Finding paid work abroad while you’re travelling can be an uphill struggle. However, with enough perseverance and the following top tips, you should be on the road to employment in no time…
#1 Update Your CV
You curriculum vitae is a window into your working experience and character. No matter if you’re fresh out of school and new to the workforce or a seasoned careerist with over a decade of experience, your CV needs to reflect this. Get it up to date and highlight your latest experience.
There’s plenty of resources online for designing and writing your CV, simply search in Google.
Key things to include:
- Nationality
- Visa Status, expiry date
- English speaking level
- Drivers License
#2 Tailor Your CV
When applying for a variety of work abroad, only the most relevant experience is necessary. So, tailor your CV to showcase the jobs and responsibilities for the role. We found having multiple, industry-specific CVs were the best way to tackle this; for instance, one version highlighting customer service for hospitality/retail roles, another version highlighting office experience for administrative roles.
#3 Write A Cover Letter
Always write a cover letter and tailor it to both the company and role applied for. It’s useful to have the job description to hand when writing your cover letter so you can highlight your experience and enthusiasm against the required qualities.
Again, there’s plenty of resources online for designing and writing your cover letter, simply search in Google.
#4 Check The Classifieds
Every country has a key website, platform or forum where jobs are advertised. In Australia, Gumtree was the most used, whereas in New Zealand it’s TradeMe. Jobs can be filtered by location and industry. These particular websites also have downloadable apps so you can keep up-to-date wherever you are.
Employers in Australia and New Zealand, especially more professional services, also tend to advertise positions with SEEK AU | NZ. Of course, they also use social media platforms, such as Facebook and LinkedIn, to great effect. Again, both web and app versions are available.
More casual or agricultural roles, targetted specifically at backpackers and working holiday visa holders, tend to be advertised on sites such as Travellers At Work or Backpackerboard, printed in the local newspaper, or posted on physical classified boards, usually found in the local supermarket or community centre.
We checked the classifieds every day and applied for roles that were most relevant to our experience.
#5 Be Wary of Recruitment Agencies
Depending on your experience and roles you are applying for, you may find recruitment agencies are unavoidable. In the search for office or professional work, recruiters tend to be the main advertisers for positions and are a barrier between you and your potential employer.
Our experience of recruitment agencies has been positive but entirely fruitless, with more false starts and missed opportunities than anything practical. However, you may find agencies are useful for practising your interview technique or answering any visa-related questions. Use them, but don’t trust them to find your work.
#6 Write Expressions of Interest
It’s useful to know that a vast percentage of roles that need filling are never advertised. So, if you are struggling to get an advertised position through any of the avenues listed above, a more pro-active approach is required. Essentially, you need to think about the industry and companies you would like to work for, and then you contact them with an expression of interest in working for them.
This was the method we used to find placements on a holiday park. Our plan was to stay in The Grampians for the climbing season, so we emailed expressions of interest to a dozen or so businesses within the immediate area. Of course, you must ensure your CV is in-line with the potential needs of the business to increase your chances of finding employment.
#7 Canvass The Local Area
Handing your tailored CV (with a cover letter or expression of interest) to a local business in person is a very effective way of getting a role, particularly if you’re targeting the retail or hospitality industry where appearance and/or personality are part of the customer service.
Introducing yourself to a potential employer in a confident yet informal way can often be more revealing to your character than the previous experience listed on your CV.
Good luck!
Michaela.
Beyond The Trail 