Natalie Nokes 26, (England)
What did you do at home? I was a medical sales representative.
And what are you doing at the moment? I’m currently working as Executive Assistant to the MD of an advertising agency in Melbourne.
What qualifications did you need to get this job? I worked as a Personal Assistant in the UK a few years ago. You really just need confidence, good Microsoft Office skills, and to be able to cope with a high workload.
What’s the money like? Personal and Executive Assistants can earn anywhere from $21 to $35 per hour, depending on the city (tends to be more in Sydney) and company they’re working for.
Best points of your job? It’s so busy I never get bored, and it’s a reasonable distance to commute from home. There is a fridge full of soft drinks I can help myself to, and there are lots of good freebies.
Any bad points? Sometimes I struggle to keep up with my boss – she works at 1000 miles an hour and I have respect for that. I don’t always work quite so fast though!
Three words to describe your job? Hectic, interesting, varied.
Is sponsorship a possibility? There is potential, but I’m not ready to settle in Australia – just yet.
Why would you recommend office/admin work to other travellers? It pays more than bar work or fruit picking, and has sociable hours. There also seems to be a lot of work available, for all skill levels.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to find work? Send your CV to as many agencies as possible the day before or the day you arrive. Get a mobile phone so they can contact you. Most will ring to ask you for an interview. Register with as many as possible to maximise your chances of jobs. It gets boring filling out the same forms, but persevere. Even if you’ve got basic computer skills, you can often get reception work – it’s usually a very cushy job.
