If you’ve just arrived in Sydney and are about to embark on an intrepid job hunt, this article will give you key advice to help to land a job without having any prior local working experience. It might not be easy at first, nor should you expect it to be a walk in the park, but follow the steps we outline to give yourself the best chance of securing a job in Australia with no experience.
Why Do People Ask About Local Experience So Much?
You may already put some legwork in and had little success so far. Don’t despair. While you might be who can demonstrate local experience, there might be a genuine reason for this. For instance, some professions require their staff to understand the local laws and regulations. For others, this is often a brush-off, and there could be another underlying issue that you haven’t fully addressed in your application.
After all, when you’re new, how can you get experience without somebody stepping up and giving you that first break?
Tips for Finding Work in Australia with No Experience
#1 A Clear CV that Highlights RELEVANT Skills and Experience
Less is more when it comes to writing a CV. There are still people who submit 4-5-page CVs and wonder why they aren’t being shortlisted for jobs. The key is to make it as easy as possible for them to see that your skills and experience align with the job role they are trying to fill.
Some companies even use automation software that allows them to screen all applications submitted. What this means for you as the job seeker, is that your hard work and efforts might not ever be seen by a recruiter at the company if your CV doesn’t contain the right skillset data.
Tip: Tailor your CV for EVERY application you make.
Make sure your skills and experience match what they are asking for on the job posting. If you do not have professional experience that demonstrates these skills, that’s fine. A lot of people have work or skills experience they gain in clubs, hobbies, college or through volunteering that can be drawn upon when needed.
If you don’t actually have practical working experience whatsoever, fear not! There are still lots of things you put on your resume when you have no experience. Take a look at the link for detailed guidance about the different things you can include.
#2 Compare Companies You’ve Worked At With Local Equivalents
One of the major factors of employers seeming to prefer candidates that have local work experience is they often know the company, they understand the type of work you will have done, and they have a level of assurance regarding your credibility as referencing is far more easily done locally that having to contact companies who are based abroad.
Tip; Do your research and make comparisons with Australian businesses that are either local or well-known nationally.
#3 Make the Right First Impression
There is no truer saying that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Especially where the job market is concerned. You want to put your best foot forward at all times. If you have no experience and need a job in Australia, there is zero room for error. On all of your job applications, you need to twice and triple check your texts are correct. Read them once, then again, and then again.
While you might not A-grade perfect writing skills in your job, a sloppy CV application is a testament to the quality standards they can expect from you in your job. If you’re not prepared to double-check your work for something THIS IMPORTANT, then are you going to be prone to making errors in the job they are looking to fill? Sure, it’s a rash assumption, but you can understand their logic!
Tip: If writing isn’t your strong point, hire a proofreader to edit your CV for you. You can also go a step further and hire a content writer for help with an application.
Ok yes, this is an initial cost outlay to you, but that small investment can safeguard those essential first impressions and help you get a foot through the door and at the least, having the opportunity to attend an interview.
#4 Write an Impactful Summary Statement
In some cases, an employer or recruiter could be so compelled by your personal statement, they want to meet you as soon as they possibly can. A well-written personal statement summarises why you are right for the role and why they should meet with you for an interview. It should instantly put them ease, as it gives a very high-level review of your RELEVANT experience, talks of your career aspirations, and why you want to work for them.
Tip: Make sure you adapt this statement for each job application you make
Again, if you struggle with your writing skills, you can ask a friend or family member to help, or you might hire a copywriting service to help you create a summary statement that you can revise and tailor for each application yourself.
#5 Persistence ALWAYS Pays
Never give up, never lose hope, and never stop trying. You need to be putting in just as much effort with your last job application as you did with your first. If you lazy, demotivated or tired, then this will show up in the quality of the job applications you are sending.
Think about this for just a moment, there are thousands upon thousands of people looking for jobs at any one time. Everyone is going through those same motions as you. If you consider the time it’s taking you, imagine how much time the recruiter is going to be spending reviewing things on the other end.
By emailing your job application and hoping things will result in a positive outcome, be a little more curious, and be persistent. Don’t settle for mediocracy; call them, ask them questions about the job, check the status of the application process rather than asking them to tell you information about your application specifically. Be empathetic, be understanding, and build a relationship with them. This might not help you land the job, but it might help improve their first impressions of you.
#6 Start Networking TODAY
Gone are the days you need to be a high-flying business professional to network. You can create new relationships through sports, hobbies, and volunteer opportunities too. Having connections in an area that is new to you in important. Of course, leading with the question; do you know of any jobs that are hiring’ might not be the best way to make new friends, but the better-connected you are, the easier things should become.
Tip: If you aren’t that confident with writing, but you are comfortable and confident dealing with people in person, networking is a great way to make connections and leave a positive lasting impression with others as well.
#7 A Job Is a Job
Regardless of your long-term career aspirations or your former position, work is still working. Registering with temping agencies could be the key to opening the doors to employment. Even a short-term gig can lead to other opportunities; and before you know it, you have local work experience and should find it easier to get a decent opportunity that better aligns with your longer-term career goals.
Looking for a new job in Australia isn’t easy, but landing that first job, especially with the added inconvenience of not having any experience; feels all the sweeter when it happens. Practice these tips with grit and determination, and you’ll have the right recipe for success!
If you’re applying for jobs in Australia but aren’t getting much in the way of interviews or feedback from recruiters, then ‘WHY AM I NOT HEARING BACK FROM RECRUITERS’ could help you take a vital step towards a more successful job search!
Photo by Thought Catalog