BadgeIsBack

They can't be screening too hard as I work with a lot of Asians who strictly speaking don't get put in front of clients, and don't necessarily get heard first time elsewhere.

All good though.

You'd have to have a really strong accent for it to effect you...

Margaret3

Yep, i do but what can ya do.

IvanM

You need connections. It is not what you know but who you know.

Bermudashorts

I have never got a job based on who I know ... always been down to what I know.

IvanM

Getting a local reputation increases job/income opportunities and local references are king. Half the jobs here I have got through connections. The hidden job market is worth targeting and accounts for half the job market and increases for senior positions.

RedDragon2008

90% of Australian managers have had to rely on who they know

Bermudashorts

And I am just saying that I have personally not experienced this. I have not witnessed it much either. I think it is just one of those things that people trot out. Not sure what your "sneaky" emoticon is about..

Pollyana

It definitely does happen over here - may happen back home too, I can't comment on that. I think here its more prevalent on some fields than others though, hence some of more evidence of it. IvanM is (I think!) in the IT field, where I also have friends who have frequently got positions through contacts and introductions, rather than through positions being advertised. Bermudashorts, maybe your field just relies more on interviews, proven history etc? Just cos you haven't experienced it personally doesn't mean it doesn't happen - and its been mentioned on here too often to deny its existence

RedDragon2008

What I mean is without those contacts..... well they might be enjoying full time sunshine.

IvanM

Spot on Pollyana.

The nature of the hidden market is that unless you are in it you will be blissfully unaware of it.

chris955

When we first arrived in Brisbane I got a job purely because a friend recommended me, there is a very tight circle in some areas of work.

Beoz

I've only ever had one job by a blind interview process. By that I mean it came through an agent with interviews by people I've never met. Everyone other job has been through people I know. Both UK and Oz - 20 years of working. Just saying

Bermudashorts

I am pretty sure I have not said this does not happen. I have stated that it has never happened to me and I have never witnessed it.

Considering that the thread was started by somebody not in Australia yet and presumably does not have any contacts, I was trying to offer some words of comfort that it is not the case across the board that getting a job depends on who you know.

Chortlepuss

IT in Brisbane is a relationship based marketplace. My last two jobs were down to people 'putting a word in' - Sure I can do the jobs standing on my head, but that's probably the case for a large proportion of the hundreds of applicants for every job I go for. My experience is that nepotism is rife here, the market is very very small. I hate it, and wish it was based on a competency approach - witnessed in the UK (and also I believe from friends more the case in Melbourne) I've got great skills and don't mind being turned down for roles where I'm not the most suitable candidate, but suitability for the roles here never seems to be a primary selection factor. I know one particularly corrupt CIO getting mates into a not for profit for huge $$ - No application or selection process required. I believe it's a conflict of interest and a dreadful waste of public money. I read a recent poll where 38% of QLders think it's OK for friends and family to be offered public positions. No it isn't. It's corrupt and unethical. I don't anticipate staying long enough in Brisbane to see anything like a level playing field introduced.

DeadVim

I'd be wary of employing anyone who didn't know the difference between "effect" and "affect" myself. Asian or not.

And I wouldn't care how fancy their shirt was.