Project Australia – the formula for success every engineering migrant needs!

Iranian civil engineer Mehdi Razkenari was the lucky winner of a prize for free coaching in the Project Australia approach to getting a job donated by publisher tribus lingua. This helped him land his first engineering job in Australia with Negri Construction, Civil Engineering Contractors. At the Engineers Australia Careers Expo in Melbourne in April Mehdi, along with hundreds of others entered into a draw for free coaching and advice on the Project Australia process with Ailis Logan, founder of tribus lingua and Ian Little, author Project Australia, Land that engineering job in Australia.

Mehdi arrived in Australia from Iran in January 2009 on a general skilled migration visa.

He was job ready. He had six years of varied site and project engineering experience on a range of projects in the Middle East. His qualifications had been accredited by Engineers Australia and his English was well above the minimum standard required.

In 3 months Mehdi made over 1000 job applications without getting an interview. Not surprisingly he and his wife were getting discouraged and thinking of returning to Iran. The Expo prize has changed his life. Direct coaching on the Project Australia process enabled Mehdi to demonstrate what he had to offer to an employer.

A week later at Mehdi’s next job interview he was offered a job with Negri.

Mehdi’s success was due to his perseverance and willingness to adapt to a new approach. After the coaching he had developed a CV that showed who he really was and what he had to offer.

What can all engineers learn from Mehdi’s experience?

High quality targeted job applications win the job.

  • A quality CV is needed to get you to interview.
  • Prepare thoroughly for job interviews.
  • A good mentor is invaluable.
  • The skills can be learnt from home.
  • Be able to demonstrate your knowledge of Australian standards.
  • The importance of networking at Engineers Australia functions.

Richard Negri of Negri Construction describes Mehdi as a “fantastic” addition to the Negri team. Mehdi will be working on some of the largest Victorian infrastructure projects and gaining invaluable experience at Negri Construction.

To contact the publisher about this article submit an enquiry on our contact page, contact tribus lingua.

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