My plan of attack - It must be worth a go?

[richard300]

Just thinking out loud I guess – And I welcome anyone who might be able to give a little advice, highlight something I may not have considered. Or even tell me it’s a ridiculous plan because of something I may not have thought about….

 

Flights are booked and the deposit paid on our first 3 months accommodation – we have ‘worst case scenario’ funds in place should it take a silly amount of time to find work. But still, it would be nice to enjoy that money as opposed to covering the essentials with it. And having followed the threads in this sub forum, I find myself starting to lose a little sleep and have concerns about finding work in the Adelaide area.

 

I like to work and I like to earn. And if it were up to me, I would get of the airplane, sleep of the jetlag and start work strait away…… But I know it’s not going to work like that!

I appreciate that on top of an already poor employment climate, not being in the country is going to make trying to secure work even less unlikely – However, I feel I must be as proactive as possible.

 

Ideally I would like to work in the Hotel/Hospitality industry – It seems to relate closest to my current role as ‘Head of Support Services’ for a large Hospital Home and Rehabilitation centre here in the UK.

I am responsible for directly line managing all the staff and relevant administration for the following teams: Housekeeping/Dining/Reception/Laundry/Kitchen/transport and purchasing. I also manage all the external contracts such as Security/pest control and Housekeeping and Catering suppliers. I manage (alongside the Chief Executive) Health & Safety and am responsible for Health & safety, COSHH and Food hygiene training for all of our 150 employees.

 

So my plan is:

 

I have already created an XL document that has the details of all the large independent/national/international hotels that are represented in the Adelaide area – It contains web addresses, e-mail addresses, relevant contacts, links to vacancy pages if they have them on their websites and the contact numbers for these establishments.

 

I have updated my CV and created 2 covering letters (One for the first wave and one for the second wave in January/February).

 

I plan to send my first wave of CV’s and the covering letter, off in the next few days – basically stating that whilst I won’t be in SA until March 2015. If they think I may be of interest, please keep me on file.

Then, when I am 2-3 months away from our date to fly out. Re send the CV with the covering letter stating I am relatively close to being in SA.

 

That’s it really – But do you guys and girls think that my timings are out? That the first wave might be a waste of time? When should I approach recruitment agencies?

 

I was hoping that both my previous and current employer would write me ‘to whom it may concern’ references. That I could also enclose – But my current employer has told me that whilst any reference they give will be reflective of my “outstanding contribution” they will only send out a reference upon request!

 

Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings J

[Guest Claire-n-tel]

Just a thought regarding your CV.....have you "australianised" it?

[richard300]

No - I probably haven't. I will look into the format preferred by the Australians though.

 

Thank you for the heads up :-)

[mxmanus]

It's not just oz format for your cv. You'll need to translate it. Ie change things like VAT in UK is GST here. Etc.

[Daviesfamily adelaide]

Hi

 

you seem to have covered all bases. I am a teacher and took a similar approach. When in England I sent a covering letter, CV and references to about 50 different schools in South Australia. Unfortunately non of the schools were able to offer me anything. If I was being negative I would be saying this was a waste of time, however most schools replied and a dialogue was set up the relevant person within the school. When I arrived I contacted the schools again, whilst none of them and anything permanent two of them offered me supply work, which has provided enough for us to live on over the last 3 months. Have now ended up taking a permanent post outside of teaching. In summary (sorry for giving you my Australian life history) it is difficult to get work before you arrive, but it certainly does not do any harm in trying to build up a few contacts in the field you wish to work. Good luck.

[Daviesfamily adelaide]

Hi sorry another idea have you joined LinkedIn you might be able to start building up some contacts over here through that

[Karthik]

Hi, Your plan and strategy is worth the attack. I believe the jobs are not so booming in Adelaide market during summer and vacations, But at the same time perseverance is the key and you would definitely get through with a job when the right time comes with right networking contacts in place.

[richard300]

Thanks for the Further comments and advice, everyone.

I will concentrate on my Linkedin account - something i have neglected since setting it up.

 

I think my wife may well be heavily networking (via Linkedin). She is a Specialist Diabetes Nurse and a Trainer/Educator in the field. Here in the UK i believe she has an enviable reputation with her peers and is constantly being head hunted - She just needs people in AU to recognise it.... Which i am sure is easier said than done.

[Gidza]

When I got here I was advised they prefer resumes to CVs

[Gidza]

And also if you restrict yourself to Adelaide it's harder because most people live there. If you are flexible you can get employment in regional areas. I intended to be in Adelaide but had an interview in Mt Gambier a week after arriving (had been called for an interview whilst in the UK) and got offeres the job so I ended up here.

[richard300]

Funny you should say that Gidza.... My wife has had it mentioned to her (I don't know why or my whom) that Mt Gambier is somewhere she might find work in her role. However i am not sure Mt Gambier would offer much for me?

Property is cheaper there and as you say, if there was a firm lead to follow (regarding employment) we would consider other area's very seriously.

 

But we really want to be very near the coast - Mainly because here in the UK we literally live across the road from the beach and my wife and I (and our children) have grown with 'beach life' being the main focus of our free time (In both the winter and the summer) and to not be on the coast would be a real step backwards in what is hopefully supposed to be a 'better' lifestyle.

[Rabeah]

It's important to tailor every cover letter and the career objective and personal profile of your resume towards the selection criteria of the particular job advert. Don't send out mass applications without tailoring because that would only be a waste of time!

Just my 2 cents.

[Gidza]

Funny you should say that Gidza.... My wife has had it mentioned to her (I don't know why or my whom) that Mt Gambier is somewhere she might find work in her role. However i am not sure Mt Gambier would offer much for me?

Property is cheaper there and as you say, if there was a firm lead to follow (regarding employment) we would consider other area's very seriously.

 

But we really want to be very near the coast - Mainly because here in the UK we literally live across the road from the beach and my wife and I (and our children) have grown with 'beach life' being the main focus of our free time (In both the winter and the summer) and to not be on the coast would be a real step backwards in what is hopefully supposed to be a 'better' lifestyle.

The beach at Port MacDonnell is a 30min drive away. So not too bad but obviously not as good as your situation in the UK