Vandergoug

Hi.

I’m looking for information on what my chances are of securing a job in I.T in Sydney .

I have a degree in computer science from a good university in Scotland along with 2.5 years experience working as analyst programmer specialising in J2EE / swing / SQL server. My degree was heavily focused on software engineering.

I went out to Australia in 2009 on a working holiday visa for 5 months and in the end I returned to to the UK without working to my present job. A working holiday visa is not an option as I don’t meet the requirements for a second year.

I believe that if my research is correct I should be able to begin the process for a skilled independent visa in January/February of 2012 as I will have the relevant work experience, however I understand that it could take up to 2 years for this to process and I would really like to get there as soon as possible.

Does anyone in the industry know what are my prospects of getting a sponsored position from the U.K

I’m heading over on holiday for a month at Christmas to visit my sister and cousins, is there anything I could do while I'm there to further oppertunities.

Thanks.

randb

I personally do not know if it is legal but I would contact some job agencies and try to get an appointment for that time ... ;-)

newjersey

Welcome to BE. Nothing stops you from interviewing for jobs. Use seek.com.au or better yet, jobseeker.com.au to see what is available, call them up and arrange a meeting while you are there. Mind that many people will be on holiday then, that's in addition to the usual difficulties of securing a sponsored visa.

Big Galah

Falling in love and getting engaged to an Aussie would put you on the fast track. Good luck

isgraham

I know a few people that have gone on holiday and secured sponsorship visas. It's no big deal other than it's a quiet time of the year.

Bermudashorts

There is nothing to stop you from discussing opportunities with employers whist you are here on your holiday, so long as you understand (and make clear to anyone who should ask at the airport ) that you are here for a holiday.

Still it will take some luck, people will be on leave for Christmas and employers are not typically queueing up to sponsor but it happens sometimes. If nothing comes of it, then your two year estimate is probably on the pessimistic side, I have seen people get 175 or 176 visas in about 12 months recently.

randb

I got an interview last week and they told me that right now a 457 in Sydney won't take more than 6 weeks.

Vandergoug

Thanks for the replies guys. I will look into setting up meetings nearer the time of my arrival.

Can anyone tell me what job market is like for Java developers with my level of experience, what is the competition like for positions? I have seen plenty of jobs on seek over the last few months that I think I would be suitable for but I would to know how many people I would be competing with and the standard of applicants I would be up against.

randb

I can't answer you about that as I am a .NET Software Architect but on my area I found a lot of opportunities. I mean, I sent something like 20 candidatures and I got back almost 5 positive answers, which is absolutely a lot.

isgraham

My experience was that in Sydney there are some very good developers both Java and .NET but there are far more low quality developers. If you have good experience then you shouldn't have a problem.