5. Trying a new pathway. As I mentioned previously, when I… | by Anna | Sep, 2025

As I mentioned previously, when I arrived in Melbourne I had a plan. Actually not a plan but THE plan. I was so sure to jump into the same industry I worked in Paris cause I loved it!

But between what I want and what I can there is a whole world. And sometimes it’s just not the right time.

Instead I spent the first months travelling around and enjoying my freedom. But at some point, your bank account needs to be fed. And mine was screaming for help.

As a backpacker, which I hate to be labelled as because it puts you directly in a category, I didn’t see a lot of options. So I jumped into the most profitable industry as a foreign, hospitality.

And before covid, the business here was thriving. Places opened every day and staff was needed everywhere.

The only bump is that I never worked in a restaurant, I had zero experience. Not even a slight bit of it. Nothing. Nada.

To sustain myself, I had to be creative and I made up a new resume with a few experiences here and there in Paris. Making it realistic enough but not too much cause it was all bullshit. And sent it to a few places who were looking.

I could say luck worked on my side because I had a trial right away in a restaurant. I didn’t believe my eyes when I saw the place. It was a Greek restaurant situated next the most fancy hotel in Brisbane. I remember thinking « why me? »

I understood later that the all French vibe is more powerful than I thought. Not only in Australia but overseas it’s a massive green flag, especially if you are a woman.

Also, I didn’t knew but two of the managers were French.

Like I said, green flag.

The funny thing is that at the end of my trial, one of the managers came to congratulate me on my excellent work.

He said « we can see you have experience, it’s very clear that you worked in hospo before ». What did you want me to say? Of course I replied « yeah, you know how it is »

As the expression says, fake it until you make it. And it worked out perfectly because I had the job.