Yahoo Finance How backpacker working in Australia saved $30K in just four months: 'Free accomodation, food and flights'
Struggling to get ahead financially? This could be the solution.
A backpacker has revealed how travellers can save $30,000 in four months in Australia without any experience, but a careers expert warns it will take a bit of work.
In a series of videos, the TikToker - known as Paul On Site - said people could make serious cash if they were willing to head regional and be a fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) worker. "Get a FIFO job in the mines," he wrote in his latest clip. "Earn $3,000-$5,000 per week. Enjoy free accommodation and good food. Work 14 days and enjoy seven off."
While others have claimed money opportunities in Australia are a 'myth', Paul said to "apply to agencies in Perth for casual positions", claiming that a trade assistant can earn $42-$55 per hour, $504-$660 per 12-hour day, and $3,528-$4,620 per week on site. "That's how I saved $30,000 in 4 months as a backpacker in Australia."
Huge salaries no joke
According to experts, Paul isn't all talk, with talent.com confirming the average FIFO salary in Australia is $107,659 a year, or $55.21 per hour. Entry-level positions can start at $89,700 annually, while more experienced workers can make up to $160,711 per year.
But, if you're hoping to pick up a FIFO job without any previous experience, Amanda Augustine, a careers expert from resume.io, explained to Yahoo Finance job seekers would need to give their resume a boost by customising their CV for a new industry. She suggests following the below steps.
Leverage your network: Speak to people who work in your industry of interest to help you determine whether this career path is right for you, what job titles to target in your search, and to identify any skill gaps you may need to fill. These conversations can also lead to additional introductions, new resources, and even job leads.
Highlight your transferable skills: Identify skills that are transferable between your current industry and your target industry, such as communication, project management, problem-solving, and teamwork. Look for opportunities to highlight these skills throughout your resume.
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Translate your experience: Every field has its own acronyms and terminology. Remove any jargon that applies to your old field and look for opportunities to translate your experience and past successes into terms that prospective employers in your target industry will understand.
Reorder your resume: Consider reordering details within your resume sections or the sections themselves to prioritise the most relevant information. For example, move your relevant skills and qualifications section closer to the top.
Quantify your work: Include numbers whenever possible, whether you're describing the size of your budget, the number of projects you handled, or the number of people you managed, to demonstrate your value to an employer.
Once the resume is complete, Augustine says there is just one more step.
"Address the change in your cover letter," she told Yahoo Finance. "Use your cover letter to provide context for your career change and explain your motivation and passion for the next industry."
What not to do
In his videos, FIFO worker Paul also offered some controversial advice, saying you'd need hospitality experience for a utility role, and that if you didn't, "just lie". "No one will check your references," he claimed.
However, Augustine urged job seekers to always tell the truth.
"You don't need to lie on your resume but instead work with what you have," she said. "While your lies may temporarily go under the radar without being caught, lying on your resume or other personal marketing materials will catch up with you, eventually. At the end of the day, it's simply not worth it."
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