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Trying to find a job


Laguna

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We arrived two weeks ago today to the Brisbane area on a Permanent Resident skilled works visa. However since arriving we have been told that my husband's qualifications and experience are not acceptable and that he would probably have to do some courses or retraining to work in Australia. We have three children with no income coming in at the moment. It seems that the Australian Government are short of certain skills but then when you come here they do not accept your qualifications. My husband has been in the IT/Telecommunications field for approximately 20 years doing a lot of internal courses through his job. I just wondered if anyone else has been in the same position and grateful for any advice. At the moment we feel like going back to the UK.

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Guest The Pom Queen

Have they said which qualifications he needs? It may be possible to actually RPL through one of the courses which means your husband would have to prove he knows everything in the units of the course, if he does they will then just give him a certificate without him having to retrain.

Don't give up, you are still going through the emotional/jet lag phase and with this thrown in for good measure it's not helping.

:hug:

Kate

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Guest GeorgeD

I'll send you a PM with the name of the recruitment company I used to get my job in IT Sales in Brisbane. Really depends what your husband wants to work as in Australia...I know that our company doesn't need any specific Australian qualifications (IT Infrastructure), but others in the telecoms industry are very rigidly regulated (anything to do with cabling/electrical work for example)

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Guest The Pom Queen
I'll send you a PM with the name of the recruitment company I used to get my job in IT Sales in Brisbane. Really depends what your husband wants to work as in Australia...I know that our company doesn't need any specific Australian qualifications (IT Infrastructure), but others in the telecoms industry are very rigidly regulated (anything to do with cabling/electrical work for example)

:notworthy:

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Ugh Im looking for work in IT and its painful..but, its a bad time of yr. I am an Aussie with Aussie education so they cant complain about all that, but some of the agents have been really bad. I have been the past 10 yrs working for tier 1 investment banks. One agent asked me who one of them was (mind you its one of the biggest banks in the world...*sigh*). When I explained his face was still blank then he said 'so which bank is it like? westpac? anz? suncorp?'..I replied: 'None of them'..I worked for global investment banks..umm not australian small fry retail banks..just sayin'! :nah:

 

Im this --->.<------ close to packing up and going to SYD or MEL. ADmittedly its one or 2 agents, the rest have been fine..but saying that, most are british anyway!

 

It seems because my last few exp have been in the UK it means nothing but the firms Ive worked are world class prestigious firms...yet some crapoloa aussie small fry shop is all 'freaked out' by international experience. HOnestly...everyones told me its cracking that first job than it gets easier

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I came over on a 457 around May to Canberra, to work for a small "family company". Closer to December and the "small family" company had problems with sales over at the US. So who's time was up? The immigrant got to be made redundant just before Xmas when all the businesses closed and looking for a something new was as ambitions as getting a glimpse of Santa Claus. Still over that period I applied like crazy.

 

Coming middle of Jan as companies opened up I started getting feedback. 99% said unfortunately.....and I managed to get one interview. I got offered the job and thought great, only to find out a few days later when HR called and said sorry. They are not going ahead. I brushed it off. I got another interview and got a job offer. I even got the contract and took everything in to my work on the first day. Half day through I got called in by HR and told they are not going to take over my 457 anymore! Let me state, each time I told the employer in the interview i am on a 457 which in both cases I was told....not a problem!

 

It is frustrating and stressful plus taking I have been made redundant before Xmas, according to immigration (which will still contact me) I have 28 days to find something or have to leave the country. Needless to say I am now past my 28 days, but will just give reasons why i need an extension.

 

At this moment I feel used and angry for letting me come all this way to set up home and have the fear of leaving to no where. When the company needed me I was there. When it got tough for the "family" they dropped me like a hot potato with me and my wife's future hanging in limbo. But the "family" might not be religious but I sure as hell believe in Karma. And karma is a witch with a capital "B".

 

I'm back at the drawing board looking for jobs again after wasting valuable time with the above companies. That said I also don't have an income which makes things more stressful. I have more than 10 years experience with a masters from the University of Liverpool.

 

So i wonder, why bother letting people severe ties with their country by enticing them with work permits, to leave everything behind to start a new life to go to Australia, then just to let them become a commodity that is left hanging like some fool from an illiterate country?

 

I am in ACT. The worst place for a foreigner in IT on a 457, as 99% of the jobs are government which needs security clearance. That means it's just for Australians. (Big bold letters on Seek)

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  • 1 month later...

Now been here ten weeks and still no job. Trouble is we are now having to pay rent and bills. Don't know how much longer we can stay in Oz without money coming in. My husband has applied for loads of jobs and only had a couple of interviews. Just wondered how long have other people stayed in Australia without work. I feel if we go home now we haven't really given Oz a chance but don't know really what to do. Any advice/opinions would be grateful. Thanks. Getting a bit desperate now.

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Guest SupportPants
Now been here ten weeks and still no job. Trouble is we are now having to pay rent and bills. Don't know how much longer we can stay in Oz without money coming in. My husband has applied for loads of jobs and only had a couple of interviews. Just wondered how long have other people stayed in Australia without work. I feel if we go home now we haven't really given Oz a chance but don't know really what to do. Any advice/opinions would be grateful. Thanks. Getting a bit desperate now.

 

The Australian job market works on who not what you know. Could your partner just get any job in order to pay the bills for a while? The minimum wages paid to bar staff etc are pretty high. We're working well below our international experience and qualifications but it's going to get us citizenship and then we'll be off. It may be better than completely giving up?

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Oh I do feel for you, it can be hard to crack that first job. I am sure you have already done everything I am going to suggest but just in case:

 

Have you tried agency's? For temp work and to get a job

sending resumes to companies you think may employ you?

Council websites, jobs turn up here but not in the usual places

 

Registering with SEEK, My Career, Career one

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KazzE have done all of the above. Have applied for loads of jobs on Seek and also gone to the agencies. Had medical and drugs test but still nothing. Agree it seems to be who you know and not what you know.

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A job is better than no job and at least your rent and bills will be paid. I was shocked when I saw how much bar staff were paid, not ideal if that is not your chosen line of work, but a future employer could at least see that you were flexible, prepared to give anything a go. Not sure what the terms of your visa are, but is it a possibility to move to another city or state?

 

I really wish you all the best of Luck in securing jobs asap. There must be nothing worse than being in another country with no income.

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Have signed up to loads of casual working agencies and still no luck. Not one of them have come back to us either. We are on a Permanent Residency visa and living in Brisbane at the moment near to family. Been here since 17th January. After lots of applications for jobs only a handful of interviews and only one or two has come back to say sorry you did not get the job. We have three children and am thinking if things do not improve soon we will have to go back to England. What to do? Help!

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KazzE have done all of the above. Have applied for loads of jobs on Seek and also gone to the agencies. Had medical and drugs test but still nothing. Agree it seems to be who you know and not what you know.

 

I thought you would have, sorry for stating the obvious :wubclub:

 

Both hubby and I were lucky that we could do temp work through agency's I did relief work in childcare centers and hubby had various jobs using his welding skills, that lead to him getting his present job in the rail industry.

 

Hubby could not get a job in the rail industry for almost 3 years, we looked, tried to find contacts but similar to the UK it is hard to get in there unless you know people.

He had an OK permanent job, which he got about 5 months after we landed, then he heard about the rail job through the agency he was with, worked there through them for a few months and then got taken on permanently.

 

Crossing things for you, there is a job out there somewhere I am sure. :yes:

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Guest rupani

Hi,

I am on Skilled Visa (Accountant) and been here in Melbourne for last 7 months and applying to 10-15 jobs daily (through seek) but still not been able to secure any job. I do got two interviews by employers and two interviews by agencies, but I felt that they are looking for someone local.

 

To meet my ends, I have been doing odd job (installing free energy saving power boards under VEET).

 

Hence in my opinion if you are ready to do any job you can survive until you get your preferable job. Of course some times it is also difficult to get any odd job, as I got my first job after 10 weeks of arrival, but you should not be panic and have faith in yourself and in God.

 

Thanks

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Have signed up to loads of casual working agencies and still no luck. Not one of them have come back to us either. We are on a Permanent Residency visa and living in Brisbane at the moment near to family. Been here since 17th January. After lots of applications for jobs only a handful of interviews and only one or two has come back to say sorry you did not get the job. We have three children and am thinking if things do not improve soon we will have to go back to England. What to do? Help!

 

Hi Helen, sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time. Have you checked with the local government agencies to see if you are up for some sort of financial help with the rent, schooling or anything? Seems really unfair that we hear on a daily basis how short of skilled workers Aus is and then get your story and it puts it into perspective. Only yesterday I heard on the radio that they are going to "fast track" some American applicants and make it easier for them to get in. It's only for short term immigration though, not permanent and they are only needing certain skills. Mostly oil, gas and mining I think.

 

I'm in IT and comms and was out of work for 5 months when we first landed. Luckily my wifes a nurse so she got a job after a week and we got by on her money. Aus is no different to the UK in the who you know for a job. I managed to get a job filling in for someone on long service leave in IT at one of the big hospitals. They had to make it plain that it was only for 3 months and the money wans't the best at the time. I have never been so happy about getting a start, I was elated beyond belief when I got the job. Up until then I had been applying for anything and everything and had loads of knockbacks. Mostly because I was overqualified for most. I tailored my CV for each job, highlighting the skills I thought they were after. It really knocks your confidence after a while.

 

Once in work I got another job through someone at work who knew someone looking for staff. After the short term contract had finished I spent about a year in the next job and then moved to my current one where I've been for 18 years. Once you're in you hear about other positions. Like everywhere a lot aren't advertised and a lot that are are already filled. They are only advertised as it's a requirement.

 

Have you tried Australian Aerospace? They are out near the airport and have quite a big turnover in staff. Good luck, don't give up just yet.:smile:

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Guest AndersJen

Maybe you need to look in another area? I think Melbourne or Sydney are good for IT finance jobs - sorry if this isn't your field. Our son has been messed around with employers and we really want him to get a 457, but he will find something eventually. In the meantime my husband and I are both working and supporting him until he finds something.

I hope you all get sorted soon, got knows it is hard enough moving to the other side of the world and leaving everything behind for your dreams. Good Luck!

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  • 1 month later...

HURRAY

 

Thought I would give you an update. After four months of looking for work husband has finally got a job and started today. Only problem now is that he flew to Perth yesterday to start his new job today and rest of family is still in Brisbane. However if job goes well we will be planning to move out there in October when our 6 month lease comes to an end. At least we will now have money coming in although we have to wait a month for him to be paid.

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Guest jdee

Congratulation Laguna. And best of luck for you others. I'm based in Essex, UK and just started down the 175 path [18mths wait] looking to move to Brisbane [only due to OH's sis being there]. After reading this I am slightly scared! I'm an ACCA qual. Management Accountant but that might count for nothing judging by this thread!!! and yes all that hype about skills shortage/come to Oz...sound slike a way to squeeze £5k visa fees out of people. KR J

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