americanwoman Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 I think finding work was just as hard in OZ as anywhere else I've ever looked. I think it's true that it's not what you know, but *who* you know. Your "find work" plan should involve finding ways to meet local people. Couchsurfing, helpx, wwoof, etc. are *great* for this. I got my mining job because I met a guy at a dinner party that I attended with a couple I was helpx-ing with. I also signed up for and attended lots of meetup groups, made a few friends, told my story to strangers. You never know where you'll find a connection, but I don't think SEEK/Indeed/Gumtree etc. have as much potential as meeting the right person (and having fun experiences along the way!) Hope that helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted June 20, 2015 Author Share Posted June 20, 2015 I think finding work was just as hard in OZ as anywhere else I've ever looked. I think it's true that it's not what you know, but *who* you know. Your "find work" plan should involve finding ways to meet local people. Couchsurfing, helpx, wwoof, etc. are *great* for this. I got my mining job because I met a guy at a dinner party that I attended with a couple I was helpx-ing with. I also signed up for and attended lots of meetup groups, made a few friends, told my story to strangers. You never know where you'll find a connection, but I don't think SEEK/Indeed/Gumtree etc. have as much potential as meeting the right person (and having fun experiences along the way!) Hope that helps! What kind of jobs were you looking for? Backpackers seem to be quite good at helping each other out, I've noticed them posting on facebook to each other about jobs that are coming up, areas to avoid etc. I've got a helpx account so definitely going to use that sometimes. Actually had it 2 years ago but never used it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Just recently a lot of cafes etc seem to be advertising for help - this is in Melbourne and the Melbourne suburbs. Just lettin' you know :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted June 20, 2015 Author Share Posted June 20, 2015 Thanks starlight! I'm thinking of heading to melbourne after sydney. It'll be before new year if I can't find work. I wanted to stay for that but it's not worth running out of money for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted June 20, 2015 Author Share Posted June 20, 2015 @Skani if you know any nice little cafes in tasmania that look for people over the summer that would be perfect :cute: I'll hide over there lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
americanwoman Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 What kind of jobs were you looking for? Backpackers seem to be quite good at helping each other out, I've noticed them posting on facebook to each other about jobs that are coming up, areas to avoid etc. I've got a helpx account so definitely going to use that sometimes. Actually had it 2 years ago but never used it Sounds like you're connected to some good resources! I started out looking for skilled work. I eventually found it, but it took several months of getting turned down because I would be limited to 6 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinkla Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Couple of thoughts. In Victoria - don't know about elsewhere - you need a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate before you can do bar work. You might find out and book a place on a course before you leave in case there are waiting lists. It only takes a couple of hours and is really easy, but it is also necessary. Beware January. Australia shuts and you would want to make sure (a) you are not working for an employer that shuts for the duration and (b) you are not looking for a new job between Christmas and Australia Day (i.e. 25 December to 26 January) because you'll find nobody will take a decision in that period. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted June 22, 2015 Author Share Posted June 22, 2015 Hey quinkla. Thanks I've been booked into one of those online ones that apparently includes them all except victoria and NSW so I'll have to do those ones. I think I have to do it in a classroom in NSW. Yeah a job agency said that about january too, I was originally going to arrive in January after Christmas but I thought it was maybe a iffy time. They said the start of November is the best time so that's partly why I picked then. A few different agencies have said pop your CV in so I'll do that. Few people have said some of the shops might be looking for people because of the sales Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 ^^^ Department stores will always need casual staff in the lead up to Christmas. I spoke to a lovely English girl in Myers in Sydney a couple of years ago . She was working a 6 day week and had saved lots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted June 22, 2015 Author Share Posted June 22, 2015 Thanks! I'm planning on keeping an eye out for adverts in places my first week then i'm going proper job hunting after that. Will try all the big shops too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinkla Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 ^^^ Department stores will always need casual staff in the lead up to Christmas. I spoke to a lovely English girl in Myers in Sydney a couple of years ago . She was working a 6 day week and had saved lots. Aye but be careful. If you get seduced by a casual job that has lots of work before Christmas, you could be staring at a very thin January when nobody is recruiting for anything else. I would be asking in November/December about what work employers expect to have in January. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted June 22, 2015 Author Share Posted June 22, 2015 I don't want to end up liking sydney too much and be "trapped" there. Just want to work a while and then continue to the next place but not sure where. Probably melbourne. It's funny because a year sounds a long time but there's so many places and I also feel like I'm only thinking about the cities rather than other places when it's probably cities that will eat all my money up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 Well today I found out that they are probably changing the coffee machine in the café to a proper one. I don't think anybody is happy but I couldn't be happier lol - It'll be a pain but I might get a barista course out of it and if not then I'll at least have work experience on it which will help :cute: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted September 16, 2015 Author Share Posted September 16, 2015 I still feel very mixed about finding work. I've been hearing that it's really hard to find farm work at the moment. I'm not sure what hospitality work scene will be like. Found a agency that hires backpackers and has jobs all over so I'll have to try that one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
americanwoman Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 I still feel very mixed about finding work. I've been hearing that it's really hard to find farm work at the moment. I'm not sure what hospitality work scene will be like. Found a agency that hires backpackers and has jobs all over so I'll have to try that one Let us know how you go? I'm sure you'll be fine. I know an American guy who just went over and he was working within a month - basically right after he got all of his playing out of the way. I think it's all about networking and making connections! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted September 16, 2015 Author Share Posted September 16, 2015 People on here have been great with suggestions and some people have even offered a bed/couch. Backpackers on Facebook are great too with helping each other out. Its just I'm not the most confident/positive person at times so when I increasingly hear of people coming back home early etc it does hit me a bit. Fingers crossed I find something even if it's not ideal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
americanwoman Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 It's all about the confidence, hey! Do what you can to build it up? Upon arrival in OZ, I helpx'd with two French guys - one confident, one not. The first had come to OZ, worked the scene, and got connected (through other French backpackers) to a great, well-paying job which led to another and another for almost his whole time in the country. The other went and spent his savings hanging out at hostels, printing out resumes, and finding out that in Australian culture when a potential empolyer says they might need someone and will call if that's the case, they're just being polite. Hope that helps! Here's my motivational quote for you: “Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right.” -Henry Ford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted September 16, 2015 Author Share Posted September 16, 2015 I can use the barista coffee machine now which helps. I really want to learn how to latte art though, it looks cool! I think I'll probably use helpx at one point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellybingobingo Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 I can use the barista coffee machine now which helps. I really want to learn how to latte art though, it looks cool! I think I'll probably use helpx at one point I I did me coffe art course Stacey and my barista course ! I loved it . I didn't do this but pretty cool anyway lol[ATTACH=CONFIG]31257[/ATTACH] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted September 16, 2015 Author Share Posted September 16, 2015 Yeah some of them are cool! I didn't go to the training but apparently the guy was doing ones with leafs etc. I saw one of a cat with the foam lol. I don't think I'd be very good at them but would like to try! So at least I can put the cafe down since March and I've got other hospitality experience. Retail and housekeeping too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellybingobingo Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Yeah some of them are cool! I didn't go to the training but apparently the guy was doing ones with leafs etc. I saw one of a cat with the foam lol. I don't think I'd be very good at them but would like to try! So at least I can put the cafe down since March and I've got other hospitality experience. Retail and housekeeping too They taught me me how do a leaf lol , bit boring though hey ! ! I did go for a couple of interviews , one got the job due to more experience but she said she would ring me when they get busier in the summer , but I'm fine now I'm sorted ! And they like young ones unless you are a super experienced barista because of pay , you could try house keeping at the hotels and casino . And you could always clean , I worked for a real estate aswell my first year in here , they saw my vacate clean for a lady I did and they asked her who did ya vacate clean for you and I got jobs from them , only thing is with that you have to wait until they release the bond until you get paid , you do get it though . And plenty of homes to drop leaflets out too ! But that's car pending for you ! Think you'll be fine though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumpingjellybean Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 that Melbourne and Sydney are the hardest because there's so many people. I don't agree with that comment at all. In small country towns where work is scare; they are hardly going to give a job to a traveler. The bigger cities tend to have more opportunities and therefore more openings for backpackers. Plus there lots of causal jobs that residents don't want to do - like event bar tending and event waitress. Flower seller. Charity collector. Warehouse packing. etc... In the country areas your best bet is fruit picking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumpingjellybean Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Anybody know if it's easier/harder to find work in sydney for november/December time? I know things like school holidays etc can make a difference Quite easy in Sydney in October and November, as places take on extra casual staff for the busy Christmas and holiday season. (i.e.) bar work, hotel / hospitality work, department stores, packers, office assistants, etc... Office jobs are quite hard to find in January as many companies shut down for the whole of January. But hospitality jobs available all year even in winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumpingjellybean Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Yeah I'm following a backpack blogger that I found online and she said she ended up selling sausages on the sidewalk Part and parcel of the fun of traveling on a WHV. I have had worse backpacker jobs than that........all "experiences" which I can laugh about now. Paid for my travels back then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumpingjellybean Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 (edited) when I increasingly hear of people coming back home early etc Well they must be doing something very very wrong then! There is always work if you are willing and not too fussy. Very worse case scenario if you run out of money: 1) Don't go home - get someone at home to wire you emergency funds 2) Ask the backpackers hostel for if they will give you free accommodation in exchange for cleaning the rooms, kitchen or toilets every day 3) Get a job Woofing and you get your accommodation and meals for free in return for work. Plus you get some handy work experience that may be useful on your resume down the track: http://www.wwoof.com.au/ 4) Sign up with loads of backpacker recruitment agencies on your arrival (don't tell each you have signed up with others - they don't like that!) List of agencies here: http://www.funkhouse.com.au/hostels-sydney-work/job-agencies/ 5) Hare Krishna Temples found in all main cities, will feed you for free or a small donation, if you get into real dire straits. 6) Camp grounds are cheaper than backpacker hostels. 7) Many backpackers sleep in their van on the road side when traveling, so you can save money there if you had a van. When traveling you should not run home to mummy when the going gets tough - you should use your initiative and you will come out a stronger and more resilient person on the other side. Set you up for life. Edited October 2, 2015 by jumpingjellybean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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