Kenny Mclachlan

Need some inspiration, hope or just a motivational boost at the beginning of the week? Here's a very recent feel-good migrant success story to keep you going: http://bit.ly/1gcrk9R (Note: this is a link to a blog post which is NOT associated with me in any form - just a nice story!)

Hi, congratulations on choosing Adelaide - it's a lovely place. As for childcare before and after school (called OSHC - Out of School Hours Care and all say it so it sounds like 'osh'), it very much depends on the suburb you live. For instance around the Seaford area OSHC can be difficult to even get a child into let alone the logistics of drop-off and pick-up. So my advice is check availability if possible. As for the hours, they generally tend to be between 6:30 am to 7 am drop-off and as late as 6:30 pm pick-up, which should be ok with most parents. Childcare is not cheap in Oz either. Once again it depends on suburb but you could be looking at as much as $15 per morning session and as much as $25 per afternoon session. However, with both of you working that probably won't be a problem as, although Australia may seem expensive when you convert costs to Sterling, when earning the Aussie dollar the salaries-to-cost-of-living tend to be better than in the UK. Hope that makes sense! In short, do your research as to availability then email a few providers (not all schools provide the OSHC, it is often provided away from the shcool grounds by other childcare providers with drop-off and pick-up from school arrangements with the shcools) to see how much it is and the hours they open.

Agree with the rest - sounds really dodgy! When I first joined the Royal Navy I was paid every two weeks, the cash being counted into my outstretched cap! Has OH been given a cap by his prospective boss?? Oh, the good 'ole days!

Some good news - Adelaide has been voted in the top 5 cities in the world to live (pipped at the post by Melbourne....grrrrr!) and I can definitely agree to those findings!

A few people have made the observation that the UK /Aussie Resume/CV are pretty much the same. This is true to a large degree but with just a few minor differences in what would be considered 'acceptable'. As others have also pointed out, a good CV is a good CV - that is quite right but first you need to actually create a 'good' CV and in a format that sells you the best way possible. This latter aspect is where many people fail, therefore missing out on potential interviews. The CV is a sales pitch, pure and simple and recuiters/hiring managers tend to know a good (and bad) sales pitch when the see it. Going back to the original question of how difficult is it to get a job prior to arrival - I think that depends a lot on where you are moving to as some areas are more tricky than others. Overall though - my feeling is that it's tricky regardless. You need a good plan, a better Resume and a determined attitude! Worth it in the end though - Oz is a great place in my opinion!

You're right of course, there are areas in the UK that differ wildly. I spent most of my life in different parts of the UK, both with work and living and I can honestly say that, as the years passed by, there was an ever-increasing underlying aggressive feel to most places that I visited or lived. You can see it in everyday life as people constantly walk around about their business not wishing to make eye contact with those they don't know already. Yes, if you took the time to say hello to someone they would likely return the favour with a smile but they would also likely be highly suspicious of you for doing so. There are also lovely, picturesque places but you need to get away from populated areas (which are dwindling rapidly) to find them. Friendly faces and beautiful places are always to be found in the UK but, in my opinion, this is the exception and not the rule. This is one of the main factors in our decision to move our family elsewhere. Unfriendly faces and ugly places seem to be the exception to the rule here and, when you say hello to a stranger here, you don't tend to get a suspicious hello back. I know there will be those that agree and those that disagree as this, of course, is simply my opinion based on what I saw thorugh my eyes. I don't think this should be a UK vs Oz thread either but more of a balanced debate for those that may be thinking of returning? Oz won't suit everyone and neither will the UK.

I might also add that there are a few different recognised formats for Resumes, depending on the relevancy and quality of your background. One shoe does not always fit in this game I'm afraid. It's about using the format that best hgihlights your relevant skills/experience and sells you for the role.

The '30 second rule' is spot on. That's about the length of time a HR Manager or internal recuiter will give your Resume before deciding on the 'yes', 'maybe' or 'no' pile. In the UK I was obsessed with keeping my CV to 2 pages. Things are more relaxed in Oz; 3 pages are fine. It's the content, particularly of the first page, that is absolutely crucial. Content, content, content...... Quality, Relevant and Brief. Many recuiters will often just run a keyword search and not even read much of the Resume. So keywords are also vital to get past those screening hurdles.

Oh, and probably worth adding - don't list your Referee details - a simple 'References upon request' should do just fine.

I often see photos on Resumes of people from India as it is fairly common there. As for Australia? - I think it is a definite no unless there is a specific need for a photo to accompany it. Work Rights on the Resume? When I advise people with regards to their Resume it would be dependent on the job advert and the criteria specified there. I don't think it would do any harm though if your Resume is topped up with overseas experience and you are clearly new to the country/not yet arrived.

Yes it can be tough getting yourself established, particulary if you were earning well in the UK. But you've got to ask yourself the question 'why did you really come out here?' If it was because you thought you could earn more for less work (like some of the down under shows want you to believe) then you are going to be very very disappointed. If it was for a better lifestyle, then this weekend drive to your nearest coast and take a good look around, then drive for an hour in the opposite direction and take a gander at how different that scenery is from the place you just drove from. Then, when that's done, go back to a populated area, say hello to a few random people and listen to them say 'Hi' back with a smile. Any of that remind you of the UK? No, nor me and that's why I'm staying despite the sometimes tough position financially. There are many things in Oz you don't have to work hard for - nice people and beautiful locations being 2 of them.