So you’re thinking of moving to Australia?
You’re certainly not alone. Each year, thousands of people migrate to
Australia’s sunny shores in search of a new life and a new career. But although
Australia is filled with job opportunities it doesn’t mean finding a job will
be easy.
Finding the right job anywhere can be
tricky, but finding a job in a foreign country can be much harder. You need to get
your head around a completely different market, learn the subtleties of a
different culture and sometimes speak a new language. But as long as you make
the time to learn the basics, you’ll be well on your way to finding an
Australian job in no time.
Australian
work visas
The
first things you’ll need to research before moving to Australia are the types
of work visas available. In order to work in Australia you’ll need to have the
right visa – and employers will ask you about your visa status so it’s
important to know where you stand.
The most
common is the temporary skilled visa (subclass 457), which allows you to work
for up to four years as long as you have a sponsor (an Australian employer). If
you’re under 31 and you can’t secure a sponsor from overseas, you can always
try to enter on a working holiday visa – this allows you to live and work in
Australia for 12 months, giving you plenty of time to find a sponsor while
you’re there. But there are lots of other visas available so the best thing to
do is head to the Australian Department of Immigration’s website and see which
one is right for you.
Update
your CV
Every country does things differently and how
you write your CV (or résumé) is no exception. Before you start looking for
work, redo your CV following an Australian
template to make sure
potential employers take you seriously.
Ideally, you
don’t want your CV to be longer than two or three pages. Split your information
into clear, concise sections and make sure you only include experience that’s
relevant to the role you’re applying for. Just remember – employers who aren’t
familiar with the city you’ve been working in likely won’t know the companies
you’ve worked at. So take the time to explain why each position is relevant to give
your experience context.
Most importantly, make sure your spelling
and grammar are correct – often employers will reject a CV simply due to
spelling mistakes, so this isn’t something you can afford to be sloppy about. Your potential employer will also want to speak to your references, so
be sure to include contact information regardless of whether they are in
Australia or overseas.
Finding
a job
The best
plan is to start job hunting before you move; this will help give you an
indication of the demand for work in your field and what options are available.
Check out job listings websites like Gumtree to keep an eye on opportunities in
your line of work. You should also look at SkilledMigrantJobs.com, a website dedicated
to connecting migrants with employers offering sponsorships.
Interview
tips
When you meet with potential employers for
interviews, it’s important to know what they’re looking for. Yes, they’ll want
someone who’s competent for the role, but they’ll also be looking for someone
who fits the company culture. In fact, some people are hired because they’re a
good cultural fit over others who might be better qualified. So always be
yourself in interviews, make lots of eye contact and let them see your
personality – being likeable and confident in an Australian job interview is
just as important (if not more) as proving you have the right skills.
One thing to keep in mind is that while Australians may seem as
casual, you always need to be professional. If someone tells you to "come
in for a chat” this can actually mean a formal interview, so dress sharp and
come fully prepared.
Build
your network
You may not land the perfect job when you
first arrive in Australia, but by meeting new people and building your network,
you’ll make connections that will help you get there eventually. Business
specific networking is great, but making personal connections is also important.
One of the best ways to meet locals and
start making friends is by living in share accommodation. Living with Australians
will help you brush up on your English (if you need it) and give you a better
understanding of the culture. Other great ways of networking when you arrive is
through sporting groups, dance classes, volunteering or any other hobbies you
may have where you can meet people with similar interests. Just because they’re
not specifically work related doesn’t mean it won’t help you find work – and
even if your networking doesn’t land you a job, it’s still a great way to meet
people and make new friends.
Getting a job in Australia may be difficult
at first, but as long as you get your CV looking right, practice your interview
skills and persist in your job hunt, you’re bound to find something eventually.
And once you’ve gained some Australian work experience it will be much easier if
you ever want to switch jobs and try something new. Landing that first job will
always be the hardest, but it will only get easier from there!
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