You've asked some good questions there.

Temping is NOT permanent work, and therefore shouldn't been seen as such. That's how you keep your soul! It's hard though - and the world of temping is only for the brave. You MUST keep a focus on what your goals are and keep applying for jobs, but believe me a stint as a temp is a lot easier to explain than a 4 month 'career break' while you look for work.

On a practical level, I signed up with some temp agencies (Reed and Randstad if you have them out there), made phone contact and asked if they had any suitable vacancies. You really need to have a can-do attitude - the more they think they can rely on you, the more they'll give you. I started temping at the NHS 2 weeks ago, and am now running 2 major projects for them on a contract that will see me until Jan.

You have to remember that you're the best person to market yourself - but temp agencies have the contacts.  Much as you might hate it, they have to become your best friends. It's worth doing some background research to find out which agencies have the contracts for the council, universities and any other large organisations in Brisbane and make sure you enrol with them.

In the meantime, we can pray!!

I agree with Vics. Temping is not permanent work. It's not your career. It's a temporary means to an end. I didn't love temping (that's no secret). I've spent over a year in temp jobs or working random part time jobs. BUT it did allow me to go from D.C. to Guatemala to London to Kansas (it was good to get some time around my family). I'm more grateful for some of it now that I'm on the other side of it. No matter what I said, it wasn't all bad.

Keep looking for something that is more in line with your dreams and passions while temping. A temp job is just a practical way to pay your bills and be in Australia with Grant. Try to enjoy that and the other stuff really will come in time. That's easier to say now that I have a job.

What to do with the frustration of not getting a response? Break lightbulbs. So theraputic. I'm probably less help on this. That was so demoralizing. In about two years, I have applied for over 150 jobs. I've lost track of how many temp agencies I signed up for. The number of responses I got to my resume/CV...probably about 10% response rate (I'm told that's normal, but seriously?).

Temp agencies aren't your friend, but they can be useful. Do you know anyone in the Brisbane area who has temped and can recommend an agency or two they think are pretty good?

Jen, keep it up. Believe me, you're amongst friends on this job search stuff. Will definitely be praying for you. Let me know if you need anything.

I'm depressed. For a graphic designer, my CV looks crap. :(