Well….not having access to my blog from here makes it difficult to see what I have written about! Cause I can’t remember what I have posted! So I might be repeating myself here.
I returned from Hong Kong a couple of weeks ago. That was really cool. Bucket loads of walking and bucket loads of photos.
Since then, I have come to two conclusions. The job front here is very tough. Employment has pretty much gone down the gurgler for the whole first quarter, for pretty much everyone. Also, locals are university trained, so if there is employment, it is a much cheaper form of employment, compared to that of an Expat. Yes, I could do some English teaching or work in a bar, but really, it doesn’t help my career. The important thing now is career progression.
Without formal qualifications, and my language knowledge being that of take me here, thank you, hello, good bye and don’t want, that drastically reduces my chances of finding work.
Last week, I went to a Headhunting, social networking event. Very very unlike me. I was shitting my pants!!! The first person I spoke to…he walked passed…looked at me, and I blurted out, “Pleased to meet you.” No hello or nothing….I was so embarrassed. But after that conversation, I got over it and it got much easier. I ended up collecting lots of business cards. None of which would really have helped me out…but I felt important.
Later that night, there was a session from a professional Resume writer, on the 3 most common mistakes in a CV. That was great and I learnt heaps. And, I met a project manager. Which was great, she is also looking for work, but has set up a network of people in Shanghai looking for work. The following Tuesday, we all caught up. That was great. In less than a week, I met a bucket load of people.
In the job front it didn’t help. But in the people meeting skills, and confidence, it helped heaps.
And so, because the crazy slide in the Aussie Dollar value, things for me have been really expensive. And I’m pretty much running out of $$….which is not good, given I have a loan to pay!
So I’m now coming home early….March…..where I will continue looking for work, but it will be easier than here.
It makes SW and I sad, but we both decided it’s best for both of us. Given, that she has enrolled in her Masters, and I have now also enrolled back at school!
I’ve only enrolled in the first subject. But the aim is to complete the Batchelor of Business, majoring in Management from Monash Uni, through Open Universities Australia.
So the 2 of us will be stuck studying and working!
So now I am just enjoying my time here. Last night I got to see Paul Van Dyke! I was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited, and it was bloody awesome!!!!!!!!!!! The club was great, the music was great and we both danced our butts off. Some very weird practices from the locals, for a night club, but we just danced.
That’s it for now.
Still lots of photo’s to upload, only uploading 3 a day.
Enjoy.
Zai Jane/Hooroo
