The Australian job market is among the strongest globally. However, the process of finding work abroad is still very challenging. Don't worry - read this guide and you'll soon be hired from the other side of the world.
Steps
Step 1. Try to get a work residence permit
If you need to, applying at the embassy closest to you is your top priority. Potential employers will ask you about your migration status and having a residence permit (or, at least, having started the process to receive one) is a prerequisite for most vacancies. People who have specific skills, qualifications and experience in professional fields where there is a certain scarcity are the first to obtain a residence permit. You can read this list to find out if you are a eligible candidate.
Step 2. Verify that your qualifications are valid in Australia
Check this site to find out if your skills need to be reviewed by a relevant professional committee. Depending on your job or where you study, you may need to take a course or study certain subjects to catch up. When applying for a job, it is important to indicate your qualifications based on Australian equivalents. For more information on this, go to this site.
Step 3. Target a specific industry or economic sector
If you haven't decided what environment you'd like to work in, choose wisely. The industries that thrive most in Australia are agriculture, mining, tourism and manufacturing. In particular, there are industries (such as mining, financial services, tourism and telecommunications) that have seen recent growth. Read the list of jobs where local professionals are in short supply published by the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Step 4. Search job postings methodically and diligently
The time has come to start your search for vacancies. Millions of them are listed online. The most important site to look for work is SEEK, but there are also others, on which it is possible to find advertisements of different types; Job Guide and CareerOne are an example. There are also specialized sites, such as Graduate Careers Australia (for jobs reserved for graduates), Job Search Australia (database specialized in the IT sector) and Travel Jobs Network (for jobs related to travel, tourism and hospitality).
- Some ads don't run online, so check out those in newspapers as well. See job search supplements from newspapers such as The Age (Melbourne), Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney), The Courier-Mail (Brisbane) and The West Australian (Perth).
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To find out about vacancies in certain companies that interest you, consult the appropriate section of their websites. Visit the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Forbes Australia page to find a list of companies operating in your industry.
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Step 5. Consider the alternatives
If you have recently graduated, you may be applying for a graduate program. They are generally advertised on company websites and at regional job fairs. Visit the Graduate Careers Australia website for more information.
Step 6. Australianize your resume
It is important that the CV (also called résumé) meets local standards. For more information, read CareerOne's Australian-style resume writing guide or Top Margin's guide.
Step 7. Take your time to write a suitable and personalized cover letter for the different companies you are applying to
He claims that he has obtained permission to work in Australia (or that the process is in full swing). If possible, include an Australian mailing address and telephone number on your resume.
Step 8. Take advantage of your contacts
About 70% of jobs are not advertised in the media, so having personal contacts is the key. Networking opportunities need to be seized on the leap. Expand your network of acquaintances by joining professional associations. If you can get a foothold in a company, let this person know about your application - it could put your resume on top of the pile.
Step 9. Submit your resume and cover letter
Customize it for each potential employer and agency in the region you intend to stay in. Spontaneous applications are widespread in this country, so send one even if no vacancy has been advertised. To find the contact details of the various companies, use the Yellow Pages. Do you need a list of employment agencies? Consult the website of the Recruitment & Consulting Services Association Ltd (RCSA).
Step 10. Make yourself heard
If receipt of your application is not confirmed, please contact the human resources department. In fact, you shouldn't hesitate to get in touch with the company if you haven't received a reply. It is a common practice in Australia, and is not considered inappropriate (indeed, it denotes enthusiasm).
Step 11. Try to personally participate in job interviews
If they send for you, make sure you are in Australia. Few employers hire someone without having seen them before (but it's a good idea to suggest a Skype interview if you can't be there). Remember to take copies of your work residence permit and letters of recommendation with you so you can show them to potential employers.
Step 12. Consider the various possibilities
If you're not looking for a full-time position, you might as well do an internship or similar work experience. Visit the Intern Options Australia website for some ideas. Alternatively, there are many volunteer opportunities. The most comprehensive sites are SEEK Volunteer, Conservation Volunteers Australia and Travelers Worldwide.
Advice
- Maximize your chances of obtaining a residence permit. If you do not qualify as an immigrant with very specific skills, it is possible to have some problems. If so, you may be able to take a professional qualification or gain work experience before applying. Don't speak fluent English? Try to enroll in a language course at a recognized institution. Also, you may want to apply in an area where job competition is less fierce.
- When it comes to interviews, several researches claim that Australian employers value punctuality, optimism and the ability to provide concrete examples to illustrate a point. So, be punctual, motivated and ready to give good examples!
- On average, it takes eight weeks to find work, so get to work right away. However, you shouldn't start too early either. Do not apply more than 12 weeks before the date you could start.
- It is not certain that you will earn the same salary as the place you currently live in. Research your industry's cost of living and salaries and assess your financial situation before discussing your salary expectations and negotiating.
