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Engineers Australia Migrant Skills Assessment booklet updated
A new Engineers Australia Migration Skills Assessment booklet has been developed and there are a new series of application forms. These replace the previous documents and are now available from Engineers Australia
Engineers Australia announced these changes to migration skills assessment documents in their Victoria e-newsletter ENGAGE.
The Migration Skills Assessment booklet has been updated regarding:
• new signatories to the Washington and Sydney Accords;
• the addition of the occupational category of Engineering Manager ASCO 1221-11;
• a new set of Summary Statements which you can complete and download to include in your Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) application;
• a Declaration Statement which you can download and sign and include with your CDR application.
These changes will assist you in developing and presenting your application. In addition there is a complete new series of Application Forms. There are also new forms for:
• Application for a Formal Appeal;
• Appointment of person to receive assessment information;
• Payment of Standard Administration Fee.
All new applications to Engineers Australia must be in accordance with the requirements of the Migration Skills Assessment booklet and use the new application forms.
Australian Engineers get Jobs by Networking
Australian Engineers get Jobs by Networking. To get an engineering job in Australia you need to establish a network of Australian engineering contacts to replace those you have left behind; to help you get a job and to provide ongoing professional support.
In Australia, about 80% of job positions are filled without being advertised. Applicants learn about them through networking of one form or another. As a new arrival to Australia, one of your biggest challenges is to develop a network.
Networking is not just giving out your business card and collecting business cards of potential employers so you have a list to ask for a job. You need to establish a relationship for exchanging information. Keep in mind, the company with no vacancies today may win a big contract and need people next month. Maintaining contacts enables you to:
• Learn what companies do
• Find out when they, or their competitors win jobs and will want more people –before others do!
• Understand what particular skills companies are after
Many engineers new to Australia make the mistake of seeing networking as a one way relationship. When they meet a company representative they blurt out “Do you have
any vacancies for mechanical engineers?” If the response is “No.” the conversation ends. They head off despondent, to the next prospect.
Networking is a two way relationship. As an engineer you have your skills to sell. Australian industry needs engineers. Through the networking relationship both parties
develop a better understanding of what each has to offer.
Do not expect to be offered a job at an engineering networking session or the first time you meet some one!
Where to start
To start an Australian engineering network, go to events and places where engineers meet. This is through professional engineering associations such as:
• Engineers Australia,
• APESMA, and
• specialist industry and discipline organisations
The meetings of these engineering organisations are normally open to non-members. You may pay a little more as a non-member. Their web sites advertise their up-coming events.
Here is an example script you can use to help get started. Add your own questions and put this into your own words. Then practice it on a friend. Note that the questions re all about finding information about the person and their company, or other companies they may have worked for or know about. You do this so that you can work out hat you have to offer them. You have engineering skills that employers want.
• How do you do I am Rajiv Singh, what is you name?
• Who do you work for?
• What do they make/do?
• What technology do they use?
• What is you position there?
• What do you do every day?
• Does the company employ engineers? What types?
• Where are they located?
• Do they export any products?
• Who are their customers?
• Who are there major competitors?
Some Tips for success
Networking is building a relationship. This requires give and take. The more you share with others, the more they will share with you. This does not have to be your deepest, darkest secrets or company confidential matters. For example: in a discussion, a potential employer might talk about a new project and tell you his company is looking for electrical engineers. Unfortunately you are a mechanical engineer – but you know of an electrical engineer who is looking for a job. This gives you the opportunity to help this electrical
engineer and make an impression with the employer. They will both be willing to help you in the future as you will have helped them by making a connection.
From your international engineering experience you will have some specific technical knowledge, above your general engineering experience, new to Australia. As esperation sets in after being unable to find a job, people can become so busy thinking “Please give me a job.” they forget that they have their general engineering skills, plus something unique, to offer. Find out all about organisations, and the projects and work they do. Then think about where the opportunities are for you.
Maintain confidentiality in business relationships at all levels. This applies to networking. People will share more information with those they can trust. If I trust you, I am more likely to share unconfirmed information and opinions with you, which will give you greater insight or advantage. However, if I think you will spread this to everyone, including my competitors, I will give you less information.
In developing and maintaining engineering network relationships don’t rely on memory - keep notes. This will be both personal and business details. This helps you get a
conversation going whenever you meet. You can ask about their family, use family members names, how the holiday went, how the project is going. People are impressed
when someone remembers them.
Maintain contact with members of your engineering network. This may be simply by sending a Xmas card or catching up for a cup of coffee. Try and have some information
that others may be interested in – without giving away confidential information. Regularly attending engineering functions where you will meet a group of your network, such as through a discipline College of Engineers Australia function or a special interest group is very effective and more efficient than individual meetings.
Do not be afraid to ask questions.
Work at Networking - that is how 80% of Australian Engineers get Jobs.
This post is taken from Project Australia: Land That Engineering Job in Australia by Ian Little
©Ian Little. All rights reserved, no part of this may be reproduced without permission rights from the publisher. Contact us www.tribuslingua.com.au
Job Search Australia – The Migrants Guide to the Web
The keys to Job Searching in Australia
Whether you are identifying a company you would like to work for, googling a companies name for a job interview, or assessing an industry in Australia - one of the most important skills a job seeker can acquire is job research skills. This is particularly important if you are a new job seeker Australia.
Potential employer’s value applicants that have done their Australian job searching research and who know key information about the company as this demonstrates that you are interested in both the job and the company.
Ultimately this can be the point of difference between you or another candidate landing the job. Ideally you should start your Australia job research before you arrive as the sooner you get started, the quicker you will get that job.
Starting your Job Search Australia Research - Locating Australian Company Information
Company Website
When starting your job search Australia research action plan the best way to start is via the web. Before starting this determine whether the company is publicly held (traded on the Australian stock exchange), privately owned, or a subsidiary of a publicly held organisation. The best way of doing this is to go to the Australian Stock Exchanges website and see if it’s listed. If a company is not listed it may be a private or not for profit company or a subsidiary of another company. If a company is private it may have share capital but is prohibited from making an invitation to the public to subscribe to shares. All registered Australian companies, have a responsibility to supply certain information to the Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC) so you can find some financial information (annual return, ABN) here.
You will find that most companies use their website as a marketing tool for generating and building business. As such they are an excellent source for your job search in Australia and you should take the time to review the information and also the type of language used on it.
After you have established whether it is a public or private company you should look at all the information available on its website:
- What are its products and services (what is new or in decline?)
- It’s history and corporate culture
- Any media releases and newsletters
- The company vision and goals
- Corporate brochures
- It’s business partners or members
- Annual report
- Podcasts or videos
- Current employment and employment values
- Organisational structure and names and contact details of relevant managers (managers, directors, shareholders or major funding sources divisions, subsidiaries, etc.)
- Locations (within Australia and overseas)
- Career paths and advancement opportunities
- Benefits of working there
- Diversity initiatives
Other Job Search Australia tools
Although it can be a time-consuming task you should also be checking out other online website resources that can yield additional company and industry information. You need to find out who are the company’s main competitors and where are its major markets. Also what are the industry trends?
Start by doing a search using a search engine to see if the company appears in any other media or industry related articles. Most Australian newspaper web sites allow you to search their archives for recent articles.
Additional financial statistics and other information can be found in investment reports and other industry/financial publications available on the web eg The Australian Financial Review Shareholder, BRW top 200 companies, Australian Stock exchange (if public), Ibis world database, Dun and Bradstreet Jobson’s online
You can also look at material produced by legal websites like Austlii or legal publishing houses such as CCH to locate cases and decisions to find out if there were any recent legal proceedings that the company was involved in.
Another good job search Australia place is to take a look at companies within your industry that exporting. You can do this by searching the Austrade (The Australian Trade Commission) database.
Shortcutting the Australia job research process - The Migrants Guide to the Web
Your job search Australia research is a time-consuming and sometimes frustrating experience. However there is simple fully searchable resource, compiled especially for migrants and international students looking for work in Australia. Land That Job in Australia: The Migrants Guide to the Web provides a fully searchable career and employment resource for Australia. This excellent guide lays all the resources available out in logical order, including those ‘wish I knew about’ organisations and information, according to the specific needs of new migrants to Australia.
Interview Advice for Australia
Interview advice for Australia
Job interviewing in Australia can appear informal. A recruiter or potential employer may ask you in “for a chat?. New migrants to Australia often mistake this for a casual chat and don’t prepare for interview. It’s best to take a formal approach to all situations in Australia whether they are termed a chat or not! Always be professional and show courtesy and respect no matter how friendly the situation may seem.
Australians generally dislike arrogance so its important to pitch yourself well at interview without over selling yourself. New migrants to Australia can expect a variety of questions. A lot of Australian employers try to assess the applicant ability to respond quickly, asking hypothetical questions that require improvisation.
Australian interview preparation is essential so that you can answer key questions and show the potential Australian employer that you have the skills they are seeking and will add value to their company.
Before your interview in Australia
Ensure you research the company in detail. One of the most common questions at interview is what do you know about our company? An understanding of the company’s vision, products and position in the marketplace shows that you are serious about working specifically for this company.
Company websites are the best source of information. Use them to find out about the size and position of the company in addition to learning who key personnel are in the company. Detailed knowledge of the company will set you apart and show clearly how enthusiastic you are about this company.
Understand the job role and description
Analyse how your skills match potential Australian employer requirements. Spend time building a picture for yourself about what strengths you bring to the role. During the interview you will be able to demonstrate your skills and abilities by backing it up with evidence, showing that you have the skills to do the job based on previous experience. Practical examples support your statements.
Have questions ready
An interview presents you with the opportunity to further understand a job role, the interviewer expects to further clarify details about the job and what the position entails. The interviewer gets the chance to find out about you and your suitability for the job. You have an opportunity to ask questions about the role and the company. It’s important to understand exactly what the job is all about before you commit to anything. What is expected in your new role, how will your performance be measured, why did the position become available and when are they expecting someone to start.
Getting to the interview
If the interview is in a location you are not familiar which is highly likely for new arrivals to Australia, take a practice run and go to the location a couple of days, then you know the route and exactly how long it will take you. Know the name of the person who will be interviewing you. Make sure you arrive in plenty of time as this will help you feel more at ease.
During the interview
Once you have done your background research and preparation you will feel a lot more confident. People are nervous at interview- it’s perfectly normal. The key is to focus outside yourself on the interviewer. Listen carefully to the questions and take your time. Often when we are nervous our voice speeds up – so take a breath and answer the specific question you are being asked. Remember to use practical examples to emphasise your skills and show how they suit the role and the company.
After the interview
Keep a record of the questions asked. Identify places you felt you did well and areas where you found questions difficult to answer. This will give you the opportunity to really improve your performance.
Send the interviewer a thank you after the interview.
Some common interview Questions in Australia:
Q: “Tell me about yourself”
This is a 3 minute commercial about you! Have prepared thoroughly for this question in advance as first impressions really count. Prepare a list of what you do (your current or last job), your strengths (related to job skills only), and a summary of your career history, linking your experience to this job.
Your Australian CV will be a blueprint for your answer to this question. Pick your top three highlights focussing on skills you possess that match the job always including practical examples.
Q: “Why did you leave your last job?”
Respond positively — “…for better career advancement or promotion opportunities, increased responsibility, more greater variety at work…”
Q: “Why do you want to do this job / work for this company?”
Demonstrate your knowledge of the company and re-emphasise your suitability for the position.
Q: “What do you think you have to offer this company?”
This is a chance to demonstrate your skills and abilities — concentrating on the skills you have that are required for the position.
Q: “What do you think this position involves?”
This question is designed to reveal if you have thought about the position, done some research, listened to the interviewer, and can summarise all of this information clearly.
Q: “What do you know about the company?”
Demonstrate your interest in the job, and your understanding of the organisation and industry. Talk about the research you did into the company’s key areas of interest, its size, its products, its main customers or current status, making reference to your source of information. Include a reference to the key personnel of the company.
Q: “Do you have any questions you would like to ask?”
Always prepare a question to ask the interviewer. Ask about the position, request clarification of general information about the company, or What are your long-range goals and objectives?
Interviewers in Australia will often ask questions related to process, for example tell me about a situation where you had to handle a difficult customer. Australian employers are looking evidence that you have followed the processes necessary to resolve a situation.
In Australia executive level positions may involve up to three interviews. The first interview may be with a recruiter or HR representative from the company. This is followed with an interview with the person responsible for this area. The third interview is usually a final one with a senior executive or CEO.
Australian Job Search
Australian Job Search for New or would be Migrants to Australia
Congratulations for choosing Australia as the country you want to live and work in. You are in good company. When professional people are polled internationally to find the most desirable destinations to migrate to, Australia almost always ranks in the top five. The attractions are many-sun, space, surfing, lifestyle-along with Australia’s growing economy, which has been one of the strongest in the world over the last 10 years.
Australia’s competitive labour market
Many of Australia’s industries have experienced sustained expansion of employment in recent years due to factors such as a high GDP growth and low inflation and public debt. This increase has been met by a rise in skilled graduates and by extending the retirement age of the existing labour force. The need to maintain or expand skill levels means the labour market is highly competitive.
Australians work harder than they tend to be given credit for, probably because of the relaxed nature of their society. The proportion of full-time employees working more than 50 hours a week increased from 20% to 30% between 1982 and 2002. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)1 figures also indicate that the average number of hours of Australian workers has been stable since 1994, but this hides a substantial increase in part-time and casual work, especially among women.
More than one in four (27.9%) Australian workers is employed on a casual basis-the second-highest proportion in the developed world, behind Spain. The growth has been caused by a number of factors including changes in legislation enabling labour market deregulation; increased work efficiency and de-skilling of traditional jobs; and new technology leading to the restructuring of occupations within industries. In some sectors, there is also a move towards working casual or part-time, as well as increased self-employment, in the interests of an improved lifestyle.
Australia’s conservative coalition government has won four federal elections in a row, led by the Prime Minister, John Howard. It is continuing to pursue major industrial relations changes in the interests of making the labour market less regulated and more flexible for employers. The trade unions and many community and welfare groups are opposing key aspects of the changes, believing they will disadvantage the average worker financially, affect their work conditions and reduce job security.
Another policy of the Howard governments has been to continue the path of privatisation taken by the main political opposition, the Labor Party, in the 1980s. Airlines and airports, banks, financial institutions, rail infrastructure and telecommunications services are among the assets that have been sold to private enterprise.
Australia’s employment landscape is in the midst of major change.
Migrants for growth
Australia’s population topped 20 million for the first time in 2004. The country has a population growth rate of 1.2%, about the same as the world as a whole. Based on various assumptions about future fertility, life expectancy and net migration, the ABS has projected a population of between 23 million and 31 million by 2052 (probably about 26 million). Australia has an aging population-that is, the proportion of older people is getting bigger-and it is widely recognised that immigration into Australia will play a big part in the nation’s future.
In 2003-04, Australia accepted 114,360 new migrants, an increase of almost 6% on the previous 12 months. Nearly 76% were skilled (including family of recently settled migrants). Immigration Department figures show that significant numbers of people came from more than 60 countries.
In 2003-04, the major sources of skilled migrants to Australia were:
United Kingdom 21%
India 13%
China 12%
South Africa 8%
Malaysia 5%
Singapore 4%
Indonesia 4%
Philippines 3%
Other 30%
About 17% of Australians speak a language other than English at home.
Australia - Workers wanted
Nearly a million new jobs were created in Australia in the five years to February 2005, and almost two-thirds of them were in four sectors: retail trade (187% growth); health and community services (157%); construction (149%); and property and business services (141%). Other sectors to experience significant growth were: government administration and defence; accommodation, cafes and restaurants; education; and transport and storage.
The pattern is expected to be similar over the next five years. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC - www.immi.gov.au ) longitudinal survey of immigrants showed that, after 18 months 50% of skilled migrants were in a job that used their highest qualifications, and 40% of skilled migrants were still in unskilled or semi-skilled employment.
The study also showed that 36% of skilled migrants rarely or never used their highest qualification. This is compared to a Centre of Full Employment and Equity study which showed that 9.8% of the general Australian workforce is being underutilised.
As these statistics show, in most categories ‘skill stream’ migrants to Australia are likely to be participating in the labour force within six months of arriving. However, breaking into your professional field, such as accountancy or pharmacy, is sometimes harder and takes longer than expected. The challenge is further intensified for migrants from non-English-speaking backgrounds (NESB) and even more so for migrants from developing countries.
Nearly a million new jobs were created in Australia in the five years to February 2005…
Many migrants initially work in casual or lower-level entry positions until they can kick-start their careers again. There are many reasons for this, not least the structural ‘catch 22′ situation of employers wanting local experience but being unwilling to hire migrants so they can get it. Also, bridging courses can cost money and take time and being considered over-qualified can be a problem. All of these can sometimes lead to a loss of currency of skills. On an individual level it also takes time to find local referees, develop local reference points to impress interviewers, and learn how best to adapt to preferred Australian résumé and interview styles.
Help at hand for your Australian Job Search
The good news is that, whether you are a new arrival or are yet to move to Australia, this book will provide you with the means to meet all of these challenges. It identifies the key factors for success in job-hunting and tells you how to turn them to your advantage. Problems, confusion and anxiety are commonly associated with getting established in a new country, but landing that all-important first job can greatly relieve all of these things. We outline many ways to smooth your transition as clearly as we can for your Australian Job Search.
The advice ranges from the job market information you need and where to find it, to getting over the ‘local experience’ and ‘local referee’ humps, to effective networking and volunteering. Deciding to move overseas takes courage and commitment. It is important to have the right attitude and approach in broad terms as well as the specifics of working out what employers want and the techniques and tricks for convincing them that they want you. You need to view your journey as one of self-empowerment-and getting familiar with the relevant information and a lot of good advice is the place to start your Australian Job Search.
During our research, we interviewed many skilled migrants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. While each story was unique, common themes emerged, and two in particular-networking and volunteering are key in your Australian Job Search! It is difficult to overstate the importance of each for finding work and establishing a social support base, which is why the whole of Chapter 9 is about it.
As you may know, Australia is made up of five very large mainland states (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia), the southern, island state of Tasmania, and two territories (Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory). The legal powers and laws vary in each state and territory, which means conditions of employment can vary from one part of Australia to another, as can other things, such as employer groups and professional associations.
You need to view your journey as one of self-empowerment…Much of the book applies wherever you are in Australia-such as the step by-step guides to preparing résumés and cover letters, the selection criteria, and the daunting prospect of dealing with interviews in an Australian context. All of this is far less daunting when you have the means to compete on a more equal footing. This book will improve your job readiness and probably save you a lot of wasted time and effort. You can bet that most of the locals don’t know half of what we tell you here. As we go along, we have taken into account many nuances of the culture and language you need to know about. For a start, when you have put your everything into finding and applying for the job of your dreams, and word finally comes through that it’s yours, the appropriate exclamation is ‘You bewdy!’
Welcome to Australia - Let your Australian Job Search begin.
Excerpted from Land That Job in Australia: Successful job-hunting for Migrants
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©Tribus Lingua 2007
Australia Informational Interviewing
‘Information interviews’ are about asking appropriate people smart questions (see below) to gather information to help you with your job search. They are not about asking peoplefor a job. Don’t interview them about their work and then ask if their organisation has any positions available. You have approached them to listen—not sell yourself. Of course, if they suggest you send them your CV, ask if they would prefer a paper or an electronic copy and send it as soon as possible. They may well know of a job you can apply for or know someone who could be interested in employing you, and be in a position to put your CV forward. But leave it up to them to take that step.
Who to interview
The best people to talk to are those who work in roles, organisations or fi elds similar to the ones that interest you in your job search, or who recruit professionals like you. However, you are unlikely to make much headway by directly approaching, for example, the head accountant at a major bank, the head engineer at a large engineering firm, or the human resources director at a hospital. They simply have little time to handle the many speculative enquiries that can come their way.
A better strategy is to make a list of people you know and more casual acquaintances who may be able to help or put you in touch with other people who may be of help. Start your list by considering:
Exchange cards and suggest you meet for a tea or coffee. If that’s not possible, try to arrange a suitable time for a chat on the phone. While making the purpose of your conversation clear, it’s best not to refer to it as an ‘information interview’, which sounds rather interrogative and daunting.
If people don’t call you back
If you leave a voicemail message for a person and they don’t return your call, try one more time, but stop after that. If you email them and they don’t reply, likewise try one more time. Th en move to the next person on your list. If you phone, a colleague or assistant answers and the person you want is unavailable, ask them when is a good time to call back or when you are most likely to catch them.
Smart questions
The key to leading an information interview is to break the conversation down into sets of general, job-specific and more personally applicable questions. You might start with:
What are the growth areas—and therefore those with the greatest job opportunities—in the industry/profession/sector?
What are the key issues or recent changes in the industry/profession/sector?
What skills are in high demand?
Where are vacancies and/or skill shortages most likely to be found? (For example, in regional centres, poorer suburbs of major cities or small country towns.)
What local knowledge do I need to work in the industry/profession/sector?
Is knowledge of specific legislation, regulations, frameworks and/or standards needed?
If the conversation is about a particular organisation, your questions will be more focused. For example:
How big is the company?
What is its structure? (Head office, suburban branches, regional operations, etc)
Is it in a growth phase, and if so, what parts of it are growing?
Is it just sales and marketing, or does it do research and development as well?
Then you might focus on the organisation’s recruiting:
What methods does it use to find and recruit staff ?
What does it look for in CVs when recruiting for the kind of positions I am looking for?
Are there many people from other countries and/or diverse backgrounds working here at present?
Now you can get down to more personal matters, such as:
Are my assumptions about an industry, job or organisation correct? (Whatever those assumptions might be.)
How are my qualifications likely to be perceived? (Especially in the context of them being overseas qualifications.)
Do you think I have any gaps or shortcomings in my qualifications or experience?
If so, how do you think I can overcome them?
How are the roles available likely to be different or similar to what I have done before? (More or less specialised, more
or less autonomy, more or less valued, etc.)
How do you think I can increase my chances of gaining employment in your field?
Jobs in Australia
What are the best strategies for new migrants to find Jobs in Australia?
Landing a job in Australia is a lot easier for new migrants if they understand the particular challenges involved.
The first things to know are that more than 80% of job vacancies in Australia are not advertised, and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up almost three-quarters of the Australian economy.
This means many jobs in Australia are beyond the reach of migrants who have not yet built up social and professional networks. It also means competition is stiff for the jobs that get advertised. Many migrants find a job through direct marketing—approaching employers directly or through networking—which makes researching the state of your industry and occupation very important.
Australians network extensively in both their social and professional lives. From our experience of living and working in seven different countries, it is apparent that networking is more significant in Australian culture than in the comparable economies of the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States.
Networking involves talking to friends, neighbours, casual acquaintances and any relatives you might have in Australia. New migrants naturally tend to start with people from their own country, and this may include community and business organisations for their specific nationality. But you should make every effort to extend your sphere of contacts to the wider community and get to know as many people as possible. This will help you discover how and where locals look for jobs in Australia.
Migrants from all countries will find there is a range of professional associations to join related to your nationality, and they should know who their community leaders are. Australian society is very multicultural, with powerful people from all nationalities and walks of life. A large number of communities have strong established business and community Groups. People who have taken the journey before you can give you insights and connect you to other people who may know of job vacancies in Australia.
Joining professional associations, trade bodies and representative organisations as quickly as possible is another way to tap into the hidden job market. Some companies seeking candidates for jobs in Australia even offer incentives to staff who refer candidates for job interviews.
International experience is not highly regarded, but networking can help potential employers overcome their doubts about hiring an “outsider?. We have found that skilled migrants are much more successful when they have the opportunity to meet a potential employer face to face.
Migrants with international experience at a senior level can become frustrated when their job applications fail because they lack local experience and local referees and cannot get jobs in Australia. Note that Australians who return home after working overseas for long periods commonly face the same problem.
One inspiring statistic (from DIAC, the Department of Immigration in Australia, immi.gov.au) is that 29% of all small businesses in Australia are owned or managed by people who were born in another country. One in five Australian jobs is directly export-related, and 12 of the top 15 export markets are non-English-speaking countries. The scope for marketing yourself to companies with international operations is considerable and offers some of the best opportunities for skilled migrants to get jobs in Australia.