sunnygirl34 Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Just curious... Is there anyone who came here on a PR visa who wasn't able to secure work and had to return home? My hubby is frantically on with the job search (chartered accountant) and it's proving rather difficult. We may have to return home after being here 3 years He's been looking for work about 6 months now and our savings are going down and down fast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day N Nite Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I on a PR visa and have been in sydney for 5mths now and cannot get work in my field (Engineering). Luckily enough i did manage to get part time work (14 hrs a week) after about 3mths in and that made all the difference as my bank account is no longer decreasing but rather stable. (not increasing either). I only have myself to look after and that makes a difference money wise. I know the feeling of bleeding money on a monthly basis as before i got this part time job i estimated i would last 7 mths on my savings. Now it looks like i may last way longer. We are about to enter the christmas period and recruitment generally shuts down in december and only picks up in late january, early february. If i dont get something by november, i can expect to be chilling until february............. The struggle is real and it continues........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellers and Whitehead Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Many people on PIO have had to return from reading posts, or close to leaving due to lack of work/funds. Fingers crossed something turns up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Where are you all based? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 It has always been the same in Aus and a lot of people who do not have family move to different States to get work. My parents moved for work a lot. Also moving to a country town for work is often a way to get a foot in the door. Don't put all eggs in the one basket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortlepuss Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Struggle here, skills in demand (IT) in UK. Hubby working so not that dire - have about 6 months 'getting by' money before we have to dip into UK savings which won't be clever! It is a shock if you've always been really employable to find yourself struggling and personally that is what will drive our return to the UK. To be fair, my experience is on large transformation projects and these are few and far betwen in QLD. Also preference here seems to be for more junior/inexperienced staff. Hubby and one of two kids love it here, but I need to be pragmatic - cant afford Australia without work, and it's more than just money - I love working and miss it dreadfully! Brisbane isn't going to get any better soon IMHO. I hope your hubby has better luck but if you do have to head back - there are a lot of work opportunities for experienced staff - certainly in the SE UK where I picked up a short contract whilst on holiday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Just wait until the call for lower wages becomes a reality. Far too many areas are over subscribed to in Australia and it doesn't appear to be relenting anytime soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnygirl34 Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 We're in Sydney. My husband is signed up with a lot of agencies. He's tried contract work, lower paid work etc but keeps getting turned down for not having either local experience or experience of 'that' field. He has always worked so hard and has been successful with the role he does..We recently changed to PR through his accountancy skills but I wonder why 'Accountants' are on the wanted list when they can't get work! Grrr! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy1982 Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 We have been here (Gold Coast) for 3 months now and both myself and my wife still dont have employment and UK savings are going fast and what with xmas approaching this is not good. We have always been very employable in the UK, myself in sales and my wife a midwife but here its prooving hard. I started (first month) looking for sales work but since have been applying for anything but still no replies at all...just rude! Must have applied for nearly 100 jobs in the last 3 months! My wife may have picked up some some casual work at the Gold Coast hospital but that wont pay the bills....which are very high also. We are trying not to worry about the future and and just enjoy the here and now for as long as it lasts. We both have old jobs to go back to in the UK should we fail here. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph01 Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I'm having no luck either. I'm in Sydney on a PR and more than qualified in my field but keep getting turned down for no local experience. It's getting really frustrating and like most people my funds are dwindling rapidly. I suspect now I will have to hold out until the market picks up after Xmas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkerfamily123 Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 We had a problem when we arrived here. Neither me or my wife could get a job in our field. In the end i accepted a non-skilled job to get by.....we did both get jobs in our feild eventually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Just curious... Is there anyone who came here on a PR visa who wasn't able to secure work and had to return home? My hubby is frantically on with the job search (chartered accountant) and it's proving rather difficult. We may have to return home after being here 3 years He's been looking for work about 6 months now and our savings are going down and down fast! Have definitely read stories from plenty that have had to return after a few months because they cannot get work. But you have been here for three years, so presumably don't have a job that is open for you. Wouldn't it be same situation in UK? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llessur Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 (edited) I came over on a partner visa so not exactly the same but both myself and my OH took a while to get jobs when we first came over - despite both having good experience. Perhaps this isn't so relevent to your OH as he's already been here 3 years but if there are any new arrivals reading this there are a few things that helped us find work which might help you too: Tip 1: Don't bother with applying directly to companies via adverts on Seek etc. I get the impression that they're not too fussed about people without local experience. Sign up with as many recruitment agencies as possible (preferably those specialising in your field of work) and be prepared to take *anything* remotely related to your role that comes up - even if it's a really short term position. Especially if it's with a well-known company. Having any form of local experience on your CV seems to make you more attractive on the job market over here even if it's a temporary step down from your previous role. Tip 2: Read up on Aussie CV styles. They're surprisingly different to back home in the UK where I have always been told that anything over 2 pages will get your application chucked in the bin immediately and, more so now than ever, single page bullet point CVs are often preferred. Over here they prefer a much more traditional CV - perhaps 4 to 6 pages long with detailed descriptions of the companies you have worked for and the positions you have held. Make sure yours isn't too short and 'UK style'. The Seek and CareerOne websites have some info on this. Tip 3: I think this one really worked for me. Carefully remove all references to the UK from your CV. For example, don't list the address of your previous emloyers or schools/universities. Just the names. Don't mention moving, relocating etc in your CV or cover letter. Write it as if you were local. I must have submitted 40 apps before trying this and received virtually no replies. After removing any evidence of non-Australian jobs/education from my CV the number of responses increased quite dramatically. Obviously an employer could easily determine if your experience was local or not with a quick Google search, and they'll obviously find out during an interview, but it might just get you past that initial screening of applications where they 'separate the wheat from the chaff' (i.e. the Aussies from the foreigners :wink:) and stand you a slightly better chance of getting an interview and your chance to talk your way into a job. It took us a fair while to get settled and we're still both in (albeit medium-long term) contract positions but I think that's the way it goes over here at the moment. You have to work your way in slowly through crap roles, slightly less crap roles and just about OK roles and gradually be accepted by the Aussies... Don't get me wrong - I'm not suggesting there's anything particularly discriminatory going on - as an employer I would also be wary of hiring people from overseas who, despite claiming they're "here forever", might just bugger off again in 6 months because they're homesick or similar. Hiring a local must be slightly less hassle for them in the long run so I can't really blame them. I'm sure it happens back home too. Edited October 24, 2013 by llessur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph01 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Thanks llessur, I found your post really helpful. It's given me a few ideas of things I could change. I have to agree with you about Seek, I'm finding that course of action not very productive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Thanks llessur, I found your post really helpful. It's given me a few ideas of things I could change. I have to agree with you about Seek, I'm finding that course of action not very productive! Just as an alternative viewpoint, but I cannot relate to those tips at all. Firstly though I am puzzled as to why the local experience is an issue for you, you said you had been here for three years and have struggled on the job front for 6 months so surely you / your OH have plenty of local experience. Regarding the CV, I think a good CV is a good CV, I don't think even in the UK anyone other than a new graduate keeps their CV to two pages do they, that is 1980s thinking. Plenty of people have reported that their Australian CV is identical to the UK one, the key is to just have a good CV. My CV is identical to the UK one and I certainly do not hide my UK experience. I fact I would do the opposite and shout it from the roof tops, my company and colleagues do a lot of recruiting of accountants and there is major bragging going on if anyone secures a UK accountant, I have found them to be very highly regarded here. S I don't think hiding UK experience will help. In fact I find it immensely annoying when people try to hide where they have come from on the CV, you can see it a mile off and it makes me think that person is at best embarrassed about their experience and at worse deceitful. It would be a binned CV from me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llessur Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 (edited) Just as an alternative viewpoint, but I cannot relate to those tips at all. Firstly though I am puzzled as to why the local experience is an issue for you, you said you had been here for three years and have struggled on the job front for 6 months so surely you / your OH have plenty of local experience. Regarding the CV, I think a good CV is a good CV, I don't think even in the UK anyone other than a new graduate keeps their CV to two pages do they, that is 1980s thinking. Plenty of people have reported that their Australian CV is identical to the UK one, the key is to just have a good CV. My CV is identical to the UK one and I certainly do not hide my UK experience. I fact I would do the opposite and shout it from the roof tops, my company and colleagues do a lot of recruiting of accountants and there is major bragging going on if anyone secures a UK accountant, I have found them to be very highly regarded here. S I don't think hiding UK experience will help. In fact I find it immensely annoying when people try to hide where they have come from on the CV, you can see it a mile off and it makes me think that person is at best embarrassed about their experience and at worse deceitful. It would be a binned CV from me. Fair points and everyone's experience is different I guess so don't take my word for it. I think a lot of it will depend on what type of job you're applying for and where. When we first moved to Adelaide we were applying to relatively small businesses with very few members of staff - mainly admin-type roles. I think this is where you will be better off hiding your UK experience as small business generally aren't able to cope with high staff turnover as easily as a larger business. Of course, if you were in Sydney applying to large financial organisations then international experience is probably more highly regarded so perhaps not best to hide it. Again, for professionals - accountants, engineers, doctors etc, then UK experience is probably something that should be shouted from the rooftops. The CV length I did discuss with several recruitment agencies and got the feedback that over here longer is better. But, then again, this is Adelaide which tends to be a bit behind the times compared to some of the other cities. Edited October 24, 2013 by llessur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bromney Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 I've had no issues in getting a Project Manager job in IT. I've just recently started my 3rd job in 8 months. Quit my first job after a month as had a better offer and then quit the second job after 5.5 months to take another one as I became disillusioned with that job. I've had far more success applying directly to companies than using recruitment agents. I had no 'local' experience either. I'm based in Sydney and being Australia's no.1 city I guess there are more jobs here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencio Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Just curious... Is there anyone who came here on a PR visa who wasn't able to secure work and had to return home? My hubby is frantically on with the job search (chartered accountant) and it's proving rather difficult. We may have to return home after being here 3 years He's been looking for work about 6 months now and our savings are going down and down fast! Have you never thought about going to Centelink asking for financial assistance? Your hubby should be eligible after that time period assumed he has worked one year full-time in that time frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencio Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Ilessur and Rupert you are both right! Rupert with his/her comment that a good CV is a good CV, no matter if you search for a job in the UK/Europe or here. I would add an outstanding CV is the one which will bring you the job interview. Ilessur is also right, because I also live in Adelaide and I completely agree with employers attitude here against hiring migrants in the first instance. Except, when there is a skill in demand, then a migrant is highly acceptable. I had extremely problems of getting a job here. After gaining a local certificate/qualification I got a job in a European company. I would recommend not hiding the fact people come from Overseas rather than I would say hide your age, at least 10 years, when you're over 40 (like me). It's better to 'cut off' some years, Adelaide's job market is completely behind other cities. Here's more discrimination against age and certain ethnic groups in comparison to Sydney or Melbourne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellers and Whitehead Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Just as an alternative viewpoint, but I cannot relate to those tips at all. Firstly though I am puzzled as to why the local experience is an issue for you, you said you had been here for three years and have struggled on the job front for 6 months so surely you / your OH have plenty of local experience. Regarding the CV, I think a good CV is a good CV, I don't think even in the UK anyone other than a new graduate keeps their CV to two pages do they, that is 1980s thinking. Plenty of people have reported that their Australian CV is identical to the UK one, the key is to just have a good CV. My CV is identical to the UK one and I certainly do not hide my UK experience. I fact I would do the opposite and shout it from the roof tops, my company and colleagues do a lot of recruiting of accountants and there is major bragging going on if anyone secures a UK accountant, I have found them to be very highly regarded here. S I don't think hiding UK experience will help. In fact I find it immensely annoying when people try to hide where they have come from on the CV, you can see it a mile off and it makes me think that person is at best embarrassed about their experience and at worse deceitful. It would be a binned CV from me. local experience can be from area to area, eg, local experience of the west of Sydney, east sydney etc etc, knowing the services etc in each area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llessur Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Adelaide's job market is completely behind other cities. Here's more discrimination against age and certain ethnic groups in comparison to Sydney or Melbourne. Yeah, it can be a funny old place sometimes. It reminds me a bit of the BBC TV show Life on Mars. If you've seen it and have worked in Adelaide you'll know what I mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGHJLL Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Yep, having same problem here. My hubby is a carpenter and doing the odd labouring job a few days here and there (often driving 4 hours a day to get there) just to get some money in. I have loads of experience in several different fields of work and haven't had a response to the 30 odd jobs I have applied for in the past 3 weeks. Daughter has a couple of waitressing shifts in a restaurant but we are really struggling now. Not feeling the love at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnygirl34 Posted October 28, 2013 Author Share Posted October 28, 2013 Sorry to hear there are others out there going through the same worries. My husband read an article last week saying how slow the market is in Finance and how people are struggling to find work due to companies cost cutting etc. I wonder, if this will eventually lead to property becoming more affordable…although, we may not be here to see. Good luck to you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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