Update On Sydney Plans
June 20, 2011 | Filed under Uni/Work
I am becoming increasingly discouraged in my job search in Sydney. I’ve applied for fourteen jobs since the start of the year. I’m still waiting to hear back from five of them. I didn’t even get to a phone interview stage with the other nine, and either got a direct “Thanks, but no thanks” email or in some cases, wasn’t even granted the courtesy of a response. As I stated on Twitter, I’m starting believe that I am unemployable. The only excuses I could give myself are that I’m applying from out-of-state. If I didn’t list a Melbourne residence, would they consider my application more thoroughly? To counter this disadvantage though, I have stated in each cover letter that I understand local candidates may be preferred, but that I am happy to relocate at no expense to the organisation.
Also, I am applying for jobs that are $5 – $10K grand above the salary range I should be moving into. I’m currently earning just about $50K a year across my two jobs, once you take into recent minor increases and overtime, etc. General career advancement knowledge would suggest that in moving into each new role, you aim for a 10% increase – in my case, I should be looking for jobs in the $55 – $60K range. Instead I am searching in the $60 – $70K range. My reasoning: 1) If I’m going to move interstate, I might as well make it financially worthwhile; 2) I am chronically underpaid at both organisations for the work I currently do compared to similar roles at other non-profit organisations; 3) By working two jobs part-time at the same time, I am technically gaining double the amount of experience in the same time.
It should be noted that I am being picky about what I apply for. Hence, only applying for fourteen jobs within a space of nearly six months. I know what I want – a communications/marketing or community relations (e.g. events and fundraising) role within a not for profit organisation or similar that works for improvement of the community (e.g. an educational or cultural organisation). Going one step further, the organisation mustn’t just have a community focus, but I need to have a personal interest in the work they do. To be perfectly blunt, I feel more strongly about working for a charity that supports children with cancer (one of the roles I applied for), than a government program that rehabilitates former prisoners (one of the roles I rejected).
In practice, this job searching approach clearly isn’t working. I need to either be more flexible when it comes to the salary range I’m searching in, or the organisation that’s advertising. Otherwise I need to start omitting my Melbourne address on applications, or to take out a post office box in Sydney that forwards all mail to me in Melbourne. I do still have six months of my postgrad degree to go before I really need to start panicking about my lack of job hunting success. It was always my intention to stay on in these two part-time roles until I completed my Masters. My lack of success in these past six months though, leave me wondering whether the next six months will actually make much of a difference…maybe I need to swallow my pride and just start looking in Melbourne and give up the Sydney plans?
8 Responses to Update On Sydney Plans
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Have you considered approaching one of the employers that rejected you and asking for feedback?
I have moved interstate twice for work and an out-of-state address has never been an issue – employers will usually give you a first round interview at least if your qualifications and experience are what they are looking for. If pay and relocation costs are a concern for employers, they will usually bring it up with you at the initial interview in order to try and get a feel for what you would be willing to accept or negotiate on.
Lisa on June 20, 2011 #
Are you able to simply leave out your address/phone number from your cover letters? If potential employers contact you by email to do their hiring, I don’t see the harm. Of course, this only works if you KNOW you can get a place and move within short notice.
I don’t live in Australia so I don’t know the standards for cover letters there, but when I was in school, many of my professors recommended we do this because it is a fact that employers do not want to hire candidates from outside the city/state.
Amanda on June 21, 2011 #
Ack, my apologies. I just realized I’m an idiot and you talk about omotting your address in your last paragraph. I blame lack of sleep.
Amanda on June 21, 2011 #
Getting a job is hard for sure. One thing I will say is that here in the states, the “out-of-state” thing is definitely a Big Deal. I know a lot of people switch their numbers to a local phone number so that they can have the illusion of living in the new place, and then just leave off their address. The problem is a lot of people don’t want to pay to move you. I’m not sure how common that is in Australia, but here, a lot of people expect that the company will pay to at least fly them out to the interview, and sometimes even pay to relocate them. A lot of jobs don’t want to deal with that, so they just toss you in the “meh” pile instead, especially when there are a ton of other applicants who are local.
I’m not sure if that’s 100% the issue, but it might help to either leave off your address or put a note on your resume indicating that even though you’re not local, you’re willing to pay all costs for flying for interviews and then moving.
Also I would say don’t be so picky. If you really want to move, just get a job, and then once you’re settled in Sydney, you can look around again.
Good luck with your hunt! Don’t be discouraged – something will come!
Becky on June 21, 2011 #
If your first priority is to move to Sydney, then I’d be less picky about what you apply for. After all, the position you accept in Sydney isn’t one you are bound to for life! But if it’s a raise in salary you’re really angling for, then I’d focus less on the location and more on the jobs you’re searching for.
Manda on June 22, 2011 #
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I know what you mean about applying for a handful of jobs and then getting rejected or not even getting a reply. I’ve been searching for at least 2-3 months and haven’t gotten anything other than about 3 interviews – of them being at my current work but haven’t had the chance to talk to the boss yet.
I’m thinking I may need to be less picky also and settle for any job and work for a while and look again. Also think the not getting jobs could be because of the recession and people and companies still getting out of it. Hopefully it gets better, good luck for your next six months! :]
Maggie on June 28, 2011 #
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