Thursday 5 January 2017

How To Find a Job in Australia as a Foreigner

How To Find a Job in Australia as a Foreigner

How To Find a Job in Australia as a Foreigner. Australia is one of the most popular countries for immigrants, and it is easy to see why. The job market there is one of the strongest in all of the world, however the process of securing a position can still prove difficult and daunting. Here, we look at how to find a job in Australia as a foreigner to make it easier for you to know where to begin.

Getting A Visa

The first step to finding a job in Australia from overseas is to obtain an appropriate work permit. You will not be legally permitted to relocate to Australia and apply for vacancies if you do not already have in your possession a valid visa, and therefore submitting your application in good time is very important. You should be aware that priority for Australian working visas will always be given to those who already have experience, qualifications and skills required by shortage occupations, so you should check the up to date Critical Skills List to determine whether or not you are working in a field that qualifies for this status.

Ensure That Your Qualifications Are Valid

Not every qualification from every country worldwide is considered to be valid by Australian employers. You should therefore visit the Australian Skills Recognition Information website which will tell you whether or not your existing qualifications must be checked by a professional body. You may be required to undertake further study or attend a bridging course in order to convert your qualifications to Australian standards. You should state your qualifications on any Australian job application forms in terms of their Australian equivalent.

Choose An Industry

You should make sure to choose an appropriate employment sector in order to maximize your chances of being offered a position. Australia's main industries including mining, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism, and the highest growth areas are mining, tourism, telecommunications and finance. When you choose a shortage occupation, you are improving your chances of obtaining work.

Find Vacancies in Australia

Your search for vacancies should be diligent and methodical. Luckily, the majority of open positions are advertised on the internet, with the biggest Australian job site being SEEK. You should also try CareerOne and Job Guide for general vacancies, while specialized sites such as Graduate Careers Australia (ideal for new graduates), Job Search Australia (for IT openings) and Travel Jobs Network (for hospitality and tourism vacancies) are perfect for those with particular skills. You should also take the time to check newspaper listings for other vacancies that cannot be found online. The Age lists jobs in Melbourne, while the Sydney Morning Herald lists local jobs, the West Australian lists Perth vacancies and The Courier-Male covers the Brisbane area. If there is a specific company that you want to work for, you should visit their website and check its vacancies section. If you have graduated from university recently, one possibility is a graduate scheme which is likely to be advertised on company websites.

Create An Australian Resume

Make sure that your CV is presented in the correct Australian style. You can find out more about this on the CareerOne Resume Writing Guide. You should also take the time to write an individual covering letter for each job that you apply for tailoring it to the exact position. You should supply an Australian telephone number and address if possible.

Try Networking

A surprisingly large number of roles are not advertised online, and therefore making contacts in your industry is very important. Try to join professional associations linked with your trade and register with LinkedIn to make useful contacts in your field.

Target Employers And Agencies

Speculative applications are very common in Australia, so feel free to send a covering letter and CV to companies that you are interested in, even if no vacancies are advertised. You should also send your details to recruitment agencies in the areas you are interested to moving to as they will be able to match you to suitable employers.

Try To Attend Interviews In Person

If at all possible, you should try to be in Australia in order to attend any interviews that you are invited to. There are very few companies that will hire an unseen candidate, however Skype may be a possibility if you cannot be there in person. Employers will want to see your references and work visa documentation, so take them with you.

Be Flexible

If possible, be flexible with your options. If you do not need full time work, you could consider work experience instead or undertake some volunteering in order to gain contacts and further experience in the country which will stand you in good stead when looking for permanent employment.

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