Does anyone know at what stage will employment agencies accept your CV. Most state that you need PR before submitting a CV or applying for a job, but I would be interested to hear if anyone has submitted a CV before having the visa approved and it being accepted\ processed or any feedback that is not come back when you have a visa (which is completely understandable)
My occupation is IT so would be especially interested if anybody had any luck in that area.
You're right most recruitment agencies won't talk to you until you have your visa, main reasons being a) they don't know how to or are not permitted to educate employers about visa options, and b) they get paid when someone gets placed into a job and would rather get paid this month than 6 months time.
If you want to work with them I would suggest one month before arrival.
Interestingly the RCSA website shows research where consultants state their biggest problem is not having enough good candidates... go figure.
But recruitment agents only access about 1/8 of all jobs, and online portals another 1/8. 3/4 of jobs are placed privately so you're best to allocate your time along the same split - 3/4 of time going direct to employers.
We went to Perth & Adelaide Dec 07 for a 'reccie' and sent cv's via email to a couple of agencies and also companies in the same industry to ones we had worked for in the UK asking if they could spare us some time for a chat to see what employment potential there may be. We ended up with a visit to an employment agency and a company in Perth who were both very accommodating and helpful and have agreed to see us again if we make the big move. In Adelaide I went for a chat and was offered a job there & then! At the end of the day you have nothing to lose by sowing the seed asap - other than your own time.
Go on - give it a go Only you can sell yourself.
GOOD LUCK
__________________ 25.03.08 OMG we've posted the appl! 31.03.08 C/o requests more info & meds sent to oz 05.06.08 VISA GRANTED !!!!
We are going to Perth in 3 weeks time for a 3 week reccie.
Applying on a state sponsered 175 visa but given the CO shortage don't expect to see it until September at the earliest.
Anyway on the Cv front, my thoughts where the same dish them out and speak to employers, a very proactive approach.
However the friend we will be stoping with is a sales manager with Tyco and his advice was you may well antagonise potential employers at this time. They are so desparate for people that telling them you can't start for 5 or 6 months may well have the opposite effect. I also spoke to an agent his company uses and he gave me similar advice, so we are now going to concentrate on houses, schools etc.
I had an almost perfect Resume for a job advertised by BHP billiton, they where at pains to say without my visa there woldn't be much chance, low and behold I've been passed over on this occasion but they are holding my details should other positions become available.
Bottom line with jobs seems to be plenty to go round, but you need to be here and available to work to have one - I know there are exceptions to this but in general thats seems to be the format.
From speaking to my friend, the agent and a few other sources I have no fear of finding employment but it's the leap of faith giving up your current job and being unemployed to you find your new one in Oz.
Probably not what many want to hear but this is my experience so far, If anything changes while we are across I'll let you know.
That was a really useful post, thank you for sharing your thoughts/experiences with us all. I have contacted an agency via email on behalf of my other half as we are going over on a skilled visa as he is a plumber. I have asked if he can give guidance in terms of prospects once out there etc so if I get a reply I will share with all. I forwarded his CV along with his training declaration so he can see exactly what has been covered.
I guess there are pro and cons to sunmitting CV now and proactively seeking jobs prior to getting a visa but as per some of the comments above it might work against you as well. Its good to to get different peoples viws though so I appreciate the responses.
__________________
Rob (33), Di (30), Jess (3), Ella (1)
ACS Assessment submitted 27th March, 2008
ACS Result (positive) 29th May, 2008
Just thought I would input, we came on a skilled visa (husband) the family (me and 2 little ones) tagged on his, I was unsure where I would stand in regards to work as I work in Payroll, so a good few months I sent my CV to two agencies in Brisbane, got great feed back of both and even a phone call even though they knew our visa was not certain. There is no harm in contacting people to find your feet, for me it gave me the comfort of knowing that I could still work in the same field. I only returned to work this week, went for two interviews, was lucky enough to be offered both, and both were through agencies. Re the sponsership, people who advertise through agencies are not usually interested in sponsering some one from outside Oz, they are targeting people already here. I think some one has already mentioned this (I think). Anyway keep plodding on, it took us a year in total, 6 months for the TRA (Husbands side) and then a further 6 months for the rest visa.
Only you can sell yourself.
Hi
