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MISSION:
Find a Job in Australia
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nadine Myers is the Founder and Director of Nab That
Job in Australia!, and Australian Migrant Job Application
Expert, assisting migrants from all over the world to
successfully secure employment in Australia.
Nadine is also the author of the eWorkBook, "Australian
Resumes: Secrets Revealed!", as well as several articles,
in various publications and websites, on applying for jobs in Australia.
Nadine is degree qualified in Business Management through the University
of Queensland, Australia; with further studies in Organisational Psychology,
gained through the University of London, UK.
Nadine has more than 10 years work experience gained in Australia and
Internationally in Human Resource Management and Recruitment, across
several industries, including Tourism, Engineering, Government, Health
Care, Engineering, Manufacturing and Finance. Nadine has expertise in
assisting people to achieve their career dreams, and decided to specialize in
the migrant market after several years experience working with this market
and realizing that there was not a known company or service specifically for
assisting migrants to be more successful when applying for jobs in Australia.
Nab That Job in Australia! (www.NabThatJob.com) not only assists migrants
to prepare their resume and cover letter for the Australian job market, but
also provides a monthly newsletter with free tips and guidance to assist
migrants through their process of applying for jobs in Australia. Nab That
Job in Australia! has also partnered with reputable migration agencies and
other migrant specialists so that www.NabThatJob.com is a ‘one stop shop’
for migrants and potential migrants to Australia.
COPYRIGHT © Nadine Myers, Nab That Job 2008 – All Rights Reserved
MISSION: Find a Job in Australia
CONTENTS
1. About the Author
2. Introduction
3. Australian Recruitment and Migration Expos
4. Job Search Websites
5. Recruitment Agencies
6. English Language Skills
7. Australian Visas
8. Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)
9. Successful Self-Marketing
10. Plan a Trip to Australia
11. The Hidden Job Market
12. Develop a Job Search Strategy
INTRODUCTION
There are definitely some secrets to successfully landing a job in
Australia, otherwise you’d have one already, right?
This eBook will not only prepare you for applying for applying for jobs in
Australia, but it will also help you to develop a successful job application
strategy to ensure that you successfully secure employment in Australia.
I have set this eBook out to showcase the key points that you will need
to know when applying for jobs in Australia and how to be successful in
your endeavours to secure employment. You will learn what the secrets
to finding a job in Australia are, and also WHY they are necessary for
landing a job in Australia. This will allow you to take a completely new
approach to your Australian job search and your job applications, and
ensure that you achieve success from now on.
I believe you’re worth that job and life that you really want in Australia,
and I can’t wait to assist you in achieving it!
So…what are you waiting for? Let’s go and Nab That Job in Australia!
AUSTRALIAN MIGRATION AND RECRUITMENT EXPOS
If you haven’t already made the move to Australia and need to find a job
before you get there, Careers Fairs are a highly effective tool to take
advantage of.
Careers Fairs offer you the chance to meet with Australian employers who
are willing to sponsor foreign nationals and who are actively looking for
skilled candidates who are willing to migrate to Australia.
ACTION POINT: Do a Google search for Australian recruitment expos and
Australian migration expos in your country to find the dates of the next
events and make sure you attend.
You can also explore the following websites:
Down Under Expo - http://www.downunderexpo.com/
Opportunities Australia - http://www.expo-australia.com/
Working In - http://www.workingin-australia.com/categories/41
Australia Needs Skills - http://www.immi.gov.au/skillexpos/overseas.htm
JOB SEARCH WEBSITES
In Australia, as with most of the world now, jobs are most likely found on
job search websites, and less likely to be found in newspapers. These days
the average person has at least one computer at home, or at least has
access to the internet through their workplace or internet cafes. The
internet is fast and convenient. Gone are the days of going down the shop
to buy the paper, trawling through the pages of jobs in the classifieds
section, writing a cover letter (by hand!) and photocopying your resume to
enclose in an envelope then taking it down to the news agency to purchase
a stamp. Then finding a post office box to ensure the letter goes in the post
before a certain time to make the post that day. You would then wait
several days, if not weeks to finally receive a reply in the mail to say that
you have not been successful.
These days, jobs are sent to your inbox and you can apply by the click of a
button. How times have changed!
Not only is advertising job vacancies on-line convenient, fast and effective,
but it is also a lot cheaper than advertising in a newspaper. Therefore
Australian employers these days tend advertise their job vacancies through
one or more job search websites.
The most popular and utilised websites for searching for jobs are as follows:
▪ SEEK – www.seek.com.au
Australia’s number 1 job site
▪ Career One – www.careerone.com.au
On-line job listings from newspaper advertisements
Other websites you could try:
▪ Job Search – www.jobsearch.gov.au
Government run jobs database
▪ Jobs Jobs Jobs – www.jobsjobsjobs.com.au
Australian job search website
▪ My Career – www.mycareer.com.au
Job search and employment opportunities in Australia
▪ Positions VACANT – www.positionsvacant.com.au
Innovative employment site advertising jobs in Australia since
1999.
▪ JSeeker – www.jseeker.com.au
Search engine offering jobs from job boards, newspapers,
classified ads, and company websites
RECRUITMENT AGENCIES
There is much debate in using recruitment agencies to find employment in
Australia when you are applying from your home country. A lot of
recruitment agencies in Australia will not consider candidates who require
sponsorship, and will not go out of their way for foreign nationals as it is
harder for them to “sell” the candidate to the employer when they require
sponsorship. Recruitment agencies therefore prefer to consider local
candidates for positions, unless the employer has specified that they are
willing to sponsor overseas nationals.
I therefore do not always recommend using recruitment agencies in
Australia if you are applying for jobs from your home country.
However, if you decide that you would like to apply for jobs through
agencies, I can provide you with some tips so that you get the most out of
recruitment agencies.
Tip #1 Do not apply for several jobs that are advertised with the one
recruitment agency. Once you have applied for one job your resume goes
into their database and will then be searchable for them to consider you for
other jobs. Recruiters are generally not impressed when a candidate sends
through applications for several jobs - particularly when the jobs are
different in nature – as it can give the impression of desperateness –
something you want to avoid at all costs!
If you see more than one job you would like to apply for, apply for the most
suitable role, then do a follow-up call to the relevant recruiter to advise
that there are several roles you would like to be considered for (and have
the list with the job codes ready for them). This will also allow you to
develop a relationship with the agency and they will remember you when
your name comes up again.
Tip #2 Follow-up your application with a telephone call. Again, this
helps to establish a relationship. When a recruiter knows you on a more
personal level they feel more obliged to help you. I can tell you this from
first hand experience from being a recruiter! The candidates who phoned
the most often were more likely to get a job because they were always
fresh in your mind and in a way you just want to get them off your back!
Even though this is kind of pestering, even if you are not the most
appropriate person for the job, you will be more likely to be considered for
the role.
Tip #3 When you see a job you want to apply for, make the phone call
to the recruiter to find out more about the role and find out whether your
skills would fit the bill. Again, you are establishing a relationship, and this is
also an opportunity for you to find out whether the employer would
consider sponsoring an overseas national.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS
Language skills are a very important aspect of your job application.
Whether written or spoken, you will be a more competitive application if
you have advanced English language skills, particularly if you will be
working in a position which requires customer liaison or extensive
communication skills.
Many migrants to Australia come with qualification after qualification,
however their English language skills have much to be desired. Rather than
studying a second degree or MBA, I recommend you put the money and
time into improving your English language skills. The issue that many
migrants face is that although they are highly qualified in their field, due to
their below average English skills, they are unable to gain a position in their
field and quite often will have to settle for a role within a different field,
such as hospitality. I see this a lot in Australia, which I think is really sad.
ACTION POINT: If you native language is not English, go to: www.ielts.org
(International English Language Testing System) and have your English
language skills assessed to find out whether your level of English requires
improvement.
For more information on IELTS, click on the below link to watch a short
video clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1UeGt-OtWE
VISAS FOR AUSTRALIA
If you are not sure which Australian visa you qualify for, a great place to
find out is at the Australian Immigration website:
http://www.immi.gov.au/. Here you will find a “Visa Wizard”, which will
help you find the Australian visa most likely to meet your specific
circumstances.
The types of Australian visas that are currently available are set out below
with links to the Australian Immigration website for more information.
WORKERS
Employer Sponsored Workers
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/index.htm
For people with recognised skills seeking to work in Australia after being
sponsored by an Australian or overseas employer.
Professionals and other Skilled Migrants
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/index.htm
This program is for people who are not sponsored by an employer but who
have skills in particular occupations required in Australia.
Business People
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/index.htm
For people to come to Australia for a business-related visit. Also for people
to establish, manage or develop a new or existing business, or invest in
Australia.
Doctors and Nurses
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/medical-practitioners/index.htm
Information and visa options for doctors and nurses who want to work in
Australia.
Regional Employment
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/regional-employment/index.htm
Information about options available to encourage skilled migrants or
temporary entrants to live and work in areas outside of Australia's major
cities.
Australia Needs Skills Expos
http://www.immi.gov.au/skillexpos/index.htm
Expos are held around the world to help meet the current skills shortage in
Australia. Skilled workers can register to attend an expo in their region to
meet with employers and state and territory governments about
employment in Australia.
Air and Sea Crew
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/air-sea/index.htm
Information about visas and entry requirements for air and sea crew
coming to Australia.
MIGRANTS
Family Members
http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/family/index.htm
There are a number of migration options for fiance(e)s, partners, children,
parents and other family members of Australian citizens, Australian
permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens.
Returning Residents
http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/residents/index.htm
Visa options for current or former Australian permanent residents, or
former Australian citizens to re-enter Australia.
VISITORS
Tourists
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/index.htm
For people to visit Australia for holiday, sightseeing, social or recreational
reasons, to visit relatives, friends or for other short-term non-work
purposes.
Working Holiday
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/index.htm
For people aged between 18 and 30 from arrangement countries to have
an extended holiday supplemented by short-term employment.
Special Activities
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/special-activity/index.htm
For people to participate in specific professional, cultural or social activities,
or to receive medical treatment.
Transiting through Australia
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/transit/index.htm
Information for people transiting through Australia for 72 hours or less.
Event Organisers and Participants
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/event-organisers-participants/index.htm
Visa requirements assistance for event organisers and participants when
travelling to Australia for conferences, meetings and special events.
STUDENTS
Student Visa Options
http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/chooser/index.htm
Information on student visas and how to apply.
Student Guardians
http://www.immi.gov.au/students/student_guardians/index.htm
Parents or relatives can apply for a visa to stay in Australia as the guardian
of a student who is studying in Australia.
More Information for Students
http://www.immi.gov.au/students/student-information.htm
Information on bringing family, working while studying, visa conditions,
extending your stay and changing course or education provider, document
checklists and arrangements if an education provider’s approval to deliver
courses to overseas students is removed.
Student Visa Assessment Levels
http://www.immi.gov.au/students/student-visa-assessment-levels.htm
Find out about student visa Assessment Levels.
Sponsored Training Visas
http://www.immi.gov.au/students/sponsored/index.htm
For people who want to come to Australia through a professional
development program or to undertake workplace based training.
What's New?
http://www.immi.gov.au/students/whats_new.htm
Changes to Migration Regulations for Student visas.
RELATED TOPICS
Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO)
http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/vevo.htm
The department has an online facility that enables visa holders to enquire
about their immigration status. This facility is also available for registered
Australian Organisations.
Education Providers
http://www.immi.gov.au/business-services/education-providers/index.htm
Australian schools, colleges and universities can find information about
their obligations to international students when offering them a place in a
course.
Education Agents
http://www.immi.gov.au/gateways/agents/index.htm
Education agents can find information on how to lodge visa applications for
international students who want to study in Australia.
EMPLOYERS
Skill Matching Database
http://www.immi.gov.au/skills/index.htm
Helps match potential skilled migrants with skilled vacancies in Australia.
The database contains the educational, employment and work details of
skilled migrants and includes many who are interested in living and working
in regional Australia.
Employer Sponsored Visa Options
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/index.htm
Lawfully operating Australian employers can sponsor and employ skilled
workers who have recognised qualifications and skills/or experience in
particular occupations required in Australia.
Doctors and Nurses
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/medical-practitioners/index.htm
There are a number of ways in which an employer may sponsor an overseas
trained doctor or nurse on a permanent or temporary basis.
Labour Agreements
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/la/index.htm
Labour Agreements are formal arrangements to recruit a number of
overseas skilled workers on a permanent or temporary basis.
Regional Employer Initiatives
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/regional-employment/index.htm
Information about options available to encourage skilled migrants or
temporary entrants to live and work in areas outside of Australia's major
cities.
Sponsored Training Visas
http://www.immi.gov.au/students/sponsored/index.htm
Professionals from outside Australia can be sponsored by Australian
employers on a temporary basis to improve their work skills, business
and/or management development.
Employer Obligations
http://www.immi.gov.au/managing-australias-borders/compliance/employer-
obligations/index.htm
It is an offence under the Migration Act 1958 for a person to knowingly or
recklessly allow an illegal worker to work or refer an illegal worker for work
with another business.
Visa Entitlement Verification Online
http://www.immi.gov.au/managing-australias-borders/compliance/info-employers/evo-
orgs.htm
Registered Australian organisations can check aspects of a person's
Australian immigration status.
Australian Skills Recognition Information
http://www.immi.gov.au/asri/index.htm
Prospective employees can get an assessment of occupational
qualifications, skills or experience gained overseas. Also find state-specific
licensing and registration requirements.
Australia Needs Skills Recruitment Expos
http://www.immi.gov.au/skillexpos/index.htm
Expos are being held worldwide to help meet the current skills shortage in
Australia. Australian employers can participate in the expos and meet
people with the skills and experience needed to fill job vacancies in
Australia.
Occupations in Demand
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/skilled-
occupations/occupations-in-demand.htm
The Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL). Occupations and
specialisations, identified by the Department of Education, Employment
and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), that are in short supply in Australia. The
MODL is covered in the next section of this eBook.
Reaching Out To Industry
http://www.immi.gov.au/employers/ioo.htm
Industry outreach officers are outposted to industry groups to give expert
support to employers who want to employ skilled overseas workers.
REFUGEE AND HUMANITARIAN
Australia’s Humanitarian Program is an important part of our contribution
to the international protection of refugees.
It is designed to ensure that Australia can respond effectively to global
humanitarian situations and that support services are available to meet the
specific needs of these entrants.
The Humanitarian Program has two components:
• The onshore (asylum or protection) component offers protection to
people in Australia who meet the refugee definition in the United
Nations Refugees Convention.
• The offshore (resettlement) component offers resettlement for
people outside Australia who are in need of humanitarian assistance.
Overview of the offshore Humanitarian Program
http://www.immi.gov.au/visas/humanitarian/offshore/index.htm
Information about the Humanitarian Program for people outside Australia.
Seeking Protection
http://www.immi.gov.au/refugee/seeking_protection.htm
Applying for protection for people already in Australia.
Temporary Protection Visa and Temporary Humanitarian Visa Holders
http://www.immi.gov.au/refugee/tpv_thv/index.htm
Abolition of temporary Protection visa (TPV) and temporary Humanitarian
visa (THV) Holders, and information on the Resolution of Status (RoS) visa
for Temporary Protection and Temporary Humanitarian visa holders in
Australia.
APPLICATIONS AND FORMS
Online Applications
http://www.immi.gov.au/refugee/tpv_thv/index.htm
Start, complete, or check the progress of an application. Online applicants
and registered organisations can also check individual visa entitlements.
Application Forms
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/application-forms/index.htm
A list of departmental application forms to print and complete by hand.
Information Forms & Booklets
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/booklets/index.htm
Information forms and booklets about visiting or migrating to Australia.
Fees & Charges
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/990i.htm
A guide to charges and fees for visas and services.
Character and Penal Clearance Requirements
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/character-requirements/index.htm
Information on character and penal clearance requirements.
Migration Agents
http://www.immi.gov.au/visas/migration-agents/index.htm
Information about using a Migration Agent.
If you know what visa you qualify for, and have had this confirmed through
an assessment or skills test, you have the option of lodging the visa
application yourself. Applying yourself can save you a lot of money that
would otherwise be paid to a migration agent, however you also need to be
diligent with your research and ensure you know all you need to know in
preparation for lodging the visa.
You should note that lodging the application through a migration agent will
not fast track your application, nor will the migration agent have any
influence on the outcome of your application. However, if you do not feel
confident in lodging an application yourself, or if your case is complex or
the visa you are applying for is not certain, you may wish to use a migration
agent. Should you decide to use a migration agent, you should always
ensure they are a registered migration agent.
WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE?
If you cannot afford to use a registered migration agent, but need help,
there are organisations and schemes that may be able to assist you. These
include:
• Legal Aid Societies
• Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS)
See: RAILS Website (http://www.rails.org.au/)
• Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme (IAAAS)
See: IAAAS Service Providers 2006-09
(http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/63advice_providers.htm)
• your local Migrant Resource Centre (MRC).
As well, there are some 200 Community Legal Centres (CLCs) in Australia
which provide legal assistance in a wide range of matters. A list of all CLCs is
available.
See: National Association of Community Legal Centres Website
(http://www.naclc.org.au/)
ACTION POINT: Go to http://www.immi.gov.au/visawizard/ now to find
out what visa you would qualify for.
To find out whether your work experience is on the Skilled Occupation List
(SOL) and Employer Nomination Scheme Occupation List, go to:
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf
MIGRATION OCCUPATIONS IN DEMAND LIST (MODL)
Below is a listing of the occupations that fall under the Migration
Occupations in Demand List. If your occupation is on this list, there is a very
good chance you will qualify for the Australian Skilled Migrant Visa.
Managers and Administrators ASCO code
Child Care Coordinator 1295-11
Engineering Manager 1221-11
Professionals ASCO code
Accountant 2211-11
Anaesthetist 2312-11
Architect 2121-11
Chemical Engineer 2129-17
Civil Engineer 2124-11
Computing Professional - specialising in CISSP 2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in C++/C#/C 2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in Data Warehousing 2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in Java 2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in J2EE 2231-79
Computing Professional - Linux 2231-79
Computing Professional - .Net technologies 2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in Network
Security/Firewall/Internet Security 2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in Oracle 2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in PeopleSoft 2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in SAP 2231-79
Computing Professional - specialising in SIEBEL
(especially Siebel Analytic) 2231-79
Computing Professional - Solaris 2231-79
Computing Professional - Unix 2231-79
Dental Specialist 2381-13
Dentist 2381-11
Dermatologist 2312-13
Electrical Engineer 2125-11
Electronics Engineer 2125-13
Emergency Medicine Specialist 2312-15
External Auditor 2212-11
General Medical Practitioner 2311-11
Hospital Pharmacist 2382-11
Mechanical Engineer 2126-11
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer 2391-11
Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) 2127-11
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist 2312-17
Occupational Therapist 2383-11
Ophthalmologist 2312-19
Optometrist 2384-11
Paediatrician 2312-21
Pathologist 2312-23
Petroleum Engineer 2127-13
Physiotherapist 2385-11
Podiatrist 2388-11
Psychiatrist 2312-27
Quantity Surveyor 2122-11
Radiologist 2312-29
Registered Mental Health Nurse 2325-11
Registered Midwife 2324-11
Registered Nurse 2323-11
Retail Pharmacist 2382-15
Specialist Medical Practitioners (not elsewhere classified) 2312-79
Specialist Physician 2312-25
Speech Pathologist 2386-11
Sonographer 2391-17
Surgeon 2312-31
Surveyor 2123-13
Associate Professionals ASCO Code
Chef (excluding Commis Chef) 3322-11 (part)
Dental Technician 3492-15
Trades Persons ASCO codes
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics) 4114-15
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical) 4114-11
Automotive Electrician 4212-11
Baker 4512-11
Binder and Finisher 4913-11
Boat Builder and Repairer 4981-13
Bricklayer 4414-11
Cabinetmaker 4922-11
Carpenter 4411-13
Carpenter and Joiner 4411-11
Cook 4513-11
Drainer 4431-15
Electrical Powerline Tradesperson 4313-11
Electrician (Special Class) 4311-13
Electronic Equipment Tradesperson 4315-11
Fibrous Plasterer 4412-11
Fitter 4112-11
Floor Finisher 4423-11
Furniture Finisher 4929-13
Furniture Upholsterer 4942-11
Gasfitter 4431-13
General Electrician 4311-11
General Plumber 4431-11
Hairdresser 4931-11
Joiner 4411-15
Landscape Gardener 4623-13
Lift Mechanic 4311-15
Locksmith 4115-15
Mechanical Services and Air-conditioning Plumber 4431-19
Metal Fabricator (Boilermaker) 4122-11
Metal Machinist (First Class) 4112-13
Motor Mechanic 4211-11
Optical Mechanic 4999-11
Painter and Decorator 4421-11
Panel Beater 4213-11
Pastry Cook 4512-13
Pressure Welder 4122-13
Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic 4312-11
Roof Plumber 4431-17
Roof Slater and Tiler 4413-11
Solid Plasterer 4415-11
Sheetmetal Worker (First Class) 4124-11
Stonemason 4416-13
Toolmaker 4113-11
Tree Surgeon 4623-15
Vehicle Body Maker 4215-11
Vehicle Painter 4214-11
Wall and Floor Tiler 4416-11
Welder (First Class) 4122-15
SUCCESSFUL SELF-MARKETING
Successfully applying for jobs in Australia, when you have no idea of the job
market in Australia, can take some skill. However, the good news is: these
skills can be learnt.
Every country has unique recruitment process, and Australia is no different.
Further, the current state of the economy means that there are less jobs
and more applicants – making competition as fierce as ever. In this kind of
market you need to do all you can to put your best foot forward to achieve
success when applying for jobs in Australia.
If your experience falls under the skilled category in Australia, do not think
that you have been let off the hook here. There are only a limited number
of jobs available at any one time, and you still need to compete against
other skilled applicants. You therefore need to put effort into preparing
your application as effectively as possible.
RESUME / CV
This is your key to a job, and your chance to make your first impression on
the Australian employer. If you resume is not up to Australian standards,
you are sabotaging your opportunities for employment in Australia.
It is crucial that you do your research on Australian resumes before
applying for any jobs, and I highly recommend using a known professional
in the field of Australian resumes, such as Nab That Job in Australia’s
Nadine Myers – Australia’s Migrant Job Application Specialist. When you
find an expert you would like to use, do your research on them first to
ensure they are truly the expert in their field. You can do this by doing a
Google search on the person, such as “Nadine Myers Australian Resumes”
and see what the results are.
As you can see below, this particular search has produced 50,500 results,
which should give you confidence that this person is an expert in their field.
Nab That Job in Australia (www.NabThatJob.com) offers a free assessment
(http://www.nabthatjob.com/quickfreeassessment.htm) whereby through
answering a series of short questions, you can find out whether your
current resume is suitable for the Australian job market .
ACTION POINT:
Go to : http://www.nabthatjob.com/quickfreeassessment.htm and find out
how suitable your resume is now.
Some key tips on how to write a resume for the Australian job market are
listed out below:
▪ Personal Information
Due to anti-discrimination laws in Australia, by law you do not
have to include any information on your resume that will not
affect your ability to effectively perform your job
▪ First page
The first page is the key to a successful resume – it is the
‘teaser’ and should have the Australian employer eager to
learn more!
▪ Education
Include all relevant qualifications and training on the first page.
Any other qualifications or training that is irrelevant to the job
should either be placed at the back of the resume, or not
included at all
▪ Skill snapshot
List out all of your key skills that are relevant to the job on the
first page of your resume
▪ Work Experience
List out your work experience from the most recent role to the
least recent. It is not necessary to include all of your work
experience, particularly positions that are not relevant to the
jobs you will be applying for.
▪ Language
Ensure you use appropriate English language on your resume.
Have a specialist such as Nab That Job in Australia
(www.NabThatJob.com) to assess your resume to ensure the
language is appropriate.
▪ Length of Resume
Australian resumes are on average around three (3) pages
long, depending on the length and breadth of your work
experience. If you feel all of your work experience and
information on your resume is relevant, do not cut it back for
the sake of fitting it all on to three (3) pages. As a rule though,
try not to go over six (6) pages in length.
▪ Layout of Resume
Ensure your resume is spaced out in the most effective way to
showcase your relevant skills and experience to make the job
of the Australian employer easy for short listing you for the
position. Again, have an Australian Migration Application
Specialist (http://www.nabthatjob.com/aboutus.htm) assess
your resume to ensure you are on the right track.
COVER LETTERS
There is an art to writing a good cover letter. However, the truth is, cover
letters aren’t always read! Quite often the Australian employer wants to
get straight to the facts and will skip over the cover letter to get straight to
the resume.
If the Australian employer skims through the resume and has some
questions on your work experience or skills, this is when they may go back
and read the cover letter to see what they are missing.
The cover letter enables you to explain something about your work history
that perhaps isn’t clear, to explain any gaps in your work experience and to
give a good over view of where you’re at and what you are looking for.
You can find free tips on writing an effective cover letter for the Australian
job market here:
http://www.nabthatjob.com/australiancoverlettertips.htm.
In the meantime though, here are a few things to keep in mind:
▪ Keep your cover letter to one page
▪ Keep the language simple and not overly formal, whilst still
being professional
▪ Stick to the facts and the points that you feel are relevant to
the job you are applying for.
▪ Always always always tailor the cover letter to each individual
job you are applying for – you will make more of an impression
this way
▪ State what it is that YOU’RE looking for
▪ Make a statement about why you are interested in this
particular role, and this particular company
▪ Fill in any gaps in your resume that may require explanation
PLAN A TRIP TO AUSTRALIA
It is a good idea to plan a trip to Australia if you have not been before. This
will allow you to explore the country and work out where you would like to
live, do some research on the cost of living, buying a house and a car, and
generally setting up your life there.
If you do not have the time or money to make a trip to Australia, Living
Down Under’s fabulously informative DVDs will provide all the information
you will need to plan and prepare your move to Australia and help you to
settle in easily when you arrive. Go to: http://www.livingdownunder.net/.
However, if you can plan a trip to Australia, you should use the time
effectively by seeing as many employers and recruitment agencies as
possible. Here are some tips on using this time to your best advantage:
▪ Be prepared: have all the contact numbers and addresses of
the places you have applied for jobs, or who you can apply to
once you arrive.
▪ Make those all important follow-up calls after applying for jobs
to establish the relationship. Let them know you are in town
for a specific length of time only.
▪ Be up front – suggest a couple of suitable times that you can
meet with them briefly while you are in the area. Just how
badly to you want to migrate?
▪ Drop in to the businesses that you apply for and ask for the
specific recruiting manager who is responsible for the job you
have applied for.
When it is time to head back to your home country, you will at least have
established some relationships, and have many contact names and
numbers of people you can follow up with on a regular basis for
employment.
THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET IN AUSTRALIA
The downturn in the economy has brought about the need for Australian
companies to reassess their budgets and concentrate on that profit line,
which has unfortunately meant having to lay off a lot of employees, and
downsize.
A reduced number of jobs available in Australia, and an increased number
of job applicants in the market, has created a highly competitive job market
in Australia.
Australian employers are changing their recruitment methods, and
candidates have to adapt to these new methods in order to have success in
the Australian job market.
With the cutting back of usage of recruitment agencies, and reducing the
costs of advertising expenses, Australian employers are no longer relying on
news papers for advertising and are even reducing their expenditure on job
boards, such as SEEK. Instead, they are utilising free job boards, such as
Gum Tree, and also enhancing their own careers pages on their website.
This is what we call the hidden job market. When employers choose not to
advertise through the regular channels, and use their own resources.
According to SEEK (http://www.seek.com.au/), Australia’s #1 Job Site,
“Many job opportunities are never advertised”.
It has been estimated that more than half of positions vacant in Australia
have been filled through the hidden job market, rather than being
advertised through the usual channels.
A good example of an organisation that utilises this method of recruiting is
Rio Tinto, with their Australian head office based in Brisbane. Rio Tinto do
not typically use recruitment agencies and avoid using on-line job boards
and news paper advertising except for the more specialised roles that are
harder to fill. Instead, they have a very sophisticated careers website
(http://www.riotinto.com/index_careers.asp) where candidates can apply
for jobs, subscribe to a jobs mailing list to receive up to date listings on a
regular basis and can be the first to hear of a suitable vacancy with the
organisation. Their applications then go into a pool, which Rio Tinto can tap
into as jobs become available.
This is a very smart and innovative approach to recruiting, and also allows
candidates to pick and choose who they would like to work for, and register
their details with those particular organisations.
Networking is another way to tap into the hidden job market in Australia.
Through increasing your Australian networks, contacts and friends, you can
find out about jobs before they even become available on the market.
Don’t be afraid to use social networking sites to build up your Australian
networks – every little bit helps!
ACTION POINT: Tap into the hidden job market in Australia! This is
where more and more available jobs are hidden and if you do not make use
of this valuable job market, you will reduce the number of opportunities
available to you.
DEVELOP A JOB SEARCH STRATEGY
Now that you know where to look for jobs, how to approach Australian
employers and how to drastically increase your success rate when applying
for jobs in Australia, you can develop your own job search strategy.
Here’s what you need to do:
▪ Establish what visa you qualify for and whether you require
sponsorship (http://www.immi.gov.au/visawizard/)
▪ Prepare your resume
(http://www.nabthatjob.com/successfulaustralianresume.ht
m) and cover letter
(http://www.nabthatjob.com/australiancoverlettertips.htm)
for the Australian job market
▪ Book yourself in to attend the next Australian Recruitment
and Migration Expos (http://www.immi.gov.au/skillexpos/)
▪ Conduct your job search through the main job search
channels as listed in this eBook (http://www.seek.com.au/)
▪ Expand your Australian networks and advise everyone you
know of your plans (http://www.facebook.com/)
▪ Research the top companies in Australia you would like to
work for and lodge your job applications through their
websites (http://www.google.com.au/)
▪ Plan a trip to Australia so you can meet with employers in
person (http://www.expedia.com/)
▪ Stay in contact with all of the recruiting managers that you
apply for jobs through, and develop those relationships
I wish you all the best in your search for employment in Australia! I am
sure you have found this eBook to be very useful in your application
process.
Kind regards,
Nadine Myers
Director
www.NabThatJob.com