Skilled & Business Migration can assist skilled migrants find work within their area of expertise through effective job search strategies.

Understanding the local labour market and where your skills fit is essential to competing effectively in the South Australian job market.

Researching the state's industry sectors, trends, and skills in demand can help you connect with the right companies and apply for suitable jobs that meet your talents and experience.

Networking improves your chances of landing a job by helping you find connections in the industry you are trying to break into or help you find leads for specific occupations, especially as many jobs are not advertised.

Networking provides a great opportunity to meet prospective employers and mentors and gain access to necessary resources that will foster your career development.

Formal job search networking

  • Attend networking events, association meetings & conferences. Eventbrite for events in your area.
  • Develop a list of potential employers and connect with them.
  • Connect with professionals in your industry through Industry Bodies and Professional Associations.

Informal job search networking

  • Develop and utilise your personal, professional, academic contacts to assist with your job search.
  • Work as a volunteer and meet with people from different walks of life
  • Connect with people through community networks such as meetup.

Have a professional online profile

 

  • Use online platforms to connect with professionals. Keep your profile clear and concise.
  • Use social media effectively
  • Use LinkedIn appropriately and to its fullest.

Search and apply for suitable jobs with professional and targeted job applications.

Studies have shown employers spend 5 - 6 seconds to decide whether a resume should progress to the next stage. Unless your application is tailored addressing the selection criteria in the job description, you may not get an opportunity for an interview.

Resume

A resume is your marketing tool to communicate your value to potential employers.​ This document should include your:  

  • Skills and knowledge
  • Work experience
  • Education
  • Qualifications
  • Industry Accreditation
  • Achievements
  • Unique skills

Cover letter

Cover letter is a personalised letter to an employer which introduces your resume and your suitability for a specific position.

Employers use cover letters to screen applicants and determine which candidate they would like to interview. Your cover letter should​:

  • Emphasise your interest in the role and company
  • Demonstrate your suitability (address selection criteria, skills, experience, knowledge, attributes) ​​
  • Reasons to hire you
  • Sell your skills and experience. ​

Selection criteria

Skills, knowledge, experience, qualifications and other requirements in the job description that an employer has defined as an essential criteria for the role.​ 

If asked to submit a separate Selection Criteria or address selection criteria within the cover letter, you should:

  • Situation: describe a situation and setting the scene using relevant example from your past that clearly demonstrates what the employer is looking for.
  • Action: explain what action you took. What specific steps were taken, avoid using vague statements.
  • Outcome: specific facts related to the result that back up your assertion.

A good job application alone does not land you a job. It helps you to get a job interview.

Develop your interview skills to articulate your suitability in your answers using great interview techniques to win that job.

Interviewing is an important step in the employee selection process to find out:

  • What you have to offer (your skills, abilities, knowledge) ​
  • Who you are (personality, character, interests) ​
  • Why you should be hired (you have what they are seeking) ​
  • Try to determine whether you will be an asset to the organisation.

They also want to see how you present yourself, how you handle pressure, how you can communicate and if they like you. 

So be yourself but be cool! 

Being connected with industry bodies has many benefits.

It helps you to develop your knowledge and understanding of Australian occupational standards and legislative requirements that governs your industry.

In addition it also helps to develop your understanding of Australian workplace culture and requirements through your networks, connections, conferences and seminars.

This will not only help you to network with professional from the industry, it will also help you to identify skills gaps, promote your skills, employability and suitability to networks and improves your chance of gaining employment.

Some industry associations are:

Volunteering is highly regarded in Australian society and often viewed as important as paid work. Being a volunteer has many benefits to an individual both personally and professionally. 

Benefits of Volunteering

Meeting new people and building networks
Connect with likeminded people, expands your network, boost your social skills. Not all jobs are publicly advertised, word of mouth plays a key role in job seeking.

Share existing skills and develop new skills
Provides an opportunity for personal growth and new experiences. Improve your self-esteem and confidence – help you feel better about yourself with sense of achievement and purpose.

Filling gaps in your resume
If you are job seeking, a volunteer position can be included in your resume. Employers highly value community participation.

Developing your understanding of Australian workplace culture and practices
Exposure to an Australian workplace through volunteering allows you to adapt to common workplace practices, get used to the accent and better understand your rights and responsibilities as a worker.

Increasing motivation, self-esteem and confidence
Helps you maintain a work routine, provides a sense of achievement in your work and being part of a team and builds confidence in your communication skills.

Developing employability skills
Learn and develop new skills through every day work practices and access professional development through workplace training and programs.

Gaining valuable experience
You can gain experience in a range of roles within the organisation if you take the opportunities.

Gaining a local referee
You can use your volunteer supervisor or coordinator as a referee on your resume.

Job Search Support
Below are some helpful tips to keep your job search focused and productive.

  • Review your resume – there is always room for improvement. 
  • Practice your cover letter writing – are your application letters well-structured and detailed enough?
  • Evaluate your LinkedIn profile – have you viewed your “profile strength meter”?
  • Sign up to volunteer – employers value community participation 
  • Build your networks and make connections – make sure potential employers know you are ready to work and show your skills. Engage with professional associations, join Meet Up groups, be active 
  • Prepare an elevator pitch – be ready to pitch your skills at any moment
  • Learn about the labour market – where are your skills needed in SA?
  • Research – You can never do enough research! always search for new opportunities, new industries, identify key contacts, look for companies that need your skills and match your career objectives
  • Develop an action plan – failing to plan is planning to fail! Set yourself realistic job seeking goals and timeframes 

Fact Sheets
For further support, or information on working in Australia. View our available Fact Sheets.

Understanding Visa Holder Work Rights
Australian Values & Workplace Culture
Resume Writing
Volunteering
Document
Job Application Tracking System