malachi

Hey Folks,

Both I and my girlfriend are looking to move and are considering Australia as an option.

I was wondering if any of you could give some advice vis a vis jobs.

We're both experienced entrepreneurs and high-tech executives. Right now we live in San Francisco. She's an operational and tactical executive (COO, VP Operations, etc.) who is currently working as an Organizational Consultant and Organizational Psychology Consultant for startups. She's worked in Senior Management of a publicly traded Internet Consulting firm as well as private Services and Consulting firms and Internet product companies. She also has experience in Publishing and Finance. I'm a strategic executive (CEO, CSO, etc.) and am currently working as a Corporate Strategy, Venture and M&A Consultant. I was previously a General Partner in a Venture Fund and before that the Chief Strategy Officer for a publicly traded Consulting firm and CTO for an Internet product startup. I have business development, technical and financial experience.

Given this - what advice can you share?
Is there potential employment for us in Australia? If so, where?
Where would you suggest we look - and who should we talk to?

Thanks in advance,

-c

Iggy_Type_R

Malachi,

For high-tech jobs, IMO, there are only two cities in Oz that you can go to: Melbourne or Sydney. (Brisbane might be an option, but I don't think it's as big)
By the sound of your work BG you should have no problems getting a job down here, hell I think the company I am working for would be happy to hire you
To look for a job have a look at:
http://www.jobnet.com.au
http://www.mycareer.com.au (www.itjobs.fairfax.com.au)
http://www.seek.com.au
http://www.monster.com.au

IMO a lot of high tech oz companies would sponsor you ... they dig ppl from San Fran here

For real-estate look at :
http://www.domain.com.au
http://www.realestate.com.au

(Side note: I work for http://www.headstrong.com) I think we're looking for BDs with technical exp... so if you want check out the site.

In terms of Visas, just call the Australian Embassy in Washington.

Johnny B. Goode

Just be aware that, especially with the Aussie dollar having depreciated so much against the greenback in the last 12 months, the amount you can expect to earn here will not compare to salaries in the US. Personal taxes are also much higher than in the US.

Having said that, the cost of living will not compare to large cities in the US either. The standard of living here is very high.

The employment market, in general, is much smaller. That means less management positions and less of a range of positions requiring specific skillsets. You may have a very specific position in the US but may find that similar positions do not exist (or are rare) in Australia simply because our market is so much smaller.

For initial info try this:

http://www.escapeartist.com

For detail immigration info, post here (there are always immigration consultants waiting around this group answering questions in the hope of drumming up more business):

misc.immigration.australia+nz

Bernie

I can only emphasise the comments from Iggy. I think that with both of you, Sydney may be your only viable option. The market in Melbourne, while big by Australian standards, is miniscule in comparison to what you are coming from.

Salaries in Australis are nothing like what you would be used to in the USA. An option you might consider if you want to do that is to join a US Corporation with a view to a transfer for a few years to Australia. I know a couple of merchant bankers who have done that. That way, you get the best of both worlds and opportunity to try it and give it away if you don't like it.

If you do like it, you can take your time and find a job locally if you are unable to come to terms with a permanent position in Australia.

Don't even bother about real estate yet. It's far cheaper than what you are coming from.

I have a lot of friends from the USA who have settled in Australia for quite a number of years and not one would ever consider going back. In fact, I can't think of one who has been sorry about their decision to move here in the first place.

malachi

Thanks folks!
Some great advice here!

I know it's going to be a challenge. I realize that the Venture community in Australia is small (as any VC can tell you over 70% of all Venture investment is done within 45 miles of Sand Hill Rd.) and thus the opportunities are limited. I've talked with some folks in the private equity practices at the banks there so I have a pretty clear idea of the issues. This is why I'm considering moving back into management. I realize that there are fewer opportunities of this sort as well - though obviously far more than on the private equity side. I am also aware the compensation is different (especially as compared to either VC compensation or C-level public company compensation) in Australia.

We're not looking to move for career reasons. Both of us kind of burned out on the Silicon Valley rat race and decided to retire. After almost a year of retirement it's become clear that it's not the right choice for either of us at the current time. So we've decided the best thing to do is to leverage our experience and skills but move to a new venue.

Thus... Australia. Though god knows I'm not all that excited about learning to drive on the wrong side of the road (grin).

Again, thanks for all your advice and help.

mwilgus

Left the states (Austin, TX) 2 years ago for the UK. Hated the rain. Transfered to Sydney almost 6 months ago and I don't want to leave.

I've met a number of Americans who've been on temporary assignment out here, and have just stayed. It's not hard to see why.

For friends who ask what it's like out here... I tell them it's somewhat similar to So. Cal.... But far less crowded and far more friendly.

Mark

ps. I would hop on a flight down here and check out the job market first hand. Very different environment from the US or Europe. You've heard the Australian economy is half the size of California's??

Bernie

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mwilgus
[B]Left the states (Austin, TX) 2 years ago for the UK.