Returning from Honeymoon Unemployed. Thoughts?

mafmouf on 21/02/2015 - 13:49

Hi all,

I'm currently on honeymoon right now (yay!) and shall be going to South East Asia next month for a few months for some volunteering work. We expect to be going back home around early September.

The thing is I am unemployed. Not that I'm unhappy about it, it's more about how does one find a job whilst overseas?

I ideally would like to have accepted an offer by the time I get back and go straight into work. That'll keep the wife happy for sure!

Has anyone been in a similar situation as the employee? I am not sure if employers are interested in someone who cannot attend an interview. Also, for any OzBargain employers who have come across applicants who have stated they are currently overseas? I have Skype and a non-polished LinkedIn profile. I suspect these be the things I could use to obtain an offer of some sort.

As some background, I'm an engineer and do have experience already. My wife is actually in the same situation but in a different industry. Although from Sydney, I am willing to relocate to pretty much anywhere in the country. My wife already gave the go ahead :)

Any thoughts would really help me prepare for the coming months?

Ps. As an additional question, do employers like knowing the applicant is willing to relocate their entire family for the job?

Education & Work

Comments

  • Almost Banned on 21/02/2015 - 14:16
    +2

    My first thought was that its going to be difficult, but most job-seeking is online nowadays and Linked-in can be a helpful tool.
    If you are applying for jobs interstate its quite likely your initial contacts would be by online application and phone/skype, so being overseas needn't be as big of a hassle as I suspected. You just need to find an employer who is a bit flexible.
    I actually think the bigger issue is that you are unavailable until September…
    Just start searching and applying.

    • mafmouf on 21/02/2015 - 14:21

      Thank you for your thoughts. I guess what you are saying makes sense as even if I was interstate, it would be almost equivalent to being overseas. It's nice to hear this from someone else :) Much appreciated.

  • mooney on 21/02/2015 - 14:32
    +1

    For me it would depend upon the scarcity of talent. The best and safest recruitment is done face to face IMO. However if the talent just isn't there then I'll happily extend my search wider.

    So I believe it depends how 'ten a penny' your skill set is. One thing for sure. Get your CV and LinkedIn up to standard as they'll be your calling card.

    • mafmouf on 21/02/2015 - 15:00

      Mooney, is this from your experience as an employer or speculation of how you think it may be? Just curious.

      But yes, I agree on your comments and there probably are a range of reasons for considering someone who isn't around.

      Since I don't job hop, I never really considered LinkedIn too much to help find potential jobs. Thanks!

      • mooney on 21/02/2015 - 15:09
        +1

        My experience as an employer. Admittedly not in your field.

        Oh and congratulations on getting married!

        • mafmouf on 21/02/2015 - 15:10

          Thank you very much!

  • djones145 on 21/02/2015 - 15:28
    +1

    chances are low, but I have seen people apply for oversea jobs in Australia and do Skype and/or telephone interviews

    you may be able to get a Skype interview but most likely need to still do a face to face interview

    enjoy your honeymoon for 1 or 2 more months, and then start apply for jobs!

  • [Deactivated] on 22/02/2015 - 07:33
    +1

    From an IT employers point of view….

    I have interviewed whilst I'm away overseas
    I have hired using Skype / video only
    I have hired months in advance
    I have hired relocating employees
    I use LinkedIn to find talent

    My primary aim is to just get the best person

    So if you are the right candidate then none of your concerns should be a hurdle. What may be against you right now is timing. If your experience and value are strong then you'll be fine

  • exulted on 22/02/2015 - 07:53
    +2

    Don't get busted with drugs in your luggage on the way into or out of SE Asia. If you do, make sure you are at least within Australian borders - much easier to make a skype call or a LinkedIn post from an Aussie jail

    • mafmouf on 22/02/2015 - 17:58

      I'm clean, so no problems there. At least I can keep that all in mind if things drastically change. My one and only call from the cell would obvious be for a job!

  • ozy on 22/02/2015 - 11:21
    +2

    Weird….
    I just got back from a 5 week honeymoon in EU/UK 2 weeks ago.
    Came back to the same winging co-workers, and my new promtion with a shit offer in a new contract..so i quit.
    I didnt just have the time of my life to come back to the same shit, lifes too short!
    I'm an electronics engineer by trade but worked in IT for last 5 years.
    I lined up 3 interviews in 2 days of looking
    I have little advice to give other than have fun on your honeymoon,
    Dont cheap out on fun because you come back to no job.
    Deal with it when you get back, your on your freaking honeymoon.
    Now go spoil the wife, and good luck on your return

    • mafmouf on 22/02/2015 - 18:02

      You must be good at what you do to obtain 3 interviews in 2 days. Out of interest is it for building services? A friend has been looking to change jobs for a while and when I have been browsing, I noticed most if not all electronics engineering roles were for building services.

      Dont worry, the wife is being spoilt. Thank you for the wishes.

      • ozy on 22/02/2015 - 23:23
        +1

        Medical and health + infrastructure and software development has been my focus of late.
        Engineering is now a hobby, and IT is my career choice.
        All the best!

  • SlickMick on 22/02/2015 - 11:24
    +1

    Is it going to be convenient to be interviewed while overseas? (Do you have a good phone plan, and a good place to take the call?) My wife and I often get new jobs via a phone interview, and I don't see why an international call would make any difference.

    But if you can afford to, why not wait till you come back to Australia, and take your time to see who gets the best offer where and whether it's worth moving for.

    • mafmouf on 22/02/2015 - 18:06

      Time wise I don't think it'll be an issue as I can put time aside, but it's the internet I really haven't thought much about. I'll make sure to check the best net methods as we are likely to cheap out on accommodation. Maybe jump on next door's WiFi connection.

      We have allowed a buffer in case no job is available before arriving home, but I'd feel way more comfortable knowing things are already in motion before returning. Nonetheless, thanks for your experience. I feel like I could have a shot at this!

  • movieman on 17/03/2015 - 16:11
    +1

    First,

    Congratulations on the wedding, and enjoy the honeymoon.

    I think it's great that you'll be travelling for so long, and enjoying life.

    Plus the fact that you'll be volunteering is awesome; it's such a rewarding experience, especially in parts of the world where people have nothing.

    I'm sure you'll find something when you get back, but my experience has been it's more helpful to be in the country, but maybe it's my CV that's been killing my game.

    Enjoy!

    • mafmouf on 15/04/2015 - 13:06

      I didn't realise you replied until today, so thanks for the reply.

      I had spent a significant amount of time on my resume in the last couple months. I also decided to start doing some online networking and find alternative avenues for jobs.

      Last week I applied for a job which I assume would take a while for processing, so hopefully things may turn out!

      Thanks for the support!

      Ps. I am definitely enjoying what I have done and my current volunteering. Definitely learning in terms of a different aspect of my life.

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