Irish in Brisbane and jobs

Red Hen

Hi Everyone;

I am an Irish girl living in Brisbane with my Aussie/ Irish partner. We have been together for years and he is now working in Brisbane. I am looking for Irish people to hang out with in Brisbane! I am desperately looking for work at the moment and perhaps it is for this reason that I am finding it hard to meet people here in Brisbane. Usually when one works, friends can often come about that way.
Despite there being a huge population of Irish in Brisbane, I cant seem to find anyone in my local area and would ideally love to make contact with people who have moved here and are looking at staying here more permanently.
I am a resident but only came to live in Australia late last year.
The Irish Club in Brisbane seems to have good intentions but is a little stale for meeting people. I would love to share experiences with people who have made the move here too and how they are finding it.

I also want to discuss the topic of working in Australia. Now, I can only speak for Brisbane, but I simply cannot believe how difficult it is to get work here. I am in the field of the arts and administration and I have been applying for 6 months solid with no luck.

IS anyone out there finding it completely hopeless? I mean, there are jobs in the paper but it seems there are huge numbers of people looking for work.

• Lots of Aussies who were abroad, are now choosing to go back home because of the GFC.
• LOTS and LOTS of Irish, English, American, Chinese…. you name it and they are here looking for work; also due to GFC.

In my experience so far, having an Irish accent and looking for work in Australia means a hard life. I hear many stories from at home; high unemployment, no jobs and freezing weather! Okay so, the weather is nearly always fabulous in Brisbane. But it is hard when you have no family or friends to support you.
In my experience, all the Irish and other nationalities coming here on working holiday visas have caused big problems for permanent residents such as myself.
I know it is sometimes the only option for some people and I guess I’m not really blaming the WHV takers specifically. I blame those who come here with the idea of one massive party in mind and then just waste their time getting drunk, being hired and fired and going home with less money than when they arrived.

I have been pursuing company heads and trying to get them to look at my CV; my CV has been edited and designed by a recruitment company, I have made friends of friends, who have contacts in my field. I apply to about 10 jobs a day on average. I even apply to basic bar jobs, waitressing jobs etc (I have experience in these areas also) but all to no avail. I have had many interviews where they are wary about hiring an Irish person.

It gets me very frustrated hearing stories about Australia being the land of opportunity. It once was, and that’s probably why everyone is here. I would like to know if anyone out there has had a similar experience to me? And any advice???

Mr Benevolent

I'm in admin and had the same problems. It seems you need to be into the building trade to get a job at all.

Diamondmaker

My wife is recruiting for an assistant to her. She works for the state directors in a large commercial property company.

It pays about 40k and is based in the city. She is having trouble getting CVs let alone suitable candidates.

Perm residents with appropriate background and education can PM me.

Please do not waste my time anyone, if you are not all 3 of the above and a genuine decent worker, with good presentation and professionalism, as it would be a bad reflection on me and herself !

Dont even read this far if only a WHVer.... sorry.

cheers
DM

PS My company is having a huge recruitment drive in Canberra for all construction professionals, we are massively short in skills and have 1/2 bn worth of work in ACT and SA, these are areas I suggest people to go to for const work and ancillary services...QLd is quiet and we are sending staff down south until work picks up.

Good luck
DM

Vorsprung

Diamondmaker wrote: »

Dont even read this far if only a WHVer....

My gf has recently moved to BNE and has found that the above has been her main obstacle to finding work. Hopefully it'll be easier when she goes defacto on my visa...

mandrake04

Vorsprung wrote: »

My gf has recently moved to BNE and has found that the above has been her main obstacle to finding work. Hopefully it'll be easier when she goes defacto on my visa...

I think Diamondmaker was making the point because he does not want 200 PM's from people on a WHV looking for an easy to get job... He did mention that they should be Permanent... but most people wouldn't read that far before they reached for the PM button

Red Hen

Diamondmaker wrote: »

My wife is recruiting for an assistant to her. She works for the state directors in a large commercial property company.

It pays about 40k and is based in the city. She is having trouble getting CVs let alone suitable candidates.

Perm residents with appropriate background and education can PM me.

Please do not waste my time anyone, if you are not all 3 of the above and a genuine decent worker, with good presentation and professionalism, as it would be a bad reflection on me and herself !

Dont even read this far if only a WHVer.... sorry.

cheers
DM

PS My company is having a huge recruitment drive in Canberra for all construction professionals, we are massively short in skills and have 1/2 bn worth of work in ACT and SA, these are areas I suggest people to go to for const work and ancillary services...QLd is quiet and we are sending staff down south until work picks up.

Good luck
DM

That sounds like a possibility for me. I will PM you Diamondmaker and send my CV. Your wife can then decide for herself if I am a suitable candidate. Thanks for the help.

I also want to mention, while on the subject, that I am extremely highly qualified in my field. To masters level in fact, but I am finding that it gets overshadowed by the fact that employers are questioning my commitment to their company. I have permanent residency in Australia and am engaged to marry my long term Australian partner. We have set up a life here, but it seems it is increasingly difficult to convince suitable employers of this fact.
Wary employers dont want people to stay for 6 months or a year.
They want staff to commit to their organisation. Advertising and recruiting is an expensive, time consuming process and I can understand why employers then want dedicated staff. But I have been rejected from some organisations, some of which I would have gladly stayed with, for many years. One must press on with the search!

TirEoghain

I can't help with the job, but I certainly do socialise a good bit in the city, so I can hang out.

I can also introduce you to numerous gaelic footballers around Brisbane and there are regular games on at this time of the year, followed by good nights out in the pub.

Zambia

On arrival in Melbourne my wife had the same issue. Her job hit her from the left completly out of the blue.

Don't get disheartened keep trying and you never know what will happen.

Danny2580

I have an internet based business so employment was not an issue for me. However, I did edit my gf's CV and we speculatively applied for dozens of positions in her field via e-mail. The phone didn't stop ringing the next day, and she now has two jobs - we're here on WHV. Maybe we just got lucky?

brendansmith

District_9 wrote: »

On arrival in Melbourne my wife had the same issue. Her job hit her from the left completly out of the blue.

Don't get disheartened keep trying and you never know what will happen.

Will you sort your old account out!

Your new name is as bad as the film!!!

Mahatma coat

I dunno what it is about this town, but it seems to be a massive logistics challenge to even arrange a drinkin sesh, whereas Melbourne can arrange a Soccer tournament at the drop of a hat

universe777

District_9 wrote: »

On arrival in Melbourne my wife had the same issue. Her job hit her from the left completly out of the blue.

Don't get disheartened keep trying and you never know what will happen.

I am having the same problem in Melbourne, here on a spouse visa. I am looking for office work, 2+ years experience and male, I don't know whether it's racism or sexism. Not having any luck, no interviews yet..

Zambia

Office work is a hard one to get, all the pretty people want those jobs

Zambia

brendansmith wrote: »

Will you sort your old account out!

Your new name is as bad as the film!!!

Hey if you know some way of speeding it up I am all ears??

Till then i am stuck out here in District 9

Diamondmaker

universe777 wrote: »

I am having the same problem in Melbourne, here on a spouse visa. I am looking for office work, 2+ years experience and male, I don't know whether it's racism or sexism. Not having any luck, no interviews yet..

I am assuming by 2 years work experience.....

I think so many of the younger Irish ( I am 31 and reaped a lot of the Celtic tiger benefit but I do remember the tough times ) fail to realise that finding a job is just tough these days, there is no "racism" or "sexism" its just HARD, like the old days. Further to this its not like the EU where all the polish etc had no Visa issues,over here the Irish have genuine Visa problems and recruiters are not keen on WHVers for dozens of reasons.

Sure you are at a disadvantage being non national, any self respecting Aussie would prefer a national over an immigrant in a like for like scenario, nothing wrong with that.

Red Hen

Diamondmaker wrote: »

Sure you are at a disadvantage being non national, any self respecting Aussie would prefer a national over an immigrant in a like for like scenario, nothing wrong with that.

I agree. If I was an employer I would want staff who are familiar with the country and there is no danger they will up and leave without warning. The Australian govt. are happy that Irish people are coming over here for three months on WHV's and blowing all their cash while looking for casual work. Its good for the economy and those same Irish have to go home after three months anyway. The lucky ones and skilled ones get sponsored to stay.

Im lucky Im not in that category as I was awarded residency based on my partners citizenship.

universe777

Diamondmaker wrote: »

I am assuming by 2 years work experience.....

I think so many of the younger Irish ( I am 31 and reaped a lot of the Celtic tiger benefit but I do remember the tough times ) fail to realise that finding a job is just tough these days, there is no "racism" or "sexism" its just HARD, like the old days. Further to this its not like the EU where all the polish etc had no Visa issues,over here the Irish have genuine Visa problems and recruiters are not keen on WHVers for dozens of reasons.

Assumption incorrect, I am 29, I have over 10 years work experience, 2+ years in an office. I also have a degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering. Another presumption, I am not on a WHV, and I have my visa type stated on my resume.

IrishManSaipan

universe777 wrote: »

I am having the same problem in Melbourne, here on a spouse visa. I am looking for office work, 2+ years experience and male, I don't know whether it's racism or sexism. Not having any luck, no interviews yet..

Racism? Sexism? Whatever ism you are having yourself.

Newsflash, Australia doesnt owe you a living. Did the Australian government send you a personal invite? No, you decided to move their of your own free will. If you have the skills an employer needs, you will eventually get hired. If not, suck it up. Lifes a biatch.

IrishManSaipan

Red Hen wrote: »

Hi Everyone; ..................And any advice???

Yeah, invest your time and energy in finding employment rather than finding Irish people.

Diamondmaker

universe777 wrote: »

Assumption incorrect, I am 29, I have over 10 years work experience, 2+ years in an office. I also have a degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering. Another presumption, I am not on a WHV, and I have my visa type stated on my resume.

I fail to see then why you only stated you had 2 years experience and you are very vague with your 2 years in an office.

Perhaps your CV or your experience is as vague as your post, or the majority of your experence is irrelevant to the jobs you are applying for. Ultimately if your looking for work in the field where you have spent the 2+ years thats not really that much....

I dont think its racism or sexism why you cant get a job.

Zambia

IrishManSaipan wrote: »

Yeah, invest your time and energy in finding employment rather than finding Irish people.

Oh your just a ray of sunshine this afternoon ?

universe777

Some typical boards replies here, totally useless, aggressive & up your own arse!

Doc

universe777 wrote: »

Some typical boards replies here, totally useless, aggressive & up your own arse!

Nice to see you bucking the trend then mate.


From what ive found its the gettin the interview part thats the hard bit. I strugeled to get one but then got a job from the first one i got.

Diabhal_Glas

universe777 wrote: »

I am having the same problem in Melbourne, here on a spouse visa. I am looking for office work, 2+ years experience and male, I don't know whether it's racism or sexism. Not having any luck, no interviews yet..

Why aren't you looking for Engineering work in your field?
If I was an employer I would be suspicious that you will be passing through, and just want an office job for quick cash. Sorry I dont know all the facts here but on the limited info you have provided Im stating this.
Its exactly what a lot of the WHV people would do and maybe you are being tarred with the same brush so to speak.
Anyway best of luck with the hunt.

Diamondmaker

Diabhal_Glas wrote: »

Why aren't you looking for Engineering work in your field?
If I was an employer I would be suspicious that you will be passing through, and just want an office job for quick cash. Sorry I dont know all the facts here but on the limited info you have provided Im stating this.
Its exactly what a lot of the WHV people would do and maybe you are being tarred with the same brush so to speak.
Anyway best of luck with the hunt.

Exactly what I thought based on the info posted............Im sure the CV reads in a similar way.

mandrake04

There were some threads a few months ago where someone had posted that he had trouble finding a job and claimed employers said he was "Over Qualified"

I cant understand how you could be Over Qualified on a WHV, like you are going to have to leave in 6 months anyway.

But at least he didn't blame it on racism or sexism.... but I reckon it was more like a case of Personalityism

Diamondmaker

universe777 wrote: »

Some typical boards replies here, totally useless, aggressive & up your own arse!

http://www.hreoc.gov.au/sex_discrimination/index.html

Perhaps this will be of more help then, they also deal with racism as a form of discrimination....

evenllydelish

i know d post its old ..but r u still looking 4 friends? just asking as my daughter is there to now and finds it very lonely and hard .the same u describing....:) ...so any body has any suggestions wher to get any friends r make contact with any irish r any other organizations...r art clubs...let me know pls...and thx in advance any 1 who answers

The Aussie

evenllydelish wrote: »

i know d post its old ..

Yes, but fantastic use of the search function, wish more people would use it.

evenllydelish wrote: »

...so any body has any suggestions wher to get any friends r make contact with any irish r any other organizations...r art clubs...let me know pls...and thanksx in advance any 1 one who answers

If she plays any sport there are GAA clubs, should be plenty of Irish there...

http://www.gaelicfootball.com.au/QLD.html

You mention Art, I don't know if that's a typo or not, but my wife was doing Art classes in Deagan for the whole time we were over there, there are common enough just do a google search









* Note to other- hahahahahahahhahahahahaha, District 9