How to land your first job in Australia?

This article assumes you have relevant Australian visa, that permits you to work and live in Australia indefinitely. Getting a job in foreign country is not easy but not impossible either. Proper preparation and execution will definitely help you land your first dream job. Following are few points that assist you in your job search. They can’t guarantee you a job but make the whole procedure look simple and achievable.

1.   Do your homework thoroughly

Congrats on receiving your Australian visa. I know you are excited and wants to move to Australia and find a job. At the mean time you are sceptical about moving to an unknown territory and face the hurdles. Before you jump into the job market, I strongly recommend you to have your homework done correctly. “A stitch in time saves nine”. A thorough preparation will help you to take better decisions and save your time in future. I know how it feels to be jobless, your only enemy and best friend will be your time. So make the best use of it and proper preparation will be handy in such situations. Preparation can be done while you are still in your home country, as this will lessen your hassles and mental trauma you may face while searching a job.

You need to validate your skillsets by comparing present market demands and add relevant skills to your resume by learning new tools/technologies. You can go through www.seek.com, www.adzuna.com and few other portals to assess your skills.

Since you are migrating to other country for job opportunities, it will be advantageous to have minimal understanding of local culture and geographical information.  Australian employers prefer the candidates who have local experience i.e. a good understanding of culture, terrain and who are socially active.

Cost of living is the other point that you need to consider, as you may have limited budget. Generally it takes 3 to 6 months time to get your first job in Australia. You can ask your friends who are already living in Australia or browse few sites and analyse on an average how much funds you need to carry.

The better you prepared, better are your chances of getting a job. A solid homework plays a vital role here.

2.   Build your resume and cover letter:

A resume highlights the skills and competencies of a candidate. It is a gate pass to get an interview invitation. There will be hundreds and thousands of resumes lying in front of the recruiters, but only few get the chance. Building a good resume is important. Nowadays recruiters also ask you to attach cover letters along with resume. A cover letter highlights the skills specific to the job. This usually includes skills the job demands and answers to situation related questions, like how and where did you use this skill and what was the result? Etc. A good cover letter is as important as a resume. You can google and get resume formats or can take the help of professionals, who can help you to create one with some nominal fees. I feel it is worth spending some pennies.

“One size doesn’t fit all”. The same is true for resume and cover letters. You need to customize your resume/cover letter as per the job requirements. Don’t send the same format to all recruiters. Customize the skills and any other information that is relevant to the job. This shows your true interest in job search and make them feel you are a worthy candidate.

Networking is a mantra of this modern era. It helps you to find new connections, opportunities and subsequently help you in your job search. Create your LinkedIn account, if you don’t have one. Add few recommendations from your peers and clients. Add any certifications/trainings and blogs. Most of the jobs in Australia are posted through LinkedIn, so having an account will help you easily apply to these jobs.

Think yourself as a salesman in the job market and you need to sell yourself. Having a good resume/cover letter facilitates you in this regard and help you get your dream job.

3.   Job search tips:

Following are few points that you need to know. I have already explained the importance of preparation.

Role of recruitment agencies:

There is no exaggeration if I say Australian job market is driven by recruitment agencies. Almost 90% of the job ads are posted through these agencies. If you can impress these recruitment agencies, you have won half of the battle. These agencies do the initial screening of candidate’s skills and assess competencies relevant to the job. Don’t be under the impression that recruiters and employers will start calling you, once you upload your resume to a job portal. Actually it is just the beginning. Recruiters won’t give a damn until you approach them. Learn the techniques of cold calling. Explain them your situation and how your skillsets meet the job requirements. Some consultancies would ask you to meet face to face or setup a Skype call. Don’t ever say NO or give excuses. Grab the opportunity and remember you are a salesman and need to sell your skills to get the job. Professional attire plays the same role as your skillsets, put on a nice suit/blazer and matching tie. Soft skills are one more area that you need to concentrate. Good interpersonal skills, professional ethics and behaviours will elevate your chances of succeeding in the interview.

Join career guidance course:

Join career guidance courses funded by Australian State governments. These courses are free for eligible candidates. Eligibility criteria is decided by the type of visa and score in IELTS. The course focuses on an awareness of the Australian workplace labour market and culture along with successful job seeking strategies, such as how to tailor your resume to suit individual job applications, telephone interviews and face-to-face interview skills. Skillmax is one such course conducted by NSW state. You can find similar courses in other states as well.

Networking and local culture:

The best way to know other city and culture is to roam around and interact with different people. This will familiarize you with local culture and helps you find new connections and may help you understand the job market. Moreover, it will ease you out of tensions of regular job search. Visit city, go to a beach, join a barbeque party with friends. If you are interested you can participate in some voluntary work. It is a great way to gain some local experience, learn new skills and it is a contribution to society. If you hold PR visa, even you can look for job related to other fields that you are comfortable with.

Be Pro-active:

As I mentioned earlier, generally it takes 3 to 6 months to get your first job. Don’t be desperate and don’t worry if you fail few times. Be proactive and have patience. Remember “Rome wasn’t built in day”.  Good things sometimes take time. Put your efforts and leave the results to almighty. 

All the best.