Finding a job - Tips for Job Seekers New to Australia
By Annabelle Lam, AACC member
This article aims to help people new to Australia to develop their confidence as they look for work.
Finding a job
Sometimes this can be challenging, but it can also be a very encouraging experience. Not all jobs are advertised in the newspaper or on the internet. Sometimes vacancies may exist but are not advertised at all. The following list has some suggestions of where you can find out about vacancies or where you can find job leads – not necessarily formal job advertisements, but they can help you to get a job.
- Walk through a shopping mall and consider where you might fit in businesses that you see. Many businesses have signs advertising for staff.
- Look at a magazine to find something you can relate to, perhaps from your home country or past experience. This can give you ideas for possible positions.
- Talk to acquaintances and let them know you are looking for work.
- Go to career expos, churches, clubs and cultural organisations.
- Cold canvas – contact organisations by visiting, telephoning, or sending applications by mail, fax or email.
- Register with employment agencies - there may be agencies that help people find work in the specific field you have worked in.
- Talk to family and friends.
- Visit libraries.
- Check the noticeboards at shopping centres.
- Read the newspapers – job advertisements and general articles may give you some ideas of organisations that exist in your local area and in your capital city.
- Join professional associations for your area of expertise, for example, Engineers Australia. Meeting people at professional development events is a great way to expand your network.
- Talk to your relatives.
- Check out shop windows, social groups and sports groups.
- Consider registering for volunteer work as it is a way to get experience in your chosen areas of interest. Register at www.VolunteerSearch.gov.au
- Arrange to get some work experience – sometimes this is undertaken as part of a course.
- Go through the Yellow Pages phone book - the phone book can offer some possible job leads.
The list above is just a sample of ways to find out about what is called the ‘hidden job market’. You need to keep your eyes and ears open for information about jobs.
Experience is highly valued and gaining experience through casual or short-term work can increase your chances of securing long-term work. Take opportunities when they are presented as they may lead to other opportunities.
Suggestions for further information:
Careers Expos and Fairs
The National Careers and Employment Expos are held each year around Australia.
Numerous organisations set up stalls with a range of information. It is a great opportunity to gather information about many different organisations in one day and to speak to people face-to-face about possible employment.
At Australia Needs Skills Expos, job seekers new to Australia can meet employers and find out information about visas and working in Australia.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship www.immi.gov.au
- For information about assessing your overseas qualifications
- For visas
Centrelink www.centrelink.gov.au
- For information about services for job seekers
- For interpreter services
- For information about the Languages, Literacy and Numeracy Programme – ways to improve English language skills
- To find Career Information Centres – resources for job seekers and information about further education and training.
The Australian WorkPlace website
Visit the site to find information for migrants about obtaining work in Australia, including trades recognition.
http://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Individual/Migrant/
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)
Australian Labour Market Update
Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI)
Job seekers from a non-English speaking background
Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) - AUSTRALIA
National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR)
Temporary Residence in Australia - Working in Australia
Working Holiday Maker Program