Finding a Job

Working Holidays are all about working to supplement your living and travel arrangements in a new country.

When looking at the type of working holiday you would like to undertake, review your destination country’s working holiday visa criteria. This will generally shape and guide your job search.

It is really important to have your working holiday visa in place prior to applying for a position/job. Employment is usually subject to holding a valid and current visa so employers and recruitment agents will require a copy of your visa as part of the application process.

As a working holiday traveler, your area of work focus will fall into at least one of the following five categories:

1) Career building

2) Casual jobs


3) In-between work


4) Volunteering


5) Teaching English (TEFL) – teaching English as a foreign language

1) Career building
Some classes of working holiday visas can assist with building your career. The UK Youth Mobility Visa is such an example. This Visa is unrestricted in terms of the type of work you wish to undertake. You are able to seek roles based in professional sectors such as accounting, finance, teaching, marketing, sales, IT and medical.

2) Casual jobs
In most instances working holidays will only allow you to undertake casual or nonprofessional types of work. For example in Australia the working holiday rules restrict you to roles such as administration, fruit picking and bar/hospitality work. Working Holiday Visas tend to focus on travellers undertaking transient or seasonal work for a short period of time.

3) In-between work
In between work opportunities occur due to circumstance rather than any particular planning or searching. For example there could be an opportunity to work on a farm or in a local community garden. This type of work is usually short term or project specific. Often these opportunities are found via word of mouth and not through advertising. The short term nature of such work appeals to travellers as it provides a quick way to obtain cash and fund additional travel.

4) Volunteering
Volunteering is very rewarding and worth considering as part of your experience. It can open up opportunities into industries you might not have previously experienced. Volunteering is generally not paid but can provide you with additional contacts and lead to future opportunities.

5) Teaching English as a Foreign Language – TEFL
Teaching English in another country is an excellent way to improve your visa options and a great way to earn extra money. You can work in a variety of locations – city or rural based. You will also find that your total number of potential destinations increases when your working holiday focuses around teaching English.

Most of these types of roles tend to be found via companies that are able to set up the experience for you. You can approach these companies upon arrival in the country in which you intend to teach, but placement can be harder to secure. It is easier to arrange placement before you arrive. Some companies will charge a fee for this service.

It is useful to attend and/or complete a TEFL course. Such courses require approximately one-week of classroom style training and online modules exist as well. In addition to companies that specialize in TEFL, many travel and tour operators also offer courses. Further information about where to start can be found at:

www.statravel.com

www.teach-overseas.com.au

www.goabroad.com/teach-abroad

Where to find advice

Agency / recruitment list

Creating a CV / Resume