How I Got My First Job In Australia — My First Few Job Experiences Here

Unless you were sponsored by an Australian company or you’re wealthy enough to not have the need for a job, you probably have stressed over finding work. Without one, it would be challenging to secure a place to rent, pay the bills, buy your everyday needs, etc. Even if you have savings, you can only live off of that for so long. This is why finding work was personally one of the first things that we wanted to tick off our list during our first few months here. 

A Little Bit About Me

Back in the Philippines, I have completed a Bachelor’s Degree and have worked for some time. I have worked as an online English teacher (while completing my degree), as a customer service representative/back office staff at a call centre, and then as an administrative supervisor. All of these did not mean much here in Australia. I basically have to start from scratch. My degree? Not really recognised here. My work experience in the Philippines? Employers didn’t really find them all that appealing. Being that none of the credentials that I have earned in the Philippines hold much weight here, all the job that I could get are the ones that don’t require much. Those that I never thought I’ll be doing. 

I did research on all matters relating to jobs/ the job market in Australia prior to our relocation so I knew what my reality would be like. Because of my visa conditions then, I wasn’t allowed to gain employment until after three months or so (it was when my new visa took effect). I was able to get a job easily as soon as I was allowed to.

My Very First Job In Australia

I knew that moving to Australia meant that I would have to start from scratch. I have accepted the fact that I would most likely have to get job(s) that I never thought I ever would. Just about every work here requires a minimum of a Certificate III (a recognised entry-level qualification in Australia) but there are also jobs that would be easier to get for people that are in the same situation as myself. Can you think of jobs that someone without ‘any’ work experience or qualifications could obtain? These were the jobs that I aimed for.

What was my first job here?

My very first job here in Australia was as an all-rounder/cook at a restaurant. It was actually my husband who found an ad for it on Facebook. It was at a Filipino restaurant in our town. My boss and co-workers were all Filipinos. I was tasked to cook, bake, serve customers, and sometimes clean. As someone who didn’t really do much household chores growing up, this was a little too difficult for me. My body (even my fingers) would be sore everyday. 

What were the working conditions?

I was employed as a permanent part-time employee but my hours were as if I was working full time. It’s quite tiring to be baking and cooking all day long. It can also get hot and is fast-paced. It was hard work but I was able to manage. The workplace was quite unorganised and not ideal. My co-workers were alright though. The main problem I had was the pay. The owner was always paying me late and she wouldn’t even do so unless I ask her for it, multiple times at that. She wasn’t paying my superannuation nor was she organising my taxes and there were also no proper payslips. The other staff said that they haven’t been paid for at least 6 months. When I had a hunch that she was about to start not paying me at all as well, I started actively looking for a job elsewhere and quit as soon as I secured one. I only worked at this place for a month.

Jobs I Got After That

I found my second job through a friend that my husband and I met at a local multicultural community.  It was as a café all-rounder at a coffee shop where my friend’s friend works. I dropped off my resume there and just waited for them to contact me. I was still working at the Filipino restaurant when they called me in for a trial shift, where they basically tested if I could do the work. I got hired right after the trial shift. The job itself was a lot easier than the one I had at the Filipino place but I only lasted a week there because the person that was assigned to train me was a bit of a bully. It was really affecting my mental health. Since it wasn’t like we were scrapped for cash, I decided to quit and look for another work place.

It was yet another strenuous work. It’s always very hot since I was standing in front of hot oil and rotisseries. There were also lots of cleaning and heavy lifting (in awkward positions). I also had another rude co-worker which didn’t make things any easier. To top it all off, I also experienced pay issues here (underpaid, no payslips, no superannuation etc.). I looked for another job after a month of working at the Kebab shop. It didn’t take me long to find my current job.

The Job That I Currently Do

After a series of unfortunate employment, I finally found a workplace that pays me on time and doesn’t under pay. It’s at an Asian grocery store in our town. The work is quite easy. I just manage the register, repack, stock up, and do a little bit of customer service. My boss and co-workers are also nice. I have been working here part-time since November 2020.

What I’m Doing To Have A Better Career

I knew that doing “just any job I could find” forever won’t work for me. It’s a good band-aid solution for the need of immigrants with no desirable qualifications or Australian work experience like myself, to be employed. It’d pay the bills but I want something better. 

Conclusion

There’s no doubt that Australia is a great country but living here is no fairy tale. There are still people who aren’t so nice and who would take advantage of your situation. You’re probably not going to get your dream job right away so you must be prepared to get just any job that you could until you’re in a position to focus on working towards your goals. Still, remember that you don’t necessarily have to enslave yourself, you have to be smart. Nevertheless, I think that making dreams a reality seem to be easier to do here.

Please note that we all have different situations and things to offer so my experiences would be different from yours. 

Disclaimer All content and information in this post is for purposes of sharing my experiences only, does not constitute professional advice and does not establish any kind of professional-client relationship.

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