Brush up on your English
Linked to the all-important cultural fit criteria is your ability to communicate well in English – written and conversational, and in social and workplace context.
When you cannot express yourself confidently and appropriately in English, you are immediately deemed not to be able to fit into the organisational culture.
You can be the best technical person on planet earth, but if you can’t communicate your ideas effectively you will never be hired!
This is where most migrants trip-up. When you cannot communicate well in the Australian workplace, you will find it hard to find work in Australia.
Employers worry about migrants’ English
The reality is that many Australian employers worry about the level of English of skilled migrants. While most people around the world study English, studying a language and using it daily (especially at work) are two different things.
If English is your second language and you think it may be holding you back, take some classes and practise speaking English as much as possible. This includes joining groups, volunteering, etc. to get as much practice conversing in English as you can.
This is where you must invest time, effort and money to lift your competency level in English. Don’t assume that you can get by without further work.
If you are migrating from a non-English speaking country, consider enrolling into a short language course offered by an Australian technical and further education (TAFE) provider.
The best tip I ever got!
When I first arrived in Australia, an elderly woman told me to, “speak slowly and pronounce your words clearly.”
That advice helped me improved my pronunciation and confidence over time. It was a conscious effort on my part to improve my English.
Migrants from collectivist societies do speak fast. When this occurs, we swallow our words. We don’t structure our sentence well. Our ideas are not communicated clearly and convincingly.
There are different varieties of English
Keep in mind that Australian English also differs from British or American English. It’s full of abbreviations and unique terminology. Many words in Australian English have different meanings from those ascribed in other varieties of English.
More so if you can’t understand the interview questions that are being asked. It does more harm than good if you can’t understand and communicate.
Language skills
One of the most important aspects of getting a job in Australia is your proficiency in English – verbally and in writing. A lot of job advertisements require good communication skills from job seekers.
For most professional jobs, this is a given. Employers expect a high level of English competency.
Join a Toastmasters Club
As a Charter President of a Toastmasters Club, I highly recommend migrants to join this world-wide non-profit educational organisation. You can choose any club that is located near you that suits your work schedule.
Members in a Toastmasters Club can help you improve your grammar and conversational skill if you are diligent in doing all the assignments and seeking constructive feedback for improvement. The club is a safe space for you to make mistakes and improve your communication, public speaking, and leadership skills.
Communication skills
Higher proficiency in English will lead to improved communication skills and better prospect or likelihood in securing a job. Your communication skills can make the difference between getting a job and missing out!
Good communication involves more than language proficiency. It includes simple things like making and confirming an appointment for an interview. If a potential employer offers time, date and place to meet, it is expected that you confirm the meeting beforehand, rather than just turn up at the proposed date and time.
Do further study
Depending on your profession and industry, you may need to update your knowledge about the local laws, regulations, and standards. This could be done via a post-graduate study in Australia or linked to an Australian organisation.
Having an Australian qualification will further support your job application.
You may also need to do some further study once you arrive in Australia to bridge any skills or education gaps that you may have.
Cultural and social familiarity
As a migrant, you cannot use your overseas background as an excuse. You have no choice but to respond positively and constructively to the Australian working environment. You must intentionally create or influence the outcome you want. This includes learning to have an opinion and express it even if you are shy, timid, or it may not be your personality to do so.
Going beyond your comfort zone will be something you have to master.
Australians pride themselves on being relaxed, friendly and laid-back people. This casual ethos is expressed in many working environments. It shouldn’t be mistaken for laziness or complacency.
Whilst most executive and business jobs in Australia do require formal business attire such as a suit and tie, most workers may get by with smart casual clothing and a friendly, first-name-basis relationship with colleagues and managers. Invest in formal attire for business events or functions and job interviews.
Aussies love to abbreviate common everyday terms. They take a very relaxed approach to the English language. For example, the afternoon becomes “arvo”.
If you are seeking a client or customer-facing roles such as an accountant, sales, or marketing jobs, then you will be dealing with customers. An understanding of the local culture, social, and industry practices is, therefore, necessary to interact and communicate appropriately.
Knowing and understanding local Australian humour, sport, news, and events will be a big help.
Privacy is a big thing in Australia
You don’t ask things related to someone’s privacy. This includes asking for a personal contact number and personal details.
There are strict privacy laws that must be complied with. Employers are required to comply with privacy laws when interviewing and hiring people.
There are some questions employers can’t ask interviewees. Likewise, there are some questions you can’t ask.
The ‘old’ versus ‘new’ way of finding a job
Let us be clear upfront that the old way of finding a job is dead. This applies more so to overseas skilled migrants trying to find their first job in Australia!
You must find the point of difference over all other job seekers. Then you need to use this to your advantage. This includes using a new paradigm to position you ahead of others.
The old paradigm is dead
The old paradigm of the job application is about applying for advertised jobs.
You apply for every job vacancy that vaguely meets your skills set. For each job application, you use a one-size-fits-all generic version of your resume and cover letter that focuses in on yourself. If there is no job vacancy posted, there is no job available for you to apply.
I know of a migrant who virtually spent every morning sitting in McDonalds after school drop-off going through online job sites for vacancies until he found an interstate job. He did that for two whole years!
The new paradigm is about networking and value creation
The ‘new’ way of finding a job is about building strong professional networks and creating tangible value for employers.
You must only focus on a handful of job titles. Continuously enhance your marketability and personal brand and authority, either online or offline and through networking.
As a professional or expert, you must demonstrate thought leadership and tangible achievements. Employer hire for outcomes. You must show, not tell.
Show them how you have increased sales by 10%. Don’t tell them you can increase sales without any evidence of your achievements. This evidence must be verifiable as employers will call your referees to verify what you have said.
You must consistently tailor your communications and effort aligned with your brand focusing always on what value you can or will create for the employer and customer. It’s about them, not you.
Starting all over again
For an overseas migrant relocating to Australia, you must prove yourself all over again!
You may be a high-flying executive or a well-known professional or expert in your home country. But when you arrive in Australia, you are a no-body, an unknown person that is not tested or proven in foreign soil.
For some people, this may be hard to accept. If you cannot accept this, then don’t migrate to Australia.
The fact remains that overseas migrants do face a lot of uphill battle in finding their first job!
Networking
It is a well-known fact that many job vacancies are not advertised. This makes networking the most powerful strategy to find work in Australia in the ‘new’ paradigm.
Networking is a very important way of getting to know other people. It demonstrates your initiative and enthusiasm, as well as research and communication skills, which are highly valued in Australia.
The ability to reach out and form connections within your industry will be just as important as the technical skills and education you bring to your job. Employees with extensive personal networks will be considered highly valuable to their organisations.
Show an interest in the people you meet. Ask relevant questions. Listen and follow up on the advice you have received.
Social networking
Make friends with locals upon arrival!
Reach out to members of your community who’ve moved here and successfully made a new life for themselves.
Everyone is your friend.
Great ways to make new friends include attending community BBQ’s and through meet-up groups, networking groups, sports, volunteering, and religious activities.
You can go to these people for tips and advice and about vacant jobs that they may have heard about on the grapevine.
Asking if there are job vacancies
Advertise the fact that you are looking for a job with friends and relatives, and anyone you meet who may be able to help you. Ask them if they know of an employer looking for someone with your skills, experience, and qualifications.
Do note, however, that asking people for a job immediately when you first meet them may be off-putting. Be wise and use your discretion.
Establishing friendship is the most important thing at the beginning. An offer to help you will often come afterwards when you have established that friendship.
Attend meetings or meet-ups
When you attend meetings or meet-ups, check the list of attendees discretely. Seek out those who work in your field of expertise and might be interested in your skills.
Proactively start the conversation at the meeting. Have a set of questions ready in your mind. After introducing yourself, you might ask who the person is working for, what his or her role is, and where their organisation is based.
Tell them about your areas of expertise and experience.
Ask for their business cards and follow up on conversations later. Connect via LinkedIn during your conversation with them so that you don’t forget their names.
Follow-up with your contacts
Find out as much as possible about the organisations your contacts are working in before calling them. Be clear of what you can offer – your qualifications, expertise and experience. Present yourself professionally.
You may want to have a coffee after the meet up to catch up.
Treat information given to you with confidentiality. The more people trust you the more they are likely to share information with you. This includes potential job opportunities.