression/treatments/psych.cfm

for your other half

www.sydney-city-directory.com.au/a-page/accountants.htm
cracker.com.au/sydney/jobs/accounting/search.aspx
jobs.efinancialcareers.com/job-4000000000162283.htm
www.thomasguth.com.au
www.gumtree.com.au/sydney/59/2973859.html

If he is finding it hard to get work with large corporations and sometimes you will find some mangers won't hire anyone better than themselves as they are afraid of losing their job, he may be better to target medium/small size businesses and actually talk to the Managing Directors. Often if they own the company they will be sold more on benefits to what he can do for them. Or alternatively if they can't afford someone on their books full time he could work as a subcontractor for them. Some more food for thought

Ian12 May 8th 2006 7:40 pm
Re: Different continents but same baggage.
 
Originally Posted by Brucey
Hi

I find that Australians are very backwards at recognising some skillsets and qualifications, not sure why but if it doesn't tick the box they cant get around it. It's basically "computer says no" scenario no matter how ridiculous it is to say no.
On the social front I have to agree with you. We were worried it was us but we feel we are very sociable too (always making the effort) and we have met others who feel the same. We are getting use to it but its definitly lonlier out here.
In terms of the time frame for making a decision, well I think when you know you know. I dont know how many times I have heard people advise others "you need to give it longer". Well if you stayed in the middle of the Gobi desert for long enough you'd get used to it.
We are here about a year ourselves, dont particularly dislike anything (apart from the flies), not feeling homesick but have decided to go home.
For us the lack of culture\sense of history, general feel to the place doesn't appeal. The weather is great, cost of living is cheaper and greater time for familly life is great. However the place for us just is not as good as home. Home has more to offer educationally for the kids and culturally for everyone. Its hard to put my finger on it but the place for us is just empty. There is no real substance to it when you strip away a few of the material things that people strive for.
Anyway I'm begining to rant a bit. All I really wanted to say is we have similar concerns and feel weather \house\pool really wont be enough in the end.
Where in Australia Are you?

Ian12 May 8th 2006 7:43 pm
Re: Different continents but same baggage.
 
Thanks for this. I have actually been in touch or know of all the organisations you listed but thanks for all the thought you put into it. I appreciate it. I have been passing on your advice to my other half. He had an interview with an agency today and we are just hoping it will at least result in a short listing.
What line of work are you in?


Originally Posted by Mercedes
This link may or may not be of help you, since the person also is from UK, she may be able to offer some tips/ideas, who knows.

http://www.tracieokeefe.com/

these other links may be of help to you also if you haven't tried them already

www.aasw.asn.au/adobe/about/CPE_appelated.pdf
directory.jayde.com/health_mental_health.html

www.usenature.com/nsw.counselling.htm
www.psychotherapy.com.au/trainingguide_providers.asp
www.somaticpsychotherapy.com.au/
www.sydneywellbeing.com/body-psychotherapy.html
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/depression/treatments/psych.cfm

for your other half

www.sydney-city-directory.com.au/a-page/accountants.htm
cracker.com.au/sydney/jobs/accounting/search.aspx
jobs.efinancialcareers.com/job-4000000000162283.htm
www.thomasguth.com.au
www.gumtree.com.au/sydney/59/2973859.html

If he is finding it hard to get work with large corporations and sometimes you will find some mangers won't hire anyone better than themselves as they are afraid of losing their job, he may be better to target medium/small size businesses and actually talk to the Managing Directors. Often if they own the company they will be sold more on benefits to what he can do for them. Or alternatively if they can't afford someone on their books full time he could work as a subcontractor for them. Some more food for thought

Brucey May 8th 2006 9:56 pm
Re: Different continents but same baggage.
 
Originally Posted by Ian12
Where in Australia Are you?


We are in Perth, but not for too much longer, we are heading back to Ireland in about 3 weeks.

Mercedes May 8th 2006 10:25 pm
Re: Different continents but same baggage.
 
Originally Posted by Ian12
Thanks for this. I have actually been in touch or know of all the organisations you listed but thanks for all the thought you put into it. I appreciate it. I have been passing on your advice to my other half. He had an interview with an agency today and we are just hoping it will at least result in a short listing.
What line of work are you in?
I'm multi skilled and have worked in various industries, but when I was in Australia, got sponsored to stay there by AMP as a Financial Consultant/trainer, I also was offered sponsorship in Computer training for Australian government departments at the same time which was in Melbourne, but that was turned down as Immigration felt an Aussie could do it. When I was in Sydney, I worked as Advertising/Business Development manager for a Japanese Newspaper as a change in career and also worked for the NRMA as a Middle Manager, as my background of computer knowledge in developing a computerised system into my department, advertising knowledge and Financial background was of benefit to them. Nowadays I'm in a totally different field, I'm a hands on Director of a company that deals in specialist security, investigations and intel internationally, we also train people for hostile environments and violence in the work place amongst other things. So I work and meet some interesting people across the board.

Shellfish May 9th 2006 2:55 pm
Re: Different continents but same baggage.
 
Hi Ian12

I know 4 CA's who all from S.Africa and are now living in Melbourne. They all managed to get jobs very quickly which I think is mostly down to the fact that there is such a shortage of Accountants in Australia. These accountants took a 'conversion' exam to help with the changes in tax law. Is this something that your wife has done or would consider?

It is totally normal that you would be feeling dispondant after looking for work for long time. Hang in, I really hope it all works out.

Good luck

kiwichild May 10th 2006 1:54 am
Re: Different continents but same baggage.
 
Originally Posted by Ian12
Maybe I am expecting too much after all, 18 months is not long, but we don't have that many friends here or see many people socially and yet we are sociable.
I have been reading some posts on this subject on returning to UK forum, 5 reasons for going back thread.

My and other people's experiences in OZ (and we have all been here for years) are that it is very much an uphill battle to make friends here. Personally I'd consider cutting my losses and moving back to the UK if I were you. Think it sounds like you were happier there.

If I had the money that's where I'd be heading, but realistically, I'll have to move east or back to NZ as even though I have British citizenship, the habitual residency thing means I'd need to take more money to back me up till I got work, than I could save in my time left in Perth.

The friendliest people I have met in OZ have generally been migrants.

Mercedes May 10th 2006 11:23 am
Re: Different continents but same baggage.
 
Originally Posted by kiwichild

The friendliest people I have met in OZ have generally been migrants.
I think you find that anywhere, if people have their sets of friends its often harder to break in, migrants often have been in the same boat so understand probably better. It can be just as hard returning to the UK and trying to start over again for some people. I actually found it harder to go back than I did emigrating, not that people didn't want to be friends it was more that I had nothing in common with them, and found them boring. Finding people who you want to be around can be just as hard than having aload of acquaintances people call friends when they probably aren't just to have someone to go out with etc.

kiwichild May 10th 2006 1:28 pm
Re: Different continents but same baggage.
 
Originally Posted by Mercedes
I think you find that anywhere, if people have their sets of friends its often harder to break in, migrants often have been in the same boat so understand probably better. It can be just as hard returning to the UK and trying to start over again for some people. I actually found it harder to go back than I did emigrating, not that people didn't want to be friends it was more that I had nothing in common with them, and found them boring. Finding people who you want to be around can be just as hard than having aload of acquaintances people call friends when they probably aren't just to have someone to go out with etc.
When we have travelled, experienced different things in life, broadened our horizons etc, it's not uncommon that in ways we have moved on from where we were years before with our old friends, who have done none of this.
Our thinking and values have been challenged and we see things with an insight we once didn't have.

That said, there will still be common threads and of course our histories with these people, it's just that we need to widen our social circles to include others that we can converse with on different topics that stimulate and challenge our thinking. We can enjoy the company of both if we balance things, though this can be hard if our entire interest and who we are is different from our old self.

Acquaintances can perform a useful function in that at least we have some level of social interaction, and given time these can have the potential develop into friendships that have meaning. Problem in Perth, and in other parts of OZ from what we know and have heard, is that it's hard enough just to get the aquaintances, let alone the challenge of what we would consider friendships of value.

Ian12 May 10th 2006 7:15 pm
Re: Different continents but same baggage.
 
I saw a Careers Counsellor today to see if he could help with the job situation. I expalained that although we had been here 18 months the first nine months seemed to be taken up with family matters (Mother in law terminally ill), buying a house (finding a suitable one first) and sorting out schooling for my kids which was not straight forward. He replied, 18 months is not long and you have done a lot in that time even if you have not found a job. I needed to hear that. One gets the impression that many new arrivals from the UK coast into work, home, social life and then you ask yourself, what the hell is wrong with us.


Originally Posted by kiwichild
I have been reading some posts on this subject on returning to UK forum, 5 reasons for going back thread.

My and other people's experiences in OZ (and we have all been here for years) are that it is very much an uphill battle to make friends here. Personally I'd consider cutting my losses and moving back to the UK if I were you. Think it sounds like you were happier there.

If I had the money that's where I'd be heading, but realistically, I'll have to move east or back to NZ as even though I have British citizenship, the habitual residency thing means I'd need to take more money to back me up till I got work, than I could save in my time left in Perth.

The friendliest people I have met in OZ have generally been migrants.

kiwichild May 10th 2006 7:53 pm
Re: Different continents but same baggage.
 
Originally Posted by Ian12
I saw a Careers Counsellor today to see if he could help with the job situation. I expalained that although we had been here 18 months the first nine months seemed to be taken up with family matters (Mother in law terminally ill), buying a house (finding a suitable one first) and sorting out schooling for my kids which was not straight forward. He replied, 18 months is not long and you have done a lot in that time even if you have not found a job. I needed to hear that. One gets the impression that many new arrivals from the UK coast into work, home, social life and then you ask yourself, what the hell is wrong with us.
I'm glad to hear you're feeling better but if things don't work out, there's no shame in going back.

Best of luck

Mercedes May 10th 2006 11:34 pm
Re: Different continents but same baggage.
 
Originally Posted by Ian12
I saw a Careers Counsellor today to see if he could help with the job situation. I expalained that although we had been here 18 months the first nine months seemed to be taken up with family matters (Mother in law terminally ill), buying a house (finding a suitable one first) and sorting out schooling for my kids which was not straight forward. He replied, 18 months is not long and you have done a lot in that time even if you have not found a job. I needed to hear that. One gets the impression that many new arrivals from the UK coast into work, home, social life and then you ask yourself, what the hell is wrong with us.
I think some places are easier than othes, in Melbourne I found it easier as many people were willing to introduce me to their circle of friends and I got adopted. But I was also on my own, so that may have made a difference as people knew I didn't have a support system and alone. Sydney I did find it harder to get the social life, but it was also down to the fact when I was working it was long hours and I didn't have the energy to go out looking for a social life. I also socialised with my work colleagues when I did. Also my other half was in the Navy so was always away, Sydney probably was when I look back the loniest time for me. But it is common, many of the other migrants who come to Australia often find it hard as well, probably moreso the women who are used to family support. There are some support groups also in Sydney for migrants and it may be an opportunity of making some new friends and it may open other doors.

I have a very good friend out there who was Vietmese and she landed on Australian shores alone with 3 kids. She had been in the vietnam war, had bullet holes in her leg to show her experience and she didn't speak very good English. She didn't also have a support system. Her English husband also abandoned her. But she got into Beauty, learnt the ropes, then set up her own business, brought her own house and sent her kids to university. She was always my inspiration when I thought the chips were down, that if she could do it, so could I, and often think of her even nowadays. If you're at home also twiddling your thumbs why not offer your services free to one of the services, by doing this it can also open doors. When I had a stint of not working I did quite a bit of voluntary work and it did open other avenues. It gets you out the house, meeting and helping people and can lets you focus on other people. It is also away of getting to know others and them to know you, again they may be more willing to help you when they get to know you as a person rather than a CV. As said before try some of the migrant services... You have to keep on knocking on doors until someone lets you in.

Just food for thought...

Ian12 May 24th 2006 10:50 pm
Re: Different continents but same baggage.
 
Originally Posted by Mercedes
I think some places are easier than othes, in Melbourne I found it easier as many people were willing to introduce me to their circle of friends and I got adopted. But I was also on my own, so that may have made a difference as people knew I didn't have a support system and alone. Sydney I did find it harder to get the social life, but it was also down to the fact when I was working it was long hours and I didn't have the energy to go out looking for a social life. I also socialised with my work colleagues when I did. Also my other half was in the Navy so was always away, Sydney probably was when I look back the loniest time for me. But it is common, many of the other migrants who come to Australia often find it hard as well, probably moreso the women who are used to family support. There are some support groups also in Sydney for migrants and it may be an opportunity of making some new friends and it may open other doors.

I have a very good friend out there who was Vietmese and she landed on Australian shores alone with 3 kids. She had been in the vietnam war, had bullet holes in her leg to show her experience and she didn't speak very good English. She didn't also have a support system. Her English husband also abandoned her. But she got into Beauty, learnt the ropes, then set up her own business, brought her own house and sent her kids to university. She was always my inspiration when I thought the chips were down, that if she could do it, so could I, and often think of her even nowadays. If you're at home also twiddling your thumbs why not offer your services free to one of the services, by doing this it can also open doors. When I had a stint of not working I did quite a bit of voluntary work and it did open other avenues. It gets you out the house, meeting and helping people and can lets you focus on other people. It is also away of getting to know others and them to know you, again they may be more willing to help you when they get to know you as a person rather than a CV. As said before try some of the migrant services... You have to keep on knocking on doors until someone lets you in.

Just food for thought...

Just to share the good news, I begin a part time supply job the week after next. Have one on me. :beer:

Pollyana May 25th 2006 10:27 am
Re: Different continents but same baggage.
 
Originally Posted by Ian12
Just to share the good news, I begin a part time supply job the week after next. Have one on me. :beer:
Excellent news Ian! Lets hope things start to pick up from here :)

Geordie George May 25th 2006 11:36 am
Re: Different continents but same baggage.
 
Congratulations! :) The all important Austrailan experience!! Best of luck with it.


Originally Posted by Ian12
Just to share the good news, I begin a part time supply job the week after next. Have one on me. :beer:


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