Nab That Job in Australia!

This is Part II of a two-part Job Search Strategy offered to greatly increase your success rate when applying employment and sponsorship in Australia.  The two key areas I have broken your Job Search Strategy into are: MAINSTREAM (the regular job search channels)and the HIDDEN JOB MARKET (developing and expanding networks, tappinginto vacancies through the“back door” of companies).   If you follow the instructions included in these two Job Search Strategies, you will drastically increase your success ratefor finding employment in Australia.

PART II - HIDDEN JOB MARKET STRATEGY

A job search strategy will never be effective if the focus is only on the mainstream mediums, as listed above.  The reason being, this only accounts for about 20-30% of the open job vacancies in the market.  The remaining 70-80% of job opportunities are found in the Hidden Job Market.

How do you tap into the hidden job market?  There are two ways you can do this:

• Through effective networking; and

• Through companies directly.

I set out your strategy of accessing the hidden job market, specifically through the two above mediums, below.

Expanding Your Networks

Networking should be an integral part of your job search efforts, and also your overall career management. The best ways to effectively network, are:

•  Focus on your specific industry sector.

• Be clear on your career goals and your strengths, and be sure to professionally market yourself both on-line and in person (without coming across as arrogant)

• Keep your marketing material up to date, ensuring that you are highlighting your achievements and the value you can add to a potential employer; i.e. your professional resume, cover letter and profiles on multiple social networking platforms.

• Consistently work on expanding your networks through continuous on-line and off-line networking activities.

• Show a genuine interest in the contacts within your networks and focus on helping others.  This in return will nurture your networks and assist with their expansion, and will open up opportunities for you.  You should be doing this whether you are seeking a new position or not.

• Stay positive, and surround yourself with positive and supportive people who will continue to strengthen and enhance your enthusiasm and perseverance.

Social networking groups you should definitely be part of are Linked In and Facebook.

Linked In (http://www.linkedin.com/)

Linked In is a professional networking website where you can set up your profile, including full details of your work history and education.  This is a networking tool that is growing immensely and is being embraced by all serious job seekers – currently there are more than 40 million professionals who use Linked In.

Through this website you can“link up” with previous employers and managers and request for them to give you a recommendation to display on your profile for others to read.  The more detail you include on your profile, the easier it will be for you to be “found” by recruiting companies.

Linked In also have industry groups that you can join and meet people and employers who may be able to assist you with finding employment if you nurture the relationship appropriately using the tips above.  Join as many groups as you can, that are relevant to your industry and request connections with people who look as though they would make a great contact. 

Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/)

Facebook is more of a social networking website than a professional one, but it also should not be underestimated.  Facebook, similar to LinkedIn, has “groups” you can join that are relevant to your interest, and this is a great way to meet useful contacts to expand your network.  Again – join as many as you can and make friends with people, helping them where you can and nurturing those relationships.

In both of the above networking websites you should keep them up to date regularly, and continuously work on expanding your networks in each.  Make it very well known that you are seeking employment and looking to migrate to Australia.  The more people who know about this, the more that can help you.

Another way to expand your networks is to join forums in your industry area, and you can locate these by doing Google searches.  Ensure that you use www.google.com.au so that you are searching forums in Australia.

You should also look into the societies relevant to your field of expertise in Australia.  Formal groups such as these allow for plentiful networking opportunities.

"Back Door" Entry into Prominent Companies in Australia

With the current economic climate, Australian companies are cutting budgets and adopting the most cost efficient means of recruitment.  The most effective means of recruitment in this regard is via careers portals on their websites.  Through these portals, companies can capture and nurture a large pool of candidates that they can then access whenever there is a vacancy.  This means that they do not require to pay for advertising most of the time as they can utilize their own resources.

I use Forbes (www.forbes.com) and ASX (www.asx.com.au) to research the top companies in Australiain each individual industry, then go to the company’s websites to do further research on the company and establish their recruitment processes.  Most of the companies found on this Forbes list will have a careers section on their website, and I recommend applying directly through their website for any jobs of interest, rather than using a recruitment agency.  There is usually a higher attrition rate when applying for jobs directly through the company itself.

Final Tips and Recommendations

• Very Important: when sending your application to each employer, you must ensure that you change your cover letter so it is targeted specifically at the company you are sending it to, and the specific job you are applying for with that company.  Be careful, and double check before sending it to ensure it has the correct company and job details on it so as to make the most positive impression.

•  Do your own research, as the Hidden Job Market is massive in Australia and it is not possible for me to capture it all in this one document.

• Stay positive, and consistently work on your job search strategy, getting yourself  “out there” and expanding your networks.

For Part I - Main Stream Strategy, click here.