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

Networking in Australia

Australia - Network like a local

BYO contacts

In Australia, BYO stands for ‘bring your own’ (particularly, bringing your own wine or beer to an unlicensed restaurant). As an immigrant, you might not think you have a useful BYO network or list of contacts from your old country, but it’s often surprising how many people you know who have contacts in Australia, or know people who do. Maybe they work for an organisation with a sister company in Australia.
If you are a member of a professional association, it’s likely to have connections with a similar body in Australia that could help you in your quest. Perhaps you have had involvement with a recruitment company with a branch or associate in Australia. If so, try to get the name of a consultant you can contact.

On arriving in Australia, a well prepared BYO list is a good start. If it doesn’t lead directly to useful contacts, it can open doors to finding them. The average adult has at least 100 contacts from all walks of life. To discover how extensive your BYO list is, follow these simple exercises. Create two lists: one of people you know personally and one of business contacts. For starters, consider:

Personal

Family members, Friends, Neighbours, Doctor, Accountant, Dentist, Bank Manager, Religious associates, Sporting contacts, If you have children, parents from their school, childcare, play group, etc

Business

Professional contacts, Customers, Professional/industry association members and officers, Recruitment agencies/consultants, Business owners, Suppliers, Contractors, Networking groups, including virtual/online

Identify up to 10 personal and 10 business contacts. Then talk to them or email them. If appropriate, arrange to meet them after you arrive for a chat over a tea or coffee. Your aim is to build a rapport so you can make them aware of your situation.

Virtual contacts in Australia

If your lists of initial contacts in Australia are on the short side, there are ways to develop more contacts before you leave by using the wonders of modern communications technology. Consider subscribing to internet mailing lists, and update your situation with any personal or professional contacts you communicate with via email. It’s not as effective as personal networking through face-to-face associations, but it’s convenient and far-reaching. Email discussion groups and mailing lists connect people with similar interests, giving you a readymade foot in the door with them. Once you subscribe, you can access everyone in the group by sending one message, and reply to group messages other subscribers send to you. Sharing information and advice in this way is effectively an electronic ice-breaker. Mailing lists are an excellent way to learn about the companies in your field and any job openings. You can also keep abreast of issues and trends affecting your profession.

Australia Contact recruiters in advance

Depending on your industry, skills and other circumstances, you may be able to contact specialised recruiters before you leave so they are expecting you to approach them later in person. It may be possible to line up meetings with them advance. It certainly does no harm to call one or two to try to gauge the state of your relevant job market and get some industry specific background. They can sometimes even give you leads to follow up after you arrive.

As a note of caution, don’t expect too much from recruiters at this stage. Most recruiters will be very reluctant to propose you to their clients unless you are in Australia. Regard them as another opportunity to add to your business/professional contact list and as a possible source of general information.

Australia Industry and professional associations

Regardless of the industry or sector you are in, Australia has an organisation to represent you and your profession. You can research through the internet and email them so you feelconfident about becoming a member and getting involved when you arrive in Australia. The benefits of joining such associations include professional credibility and kudos, and access to best-practice standards, legal and political representation, and educational opportunities. They also present you with targeted networking opportunities through engaging with other members and attending seminars, workshops and conferences.

For your purposes, the cocktail evenings and other informal get-togethers after functions can be most valuable. Youcan mingle with members and talk to company leaders about their businesses. Always remember that you are out to build your network and find out what is going on in your sector rather than directly promote yourself. You will be in a group of professionals who share your industry and passion, so there will be plenty in common to discuss.

Some associations also directly assist job seekers by advertising positions in their publications and providing company listings and contact details. Membership fees generally range from $100-$400, and occasionally more, but they are tax deductible at the end of each tax year ( June 30).

Joining a professional association also helps you:

Get up to speed with your industry in Australia. Professional associations help you to learn about trends in your area of interest through conferences, workshops, newsletters, journals, magazines and website material.They often host web-based discussion groups and conduct online member surveys to obtain the latest statistics and other information.

Find out about jobs before they are advertised through job listings, informal group meetings, blogs, web chats, etc. Some publications, and other association material with job listings and info on who is hiring, are for members only. Some associations work so closely with organisations, they can put you directly in contact with employers.

Further your education in your field from an Australian perspective. Attending conferences, expos, workshops, and professional courses and seminars all contribute to your continuing education and professional development.

You can build your network and meet key players in your field of interest while learning about product and service developments, developing issues and trends, etc. Show you are assimilating in Australia and are committed to staying. Employers are concerned about how much prospective employees know about the way things work in Australia in both technical and cultural terms. Active membership in a peak professional body shows that you know what’s required and are making the effort.

Alternative associations

As a possible alternative to, or in addition to, a professional association, consider joining social and community-based associations such as Rotary, Toastmasters, a Lions Club, fishing and sporting clubs, churches, environmental bodies, cultural groups, political parties… whatever you are interested in.

While developing your personal familiarity with and involvement in the community, you can take the opportunity to build your network and get referrals.

Excerpted from Networking in Australia by Jill noble

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Networking in Australia

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