Should I go to Australia?

Volcano

Do it, otherwise you'll regret it in 20 years time. Look on it as an extended holiday; if you find work then that's great, if not then it just means you'll be back home earlier (which is better than never going in the first place!)

I always find it humourous that people go all the way to oz to do jobs they wouldn't do at home, like fruit picking, being a cleaner etc etc.

Why? Picking oranges in the NSW sun and spending the weekend on Bondi Beach isn't really comparable to picking butternut squash in Norfolk mud then spending the weekend at, err, Great Yarmouth!

I could just repost Bluefish's post as my experiences echo it, but I won't so just go back and read post #7, thanks!

mark1234567890

Thank you for all of the posts guys.

It is great to hear from others who have previously done the backpacking experience and had a great time.

I am beginning to consider it a little more seriously now.

I still have a lot of thinking to do though.

Once again thank you for taking the time to post.

Mojisola

Go and have a great time. Just being away will give you an edge that the stay-at-homers won't have. Do casual work when you need to but if you can spend part of the time doing something relevant to the job you eventually want, it will be even better. If not, try to do something worthy for a while - there's always voluntary work available.

Even if it didn't help with getting a job when you get home, I'd still say go. The memories you bring home will be priceless!

Voyager2002

Why go all the way to Australia? You have the entire EU on your doorstep, and the opportunity to learn a language while having fun. That surely would impress an employer more than speaking English with a hostel-full of fellow travellers in Sidney.

kaspar

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Why go all the way to Australia? You have the entire EU on your doorstep, and the opportunity to learn a language while having fun. That surely would impress an employer more than speaking English with a hostel-full of fellow travellers in Sidney.

If you are going for a long time then you may as well go to Australia.

Much more fun than most European countries and more of an adventure.

Maybe the original poster doesn't want to learn a new language. If this is the first time they have traveled abroad alone then they may enjoy the fact there is no language barrier in Oz.

Summer247

I did this recently on a working holiday visa.

I wouldn't go assuming there are more jobs out there because of the recession here, it's still very tough to find work out there. There are some working restrictions with your visa (you can only stay with one employer for up to 6 months), and there is an attitude of "looking after your own" out there, employers can and will turn you down simply because you're from overseas and locals have applied for the same position. I was told this by several employment agencies and friends I'd made out there.
Try to be as confident and outgoing as your personality will allow. Especially for jobs communicating with the public: retail, bar work, etc. They love staff that who interact with customers, and are not afraid to approach them and try to up-sell products. It's a very different experience shopping out there than it is in the UK.

Also, be prepared to take any type of work offered to you, even if it's something you hate in the short-term, any work experience *in* Australia that you can gain will help enormously, as future employers will have a local contact if they need a reference.

Take as much money as you possibly can. Some things such as food and toiletries are more expensive than they are at home, so be careful and shop around for the best prices. I sussed out the cheaper supermarkets and discount stores as soon as I got there.

Try to get out there and meet people and form friendships, experience and qualifications are all well and good, but it doesn't beat having a friend with good contacts who can pull a few strings and get you a job when you're desperate
Having friends also helps a lot with homesickness - however much you can't wait to get on that plane now, I can guarantee it will creep up on you when you least expect it!

I met several British travellers who came on a WH Visa, and landed a job which they were good at and could turn in to a proper career, so their employers were sponsoring them to stay on longer, a couple were going for permanent citizenship. So there are oppotuinites that could lead to something much more permanent.

I was 19 when I went, I'd never been abroad before (my first passport!), and I went alone not knowing anyone there beforehand. I didn't know migration/travel agents even existed, but I got on fine without them. If you have common sense you can figure most things out easily for yourself, and it's much cheaper. It wasn't easy, but it definitely can be done!

Good luck!

mark1234567890

Summer247 wrote: »

I did this recently on a working holiday visa.

I wouldn't go assuming there are more jobs out there because of the recession here, it's still very tough to find work out there. There are some working restrictions with your visa (you can only stay with one employer for up to 6 months), and there is an attitude of "looking after your own" out there, employers can and will turn you down simply because you're from overseas and locals have applied for the same position. I was told this by several employment agencies and friends I'd made out there.
Try to be as confident and outgoing as your personality will allow. Especially for jobs communicating with the public: retail, bar work, etc. They love staff that who interact with customers, and are not afraid to approach them and try to up-sell products. It's a very different experience shopping out there than it is in the UK.

Also, be prepared to take any type of work offered to you, even if it's something you hate in the short-term, any work experience *in* Australia that you can gain will help enormously, as future employers will have a local contact if they need a reference.

Take as much money as you possibly can. Some things such as food and toiletries are more expensive than they are at home, so be careful and shop around for the best prices. I sussed out the cheaper supermarkets and discount stores as soon as I got there.

Try to get out there and meet people and form friendships, experience and qualifications are all well and good, but it doesn't beat having a friend with good contacts who can pull a few strings and get you a job when you're desperate
Having friends also helps a lot with homesickness - however much you can't wait to get on that plane now, I can guarantee it will creep up on you when you least expect it!

I met several British travellers who came on a WH Visa, and landed a job which they were good at and could turn in to a proper career, so their employers were sponsoring them to stay on longer, a couple were going for permanent citizenship. So there are oppotuinites that could lead to something much more permanent.

I was 19 when I went, I'd never been abroad before (my first passport!), and I went alone not knowing anyone there beforehand. I didn't know migration/travel agents even existed, but I got on fine without them. If you have common sense you can figure most things out easily for yourself, and it's much cheaper. It wasn't easy, but it definitely can be done!

Good luck!

Excellent post thank you so much!!

However you have made me quite worried now that I won't be able to find a job. Infact really worried.

Obviously I am not going with the sole intention of working but I will need to work to fund my trip.

I have booked all of the flights and got my visa now so there is no going back :eek: