sunnygirl34

My husband has been out of work a few months now. He's a sussessful chartered accountant with a great cv. Anyway, after many interviews he's been unable to secure a job. The feedback he's been getting is very positive, but he's just unlucky each time. Our savings are going down and down... We'll give it a coupe more weeks before we make the final desision but we are starting to put a few things on Gumtree already. The purpose of my post it to try and get a clear understanding of where to start with packing etc. we have 2 children, (one a bsby) so need the beds up until the last minute. The plan is to advertise items on Gumtree but state 'not available until x date' Does this work? We'll be selling all the furniture but getting the shippers in to pack our other items into boxes and ship back. We'll aim to stay in a hotel for 2 nights only before we depart (and also to give us time to get the cleaners in here) My head is filled with manic though!

OSS seem to be good. Not used them before but know people who have.

Hi Hayley, Im sorry you had all this on your shoulders. How are you settling back into UK life?

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!

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!

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!

Thanks again for your comments all!

It certainly is, and its only a 2 bed apartment!!

I hear what you're saying. I must say we have already done this to an extent. If there is one thing about being married to an accountant, they certainly know how to budget! One biggy for us is rent at almost $800 pw. If we're still here next year then we'll look to move once our lease is up in May.

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions! The thought of moving interstate does seem a little daunting, the whole starting over somewhere totally new. As much as we'd be sort of doing that in the UK, it does feel a little more familiar there and with our friends & family dotted all over the UK, it's never too far from anyone. However, despite saying that, if a position came up in say for eg. Melbourne or Adelaide then we'd certainly consider it. We have been told the job market is slow compared to usual. Also, in Finance, now is the peak of the jobs market. As soon as December hits then it slows right down until Feb/March. Our money would not last that long! It doesnt help that dh is seeing articles in the British papers saying how the jobs market back in the UK is picking up and there is going to be an economy boom! Living with my in laws would drive us crazy, but it would just be until work is secured. We've done it before just before we moved here after we sold our house. We are so wanting Aus to work though, and my dh is really trying at every opportunity. He took up a course 2 months ago to improve his skills which he has now completed, he's just waiting until he can sit the exam in Nov. He would consider setting up his own business, but he would still need to further his qualifications in the tax field and take on another course. Not impossible, but time/money is running out for us. He has also been applying for many many jobs, whether it be paying $70k less, to the contract work also. Although, he has been advised that without contract experience, then he's not a preferred candidate. He does well at interviews and a few times has gotten to the 3rd stage out of 4, then to be told it has gone to someone with experience in that field. He needs to earn a minimum of $140 to cover our outgoings, but has looked at jobs for less which we'd need to also self fund. We could do this for the short term We'll be eligible to apply for citizenship in June so for him to even get a job until then we'd be grateful! I would be prepared to work, but im from a customer service/telesales background so wouldn't make enough money to cover our daycare costs. Daycare costs are $100 per day here so they don't come cheap! :arghh:

Not really. My husband has spoken with many recruitment agents, some in Melbourne for example and they have said how slow the jobs market is. Financially it wouldn't work for us. ie relocating, airfares to interviews etc. He's quite specialized in the work he does and he finds Sydney to have the best job criteria. He seems to get positive feedback each time, but the employers seem to be more keen to take on 'local' experience. Well thats the feedback we're getting anyway.

We're currently in a bit of a limbo/tricky situation. My husband, daughter and I came to Sydney just over 3 years ago on a 457 visa, which we have since changed to PR. . As great as this is, my husband is out of work and after looking for about 6 months he's struggling to find something suitable. (He is a Chartered Accountant) Whilst he is busy going for interviews regulary, nothing has been offered and we now face moving back to the UK. Our savings are going down and down and we just can't keep going as we are. We'll be real sad to leave, we've made some good friends whilst living here and love the lifestyle. If we do decide to go back we need to put this in plan soon, maybe Jan/Feb. (so we can enjoy the summer before heading back) We'd like to see a bit more of NSW and have put together a realistic bucket list of things to do. I guess the reason for this post is to get the thoughts in my head (which have all gone to mush) down in writing and to hear your opinions. If we do return we'll be living with the in-laws initially whilst my husband looks for work. Then we'll move where the work is and hopefully buy a house. There are advantages to moving back, ie house affordability, family support etc, but there are alot we'll miss. This may sound silly, but i cant help but worry how i'll feel that first morning back after waking up in the UK. I feel I live in a bubble here, Im so happy. We have so much fun at the beach, by the pool etc. It wouldnt be the same back home and i worry how i'll find the dreary weather. Dont get me wrong there is more to life than weather, i know! Since living here ive had many dreams that we've moved back and i've woken up all panicked. I worry we'll be making a hug mistake, but then again we dont really have much option. I must sound crazy!! We cant afford to live here much longer with no income. Thanks for reading!