Job Question

[Bolty]

Hey Shane - Just a question

I was in an application support role with MLC in Oz supporting AdviserCentral, Visiplan Financial Planning software and was made redundant. Question is didnt you work for BT Funds Management or the like in NZ.Do you have any suggestions for where to look or those kind of jobs in Oz -

Thanks in advance

[Shifty]

Hey Bolty.

Don’t know if it helps at all but I do Application Support for TelstraClear in NZ, but that role is more to do with the billing side of things. Provided that you know a bit about databases, and it sounds like you do, and a bit of SQL you could probably blag your way into a job with one of the Telco’s such as Telstra and suchlike.

Don’t know if that’s any help to you but there you go.

[Shayne]

I am actually employed by Westpac who owns BT Financial Group (BT Funds Management). Westpac just contract me out to BT.

Not sure if you are wanting to stay with the same "software" or looking at other areas but as Shifty said, if you have experience in Financial packages that use back ends, it should be relatively easy to gt another job even in another industry.

What sort of application support did you do?

[Bolty]

My role was providing Technical support to the implementation of the software into Banks, Credit Unions. We rolled out the software nationally a few years ago and we installed into 1800 offices across Oz. Effin huge project.
Anyway my role was probably 60% technical support mixed bag of 1st/2nd level and onsite support with 40% usage support - ie training and the like.

I wouldnt mind moving into other areas. I went for an interview yesterday for an Application Support Consultant with TridentGlobal here in Adelaide and got knocked back because of the lack of exposure to SAP. They did however say I would fit into their help desk with my SQL skills and they would train me up on SAP etc. The thing is that working for a bank before, the salary they would offer me for the help desk role is a bit lower than what I was on previously
and no offence but I have done the help desk thing to death

[Shayne]

Dude. If you can get into SAP then the potential is HUGE! I would get into it for a lower salary just to get involved. Helpdesk is junior and mostly a dead end role but if its an opening to SAP then take it! MYOB is also big there and may be worth some investigation.

[Bolty]

I know mate - the opportunity to break into the SAP space is something i cant let go but i have just heard back from the agency and they cant give me something immediately but I think i can find a contract in the meantime (hopefully)

[Nyala]

Have you considered Tafe or one of the other training institutes? With all the help from Centrelink you may be able to train up, work part time and receive a student allowance.