Backpacker hits back after photo used in job search slammed

A backpacker has hit back after she was criticised over her search for work in Australia.

British woman Annise took to Facebook earlier this week in search of work for herself and her friend in the Melbourne area.

They are among a wave of travellers who flock to social media in search of part-time work or jobs that will allow them to complete 88 days of regional work to qualify for an extended stay in the country, with competition for jobs now rising as working holidaymakers return to Australia in droves.

Yet her appeal for employment did not go down well with some, who questioned the photo she used of herself and her friend.

"As someone who employs lots of regional workers every year I believe the first impression is important," one person wrote.

"As you are applying from your Facebook I recommend having a professional profile pic and locking up your Facebook so it doesn't show your lifestyle. Having a picture of you partying doesn't help your cause."

Another person said they should "post a nice photo... in clothes suited for the type of work you want".

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"Maybe put up normal photos then because sorry to say these ones just makes people think your party girls," another comment read.

Traveller hits back at criticism

However Annise took umbrage with the response, saying the photo is not a representation of their work ethic.

"If you don’t have recommendations for farm work and job sites then please do not comment," she said. "As for the photo this is us two girls who are travelling looking for work. Just because this is what we look like doesn’t mean when it comes to work we’re not serious!"

It comes just weeks after another British backpacker hit back to her critics after posting a bikini photo in her job search – a common tactic among backpackers looking for work.

“To anyone saying they wouldn’t give me work because of the photos I have posted, you would equally not be someone I would like to work for,” she said.

Last year saw 135,000 working holidaymakers return to Australia after the country was largely shut off from the rest of the world during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The farming and hospitality industries have welcomed the return of workers, which were worst hit by lack of labour in 2020 and 2021.

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