seang

Long time since I started a thread so enjoy it while you can.

Looking for some *feedback* from anyone who applied/looked for a job in Aus (IT sector) before they left the UK. Not transfers for the same company but new jobs via IT agencies or direct to employers.

TIA

walaj

We have been trying for a few months now - we have not pursued the agencies route, rather build up contacts within the company my oh works for and the one previous. We have through these UK contacts made several new contacts within Australia. Not everyone gets back (or as quickly as you would like), and there is a fine balance of not pestering them or appearing desperate.

One feedback is that they are try to get rid of staff at my oh level (too expensive) and get grads in. There seems to be with some (those contacted not via a 3rd person) that do not believe you are going to make the move, or even when you clearly state you have a visa to work, reply back saying that they can't consider you as you need a visa

Taking to friends they put another point of view that companies might not believe you have a visa and think that you are trying to use them to get one, or that if they get involved before you move you might want moving costs covered.

overall no job has been forthcoming, we have made several contacts within his industry and several have said (given his experience/reputation) that he should not have a problem getting a job. we are moving to Sydney where we will have the biggest chance that a suitable job comes available

adriang

I'm in a similar situation, but appear to have landed on my feet. I've also a friend who was in a similar situation, and had to deal with things differently.

The starting point is if you do or do not already have some form of visa.

My friend did, tried for about 9 months to get a job remotely, and could not. Had interest from agencies, but not anything from any customers. But I don't know how much he spread himself about. He decided to up sticks, and find a job when he made it to Sydney. It got a job in the first week.

Me, I started to put together the info for my visa application and contacted a local IT company that I have been working with in a partnership relationship for several years, to ask them for a reference. The came back to me with a job offer, including an Employer Sponsored Visa, which I am hoping to get granted this week.

But prior to that, I had many conversations with recruitment agencies in Australia and also in the UK, who specialise in placing into the A/P region.

A lot of agencies said that they can help in arranging visa's, which actually gives an interesting spin on security, because they would be in a better position to find new work and therefore keep you in country if things did not work out and you were on a 4 year (don't know the number) visa.

The most useful conversation I had was with the agency called Michael Page, and somebody from their London office. They really set my expectations on what would be possible from their opinion, and possible directions. (prior to me getting a job offer elsewhere).

Basically getting sponsored is unique, and the best approach is to get a visa, and then get in country and look. Even with a visa, getting hired from overseas is pretty rare. Most agencies can help in doing lots of ground work, even to the extent of lining up interviews for the week you arrive.

One point about agencies and looking for work, is to spread yourself around as many as possible rather than sticking with just 3 or 4. Many companies set up exclusive agreements with agencies, so if you are not on their books, then you are not 'in the race'. (this is the same all over, not just in Australia).

Outside of agencies, the direct approach is worth looking at. Either contacting companies directly, but also using the online job sites. Both registering your information, but also scanning what they have, and responding to them. Some of the sites have daily or weekly emails listing jobs.

it_hooker

I've just started in the last week looking for Oracle DBA/Developer stuff. My first "application" through an agency was forwarded on to the company involved and I have a telephone interview this evening although the agent warned they they rarely offer from a telephone interview. 3-4 other applications through agents seem to have been ignored though!

wmoore

When we were going for a reccie in 2004, I applied for several jobs, in my letter saying I would be in Oz in November. I signed up for an Oz phone number at www.mbox.com.au, which works as a voicemail service. I set it up to bleep my mobile every time I got left a message and surprisingly, quite a few fell for it!

Anyhoo, I had a phone interview the week before we flew and a proper interview the day after we landed. Cut a long story short I got down to the last 2 but they gave it to the Aussie that didn't need a visa Good job too I reckon. I told them I was going to use Freespirit who I had already sussed out, for the visa sponsorship so that made it easier to get that far.

I got another call for an interview the day we were leaving but they never followed that one up ....

But I reckon I got far enough to prove it can be done with a little bit of luck on your side.

PS I got the initial contact for the job from a guy on BE - cheers Pete

gedge

Going back about 4 years I tried the approach of contacting agencies and companies, whilst still in the UK and visa-less. Even having had previous experience and references in Sydney it didn't help. I had a few scant replies saying that they'd put me on file, blah blah.
Arriving here 2 years ago i got work after a week.
IMO unless you're something very special, or demand well outstrips supply, it is unlikely they'll consider you if you're not physically here and have a visa allowing you to work.

Billabong

Sean,

The agencies are absolutely crap.

However, I did manage to get my job through Hayes but it took a huge amount of time to actually someone to get off thier arse and do something for me.

I took 2 months out and then had a job within a week of starting to look as an IT Manager (quite lucky I suspect)!!

Rudi

The agencies do seem pretty crap! My hubby has been job hunting recently and they are very little help (we are already here).

My hubby got lucky - he applied for a job before we came out here, did phone interviews and was offered it (IT industry). He applied directly to the company. We'd already applied for PR but it hadn't been issued at that point so the company said they'd apply for a temp visa.....but then by pure coincidence the PR visa came through 2 weeks later, so we came in on that.

Good luck job hunting!

Rudi

goldcoastblue

What you have to ask, is how many pommie emails do the agencies getfor would be imigrants,

they have heard it all before, the only interest I got was when I said, I have a flight booked I arrive such a day I am looking for a job ASAP, the phone rang, I had several phone calls, telephone interviews and was offered 2 jobs,

unless you give them meat, its a waste of time,

The reason for this I guess, now is Australia has a lot of people who arent reliable, and end up being let down larry's ,

so employers are on the back foot,

if you are good, it will shine soon as you get here,

Hutch

Very true. The 'who you know' thing holds true as well though. My missus did a spell of contract database work for a company in Cheltenham called ADC Krone and they were so impressed with her that the big boss wrote this great letter to the head of the Australian division saying how he highly recommended Catherine for any similar work. Then my big sister mentioned some work they had going at the uni she works at. And finally it turns out that my brother-in-law's dad used to head up IBM Australia and said he'd probably be able to pull some strings.

DJMA

My experience has been that no one was really interested until I arrived. They want people who are here, available and with a suitable visa. In the last few weeks there has been a lot of very positive action on the job front. The agencies I have dealt with here in Melbourne are:
Hudson - good
SACS - very good
Talent2 - Excellent
Hays- hardly worth the effort
Michael Page International - Excellent

This was for IT/Business Project Manager/Programme Manager/Engagement Manager roles. There seem to be a lot fewer cowboys in job agencies here than in the UK.

DJMA

adriang

Hutch,
I know this is off the topic of the thread, but I just noticed where you come from. I'm also from Nailsworth..!

Hutch

Hehe. Well - we've only been here since 2001. Were you brought up here?

ukkiwi

Try and find out who to contact directly - a friend recently got a remote offer from a large IT company having sent a speculative email to a manager asking for a job. She had moved out to Sydney within a couple of months of contacting them. The guy ended up picking her up from the airport and put her up for a couple of weeks!!

seang

thanks for all the replies folks and folkettes