Work Ireland - IEP Australia - Irish Working Holidays for Australians

JOB SUPPORT

One of the scariest parts of making the move over the other side of the world is knowing you are landing in a foreign country with no job, no place to live and knowing no-one. IEP totally understands that, and we have taken it upon ourselves to reduce the fear so you can focus on the excitement.

What will I do?
Past participants have found work in the following areas:

How long will it take?
With the current economic situation in Ireland, it is important to arrive with realistic expectations of the job market. IEP participants have access to all the resources required to ensure they have the best possible chance of securing a job. We currently recommend that all participants be flexible in the type of employment they initially take on, and to expect to spend a month in Ireland prior to securing employment.

How do you even know where to start looking for a job in another country?
Thousands of working holiday makers don’t have a clue but as an IEP member you have access to all the knowledge of our partner’s (USIT) staff members as well as the office notice boards and exclusive job listings.

The working holiday no longer means you have to pull pints in a pub in Dublin (although this can be a lot of fun!) if you want to use your visa to gain some valuable international experience within your chosen career - then do it!

Of course finding professional work can take a bit more time and effort and the last thing you want to be worried about is the admin of getting your applications to employers.

At the USIT office you don’t have to worry about the cost of lengthy internet usage, you’ll have access to a reliable fax and mail service and you can come back every day to facilities and faces that will become your home away from home.

As an Australian on a working holiday visa in Ireland you are permitted to work for up to three months with one employer. This means you will have more opportunities to sample a variety of jobs and destinations around Ireland making stacks of memories and gaining different types of work experience. Luckily for you there are so many different jobs available to working holiday makers you get to pick and choose!

Remember summer in Ireland means an influx of visitors and finding work tends to be a bit more difficult in July and early August, we recommend arriving in May or June to avoid the summer rush. The coldest months of December and January often prove to make the job hunt a bit more difficult.

To start you thinking about your job options we have listed a few examples below of popular jobs backpackers work in while in Ireland.

Got a trade?
Are you a carpenter, an electrician, a painter, a landscaper, a hairdresser? If you hold any trade in Australia, finding well-paid work in Ireland should come easily with the help of IEP!

Australians are known for having a great work ethic and being well trained, IEP can point you in the right direction and your travel savings will grow rapidly.

Scared of Commitment?
The last thing you want when you are travelling is to be tied down - if you want the freedom to pick up and leave for a weekend in Paris, a quick run with the bulls in Pamplona or to throw a tomato at a Spaniard - there are jobs IEP can help you find that will allow that freedom.

Temp Office Work
If you are based in a city, there is heaps of temporary office work available-if you know how to find it! The USIT staff can put you in contact with reputable recruitment agencies and even give you advice on your Irish C.V and interview technique. From one day to six month positions - you can find a role that suits you and your travel plans!

Live-In Bar Work
This sort of work is pretty common, many pubs and bars in Ireland have hotels or staff rooms up above the bar for you to live in. Usually you will share with another staff member but the accommodation is subsidised and sometimes totally free! You generally do not need to pay bond or utilities and so even though you are on minimum wage, your earnings can go straight in the bank (especially if you get to eat in the pub’s restaurant and drink cheap booze!) Without the commitments of lease and bond and flat mates-you can easily work for a few months and then move on somewhere new or backpack for a bit. (You don’t need an RSA or any certificate to work with alcohol in Ireland although experience is welcomed, good customer service skills are so much more important!)

Some companies will make you pay hundreds of dollars just to ‘find’ you a pub job but as an IEP member we can give you a few phone numbers, some good advice and SAVE you money.

Aren’t you just a regular Mary Poppins?
Nanny/Au Pair work is a great option for work that provides you with a unique cultural experience as you work closely with an Irish family and get to experience the Irish way of life. This work can be live-in or out and IEP can put you in touch with agencies and families who are looking for someone to help care for their kids. Childcare positions are generally very well paid.

Money Matters
To help you budget when looking for potential employment, we've put together a list of sample costs that may come in handy.

Expenses in your first two weeks
Hostel	$265-$330
Transportation pass	$40-$50
1 months rent in advance	$990-$1320 (first and last)
Food	$125-$165
Phone calls	$16
Miscellaneous	$80

General cost of living
Pint of beer	$6.50
Cup of regular coffee	$3.50
Entry into a nightclub	$11.50-$20
Average pub dinner	$15-$25

Average hourly wage
Clerical	$18
Restaurant/Bar	$13
Career-related	$18-$25

Average weekly cost of shared accommodation
Dublin	$165-$205/a week
Galway	$115-$130/a week