Looking for a job

Weeks are looong when you don't have a job... I have sent 90 CV's and cover letters in 3 months what means plenty of hours on the computer. So despite what you might be thinking, it was no holidays for me.

J'ai envoyé 90 CV en 3 mois ce qui représente beaucoup d'heures de recherche sur l'ordinateur ce qui n'est pas des vacances.

In the mind of a job seeker

(Dans l'esprit d'un chercheur d'emploi)

- In my home country, Belgium, I had 50% of positive response on my CV's sent. Recruitment agencies were calling me because they found my profile on the Internet. I could afford being picky. Why don't I have the same reaction here? Pourquoi n'ai-je pas 50% de réponses positives par CV envoyé comme en Belgique?

- Is the market ok? It seems so... Australia is one of the safest market after global financial crisis and European troubles... Pourtant le marché Australien est stable en ce temps de crise. 

- Am I at the right place? Hmmm Brisbane is the 3rd largest city in Australia and is not the International centre as Brussels was in Europe. New technologies, advertising and data management are often managed in Sydney or Melbourne so the few companies here might invest on "safe" candidates. Queensland is looking for candidates with mining industry or road work project management experience... Est-ce que Brisbane est le meilleur endroit? Ce n'est pas International comme Bruxelles en Europe. Sydney et Melbourne sont plus grand. Ici ils cherchent dans le domaine minier et voierie...

- Is it the right time? I had to push recruiters to have meetings with them and they told me that it is an early drop in the job market because of Christmas slowdown... Don't tell me that I will not work before 2012?! On se rapproche de Noël et il y a une diminution des offres... Ne me dites pas que je ne vais pas travailler avant 2012?!

-  Do I have the right profile? My profile is not common here: I'm not an all-rounder marketer but not a pure sales, not a junior but no team management experience... Account Manager in an agency needs Media experience.... In Marketing/Sales the competition is very aggressive and you need to "go and get that job". You need to make a campaign for yourself and call every 5 days for follow up... Je ne corresponds pas à leurs normes que pour êre dans le pure marketing ou dans la pure vente. Account Manager en agence nécessite une expérience dans les medias. La concurrence est rude où on doit faire une campagne pour soi-même et appeler tous les 5 jours.

I continually modified and personalised my CV and Cover letter to reach Australian standards until I got more reactions. I started doubting about myself and about my choices. Should I study again? I got disappointed, sad, frustrated but I read everywhere the same stories about people advising to keep looking, to stay positive and be patient. When I wanted to change my mind and do something fun during the day: stand up paddling, wind surfing, volunteering at the Zoo, I felt guilty to not be in front of the computer.

Le doute s'installe sur mes choix. Devais-je étudier? Combien de fois dois-je encore modifier mon CV et ma lettre de motivation? Je deviens déçue, frustrée mais je lis partout qu'il faut tenir bon et rester patient. Lorsque je veux me changer les idées en faisant du surf, planche à voile ou du volontariat au Zoo alors je me sens coupable de prendre du bon temps.

If it continues, I will sell Belgian waffles and Belgian chocolate... Si ça continue je vais finir par vendre de gaufres et des chocolats Belges.

Australia Fair Work

I got an offer after 5 CV sent (in August 2011) as "Project Coordinator" which I declined because the contract looked fishy... In Australia they have the "Fair Work statement" (http://www.fairwork.gov.au/) Rules in application since 2010 about 10 minimum National standards all employers need to give to their employees and this contract had too many hours, less sickness days, termination of employment in my disadvantage, they manipulate the number of employees to stay in a category where my probation period would last 1 year (4 rules out of 10 were not correct).... And they told me to sign this bad version before they write the new one what was too strange for me.

J'ai reçu une offre après 5 CV envoyés mais en comparant avec les standards Nationaux (Fairwork) en pratique depuis 2010 que chaque employeur doit au minimum donner à ses employés: 4 des 10 règles n'étaient pas aux normes (heures, jours maladie, terminaison du contrat, période d'essai). Ils m'ont demandé de signer cette version en attendant une nouvelles. Heuu... Je ne crois pas non!

Did I make the right choice knowing that I have not received any other positive reactions? Ai-je fait le bon choix?

I have got a job!!!

Finally, my latest 1 page cover letter and 3 pages CV are paying off. I had more interviews and I received a perfect offer to work as a "Marketing Analyst" in a fundraising organisation in a Hospital in Brisbane. I'll be involved in database management, reporting and provide marketing recommendations. Yes! The contract is clean and with many advantages. I will start on the 23rd of November. I have a job for Christmas! I can now enjoy few days of true holidays!

J'ai décroché un job avec un contrat en or pleins d'avantages en tant que "Analyste Marketing" pour une oeuvre caritative pour un hôpital. Je commence le 23 Novembre, j'ai donc un boulot pour Noël! Je peux enfin arrêter de chercher. Yes!

Another day at work

[Previous post about work] or [Previous]

What I thought would be another normal (as far as normal goes on the 4th week of your new job) Monday morning turned out to be become a day where some lovely local flavours kicked in. After running with a breakfast heavy stomach to the train, yes I was late due to a bad hair day, I arrived at central station and to begin the final walking stretch to work. After crossing Adelaide and Edward street and arriving on Queens street, also known as the mall, I noticed a lot of fences which formed a passage way all across to Brisbane square. Something was happening. Well actually everyday some artist or happening is taking place somewhere around town but nothing this big. With all commuters forced to walk on the narrower outskirts the mall seems a bit more crowded than usual. Arriving at the office the morning passes well.

At lunch time I hurried downstairs to make my way to the consulate a couple of blocks down the mall at Eagle street (aka the posh hip strip next to the water). It's now a bit more than one month. Time to register now we have a permanent place [See post about the house well at least 6 months]. Level 8 said the sign so I hopped in the elevator. Behind the counter is a lovely lady who greets me with a smile. I told her I was here to register Nina and myself at the consulate by which she picked up the phone. "Madam Helen there is a guy to register himself at the German consulate". I couldn't help but smile and when I overheard the lady over the phone my smile grew even bigger. "My dear I was hoping that by now you know that you are working for the Belgian consulate. Please pass me the gentlemen". With instant red cheeks she passed me the phone.

Some minutes later, after given all my detail, I'm back down at eagle street with a hungry stomach ready to search for a bite. After feasting on sushi, which is found all over town, most of the last couple of weeks I thought a change of diet would be good so I'm off to the nearest food court: Japaneze, indian, salads, thai, chinese, burgers, pizza, pasta. Basically everything you'd like. Generally these food courts aren't bad but don't expect sophisticate cuisine either. A quick bit for the business women and men with plenty of healthy options for a cheap prize. All conveniently put next each other with a central eating area. Choice of the day some noodles with some vegetables.

With my stomach full I head back to Brisbane square and I pass again the mall with the fences. This time the ground is covered with paper like a Carnival had passed. I clearly missed the spectacle the little hour I was at the consulate. Walking further I see the crowds growing bigger. We'll maybe I wasn't too late. I cross the last road onto the square to find myself between men in red shirts. No ordinary men but men which easily are twice my size. Suddenly I find myself being 'man handled' by some security guard who tells me numerous times I'm in the way. Caught of guard and a little bit stunned as a result I see numerous cameras pointed at the place I'm standing. I hurry out of the way as quickly as possible through a crowd of fans waiting for an autograph. Not knowing who are what the fuzz was about I went upstairs to the office.

Upstairs I see a colleague with the same red jerseys as the guys downstairs showing off her collection of autographs. Apparently I found myself in the middle of the celebration for The Queensland Reds. The Rugby team who won the national 2011 rugby championship last Saturday with a victory over the Crusaders.

Well congratulations Queensland Reds, glad I was a part of the celebration! Additionally last Wednesday Queensland won as well The State of Origin for the sixth consecutive time. The State of Origin is a derby between Queensland and New South Wales, which is held each year. A best of three games decides the winner.

After some hard times last January with the floods and cyclone Yasi who wrecked havoc in the north of Queensland everybody here is glad that Queensland has some positives going on as the recovery in some places is still going on.

It's time to "Suit up!"

The first week of work is over and it turned out wonderfully. Not really knowing what to expect I crawled on Monday morning 7.20 in the car onwards to the Sandgate Train station. After being dropped off by Nina at the kiss and ride I headed towards the ticket office. We did get our Go cards (one stop shopping card for all that is public transport) already the week before but you just can't be sure enough at the first day to take the right train. Well to be honest I was nervous. Who wouldn't be on her/his first day on the job right?

After having received an up to date brochure and a saucy "No worries" I headed to Rail 1. After pressing Nina (sorry sweety I was just nervous ;-) ) in the morning fearing that I would be late it seemed that I was 25 min early. A quick look around the stations cleared that quickly up. New schedule as of the 6th oh June and on that date as well, after great success during the testing period, the introduction of the "Quite cars". No talking, no loud music or mobiles. Commuters heaven if you want to read you book in the morning and with still 8 books to go in the Wheel of Time series these Quite cars will come in handy.

35min ride time to go. So plenty of time to look around and look who is on the train with me. The majority of course are suits. Suits with either and iphone, book or newspaper. Probably in a 80-15-5 split. A lot of school girls and boy in their uniforms which make you think they come straight out of a Dead poets society like boarding school. All in all the Train isn't too packed and I can read my book on and off for the rest of the ride.

Arriving at central station all becomes a bit more hectic. Everybody wants to get out of the train, including me. All goes very orderly but some pushing here and there. Especially when everybody tries to squeeze themselves on the rolling escalators. Keep left is the moto or you might get bulldozed by a suit trying to catch his next bus or train. Coming out of the train station I follow the mass of people in the direction of CBD (City business district). Off to Brisbane square to the bank. I probably pass enough coffee places for the entire city while walking the 5 minutes to the office. With a warm rays of sunlight to guide me I walk further through Queens street passing by the early backpackers waiting for the tourist office to open up, not to forget the morning drunk at the bench next to them.

It feels like a holiday when you discover the inner city for the first time but then again I'll fully "suited up" ready for the first day. Only thing left after walking in the enormous building, which also harbours the City library, is to find the elevator and stand in line to go up to the 28th floor. With 7 people in the elevator bound for the top of the building I couldn't but wonder. Might any of them be a future colleague of boss?

More to come ;-)

[Next: Where to live Part2 ]