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Employment Is it Hard to Get?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Naio
  • Start date Start date
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Naio

After watching the four corners episode on Monday night in regards to unemployment, they choose to use Geelong and Perth for their information given the rate of rising living costs in these areas.

Do you think it is hard to get employment here in WA?
 
I'm planning to move to Perth very soon but I've never had problems finding work anywhere, although my age as made it difficult in the last couple of years.
 
I think finding work over the past 10-15 years has been pretty easy but i certainly think that the economy is in real trouble soon. I can see finding work will be harder, not impossible but much harder than it has been.

Lots of job cuts are starting to happen, the cost of living and doing business is continuing to rise and China is definitely slowing down.
 
You can get the answers quite simply - look up Saturday's and Wednesday's papers and see how many jobs there are going at your skill level. That's one indication.

Secondly, look up Seek with the same criteria.

Added to that - there's one theory being espoused that people are waiting to see who wins the election - I don't prescribe to it. Any business person will tell you life goes on and whichever government comes in, policies don't change overnight.

In this age of click and send online, many jobs advertised get as many as 350 applicants; I kid you not. Pre-mining boom, there was little competition, anyone with a pulse (not even a pulse and two eyes!) would walk into a job. Now, there are stories appearing in the paper that some applicants, mainly in mining, are willing to PAY employers who give them a job for the first month at least.

Is the employment situation bleak? Hardly. But is it full of opportunity in WA at the moment? Hardly.
 
Ahoy;- I think it is a tough ask any where in Aussie, if you are mature, it is even tougher there are few opportunities out there. Good luck and Pass the Rum.
 
Persistence is key - If they dont return your first email or application;

-Start calling the company regarding info,
-Pop into the business and introduce yourself, so they can put a face to the resume,
-Send more emails.
-Offer to do a free trial
-Research the company so you are familiar with the services/products they supply and their company ethos.
-Include a cover letter specific to each position that you apply for with ^^ the above information included.

In short, show the employer that you WANT to work for them, that you are prepared to follow things up and that you are interested in their industry.

Most employers turf quite a few resumes before beginning the interview process, you need to make sure that you are memorable enough to make it that far, the rest of course is up to you!
 
I guess I could always become a pirate, you get paid in rum and wenches, uniform is supplied, get an office with a view that constantly changes and get to say oor arrrh to your boss lots pirate.gif
 
Jade, what you give is sage advice - but I have three friends made redundant recently and they've all done that - and I'm talking about highly experienced blokes and a blokette. There are quite a few experienced people out there competing as well.

It's very much an employers' market at the moment. Some of these friends were even told (sincerely) by the interviewer later that had the times been better or more positions going, they'd have been employed.

The whole world's looking at China and the US and hoping for a recovery. If you've a home loan, lock in your interest rate. If you're looking at a home loan, do it with a worse case scenario and don't over extend yourself with the old 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 car park and cinema room Australian dream as it could turn into a nightmare.

Good Lord! Someone's given me a green thingamijig! Who gave it and how did I get it?
 
That was me Contrarian, I figured you earned an extra one by now lol!
And yes, when I applied for an IT job 15 years ago, I had companies calling me, the last time I applied it took 73 applications before I was successful.

However, I've now given up on standard types of resume's and just email this: thsmiley_signwillworkforsex.gif
 
I have been looking for work since 4-12-2012 and with all the applications I have sent out and cert I have in the metal industry , I have been to 5 interviews with no success , I'm thinking the baby boomers are @ the end of their usefulness as far as employer's are concerned . companies do not want experienced trades people, only people who they can intimidate ( foreigner's with work visas ) under the age of 35 .
 
I dont think its an age thing any more.. i think its just employers can or have be really picky.

Heaps of geo's looking for work and with the new tech systems being introduced by the major miners, truck and train drivers are going to be redundant soon enough. That equals fewer cleaners, caterers etc.

WA has been sheltered for so long but its going to come crashing down soon. Great if you want a cheap HSV, boat or jet ski :p
 
Yes I'd agree johnlou, my boss is 34 and her standard MO is to lead with the stick rather than the carrot and like that's really working for her NOT! I think over the last 7 years or so management styles have gone back to the 1930's. However I can't be bullied or intimidated as I just threaten to quit so it's a further reason not to hire someone my age.
 
Dallas said:
Yes I'd agree johnlou, my boss is 34 and her standard MO is to lead with the stick rather than the carrot and like that's really working for her NOT! I think over the last 7 years or so management styles have gone back to the 1930's. However I can't be bullied or intimidated as I just threaten to quit so it's a further reason not to hire someone my age.
Click to expand...

Dallas so true , we have what we have because we went on strike ( up to 13 weeks back in the late 70's early 80's ) for the working conditions that the young workers are so easily trading off for a cup of tea or simular .
 
johnlou said:
Dallas so true , we have what we have because we went on strike ( up to 13 weeks back in the late 70's early 80's ) for the working conditions that the young workers are so easily trading off for a cup of tea or simular .
Click to expand...

Yes I agree! When I first got into IT back in the 80's my workplace gave us free meals in the cafeteria, performance bonus's and a staff relaxation room with TV, computer games everything but W/L's. I couldn't wait to get to work and we had lots of fun. Now in my office, the staff have to pass a jar around to fund the kitchens Nescafe and nobody smiles, my salary has actually dropped over the last 10 years and the boss's office is this intimidating monstrosity to match their personality - time to find something fun to do in a great team environment!

I've always loved working and have been great at my job but it's just not fun any more.
 
Guys it's easy for me to say and I HAVE been there but let's not work ourselves into too much of a downward spiral. The young guys can't get work 'cos they don't have the experience. Secondly, the 457s can't get work because (and I admit I'm not to familiar with it) I think companies now have to prove they can't get a local to do it.

The industrial pie is huge except for a lot more people competing for it - there are masses of skilled workers from the UK/Europe here 'cos the economies back home suck more than the best French at Langtrees I suspect (sorry girls, not that I can attest to that). There are heaps of Eastern staters here who found work initially and are now left out as well.

We can all only hope that EVERY government, globally, has learnt some lesson from this and return to sounder economic practices. I don't have solutions but I can only say try not to be too negative about it. If anything - if things do work in cycles, let's all pray, hope, wish for a upward cycle soon.
 
I agree Contrarian, If I can't find an upward cycle, I'll make my own. The only people I'll accept a "no" from is W/L's
 
Hard to make an upward cycle when there's no demand for your skills due to the cyclical downturn.
 
Ahoy Lads;- I agree with almost everthing that has been written so far, the truth is that a lot full time jobs have been turned into part time ones. With wages and leave conditions and super, no wonder there is high unemployment. I do not see this trend getting better. How ever the service industry like nurses, teachers etc are trying to employ more people, how ever they are also trying to throw experience people who are approx.45 or older out. What Dallas is describing, the so called Manager, this personality type is in common place in many companies what they do not know is when they become 45 they are out as well. At the end of the day they would luv as all to become our own companies and supply services to the community.
Finding a job, is really hard work, no wonder a lot of people give up.
I rather sit on a boat, drink Rum and watch the waves come in.
Cheers lads
 
Contrarian said:
Hard to make an upward cycle when there's no demand for your skills due to the cyclical downturn.
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Back in the '80's I lost my job and unemployment was really high along with interest rates. So I read about the great depression and what everyone wanted back then and other than a job was entertainment. So myself and my flat mate started a band and we played everything from old country music to top 40 and travelled out to country towns that had no live entertainment and where city band thought it would be beneath them, booked the local hall and charged people $10 per head and the whole town would turn up. It's a bit like the stock market, as long as your flexible and can adapt you'll do ok - well mostly :)
 
Dallas said:
Yes I'd agree johnlou, my boss is 34 and her standard MO is to lead with the stick rather than the carrot and like that's really working for her NOT! I think over the last 7 years or so management styles have gone back to the 1930's.
Click to expand...

I find it really interesting that you say this, Dallas. I've wondered about the evolution of Management Strategies over the past decade. It seems to me that the world is changing... It also seems to me that it is a very human reaction when faced with change to cling that little bit tighter to "the known" before finally relenting and adapting... I wonder how long the "carrot & stick, hold the carrot" approach can work?? It seems to me that people generally respond well to being treated with dignity and respect. Happy people are generally more loyal & more productive. It also seems to me that it takes so much less energy to make someone feel good about themselves than to coerce, bully and intimidate. I realise that what I'm saying may come across as all a bit dolphins and rainbows, but I believe in it, not just from a humanitarian standpoint but in a time & motion context, also... Penny for your thoughts, Squire?
 
From an small business employers point of view I will do nothing until the election results are in and the Govt is decided.
I need two people right now and I am making do with the good old reliable Back Packers that turn up every day.

The problem is that there are a lot of people looking for work while waiting for the BIG Dollah mine job.
They tell you how they want the job and will stay and you can see that it all bullshit they just want a place to park their arses while they wait.
Why spend time training someone and months later they leave.
Better to use my Back Packers that I know are going to leave and can plan around.

I have been researching labour hire companies as an alternative to actually employing people.
Employment cost keeps climbing and reliability and attendance falling so hire labour is looking like a viable alternative.
Let someone else pay the insurance, the sick pay, the superannuation, the protective clothing, the parenting leave and hire by the hour.
Then you have the option of fucking the ones who don't cut it off without repercussions.
 
Kathy said:
I find it really interesting that you say this, Dallas. I've wondered about the evolution of Management Strategies over the past decade. It seems to me that the world is changing... It also seems to me that it is a very human reaction when faced with change to cling that little bit tighter to "the known" before finally relenting and adapting... I wonder how long the "carrot & stick, hold the carrot" approach can work?? It seems to me that people generally respond well to being treated with dignity and respect. Happy people are generally more loyal & more productive. It also seems to me that it takes so much less energy to make someone feel good about themselves than to coerce, bully and intimidate. I realise that what I'm saying may come across as all a bit dolphins and rainbows, but I believe in it, not just from a humanitarian standpoint but in a time & motion context, also... Penny for your thoughts, Squire?
Click to expand...

Hey Kathy, yes I agree from both a humanitarian point and definitely the time and motion context. My background is in IT systems analysis and I've found nothing less productive than a leader who leads by fear and intimidation.

I believe there are two types of people that fit into this category. One is the person who is has got into their management job and is out of their depth with no people management skills. They got the job because they were good at their last job and are being "rewarded" with a promotion, a crazy concept but it still goes on. There is a term for this phrased in the late 1960's called "The Peter Principle". In a sense it is humorous but it also has merit within poorly run organisations and it goes something like this:

"Anything that works will be used in progressively more challenging applications until it fails".

ie in a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence", meaning that employees tend to be promoted until they reach a position at which they cannot work competently. For many, this is when they become managers or middle managers become senior managers.

The other type of person that leads by fear and intimidation is the office psycho who's we all knew as the school yard bully and those types don't just give up their ways when they leave school, they go on to be in abusive relationships and can be either male or female, and push their way into supervisory and management jobs so they can continue satisfying their needs. I'd be interested to know if these types also line up for a bit of BSDM so they can get the physical abuse that they hand out psychologically to their partner and employees?

I sang a song at the staff christmas party a couple of years ago in which I changed the words to "I touch myself" by the Divinyls to suit the boss. Don't know it sounded that good but I had fun doing the impromptu choreography :)
 
Kathy said:
I find it really interesting that you say this, Dallas. I've wondered about the evolution of Management Strategies over the past decade. It seems to me that the world is changing... It also seems to me that it is a very human reaction when faced with change to cling that little bit tighter to "the known" before finally relenting and adapting... I wonder how long the "carrot & stick, hold the carrot" approach can work?? It seems to me that people generally respond well to being treated with dignity and respect. Happy people are generally more loyal & more productive. It also seems to me that it takes so much less energy to make someone feel good about themselves than to coerce, bully and intimidate. I realise that what I'm saying may come across as all a bit dolphins and rainbows, but I believe in it, not just from a humanitarian standpoint but in a time & motion context, also... Penny for your thoughts, Squire?
Click to expand...

Agree with this.

If you treat your employees like dirt... don't expect too much.

In my last pay review I was told a pay rise was out of the question because of uncertain economic times ahead. Funny that... they just hired a bunch of people. And they're looking for more. I pointed that out but they couldn't give me a coherent response.
 
BigMike said:
.In my last pay review I was told a pay rise was out of the question because of uncertain economic times ahead. Funny that... they just hired a bunch of people. And they're looking for more. I pointed that out but they couldn't give me a coherent response.
Click to expand...

Interesting you say that. Friend of mine told me exactly the same story just a few days ago. Looks like it is common practise at the moment.
It is so simple and seems so difficult to achieve......the golden rule.......if you look after your employees your employees will look after you.
Obviously the economy has slowed and China is not doing great either but I am with Contrarian..........let's not make the economy worse than it might turn out to be.


R.xxxxxxx
 
So far as the economy is concerned things are no better or worse now than they were a year ago. I have run my own businesses for the last 26 years and have seen recessions, booms, busts and more state and federal Governments than I care to remember and I can tell you one thing for certain.

The economy always gets the vapours in the lead-up to an election. Lord knows why - it is not as if changing Governments makes that much difference in this country but it always happens. In our present shambolic state we have had an election run-up of 5 - 6 months to unsettle things and now with K-Rudd at the helm even the election date is unknown so that is a lot of uncertainty which is impacting on every aspect of the economy.

I believe things will settle down once the federal election is over whichever party wins.
 
Rochelle of Langtrees said:
Interesting you say that. Friend of mine told me exactly the same story just a few days ago. Looks like it is common practise at the moment.
It is so simple and seems so difficult to achieve......the golden rule.......if you look after your employees your employees will look after you.
Obviously the economy has slowed and China is not doing great either but I am with Contrarian..........let's not make the economy worse than it might turn out to be.


R.xxxxxxx
Click to expand...

They fed pretty much everyone the same stories. Some got CPI (2.4%... I think), some got nothing. The ones that got CPI were told to "consider themselves lucky"
It's pretty clever if you think about it. If you give zero to some and 'treat' a few to 2.4%, it's money in the bank.

It's funny, when the economy (and business) is good the future is "uncertain", so suck it up, you're not getting a rise.
But when the economy isn't so good and business slows.... I'll be out on my ass.

Anyway, nobody to blame but myself.... I'm the dickhead that has hung around!
 
Whilom...not sure why they would be waiting upon this as things have slowed down dramatically in this sector..fmg just put off 25% of its workforce with more to go soon....they are hanging on by a thread and as China's economy slows even more the need for our resources lessens...China built a while big city full of apartments and shops for people to rent...billions of dollars worth...not one person has rented in there as yet....although our economy mainly relies on China......its much better for us then relying on Europe otherwise we would be fairly stuffed by now...

As for employing people, I bet you can find reliable people still...the problem with labour hire is all the uncertainty for the employee...that will make them leave sooner....I think this would be a good time to employ people on a fulltime basis as a lot of people are looking for stability.
There are lots of government incentives out to employ older people and money given to companies to assist with training...there are also financial incentives when employing someone on newstart.....

whilom said:
From an small business employers point of view I will do nothing until the election results are in and the Govt is decided.
I need two people right now and I am making do with the good old reliable Back Packers that turn up every day.

The problem is that there are a lot of people looking for work while waiting for the BIG Dollah mine job.
They tell you how they want the job and will stay and you can see that it all bullshit they just want a place to park their arses while they wait.
Why spend time training someone and months later they leave.
Better to use my Back Packers that I know are going to leave and can plan around.

I have been researching labour hire companies as an alternative to actually employing people.
Employment cost keeps climbing and reliability and attendance falling so hire labour is looking like a viable alternative.
Let someone else pay the insurance, the sick pay, the superannuation, the protective clothing, the parenting leave and hire by the hour.
Then you have the option of fucking the ones who don't cut it off without repercussions.
Click to expand...
 
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Its a tough market at the moment. You can always find a job, whether you like it is a different story though.
 
Work in the sex industry is easy for a woman to get, you just have to be a woman and the male clients will come.

Work in non-sex work jobs are a lot harder to obtain. In Australia it is more a case of who you know, not what you know. We have had a huge increase in economic migrants that compete against locals for limited job opportunities.
It is a race to the bottom in terms of wages and conditions where the cheapest worker that can do the job will get the job.

We will hear stories from Baby Boomers that will claim how easy it is to get a job and young people are lazy and entitled.
Just simply dismiss those arguments of how easy it is to get a job many years ago with ok boomer. Times have changed and it is now difficult to find secure employment that the boomers enjoyed back in the good old days and they had cheap houses too.
 
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