At Talent Nation, we regularly receive enquiries from candidates looking to land their first role in Australia. These may be from individuals looking to transition back into the Australian market after time spent away, or someone who may have already made the move but is finding the employment market hard to break into. Here are our top 5 tips to assist in landing that first role on Australian soil.
- Prepare.
- Research the roles you are looking for – Does your experience translate to the local market? What are the skill gaps and can they be plugged by short courses?
- Get your marketing materials in order – Ensure your CV is relevant to the local market and that it is tailored to the role you are applying for.
- Location- Where is the work? Ideally, find a role before committing to a long-term lease or buying a property.
Network.
- Utilise your personal contacts as word of mouth is invaluable.
- Leverage LinkedIn, join groups and actively contribute to discussions.
- Attend relevant conferences and events to your sectors.
Know where to look.
- Search for specialist recruitment firms within your area of expertise, as there are many niche firms working on specialised roles.
- Sign up to job boards (seek.com.au and au.indeed.com) as well as specialist boards (ethicaljobs.com.au and probonoaustralia.com.au).
- Explore company websites – Many organisations have internal recruitment teams and will advertise their opportunities online.
Gain local experience.
- Whilst this is very much a catch 22 situation, it is easier to land a job when you have a job. The first role you enter may not be the one you want long-term but will act as a foot in the door for career development.
Job application & interview process:
- CVs and cover letters should be tailored to suit each role.
- Be sure to do your research on the company that you are targeting, and your interviewers if possible.
- Behavioural questions are fairly standard so prepare for these. Also, have some questions prepared for your interviewer (but not too many).
To provide some additional advice on landing your first role, we spoke to Michael de Soyza at EY who has been through the process and successfully gained employment here in Australia. Here is some insight into his experience:
If you would like any more information on any of these points, don’t hesitate to contact us at Talent Nation. You can also access our CV writing guide and interview preparation tips here.
