Moving to the Sunshine Coast – An Expat Perspective

When you’re young and in love, the world can take you anywhere and you are fearless. When I first moved to the Sunshine Coast with my now husband, I was so confident that I would find a job easily. I mean, why wouldn’t I, I had just graduated from university with great results, I had a years’ placement under my belt and I had the ambition and drive to make my mark. But it wasn’t like that at all.

In the beginning, I struggled to find work and had casual jobs in hospitality and in a day care centre. I also had a brief stint as a property manager which had its good days, but most of the time, tenants just complained, no my gig at all. Finding work was tough, let alone, something I wanted to do. Seek was my only avenue for getting my resume out there, aside from word of mouth, but when all you have is experience overseas, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that I was a visa holder and for many perspective employers, this can be a turn off, whether they like to admit it or not. Had there been a page like Sunny Coast Jobs I could go to, then maybe things would have been different.

On reflection, I wouldn’t be where I am now if it weren’t for those challenges I faced in the early days, but most of all, when moving to the Sunshine Coast, it’s important to fully appreciate the lifestyle you are buying into.

The gorgeous beaches, laid back lifestyle and great weather make everyday feel like a holiday, so it’s no surprise that everyone wants to live here. There are plenty of jobs available, especially as the Coast is growing rapidly in areas of construction, medical and retail, but there is also a lot of competition. Whilst unemployment is on the increase it is still important to stay connected with your local community.

Sunny Coast Jobs serves that exact purpose. Posting jobs on job platforms can be expensive, but also attract a lot of candidates who do not fit the criteria. When this happens, it can be deflating and in the end, you may feel like you’ve wasted your money. As for the job seekers themselves, it can also feel like you’re not getting anywhere, despite your amazing skillset. Pairing with like for like is not an easy task, so becoming part of a group that aims to do the work for you is a great way to expand your reach.