Although warmer temperatures have been reported in the UK recently, (a whopping 15 degrees!), more and more of you Brits are leaving your local shores for a new life Down Under. You have heard tales from various folks about how good life can be here - a work/life balance - ocean swims before work - surely it can't be true!
You jumped on to the internet did your research and found that yes, Sydney is booming, plenty of jobs, not too many candidates - name your salary. So you packed up your bags and your life, took the plunge and arrived in Sydney, full of hope, promise and motivation.
Unfortunately, in the time between you doing your research and jumping on a plane, the 'GFC' hit and it has hit Sydney hard. Not only have you got no local experience, you also have visa restrictions. Did you really leave behind a great job/life/friends in London to take a big step back career wise?.Don't fear, and don't lose your stiff upper lip, something will come up, but it might mean you end up spending more time on the beach than you previously thought you would.
So how can you to land yourself a job during this tough time:
• Ensure your CV is mistake free, two pages maximum, with all your local contact details;
• Make sure you research your industry sector very thoroughly - don't fall down at the first job interview hurdle, when it becomes really apparent that all you have been doing is just sitting on the beach;
• Networking is key in this relatively tight job market. It really can be all about who you know, you might find out about jobs even before they are advertised to the wider public;
• Take advice and listen to what other people are telling you, especially when you are going to interviews - make sure to take notes of names mentioned, brands to research etc;
• Be realistic with salary expectations, don't convert from other currencies - the most frustrating thing is pricing yourself out of the market;
• Be flexible with jobs opportunities - perhaps you could take on part-time work/contracts while looking for that ideal permanent job; and
• Don't apply for every job under the Australian sun, make sure your job search is highly targeted capitalising on your skills and experience.
Most important of all ... remember don't give up, you aren't the only one in this situation, and most certainly won't be the last ...
Image courtesy of: griffs0000
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