Be Professional - that’s part of being an Engineer in Australia
I meet many newly arrived migrant engineers in Australia. Many fail to make a good first impression. They put themselves at a disadvataage before they have even spoken by presenting poorly.
Every time you go to an event to meet other engineers you may meet a potential employer - Prepare properly.
An Australian employer wants an engineer who will make his company look good. Some one who will impress customers.Here are some things you should do every time you are going to a networking event or making a cold call or job interview:
Dress
As a professional engineer, you should look like a professional. A suit (and tie for men) is standard dress even in hot parts of the country. An exception is construction sites where you can be more practical. But look smart. Be clean, with tidy hair, and be clean shaven (unless you have a beard). You are selling yourself; look your best. If in doubt, dress up.
Behaviour and body language
You are on show the moment you walk through the door. If you are offhand or rude to the receptionist, others will see and will not be impressed. When you enter a room, smile and look everyone in the eye. If you are carrying a briefcase, have it in your left hand; you need to be ready to shake hands with people as you meet them. Shake hands firmly with both men and women.
Smalltalk
Generally employers will want to put you at ease. They will ask questions like “Did you find our office okay?” Answer with a sentence such as “Yes, thanks. The instructions given were good. It took longer than I had expected due to the traffic.” Everyone will feel awkward if just you say “Yes.” Be prepared to talk about the weather, a common subject to open conversations. The next most popular subject is any current major sporting event involving Australians.
Read the newspaper or watch the TV news so you can talk about poplar topics. It takes surprisingly little knowledge to hold a conversation by making broad statements and asking general questions. For example, Australians love cricket, but it is a complex and mysterious game to many people. However, if you know the Australian cricket team has just won or lost a match, you can always comment: “Did you see the cricketers win/lose yesterday? They seem to be playing well/not so well at present.”
Such smalltalk, or idle conversation, is an important sign that you will be able to talk with colleagues in the workplace. Practice smalltalk. It puts you at ease and creates a good first impression.
Dear Sir/Madam
As I have come here and looking for a job like Mechanical Engineering in Dredging or construction company though I have seven years of Experience .I have done mistake because I should get and come over here but I came here with spouse visa.I just came before one and half month.I have passed diploma from 3 year polytechnic and then I did my degree from Institution of mechanical Engineers ,Mumbai and degree is correspondence.I have 7 years experience afrer Diploma and 3 years experience after degree so can i go for PR .is it possible?because with this visa I can only work 20 hous thta is a great problem for me.
Sanjay
A couple of points:
It is obvious from this short bit of writing from you that your written English is probably not good enough for you to get, or hold, an engineering job in Australia. You need your English at a level for an IELTS test score of 6 in ALL categories to meet the language level for skilled migration. Without adequate English you will not be able to prepare a decent CV or present well at a job interview..
Starting a communication Dear Sir/Madam is about the most impersonal and impolite way to address an Australian. The only worse way you could address me is to start out with “to whom it may concern” Australian communication is much less formal than what you are used to. To relate to Australians you need to be less formal.
You desperately need to get a copy of Project Australia. Read it, make a clear plan,and follow it.
You qualifications are probably OK for you to apply for migration as a professional engineer or technologist. Go to the Engineers Australia website and obtain the Migration Skills Assessment Handbook.
You need to start mixing with Australians to improve your English.
2 ianlittle:
It’s very intresting subject. But could You tell how can I “start mixing” about?
Do You know any websites or other sources where overseas engineers will be able to improve their Proffessional and informal language? From your standpoint?
TIA
Eugene - Attend activities run by engineering organisations. A good starting point is the Engineers Australia divisions, colleges and special interest group events. These are advertised on their web site. Most are open to the genral public. In Victoria they have a special interest group for overseas qualified engineers. There are a also a wide range of specialist engineering organisatios such as the IChemE. You will find references to these organisations on the Engineers Australia website.
www.engineersaustralia.org.au
The Australia Broadcasting Commission (the ABC) website provides a wide range of videos and podcasts you can download. Engineers Australia also has a range of podcats available from their technical events
www.abc.net.au/
Project Australia - Land that Engineering Job in Australia provides further details and advice on internet searching techniques to find engineering organisations and finding general and technical video and podcasts.
www.tribuslingua.com.au/bookshop.php