I unpacked my bags again
last week. It feels like the millionth time since graduation but now there is a sense of certainty. For the first time in five years, I committed to a place.
I actually pay bills too.
Where about? Melbourne,
Australia. Months ago I claimed it as my next home and a rush upon arrival made it so. Within two weeks I got a (few) jobs, moved into a flat, and
immersed myself into the city life.
 |
| That was 3 years ago??!!! |
This two week whirlwind is
a process I will call "The Express Moving Guide". In addition to examples from this move, it combines lessons
learned from my five years of moving around the world. I think it can be applied to
any new city and hope it is beneficial for your journeys!
Pre-Arrival:
1. Book a temporary place to say.
Find a hostel, a friends
place, couch surf, or even try
a work exchange. This gives you a local address for mail, your CV, and
important registrations like national ID numbers and bank accounts.
Lock in a deadline at this place to plan around. I booked one week at a city hostel and would
either extend a second week or find a work exchange while sussing out work and long term housing options.
2. Get a local number.
The sooner you have one
the sooner you get call backs.
I wasted no time and
purchased a SIM at my first Australian airport. Then I spent the 3 hour
connection updating my CV and applying for jobs.
Week 1:
3. Open a bank account and get a national ID.
The rules for these vary
by country but in Australia they can be done from the first day of arrival. Applications
for a Tax File Number (TFN) are available online. Bank accounts require solely a passport/photo ID.
I received the TFN at my
physical address in about a week. The bank account was quicker, ready in less than 30
minutes at a Bank of Melbourne
branch. Appointments can also be scheduled in advance.
4. Work 9-5 looking for work.
I find job hunting as
intense as actually having a job.
My first week was devoted
to researching jobs, stalking websites (like seek.com.au & ethicaljobs.com
in Australia), and meticulously tailoring my CVs and cover letters.
Bonus tip: Apply for the
most time desirable positions/organizations first. For me, these positions
required more back end work and had longer processing times. I find quick jobs
are not the most desirable (though necessary sometimes).
5. Step away from the computer.
Spend "business
hours" primarily glued to job sites and emails but by mid-week start
scoping the land.
I did a free
city tour to get oriented, keeping my eye out for staff vacancy signs. Getting
out also gave me a feel for different neighborhoods and helped
narrow down the most interesting for housing and work.
6. Make a new plan.
How did the first week go?
Were there any patterns in work locations or sectors? Determine whether or not
to extend your current housing based on your callbacks and general observations
of the job market.
Week 2:
7. Meet people.
This week, I spent less time
applying for jobs and more time attending interviews. I expanded the job
hunt to include leads from friends, locals, and fellow job seekers in the
hostel. I also signed up with several recruitment agencies.
8. Find a flat.
Think seriously about
which part of the city to live in. If you are fond of a specific area, start
there (GumTree and FlatMates are great resources). For the cheapest
flats in Melbourne look inside the CBD— yes living inside the city is cheaper than the suburbs here.
Otherwise, consider this
great advice I received from a friend: live near your work. Even short commutes
in Melbourne can become long with public transport. I chose a place
half way between my job and the city.
Week 3:
9. Work or wait.
By the end of the second
week I had some job offers and others with real potential. While I waited for
confirmations from the more interesting positions, I took up casual event/waitress work with a staffing
agency. The money helped tie me over before starting something more
serious, “Student Experience Officer” at a university.
10. Settle In
By now the hard work
should be done. Relax. Get to know your housemates. Organize your flat. Make more
friends.
At the end of week three I
applied for more than 50 jobs, received about 15 call backs/interviews and
accepted 3 positions. I plan to work two jobs at any given moment and continue receiving callbacks.
With good
effort and persistence, living and working abroad is achievable. Especially in a country
like Australia. I look forward to the next couple years here, beginning in this beautiful Southern Hemisphere summer.
Cheers.
