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| Troubles finding work | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 24 2010, 02:33:11 PM (559 Views) | |
| abby | Aug 24 2010, 02:33:11 PM Post #1 |
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Anklebiter
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I've been living in Adelaide for a year now and I was on a Work and Holiday Visa (now on my bridging visa). I found that in the entire year of looking for work I was never able to secure any sort of position for either retail or hospitality. I had a handful of interviews but no callbacks... Just wondering if anything similar to this has happened to anyone else. 1. Frequent questioning of age. (I understand that if you're like under 21 or something here it's cheaper for people to hire you. Are employers even allowed to ask this question?) 2. Free work trials. (I did some research on the internet and as far as SA is concerned I'm pretty sure these are illegal, however I've run into several employers offering this before official employment...often times in hospitality positions, most recently retail.) 3. Referred to online application. (I know managers are busy people too but in the past I've run into managers who will gladly take a resume and then employees who basically tell me to buzz off and apply online if I want a job.) 4. Confusion about Work and Holiday Visas. (I've had a few interviews and I got the feeling WHVs aren't that common in Adelaide. I had to explain it on several different occasions, provided a print out of my entitlement, and even then I don't think the manager really understood it.) 5. Problems with how long I was entitled to work at one establishment. (Seemed most employers weren't happy when I told them my visa allowed me to work at one place for only 6 months.) Can't say it's been fun looking for work here. I'm trying to stay optimistic about getting a career in the field I studied for prior to moving to Australia after I get my spouse visa. |
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| AmbroseChick | Aug 24 2010, 03:06:19 PM Post #2 |
True Blue Mate
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Hi Abby - you raise some interesting points and unfortunately I'm of no help whatsoever because I'm not working nor am I looking for work. It would be interesting to know what the discrimination laws in Australia are all. Asking someone's age and doing "free work trials" - it seems dodgy to me but maybe its the way things are done here?... |
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| sheowahya | Aug 24 2010, 10:20:51 PM Post #3 |
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True Blue Mate
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1. Frequent questioning of age. (I understand that if you're like under 21 or something here it's cheaper for people to hire you. Are employers even allowed to ask this question?) Generally it will be against the law for employers and employment agencies to ask questions on application forms and in interviews about a person's relationship status, sex, age, number of children (if any), plans to have children, child care arrangements, spouse's name or occupation, country of birth, medical history, sick leave and workers compensation record, religion, sexual preference, political belief or attitude to unions. It may also be unlawful to request consent for access to Worker's Compensation history. If questions like these are asked it may result in the information being used to treat applicants unfairly. The legislation specifically makes it against the law to ask for unnecessary information that may result in discrimination. It is therefore only acceptable to ask questions about personal matters for very specific reasons, including where it is necessary under award conditions (eg for age related wages), for other reasonable purposes (eg if citizenship is a legal requirement of the job) or where an exemption may apply. The employer must be able to show why the information is needed, and an applicant has the right to ask an employer to do so if they ask questions about personal matters. 2. Free work trials. (I did some research on the internet and as far as SA is concerned I'm pretty sure these are illegal, however I've run into several employers offering this before official employment...often times in hospitality positions, most recently retail.) There is a very well written article on this very subject put out by the folks at Jobwatch. Work Trial Article It is not illegal per se, but the problems come in as a result of lack of communication. This is why I tell everyone to make sure you understand your employment contract or award. Your employer will have you sign an employment contract or will give you a copy of the award your job is covered under when you are officially hired. This is not a formality, this is done BEFORE you report for work the first day!! If you are asked to report for work and this requirement has not been met, then ASK!!! 3. Referred to online application. (I know managers are busy people too but in the past I've run into managers who will gladly take a resume and then employees who basically tell me to buzz off and apply online if I want a job.) Unfortunately, you have no control over how an application must be accepted. One branch of a chain can accept applications in person, while a different branch will only accept online applications. You must follow the directions in order to be considered. Some employers will use the application process to weed out undesirables. They will deliberately make a strange or difficult application process. Failure to follow ALL of the application rules, will result in you not being considered. Harsh, but totally legal. 4. Confusion about Work and Holiday Visas. (I've had a few interviews and I got the feeling WHVs aren't that common in Adelaide. I had to explain it on several different occasions, provided a print out of my entitlement, and even then I don't think the manager really understood it.) I don't know for sure if ALL visas are covered by the EVO system, but it is certainly worth a phone call to DIAC to ask if your visa class is covered. If it is, I HIGHLY recommend telling potential employers about the site. I went so far as to print an "about" page from the site and include the web address. My employer checked to make sure that I was legal to work in Australia. It sets them at ease. The penalties for hiring an illegal in Australia are a LOT worse than anything in the States, so employers take more time to do due dilligence. 5. Problems with how long I was entitled to work at one establishment. (Seemed most employers weren't happy when I told them my visa allowed me to work at one place for only 6 months.) Unfortunately, there is no easy fix for this. It costs a LOT of money to hire a new employee. Advertising, reviewing resumes, interview time, drafting employment contract, training, setting up computer files for payroll and super contributions... it is very expensive. Employers simply don't see how they can recover these costs with a limited employment window of only 6 months. That's why the WHV was designed for harvesting and very casual server positions. |
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My Timeline ======= Category 136 BN - Skilled Independent. Skills Assessment: Applied ICAA: 13May05 Addtional Classes Required: 08Aug05 Re-submitted PASA: 05Feb07 Approved as Accountant 2211-11: 26Feb07 Main Visa Application: Sent to ASPC: 12Mar07 Application received: 16Mar07 Acknowledgement received: 10May07 Credit Card Charged: 10May07 CO assigned: TBD Medicals sent UNrequested: 26Jul07 PPC sent UNrequested: 18Jul07 VISA Approved: 07Nov07 Main move to Australia: 17Apr08 | |
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| michaelavelli | Aug 25 2010, 12:00:30 AM Post #4 |
True Blue Mate
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Have you tried temp agencies? I'm on a WHV and I've found the temp market to be quite robust. |
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| abby | Aug 25 2010, 08:49:10 AM Post #5 |
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Anklebiter
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I haven't gone to any agency in the past mostly because I wasn't aware that there were any that would work with people from overseas. That and I was under the impression you had to pay some sort of fee to even get started with places like that. I've been basically walking into places and hoping to speak with managers about working there. Can you recommend any agencies? |
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| staylor8383 | Aug 25 2010, 10:03:33 AM Post #6 |
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True Blue Mate
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as far as temp agencies go, you don't pay a fee the employer pays the agency for finding the employees. i have found a lot of jobs are listed with temp agencies here. check out careerone.com.au or seek.com.au, look for jobs in your area and most are with temp agencies. then you can register with them or set up an appointment with them. good luck!! |
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| michaelavelli | Aug 25 2010, 01:23:57 PM Post #7 |
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True Blue Mate
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I work in the financial sector and most of the people here use Hays or Manpower. I'm in Adelaide, might be different where you are, but I'm pretty sure they're throughout Australia. Randstaad and BHP (I think it's BHP - might be confusing with the courrier services, lol) are also around. Those four would be a good place to start, assuming you're looking for office type stuff. I'm sure there are other options for other types of jobs. They don't cost you anything - they cost the employer a fee/surcharge. So if you get hired for $20/hour, your employer might actually be paying $27 to your agency. Most of these They're perfect for WHV people because they understand the work conditions and won't waste your time with a potential position unless they know that the employer is okay with the 6 months. I actually first got a position working for a health insurance company that was just a 3 week project, but then had to leave it because another agency found me a 6 month gig with a finance company. Just register with as many of them as you can. Good luck. |
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| katerina | Sep 8 2010, 11:49:07 AM Post #8 |
Anklebiter
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Hi Abby, Yep, I ran into exactly the same problems on my WHV. I've got a physical therapy degree but couldn't register to work as a therapist in Australia without a proper long term visa. It was so tough finding a job at first. A lot of people didn't understand the visa, just as you said, and also weren't so willing to hire someone that they knew would have to leave. I also ran into the age thing. I'm in my very early 20s and apparently you can pay someone less in Australia if they're under 18? I think that's right anyway. I ended up working most of my time in movie theaters as they're quite happy to take on travelers and were often well aware of the restrictions of a WHV. It seemed like everyone I worked with was on one! Can't wait to move onto my next visa and hopefully have the chance to work the jobs I really want to. I hope your frustrating work situation clears up quickly! I've heard things are much, much better on the spousal visa. Good luck! |
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| trix | Sep 21 2010, 08:29:30 PM Post #9 |
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True Blue Mate
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I had no trouble finding temp work when I was on my whv in Adelaide either. |
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| abby | Dec 1 2010, 08:34:05 PM Post #10 |
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Anklebiter
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Thanks for the replies guys. Can't say I've found any work yet still (depression setting in big time). My visa is still a problem for employers (along with lack of exp. of course). Really looking forward to having my residency visa soon so I can apply for the career I studied for instead of trying for positions that seem to be reserved for schoolies, lol. |
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| SanDiablo | Dec 2 2010, 08:43:52 AM Post #11 |
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True Blue Mate
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What career did you study for? |
| "I'll try anything twice." | |
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| TerritorianTori | Dec 2 2010, 09:09:44 AM Post #12 |
Dance to disco
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I'm sorry you've had so much trouble. When I first arrived in Australia on a 416 visa (the predecessor of the US WHV), I was told straight-up that these type of visas are only meant for people to get casual jobs to support themselves while they have a holiday in Oz... not necessarily to work as a "professional". So, without worrying about that expectation, I was able to find some good temp work.  Also, a position that might seem beneath you can actually help you break into the job market later on, if you're planning to live here permanently. Employers love to see local work experience of any kind. Just my 2.2c on the subject. 
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 South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys | |
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| abby | Dec 2 2010, 01:20:26 PM Post #13 |
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Anklebiter
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Studied for Graphic design. :D |
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| abby | Dec 2 2010, 01:31:19 PM Post #14 |
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Anklebiter
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Yeah I was told the same thing when i first came into Aus on my WHV. Didn't bother me at the time but now it's so annoying to try to find work that is accessible and not in the hills on a farm (admittedly I don't drive here as I never was able to afford a car). Lol I've sunk pretty low in terms of job seeking. I've gone all the way down to general cleaning/factory work and was refused either based off of lack of experience or my visa. It's pretty depressing. I've wanted to just pack up and leave for home a few times already but my hubby still thinks I should keep trying anyway. I almost think I rub people the wrong way or something... given at a few interviews I've been laughed at for being American. |
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