Seen a few threads that show a great deal of frustration with trying to find work in this sun burnt land.


Things I or my wife have found that stand out:

Speak eloquently. Use words that are not necessarily hard to understand for the layman but words that are not in the usual mainstream language. At least up here on the sunny coast people tend to use simple language and it's very clear when someone has a more developed vocabulary it stands out and tends to impress.

Tone down the english accent as much as possible. Lets face it aussies aren't all that fussed on poms taking their jobs so the less strong your accent the better, unless your applying for a job at an english style pub.

Dress impeccably for the interview. I've been in interviews where people show up in jeans - so unprofessional. When I started looking for work I took a gay friend and let him go to town on me and by the time he was done I had spent about $1000 on new cloths and shoes - they have always impressed the interviewers.

Make sure the answers you give are well thought out and direct to the point. I've seen people give some real wishy washy answers to questions that left me wondering why they even showed up. And never ask or say anything that is not related to your getting the job. Once I saw a lady ask the interviewer if she should ask her son to apply. An other interviewee said he was there because a good mate worked there and thought he should apply...

What other little nuggets of gold to you have to offer.

Too much information.

Not for me. Pictures? You Tubed it yet?

Novel way to emerge from the closet

All good advice.But,did you get the job.

A couple of years ago, when I first arrived, I went to an interview.

I was asked three times why I wanted the job when it was obvious I was 'overqualified' for the position. I stood up, gathered my documents together, and stated that they knew what experience and qualifications I offered them before I was short listed for an interview. I excused myself and left the room.

I got the job.

To be honest the only job I lost here since I came about 6 years age was the one I was honest in the interview with - just recently. I told them I couldn't know what was going to arise 2, 5 or so years down the track with respect to whether I would stay with that particular position in that company. It was for a tax accountant and they needed someone to basically promise they would be a tax accountant with them forever. The moment I said that I could see her shoulders drop and the expression on her face changed - I knew at that moment I lost the job. That maybe another point worth saying don't be brutally honest. I've had 7 interviews and gotten six of those jobs. I'm certainly not extraordinary but I at least try to stand out in the crowd when it comes to job interviews.

Another point I just remembered was make sure you get your resume done by a competent resume writer, emphasis on competent. Your resume in the UK may have been killer but here it may very well be a dud that gets binned. My wife is the sort that has the skills managers go hunting for and recruit. But when she got here she couldn't even get a call back, and that was back when the economy was smokin hot. She went to a resume writer and got it redone and learned how to write a selection criteria and got the next job she applied for.

Hmm..I don't think you need to tone down your English accent unless it marks you out as a peasant - or more importantly - not very intelligible.

Jobs are jobs - if you can do it and they like you - then it's yours.

My European or my UK experience has never been a bar to entry.

I am quite good at being 'professional' - but also, sort of, easy with it. Works in all markets from the City of London to Melbourne or Sydney.
How it goes in SQ Qld - I don't know.

having a reference SO bad from your previous manager that your future employer decides to make "further enquiries"... Tney told me after I was appointed what she had said... I should have her for defamation...

That would be the same manager I had taken to HR for bullying and harrassment, successfully.... And the main reason I was leaving the job and who WASNT used as a referee..

Some times an incompetant bullying biatch bad mouthing you is the edge you need to get a fantastic job....

Good for you, I think people overegg this whole tall poppy in the Australian psyche -('tone it down' 'don't tone it down'...) If you are a 'good bloke' this carries everywhere whatever your background.