When it comes to a Working Holiday, the
most important part is simply finding a job. Without it, you may not be able to stay as long as you want
or have the additional money necessary to see the places you had hoped.
The problem here is that some employers don't
like to hire Working Holiday Makers.
Besides the restrictions on how long you can stay with them, there is
also the fact that many a traveler and backpacker before you has given the working
holiday maker a bad name.
How? By providing extremely
short-lived service.
So, what to do if you hit a roadblock when
it comes to finding a job on a working holiday? Have a look at my list of tips below to help you solve your
problem.
1. Lower Your Expectations
Your idea of working abroad might involve
an office environment that is far, far away from customer service. Yes, this is a possibility, but for the
most part you will simply need to lower your expectations and resort to jobs
that you may have thought were a thing of the past. For example, restaurants, cafes and call centers are always
in need of extra hands and tend to be more flexible when it comes to short-term
workers.
2. Seek Out Working Holiday Targeted
Jobs
Since working holiday visas are a popular
option for young adults, there are often several companies and job types that
have been targeted towards individuals choosing this option. As an example, the fruit picking
industry has become the perfect opportunity for those wanting short-term work
in Australia. It may not be
glamorous, but the qualifications for it are very low meaning you can work if
you show up.
3. Put Yourself Out There
Rejections aside, there are plenty of job
opportunities for Working Holiday Makers, you just have to look in the right
places and put yourself out there.
In other words, read again points one and two and reassess your
situation. If you're finding that
your CVs aren't getting the response you're looking for, then take a different
approach. Did you think about
asking for the cafe owners themselves so you can have a face-to-face chat? Have you asked fellow Working Holiday
Makers for recommendations and advice?
4. Assess Your Needs In Relation to Time
I have met people that took months to find
a job, while others found one in the first week or two. What was the difference? When I asked them about their approach,
the ones that found the jobs quickest were the ones that put themselves out
there without too much discretion to the type of work it involved. Sure, it may have gotten them a job
that wouldn't have been their first choice, but they were on their way to
getting a paycheck way before the others.
5. Ask Yourself These Questions
· You have to think about time
when looking for a job on a working holiday. How much time are you willing to wait
while hunting for your ideal job?
Can you afford it?
· You have to think about your
goals for being abroad. Are you there to mainly travel, thus meaning any job will do
as long as you get more money? Or,
are you hoping to explore the culture and maybe get career-building work
experience there in the process.
· You have to think about
where you want to be versus where you should be. There are probably other parts of the
country you can attempt to live and work in, so would it be better to forgo the
city you're in for another with more job prospects?
Finding a job on a working holiday
shouldn't be too difficult as long as you are prepared and understand where
what you need and what you can get intersect. Happy job hunting!
Related Articles:
Working Holiday Decisions: Travel first, then work?
Australia Working Holiday Regrets: what you should have done before leaving home
Have you gone on a working holiday? Share your tips for finding working holiday jobs abroad.
About the Author
Brooke Schoenman is a
world traveler turned Australia expat.
She's done the whole work and holiday thing herself and can definitely
tell you a thing or two about traveling down under. For some travel inspiration, be sure to check out more of
her work at Brooke vs.
the World and WhyGo
Australia.
WorldNomads.com keeps you travelling
safely. Whether you’re off for a long weekend, looking for the ultimate
adventure or living the nomadic dream, you’ll stay safe with Travel
Insurance you
can buy online, anytime, and the latest travel safety advice. We’ll also help you share your
journey with a free travel blog, flirt in over 25 languages with
our free language guides, have an experience of a lifetime
on a travel scholarship and donate to a local community
development project through our Footprints program.
WorldNomads.com - an essential part of every
adventurous traveller's journey.
