How to Find the Best Job When Migrating to Australia

Many immigrants struggle to land their ideal job in Australia but often end up settling for another, less attractive job. If you are a migrant looking for the best job Down Under, you need to know what it takes to increase your chances of getting hired.

The Local Experience Barrier

The biggest obstacle for migrants looking for work in Australia is lack of local experience. This goes beyond learning how to speak English,as even things like body language can cause cross-cultural misunderstandings that discourage local employers from hiring foreigners. Aside from that, there are careers that require a deeper understanding of Australia’s business laws and tax system. With up to 70% of Australia’s businesses classified as small or medium-sized, employers with limited budget would rather save costs on training immigrants by just hiring an Australian citizen that can start off ASAP.

How do you beat the odds when trying to break into one of the most sought-after job markets in the world? We offer a few tips:

Start With Your Credentials

As a migrant, one of the first things you need to do if you want to get hired is find out how much of your current skill set and experience counts. The best way to do this is to get your skills certified through an RPL or a recognition of prior learning program. Qualifications assessment through RPL helps employers see how your skills, experience, and knowledge hold up according to Australian work standards, thus also helping you get past the local experience barrier.

Take Special Courses

Getting certified through RPL alone may be enough for some employers, but if you need to build up more credentials, you have other options available. You can opt to enroll in special courses that are catered to making you more employable in a certain industry. For example, if you want to work on a managerial position, you can enroll in an online course to get a diploma of project management.

Tip: Online courses provide a very flexible learning schedule, allowing you to earn credits at your own pace. This means you can work at a different job while still earning the credits that you need. This way, you don’t have to worry about having a “downtime” when you have no income, and you’re also building up your credentials at the same time.

Prepare an Australian CV

First impressions last when looking for the ideal job in Australia, and your usual CV might not allow you to make a good first impression. You want something that employers will find familiar, which is why you should consider “Aussifying” your CV. Australian employers like their CVs simple and straight to the point, focusing on your key strengths and career overview and avoiding unnecessarily airy statements. 

Tip: Make sure you tell employers that you have permission to work in Australia if you do. Also, don’t forget to provide an Australian postal address and a telephone number so they know how to get in touch with you because many employers take a pass on applicants that don’t have an established local address.

Create a Proper Cover Letter

Cover letters may not seem like much, but they can actually be the biggest reason why employers would want to take a look at your CV in the first place. It also helps give them an idea of your grasp of the English language and how you present yourself to people. Write in a confident tone, but avoid exaggerating your capabilities or career goals.

Establish Your Network

Networking serves two purposes for a migrant looking for work in Australia: first, it helps you look for more job opportunities. Second, it helps you find credible references that increase your chances of getting hired in said job opportunities. The quickest way to get into a network is by joining professional associations. Look for contacts that are already working in the company you’re after, and inform them when you’re ready to apply. Employers tend to favor applications from people endorsed by their employees, which means there’s a chance that you could get prioritized over other applicants.

Nobody said getting the ideal job in Australia as a migrant is a walk in the park, but it’s a lot more possible than others might think. By building your credentials and taking the right approach, you’ll soon find yourself landing that perfect job.